WNYLaborToday News - Buffalo and Western New York Labor News

"In A Profession Where We Give Ourselves To Caring For Others, Nurses Should Have The Ability To Care For Our Loved Ones When We Need To" - NYSNA-Represented Erie County Medical Center Nurses In Buffalo 'Continue Their Fight For Paid Family Leave'

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) - Nearly a year after voting to opt-in to New York’s Nation-leading Paid Family Leave (PFL) Program, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)-represented Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Nurses are still fighting for Hospital Management to implement the benefit.

New York’s PFL Program - which was signed into law in 2016 and enacted on January 1st, 2018 - provides eligible Workers with up to 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave to care for a new child or Family Member with a serious health condition, or to assist when a Family Member is on overseas military deployment.

While the law that implemented the benefit makes it mandatory for private employers, the same courtesy is not extended to Public Sector Workers, who must petition their employer for the benefit and then vote to opt-in.

At ECMC, this process has proven more difficult than the law lays out.

While Nurses voted overwhelmingly to opt-in to the program, Hospital Management has drawn out the process, leaving Nurses without PFL, Union Officials said.

Last May, NYSNA Nurses at ECMC successfully got Hospital Management to agree to offer PFL.

After winning this agreement from management, Nurses informed their fellow Members about the program and their ability to vote to opt-in.

Nurses spoke about the critical need for the program and the peace of mind it would offer to their colleagues looking to start new families or caring for elderly loved ones.

After a weeks-long campaign to educate Members, the vast majority of Union Nurses voted to opt-in to the PFL program.

Kate Panicali, a NYSNA Member at ECMC, said: “In a profession where we give ourselves to caring for others, Nurses should have the ability to care for our loved ones when we need to - without worrying about our bills being paid, keeping food on the table or losing our jobs.”

But despite their successful vote, Nurses at ECMC are still without PFL.

While management initially agreed to provide the benefit, ECMC has since gone back on their commitment, citing financial uncertainty stemming from the cuts to Federal health care funding and the cost associated with administering the benefit.

Though not unlawful, management’s broken commitment is a serious affront To Public Sector Nurses who voted for PFL and work hard to care for Western New York’s most vulnerable patients, day in and day out.

But ECMC’s Nurses are not giving up.

Earlier this year, they launched an e-mail campaign demanding management follow through on their commitment and provide PFL.

More than 550 NYSNA-represented Nurses participated in the action, sending nearly 1,700 e-mails to Hospital Administrators.

Nurses followed the success of their digital action with in-person meetings to confront management and engage stakeholders.

In mid-April, Nurses brought their demands to a Labor-Management meeting, once again calling for ECMC to provide the benefit they committed to one year ago.

Nurses also delivered copies of the 1,700 e-mails produced in their digital campaign.

At the meeting, NYSNA Western Regional Director and ECMC Registered Nurse John Batson (Pictured Below/WNYLaborToday.com File Photo) said: “This has been a sixteen-month fight for Nurses here at ECMC, but we won’t be deterred. We won’t be denied. And we’ll continue to push forward. This benefit is the law - it’s not an option. It’s applied to every Nurse at every Private Health Care Facility in Western New York. If they can manage it, ECMC can manage it as well.”

Later in April, Nurses held a briefing for Elected Officials to update them on the campaign to implement PFL at ECMC.

The briefing was attended by New York State Assembly Member Jon Rivera and representatives from the offices of New York State Senator April Baskin, New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal People-Stokes and the Erie County Legislature.

Representatives from the Western New York Area Labor Federation also attended.

In the meantime, ECMC Nurses are continuing the fight for management to follow through on their commitment and grant Nurses' access to this life-changing program.

ECMC Nurses “work hard, day in and day out, to care for patients from all over Western New York (and) deserve paid leave to care for their own families when they need it the most,” Union Officials said.

NYSNA Editor’s Note: You can show your support for ECMC Nurses by signing the petition and demanding Hospital Management make good on their word and implement Paid Family Leave here: Erie County Medical Center Nurses Deserve Paid Family Leave! | New York State Nurses Association

Photo Of ECMC Nurses Provided By NYSNA.

Stamp Out Hunger 2026: NALC Branch 3 President Shares 'Personal' Story Of What The Letter Carriers' Annual Food Drive 'Means To Those In Need Across' Western New York

Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – In all the years WNYLaborToday.com has interviewed National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 3 President David Grosskopf, Jr. on the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, he had never before shared his personal story as to why the event is so important not only to him - but to so many across Western New York who are in need.

On Saturday (May 9th), Branch 3-represented Letter Carriers across the eight-county Western New York Region will pick up donations of non-perishable foods during the day while, at the same time, delivering thousands and thousands of letters and packages to their customers.

Last year, NALC Letter Carriers picked up 425,925 pounds of food - 168,725 pounds more than the previous year, which placed Buffalo-Western New York in third place among NALC Branches with 1,999 or more Members.

And with homelessness across the region rising to what is being reported locally as the most severe crisis in decades (homelessness increased by 24% to the highest level recorded since tracking began in 2025, local media reported this week), the need now is even greater.

Grosskopf (Pictured Above/WNYLaborToday.com Photo) - whose Branch 3 represents more than 2,000 Members, shared a personal story with Your On-Line Labor Newspaper that occurred while growing up and after his Father lost a very good-paying job at Roblin Steel in Tonawanda when it closed in the mid-60s.

“My Dad ‘had a very difficult time finding a new job,’” Grosskopf said, “and ‘I vividly remember going to our church’s food bank and getting jars of peanut butter and bread.’ ‘We were tightening our belts and it really gave (he and his family) a different perspective’ (to food insecurity).”

Grosskopf is extremely proud of his Union’s Membership for what they do in the community, including the annual food drive: “Our Members ‘are out in the community and they see those who are less fortunate and those who aren’t doing as well as themselves.’ ‘Every day they see why people need this kind of help.’ ‘As Public Servants, we see the need for this safety net - and in all honesty, we should be ones doing this.’ I ‘bounce around a number of different stations (during the Saturday drop offs) and I do get goosebumps.’ ‘I see a lot of smiles and we all feel good about what we are doing - especially when you talk to those who run the small food banks because what they receive from Stamp Out Hunger helps them get through the entire year.’”

Since its launch in 1993, NALC’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has grown into the Nation’s largest one-day food drive, helping fill the shelves of food banks in cities and towns across the country.

On Saturday, NALC asks you leave your donation of non-perishable food in a bag near your mailbox and your Letter Carrier will do the rest.

Grosskopf suggests boxes of pasta and “anything canned,” but asks all to “please check expiration dates.”

NALC’s effort to help fight hunger in America grew out of discussions in 1991 by a number of leaders at the time, including NALC President Vincent Sombrotto, National AFL-CIO Community Services Director Joseph Velasquez and Postmaster General Anthony Frank.

A pilot drive was held in 10 cities in October of 1991 and it proved so successful that work began immediately on making it a nationwide effort.

Input from Food Banks and pantries suggested late Spring would be the best time because most Food Banks start running out of the donations received during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday periods by that point in the year.

A revamped drive was organized for May 15th, 1993 - the second Saturday in May - with a goal of having at least one NALC Branch in each of the 50 States participating.

The result was astounding, NALC Officials said.

More than 11 million pounds of food was collected - a one-day record in the U.S. - involving more than 220 Union Branches.

From Alaska to Florida and Maine to Hawaii, Letter Carriers do double duty - delivering mail and picking up donations.

From that point, Stamp Out Hunger grew and grew.

In the more than 30 years since it began, Stamp Out Hunger has collected around two billion pounds of food for those in need.

Over the years, Buffalo/Western New York has historically held either one of the top three spots in donated food collected and Grosskopf anticipates another round of tremendous donations on Saturday, with a little help from Organized Labor.

“We have a ‘long history here in Western New York of being one of the best in the Nation,’” Grosskopf said. “And this event ‘is right at the top, for me because it is near and dear to my heart’ (for the personal reasons he shared earlier with WNYLaborToday.com).”

35th Annual Niagara-Orleans Labor Council's Workers' Memorial Event Highlighted By Debut Of An 'Emotional & Heart-Breaking Documentary That Focuses On The Direct Impact On-The-Job Deaths Of Loved Ones Have On Their Families'

Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

(NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK) – Anyone who’s ever attended one of the previous 34 Workers’ Memorial Events held by the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council at Reservoir Park in Niagara Falls knows what traditionally happens: The names of dozens of area Workers who died on the job are read aloud, followed by a number of addresses made by Labor Leadership and an array of Elected Officials inside a big, white tent adjacent to the impressive monument that features a huge bronze eagle rising silently to honor those fallen Workers.

But this year, at the 35th such annual observance, something very different took place.

First, by simple observance, it appeared to be the largest attendance ever - further evidenced by the number of vehicles that entirely filled a nearby parking lot - and a very long line of cars, SUVs and trucks parked one behind the other along a winding roadside leading to the memorial on Saturday (May 2nd).

But instead of a long list of speakers who pledged to fight like hell for the living, Niagara-Orleans Labor Council President Jim Briggs stood before those assembled inside the tent to introduce a 42-minute, untitled documentary produced by the Council and a Video Professional (Kevin Krisnosky) from the United Way of Greater Niagara that focused directly on the impact on several families following the on-the-job death of a loved one in three American Cities.

In the end, it was both emotional and heart-breaking.

“We traveled across the country ‘to tell a story about a few families who lost someone,’” Briggs said. “When we watch the news reports of a Worker who died on the job, ‘we forget they have families too.’ ‘These folks were just doing their job.’ ‘So, when we leave here, we have to go with a vengeance’ to call on our Elected Officials (to pass stronger on-the-job safety laws).”

The Niagara-Orleans Labor Council’s Documentary Team traveled to Waltham, Massachusetts, Baileyville, Maine and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to tell the story of Workers who lost their lives while at work, including a highway Worker killed in a hit-and-run vehicle crash, two at a chemical plant due to a toxic chemical leak, and another who died in a fireball explosion.

Each accident was recounted by family and Union/United Steelworkers (USW) Representatives, who underscored the fact employers will not agree to the Union’s demands for increased on-the-job safety protections during contract negotiations.

“‘We just lost the most important person in our lives,’” a family member of the Worker killed in the hit-and-run incident said in the documentary.”

“We’re constantly thinking about him,” said another.

“And we’re waiting for justice,” added another, noting the person responsible will go on trial sometime in 2026.

“‘We should be working together so both (the Union and management) has an equal voice when it comes to safety at the plant,’” said one USW Official in the documentary.

“‘On paper,’ management ‘wants to be good on safety, but doesn’t want to hear about it.’ ‘It’s a struggle - every day,’” the Union Representative added.

Said another: “‘Workers lose their lives while at work - every year.’ ‘They’re not statistics - they’re Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Sisters, Aunts and Uncles.’ ‘We need change and that will come by telling their stories.’”

The National AFL-CIO just released its 35th annual Death on the Job-The Toll of Neglect report, which alarmingly finds workplace hazards kill approximately 140,000 Workers each year in the United States - more than 380 Workers each day.

Findings include: 5,070 Workers died from traumatic injury on the job in 2024, the latest year of data available, and an estimated 135,000 died from occupational diseases. An estimated 530 Workers died from heat alone; Black Workers still die on the job at a disproportionately higher rate than the national average; Latino Workers continue to face the greatest risk of dying on the job in 2024, at a rate 30% higher than the national average. Of the Latino Workers who died, 68.5% were Immigrants, a larger percentage than in previous years. The rate of young Worker deaths has nearly doubled since 2020 and Workers age 65 and older are nearly three times as likely to die on the job than other Workers; Workplace injuries create an enormous burden on the economy, costing an estimated $177 billion to $354 billion a year; and Under-reporting is widespread and the true toll of work-related injuries and illnesses is estimated to be between five million and 7.5 million each year in private industry.

There are currently 54 names inscribed on the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council’s Workers’ Memorial, which were each read aloud during a pre-documentary screening ceremony, including 22 Workers who lost their lives building the New York Power Authority Project many years ago.

The latest was recognized Saturday: USW Member Andrew Stayzer, who lost his life on the job back in January 2024.

Briggs (pictured below), meanwhile, also took the opportunity to focus a spotlight on industrial diseases, such as bladder cancer caused by working with toxic chemicals.

He recounted a story involving the USW, which conducted research that not only uncovered the problem within a plant, but showed it was also impacting families as the Workers were bringing it into their homes due to the residue that settled in their work clothing.

“‘This has gone on for too long in our country - with little resolve,’” Briggs said. “‘We’re not doing enough about it, but the only way to fix it is to enact health and safety legislation with teeth in it - real language.’ ‘We have to put pressure on our Elected Officials that will allow us to take a stand because going to work shouldn’t be a grave mistake.’”

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: All Photos Featured In This Labor News Report Were Taken By WNYLaborToday.com, Which Is Awaiting The Opportunity To Post The Niagara-Orleans Labor Council’s Workers Documentary On Its Front Page For Our Readers/Visitors To Watch. Hopefully That Will Come Sometime Over The Next Several Weeks.

'In Stark Contrast' To What The Trump Administration 'Is Doing,' United University Professions 'Has & Is Embracing' DEI 'While Looking To Grow The Statewide Union's Leadership & Membership In The Months To Come'

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Much has been reported on the Trump Administration’s attack on Diversity, Equity and Inclusions (DEI) Initiatives, including its purging of 300,000 Black Women from the Federal Workforce by demolishing DEI Affirmative Action.

For example, WNYLaborToday.com recently published a report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) in Washington, D.C. that detailed how Trump is weaponizing the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EOCC) against the Workers it was built to protect, most notably: Accusing employers of reverse racism against White Workers and targeting People of Color employed in a variety of Federal positions within the U.S. Government (Read: From The Economic Policy Institute: How Trump ‘Is Weaponizing The EEOC Against The Workers It Was Built To Protect’ - ‘A More Diverse Workforce Isn’t DEI-Motivated Discrimination, It’s Just Demographic Change’ - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York)

It is an unsettling - and frankly, shameful, move by the Trump Administration as it is diversity that makes our country great.

But in stark contrast, United University Professions (UUP) - the Nation’s largest Higher Education Union that represents 42,000 Academic and Professional Faculty and Retirees across New York State, is continuing to grow its ranks by including and reaching out to not only increase the number of People of Color and Women in its Rank-and-File Membership, but within its group of Officers and on its Executive Board.

Of its five-Member group of Statewide Officers, UUP currently counts three Women and one African-American Member - and on its 15-Member Executive Board, 10 Women and two African-Americans. And among those Officers and Executive Board Members there are Latin, Native American and LGBTQ+ Members.

“We’re ‘Union’ and ‘we have to be the best’ employer,” UUP President Fred Kowal told WNYLaborToday.com during a recent telephone interview from the Union’s Statewide Headquarters in Albany. “We’ve had a DEI Committee ‘for more than fifteen years now and this is all happening in the spirit of solidarity - no matter what race or gender one is.’ ‘And it makes sense’ because SUNY (the State University of New York with 29 State-operated campuses, including SUNY’s Public Teaching Hospitals and Science Centers in Brooklyn, Long Island and Syracuse) ‘is more diverse.’ ‘It’s important what we do.’”

UUP also maintains a Black Faculty and Staff Committee, a Women’s Action Committee, a LGBTQ+ Club (which works to protect the rights of UUP Members employed at institutions located in “‘deep’ Trump Country,” which can be “scary,” Kowal says) and a Human Rights Committee “that all coordinate together.”

UUP also maintains an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) that helps those within the Union who are interested in running for UUP Chapter Office positions.

UUP’s “‘grassroots culture of exceeding’ diversity” in its ranks “caught fire” in 2013 when Kowal became President and since that time, the Union has “worked as hard as we can to develop a pipeline” to ensure its Leadership continues to become as diversified as it can be.

“It’s ‘been a bit of a struggle, but we have a Union Movement that’s committed to this,’ including the State AFL-CIO and its President, Mario Cilento, and its Secretary-Treasurer Terry Melvin. They’re ‘phenomenal.’ NYSUT (The New York State United Teachers Union, which UUP is affiliated with) ‘has the same outlook,’” noted Kowal to other Unions that are creating opportunities and pipelines that help develop “new Union Activists of Color.”

“We’ve ‘got to turn it up now because of what Trump has done,’” the UUP President continued. “Unions are ‘melting pots’ (made up of all kinds of different races and cultures) and ‘it will make our Unions stronger and our country better.’ ‘I want to see continued’ diversity (in Labor’s ranks).”

However, Kowal (Pictured Below) “misses those who have moved on” from UUP/SUNY - most notably because of the rate of pay, who he believed had a bright future in his Union - but suggests New York State should take advantage of those who’ve lost their jobs due to Republican DEI purges in the States of Florida and Texas, for example.

“Let’s ‘look at those who worked in Higher Ed and take advantage of those States’ brain drain that will help continue to build our’ diversity,” he suggests. “We’ve ‘got to reach out to people who have it tough (working in Non-Union States) to get them to understand the value of Unions and if we do now - in two to three years, we will be headed in a direction of not only more diversity, but with youth.’”

When it comes to getting Workers, from People of Color to young Workers, “seeing the value” of what Labor Unions bring to the table for them, you have to take them back to the days of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus and Fredericks’ rulings, which allowed Public Employees to be represented by the Unions in their workplaces- but were excused from paying Union dues.

As a result, an array of Public Employee Unions were forced to come up with a new game plan to revisit each and every Member in order to educate them as to why their Union was not only important, but was always there for them when they needed them - which, in the long run, make perfect sense as to why Union Members pay Union dues.

“We also ‘took the lessons’ of Wisconsin and Michigan (where Public Employees were under similar attack by Republicans in their State Legislatures) ‘and began a very diverse organizing effort.’ ‘Our work has paid off, but there’s still a lot of work to do,’” Kowal said.

“Look, I’m a ‘White’ guy - with heritage from Greece and Africa, ‘but the point is we are fighting for all of us by making Unions more popular.’ ‘We are a welcoming place for everyone and we do good stuff,’” he concluded.

DEI Graphic Courtesy Of The Daily Citizen By Focus On The Family’s Web Site.

AFSCME Local 1095 Membership 'Overwhelmingly Ratifies New' Five-Year Agreement With Erie County - 'Features Pay Raises In Each Year' Of The Contract

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) - A new five-year contract has been agreed to by American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1095 after Union Membership voted 444-to-83 to approve the new deal, which covers the period from January 1st, 2027 through December 31st, 2031.

The new contract includes pay raises in each of those years as well as job upgrades to Motor Equipment Operator positions and other changes.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said: “My Administration has a long track record of successful negotiations with the Bargaining Units that make up the County Workforce and we have always approached these talks with a reasonable budget outlook paired with great respect for the Men and Women who work for Erie County. As we have seen in the past, strong negotiations result in good outcomes for all parties and this new AFSCME agreement benefits Workers while being fiscally prudent for the County. I thank Commissioner of Labor Relations Kola Jesutowo Adeniji and his team for their work with AFSCME President Rich Canazzi and their team to reach this deal - and AFSCME Membership for their ratification vote. We are moving Erie County forward, together.”

Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Unit Members will occur on January 1st of each year: January 1st, 2027: $1.20 added to base pay; January 1st, 2028: A 2.75% increase; January 1st, 2029: A 2.5% increase; January 1st, 2030: A 2.5% increase; and on January 1st, 2031: A 2.5% increase.

Other components of the new contract include: On January 1st, 2027, Motor Equipment Operator 1 (MEO 1) will be upgraded from Job Group 5 to 6; and On January 1st, 2027, Motor Equipment Operator 2 (MEO 2) will be upgraded from Job Group 7 to 8.

And regarding Voluntary Approved Unpaid Leave Time (VAULT): Beginning January 1st, 2027, the County will be able to offer Voluntary Unpaid Leave during periods of downtime within any Department or program area (voluntary for the Employees).

This option may be used at management’s discretion during periods of reduced operational demand or temporary facility closures.

To Directly Access This Labor News Story, Go To: AFSCME LOCAL 1095 REACHES LABOR AGREEMENT WITH ERIE COUNTY | Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz

America's '2026 Construction Gap'- 'Building Faster Than Training'

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Daniel Donovan at Skillit reports that across the U.S., cranes are rising in some of the same states year after year and housing permits remain concentrated in high-growth regions, particularly across the South and Mountain West. But at the same time, the labor pipeline is not expanding at the same pace. A new 50-state comparison of housing permits and Registered Apprenticeship activity analyzed by Skillit shows 40 States have demand signals that exceed workforce pipeline signals. This is not a localized labor story but a national pattern with regional intensity. In simple terms, most of the country is permitting more homes than its formal training pipeline appears positioned to support. That imbalance varies by State. In some markets, it reflects sheer volume. In others, rapid growth collides with limited training capacity.

For More Information On This Labor News Report & The Listing Of States, Go To: America’s 2026 construction gap: Building faster than training | Miami Herald

WNYLaborToday.com File Photo.

United University Professions 'Condemns' President Trump For The 'Unprovoked And On-Going' War With Iran - UUP President Kowal 'Questions Why' Trump 'Plunged' The U.S. Into An 'Unnecessary And Illegal' War

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

(ALBANY, NEW YORK) - United University Professions (UUP) President Fred Kowal is condemning President Donald Trump and his Administration for Trump’s unprovoked and ongoing war with Iran - which, in its first month, has claimed thousands of lives, including the lives of at least 13 U.S. Soldiers.

Kowal, who leads America’s largest Higher Education Union, questioned why Trump plunged the U.S. into an unnecessary and illegal war.

Not only did Trump launch the war on February 28th without Congressional approval - which is constitutionally mandated, he did so without providing cogent, coherent and concise reasons for why he started what is quickly becoming an indefensible war with a country that had no imminent plans to attack the U.S., UUP’s President said.

“Can Trump or anyone in his Cabinet clearly articulate in a sentence or two what the goal of this war is?,” Kowal asked. “Is it to change the leadership of Iran? To remove the country’s nuclear threat? To liberate the Iranian People? And his pronouncements have only added to the deadly confusion.”

Kowal called the deaths of at least 175 people - many of them children - at the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran - “murder.”

The school was destroyed in a U.S. missile strike.

As many as 1,900 civilians have been killed in Iran and more than 10,000 people have been injured, with millions more having been displaced.

Said Kowal: “Cities in Iran are being leveled. Civilians are being killed by the thousands. Furthermore, colleges and universities are now being targeted. His threats to bomb Iranian power lines and desalination plants would be war crimes if they are carried out. The cruelty and barbarism of how this war is being waged and the sick way it’s being portrayed in pornographic snuff-style videos emanating from the White House - or what’s left of it, should make us all ashamed of our so-called leaders. Further, statements by administration officials are blatantly Islamophobic and add to the divisions in our society.”

Kowal said a tiny fraction of the more than $16 billion that’s been spent on the war in Iran so far - the U.S. has spent much as $1 billion a day - could be used to transform the lives of countless Americans, including thousands of State University of New York (SUNY) students.

“UUP is calling for ($41 million) to eliminate multi-million-dollar structural deficits at four SUNY campuses, caused by cuts during (former Governor Andrew) Cuomo years,” said Kowal. “The Trump Administration is spending roughly ($41 million) each hour in this inane war. Just a small percentage of that could expand offerings and create greater opportunities for young and not-so-young students to ensure they get the education they deserve and need to be productive citizens of the world.”

Trump’s recent demand for another $200 billion to fund the war has prompted Congressional Republicans, who hold a majority in the House and Senate, to consider new spending cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act for the ask.

One option being considered, cutting Affordable Care Act (ACA) cost-sharing reductions - could leave 300,000 Americans uninsured.

“Last year, Congressional Republicans cut health care spending by nearly ($1 trillion) over the next ten years, which will leave millions without health insurance,” Kowal said. “That those same Lawmakers are now seriously considering gouging Medicare, Medicaid and Obamacare again, this time to scrounge up ($200 billion) for Donald Trump’s war in Iran is insane but not at all surprising.”

UUP represents more than 42,000 Academic And Professional Faculty And Retirees.

UUP Members work at 29 New York State-operated campuses, including SUNY’s Public Teaching Hospitals and Health Science Centers in Brooklyn, Long Island and Syracuse.

UUP is an affiliate of New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA) and the AFL-CIO.

To Directly Access This Labor News Story, Go To: Press Release | UUP stands against ongoing Iran war

More Than 17,000 Teamsters 'Avert Nationwide Strike' At First Student, Reach Tentative Agreement On A Contract That 'Delivers Key Improvements'

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Teamsters First Student National Negotiating Committee (TFSNNC) has reached a tentative contract agreement with First Student, averting a nationwide Strike that could have included thousands of School Bus Workers across 96 Locals.

The National First Student Master Agreement protects more than 17,000 Bus Workers across the country and was set to expire today (March 31st).

The deal comes after the Teamsters-represented Workers voted by an 88% margin to authorize a Strike, sending a clear message to the company that they were prepared to take action to win a fair contract.

“First Student Teamsters were unified and prepared to take on this company nationwide. Our solidarity forced real movement at the bargaining table and we delivered a contract in the eleventh hour that honors the critical work our Members do every day,” Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said. “Teamsters set the standard for the entire School Bus Industry and this agreement raises the bar for School Bus Transportation Workers everywhere.”

The new agreement establishes a national foundation for economics that will be applied across all Local agreements, including stronger retirement benefits, improved access to health care benefits and robust contractual protections for all Members.

These improved national minimum standards only serve to boost bargaining on important issues at the local level.

Teamsters at First Student will vote on the agreement in the coming weeks.

The Teamsters represents 1.3 million Members in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico

To Directly Access This Labor News Report In Its Entirety, Go To: Over 17,000 Teamsters Avert Nationwide Strike at First Student, Reach Tentative Agreement - International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Annual Variety Club Telethon Raises More Than $1 Million, Including More Than $75,000 From Organized Labor Across Western New York - Donations Support Buffalo's Golisano Children's Hospital & Other Area Children's Charities

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

WNYLaborToday.com Editor's Note: Pictured above, Variety Club Telethon President and Labor Co-Chair Tony Vaccaro - who serves as a Business Agent at Teamsters Local 264 (on the left), and Labor Co-Chair William Mayer of International Union of Painters & Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 4 (on the right), finally take a breather after working hard to help raise more than $1 million during the annual Variety Club Telethon that was held over the weekend to support Buffalo’s Golisano Children’s Hospital and other area children’s charities. Western New York Labor came together to donate a combined $75,390 to this year’s telethon. (Photos For This Labor News Stories Provided By William Mayer)

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Organized Labor came out in force over the weekend to donate more than $75,000 to the 64th annual Variety Club Telethon, which raised more than $1 million that directly supports Buffalo’s Golisano Children's Hospital and other Children's charities.

Throughout just 15 hours, the locally-televised Variety Kids Telethon raised $1,014,326 through various corporate matches and donations made across the Buffalo and Western New York Community, Variety Club announced.

Of that total, $73,390 was raised by Labor Unions and Organizations and their Members.

Variety Club President and Labor Co-Chair Tony Vaccaro, who serves as a Business Agent at Teamsters Local 264, said: “‘Once again, Labor came through and exceeded my expectations.’ ‘Honestly, with the economy the way it is, we were expecting less, so we were pleasantly surprised.’ ‘Like I’ve said for years, Labor is about people helping people.’ And Variety ‘has become what I like to think’ as ‘the preferred’ charity of the Western New York Labor Movement.”

Vaccaro also praised Labor Co-Chair William Mayer of International Union of Painters & Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 4, who also sold, himself, hundreds of Labor Loves Variety Kids Magnets and Hard Hat Stickers that totaled $2,748 in donations.

Said Mayer: “I am ‘so humbled.’ It showed the ‘love of all Labor - the Building Trades and the Public and Private Sectors - people were generous as all get out.’ Everywhere I went people were ‘so receptive (to giving) and there was an absolute outpouring of support for these kids.’ ‘It’s so inspiring.’ When it comes to kids, it’s ‘all hands-on-deck.’ ‘Our kids are our future and it’s up to us to protect these kids.’ ‘But if it wasn’t for all of us working together, it wouldn’t get done.’

From WGRZ-TV: Mental Health In Construction - SMART Local 71's Business Manager 'Chimes In On The Bills Stadium Project That Highlights Need For On-Site Support'

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

(ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK) - A new approach to Worker well-being is gaining attention at the construction site of the new stadium for the National Football League Buffalo Bills, where organizers say mental health support is becoming just as important as physical safety. Last week the Anti‑Stigma Coalition held a discussion about the mental health challenges facing Construction Workers and praised the presence of a dedicated Mental Health Counselor at the stadium construction site. Advocates say the initiative could serve as a model for other large construction projects across the country. In Orchard Park, Workers have direct access to a licensed Mental Health Counselor stationed in a trailer on the property. The Counselor is available regularly to speak with Workers who may be dealing with stress, anxiety or personal issues. Union Leaders hope the effort at the Bills stadium site encourages other construction projects to adopt similar programs. SMART (the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) Local 71 Business Manager Tim Benes took part in the discussion and emphasized that the benefits of mental health support that go beyond Worker well-being: “There's definitely dollar and cents involved and I think that we need to get general contractors and users seeing the value of it and honestly in getting them to make it happen.” Supporters say improved morale, fewer workplace conflicts, and better overall productivity can all come from addressing mental health in the workplace.

To Watch WGRZ-TV’s Report In Its Entirety, Go To: Mental health in construction: Bills stadium project highlights need for on-site support | wgrz.com

And For A Look At The Construction Of The Bills’ New Stadium, Go To:

Inside Look At Construction Of The New Highmark Stadium | Built For Buffalo Episode 3: The Structure

And

2025 New Highmark Stadium Progress REVEALED: Exclusive Inside Access | Built for Buffalo Episode 4 - YouTube

Screen Capture Photographs Via The Above Buffalo Bills’ Posted Videos On YouTube.

"$16 Million 'Is A Pittance For The Next Generation'" - UUP Rallies With Buffalo State Students, Labor Leaders & Community Representatives To Call On NYS To Provide The 'Cash-Strapped Campus With Aid To Clear Its Deficit & Save 160 Jobs In The Proces

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Pictured above, United University Professions (UUP) Statewide President Fred Kowal addresses a rally held outside Buffalo State University’s Rockwell Hall earlier this week that attracted hundreds of students, area Labor Leaders, Elected Officials and Community Activists, who came together to call on New York State to provide $16 million in aid to clear the Buffalo College’s deficit - and in the process save 160 jobs. (WNYLaborToday.com Photo)

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Hundreds of Buffalo State University students were joined by their United University Professions (UUP)-represented Faculty and Professors on Tuesday (March 10th) outside Rockwell Hall to call on New York State to send $41.8 million in State aid to four State University of New York (SUNY) cash-strapped campuses in order to clear multi-million-dollar deficits - including $16 million for Buffalo State that would also save 160 jobs.

“($16 million) ‘is a pittance for the next generation,’” UUP Statewide President Fred Kowal told the very loud and boisterous gathering that assembled before him. “‘Instead of spending ($1 billion) a day (in a war) fighting Iran, we could use that money to educate people instead of committing genocide.’ ‘It’s us against the Epstein Class.’ ‘How much more do they need?’ SUNY ‘owes us’ and our State Legislators ‘need to do the right thing.’ Let’s put ($16 million) in the budget ‘to serve this community.’ ‘This is about justice.’ ‘Let’s get it done!’”

UUP estimated nearly 400 SUNY/Buffalo State students, Faculty and Staff joined area Labor Leaders - including Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Grace Bogdanove, and Elected Officials at the rally to urge Albany to send $41.8 million in aid to the SUNY campuses (notably SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Environmental College of Science and Forestry) that would work to clear multi-million-dollar structural deficits - including $16 million to Buffalo State, whose deficit, UUP said, is a direct result of drastic Great Recession-era cuts and more than a decade of flat funding.

Many in the crowd waved signs that read: Stop the Cuts!, Fair Funding for Buffalo State, Some Cuts Never Hea” and Hear Our Roar! - as speaker after speaker pointed to Buffalo State’s recent enrollment gains and the University’s role as a powerful economic engine in Buffalo Community and the Western New York Region.

Such an infusion of cash would allow Buffalo State to plan for the future and focus on growing its enrollment, which saw a 3.7% increase in first-time and freshman enrollment and a nearly 8% bump in first-year retention rate in Fall 2025.

SUNY’s plan will thwart the Buffalo Campus’ enrollment growth - which Kowal had attributed to three years of increased State funding to SUNY.

“Buffalo State ‘has always been a place of opportunity,’” Buffalo Common Council Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope told those at the rally. “It’s a place where ‘first-generation’ College students have walked through these doors ‘and realized that higher education belongs to them too.’ It’s a place where students ‘from every background find a path forward.’ ‘So, when I hear about programs being placed on a deactivation list, when I hear that admissions are rescinded overnight and decisions are announced before any decisions have been had, people have a right to ask why?’”

SUNY’s Board of Trustees has decided against allocating those funds based on need - and that has negatively impacted Buffalo State, where SUNY has deactivated Undergraduate and Master’s courses, cut Staff, implemented a hiring freeze and is offering an early retirement incentive with no plans to fill those vacancies.

Buffalo State Chapter President Lisa Marie Anselmi said 160 jobs could be cut, which amounts to about 25% of the University’s Staff: “Eliminating these positions ‘will hurt’ students, Employees, their families and local businesses ‘for years to come.’ We are told that with this deficit that cuts ‘are necessary and that there’s no other choice, but we know that with the support of the State and SUNY behind us there is a different choice.’ Public education ‘is a public good.’”

Buffalo Labor Council President Bogdanove (Pictured Above) told those at the rally: “‘When one Union is under attack, all Unions are under attack.’ (President Donald) Trump ‘made the largest cut to health care in our country’s history to give tax breaks to the wealthiest one-percent.’ ‘This is warfare against the Working Class by the Billionaire Class.’ ‘This is about (160) jobs and the future of hundreds of thousands of students.’ ‘It’s a planned extinction and that’s why the Western New York Labor Movement stands with you.’”

Nick Smith, who serves as President of United Student Government at Buffalo State, said: “Buffalo State ‘is the best campus in the SUNY System.’ ‘It is unlike any other and it is the people who make Buffalo State.’ ‘Diversity makes Buffalo State.’ Buffalo State ‘is full of opportunity with people who believe in you.’ Buffalo State ‘is’ Buffalo.”

Buffalo State Student Welfare Committee Chair Elisha Martin said: “‘We don’t need more cuts that will gut’ our campus community, our Professors and our programs. ‘This is how we thrive.’ ‘We’re asking for crumbs.’ ‘We cannot afford to lose - Buffalo State is worth fighting for.’”

UUP - the Nation's largest Higher Education Union, represents more than 42,000 Academic and Professional Faculty and Retirees.

Its Members work at 29 State-operated Campuses, including SUNY's Public Teaching Hospitals and Health Science Centers in Brooklyn, Long Island and Syracuse.

UUP is an Affiliate of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA) and the AFL-CIO.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Information provided by UUP in a press release was also used in this Labor News Story.

Coalition 'Urges' NYS Leaders 'To Allocate $2 Billion In Health Care Funding In State Budget To Prevent Further' Hospital, Clinic & Nursing Home 'Closures'

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Governor Kathy Hochul’s budget is on path to offset devastating U.S. Congressional Republican cuts to health care, but State Leaders must act now to provide critical investments, so says a coalition of Front-Line Health Care Workers, employers, Faith Leaders and Community Advocates who joined together to call on State leaders to fill a $2 billion gap in health care funding to support care and services for New York residents.

Nearly 100 Health Care Workers from Western New York’s Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Homecare and Clinics packed a conference room at 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East in Governor Hochul’s hometown Friday (March 6th) to encourage New York State Senate and Assembly to fund health care for all New Yorkers.

Many participating in the news conference were represented by major Labor Unions – including the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), 1199 SEIU, the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), the Communication Workers of America (CWA), The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the Public Employees Federation (PEF), the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW), United University Professions (UUP), the Union of American Physicians & Dentists and the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF). They were joined by representatives of the Healthcare Education Project.

The Governor’s budget proposal has put New York on a path to overcome the devastating impacts of HR1, said those who spoke at the news conference, who also urged State Legislators to strengthen the budget in order to protect health care for all New Yorkers.

State Leaders must stabilize New York ’s Health Care System by providing critical investments in Nursing Homes, Homecare, Hospitals, Safety Net Facilities and Clinics, they said.

As such, those Caregivers who spoke declared Code Red for health care services in Western New York after more than $1.8 trillion in Federal health care cuts were passed.

Without State action, historic health care cuts in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) that all seven New York Republicans in Congress voted for last year will cause devastating harm to Western New York’s Health Care System, the speakers said.

Congressional Republican Representatives Claudia Tenney and Nick Langworthy of Western New York were invited - but did not attend Friday’s event.

Health Care Professionals across the country have nicknamed the OBBA the Big Ugly Bill as it threatens to rip away health care coverage from at least 17 million Americans - including 1.5 million New Yorkers.

Nearly 406,000 people in the eight-county Western New York Region rely on Medicaid for their health care coverage.

A number of area Labor Representatives spoke at the news conference, including:

Todd Hobler - who serves as 1199 SEIU’s Executive Vice-President for Upstate New York, said: “Our Western New York Health Care System has been under-funded and under-resourced for a long time resulting in multiple Hospital and Nursing Home closures, cuts to essential services and layoffs, increasing workloads and stress on already overburdened Caregivers. To make matters worse, Congress passed a budget that was signed into law on (July 4th) cutting more than a trillion dollars from health care to fund huge tax cuts for the wealthy, mass deportations and big budget increases for the Department of War. Now our Western New York Health Care System faces a crisis, a Code Red that threatens the well-being of our community and the health of hundreds of thousands of Western New Yorkers.”

CWA Local 1168 President Cori Gambini (Pictured Above/Photo Courtesy Of 1199 SEIU): "Shutting down clinics and reducing Medical Rehab Unit beds goes beyond merely cutting services. It hinders recovery, deprives patients of their independence and places immense pressure on families and an already overwhelmed Health Care System. It is imperative New York State fills in the gap that the Federal Government took from this community. Medicaid funding from the State must ensure these vital services remain open and accessible.”

CWA Local 1133 President Brian Magner: “Medicaid cuts are directly worsening short staffing in our facilities. When positions go unfilled and workloads grow, patients wait longer, complications increase and lives are put at risk. We are calling on New York State to increase Medicaid funding in this year’s budget to protect safe staffing and patient care.”

CWA Local 1122 President Tom Antonio: “Home health care is one of the most cost-effective investments in our entire Health Care System - it prevents hospitalizations, keeps people out of Nursing Homes and preserves dignity and independence. When Medicaid funding is cut, case management shrinks, families are left without support and preventable hospital visits increase. New York State must increase Medicaid funding in the budget to strengthen home and community-based care before more patients slip through the cracks.”

1199SEIU is planning a massive rally later this month in Albany as thousands of Health Care Workers from every corner of the State are expected to take part in a massive display of unity on March 19th to demand New York Leaders fund health care.

If not, health care jobs and services for the entire State are at risk if Albany does not take action in the upcoming budget cycle, those speaking at the news conference said.

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Coalition Urges State Leaders to Allocate 2 Billion in Healthcare Funding in State Budget to Prevent Further Hospital, Clinic, and Nursing Home Closures :: 1199SEIU

The CWA's 2026 E.J. Mays Awards Dinner: Holly & Brian Nowak Honored With The Mays Citizenship Award; The Memorial Award Goes To The Late Local 1122 Labor Leader Jan Borman; And 13 Area Students Provided With $1,500 Individual Scholarships

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – The Communications Workers of America (CWA) honored Holly and Brian Nowak with the Union’s 2026 Eugene J. Mays Citizenship Award, as well as remembering the late Local 1122 Labor Leader Jan Borman during a recently-held and emotional awards dinner that also saw 13 area students receiving scholarships of $1,500 each.

Every year the Western New York CWA Council gives out two awards, the E.J. Mays Memorial Award and the E.J. Mays Citizenship Award.

The Memorial Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a dedication and commitment to the labor movement.

The Citizenship award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to serving Working Families.

Lori Marranca, who serves as Area Vice President North for the CWA and is also Vice President of the Western New York CWA Council, said: “The Mays dinner is very special. We honor (an individual) with the E. J. Mays Citizenship award. This year the award went to a super couple, Holly and Brian Nowak. Holly is the Executive Director of the Coalition for Economic Justice and Brian serves as the Town of Cheektowaga’s Supervisor. Together they do great work for the community and the award is well-deserved. Secondly, we remember someone who is no longer with us, but has left their mark on the CWA. This year's the award goes to Jan Borman, the first female President of CWA Local 1122 and, overall - an amazing Union Leader. Also, we awarded thirteen scholarships to CWA Members, their spouse, children or grandchildren. I believe the dinner shows the next generation what it means to be part of a Union and it teaches them solidarity, showing them how we honor those that have been an integral part of the CWA.”

Holly Nowak (Pictured Above With Husband, Brian, And Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation & CWA Local 1168 Representative President Denise Abbott-On The Left) currently serves as the Executive Director of Buffalo’s Coalition for Economic Justice (CEJ), a role she took on in late 2019. Prior to that, she was an Organizer for the Buffalo Transit Riders United Campaign, developing community leaders and collective strategy needed to advocate for real and vital improvements to Western New York’s Public Transportation System. Outside of CEJ, Holly serves as a School Board Trustee for Cheektowaga Central School District.

Brian Nowak has been on the Cheektowaga Town Board since 2017, first as a Council Member. He was sworn into his current position as Town Supervisor in 2024. Over the years, Brain has made a name for himself as a campaign workhorse. Before taking office, he worked in various roles on local political efforts, including Campaign Manager for a District Attorney race and as a lead volunteer with Buffalo for Bernie (Sanders). He earned a History Education degree from Buffalo State College.

Borman’s Brother, Rick, accepted the award honoring his Sister, telling the more than 100 who attended the dinner: “On behalf of my entire Family, I want to express our gratitude that you would remember Jan with the E.J. Mays Memorial Award. I know she’s smiling down on all of you tonight in appreciation. Jan began working for the Phone Company in the mid-1960s, starting on Franklin Street. During her career she was open to many new job challenges, whether it was the frame or climbing poles - and thank goodness that did not last too long! She remained single her entire life, but devoted her life to our family, and especially to her nieces and nephews. Jan never forgot a birthday, anniversary, baby or wedding shower, wedding, retirement party or any other event which was important to her Family, friends and Colleagues. While dedicated to her work, she became especially interested in CWA Local 1122 and poured her heart and soul into it. She walked the picket lines, knew the contract language and was completely conversant in all matters relating to the Local. But above all, Jan had an innate sense of right and wrong and would fiercely advocate for her Members. While this gave her great satisfaction, her greatest pride came from being elected the first Woman President of Local 1122, although I think being selected to carry the Olympic Torch may have ranked pretty high as well. Jan also was extremely proud to wear her Union Membership into her community activities, such as working with the United Way and Veteran Affairs. Somehow she always found the time, no matter how busy her schedule. My Sister was one of the most loving, compassionate, considerate people I have ever known. But she was also intelligent, committed to causes and steadfast in doing what she needed to do. I am sure there were some who misjudged her perseverance and tenacity during negotiations only to realize how wrong they were. I remember when she was considering retirement and the long conversations we would have because she did not know what she would do with her free time. Well, she made sure she didn’t have free time as she went to work in (the) Erie County Records (Department) and still remained active in Union-related events, especially with Retirees. That activity lasted right up until the end. Keep in mind that, as a Union Officer, it is virtually impossible to make everyone happy all the time - just ask your current Officers. But I assure you, Jan never intended to ever hurt anyone, and it bothered her if she thought she had done so. Thank you again for this award. I pray that you will continue to remember Jan fondly.”

(WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: For More On Jan Borman (File Photo Above), Go To: “One Tough Broad” - Former CWA Local 1122 President Jan Borman, Who ‘Blazed The Trail’ To Become The First Woman To Head Her Union, Remembered For Her ‘Tenacity & Dedication’ To Her Membership, Also Played Role In Putting A Ponzi-Schemer In Jail - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York)

Eugene J. Mays was born and raised in Fairmount West Virginia, where he started his career as a Coal Miner and helped Unionize his Co-Workers into the United Mine Workers under John L. Lewis. After his discharge from the Army in 1947, he moved to Buffalo where he was employed at the Western Electric Company. There he became a Member of the CWA and rose to the Presidency of Local 1162, which represented the Western Electric Employees. In 1951, Mays became a CWA International Representative and in 1963 he was elected to Director of the Union's Upstate New York Area. Six years later he was promoted to Assistant Vice President of CWA District 1 and moved to District Headquarters in New York City. While in Buffalo, Mays was an Activist in the Black Community and prominent in organizations for improved racial relations. He was a Buffalo AFL-CIO Council Board Member, a Director of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Western New York, a Director of Community Action Organization of Buffalo and the Black Business Development Corporation. He also was a member of the Mayor's Council on Youth Opportunity and the Board of Managers and the Michigan Avenue Branch YMCA. His untimely death left many Black People with one less effective leader and the CWA with a void that has been difficult to fill. But Mays will be remembered Gene for the way he taught us the real meaning of love, dedication, devotion, understanding, compassion and equality.

Those students receiving the CWA Scholarship Awards (and their sponsor CWA Locals) included: Emma Arrigenna (Local 1122); Josh Klostermann (Local 1122); Emily Velzy (Local 1122); Emma Grasso (Local 1122); Lindsay Miller (Local 1133); Julia Scarantine (Local 1133); Lauren Vander-Linden (Local 1133); Kya Pawli (Local 1133); Nicholas Streiff (Local 1133); Ronald O'Hara (Local 1133); Shontae Cotton (Local 1133); Kristian Alicea (Local 1168); and Juliet Ochs (Local 1168).

Photos Courtesy Of The CWA.

Black History Month: 'Celebrating Seven Predominantly Black Labor Unions & Their Lasting Impact'

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Arnel Larracas at the Anxious Adult reports that throughout U.S. History, African-American Workers organized Labor Unions to fight discrimination, improve working conditions and secure fair wages. These Unions not only advanced the rights of their Members - but also influenced broader Labor policies and Civil Rights Movements. From the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters to lesser-known regional associations, their efforts strengthened communities and challenged systemic inequality. Drawing on resources from the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Labor History Institutions, here are seven predominantly Black Labor Unions that left a lasting mark on American Labor Rights…

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: 7 Predominantly Black Labor Unions and Their Lasting Impact

Photo Courtesy Of The Library Of Congress Via Anxious Adult.

"You Cannot Reduce Access To Hospital-Based Rehab By (50%) And Expect Patient Need To Disappear" - CWA Local 1168 'Opposes A Proposed 50% Reduction' Of The Medical Rehabilitation Unit At The Buffalo General Medical Center

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1168 is speaking out against Kaleida Health’s proposal to reduce the Medical Rehabilitation Unit (MRU) at Buffalo General Medical Center from 34 beds to 16 beds, a more than 50% cut that would eliminate 22 health care jobs and significantly reduce access to Hospital-based rehabilitation services in Western New York.

The proposal is pending approval from the New York State Department of Health.

Hospital-based MRUs provide intensive rehabilitation for medically complex patients recovering from stroke, neurological injury, cardiac events and other serious conditions.

Union Leaders and Front-Line Health Care Workers warn reducing capacity will lead to delayed transfers, longer hospital stays, increased complications and disruptions in continuity of care.

CWA Local 1168 President Cori Gambini said: “This proposal cuts nearly half of Buffalo General’s rehabilitation beds. You cannot reduce access to hospital-based rehab by (50%) and expect patient need to disappear. This is not just a labor issue - it is a patient care issue for the entire region. When patients are transferred across systems or forced to wait for placement, continuity of care suffers. Transitions are where mistakes happen. Patients deserve stability during recovery, not disruption.”

According to Local 1168, the MRU currently serves an average of 26 to 29 patients per day.

Reducing the Unit to 16 beds would leave eight to 11 patients per day without access to appropriate acute rehabilitation services.

Union Leaders say there is not strong evidence of regional capacity to absorb those displaced patients, with only two other MRUs in the area - at Kenmore Mercy Hospital and at the Erie County Medical Center.

Buffalo General Medical Center Registered Nurse (RN) Joanna Burke said: “As an RN working in rehabilitation, I see firsthand how critical early, intensive therapy is for stroke and medically complex patients. Every day matters. Delays in rehab can mean the difference between going home independently and needing long-term institutional care.”

Rehabilitation Therapists also expressed concern about the long-term impact on recovery outcomes.

“Rehab is not optional - it is essential to restoring function and preventing long-term disability. Thousands of patients with neurological and neurosurgical needs are admitted to (Buffalo General) every year as we are a nationally-accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center and we have world-renowned Neurosurgeons. Patients have top notch care from the minute they arrive and on the acute floor until they are appropriate for another level of care,” Buffalo General Speech Pathologist Mary Beth Ochs said.

Local 1168 Leaders argue the proposal will not resolve underlying financial challenges and could instead weaken the Hospital’s long-term position by shifting patients - and their follow-up specialty care - to competing Health Systems.

As such, Local 1168 - which is receiving an array of support from Elected Officials, is calling on Kaleida Health and State Regulators to reconsider the reduction and protect access to acute rehabilitation services for patients across the region.

“This is about protecting patient outcomes, protecting health care jobs and protecting the integrity of our Regional Health Care System,” Gambini said. “We are urging decision-makers to prioritize community health over short-term cost-cutting.”

CWA Local 1168 Provided Photo.

Carpenters Local 276 Partners With Several Western New York & Rochester Community Programs To 'Provide Career Opportunities To Those Enrolled In Workforce Programs'

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

(WESTERN NEW YORK) – Buffalo-headquartered Carpenters Local 276 is collaborating with a number of community-based organizations across the Western New York Region and Rochester to provide career opportunities to those enrolled in Workforce Programs.

Through these efforts, the Local 276 has trained and welcomed several new Members into the Local, who are working on construction projects throughout the region.

Walter Ball, who participated in the Square One Re-Entry Program through Workforce Buffalo, said: “They provided me with a life-changing opportunity and connected me with Local (276). The opportunity afforded to me has allowed me to provide for myself and family while giving me the benefits and security needed to live a healthy life.”

In addition to Workforce Buffalo, Local 276 has been working with community programs through the Buffalo Urban League, the University at Buffalo EOC, Job Corps, Rochester Careers in Construction TRACS, Community Resources for Justice - The Lighthouse and the Buffalo Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO).

Local 276 Council Representative Jomo Akono acknowledges the importance of working with community partners in recruitment efforts: “The community organizations in Western New York are preparing potential candidates for Apprentice training and work entry. It has been my pleasure to provide carpentry instruction and career information to the program participants. Our community partners have been doing a tremendous job referring candidates who choose to take advantage of these opportunities presented to them.”

Many of the Local 276’s Membership who have participated in these programs are now able to receive sustainable wages and benefits provided by the Carpenters Union, such as health care and a pension. As a result, they can support themselves and their families, secure vehicles and work toward goals such as owning a home.

Here’s what some of those community groups have to say:

Cerise Sutton, who serves as the CEO and Director of Buffalo and Upstate Union Pathways: “Center for Employment Opportunities’ (CEO) partnership with the Carpenters Union has been instrumental in transforming the lives of our participants. Their commitment to opening their doors and providing real career opportunities for individuals re-entering the workforce demonstrates the very best of what Organized Labor represents. We’re seeing first-hand how this collaboration is breaking down barriers and proving that when Unions invest in people, everyone benefits. The success of our graduates who’ve joined the Carpenters is testament to this exceptional partnership and we couldn’t be more grateful for their vision and dedication to second chances.”

Community Resources for Justice (CRJ) Employment Placement Specialist Monica Bell: “Our collaboration with the Carpenters Union provides a valuable pathway for our participants to gain hands-on skills, meaningful employment and long-term career opportunities. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to workforce development, second chances and building a stronger community.”

Buffalo Urban League Coordinator Tracy Bolton: “The Buffalo Urban League is proud to highlight a successful community partnership with North Atlantic States Carpenters Union Local 276 that has led to meaningful employment outcomes for local residents. Through coordinated outreach, hands-on training, and direct Union engagement, program participants were prepared for careers in the Skilled Trades and successfully placed into employment with Union contractors. This collaboration demonstrates the power of workforce partnerships to create sustainable career pathways, strengthen the local labor force and support economic mobility within the Buffalo Community.”

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: WNY Local Partners with Community Programs - NASRCC

Photo Courtesy Of The North Atlantic States Regional Council Of Carpenters' Web Site.

A Labor Perspective From Three New York State Labor Leaders: Zero Emission Credit Program Approval By Governor Hochul 'Is a Win' for Workers, Communities & New York's Clean Energy Future

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Empire Report New York Editor’s Note: This Labor Perspective was authored by three New York State Labor Leaders: Joe Peluso, who serves as Vice President and Assistant Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 97; Sam Capitano, who serves as Business Manager for the Upstate Laborers District Council; and Greg Lancette, an International Representative with the United Association:

As Labor Leaders representing Working Families across New York, we applaud Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) for approving the extension of the Zero Emission Credit (ZEC) Program.

This decision recognizes a simple truth: New York cannot meet its clean energy goals or protect its growing economy without the reliable, carbon-free power provided by our State’s Nuclear Plants and the skilled Union Workforce that keeps them running.

For the past decade, the ZEC Program has quietly delivered real results.

New York’s Nuclear Facilities produce nearly half of the State’s carbon-free electricity and roughly 20% of total power supply, operating around the clock regardless of weather or season.

Because of the ZEC Program, these plants have remained open, avoiding millions of tons of carbon pollution while keeping the lights on for families and businesses across the State.

But for Labor, this issue has always been about more than megawatts and emissions targets.

These facilities support thousands of good-paying, Union jobs that allow Workers to raise families, buy homes and invest in their communities.

They generate billions in economic activity and provide critical tax revenue that funds schools, emergency services and local infrastructure, particularly in Upstate New York.

A recent analysis underscored just how important this decision is and found that extending the ZEC Program will save New York ratepayers $50 billion by 2050, add $38 billion to the State’s economy, support more than 14,400 jobs and preserve $10 billion in tax revenues.

