The powerful hotel trades union is launching an ad campaign aimed at convincing Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature to increase unemployment insurance benefits.

What You Need To Know

  • The powerful hotel trades union wants the state budget to include an increase in unemployment benefits insurance and is launching a six-figure ad buy

  • Right now, unemployment insurance benefits total $504 a week, or roughly $12 an hour, for qualifying workers

  • The push comes as the governor and legislature are busy negotiating the final details of New York's multi-billion dollar state budget financial plan, due April 1

“Anyone can lose their job. 400,000 New Yorkers do every year. But at only $504 a week, just over $12 an hour, unemployment insurance doesn't cover the rising costs of rent, food and utilities,” argues the 30-second television ad reviewed by Spectrum News NY1 from the Hotel Gaming Trades Council.

“New York hasn't increased benefits in five years and union workers on strike have to wait nearly a month before getting the benefits they deserve. Seventy of New Yorkers support increasing unemployment insurance. It's time to fix unemployment insurance.”

The push comes as the governor and legislature are busy negotiating the final details of New York's multi-billion dollar state budget financial plan, due April 1.

Union leaders are hopeful.

The state Senate included a plan that would reduce the period striking workers must wait to get unemployment from the current two weeks, to one week in the chamber’s “one house budget proposal” revealed last week.

The Assembly also indicated they would be supportive of increases in the body’s separate, “one house budget” plan.

The six-figure ad buy is set to go live Monday. It will also run on digital and social media.