Claudia Irizarry Aponte, Author at THE CITY

Purple sticker with Hot Head Grabba icon of a cartoon face smoking with pink eyes. "clean" "organic" "Bussin" Sold here

Labor

‘Finally There Is Justice:’ Former Tobacco Sweatshop Workers Relieved Over Wage Theft Indictment

June 6, 2025, 1:27 p.m.June 6, 2025, 3:07 p.m.

Workers overcome with emotion as they learn their former bosses were charged with more than $310,000 in wage theft and more.

Brooklyn

Operators of ‘Grabba’ Tobacco Sweatshop Charged With Wage Theft, Reckless Endangerment

June 4, 2025, 1:37 p.m.June 5, 2025, 2:10 p.m.

In a 74-count indictment, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez charged HotHead Grabba, its owner and top managers in connection with alleged wage theft and health hazards in a tobacco sweatshop empire.

An Uber billboard hovers over Second Avenue and 126th Street in East Harlem.

Campaign 2025

Uber and DoorDash Accelerate Spending in Local Council Races

May 29, 2025, 6:53 p.m.May 29, 2025, 6:53 p.m.

With the June 24 Democratic primary approaching, ride-hail and food delivery companies have started spending millions in an attempt to throttle proposed workers’ rights bills.

A teacher’s union flyer s tier six pension plan.

Campaign 2025

Cuomo, Who Cut Public Worker Pensions, s Mayoral Candidates Calling to Boost Them

May 21, 2025, 4:55 a.m.May 20, 2025, 6:37 p.m.

More than a decade after reducing benefits for newly hired “Tier 6” public workers, the ex-governor says the city can afford to lower the retirement age. Workers and budget watchdogs remain skeptical.

City retiree Merritt Claude sits in her walker before boarding a bus up to Albany.

Labor

New York’s Highest Court Hears Final Arguments in Medicare Advantage Case

May 15, 2025, 9:08 p.m.May 27, 2025, 4:07 p.m.

The Court of Appeals will issue the final word on the fate of the health care plan for 250,000 city retirees in the coming months.

United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew speaks outside City Hall.

Unions

Voting Begins in Teachers Union Elections As Insurgents Vie to Unseat Mulgrew

May 12, 2025, 5:00 a.m.May 12, 2025, 12:49 p.m.

The longtime UFT president’s role in approving the loathed Medicare Advantage cost-savings switch of retiree health insurance has rival candidates gunning to dislodge him.

New Yorkers line up at Brooklyn Museum to vote.

Elections

More Than 40% of Democratic Presidential Primary Voters in These Neighborhoods Cast Blank Ballots for Gaza

April 30, 2025, 5:42 p.m.May 1, 2025, 4:10 p.m.

Brooklyn and western Queens delivered protest votes in sizable numbers, sending a message to former President Joe Biden’s for Gaza war efforts.

Retired city workers rally outside City Hall against a plan to change their healthcare plans.

Labor

Public Sector Unions Sue City Hall Over Health Savings Ime

April 29, 2025, 6:05 p.m.April 30, 2025, 5:50 a.m.

Facing Adams istration demands to pay back up to $4 billion after a failed Medicare Advantage switch for retirees, the Municipal Labor Committee is seeking to fend off arbitration.

DC 37 director Henry Garrido speaks at their Lower Manhattan headquarters about the union’s endorsement of Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for mayor.

Campaign 2025

City’s Largest Municipal Union and AG James Back Adrienne Adams for Mayor

April 23, 2025, 4:17 p.m.April 23, 2025, 4:18 p.m.

The of DC 37’s more than 200,000 and retirees could provide a boost for the City Council speaker’s struggling mayoral campaign.

Mourners pray for Pope Francis at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Religion

New Yorkers Mourn Pope Francis, the ‘Pope of the People’

April 21, 2025, 3:28 p.m.April 21, 2025, 6:17 p.m.

"Until the last day of his life he was a messenger of hope,” said Bishop Robert Brennan speaking to an afternoon crowd of churchgoers in Brooklyn Monday.

Claudia Irizarry Aponte

‘Finally There Is Justice:’ Former Tobacco Sweatshop Workers Relieved Over Wage Theft Indictment

Operators of ‘Grabba’ Tobacco Sweatshop Charged With Wage Theft, Reckless Endangerment

Uber and DoorDash Accelerate Spending in Local Council Races

Cuomo, Who Cut Public Worker Pensions, s Mayoral Candidates Calling to Boost Them

New York’s Highest Court Hears Final Arguments in Medicare Advantage Case

Voting Begins in Teachers Union Elections As Insurgents Vie to Unseat Mulgrew

More Than 40% of Democratic Presidential Primary Voters in These Neighborhoods Cast Blank Ballots for Gaza

Public Sector Unions Sue City Hall Over Health Savings Ime

City’s Largest Municipal Union and AG James Back Adrienne Adams for Mayor

New Yorkers Mourn Pope Francis, the ‘Pope of the People’

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