Those are not abstract projections.

These are real paychecks, real public services and real savings for Working Families across New York.

The alternative would have been devastating.

Prematurely shutting down Nuclear Plants would have meant higher energy costs, increased reliance on fossil fuels and the loss of thousands of skilled Union jobs.

Communities would have been left scrambling to replace lost tax revenue and New York would have taken a major step backward on our clean energy goals.

But the PSC approval sent an important message: New York values the Workers who power its clean energy transition.

Clean energy leadership and Labor Leadership go hand-in-hand and we cannot build a carbon-free future by sacrificing good jobs or hollowing out local economies.

The ZEC Program proves that smart energy policy can deliver cleaner air, economic stability and family-sustaining employment at the same time.

This is what progress looks like - and today, Working New Yorkers can be proud.

To Directly Access This Labor Perspective, Go To: New York Labor Leaders: ZEC Approval Is a Win for Workers, Communities, and New York’s Clean Energy Future - EMPIRE REPORT NEW YORK 2026® NEW YORK'S 24/7 NEWS SITE

UUP On The Release Of UB Researcher Shovgi Huseynov: "We Will Not Stop Our Loud Opposition To The Militarization Of Our Cities By This Lawless Administration And The Atrocities ICE Agents Serve Daily On Immigrants And U.S. Citizens"

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

United University Professions (UUP) President Fred Kowal has issued a statement after University at Buffalo (UB) Research Scientist Shovgi Huseynov was released from an ICE Detention Facility in Michigan:

Huseynov, an Azerbaijani native who has a valid U.S. Work Authorization, was apprehended by ICE agents on January 7th after making a wrong turn onto the Peace Bridge from Buffalo to Canada. In a January 31st Facebook post, he said he was home and has returned to work. As a State University of New York (SUNY) Research Foundation employee, Huseynov is not a member of UUP - however, he is a colleague who works closely with UUP Members.

Kowal said:

This is fantastic news and we couldn’t be happier for Mr. Huseynov and his family.

I know our Members at the University at Buffalo are overjoyed over his return.

Mr. Huseynov should have never been apprehended by ICE.

This man, who is doing important, lifesaving research at UB’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, took a wrong turn onto the Peace Bridge.

At worst, this is a traffic violation.

Certainly, a wrong turn onto the Peace Bridge, which happens every day, does not warrant the type of punishment and pain brought down upon him, his wife and his family by ICE.

Yet, these Gestapo-like tactics are used every day by ICE Agents, who act as if they are the law and favor brutality and intimidation over humanity and fairness.

Mr. Huseynov committed no crime and has a valid work authorization - approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through 2029.

Yet, he was treated like a criminal and was whisked away, presumably by mask-wearing, armed ICE Agents.

Again, we are relieved that Mr. Huseynov is safe and back home.

But we will not stop our loud opposition to the militarization of our cities by this lawless administration and the atrocities ICE agents serve daily on Immigrants and U.S. citizens, which include the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and the abhorrent detainment of Liam Conejo Ramos, the five-year-old Texas boy who was taken by ICE agents with his father and released by court order January 31st.

UUP is the Nation's largest Higher Education Union, with more than 42,000 Academic and Professional Faculty and Retirees.

UUP Members work at 29 New York State-operated Campuses, including SUNY’s Public Teaching Hospitals and Health Science Centers in Brooklyn, Long Island and Syracuse.

UUP is an Affiliate of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA) and the AFL-CIO.

To Directly Access This UUP Statement, Go To: Press Release | Statement by United University Professions President Frederick E. Kowal on the release of University at Buffalo researcher Shovgi Huseynov

New Leadership At The Rochester Building & Construction Trades Council: IBEW Local 86 Business Manager Ray Ryerse Takes Over For Outgoing President, IUOE Local 158's Grant Malone - SMART Local 46 Business Manager Anthony Valenti Elected VP

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) – International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 86 Business Manager Ray Ryerse has been elected President of the Rochester Building & Construction Trades Council.

The Rochester Trades Council represents 18 Affiliated Member Unions and a combined 10,000 Unionized Construction Workers who are highly skilled in a variety of crafts across the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes Regions - and works to advance fair wages, safe working conditions and responsible public policy, while promoting high-quality training through Registered Apprenticeship Programs and supporting Projects that prioritize local Union Labor.

“I’m honored by the trust placed in me by my peers,” Ryerse - who succeeds International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 158 District Manager Grant Malone, who’d served as Building Trades President for the past five years, said in a press release. “The Rochester Building Trades Council has a proud history of standing up for Working Families, supporting Apprenticeship and training and ensuring local Union Labor remains central to the growth of our region. I look forward to working with our Officers and Affiliates to continue that mission.”

Ryerse brings extensive experience in the Electrical Trades and a strong commitment to Union values, workforce development and economic growth in the Rochester Region.

As a mentor and leader within Local 86, Ryerse has been described as a consistent advocate for Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Jobsite Safety and maintaining the highest standards of quality on Union Construction Projects.

His collaborative approach has helped strengthen relationships among the Trades, as well as with the community and civic partners, the release also stated.

In addition, SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) Local 46 Business Manager Anthony Valenti was elected Vice President and Laborers Local 435 Business Manager Dan Kuntz was re-elected Treasurer.

The 50-year-old Valenti, who told WNYLaborToday.com that he has known Ryerse for quite some time having “worked with him in the field,” said he and the new President of the Rochester Trades Council agree “there is a need for change.”

“This ‘injects some new blood (into the Trades Council) that will benefit’ the Building Trades,” he said. “We ‘need to rewrite’ our PLAs (Project Labor Agreements) ‘so they better suit our needs’ - ‘and we have to take another look at those Politicians who are always telling us what they need.’ ‘We need to switch it to what we need and not wait to see what they do for us.’ ‘We have to start holding people’s feet to the fire.’”

(WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: For More on Valenti, Go To: From Securing Work For Its Membership To Offering Unique Apprenticeship Training Opportunities To QR Code Organizing, SMART Local 46’s New Leadership Is ‘Bringing About Positive Results’ For Their Rochester Building Trades Union - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York)

Meanwhile, the 64-year-old Malone - who has been a Union Member for 42 years and plans to officially retire in May, was credited for strengthening the Rochester Building Trades Council’s partnerships, supporting significant regional construction projects and continuing to expand opportunities in the Unionized Construction Trades.

“It’s ‘bittersweet, but it was time to let the young guys take over,’” Malone, who has 24 grandchildren that he plans on spending more time with, told WNYLaborToday.com.

“I’m ‘proud of being able to work with everybody and I was open-minded enough to sit down and compromise for the good of our Members,’” said Malone, who continues to serve as a Town of Irondequoit Councilman.

“My ‘track record speaks for itself – building great relationships and getting the job done.’ Ray and Anthony ‘will do a good job and I wish them all the best.’ I’ve ‘already told them that I am here to help and that if I can do anything for them, I’m just a call away,’” he said.

(WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: For More on Malone, Go To: Having Run For Public Office On A Promise Of “You Try To Fix Things Or You Don’t Complain,” Rochester Building Trades Union Leader Grant Malone ‘Is Now Trying To Fix Things’ After Winning A Seat On The Irondequoit Town Board - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York)

NYSNA 'Voices Concerns' Over "Essential Front-Line Caregivers Who Care For Patients And Keep The Hospital Running" After The Erie County Medical Center Announces Layoffs & Furloughs For 2026, A Workforce Reduction Of 3% Or 150 Employees

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) is voicing concern over “essential Front-Line Caregivers who care for patients and keep the Hospital running” after Buffalo’s Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) announced a 3% workforce reduction that equates to 150 Employees.

The layoffs/furloughs at ECMC are mostly in non-clinical areas, Hospital Officials said, adding all Non-Union Hospital Employees will also take a one-week furlough during 2026. ECMC said the reductions took place to “meet patient demands and our financial realities" as it cited "inadequate reimbursements" from public and private payers, including reduced reimbursements from Medicaid cuts, as one of the reasons for the staffing reductions. The Hospital also said inflation and other financial challenges fueled its decision.

NYSNA subsequently released the following statement: The New York State Nurses Association is deeply concerned about the layoffs at the Erie County Medical Center, including layoffs of Front-Line Nurses and other Staff. In the midst of Federal attacks on health care, our Hospitals, including ECMC, should be looking for ways to protect safe, quality patient care for Western New Yorkers. Cuts to Front-Line Staff will only diminish care for our patients in Buffalo and beyond who depend on ECMC, the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the region. NYSNA is in solidarity with all Workers impacted by these layoffs.

Registered Nurse (RN) Crystal Knihinicki, a NYSNA Member at ECMC, said: "Nurses are disappointed in the Erie County Medical Center's decision to lay off Workers, including several Senior Nurses with decades of experience at the bedside and Nurse Educators who provide training to Staff across the Hospital. The people of Buffalo and the surrounding communities rely heavily on ECMC for access to safe, quality patient care. If Hospital Executives need to cut costs, they should cut executive salaries and administrative expenses - not the essential Front-Line Caregivers who care for patients and keep the hospital running. Nurses will push back on any threat to patient care, including the layoffs of Front-Line Health Care Workers."

NYSNA represents more than 42,000 Members across New York and is the State’s largest Union and Professional Association for RNs.

NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU), the country's largest and fastest-growing Union and Professional Association Of RNs, with more than 225,000 Members nationwide.

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: ECMC announces layoffs, furloughs for 2026 | Buffalo Toronto Public Media

United University Professions 'Rips' ICE, Border Patrol Over Arrest Of UB Researcher

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) - President Fred Kowal is strongly condemning ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for taking a University at Buffalo (UB) Researcher into custody after he made a wrong turn on the Peace Bridge between Buffalo and Canada.

Shovgi Huseynov, a UB Medical Researcher and an Azerbaijan native, was detained by Border Patrol Agents on January 7th after taking a wrong turn on the bridge and immediately returning to the U.S. from the Canadian border checkpoint.

According to the Buffalo-based Investigative Post, Huseynov was turned over to ICE by Border Patrol Agents after being detained when he returned to Buffalo.

Kowal said: “This is ridiculous. The arrest of our colleague has absolutely nothing to do with the security of our Nation or the protection of life or property in Western New York. This was a simple driving error. For Federal Officers to use Gestapo-like tactics to take an innocent, productive member of the community and a dedicated Dad and place him in custody for taking a wrong turn is ludicrous. At the same time, this situation is also frightening because it’s clear that there are no limits on what ICE can and will do.”

A UB spokesman confirmed Huseynov, who has no criminal record, has worked at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences since 2022 on a Department of Homeland Security-approved work authorization that is valid through 2029.

He is State University of New York (SUNY) Research Foundation Employee.

Huseynov is being held at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia.

The Investigative Post report said an ICE spokesperson, in a statement, alleged Huseynov, who entered the U.S. on a J1 Visa, is without legal status and that the agency will attempt to deport him.

Huseynov’s Facebook page lists him as a Postdoc Researcher and a student of Fundamentals of Neuroscience at Harvard University.

In November 2025, he posted that he took part in the Society for Neuroscience’s Neuroscience 2025 Conference in San Diego.

He is married and has a son and a young daughter.

In October 2025, UUP Member Alcibiades “Alex” Lazaro Ramírez González and his husband, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Member Yannier “Yan” Vázquez Hildago, were detained by ICE Agents in Syracuse while waiting to attend an Immigration hearing.

Both men work at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.

A Federal Immigration Judge ruled Tuesday (January 13th) to deport González to Ecuador pending an appeal.

Homeland Security used an Asylum Cooperative Agreement between the U.S. and Ecuador to deport González.

UUP is the Nation's largest Higher Education Union, representing more than 42,000 Academic and Professional Faculty and Retirees.

Its Members work at 29 New York State-operated Campuses, including SUNY's Public Teaching Hospitals and Health Science Centers in Brooklyn, Long Island and Syracuse.

UUP is an affiliate of New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA) and the AFL-CIO.

From Apprentice To Regional Council Representative, Jomo Akono's Rise Within The North Atlantic States Regional Council Of Carpenters 'Underscores The Opportunities' For Those 'Who Have The Ambition & Drive To Go Union'

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Jomo Akono’s story is truly amazing - and inspiring.

This Radio Disc Jockey/Producer who has immersed himself in his African heritage and culture in so many ways in the Buffalo Community, started as an Apprentice Carpenter nearly 21 years ago - at the behest of his Father, who was also a Union Carpenter.

“‘You should do this, you’ll do good,’” Akono (Pictured Above/WNYLaborToday.com Photos) said his Father told him many years ago as he went back-and-forth on making a decision on what he would do with the rest of his life.

“And (his Father) ‘also said: You can still do music and make money too. Work to support your music,’” Akono recalled while taking a moment from last Fall’s Western New York Construction Career Days Event in nearby Lakeview at the home of International Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 17, where he manned Carpenters Local 276 tent to talk to some of the nearly 1,000 high school students who were in attendance to be introduced to a potential and future career in the Unionized Building Trades.

Since making that fateful decision, Akono has methodically risen in the ranks of the North Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters - becoming a Council Representative while doing now what his Father counseled him to consider more than two decades ago.

The North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters represents 30,000 Union Carpenters and oversees a very large region that consists of New York State and the New England States (Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine).

Besides being a Council Representative, Akono also serves as a Trustee on the Local 276 Executive Board, is a Committee Member on the North Atlantic States Regional Council Of Carpenters’ Executive Board, a Trustee on the North Atlantic States Carpenters Labor Management Program, and a Board Member for Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board.

In addition, he’s also heavily involved at WUFO, a legendary Black Radio Station in Buffalo.

“This ‘stable (Union) work gives me the chance to volunteer and help, talking to students’ (about a career with the Carpenters Union),” said Akono - who was recognized in the 2024 Black Power Players List (in PoliticsNY and amNY Metro) and the City and State NY 2024 Power of Diversity: Black 100 List, during a break he took to talk to WNYLaborToday.com.

“It was ‘incredible,’” Akono (who was 34 when he first began his Union career) said of his start with Local 276. “I traveled and worked (on projects) with my Father. I ‘never saw all these (individual) Trades’ (working around each other at the same time). ‘I just never knew this existed.’ ‘It just opened up everything.’”

“Then I became ‘active in extra work activities and got involved in our Pre-Apprenticeship effort, talking to high school students about Apprenticeships,’” he said.

In the mid-2010s, Akono traveled to the Carpenters’ Las Vegas facilities where he received “training to become a leader” within his Union.

“I was selected (to take part in the Leadership Program),” he explained, further stating how “proud” he was to be part of a Union with 500,000 Members across the U.S. and Canada.

“It ‘opened my eyes of what the global mission could be and how Apprenticeship was the future of Organized Labor,’” he said.

For a 90-day shadow period, Akono worked in the field, observing Union Representatives and Organizers, which proved to be an invaluable experience.

In January 2016, he became a Council Representative for the North Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters.

Eight years ago he was named to the Council’s Executive Board.

“My Father ‘didn’t believe it,’” Akono said with a big smile.

“But ‘it shows young people what is possible - that you are the story,’” he said.

Over the course of his life, Akono has tirelessly immersed himself with numerous community organizations in Buffalo whose mission is to help empower African Americans, as well as other minorities, and disadvantaged individuals to secure economic self-dependence.

And, Akono has also taken the time to work with Elected Officials to secure Workforce Development Grants that help young people out there who were just like him.

“I ask (young people) ‘what they want to do.’ I ‘show them the options and the difference’ (between working Union and Non-Union). ‘And it’s different talking to some from the city verses a rural community, but I talk to people about where they are,’” he said.

All of this has made Akono want to be even “more active in my community.”

“‘You just go out and meet the opportunity where it is,’” he said.

“I ‘think about all of this (his life, career, music and the community) and it makes me proud, but especially talking to people who need help’,” he said. “We ‘have to get (young people) ready for when the jobs break and when you sit down with politicians, they just don’t know - so you get the chance to educate people.’ ‘It makes my job easier.”

In 2020, Akono was recognized as a Champion For Diversity And Inclusion at the Inclusion Diversity Equity Awareness (IDEA) Awards presented by Business First, Buffalo’s Business Newspaper.

At that time, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Executive Secretary-Treasurer Thomas Flynn said: “Jomo Akono embodies the core values of the Carpenters and the Labor Movement - and we are proud that he has been recognized for his leadership. The Carpenters have made our commitment to diversity and inclusion the cornerstone of our effort to build a strong, sustainable membership that expands opportunity to hard-working Men and Women in every community.”

Also speaking at that event was New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples, who said of Akono: "I think of (him) as much more than just a Carpenter. He uses his skills a Carpenter to help build better communities. As Council Representative, Jomo uses his leadership skills to help promote diversity and inclusion in the Building Trades. Jomo has been an important force in getting more People of Color involved in Apprentice Programs that can lead to Union Membership and individuals being able to take care of their households with living wages.”

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Pictured below, Akono chats with Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Denise Abbot and former WNYALF President Richard Lipsitz during the Western New York Construction Career Days event.

SMART Local 71: From The Buffalo Naval Park To Helping Out A 'Fellow Union Member in Need,' This Buffalo Sheet Metal Workers Local's Membership & Retirees Are 'Stepping Up Behind-The-Scenes To Make Our Community A Better Place To Live'

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – These Tin Knockers have heart.

While you may not have noticed, the Membership and Retirees of SMART (the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) Local 71 here in Buffalo are continuing to work to make the Buffalo Community a better place to live when it comes to donating their time and services to improve the visitor experience at Buffalo’s Naval Park and helping install a metal ramp for a fellow Union Member who lost one of his legs.

It’s a shining example of what Unions and their Members do when it comes to giving back outside their work hours, blending in behind-the-scenes so their important donations are utilized by those in need and - in the process, making a difference in the lives of so many people here in Western New York.

Case in point #1, the Buffalo Naval Park where Local 71 Retirees first restored the exterior metal panels of some of the jet planes on display and then rebuilt handrails and rotted-out stairs on two ships (The USS Little Rock and the USS The Sullivans) that are moored there on the City’s growing Waterfront.

Now those Union Retirees are inside the USS Croaker Submarine, working in the barracks of the Sub to refurbish the area with new bars, hooks and brackets so the Naval Park can welcome back schoolchildren visitors who will stay overnight, sleeping in many of the bunks of Servicemen who once manned the craft.

