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Starting today, about 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) are officially on strike, demanding “fair contracts” that include a 77% wage increase over the next six years, plus better health coverage and a ban on automated equipment. This is the first time that dockworkers at the Port of New York and New Jersey have gone on strike since 1977.

According to ABC7, although the development specifically impacts a limited number of ports in the East and Gulf coasts, the vast majority of Americans will actually feel its repercussions if things continue this way for the next few weeks.

In New York, city dwellers will have to contend with a slew of issues, including inflated prices on certain goods that are usually transported by the ILA.

Here are more details about it all:

Why are dock workers going on strike?

Members of the ILA are striking in protest of wage increase disputes and the use of automated technology across ports, which they believe violates labor contracts. 

According to CNN, the dock workers’ union is seeking a $5-an-hour yearly pay increase over the next six years, basically bringing the hourly wage up from $39 to $69 (that’s a 77% increase).  

As of press time, the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents the shipping lines, said “it had increased its offer to wage increases of more than 50% over the proposed six-year contract—”but the strikers did not agree to a deal.

What ports are being affected by the seaport strike? 

Although there are competing reports regarding the number of ports affected by the strike (ABC7 claims 14 ports are involved while the Associated Press believes the number to be closer to 36), what is for certain is that the Port of New York and New Jersey, the third busiest one in the country, is part of that group.

How does the strike impact New Yorkers?

According to Gothamist, the strike could disrupt the city’s supply of wine, spirits and fruits. Shipments of cars and semiconductors could also be affected.

That being said, Governor Kathy Hochul was quick to point out that a short-term strike should not be too damaging.

“People do not need to rush out to the grocery store and stockpile goods like they did during the pandemic,” she said in an official statement. “We do not want to see people reach that level of anxiety, because we are not there.”

When was the last dock worker strike?

The last time the ILA walked out of East and Gulf Coast ports was back in 1977, nearly 50 years ago.

“The deal that ended the strike included wage raises well above those proposed by employers, increased contributions to pension plans and steps to address the I.L.A.’s concern that new technology could cause job losses,” reports the New York Times.

Clearly, things haven’t changed much in half-a-decade.

* This article was originally published here

Zabar’s, the legendary grocery store at 2245 Broadway by 80th Street on the Upper West Side, is celebrating 90 years of business by offering patrons $.90 cups of coffee now through the end of October. Given the constantly increasing price of java—and the delicacy usually served at Zabar’s—we could not be more excited about the promotion.

The grocery shop has also announced that it will sell a one-pound bag of Zabar’s Anniversary Coffee Blend for $9.99 in-store during this month, plus new specials throughout the year.

“For 90 years, Zabar’s has been serving generations of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world, becoming a beloved institution that transcends food,” said Saul Zabar, co-owner of the store and son of Zabar’s founders Louis and Lillian Zabar, in an official statement. “We are proud to mark this milestone and deeply grateful to our customers for their loyalty and love for our unique food products.”

As New Yorkers know, there is much to celebrate. Zabar’s has been directly and indirectly shaping the city’s culinary scene for almost a century now, also appearing in countless TV shows and movies, an emblem of a very specific type of New York City lifestyle. 

The Zabars started the business as a 22-foot-wide shop along Broadway and 80th Street back n 2934, “with a mission to serve the highest quality coffee and smoked fish,” according to an official press release. Over the ensuing decades, the company expanded in scope and size, introducing New Yorkers to a ton of different foods, from Brie cheese in the 1960s to caviar and more. 

Head uptown, grab a (cheap!) cup of coffee and cheers to one of the most beloved New York businesses!

* This article was originally published here

We don’t know how we got here either, folks, but the Wollman Rink 2024-2025 skating season is about to begin.

While some of us are still mourning the loss of summer, others are ready to lace up their skates and embrace the cold weather. If you find yourself in the latter portion, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about one of the most iconic ice rinks in NYC reopening. Consider this time to find your coziest scarf and hat combo.

When does Wollman Rink open? 2024-2025 tickets are live

Skaters can officially purchase 2024-2025 tickets on the Wollman Rink website, and the season will kick off on Monday, October 28th, according to the attraction’s calendar. (A Community Day will take place on Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th.) The Central Park hotspot will also delight visitors throughout the season with themed skating nights, live performances, and lessons, to name a few offerings.

