Montefiore Residents & Fellows Vote to Re-Unionize after Four Decades

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Resident doctors at Montefiore Medical Center, one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City, have successfully won union representation with a supermajority of 82 percent, voting in favor of joining the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR/SEIU), the union announced on Feb. 23. The move will re-establish a union presence at Montefiore more than four decades after their original union, one of the first nationwide, was removed, union officials said. The union’s re-establishment is the result of recent organizing efforts by residents and fellows, as reported. Resident-led organizing efforts began early in the pandemic, when, according to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Leonard Stekol, chairman, president and CEO of Ridgewood Savings Bank (Ridgewood), announced on Jan. 11 the relocation of Ridgewood’s White Plains Road branch to a new state-of-the-art space at 3951 White Plains Road, just four short blocks away from its former site. With the new location arrives the recently launched Ridgewood BankOn Checking and SBA 7(a) loan program, which Ridgewood officials said furthers the availability of financial products for the community and small businesses. “Our roots have always been firmly planted in the local communities to help our customers grow and prosper,” said Stekol. “With the relocation of the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

District 13 Council Member Marjorie Velázquez and colleagues rejoiced as Int 559-A, also known as “Skip The Stuff” bill was signed into law by New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Jan. 19. Representatives for the Northeast Bronx council member said for years, local advocates have urged the City Council to pass legislation to decrease the usage of single-use plastics and unnecessary condiment packets or extras. They said the majority of these items are tossed directly in the garbage or a drawer, never to be used and local businesses simultaneously throw away thousands of dollars while overwhelming our landfills.

By ARIEL PACHECO

Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) held their final board meeting of 2022 on Dec. 13, following a successful annual tree-lighting event in Bedford Park on Dec. 8. The meeting was attended by around two dozen people, updates were shared by the different CB7 committee chairs and concerns of some community members were also heard. The meeting was the first to be presided over by recently elected Bronx CB7 chair, Yajaira Arias, following her election to the position on Nov. 15. As reported, Arias, the incumbent CB7 secretary, succeeds Emmanuel Martinez, who stepped down as chair in the summer of 2022.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced on Jan. 5, that P.J. Salvage has recalled about 2,650 units of a specific set of children’s pajamas which have failed to meet the federal, flammability standards for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injuries to children. A refund is being offered for the returns. The recalled children’s pajama sets are 65 percent polyester and 35 percent rayon and comprise a two-piece, long-sleeve shirt and pants set. The pajama sets were sold in sizes x-small, small, medium, large and x-large in the following colors and print patterns: camo print

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Democratic Assembly Member Patricia Fahy (A.D. 109) and fair repair advocates applauded Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent signature of the Digital Fair Repair Act, passed this year by the New York State legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support. The landmark law allows individuals and small businesses to repair digital devices, and requires electronic manufacturers to provide the manuals and parts to do so, ending ‘Big Tech’s’ monopoly on New York State’s repair market. Products covered by the legislation include digital electronic devices commonly used by all New Yorkers, such as smartphones, handheld devices, and computers. New York becomes the first state

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Health Commissioner Issues Advisory NYC health commissioner, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, issued a new advisory on Dec. 9 as NYC faces high levels of a triple onslaught of COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases. New Yorkers are strongly urged to wear masks in public, indoor settings, and crowded outdoor settings, to get vaccinated, test regularly, wash hands regularly and stay home, if sick. For more information, visit here. He said this is especially important for people who are – or are meeting – those who are at increased risk for complications from COVID-19, RSV, or the flu, such as those age 65

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Get a Refund on Your Next Rent Increase (Section 8 voucher holders) Attention New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Section 8 voucher holders: Find out how you can get a refund on your next rent increase. Click here to sign up: https://on.nyc.gov/3OgGJZ1. The David Prize Kingsbridge Library is advising Bronxites that The David Prize is giving away $200K to New Yorkers with big ideas. The David Prize is a celebration of individuals and ideas to create a better, brighter New York. Open to any individuals working in the five boroughs, the Prize welcomes those with the grit and vision

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Congress members, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), have introduced what has been described as critical new legislation to protect housing insecure migrants and individuals. H.R.9210 aims to waive certain requirements for Community Development Block Grant amounts, used for public service activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to homelessness and emergency rental assistance needs. In the context of the bill’s introduction, the representatives said, “Our bill will eliminate the 15 percent cap on housing public services, as stipulated in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and extend CDBG emergency grant payments from three to

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Montefiore Residents & Fellows Vote to Re-Unionize after Four Decades

Wakefield: Ridgewood Savings Bank’s White Plains Road Branch Has Moved 4 Blocks

“Skip The Stuff” Bill Becomes Law, Ending Single-Use Plastics in Takeout and Delivery Orders

UPDATE Bronx CB7 Looks Forward to Subway Upgrades & More in 2023

P.J. Salvage Recalls Children’s Pajamas Due to Burn Hazard

NY Becomes First State to Enact “Right to Repair” Law for Consumers of Digital Electronic Devices

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