NYC Launches First-of-Its-Kind Office of Worker Power

The new office, overseen by Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, will function as a hub for workers unsure of how to initiate organizing drives. Led by former United Auto Workers director Tony Perlstein, the agency will provide direct guidance, hold public hearings on labor issues, and connect employees with existing support organizations. Mamdani described the initiative as a way to put the full weight of City Hall behind the essential workers who keep the city running.

Recent data from the City University of New York School of Labor and Urban Studies highlights the necessity of the project. While New York City’s union density stands at 20.5%—double the national average—membership rates have remained largely stagnant. Perlstein noted that a significant disconnect persists between the 70% of Americans who approve of labor unions and the actual rate of unionization. By providing education on legal rights and organizing tactics, the administration hopes to bridge this gap and transform the local labor landscape.