Should you be more inclined to watch a Rangers game than figure skating, be sure to have a glimpse at the rink’s hockey offerings as well, which caters to all skill levels.

Adult tickets for general admission skating are $15 off-peak, $27 peak, $38 prime, and children and seniors are $10 during all parts of the season. If you aren’t coming equipped with your own skates, rentals — which range in size from US youth 8 to adult 14 —are $12. Should you need, $8 locker rentals are also available.

While it’s hard to believe that the cold weather is approaching and we’re nearing the end of the year, there’s plenty to enjoy about NYC during the wintertime, and the rinks are proof. If you really can’t wait to get your triple axel on, you’ll be pleased to know that the rink at Rockefeller Center opens two weeks prior to Wollman Rink, giving you ample time to practice your moves.

Enter the park at 59th St. and 6th Ave.

Mon-Tues 10am-2:30pm, Wed-Thurs 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-1opm, Sunday 10am-2:30pm

From Monday, October 28th

The post Wollman Rink Tickets Are Now On Sale, So Lace Up Your Skates For The New Season appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

New Yorkers are proud of many things—bagels! Broadway! Nathan’s hot dog eating contest! Bodegas!—but citizens’ ecstasy over the flavor of the city’s tap water has always been one of the quirkiest aspects of their urban identity.

Alas, we may have to rethink our devotion to the water system: this week, NYC tap water may actually taste different because a Catskill Mountains watershed that usually provides about 90% of the town’s potable water will be reduced in half, according to the New York Times.

“A lesser-used supply will make up the difference,” reports the outlet. 

Officials are, in fact, shutting down part of the Delaware Aqueduct, the longest tunnel in the world, for eight months in order to perform critical repairs as part of a $2 billion project that will fix leaks beneath the Hudson River. A separate watershed, one that usually supplies the city with 10% of its water, will be used instead. 

“Just like different brands of bottled water taste a bit different, so do our different reservoirs,” said New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala in an official statement. “While some residents may notice a temporary, subtle difference in taste or aroma during the repairs as we change our famous blend, our water remains clean and safe to drink.”

While we have you here: given how much water is used in making authentic NYC bagels and pizza, don’t be surprised if the foods happen to taste or feel slightly different in the next few months. The culinary modification is for the greater good, after all. 

* This article was originally published here

Vanderbilt University, consistently ranked one of the best universities in the country, has become synonymous with the city it calls home, Nashville—but that’s about to change. The school has announced its intention to significantly expand its footprint north to New York City.

Last week, the university entered a lease agreement with the General Theological Seminary, which was founded in 1817 in the heart of Chelsea. The lease agreement includes a staggering 13 buildings and nearly 150,000 square feet of space, meaning its presence will likely be felt throughout the neighborhood.

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Part of the university’s reason for expanding into New York is the fact that a big part of its alumni network lives in the city. According to The Tennessean, approximately 7,800 alumni now live in town. 

Last year, the university created an administrative hub in the city, which focuses on helping alumni connect with each other and assists them in searching for local career opportunities. 

“To properly provide a transformative education to our students, and help our scholars and researchers achieve their greatest ambitions and most meaningful impact, we must make the broadest and richest range of opportunities available to them—wherever those opportunities exist,” said Chancellor Daniel Diermeier in an official statement. “As home to leading institutions in finance, media, technology and the arts, and as a jumping-off point to the rest of the world, New York offers unbounded opportunities.”

The city’s presence in New York makes sense in more ways than one: the university was actually founded by New York City magnet Cornelius Vanderbilt, who saw potential in creating a school in the South on the heels of a divided country post-Civil War, per Vanderbilt’s website. The General Theological Seminary will continue to operate on the campus and keep some office space at a significantly reduced capacity.

When is the project expected to finish?

The university is still waiting on New York State’s government to approve the lease, according to The Tennessean. If the lease is approved, more information about an expected move-in date will become clear. 

To stay up to date with the latest developments on the expansion, keep an eye on Vanderbilt’s website. 

* This article was originally published here