ALBANY — The yearlong gridlock that has blocked several women’s rights measures with widespread support because they were packaged with a disputed abortion proposal may have begun to crumble Monday.
“We have to put politics aside,” Assemb. Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale) said. “It’s time to protect women, not hold politics above that.”
Paulin, an influential figure on the issue, called for separate votes on proposals to protect pregnant women from discrimination at work, sponsored by Assemb. Sandra Galef (D-Ossining), as well as Paulin’s bill to further combat human trafficking.
Each is part of the 10-point women’s agenda proposed a year ago by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Senate Republicans blocked the package because Cuomo added protections for late-term abortion.
Women Democrats in the Assembly last year refused to break apart the measures.
A member of the women’s rights coalition who last year committed to the 10-point package supported Paulin’s move.
“We have to make the decision,” said Sonia Ossorio, president of the National Organization for Women of New York City. “Are we going to move forward on some essential bills that have already been negotiated three ways, or are we going to walk about from that completely and end up with absolutely nothing?”
The Assembly’s Democratic majority didn’t discount the chance of breaking the women’s agenda into separate bills. Senate Republicans aren’t considering the 10-point package as a single bill.
“I think we are focused on specific bills and not getting into this larger debate that is clouding the politics,” said Senate Health Committee chairman Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City).
There was no immediate comment from Cuomo.
Among other measures, the bills would require employers to make reasonable concessions to pregnant workers. Those measures could be as simple as providing breaks for water or food or use of a restroom or providing a stool to sit on.
Supporters said pregnant women have been fired from their jobs rather than assigned to less strenuous duty or given help in avoiding the choice between keeping a job or protecting their pregnancy.