“They needed some sheet metal work done on the Sub so we’re working on some hanging bunks,” Retiree Ron Burns, who served as President of Local 71 for nine years, told WNYLaborToday.com while he and several other Retirees worked around him. “We’re ‘doing this just to give back.’ I spent (36) years as a Union Member and ‘it always makes me feel good when I’m giving back.’ ‘We were lucky we were given this opportunity.’”

Local 71 Organizer Adam Kerr said there are about 20 active SMART Retirees here in the Buffalo area who are always ready to get involved and donate their time to worthy causes: “Our Retirees ‘are always giving back.’ They ‘totally volunteer their time and they’re an insane bunch of guys who just don’t stop.’ They are part of our ‘SMART Army’ and ‘they’ve put their money where their mouths are.’”

And it’s just not non-profits that have benefitted from the SMART Army’s Buffalo Squad.

Case in point #2: Dave Garringer - a Member of SMART Local 1373, was working for CSX Transportation on one of its freight trains when it made a stop in Rochester back in May 2023.

As Garringer stepped off the train, he felt the ground shift.

His foot folded “in a very odd way,” he told WNYLaborToday.com.

Unfortunately, the injury worsened over the course of time.

“‘Calamity after calamity,’” he said.

In November (2025), Garringer had his left leg below his knee amputated.

Garringer lives in a house that was originally built in 1890 in the City of Buffalo, which did not make it easy for the five-year Union Member to enter or leave his home.

A wheelchair ramp Garringer acquired unfortunately did not work with the outside layout of his house and he found himself with more than one problem to overcome.

But word went out through the SMART Army pipeline as a SMART Ohio Representative found out a fellow SMART Member in Buffalo needed help.

Shortly thereafter, “Local (71’s) guys showed up,” Garringer said.

“I was ‘blown away,’” he said. “They pulled up on a Monday, took the ramp (he had) away, (reworked it) and were back on Friday (to install it). ‘It’s wonderful.’ ‘They did an amazing’ job. ‘So many people ask me how this all happened’ - and I tell them: ‘My Union did this!”

“It’s ‘very humbling,’” Garringer, 45, continued. “I’m ‘still going through a myriad of emotions because you just don’t hear about this kind of help when something happens to you.’ I’m ‘very proud’ of my Union, ‘which is a wonderful thing.’ ‘They’re there to fight for you when your contract comes up, and all this and that, but when people need help - they are there.’ It’s ‘awesome.’ ‘I didn’t know the SMART Army even existed.’ SMART ‘doesn’t get the exposure (publicly and through the media) that they deserve.’”

Local 71 Organizer Kerr said: “(Garringer) is a ‘great’ guy. We took measurements, took away what he had (to the Union Training Center for adjustments), brought the wheelchair ramp back and installed it. The old one ‘just wasn’t right.’ It ‘sloped and had problems’ (fitting) on his porch. So ‘with a little bit of work and our Retirees there to help us, it took just one full week before we installed it’ on (in mid-November). It’s ‘another example of the SMART Army giving back in our area, but this was life-changing for me.’ ‘It felt great and I really don’t have another experience to compare this to.’ (Garringer) was ‘in tears.’ ‘That’s how grateful he was.’”

Local 71 Business Manager Tim Benes told WNYLaborToday.com: “This says (Local 71) is ‘ready, willing and able to help.’ ‘That’s what we want to do.’ Our Retirees ‘jump on these things.’ ‘This makes me proud to be a Sheet Metal Worker, but you know it’s just part of our culture.’”

In addition, Local 71 also made a several hundred-dollar donation over the Christmas Holidays from its Membership after conducting a food drive for the local Friends of Night People Food Pantry in Buffalo. The Union delivered a number of non-perishable food items, as well as health and hygiene products and baby diapers for distribution to those in need.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor's Note: Photos Provided By SMART Local 71.

'Heroic' NALC Branch 3 Letter Carriers: The National Association Of Letter Carriers Has Recognized 80 Members of Western New York's Branch 3 For Their 'Heroic Deeds Of Action' Since 2018, Including Several More During 2025

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

We Could Be Heroes

Just For One Day

What’d You Say

Lyrics from the Song, Heroes - by David Bowie

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – When it comes to Heroes, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 3 isn’t short of them.

Since 2018, 80 Members of this NALC Branch here in Western New York have been honored nationally by NALC as Heroes for making a difference in the communities where they deliver mail - including three who were named NALC Eastern Region Heroes of the Year, according to Branch 3 President David Grosskopf, Jr.

That also includes these Branch 3 Members who were honored in in 2025: January - Jared Matesic/Blasdell; April - Daniel Mayville/Niagara Falls; July - Austin Carney/Cheektowaga; August - Lane Wolf/Westfield; October - Colleen Kreuzer/West Seneca, Kim Hullett/Cheektowaga, Michael Pennetti/Tonawanda, Alexander Skomra/Central Park & Theodore May/Central Park and Kimberly Davis-Hullett/Buffalo-Cheektowaga; and in November - Abbey Carey/East Aurora.

“It shows the community ‘how involved we are,’” Grosskopf tells WNYLaborToday.com. “And ‘it’s a nice way to put our Members in the spotlight for what they’ve done.’”

“Many of them ‘are so humble, they don’t want the notoriety for the good they are doing.’ ‘But it’s important they receive that recognition because they are just trying to help those in the communities where they deliver mail,’” he said.

With apologies to those who are not highlighted here in this report, the following are a few examples of what some of those Branch 3 Letter Carriers did to receive such recognition from NALC (The following synopsis of each appears on NALC Branch 3’s Facebook Page):

Lane Wolfe (Pictured Above): Alarmed by an open house door of a customer who usually greets him, Wolfe found the man inside, confused and unwell. Wolfe called 911 and stayed with him until EMS arrived, helping to save his life.

Abbey Carey (Pictured Above): Carey noticed one of her customers’ mail had been piling up in their mailbox. She knocked on the resident’s door and he answered. Carey asked if he needed any help. Even though the man said he was fine, Carey felt - based on his physical appearance, that something may not be right. The next day she stopped at the East Aurora Police Department to ask if an Officer could accompany her on a welfare check. The police granted her request and again the resident declined any help. But this time Carey notified neighbors to keep an eye on him. That night one of the neighbors had to take the resident to the hospital to be checked out for his condition. Her persistence paid off and the resident got the medical attention he needed.

Mike Pennetti (Pictured Above): While delivering mail, this Letter Carrier came across an elderly man wandering around the neighborhood, appearing lost. Pennetti spoke to the elderly gentleman who couldn't provide his address. Pennetti dialed emergency services to get assistance in helping the man. He was able to convince the individual to show him his ID. Pennetti realized the man was only a few houses away from his own home - but did not know where he was. He escorted the man back to his home, but when they arrived all the doors were locked. A neighbor saw Pennetti assisting the man attempting to get back into the home. The neighbor called the man's daughter who provided a garage door code which Pennetti used to allow them access to the home. Police then showed up to assist and check on the elderly man as well. Pennetti's quick thinking and ability to communicate with the man made sure this story had the right ending.

Carrier and Branch 3 Trustee Colleen Michelle Kreuzer (Pictured Above): While delivering mail, Kreuzer heard a jogger yell for someone to call 911. She immediately did and ran over to assess the situation. Colleen observed one of her customers, an elderly gentleman, had fallen in his driveway, hit his head and was bleeding noticeably. She started talking to the man, who was not communicating and appeared confused as to what had just happened. Kreuzer kept the man awake until Paramedics arrived. Eventually the man responsed and the Paramedics subsequently transported him to the hospital to be treated.

Kimberly Davis-Hulett (Pictured Above): While delivering mail, Davis-Hulett witnessed a young boy run from a home, across a major thoroughfare. She pulled her postal vehicle over and tried to communicate with the boy in order to get him out of the middle of the road. The boy was non-verbal, but Davis-Hulett managed to get him to walk with her out of the road and to take shelter under a tree as temperatures were high on this day. She called 911 for assistance. A car came driving by and it was the boy’s sister who was out looking for him. She confirmed her brother was autistic and that his mother was worried as he disappeared on her. In the end, Hulett was successful in reuniting the boy with his family.

And if that wasn’t enough, Branch 3 and its Members were involved in the month of December raising monetary donations for FeedMore WNY.

Grosskopf delivered a $3,333.33 check on behalf of Branch 3’s Membership to the local Food Bank to help continue to provide food for those in need.

The Branch 3 donation drive was due to the negative impact of the recent shutdown of the Federal Government, as well as cuts the Trump Administration has made to a host of Federal programs (such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP).

Grosskopf (Pictured Above Presenting The Check To Feedmore WNY/NALC Branch 3 Provided Photo), tells WNYLaborToday.com there are 47 million Americans - including 7.2 million children, who live in households with food insecurity.

In addition, 1.2 million Veterans live in households that participate in SNAP, he added.

“That’s why the National Association of Letter Carriers and its local Branches ‘have responded to this need,’” Grosskopf said.

The Faculty Federation Of Erie Community College 'Overwhelmingly Ratifies' A New Five-Year Contract

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Members of the Faculty Federation of Erie Community College (FFECC) have ratified a new five-year contract with Erie Community College that marks a significant milestone for the institution, its Faculty and the broader College Community, Union Officials said.

The agreement was ratified by FFECC Members by a 94% margin and unanimously approved by the State University of New York’s (SUNY) Erie Board of Trustees.

The agreement reflects a shared commitment to collaboration, fiscal responsibility and student success, as well as providing stability for nearly 400 Faculty Members while supporting the College’s long-term strategic goals, the Union said.

FFECC President Andrew Sako released the following statement: “This is a fair contract for both parties and recognizes that our Members are the backbone of this institution. I look forward to continuing our work with the College Administration, now that we have stability for the next five years. I also extend my thanks to County Executive (Mark) Poloncarz and to everyone involved in reaching this agreement.”

For More On This Labor News Report, Go To: HOME | ffecc

'Making The Holidays Bright For Families Who Need A Hand Up' - The Niagara-Orleans Labor Council & Its Member Unions 'Adopt' 38 Families 'To Make Their Christmas Wishes Come True,' Donating An Estimated $20,000 In Clothing, Toys & Daily Necessities

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

(NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK) – Through its continued generosity of helping the local community and those who live here, the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and its Affiliated Member Unions adopted a record 38 families for this Holiday Season - combining to donate $20,000 in clothing, toys and daily necessities.

As the need for help has risen over the years, the Labor Council’s total of families helped has risen too - from more than 10 several years ago to 28 last year and now 38.

Working Union has allowed so many across Niagara County to maintain a good life for themselves and their families - so when it comes to giving back, Labor and its Members are usually the first in line to reach into their pockets when the call goes out.

“It ‘really amazes me,’” Niagara-Orleans Labor Council President Jim Briggs told WNYLaborToday.com. “We started out with ($200) per family because we ‘wanted to draw even more (Unions) into what would be a successful effort.’ Now, we’d budgeted ($300) per family, ‘but you can’t get much for ($300) these days - gas is up at the pump, people are experiencing double increases in their health care, paychecks are smaller… so we spent more.’”

“Children ‘understand when their parents are struggling,’” Briggs continued. “So, ‘we thought - we have to got to do this right, so why not just do it and spend some additional money’ (on each family). The Union Movement ‘has a lot of people who do care about their neighbors and adopting families are just one of the things we do throughout the year’ (to benefit local communities - ranging from Labor’s Night at The Races to the United Way of Greater Niagara). ‘Think about all the hours it took to shop, wrap and deliver those gifts - but we did it and we did the right thing because it was the right thing to do for these children.’”

United Way of Greater Niagara/Niagara-Orleans Labor Council Labor Liaison Beth Pyskaty confirmed the 38 families are the “most ever” the Council has ever assisted during the Christmas Holidays: “It’s gone up from (teens) to (28) last year and now (38). ‘Every year the total goes up.’”

“People have been ‘very, very’ generous,” she continued. “It’s ‘really hard to put into words - we’re surrounded by people in the Labor Movement who care about their communities.’ And when you see a room ‘overflowing’ with wrapped gifts, ‘you have a hard time’ (not being emotional). ‘You get teary-eyed’ when people ask you: ‘How can I help?’ ‘It makes me proud to be a Union Member.’”

The donations were delivered to three entities for distribution to the families: The Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, the Salvation Army in Niagara Falls, and to several Military Service Families stationed at the Niagara Falls Air Base who were negatively impacted by the recent shutdown of the Federal Government.

So many Unions stepped up and got involved, Pyskaty said, notably United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 686 (which adopted eight families); United Steelworkers (USW) Local 6992 (which adopted seven); International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2104 (which adopted five) and the Council itself (which adopted three).

In addition, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1115 spent more than $1,000 on just one family, Pyskaty said, while DuPont’s USW-represented Workforce put up a Christmas Tree and made paper ornaments that were hung on the tree - each with a Christmas wish offered up by the designated families. USW Union Members then took one of the ornaments with an individual wish, purchased the item, wrapped it and returned it to the Council so it could be delivered.

When the dust cleared, Labor Council Officials estimated $20,000 in donations were made.

“Being at the Community Mission ‘was something (to see) and I am overwhelmed’ by Labor’s support,” IBEW Local 2104’s Trevor Ganshaw, who serves as Vice President of the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council, told WNYLaborToday.com.

“At Christmas, ‘there are so many families who have nothing.’ ‘The sad part was many of them were not asking for toys - they were asking for boots, hats, gloves and jackets, and pots and pans.’ ‘We have the opportunity to do this, thanks to Organized Labor to help those who are less fortunate and I am ecstatic and so impressed’ (with the end result).”

Ganshaw was also impressed with fellow New York Power Authority Co-Workers Courtney Laughlin and Trisha DeMiglio, who got involved and threw themselves in the effort.

But Ganshaw was even more moved by his own eight-year-old son, Hunter - who also got involved, helping his Father during the drive.

“‘What really got me is when he was asked what he wanted for Christmas, he said he wanted people to have a home and a meal.’ ‘At eight-years-old he’s realizing that all of this is thanks to having a Union job.’ ‘He understands that and that we are fortunate’ (to be in a position to help people), that we all care about our community.’”

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Photos Courtesy Of The Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s Facebook Page.

Civil Service Employees Association Region 6 Honored With CSEA's 'First-Ever' Rising Tide Award For Growing The Public Employees Union Here In Western New York

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

CSEA Editor’s Note: Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Western Region 6 has been honored with CSEA’s Rising Tide Award, which is recognizing the CSEA Region for adding the most new Members. CSEA Western Region President Steve Healy, pictured on the left, accepts the award on behalf of the Region. CSEA President Mary Sullivan is on the right. (CSEA Photo)

(NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK) – The Civil Service Employees Association’s (CSEA) Western Region was recently honored with CSEA’s first-ever Rising Tide Cup during the 115th Annual Delegates Meeting (ADM) that was recently held in Niagara Falls.

The award recognizes the region that signs up the most new Members throughout the year.

This CSEA Membership-focused award is rooted in the belief that a rising tide lifts all boats.

When fair wages, better benefits and improved workplace conditions are achieved by CSEA, entire communities see the rewards.

Western Region President Steve Healy proudly accepted the award: “Hearing Region Six called by President Sullivan was a total shock. I had no idea we were winning this award. I am incredibly proud of the Leaders working each day to grow and strengthen our Union. We have so many passionate, dedicated people in Region Six and across the State. We share this win together.”

While the Western Region was honored with the award, recruiting efforts across CSEA are at its crest.

Membership-building initiatives across the State are working and CSEA is continuing to reach more Workers - every day.

The efforts and energy from CSEA Leaders across the state have resulted in more than 14,000 new Members joining CSEA so far in 2025, CSEA President Mary Sullivan said: “One of the most important things we can do to build a stronger CSEA is to grow our Membership. Every new Member who signs up adds to our collective power - power to win fair wages, to secure better benefits and to make our workplaces safer and stronger.”

Encouraging Workers to join CSEA has always been an integral part of both Region and statewide initiatives.

Across the Western Region, Locals have taken a pro-active approach to reaching new Members.

Of the 1,480 CSEA-represented Workers at Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO), 1,463 are proud Union Members.

Finger Lakes DDSO Local 1st Vice President Catalina Guzman, who also serves as Western Region Membership Committee Chair, brings an inspiring energy to her conversations with potential Members.

By building personal connections during New Employee Orientation (NEO) sessions and in the workplace, she aims to foster trust and demonstrate the real benefits of Union Membership through her own experiences: “I’m not only your Union Rep, I’m your friend. I am in a position where I can help you along the way.”

To Continue Reading This Labor News Story, Go To: Rising Tide: Western Region grows our union - CSEA NY

'Freezing For A Reason' - WNY Labor Raises $21,500 To Benefit Special Olympics As Area Union Leaders & Members 'Plunge Into The Cold Waters Of Lake Erie' To Help Athletes With Intellectual Disabilities 'Shine On And Off The Playing Field'

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: The Special Olympics’ 2025 Buffalo Polar Plunge registered an all-time best, raising more than $703,000 earlier this month to help a variety of Athletes with intellectual disabilities to participate and compete in a number of competitive sports. Included in that total was $21,500 raised by the Western New York Labor Movement as Labor Leaders and Union Members took the plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Erie to help raise dollars for a worthy cause. (Photos Courtesy Of The Niagara-Orleans Central Labor Council & Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation President Denise Abbott)

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – A host of Western New York Labor Leaders and Union Members took the plunge earlier this month, making good on their pledge to wade into the frigid waters of Lake Erie in the Special Olympics’ 2025 Buffalo Polar Plunge, which raised a total of $21,500 to help area athletes with intellectual disabilities shine on and off the playing field.

For the past 18 years, thousands of brave plungers have taken the dip into Lake Erie to support the more than 45,000 Special Olympics New York Athletes from across the State of New York as every dollar raised directly supports year-round sports training and competition for Athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Over three days earlier this month, an array of local Unions, businesses and individuals – a total of 2,200, participated in four separate Polar Plunges at Woodlawn Beach State Park in nearby Blasdell that produced a record-breaking $703,232 to support Special Olympic Athletes.

“It ‘just goes to show you the power of Unions,’” Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Denise Abbott (Pictured Below - In The Middle Between IBEW Local 2104's Trevor Ganshaw & UWGN Labor Liaison Beth Pyskaty), who made the plunge herself, told WNYLaborToday.com afterward. “It’s ‘hard to put into words.’ It’s ‘really unbelievable.’ ‘What impressed me is that people came out, even though this is not an easy thing to do.’ ‘They might hate me afterward (for encouraging Labor to participate in the event), but there was a lot of excitement and camaraderie - all for a good and worthwhile cause.’ There’s an ‘understanding (in the Labor Movement) that it is up to us to make the lives of those in our community easier.’”

A number of area Unions participated or supported the plunge into the 40-degree water (the air temperature at the time was about 19), among them the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the United Auto Workers (UAW), the United Steelworkers (USW) and the Teamsters.

The Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s contingent of Council President Jim Briggs, USW Local 9434-01 President Jerry Chandler, IBEW Local 2104 Executive Boad Chairman Trevor Ganshaw (Pictured Below, In The Dark Shirt) and Niagara-Orleans Labor Council/United Way of Greater Niagara (UWGN) Labor Liaison Beth Pyskaty combined to raise nearly $5,000.

“I ‘thought my feet would fall off and it took a few days to get the feeling back in my feet, but it was worth it,’” Briggs (Pictured Below) - who raised just under $2,000 from those who sponsored him to take the plunge, tells WNYLaborToday.com. “Once I got there, I said to myself: ‘You’ve got to be kidding me, but I’m a commitment guy.’ I’m ‘really proud of Labor being a part of this.’ I was ‘really excited’ to do this event for Special Olympics, ‘which inspires us.’ ‘I’d rank this (fundraising effort) right at the top.’ ‘To be honest, I know Labor and we continue to do the right thing for our communities, especially in these tough times fighting against an administration in Washington.’ ‘But we are still showing up for our communities.’ ‘The truth is, we were involved with our passion and our hearts.’ We’re ‘here to help as much as we can.’”

Chandler, who raised just over 1,600 himself, told WNYLaborToday.com: “‘Everybody deserves a shot to play a sport and the greatest thing about this is we helped the Athletes get that chance.’ ‘I put my mind to it and I cannot express how much it meant.’”

Chandler not only waded into the water - he dove under it.

“It ‘was a plunge,’” he said. “I ‘was pumped up and I had told everyone I was doing this for a worthy cause.’ The water ‘was very, very old, but I would do it again.’ ‘It was a very worthy cause and I’m very proud of my Union Brothers and Sisters.’”

UAW Region 9 International Representative Jim Lakeman (Pictured Below With WNYALF President Abbott) raised the most donation of any individual Union Member with $3,000: “This (charitable) event ‘ranks right there at the top.’ I ‘did my research’ (into Special Olympics). It ‘wasn’t a huge push (to reach $3,000) because I had so many people behind me - the UAW, my family and friends, many who were there’ (to cheer him on).”

“When I was talking to some friends afterwards, my wife ‘told me my shorts were icing up,’” he chuckled.

Niagara-Orleans Labor Council/UWGN Labor Liaison Pyskaty (Pictured Below) added: “I was ‘confident’ Labor ‘would come through for such a terrific cause after we heard the stories from the Athletes themselves.’”

“There aren’t a lot of times I’d jump into Lake Erie at this time of the year, but this is one,” she added with a laugh.

IBEW Local 237 Makes A $30,000 Donation To The United Way Of Greater Niagara's Annual Fundraising Drive - Brings Combined Total To More Than $154,000 Since 2018 & $79,000 Just Over The Past Three Years To Fund A Variety Of Youth-Oriented Programs

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 237 has made a $30,000 donation to the United Way of Greater Niagara’s (UWGN) for its 2025 fundraising drive. Pictured from left to right: Local 237 Business Manager John Scherrer; UWGN President Andrea Gray; and Local 237 President Tom Martin. The Niagara Falls Building Trades Union has donated more than $154,000 to the UWGN since 2018, which comes from the Union’s Membership and its Contractor Association, which agreed in their contract to set aside several cents per hour worked to donate to the United Way. (UWGN Provided Photo)

(NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK) – International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 237 has made a $30,000 donation to the United Way of Greater Niagara (UWGN), which UWGN President Andrea Gray says “will help build brighter futures and stronger families right here” in Niagara County’s many communities.

The donation was made to aid the UWGN’s 2025’s annual fundraising campaign and brings Local 237’s overall total to more than $154,000 since 2018 - and $79,000 over just the past three years, to benefit a number of youth-oriented programs associated with the United Way.

“Unions like IBEW Local (237) play a vital role in shaping the future for our youth,” Gray said. “Through workforce pathways, Apprenticeship opportunities and the values of leadership, service and solidarity, they help build brighter futures and stronger families right here in our community. We are deeply grateful for their continued dedication and support.”

Built into every IBEW Local 237-National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) contract is a pledge to community service.

Currently, six cents per worked hour by IBEW-represented Members is invested into a dedicated fund.

Local 237, which represents 300 Members, then determines where those dollars make the greatest impact, Business Manager John Scherrer tells WNYLaborToday.com: “Our Members ‘live here and it’s just our way of it going back to the communities we serve.’ ‘It’s a good thing.’”

Local 237 has been a champion of the UWGN for many years, not only through their annual financial contributions but also by supporting key events such as Labor’s Night at the Races and the UWGN’s Annual Awards Breakfast.

In fact - of the more than $154,000 that IBEW Local 237 has donated to the UWGN over the course of time, a total of $79,000 has been given to the non-profit in just the last three years.

“That money, per hour, ‘adds up and goes a long way,’” said Scherrer, adding his Local has “enjoyed a great amount of work” for its Membership over the past year.

NECA also partners with Local 237 to provide training for both new Apprentices and continuing education for Journeymen that allow NECA Contractors to continuously employ the best trained Employees - and ensure the highest quality of electrical work to all customers, performing on time and on budget.

“So when (Local 237) participates in the (UWGN’s) Awards Breakfast, ‘we publicly make those businesses who employ our Members on their projects through our Member NECA Contractors aware that some of what we earn goes right back into helping our community.’ It’s: ‘When you employ us, you are helping the (local) community.’ ‘I hope more would keep that in mind when they contract an electrical firm to do their business,’” Scherrer said.

The UWGW’s mission is to invest in youth programs that positively impact social, emotional and mental development to support the community today and strengthen it for tomorrow.

Traditionally, it is Organized Labor that has played a historical role in annually helping to raise about 40% of the UWGN’s overall fundraising goal through payroll deductions and donations.

In addition to IBEW Local 237’s donation, dollars raised at the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s annual Labor’s Night At The Races goes to benefit 13 youth-oriented community programs that are funded by the UWGN across this Western New York County, including - but not limited to, the Boy’s and Girl Scouts organizations, the Salvation Army, a Homeless Youth Program, a Down Syndrome Program offered in Lewiston, and an Educational Youth Program offered by the Aquarium of Niagara Falls.

A Labor Perspective From Dr. Lawrence Wittner, Professor Of History Emeritus At SUNY/ALBANY: Donald Trump, Union Buster

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Dr. Lawrence Wittner, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is Professor of History Emeritus at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany and the Author of Confronting the Bomb (Stanford University Press). The following, in part, was published in the On-Line Publication, The Z Network:

Although President Donald Trump has claimed that “every policy” of his Administration was “designed to lift up the American Worker,” he has acted consistently, since returning to office in January 2025, to undermine Workers’ chosen representatives, America’s Labor Unions. The most flagrant Trump action along these lines occurred in March 2025, when he issued an Executive Order that terminated Collective Bargaining Rights for more than one million Federal Government Employees. This measure, the largest single Union-Busting action in American History, ended Union Representation and protections for 1 out of 14 Unionized Workers in the United States. Trump’s Anti-Union Campaign dovetailed with his efforts to terminate the employment of hundreds of thousands of Federal Workers, many of them Union Members. Federal Workers, Trump claimed, are “destroying this country,” and are “crooked” and “dishonest.” “Many of them,” he said, “don’t work at all.” To supervise his massive purge of Public Employees, Trump chose Elon Musk - the world’s wealthiest individual and largest donor to his Presidential Campaign - to direct a mysterious Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Delighted with the job, Musk declared, without any evidence, that there were “people on the Government payroll who are dead” and others “who are not real people.” Addressing a conference of Conservatives, the flamboyant multibillionaire charged that “waste is pretty much everywhere” and brandished a chain saw against what he called “bureaucracy.”

To Read This Labor Perspective In Its Entirety, Go To: Donald Trump, Union Buster - ZNetwork

"We Will Not Stand By As Workers, Families And Children Go Hungry"

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – The Trump Administration’s assault on “life-and-death” programs like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) spurred the New York State AFL-CIO to take action and institute an effort called Labor Feeds NY: A Week of Action Against Hunger.

Between the rising costs of groceries and the disruption of SNAP benefits during the Republican’s recent shutdown of the Federal Government, Working Families across New York were put at risk with more than three million New Yorkers facing a hunger crisis, according to State AFL-CIO Officials.

As such, New York’s Union Movement declared it would “not stand by while our neighbors go hungry” and initiated a statewide week of action that ran from November 15th through the 23rd.

During that time, State AFL-CIO Labor Federations, their Central Labor Councils, individual Unions and their Members heard the call to action and got involved, coming together to donate hundreds upon hundreds of pounds of non-perishable food to local pantries and school-based food programs - as well as contribute monetarily to hunger relief organizations that are making a difference in their communities.

And with Thanksgiving on Thursday (November 27th), every act of solidarity, large or small, is working to help make a difference for families in need, the State AFL-CIO said.

Here in Western New York, the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation mobilized, working with its Affiliated Member Unions and the 145,000 Members they combine to represent.

On Saturday (November 22nd), the WNYALF held a news conference at 1199 Service Employees International Union’s (SEIU) Buffalo Union Hall with representatives of the Community Action Organization (CAO) and Assistant Pastor Elder Eric Campbell of the Greater Faith Bible Tabernacle, among others, to announce the collection of $5,000 in monetary donations (which will be presented to FeedMore WNY, a Food Pantry Distributor) and the collection of hundreds and hundreds of pounds of non-perishable food items to be distributed to churches, food pantries and other outlets across the Western New York Region to help those in need.

In attendance from the area Labor Community was: The Communications Workers of America (CWA); the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 4; the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA); the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT); the United Auto Workers (UAW) and 1199 SEIU; as well as representatives from the New York State Foundation for Fair Contracting and the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County.

Speaking at a podium in between two tables stacked with non-perishable items, WNYALF President Denise Abbott (Pictured Above/WNYLaborToday.com Photo) said: “It is a ‘time of uncertainty and growing need’ in Western New York and our country, ‘to say the least.’ With the ‘longest’ Government shutdown in our Nation’s history ‘finally ended’ and the Trump Administration’s ‘continued attacks’ on ‘life-and-death’ programs like SNAP, (the Labor Movement) ‘will not stand by as Workers, families and their children go hungry.’ ‘Let me be clear: In the United States, the richest Nation in history, no one should go hundred - period.’ ‘And we will not tolerate the inhumanity and greed that starves’ Working Class Families. The Labor Movement’s ‘greatest struggles have been defined by everyday people showing up to fight for one another and against the inhumanity and greed that starves us.’ ‘The solidarity among our Unions and the community has changed history and saved lives.’ ‘This moment calls for nothing less.’”

Newly-elected Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Grace Bogdanove (Pictured Above With Abbott/WNYLaborToday.com Photo) also spoke, telling those in attendance: “At a time ‘when it feels like we’re seeing bad news out of (Washington) D.C. on a daily basis, whether it’s rampant corruption, the disruption of SNAP Benefits, the gutting of services that vulnerable populations rely on or the continuing effects of the President ‘Big Ugly’ Reconciliation Bill, communities coming together and taking matters into our own hands speaks to the power that we have to fight back.’ ‘At the heart of the Labor Movement lies the belief that each and every person deserves dignity, and that profits cannot - and will not, come at the expense of people.’ ‘Regrettably,’ the President and his friends in the Federal Government ‘have proven time and time again through their words and actions that they do not share this belief - and have no problem putting their own self interests above the needs of the American People.’ As you can see today, ‘I stand hand-in-hand with the Brother, Sisters and Siblings in this movement to make one thing abundantly clear: Labor will not let our neighbors go hungry.’”

Also speaking at the news conference were:

Dr. Marie Cannon, President and CEO of the CAO: “I am ‘grateful for the collaboration that was born out of this call to action.’ There is a ‘growing strain on our neighbors (who must decide) to pay for their prescriptions or their rent or keep their lights on.’ ‘We have all come together to meet this challenge and build a coordinated response system.’ The WNYALF ‘brings strength and solidarity of Working People.’ ‘You are the reason this is possible (and because of it) we are stronger and more resilient.’”

Assistant Pastor Elder Campbell of the Greater Faith Bible Tabernacle: “This is ‘such a blessing looking at this table - small things are big things.’ ‘We are grateful to you, Western New York’s Labor Union and the responsibility (Unions have shown) to your community.’ ‘This is the beginning of all things being possible to those who believe.’”

IUPAT District Council 4 Business Manager Mike Hogan (Pictured Below/WNYLaborToday.com Photo): “We ‘shouldn’t have to be doing this, but we will continue to fix this broken system in our country that we all cherish.’”

NYSUT Member Donna Walters (Pictured Below/WNYLaborToday.com Photo), who serves as President of the Erie 1 Professional Education Association and is a WNYALF Board Member: “NYSUT is ‘proud to be here for this reason, with (33%) of SNAP recipients being children.’ I’ve spent (31) years in the classroom and ‘it is hard for children to concentrate with their bellies empty.’ ‘It is absurd to have this stress in the home not knowing whether they can put food on the table.’”

UAW International Representative Lonnie Everett (Pictured Below/WNYLaborToday.com Photo), also a WNYALF Board Member: “The UAW is ‘honored to be part of this as families struggle.’ ‘Every bit of food is a lifeline and some are struggling in our community.’ ‘But we are fighting back with food.’ It’s ‘unfortunate we are seeing this now.’ ‘That we are under attack is incredible.’ ‘We should be more than that.’ ‘I don’t want to see people go down that path.’ ‘Labor has stepped up and we are about people at heart.’”

Grace Bogdanove, 1199 SEIU Healthcare Workers East VP For WNY Nursing Homes, Elected President Of The Buffalo AFL-CIO Labor Council - Becomes Second Woman To Lead the Council, Succeeding Now WNYALF President Denise Abbott

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Grace Bogdanove (pictured above, on the right) - 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East Vice President for WNY Nursing Homes, has been elected the new President of the Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, becoming only the second Woman to head the Buffalo Labor Council. Bogdanove succeeds Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Denise Abbott (on the left), who was the first Woman President of the Buffalo Council. (WNYLaborToday.com Photo)

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Grace Bogdanove, who serves as 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Workers East Vice President for Western New York’s Nursing Homes, has been unanimously elected President of the Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council - becoming the second Woman to lead the Council, succeeding recently-elected Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Denise Abbott, who served as Buffalo Labor Council President for more than five years.

“It’s an ‘opportunity for me to give back’ to the Labor Community,” Bogdanove, 29, told WNYLaborToday.com after her swearing-in ceremony that was held last week during the Labor Council’s monthly meeting. “Democracy is ‘under attack like never before’ by the current (Trump) Administration and - ‘in great part, it is up to the Labor Movement to protect our Democracy.’ I’m ‘excited’ to get with our (Union) Affiliates, Union Members and Staff ‘in order to develop a greater understanding (of how the Union Movement can) fight back.’”

The Buffalo AFL-CIO Council represents 90,000 Workers through its Affiliated Member Unions.

Abbott had been President of the Buffalo Council since January 2020 and was the first Female President of the Buffalo Labor Council since its official beginnings back in 1957.

She took over the reins of the WNYALF in July (2025) and becoming, in the process, the first female President of the Western New York Labor Federation.

Abbott - who’s been a Communications Workers of America (CWA) Member for the past 21 years, has served as Health and Safety Director for CWA Local 1168 since 2013 and works as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Emergency Room at North Tonawanda’s DeGraff Memorial Hospital.

The WNYALF serves as an umbrella Labor Organization that oversees five Central Labor Councils: Buffalo; Cattaraugus/Allegany Dunkirk; Jamestown; and Niagara/Orleans. Its Affiliated Public and Private Unions, as well as those within the Building Trades, combine to represent 145,000 Members across the eight-county Western New York Region.

Abbott told WNYLaborToday.com: “I am ‘really proud’ of Grace taking over the role. She’s a ‘perfect fit.’ ‘She’s an incredible’ Labor Leader ‘and will clearly look to build up’ the Council. She has ‘many strengths’ - from organizing to ‘talking to people and bringing them together.’ She is ‘incredibly kind, smart and passionate’ about the Labor Movement ‘and fighting for Working People.’ I’m ‘excited (about her being so young - and) about her attracting more young people’ (into the Council). ‘She’ll be bringing a lot of her (1199 SEIU) friends with her.’ And, I am ‘incredibly grateful for the door being opened for Women to come through - and it’s been Men doing that.’ There are ‘so many wonderful Men in the Labor Movement and I am really grateful for them doing that.’”

Bogdanove - who was appointed to her latest SEIU position back in April 2021, has been honored in the past as one of the Top 40 Young Labor Leaders in City & State’s Labor 40 Under 40 list, which highlights rising stars in Organized Labor across the State of New York.

She had moved back to Buffalo a few years ago from North Country where she was 1199 SEIU Vice President, representing both Hospital and Nursing Home Workers.

1199 SEIU is the largest Health Care Workers Union in the country, representing more than 350,000 Nursing Home, Home Care and Hospital Workers. The Upstate/Western New York Division has nearly 23,000 Members with offices in Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester and Governor.

Bogdanove (Pictured Below/WNYLaborToday.com File Photo) - who’d interned with the WNYALF after receiving a Labor Degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations several years ago, said she was “honored” to succeed Abbott as the second Female President of the Buffalo Labor Council - even though she admits she has “big shoes to fill.”

Bogdanove told WNYLaborToday.com she is “excited” to work with the Council’s many Affiliated Unions in the Public and Private Sectors, as well as those in the Building Trades: “We are going to start monthly education and training sessions, including those involving dealing with grievance charges and running organizing campaigns, as well as addressing legislation and ‘how it has affected different’ Unions. We’ll build a program out and address the way we can ‘effectively mobilize and better support our entire’ community.”

For More On This Labor News Report, Read:

1199 SEIU Appoints Todd Hobler Executive Vice-President For The Upstate/Western New York Area - VP Grace Bogdanove Takes Over For Hobler To Lead WNY Nursing Homes - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York

And

Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Denise Abbott ‘Becomes The First Woman President’ Of The Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York

Buffalo ATU Local 1342 President Jeff Richardson 'Recognized For His Hard Work,' Elected Second Vice Chair Of ATU's New York State Conference Board & On Executive Board Representing 69 ATU East Coast Locals

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1342 President Jeff Richardson has been recognized and honored by his Union for his hard work representing the Buffalo Local’s 1,700 Active and Retired Members by his election as Second Vice Chair of the New York State Conference Board and on the Executive Board of the Northeast Conference Board working on behalf of 69 ATU Locals across the East Coast.

The 59-year-old Richardson (Pictured Above/WNYLaborToday.com File Photo), who is currently running for a new three-year term, tells WNYLaborToday.com he is “excited” about the “plethora” of new Union responsibilities, which include contract negotiations, workplace safety and governmental lobbying to “make sure our Members are safe on the job.”

He received the honors during the ATU’s recently-held convention in New York City where Delegates from every ATU Local across North America were in attendance.

“We - (Local 1342’s) Executive Board, our Stewarts, our Members and myself, are ‘one.’ ‘We ‘make sure’ our Members ‘get a fair and equitable contract and I do not accomplish anything without them and our Members.’ ‘This is my life.’ ‘This is my passion,’” said Richardson, who publicly thanked ATU President John Costa “for offering me the opportunity and the years of training (at the ATU’s Tommy Douglas Center) to learn to become a leader.”

Richardson further posted on his Facebook Page: “I'm thrilled to represent our Members and spread inspiration. It's a dream come true! I'm privileged to represent and be a part of all the outstanding ATU Locals in the State, lifting each other up. Also, I'm honored to have been elected as one of the Vice Chairs to represent 69 ATU Locals on the Eastern Coast, a truly humbling experience. I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve on this Executive Board with these exceptional Leaders, pushing the boundaries of excellence.”

The ATU noticing Richardson did not come out of the blue.

He has been raising eyebrows with results and involvement in not only his Union, where he also serves as the Local’s Pension Chairman, but the Labor Movement in general.

First off, since taking office as Local 1342’s President, Membership has had a 32% pay increase, which equates to 4% per year, in a contract with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) that further includes an additional sick day and holiday, and a longevity increase “that had not been dealt with for more than 25 years.” (WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note - For More Read: “Pressure Breaks Pipes” - ATU Local 1342 Reps Discuss Their Union’s “Historic & Life Changing” Contract With The NFTA, Local ‘Now Fielding Calls From Interested Unions Across The U.S. That Want To Know How They Did It’ - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York)

Local 1342’s most-recent deal featured retro pay back to April 1st (2022) from the previous contract, serious raises in each year of the agreement - now coined as equity adjustments, and a $1,750 bonus for the 1,200 Union-represented Employees, which include Bus Drivers, Paratransit Drivers, Mechanics, Porters, Rail and Shop Workers, Tool Helpers, Training Representatives and Clerks.

Additional highlights included: Raises of 2% in year two and 2.25% in year three of the agreement; An equity adjustment raise of 9% on April 1st (2022) for total of 11.25% - “instantly;” Longevity increases on top of the raises, beginning April 1st (2022); A second longevity increase in year two of the contract; Additional bereavement time for the death of grandparents and grandchildren; Additional sick time; A $,1750 bonus for coming to work; Juneteenth added as permanent holiday; A Defined Pension Plan - an 11% company contribution, a 5% Member contribution was not touched; and there was no change to the Members’ employer-paid Health care coverage until 2024, when ATU Members’ investment will increase from 11% to 12%.

All this after nine straight years of zero wage increases.

Secondly, Richardson serves as an Executive Board Member at the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation and the Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, which honored him as the Grand Marshal of the annual Labor Day Parade a couple of years back.

Richardson started as a Bus Operator 36 years ago (in 1988) before becoming a Station Extra Clerk and then a Train Operator at the NFTA.

He tells WNYLaborToday.com he decided to get more involved in his Union “to help people - and myself.”

“‘If I was going to be there, I had to get control in my own hands if I was going to help the people around me and myself,’” he said. “I’m a ‘true fighter when it comes to helping other people and I wanted to make a career out of it.’”

Negotiations on a new contract with the NFTA are currently ongoing.

The ATU’s contract with the Niagara Fronter Bus and Subway Transportation Entity expired on July 31st (2025).

Richardson says while talks are progressing, major issues - such as wages, pension and health care, have yet to be discussed, and with the holidays just around the corner, he foresees a new contract agreement coming sometime in early 2026, in light of the fact that this time around, binding arbitration is in the picture.

Richardson, who “reads our contract like I read the Bible,” said: “They (the NFTA) ‘don’t want to go that route. I ‘understand and comprehend (our contract), so when I walk into those (negotiations), I walk in with power.’ Right now we have a ‘shortage’ of Operators and Mechanics, ‘so we have to raise the starting rate and top scale’ (to attract more people to the job). ‘But what we want to achieve is a positive contract with better wages and benefits for our Members and their families.’ ‘We are leading by example and I tell our Members that no matter how long you are in our Union - one day or (37) years, or what department you work in - you are all skilled Workers and you are part of our family on day one.’”

Richardson, who has five children and 10 grandchildren, said he could not do what his does for Local 1342’s Membership without the guidance he received growing up from his Mother - Geneva Simmons, and the support from his Wife of 26 years, Alfrieda.

“‘She is my backbone,’” Richardson said. “I ‘miss so many things’ - holidays, birthdays, vacations (due to Union business) ‘and no matter what, she understands.’ ‘You have to have a supportive wife to be an effective’ Union Leader.”

WNYLaborToday.com Editor's Note: Otherwise Noted, Photos Courtesy Of Jeff Richardson's Facebook Page.

The National Lacrosse League Players' Association Joins The National AFL-CIO - NLLPA Affiliation Brings AFL-CIO Membership To 64 Unions, Showcasing Historic Organizing Across Professional Sports & The Labor Movement As A Whole

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—The National Lacrosse League Players’ Association (NLLPA) announced - which includes Players with the Champion Buffalo Bandits, it is formally affiliating with the National AFL-CIO, becoming the ninth Professional Sports Union in the AFL-CIO Sports Council.

The NLLPA represents approximately 400 Professional Lacrosse Players across 14 Teams in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

Its affiliation brings the total number of Unions comprising the Nation’s largest Labor Federation to 64, representing nearly 15 million Workers.

National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler sad: “Lacrosse Players are incredible Athletes who put their bodies, their passion and their expertise into a sport that is skyrocketing in popularity, and they deserve a Union that has their backs every step of the way. By joining the AFL-CIO and our Sports Council, NLLPA Members are helping grow a powerful movement of Athlete-Workers who are standing up for fairness, respect and a safe workplace. The future of professional sports is Union strong and Lacrosse Players are stepping onto the field leading that charge.”

NLLPA Vice President and Executive Director Reid Reinholdt said: “Joining the AFL-CIO and its Sports Council is an exciting step forward for our Players and our Union. This affiliation connects us with a powerful network of Athlete-Workers who share our commitment to fairness, respect and progress across Professional Sports. Together, we’ll learn from one another, strengthen our collective voice and ensure our Members have the knowledge and support to meet the evolving challenges of sports. It’s an honor to stand alongside Unions that are setting the standard for what representation in sports can and should be.”

The AFL-CIO Sports Council was formed in 2022 to build power across Unions in Professional Sports, amplify the voices of Athletes and shine a light on the challenges they face as Workers.

It also aligns the interests of Athletes with those of Service, Hospitality and other Workers who support the Professional Sports Industries.

The Sports Council Unions include: The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA); the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA); The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA); the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA); the Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA); the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA); and the USL Players Association-Communications Workers of America (USLPA-CWA).

To Directly Access This Labor News Story, Go To: National Lacrosse League Players’ Association Joins the AFL-CIO | AFL-CIO

NALC Branch 3 President 'Proud' His Union 'Has Enlisted The First U.S. Congressional Representative In The Nation To Support All Five' Of NALC's 'Top' Legislative Agenda Bills In The 119th Congress

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) - Deemed an essential service, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)-represented Mail Carriers are working - and are being paid, during the Federal Shutdown. But that’s not stopping the Union for doing all it can to support its fellow Brother and Sister Federal Employees who are not.

“We are working, ‘despite’ the shutdown ‘and we are – obviously, standing with our fellow Federal Workers from so many departments,’ including the IRS, Social Security and the State Department. Our Members ‘deliver an essential’ service, including delivering medications, that people ‘rely on, especially those who live in our rural’ communities. This shutdown is ‘unconscionable that it is extending for such a long period of time.’ Locally, we are taking monetary collections ‘to help our fellow’ Federal Workers,” NALC Branch 3 President David Grosskopf, Jr. tells WNYLaborToday.com.

Grosskopf was in Orlando, Florida over the weekend for a NALC Committee of Presidents meeting where NALC Presidents discussed what NALC could further do to assist those Federal Workers who are not being paid as the shutdown marches on without an end in sight.

While the United States Postal Service (USPS) itself has had a dark cloud hanging over it during the past several years with talk of privatizing the USPS and closing regional distribution centers (which Branch 3 had beaten back not once, but twice in recent years), Grosskopf said he was “extremely proud” of the fact that U.S. Congressman Tim Kennedy (New York- 26th District) of Buffalo has become the first Congressional Representative in the Nation to support all five of the NALC's top Legislative Agenda Bills in the 119th Congress.

Those Bills include: H. Res. 70 Anti-Privatization Resolution 4/28/25; H.R. 1065 Protect our Letter Carriers Act 2/24/25; H.R. 1522 Federal Retirement Fairness Act 10/6/25; H.R. 3170 Improving Access to Workers Compensation for Injured Federal Employees Act 6/12/25; and H.R. 3011 USPS Shipping Equity Act 10/24/25.

NALC Branch 3 was also able to get support for two of its Bills from Republican Western New York Congressman Nick Langworth (New York-23rd District0, who signed onto H.R. 1065 Protect our Letter Carriers Act 5/24/25 and H.R. 1522 Federal Retirement Fairness Act 4/29/25

Grosskopf thanked Branch # 3 Buffalo/Western New York Legislative Chairman Greg Smith and New York State Association of Letter Carriers (NYSALC) President George Mangold - as well as others, “for a team effort to make sure NALC Members get the legislative protections they deserve.”

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: For More On NALC Branch 3, Read: Looking At NALC Branch 3’s ‘Phenomenal’ 2024, So Far: Playing A Major Role In Saving Buffalo’s USPS Processing Facility To Its Involvement In Making Its National Union Better To Its Local Letter Carriers Being Recognized For Giving Back Locally - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York

A WNYLaborToday.com Halloween Tradition: Did You Know That 'Long Hours & Dangerous Conditions' On The Frankenstein Sets Led Legendary Actor Boris Karloff To Get Behind The Movement To Unionize Screen Actors?

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper is republishing this Labor News Story that it originally published back on October 29th, 2015. In celebrating Halloween 2025, WNYLaborToday.com thought it was important to underscore and recognize - once again - what Actors Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi did to organize their fellow Actors in Hollywood. Please be aware that WNYLaborToday.com has slightly updated its contents to reflect the year and time. WNYLaborToday.com also asks that you take the time to share this Labor News Story with others across the Labor Movement this Halloween.

Several years ago, in fact a couple of weeks after Halloween, I ran across this small blurb somewhere on the Internet concerning the late and legendary Actor Boris Karloff, who starred in Universal Pictures’ immortal Horror Films: Frankenstein in 1931; Bride of Frankenstein in 1935; and Son of Frankenstein in 1939, among many others (However, Karloff might even be better known by many television viewers who grew up in the 1960s as the narrator in the animated television special Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!):

The long hours and dangerous conditions on the Frankenstein sets led Boris Karloff to get behind the new movement to Unionize Screen Actors. It was not uncommon to see Karloff (pictured above as Frankenstein) in full monster makeup, handing out applications to join the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

Sure, I’d watched and loved Karloff (pictured below, without makeup) playing all those scary roles growing up as a kid. He made Halloween that much more special for me and for so many others and the memories that I’ve kept are making this and many other Halloweens over the years so special. But in all my years working with the Labor Movement - I did not know Boris Karloff was a Union Organizer!

So, I filed it away to use for a story that I planned to write for WNYLaborToday.com for Halloween 2015. As October 31st was getting closer, I did a little digging on the Internet and found that Charles Starrett, who was known in the Motion Picture Industry as a founder of SAG and to moviegoers as the Durango Kid in scores of low-budget Westerns back in the 1930s and 40s, had died in March 1986.

In his Obituary that appeared in The Los Angeles Times (http://articles.latimes.com/1986-03-25/local/me-127_1_charles-starrett), it stated: Starrett, along with 17 other Actors, met secretly in Boris Karloff's garage one day in 1933 and helped shape the Charter of the Screen Actors Guild. It was said to be an era when Actors, Writers and Directors were trying to wrest some of the creative control over their pictures from a small group of Studio Bosses who’d vowed to fire or blacklist Union Organizers. It also said Starrett carried Card Number 10 with SAG-American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (AFTRA).

Met in Boris Karloff’s garage to start forming their Union?

Wow, I did not know that - I thought to myself.

How interesting - and fantastic!

This Horror Movie Hero of mine was not only a great Actor, he was a Union Guy!

So, I sent an e-mail to the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the Los Angeles-headquartered Labor Union that represents more than 160,000 Film and Television Principal and Background Performers, Journalists and Radio Personalities worldwide.

At the time, SAG-AFTRA Chief Communications & Marketing Officer Pamela Greenwalt replied and put me in touch with a wonderful woman by the name of Valerie Yaros, who served as the Union’s Historian/Archivist Consultant.

Yaros and I spoke over the phone and she was kind enough to send me a follow-up e-mail with an array of background information on Karloff, the role he played in the Union he was part of forming and his extraordinary efforts to educate and convince his fellow Actors that Going Union was the only way to go on the movie set.

But as I read through the materials, it was then that I learned that the late and legendary Actor Bela Lugosi (pictured below as Dracula), who in fact made Dracula famous on the Silver Screen - like Karloff, was also a Founding Member of the Screen Actor Guild!

Wow, I didn’t know that – too! - I thought to myself.

So with Halloween upon us, and in honor of two great Union Guys - who should be remembered for what they did for their fellow Actors and Actresses outside of wearing those scary costumes, here’s what Yaros sent me from the SAG-AFTRA Historical Files, as well as some background on both Karloff and Lugosi:

Karloff (pictured above) and Lugosi (pictured below) are household names as Horror Film Stars, but few know them as Union Activists and Founding Members of the Screen Actors Guild. Both men actively recruited Actors and Actresses to join our as-yet-unrecognized Union (between 1933 and 1937).

Boris Karloff was Member Number 9. He joined the Guild July 19th, 1933 and is warmly remembered as one of the most beloved Board Members in Guild History. Those who knew him called him Dear Boris. He served as Board Member and Officer from 1933 through 1949, completing his tenure by serving as a Board Alternate in 1951.

A native Englishman, he arrived in Los Angeles in 1919 after spending nearly a decade traveling in Canadian and American Theatrical Companies. Over a decade later, he garnered his first rave reviews, for his performance in the 1931 film The Criminal Code. By year’s end, he hit stardom, playing the creature in Universal Studios’ Frankenstein.

One unforgettably grueling shoot day on Frankenstein, over September 28th-29th, 1931, he put in over 25 hours of work at one stretch – an outrage he never forgot.

In response, he notified the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences - the only organization at the time that could arbitrate grievances between Actors and Producers (but both parties had to be Members of the Academy to take advantage of this service).

In May 1933, at the annual dance of the Hollywood Cricket Club, Karloff was invited by Actor Kenneth Thomson to attend one of the small, regular meetings of determined, dissatisfied Actors, at his home.

From these meetings, the Screen Actors Guild was born on June 30th, 1933.

On November 20th, 1951, Karloff was awarded a Gold Card, bestowing an honorary Life Membership in the Screen Actors Guild.

Karloff wrote the Board of Directors a heartfelt Thank You: “Ladies and Gentlemen, you have just done me the greatest honor that any Actor could receive from his fellows, and I am humbled and deeply grateful. I was only luckier than most in that I happened to be around when things got started. My best love to those who are serving now, but most of all to those who have gone ahead and those who will follow on... for Actors. God bless you all.”

Bela Lugosi (pictured above) was Member Number 28. He was accepted into the Guild on July 31st, 1933 and served on its Advisory Board from 1934 to 1936. During this formative period of the Guild, he attended 14 Board meetings and offered suggestions to the Guild Leadership.

A native of Hungary, Lugosi had a long and distinguished stage career with the National Theatre of Hungary. In 1918, after the end of World War I, he founded the Free Organization of Theatre Actors. In Budapest, on March 31st, 1919, Lugosi led a mass demonstration of Actors to call for the government to reorganize the Hungarian Film Industry and limit profits of distributors who were growing rich while Actors and other Workers suffered. The success of the protest allowed Lugosi to add Film Workers to his organization of Stage Actors, uniting them in the National Trade Union of Actors.

Forced to flee his native land, due to changes in the political regime, Lugosi eventually arrived in the United States in the early 1920s.

In 1927, he won the title role in the Broadway production of Dracula, which made him a star and, in 1931, starred in the now-classic Universal Studios’ film version.

Over the course of time, Lugosi and Karloff appeared in several classic Horror Films together, including The Black Cat in 1934, The Raven in 1935, The Invisible Ray in 1936, Son of Frankenstein in 1939 and The Body Snatcher in 1945.

SAG-AFTRA Historian/Archivist Consultant Yaros also sent WNYLaborToday.com the following from her Timeline of Guild History, plus a letter from Karloff’s Member File:

July 29th, 1933: Karloff on an AMPAS Committee on Actors’ Working Conditions: The Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences’ Bulletin reports “Actors Working Conditions To Be Subject of Study:” “The enforcement of the 12-hour rest period for Actors and a sweeping investigation of Working Conditions of Actors under the Academy Minimum Contract will be the first project of a Special Committee on Working Conditions just named by the Actors Branch of the Academy. The first meeting of the new committee, which has Lewis Stone as Chairman, has been called for Monday evening, July 31st, at the Academy offices.” Members were “Dewitt C. Jennings, Pernell B. Pratt, David Landau, Jack Mulhall (who, in later years will join the Guild Staff), Hobart Bosworth, Claude King, Boris Karloff, Jean Hersholt, Lionel Atwill, J. Farrell Macdonald, Antonio Moreno, Warner Oland, Dell Henderson, William V. Mong and Henry Kolker.” (Academy Bulletin, July 29th, 1933 Volume, No. 17, Page 3.)

July 31st, 1933: Karloff added as part of the Guild’s five-Member Membership Committee.

October 2nd, 1933 (Monday): Karloff withdraws his Academy Membership. That morning, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences receives a telegram from a number of Actors resigning from its Membership, because “an organization only for Actors can produce better results.” Fourteen resign (from a Membership of 319): Adolphe Menjou (AMPAS’ First Vice-President), Fredric March (AMPAS’ Second Vice President), Ken Thomson, Paul Muni, Chester Morris, George Bancroft, James Cagney, Boris Karloff, Warren William, Robert Montgomery, Frank Morgan, Gary Cooper, George Raft, and Ralph Bellamy. Additional Actors who are listed as not being AMPAS Members (Otto Kruger, Eddie Cantor, Charles Butterworth, Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo Marx, Ralph Morgan, Lee Tracy, Spencer Tracy and Miriam Hopkins) join those above in signing a telegram to the NRA’s Sol Rosenblatt, declaring “unqualified opposition to Articles 9 and 10 of the producers’ code and any form of salary control board as being in direct violation of the principles of the NRA” (NOTE: the Academy’s May 1933 member roster lists both Miriam Hopkins and Spencer Tracy as Academy Members. So, either the paper is wrong or Hopkins and Tracy had withdrawn from the Academy earlier. Or, The Times is simply wrong, as sometimes occurs in news reporting! Source: Los Angeles Times, October 3rd, 1933)

January 17th, 1934: Karloff appointed to a Screen Actors Guild Committee to encourage AMPAS Members to resign, along with Claude King and Ivan Simpson (all members of the Hollywood Cricket Club).

October 4th, 1934: Karloff was appointed to a Guild Committee chaired by Ralph Morgan, to meet with Frank Gillmore, head of Actors’ Equity, concerning a Guild-Equity affiliation plan.

January 19th, 1935: Kenneth Thomson writes a letter to Karloff who is working on Bride of Frankenstein. Excerpt: I don’t suppose with that make-up you get much chance for conversation while you are working, but according to The Reporter the following members of your cast are not Guild Members: Colin Clive; Valerie Hobson; O.P. Heggie; E.E. Clive; Ernest Thesiger. We are making a determined effort to increase our Membership, and if you can do anything we would appreciate it. I am enclosing a few membership blanks just on the chance.

March 25th, 1935: Bela Lugosi to the Guild’s Secretary, Actor Kenneth Thomson: My Dear Kenneth - Enclosed you will find the addresses of four film performers whom I as a star in ‘The Raven’ as such was able to persuade for our cause. Please send them literature and (application) blanks.

October 22nd, 1935: A letter from Karloff to the Kenneth Thomson: Dear Ken, Enclosed is the signed application of Frances Drake. I am happy to report that with the addition two weeks ago of Frank Lawton this makes ‘The Invisible Ray’ company 100% (Union-represented). I have found no resistance at all from the people I have worked with and I believe that by studying the casts as published in The Reporter, selecting some real member of the cast who is also in the Guild, firing them up & arming them with applications for immediate action, we can make each working unit 100% by working from within. Sincerely, Boris.

Finally, Yaros sent the following column, written by Karloff, that was printed in the October-November 1960 Edition of Screen Actor. It was headlined: Oaks from Acorns: Just What Was an Actor Who Didn’t Play Cricket Doing at a Cricket Club Dance? It read as follows (The photo above includes Karloff - in the middle - with the Founding Members of the Screen Actors Guild):

So far as I am concerned, it all started at a Hollywood Cricket Club dance at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in May, 1933. Every year at the start of the cricket season, we used to stage something of the sort to promote interest in the club and raise funds for the season just beginning. For some extraordinary reason, Ken Thomson was there. As he is not too well known for his prowess as a cricketer, I supposed he had been lured there in the hope of knocking him over for a small financial contribution to the cause of cricket - to be rewarded, of course, with a fancy card proclaiming him to be a non-playing associate, non-voting, dues-paying member of the Hollywood Cricket Club.

Anyhow, as the evening advanced, and I was circumnavigating the floor in my customary slow and stately manner, Ken dropped anchor alongside me and muttered in my ear the magic words: ‘Would you be interested in an autonomous organization for Film Actors with an affiliation with Actors’ Equity?’

Hastily scrambling off my unfortunate partner’s foot, I practically yelled: ‘How… when… where?’ At which he hissed, ‘Next Thursday, 8 p.m., my house… don’t park too close to the house,’ and practically vanished in a puff of smoke… his pocketbook intact, I trust.

Well, I went, I listened and I was conquered.

Dear Ralph Morgan was presiding over a crowded meeting of perhaps half a dozen people. Ken Thomson, of course, and his wife Alden, Jim and Lucile Gleason, Noel Madison, Claude King and perhaps one or two others I dare not mention for fear I get the names wrong after so long a time. Anyhow, from then on it was a regular weekly event with one or two new recruits coming in… a rather thin trickle, but still a trickle. Amongst that trickle were Sir Aubrey Smith, Ivan Simpson, Murray Kinnell – all members of the Cricket Club. Perhaps they were rewarding Ken Thomson for the shocking trick they had played upon him earlier in the year. Among others who joined the group before the actual formation of the Guild were Leon Ames, Bradley Page, Charles Starrett, Lyle Talbot, and Alan Mowbray, whose personal check paid for the Guild’s incorporation.

From time to time various well known luminaries in the film world came to listen and admire but not to enlist. But in the meantime, Ralph and Ken and the rest, with the invaluable aid and counsel of Larry Beilenson, plugged away.

The general idea was to set the skeleton of an organization for Film Actors with a constitution and the machinery for making it work, but in the meantime sit back and hold the fort and wait for the producers to make the inevitable booboo that would enable us to interest the stars, without whose support we knew the Guild could not hope to function successfully.

Well, the months ticked away and our growth was hardly phenomenal and sometimes, in spite of coffee and sandwiches so generously supplied by Ken and Alden, our spirits flagged a bit - but never our firm belief that the producers would do the job for us by putting the cat among the pigeons and getting everybody into an uproar.

Well, sure as fate they did just that, although for the life of me I can’t remember what it was at this distance (It included an attempt to limit Actors’ Salaries under the National Recovery Administration’s Code of Fair Competition for Motion Pictures, compiled by the producers).

The producers chose the moment when our evening quota of visiting nobility and gentry consisted of Groucho Marx and the late Charlie Butterworth. They, of course, knew what the row was about and we told them what we had been up to. Proudly, we dangled our skeleton before them and trotted out the proud roster of our members… all fifty or sixty of them. That did it. They sent telegrams to every important star in the business and they all convened at Frank Morgan’s house the following Sunday and the Guild was off to the race sat last.

What followed, of course, is history, and there is no need to rehash all of it.

But how fitting it was that the crucial meeting should have been held at Frank Morgan’s house, for it was his brother, Ralph, who had planted the acorn.

Early in 1933 when all the banks had closed, the producers had announced unilaterally that, regardless of any trifle like contractual obligations, all Actors and Writers would immediately take a fifty percent cut in salary for the “duration” -whatever that meant.

Ralph had just come out to Hollywood from the orderly world of the theatre and Equity, and when he felt a strange hand in his pocket, he automatically hollered “Cop,” but to his astonishment he found that there was no cop, and so he went to work and here we all are.

What a pair those two brothers were!

As unalike in appearance and temperament as any two human beings could possibly be, but united in one thing at least… their devotion to the cause of their fellow Actors, great or small.

I remember a special board meeting called by telegram for a Sunday afternoon for some reason or other. In the middle of the meeting the door was flung open and Frank Morgan, hot, breathless and disheveled, burst into the room yelling: “What’s the beef? When do we Strike?” On being told that nothing like that was in the wind, he retired in a fury, muttering something about having been dragged away from his pool and a cold drink on a hot afternoon under false pretenses.

But when the real heat was on in the frantic week in 1937 leading up to the Sunday night deadline in the classic halls of the Hollywood Legion Stadium - when we either had the producers’ written agreement to a contract or we struck the next day - I don’t believe that either Frank or Ralph saw their beds, let alone their pools.

And that Sunday reminds me of another quieter, less voluble, but no less determined fighter of those days… the late Henry Stevenson, one of the most dignified men I ever knew. He inquired of a mutual friend what I proposed to do on the Monday in the event of a Strike. On being told that the plan was to go to Universal as a picket, Henry snorted: “Really? Well, then I shall have to do the same… but I assure you that I will feel like a fool.” Henry shuddered at the thought, but he would have been there and one of my great regrets is that I didn’t see him in action – if only for one incredible morning!

What days – what fun – what excitement - what glorious results and what leaders: Ralph Morgan, Bob Montgomery, George Murphy, Jim Cagney, Ken Thomson.

If one may be permitted to paraphrase Wordsworth - They were the Happy Warriors that every man in arms should wish to be.

So on this Halloween 2025, I and WNYLaborToday.com ask that you respectfully take a moment to remember both Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi – and not necessarily for the great and immortal horror roles they played that literally gave life to Frankenstein and Dracula - but for the roles they played making their workplace better and making sure their fellow Actors and Actresses had a Voice on the Job.

Hyatt Regency Workers United Announce A Boycott Of the Downtown Buffalo Hotel After The Hyatt 'Fails To Begin Contract Negotiations With Its Newly-Unionized' Workforce

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Brayton Wilson at WBEN-AM reports Union Leaders are calling for a boycott of the Downtown Buffalo Hyatt Regency Hotel, which is embroiled in an ongoing labor dispute between Unionized Workers and management. Luke Sills, who has led the effort at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo and lost his job two months ago, says hotel management is still refusing to begin contract negotiations and reinstate several fired Workers. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled the Hyatt recognize their Workers’ Union and start bargaining in good faith. "We are asking people to cancel their reservations if they've already made them. If they're planning to travel to Buffalo in the future or near future, we are asking them to not book at this hotel and take the hotel out of consideration," said Sills, who added there have already been a number of groups that have agreed to support the boycott, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Workers at the Hyatt began organizing in the Summer of 2024. In response, they were met with a vicious Anti-Union Campaign that included the unlawful termination of three Pro-Union Hotel Baristas, threats of retaliation and a campaign of fear and intimidation aimed at discouraging the hotel’s largely-Immigrant workforce, Union Officials said. Following an investigation, the NLRB found the Hyatt violated Federal Labor Law - and in an extremely rare move reserved for the most egregious cases, ordered the hotel to recognize the Union and begin good-faith bargaining. But rather than comply with the NLRB’s ruling and respect their Workers’ Federally-protected right to organize, the Hyatt escalated its unlawful conduct by firing Front Desk Worker and key Union Leader Sills, Union Officials said.

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: Hyatt Regency Workers United announces boycott of hotel in Downtown Buffalo And BOYCOTT THE BUFFALO HYATT REGENCY!

Hyatt Regency Workers United Photo.

NYSNA-Represented Nurses Employed At The Erie County Medical Center Say 'Staffing Shortages Are A Major Part Of Long Wait Times' In The Emergency Room

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Viktoria Hallikaar at Spectrum News reports that when you’re facing a medical emergency, time is of the essence - but in the Emergency Room (ER), wait times can often be hours long. Despite many getting into the medical field to help people, some say they face issues that impede that work. New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)-represented Registered Nurses (RNs) Lona DeNisco and Crystal Knihinicki - who work at Buffalo’s Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), recently told Spectrum News how ECMC can do better by its patients and its Nurses: “We're the ones doing the care at the bedside. If you don't put (resources) into the lower part of your pyramid, it's going to collapse, right? You can't keep building on the top and let the bottom collapse.” According to HospitalStats.org, ECMC has an average ER wait time of five hours and 15 minutes, the sixth-longest wait time in New York State. DeNisco and Knihinicki say those numbers check out. “Last year, I think we had seen like 70,000 (patients) annually and that's still increasing,” said DeNisco. The two RNs point to staff shortages, especially among Nurses, and ineffective policies for increased wait times.

To Watch Spectrum News’ Labor News Report, Go To: ECMC nurses: Staffing shortages major part of long ER waits

CWA-Represented Caregivers, Technical Unit & Clerical Members Ratify New Four-Year Agreement At Catholic Health

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – A new four-year contract covering more than 2,800 Members of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Locals 1133 and 1168 at area Catholic Health Facilities has been ratified, Local 1133 President Brian Magner tells WNYLaborToday.com.

The contract came not too soon after the Locals announced during the first week of September that Membership had “overwhelmingly voted to authorize” a Strike if Catholic Health failed to address competitive wages, benefits and safe staffing in a new deal (For More, Read: CWA-Represented Local 1133 & 1168 Mercy Hospital Workers ‘Overwhelmingly Vote To Authorize’ A Strike ‘If’ Catholic Health ‘Fails To Address Safe Staffing, Competitive Wages & Benefits’ In New Contract - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York)

CWA represents more than 2,800 Nurses, Service, Technical and Clerical Workers at Catholic Health’s South Buffalo Mercy Hospital, Kenmore Mercy Hospital and Sisters of Charity Hospital/St. Joseph Campus in Suburban Cheektowaga.

“Our Members ‘did a great job’ and ‘I hope their involvement continues year-round as we continue to build a very strong’ Union,” Magner said. “While ‘there is no such thing as a perfect’ contract, the feedback I got (from Membership) ‘is that we did pretty well.’ In fact, I had one long-time Member ‘tell me it was the best contract they ever had’ (at Catholic Health).”

The agreement, which is retroactive to June 30th (2025) and runs until June 30th, 2029, includes 3% wage increases in years two, three and four of the contract after Catholic Health agreed to raise wages to a level that were “compatible” to those Health Care Workers employed at the Kaleida Health System in Buffalo, where CWA Members also work, Magner said.

The “biggest issue” in bargaining, however, was safe staffing, CWA Representatives said, and while adding more Staff can begin to solve getting the Nurse-to-Patient ratio down, Magner said Catholic Health agreed to arbitration language in the contract that if staffing levels are not met, financial penalties would be assessed and that money would eventually go into the pockets of Members who are working additional time.

A premium increase was also agreed to when it comes to CWA-represented Caregivers picking up additional shifts.

“It’s a ‘pretty significant’ amount,” Magner said. “If they’re asking people to do so ‘they have to pay people (a fair increase) for them to pick up an additional shift.’”

While the overall wage increases vary, Magner said a Nurse will see their hourly rate increase from $14 to $21 and a Member in the Technical Unit have their pay rise from $11 to $16.

In the areas of health benefits and pension, all remains the same and were unchanged, he said.

“We thought pensions ‘would be a fight, but we were happy with (Catholic Health’s) stance on that,’” Magner said.

The CWA also thanked the many area Unions and a host of Elected Officials who stood with the CWA in their fight for a new contract, including many who attended and spoke at a news conference that was held outside the hospital on September 2nd (For More, Read: Should It Happen For The Second Time In Five Years, Why Would Catholic Health Spend $100 Million On Temporary Employees During A CWA Strike Instead Of Using That $$$ To Settle A New & Fair Contract Beforehand With Its Unionized Workers? - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York)

“The support ‘was fantastic,’” Magner said.

Meanwhile, contract negotiations are continuing for Members in a new CWA Unit at Kenmore Mercy Hospital.

Once finalized and ratified, that agreement will become part of the Master Catholic Health Agreement.

“We’re still at the table on some side issues,” Magner said.

IUPAT District Council 4 To Host The Seventh Annual Glass & Glazing Forum In Cheektowaga On Thursday - Free Event 'Highlights The Strength' Of The Western & Central New York Glazing Industry

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

(CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK) - International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 4 will host the seventh annual Western & Central New York Glass and Glazing Forum on Thursday (October 17th) at the Building Trades Union’s Training Center, located on Aero Drive in the Buffalo Suburb of Cheektowaga.

This free, community and professional-centered event brings together local and regional Contractors, Architects, Suppliers, Developers, Political Figures, Tradespeople and more for a day of hands-on learning, networking and demonstrations that highlight the strength of the Western and Central New York’s Glazing Industry.

A key feature of this year’s forum will be live Architectural Glass & Metal Technician (AGMT) testing, giving attendees an inside look at the rigorous performance, safety and quality standards that Certified Glaziers must meet.

Head Event Organizer Frank Stento and Event Coordinator Don Meyers, a Glazier himself, said: “The AGMT test represents the highest level of professionalism and competence in our Trade. We’re showing local builders, designers and the public exactly what it means to have qualified, safe and trained Professionals working on their projects. We’re surrounded by glass and glazing work every day and rarely do we think of how well trained the installer is. The public and end users should expect and demand a Certified Skilled Tradesperson working on these projects.”

The forum also serves as a gateway to good-paying, life-long careers in the Finishing Trades.

Apprenticeship and Training Staff will be on-site to discuss pathways into the Glazing Industry, including opportunities for Women, Veterans and young people seeking a rewarding, debt-free career in the trades.

Attendees can also earn free AIA Continuing Education Credits, meet with regional vendors and explore the latest innovations in glass and building envelope design.

IUPAT District Council 4 represents Members across 33 New York State Counties - throughout Western and Central New York.

IUPAT DC 4 Editor’s Note: The event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is free to attend, with registration available at www.WNYGlazingExpo.com.