WNYLaborToday.com finally got asked the question recently while reporting on a story on local politics: "Can I read the story you're writing before it's published?"

And after the request was turned down, the individual quickly remarked: "We'll you know I am a paid advertiser on your site..."

With the table now set, WNYLaborToday.com believes it's important to set the record straight when it comes to our Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper covering the Western New York Political Scene and how it impacts Organized Labor, especially in light of the many election races that will be held on all levels both this year and next:

First, it's very important to remember that WNYLaborToday.com is Labor's Newspaper of Record on the Internet.  We cannot and should not - in any sense - be described and/or compared with any other news, political or blog web site found across all of Western New York.

All one has to do is read what's published on WNYLaborToday.com to quickly come to the realization that we do not print gossip, roll in the muck to gain attention for ourselves or "punish" any elected official who decides not to purchase ad space on our on-line publication. 

Doing so - one way or the other - does not provide anyone with special treatment, pro or con. 

Simply put, it is the mission of WNYLaborToday.com to cover and report on issues that are important to Labor Unions & Organizations and the tens of thousands of members they combine to represent across Western New York.

At times, those who advertise and those who do not might happen to be the subject of a story that is published on our Labor News Site.  With that said, no one will be given preferential treatment just because they do advertise on WNYLaborToday.com.  In short, those who bring about positive results for Working People will be recognized for doing so.  Those who receive support from Organized Labor and fail - in Labor's eyes - to live up to their words will not only be questioned, but reported on - and reported on fairly. 

That goes back to my professional roots of working 12 years as a reporter - first for the United Press International (UPI) wire service here in Buffalo and as then a reporter for Business First, Buffalo's weekly business newspaper - where I also covered Organized Labor as one of my many beats.  I hold a B.A. in Journalism from St. Bonaventure University, where I learned the journalistic values the media must uphold and I've done so over the years in not only covering the Western New York Region, but working with an array of clientele through Campbell & Associates Public Relations.  My reputation is sterling, which means much to me.

And there's no difference between any other media outlet that exists across the Western New York Region and WNYLaborToday.com - no subject or source in a story is provided with a preview or the opportunity to read what's being written before it's published.   No one would be afforded that opportunity from any daily newspaper, weekly business publication or a radio/TV station - as well as WNYLaborToday.com.

And unlike several other political-oriented web sites, WNYLaborToday.com does not endorse candidates seeking public office. 

Why not?

Because WNYLaborToday.com doesn't represent Union Members and it doesn't make political contributions. 

Labor Unions do and that's who should be making those endorsements. 

In fact, we're still scratching our head in regards to how many local sites issue endorsements of their own during each political season without having the benefit of representing tens of thousands of individuals or making monetary campaign contributions. 

That's why it is WNYLaborToday.com's policy of only publishing political endorsements made by Labor Unions and Organizations across our region.

WNYLaborToday.com also locates all elected officials who choose to advertise on our site within a special section entitled, Western New York's Elected Community and/or Candidates Seeking Elected Office in Western New York.

However, when an elected representative or candidate has a legitimate news story that impacts Organized Labor - WNYLaborToday.com is willing to listen to what is being offered, but makes no guarantee of coverage - positive or negative - to the individual or party seeking coverage.

On a final note, it is also the belief of WNYLaborToday.com that any elected official or candidate seeking office who receives the endorsement of Organized Labor should become an advertiser and/or supporter of WNYLaborToday.com. 

Why?

Because individual voters - Union Members, our readers - need to know where both elected officials and candidates stand on issues pertaining to Organized Labor, what their track record is in regards to Working People - both Union and non - and what they intend to work towards in the future to make the lives of Working Families better across Western New York.

Those who receive the support of Organized Labor, but instead have chosen to appear on a number of political and blog-oriented web sites as advertisers, are not reaching those in the Labor Movement who need to know where they stand on those issues that are important to Organized Labor and Unionized Workers alike.

And using monetary donations to subsidize the payment of advertising on such sites that may come from Organized Labor - while ignoring Labor's own local site - is also being watched by those same Labor Leaders.

In the end, it will be a question elected officials and candidates for public office who seek Organized Labor's endorsement and support will have to answer.

Tom Campbell

Editor/Publisher

WNYLaborToday.com