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Terri Gerstein

@terrigerstein.bsky.social

4.5K followers 1.1K following 670 posts

Director, NYU Wagner Labor Initiative. Workers’ rights lawyer. Sometimes writer. Policy wonk. Former NY labor law enforcer. Mom of 2 ppl taller/smarter than me. Brooklynite.

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · Nov 11

Hi, everyone! I created a labor and workers' rights starter pack. It's a work in progress; I searched for many people who don't seem to be on here yet. Anyhow, I hope it's helpful. I've marked it started pack #1; I'll do a followup if people send me some suggestions. go.bsky.app/8cTBrjP

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 3h

I shared factual information about her record on workers (& only a small fraction of it). I think farmworkers should be able to organize, should get minimum wage & be able to talk w each other about working conditions without being fired for it. I think it’s shameful for a Dem not to support these.

Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 13h

Also though not gonna lie her anti-worker anti-labor record is a big problem on the merits. Like what are we doing as Dems?!

Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 13h

I agree winning is more important than choosing the perfect candidate. But (1) I think there’s a trend against establishment candidates (2) There’s a lot of negativity toward very old candidates. Some of it is ugly ageism but there’s the specter of Biden & Mills would be 79 at election time.

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 16h

No my point is that Graham Platner - the populist Dem who has already announced a run for Senate in Maine - is polling higher than Mills.

Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 1d

I agree: don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. But “reliable” centrists haven’t always delivered in these situations. Also, wagon-circling to protect establishment candidates harms the Democratic Party’s credibility & ultimately election results. (Plus he’s polling stronger than Mills)

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 1d

A strong populist unusually promising Dem candidate has already “appeared” - he announced months ago. www.newyorker.com/news/the-pol...

Can a Maine Oyster Farmer Defeat a Five-Term Republican Senator?

Graham Platner, a local veteran, is angling to take on Susan Collins, who may be vulnerable in her 2026 reëlection bid—and is drawing support from both sides of the aisle.

www.newyorker.com

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 2d

(1) Working people are the core of the Democratic base and coalition. We are where we are now in part bc some Dems forgot this. (2) A strong populist Dem is already running for senator in ME. Mills, by entering the race, is arguably the one who’d divide Democrats. www.newyorker.com/news/the-pol...

Can a Maine Oyster Farmer Defeat a Five-Term Republican Senator?

Graham Platner, a local veteran, is angling to take on Susan Collins, who may be vulnerable in her 2026 reëlection bid—and is drawing support from both sides of the aisle.

www.newyorker.com

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 2d

Mills did sign a farmworker minimum wage bill this year…but only after an amendment removed workers’ right to sue their employers for violations. There’s more anti-worker moves, too, beyond farmworkers alone, but these are some greatest hits. (2/2)

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 2d

Janet Mills vetoed collective bargaining for farmworkers (2022); a minimum wage for farmworkers (2024); and a bill outlawing retaliation against farmworkers for discussing work conditions (2025). Is *that* what we need in a Democratic candidate?!? (1/2)

Axios @axios.com · 3d

Scoop: Maine Gov. Janet Mills is poised to jump into Maine Senate race

Scoop: Mills poised to jump into Maine Senate race

Gov. Janey Mills' entry into the race would set off another complicated Democratic primary.

trib.al

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 3d

Inspired at the NAFC conference alongside worker champions like @keithellison.bsky.social & Lee Atakpu & on a panel of fierce labor commissioners!Fired up by @govpritzker.illinois.gov 🔥 I also enjoyed a power walk w Jane Flanagan @il-dol.bsky.social in Chicago (very lovely, not a war zone).

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Reposted by Terri Gerstein

Jenny Hunter @jennyhunter.bsky.social · 4d

When the start of a new Supreme Court term fills you with dread 😱, it's time to fix the federal courts. Check out the report I wrote for @peoplesparity.bsky.social showing how the 100s of federal cases challenging Trump's illegal actions this year show the urgent need for court reform.

People’s Parity Project @peoplesparity.bsky.social · 4d

1/2 📢PPP’s new report “No Kings: the Urgent Need for Court Reform” shows that court reform would strengthen democracy & help right-size the role of the courts by handing power back to our elected representatives. @jennyhunter.bsky.social

👉READ MORE: tinyurl.com/PPPNoKings

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 5d

How to reduce crime? High on the list: "A stable, well-paying job."

The Marshall Project @themarshallproject.org · 5d

Ahead of the 2020 election, we asked people in prison what might have helped keep them from committing the crime that led to their incarceration.

Among their responses were:
• affordable housing
• a stable, well-paying job
• mental health support

What Could Have Kept Me Out of Prison

We asked people behind bars what services and programs could have changed the course of their lives. Therapy, affordable housing and a living wage topped the list.

www.themarshallproject.org

Reposted by Terri Gerstein

Roosevelt Institute @rooseveltinstitute.org · 8d

The result of this ruling was outsized influence on legislators in passing policies that favor wealth. Reviving campaign-finance reform isn’t optional—it’s a prerequisite for a government that answers to people, not billionaires. 3/3

Read our new report ➡️ rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...

Quote Graphic from report “Citizens United and the Decline of US Democracy: Assessing the Decision’s Impact 15 Years Later“ by Rachel Funk Fordham, with quote "The Citizens United ruling enabled concentrated economic power to bend politics to its will, amplifying the preferences of a small, ultra-wealthy minority at the expense of the vast majority of the American people. The decision was part of a coordinated effort to shift the balance of power in the US toward the wealthy."

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Reposted by Terri Gerstein

Roosevelt Institute @rooseveltinstitute.org · 8d

NEW📝: A flood of billionaire money in elections started after the SCOTUS #CitizensUnited decision.

Since 2010, billionaire 💰💰 in elections has grown 160x, giving the wealthy huge power over policy while regular voters lose influence. 🧵1/3

Graph showing billionaire spending in Presidential elections before and after Citizen's United.

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 6d

Ugh so sorry.

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 7d

Gloria Steinem wrote a great essay about how women often get more-not less-radical with age bc they experience more sexism as they go thru life: sexual harassment and discrimination at work, pregnancy discrimination, less pay, greater responsibilities at home and in child rearing, etc.

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 7d

It has the vibe of Logan's Run. Like "Get out of the way, Grandpa." It's done in broad brush ways that rely on ugly stereotypes.

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 7d

Also, ppl for various reasons might not be in a position to run for office until a little later in life. Women w/ caregiving responsibilities may choose to run when kids are grown. Ppl with certain jobs (teacher, EMT) may feel called to run after yrs of experience. In short, can we be less ageist?

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 7d

I was admiringly reading the "about" section of an up & coming candidate; then I saw a dismissive comment in her bio about "people over 50." YES we need new leadership & it's *horrible* when ppl cling to their offices even with dementia, etc. But age does not inevitably equal crusty old ideas.

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 7d

There's often ugly ageism in the call for renewed Dem leadership. Yes, we need boldness & action from leaders, not cardboard institutional caution. But there are bold ppl of various ages. Consider Bernie or Elizabeth Warren. Gov Pritzger & Keith Ellison are in their 60s. Sen Murphy in 50s. Etc.

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 7d

California's AG @robbonta.bsky.social just won $10M and a permanent injunction in a court judgment against a home care corporation that deprived workers of rights by fraudulently misclassifying them as independent contractors instead of employees w/ protections. oag.ca.gov/news/press-r...

Attorney General Bonta Continues to Protect Workers’ Rights: Secures $10 Million Judgment Against Employers that Misclassified In-Home Care Workers

LOS ANGELES — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a $10 million judgment and permanent injunction granted by the Los Angeles County Superior Court against Care Specialist HCS Inc., f...

oag.ca.gov

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 7d

Wow - that was a great read! Thank you so much for the recommendation. I'm reading the second book in the series now - did you read the others, also, or just the first? Are the others good, too? I recently read they're making a streaming series from this. Thanks again!!

Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 9d

Right now, states are our best hope for protecting #WorkersRights. The NYU Wagner Labor Initiative & @state-futures.bsky.social released an issue brief this week w/ strategies for states to join forces to protect workers; they'll be more effective acting together www.statefutures.org/research/iss...

Issue Brief: Strengthening Workers’ Rights and Labor Protections through Interstate Cooperation — STATE FUTURES

This Issue Brief by State Futures and the NYU Wagner Labor Initiative lays out a bold, practical roadmap for how states can join forces to protect workers’ rights in the face of federal retreat on...

www.statefutures.org

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 15d

Seeking help! Does anyone know of a program that will convert hyperlinks in a text to endnotes? I'm not concerned about perfect Bluebook/Chicago/MLA citation format; I just want a quick way to have something (more than a hyperlink) to help readers find the material. Thanks for any advice!

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Terri Gerstein @terrigerstein.bsky.social · 16d

I just finished it - really enjoyed it. (Although it was certainly chilling). Thanks for the suggestion!