Worker Compensation Benefit Increase

Workers' Compensation Campaign Is
Heating Up In Albany

We Need Your Help Now!

Things are heating up in Albany on workers' compensation reform. We need you to “Get Active” now by contacting your state legislator and telling them to support S.6135 Velella /A.9736 John, Nolan Abbate

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Workers' Compensation Benefit Increase

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

RE: S6135/A9736

Dear Legislator:

As you know, the State Senate and Assembly introduced matching bills that would increase benefits for injured workers in New York State for the first time in twelve years.

As a union member, and as a constituent, I respectfully urge you to support S.6135/A.9736

In addition to the benefit increase, the bills include measures to: make all parties in the system more responsible; rewards good participants and punishes the bad; and instills competition as a motivator for a better delivery of services.

Workers' compensation benefits have not been raised since 1992. That's 12 long years. Much too long for injured workers and their families. How can injured workers be expected to support themselves? How can they feed their families and educate their children on benefits that haven't been raised in more than a decade?

In 1992, the maximum benefit of $400 was 66% of New York's average weekly wage. Today that same $400 maximum benefit, of which only 3% of injured workers collect, is only 44% of the average weekly wage. The historic compact of workers' compensation has been broken.

The time for a benefit increase is now.

As a point of information, the New York State AFL-CIO has noted that your support of this bill will be key to your labor voting record.

Again, I urge you to support the above mentioned legislation

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
March 11, 2004


Background Information

The State Senate and Assembly introduced matching bills on February 12 th that would increase benefits for injured workers in New York State for the first time in twelve years.

Although they have enjoyed cost certainty since 1992, the last time workers' compensation benefits were increased, the business community and the insurance industry are fiercely opposing this legislation.

That is why we need you to GET ACTIVE NOW!

In addition to the long overdue benefit increase, the proposed legislation reflects many of the ideas and concepts put forth and recommended by the New York State AFL-CIO. The bill makes all parties in the system more responsible, rewards good participants and punishes the bad, and instills competition as a motivator for a better delivery of services.

Workers' compensation benefits have not been raised since 1992. That's 12 long years. Much too long for injured workers and their families. How can an injured worker support themselves? How can they feed their families and educate their children on benefits that haven't been raised in more than a decade?

In 1992, the maximum benefit of $400 was 66% of New York 's average weekly wage. Today that $400 maximum benefit is only 44% of the average weekly wage.The historic compact of workers' compensation has been broken.

The time for a benefit increase is now!