By Bob Hennelly

Last week’s Canadian wildfires saw 100 million Americans under an air quality alert with New York City’s air quality index hitting 484, which is considered “hazardous.” According to the American Lung Association, anything above a 300 reading “everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors.” On this episode of the Stuck Nation Labor Radio Hour we look at the under-reported impact on essential workers and what’s required to confront the climate crisis with a renewed sense of urgency with Jennifer Coffey, executive director of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, and Charlene Obernauer, executive director of the New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health.

In the middle part of the show, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander explains why he opted to reject the Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan that Mayor Adams is forcing 250,000 New York City retired civil servants to enroll in. Lander explains how pending litigation by the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees raises significant questions about the legality of the procurement.

Lander referenced last year's New York Times reporting that identified extensive allegations of fraud, abuse, overbilling, and denials of medically necessary care at 9 of the top 10 Medicare Advantage plans, including CVS Health, which owns Aetna. 

Finally, Dan Kroop and Vinuri Ranaweera of the Association of Legislative Employees representing the 400 City Council staffers provide an update at the one year mark of their contract negotiations, which aim to secure a living wage of $75,000 a year, a significant increase from their current rate.

Listen to the entire show below: