First hour: Discussing Governor Cuomo's proposed plan to end the tip credit, part 2
Second hour: What is social impact investing?
We continue our conversations about Governor Cuomo’s proposed plan to end the state’s tip credit. Cuomo says the tipped wage system inhibits workers who earn tips from coming forward with concerns about exploitation and harassment, and it disproportionately affects women and people of color. Some people in the Fight for 15 movement think the restaurant business needs an overhaul; they say we need to change our expectations about what workers are paid. Our guests in studio will explain why they think that a business which cannot pay workers a living wage should not open in the first place. Our guests:
- Colin O’Malley, organizing director of Metro Justice
- Mohini Sharma, restaurant worker and organizer for Metro Justice
- Zak Skinner, local restaurant worker and leader in the One Fair Wage effort
- Nadine Morsch, local restaurant worker and leader in the One Fair Wage effort
- John Albert, president of the New York State Restaurant Association, Rochester Chapter
Then in our second hour, do companies have a responsibility to respond to social challenges? Earlier this month, the investment firm BlackRock sent a letter to its public and private clients, saying that in order to receive the firm’s support, they need to contribute to society. It’s called social impact investing, and it’s on the rise. According to the Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment Foundation, socially responsible investing assets hit $8.72 trillion in 2016 – an increase of 33 percent from 2014. So what does this mean for the future of capitalism, and who is driving the trend? And what exactly does it mean to be a “conscious capitalist?” Our panelists share their insight and predictions. Our guests:
- Zach Armstrong, financial advisor at Sage Rutty
- Andrew Brady, co-founder of the Rochester Chapter of Conscious Capitalism
- Hubert Van Tol, president of PathStone Enterprise Center
- Alan Ziegler, member of the Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation
