William J. Robertson Equity & Inclusivity Act

The following demands for peer labor equity and inclusivity were named in honor of Will Robertson, a leader of the harm reduction movement and Peer Network of New York.

Will embodied the spirit of peer work with his deep empathy, dedication to his community, and compassion for everyone. You can read about his extraordinary legacy here.

While Will loved peer work, he also experienced exploitation from one of his affiliated organizations–like many other peer workers. In his 10+ years as a peer worker, Will received only an hourly minimum wage, no paid leave, and no healthcare coverage despite the often traumatic nature of the work. He envisioned a future in which peers had the resources to support their mental and physical well-being – to be able to “breathe and exhale.” 

Will died in August 2023, at the age of 64, of a preventable medical condition. 

Sadly, Will’s story is not unique. His experience is common among peer workers.

The Peer Network will continue to advocate for change.

We fight on.

Please help us carry on his legacy and support his fellow peers by committing to the demands in this report.