Workfare Jobs Can Pay Less, Court Rules

The city of New York can pay its 32,000 workfare employees less than regular city workers who do the same or similar jobs, a state appeals court ruled. The city’s Work Experience Program requires most welfare recipients to work for their checks. Several workers, who were being paid the $4.75 hourly minimum, sued the city. They claimed they were public employees entitled to the same pay and benefits as unionized city workers, who can make up to $10 an hour. But the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court unanimously rejected their argument in dismissing the lawsuit.