Mayor Zohran Mamdani Launches Nation’s First Office of Worker Power

On Labor Day, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an executive order establishing the Mayor’s Office of Worker Power (MOWP), the first municipal office of its kind in the United States. The office will use City Hall resources to inform, connect, and assist private-sector workers who lack benefits, adequate wages, or a voice on the job. It will convene workers, unions, and worker centers; hold public hearings; provide referrals to organizing groups; and coordinate research and policy proposals across city agencies. Executive Director Tony Perlstein, a former longshoreman and UAW organizing director, will report to Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su.

Mayor Mamdani Launches First-in-the-Nation Office of Worker Power to Support Labor Organizing New York PostPoliticoMayor Mamdani Launches First-In-The-Nation Office Of Worker Power On Labor Day, Mamdani launches first-of-its-kind Office of Worker Power in New York City On Labor Day, Mamdani Debuts New Office to Support Union Organizing The American ProspectMundoNow

The administration frames the office as a response to widening income inequality and a decline in union density. A city comptroller report noted that real median income fell 3.2 % between 2019 and 2024 while the top 1 % captured 37 % of total city income. Union membership among private-sector New Yorkers is reported at roughly 12.5 % (city officials) and 20.5 % (CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies), well above the national average of about 10 % but far below the 70 % public support for unions recorded in recent polling. The administration also cites a $104 million tip increase for roughly 70,000 app-based delivery workers and new heat-protection rules for 1.4 million outdoor workers.

On Labor Day, Mamdani launches first-of-its-kind Office of Worker Power in New York City

• CEO-to-worker pay ratio for the 100 largest low-paying corporations: 614 to 1.

Washington Examiner

• Estimated additional tips for app-based workers since January: $104 million (about $2,287 per worker annually).

Mayor Mamdani Launches First-in-the-Nation Office of Worker Power to Support Labor Organizing

• Private-sector union density: 12.5 % (city) vs. 20.5 % (CUNY).

The American Prospect

Deputy Mayor Su clarified that MOWP will not replace unions or directly organize workplaces; instead, it will “support and amplify” existing labor groups and “build relationships” to intervene before problems become crises.

Washington Examiner

Sources differ on the current level of unionization in New York City. City officials cite a private-sector union density of 12.5 %, while a CUNY study reports 20.5 % overall union membership. The discrepancy reflects differing definitions (private-sector only vs. total workforce) and highlights a gap in standardized union-density metrics for the city.

The American Prospect

• “This office allows us to get ahead of exploitation instead of simply responding to it,” — Deputy Mayor Julie Su

Mayor Mamdani Launches First-in-the-Nation Office of Worker Power to Support Labor Organizing

• “Every day, working New Yorkers show up, do their jobs, and keep this city running. Too often, they have no say in the conditions they work under,” — Mayor Zohran Mamdani

Mayor Mamdani Launches First-in-the-Nation Office of Worker Power to Support Labor Organizing

The office will launch public hearings on worker-rights issues, develop “proactive” investigation procedures for agencies such as the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and produce research-driven policy proposals for the City Council. Staffing levels and budget allocations have not been disclosed. Activities are slated to begin in the coming weeks, with coordination across city departments to monitor challenges such as gig-economy misclassification, AI-driven workplace changes, and climate-related safety risks.

The American Prospect