“I did have a phone call with the mayor himself to discuss why the municipal workers, when we have such a shortage in staffing, why they haven’t been brought back, especially since the mandate has been lifted for such a long period of time. His response to me was, ‘I have a plan. I’m not ready to share that yet, but I do have a plan. I promise you.’” - Joann Ariola
In this episode of the New York Mandate podcast, I talk with New York City Council Member and Minority Leader Joann Ariola. Ariola represents the 32nd District in Queens and is a member of the Common Sense Caucus.
When New York City municipal workers who did not comply with the City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates were put on leave without pay, terminated, and pushed out of their jobs, Ariola became an advocate for them. She has advocated for their reinstatement at City Council hearings and other public events, and behind closed doors with City officials.
Ariola is one of the sponsors of City Council Resolution 5, which calls upon state legislators to pass a bill reinstating New York City workers who lost their jobs under the mandates, and she is the lead petitioner in a summary inquiry petition seeking a judicial inquiry into the City’s COVID restrictions.
She talked with me about some of the promising new developments in her efforts and what could come next.
More from Council Member Joann Ariola:
New York City Council Member Joann Ariola’s website
The Councilwoman’s official website. You can also find her on X and Facebook.
This is the statement Ariola published on May 2 on X:
Here are some links related to things we talked about during the episode:
Council Member Ariola’s comments at a recent UFT event
Ariola advocated for reinstating educators who lost their jobs under the New York City Department of Education vaccine mandate at this recent event held by the United Federation of Teachers.
Mayoral candidate Jim Walden has promised to rehire New York City workers who lost their jobs under the City’s vaccine mandates if elected.
Mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa has promised to reinstate New York City workers who lost their jobs under the City’s vaccine mandates if elected.
In this episode of The Finest Unfiltered, mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani responded to questions about his position on reinstating workers who lost their jobs under the City’s vaccine mandates:
In this conversation with NYC retirees’ advocate Marianne Pizzitola, mayoral candidate Jessica Ramos responded to questions about her position on reinstating workers who lost their jobs under the City’s vaccine mandates:
About the New York Mandate Podcast
The New York Mandate Podcast is an ongoing series of conversations exploring the costs and consequences of vaccine mandates in New York City. I talk with workers, students, and parents who have been directly affected by the mandates, as well as legal and policy experts.
In late 2021, the City introduced a series of requirements for workers to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. These requirements were put in place through executive orders issued by the administration of former mayor Bill de Blasio. They covered nearly all workers in New York City, in both the public and private sectors. They also barred unvaccinated adults, including parents, from schools.
Current mayor Eric Adams kept the mandates in place until November 1, 2022 for the private sector and February 10, 2023 for City workers, and has encouraged private employers to put their own vaccine requirements in place.
The views expressed in the New York Mandate podcast are the personal opinions of the people speaking, and are not intended to provide medical or legal advice.
Join the Conversation
Have you lost your job, been put on leave, or lost opportunities to work as an independent contractor as a result of your decision not to comply with a vaccine mandate in New York? Did you take a vaccine against your wishes in order to keep your job? Please get in touch with me at NYMpodcast@protonmail.com.
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