Working Class Economics
Policies on wages, worker protections, and economic development.
About this Issue
Learn more about this important topic.
Policies on wages, worker protections, and economic development.
The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened economic inequalities in New York City, with low-wage workers, small businesses, and communities of color experiencing the most severe impacts.
Key working class economic issues include:
- Raising the minimum wage and ensuring living wages for all workers
- Strengthening worker protections and union rights
- Supporting small businesses and local economies
- Creating good jobs with benefits and security
- Addressing income inequality and wealth concentration
The next mayor must work to create a more equitable economy, with living wages, strong worker protections, support for small businesses, and investments in communities that have been historically marginalized.
Candidate Positions
Ordered from most-likely to least-likely to fight for the working class on this issue
Zohran Mamdani
Mamdani supports a $20 minimum wage, stronger protections for workers, and community-based economic development. He advocates for worker cooperatives and progressive taxation to fund public services.
Adrienne Adams
Adams supports small business development, workforce training programs, and economic opportunities in underserved communities. She has advocated for minority and women-owned business enterprises.
Brad Lander
Lander supports worker protections, community wealth building, and progressive taxation. He has advocated for worker cooperatives, community development financial institutions, and policies to reduce inequality.
Zellnor Myrie
Myrie supports worker protections, small business support, and economic opportunities in underserved communities. He has advocated for progressive taxation to fund public services.
Scott Stringer
Stringer supports progressive taxation, small business support, and workforce development programs. He has advocated for responsible fiscal management alongside investments in public services.
Andrew Cuomo
Cuomo has supported some progressive economic policies, including a $15 minimum wage and paid family leave. However, his economic development approach has favored tax incentives for corporations and has been criticized for lack of transparency and accountability. This makes it difficult to trust his economic policies.
Why This Issue Matters
Working Class Economics
The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened economic inequalities in New York City, with low-wage workers, small businesses, and communities of color experiencing the most severe impacts.
The next mayor must work to create a more equitable economy, with living wages, strong worker protections, support for small businesses, and investments in communities that have been historically marginalized.