New York’s new “NLRB Trigger Law” gives the state’s Public Employment Relations Board the ability to act in labor disputes when the feds are either unable to unwilling to take action.

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By Joe Maniscalco

One of the first things Donald Trump did when he came into office in January was fire National Labor Relations Board member Gwynn Wilcox, thereby depriving the NLRB the three-member quorum it needs to function.

Last week, however, New York enacted a new law sponsored by State Sen. Jessica Ramos [D,WF-13th District] and authored by Assembly Member Harry Bronson [D-138th District] giving the state’s Public Employment Relations Board [PERB] the ability to act in disputes between the bosses and organized labor unions if the NLRB either can’t or won’t.

“The NLRB Trigger Law sets in place meaningful protections at the state level that counteract the Trump Administration’s attack on workers and the middle class,” Assembly Labor Committee Chair Bronson said in a statement following the bill being signed into law.

State Sen. Ramos thanked Governor Kathy Hochul for signing the NLRB Trigger bill into law as part of a larger legislative package containing four other pro-labor bills.

“I’m so grateful to Governor Hochul for signing my bills to protect federal workers when federal safeguards fall short and to expand union apprenticeships that build the greener future we urgently need,” she said. “That’s how we honor workers in New York.”

PERB Chair Tim Connick said it was now more important than ever for elected officials to stand up for workers.

“As the current administration continues to sideline longstanding labor institutions like the National Labor Relations Board, it is more important than ever that New York State step up to defend the rights of workers and create fair venues to resolve labor disputes,” he said in a statement. PERB stands ready to fill the void left by Trump’s NLRB and protect the rights of workers and organized labor across the state.”