A Labor Advocate’s Path to Albany
David Orkin, an attorney specializing in immigrant workers’ rights and a labor organizer, clinched the Democratic nomination for New York State Assembly District 38 in the June 2024 primary. Running on a platform that bridges the gap between traditional labor law and the volatile gig economy, Orkin emerged from a crowded field to represent a district spanning Ridgewood, Glendale, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, and Ozone Park. His victory underscores a local shift toward prioritizing the rights of independent contractors and the preservation of the district’s cultural footprint.
Redefining Labor Rights in the Gig Economy
Orkin’s legislative agenda is rooted in a fundamental critique of current state statutes, which he argues fail to account for the modern, app-based workforce. He points to the systemic vulnerability of Uber and Lyft drivers and independent producers who operate outside the protections of traditional employment.
“Our current labor laws also prevent them from organizing together—and when an app is your boss, or an AI model is stealing your intellectual property, you don’t even have a human boss to organize against,” Orkin stated. He intends to push for a legal framework that grants these workers the right to unionize and negotiate collective bargaining agreements. For Orkin, this is a necessary defense against the instability of gig-based income, which often leaves workers without reliable access to healthcare or childcare.
Preserving the “Little Funkytown” Ecosystem
Beyond labor reform, Orkin has staked his economic platform on the implementation of commercial rent stabilization in Queens. He warns that the district’s cultural identity—which he describes as “Little Funkytown”—is currently under siege. Rising real estate costs threaten to displace the independent music venues and small businesses that define the area.
Orkin argues that stabilizing commercial rents is a vital intervention. By shielding these physical spaces from market volatility, he aims to safeguard the artistic ecosystem that fuels both the district’s cultural vitality and its local economy.
Strategic Focus for the General Election
As the general election cycle gains momentum, Orkin continues to frame his candidacy through the lens of his past experience. His career as an attorney for immigrant workers and his history in grassroots organizing within the nightlife and arts communities serve as the bedrock of his campaign.
The path forward for Orkin remains tethered to three core priorities:
- Labor Reform: Updating state statutes to explicitly permit collective bargaining for app-based and gig workers.
- Economic Protection: Instituting commercial rent stabilization to prevent the displacement of local arts venues and independent businesses.
- Professional Roots: Leveraging his background in immigrant rights and labor organizing to secure support from nightlife and arts sectors.
According to official results from the New York City Board of Elections, Orkin’s focus on the intersection of labor precarity and local economic survival has positioned gig employees and arts workers as central stakeholders in the future of the 38th District.