Transcript: Mayor de Blasio, Majority Leader Schumer Deliver Remarks at NYTWA Rally

November 9, 2021

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: So, let me say this, as you know, my father-in-law was a cab driver. He was Cloverdale 84. I knew how he struggled. I knew how he was hurting. And I knew what a good guy he was. If someone left a wallet in his cab, and he had to drive 15 miles to go back and return it, he would do it. And you do that all the time, all the time. And we – thank you. I was very, very glad to work with Bhairavi, and the Mayor, and bring this great to a great conclusion where you're not going to get rich, but you can survive, you can pay your mortgage, you can feed your children.

[Cheers]

But it wouldn't have happened without you, without your strength, without your fortitude, without your never giving up. And you know what that means? That taxi drivers united will never be defeated. That taxi drivers united will never be defeated. That taxi drivers united will never be defeated. And I want to say something, doesn't Zohran look cute with that little ribbon over his forehead?

[Cheers]

And let me say this, folks – so, when you came to me and told me of your solution, I thought it was a great solution. And you asked me to call the Mayor, and, immediately, the Mayor had given his solution. People didn't think it was adequate, but it certainly was done with concern for all of you. And when I talked to the Mayor, I said, just give us a chance, give the New York TWA, and Bhairavi, and Zohran, and myself the chance to show you that the solution is better for the cab drivers and better for the city. And the Mayor, to his credit, listened.

[Cheers]

He didn't say no. He didn't act stubborn. We had a series of very intense meetings. And guess what? We won, all of us.

[Cheers]

Mayor?

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Everybody, Chuck Schumer is being too modest, okay? I want to tell you, here's one of the most important leaders in the United States of America, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate. He has an entire country to think about. But when the taxi drivers needed him, he was there. And I want you to remember who this guy is, because he remembers his father-in-law, may rest in peace, and he loves you. He loves you. And when he called, he said to me, wait, there is a way to solve this. He said, there is a way. There's a way to bring people together, and hear each other, and find common ground. When Chuck Schumer tells you there's a way to get something done, if you're smart, you listen – you listen. And guess what, everybody – he was right. He was right.

So, he took people who actually, in so many ways, share values. We all hear share values. We want to uplift working people. We want to support hardworking people. Every one of you worked so hard for your family. You work so hard and you deserve a good life. I know that and I want to say Bhairavi, everyone, Taxi Workers Alliance – amazing, what you've done to uplift working people. But we were still all missing each other just a little. And along came our knight in shining armor. Chuck Schumer said there is a way and he was right. Let's thank him for bringing us all together.

[Cheers]

Majority Leader Schumer: I want to say one other thing about my father-in-law, so I know what you go through. So, he would drive his cab seven days a week, because he needed money to pay back his medallion. And, one night – one night, I got a call. I was in Washington and he had crashed into a light pole on the Grand Central Parkway. Because he didn't have adequate health care, he didn't know that diabetes was hurting his vision and he could never drive a cab again. So, that's why we need adequate – we need a union, we need good wages, we need good health care, we need good pensions. And we're going to fight to get all of that as well.

[Cheers]

Mayor: Everybody, listen, together, we have achieved so much here. Together, we're achieving justice for working people. Together, we achieved the minimum wage, and that's something we need to see all over this country. No drivers should be working for less than a minimum wage they deserve, nowhere. What you did, once again, because you were strong, you were organized, you were righteous, your voices were heard. Your voices were heard. Bhairavi, thank you. You're a strong leader. You're a strong leader.

[Applause]

And sometimes we've seen eye to eye, and sometimes it took a while, but I love it when we come together for working people. Thank you. Let's thank her for all she has done.

[Applause]

And let’s thanks Zohran. Let’s thank all the elected officials, everyone who stood by you – everybody. And remember, working people in this city deserve respect. New York City is about – it's not about skyscrapers and rich people. It's about working people like you who make this city run every single day.

[Cheers]

And we honor you with this plan and we thank you. And we are going to move together forward to a better city for all. God bless you all. Thank you.