WNYLaborToday News

Erie County Industrial Development Agency Adoption Of Local Labor Workforce Policy Calls For 90% Local Hiring Of Workers From Within Eight-County WNY Region

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:00:00 -0400

(BUFFALO) – An effort led by Buffalo AFL-CIO President Michael Hoffert and Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Richard Lipsitz has led to the Successful Adoption of a Local Labor Workforce Policy on Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA)-Funded Projects, which now calls for 90% Local Hiring of Workers from within the Eight-County/Western New York Region.

“It passed – Unanimously, and is Effective Immediately,” Buffalo Labor Council President Hoffert told WNYLaborToday.com earlier this week.

“While there are some exemptions with ‘Specialty Work,’ I’m very happy about it. I’ve been on the ECIDA Board for as long as I’ve been Buffalo Labor Council President (seven years) and it’s something that I’ve worked hard for a very long time. (WNYALF President) Richard (Lipsitz) has been in the thick of it too and it means a lot. Things are on the move and Local Construction Workers with the Buffalo Building Trades will benefit by it,” Hoffert said

WNYALF President Lipsitz said the Adoption of the Local Labor Workforce Policy on ECIDA-Funded Projects was “terrific.”

“It’s an Important ‘Milestone’ and the role that Mike (Hoffert) played, he deserves a lot of credit,” Lipsitz told Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper. “This was Steadfast Advocacy of Local Labor Policy.”

Paul Brown – President of the Buffalo Building & Construction Trades Council, whose Member Unions combine to represent 10,000 Construction Workers across the area, also praised the two Local Labor Leaders for their hard work in bringing the Local Labor Workforce Policy home.

“Those two guys really stuck with it,” he said.

In addition, Brown said the New Policy would go a long way in beginning to stop Contractors who successfully bid on ECIDA-Funded Projects from hiring Out-of-Town and Out-of-State Workers and bringing them into Erie County to Work on those Projects.

“It gives Local Union Contractors more of a shot (of gaining work on those Projects). At least they are in the Ballpark now. They don’t have to compete with Contractors who bring Workers in from outside our Area. That had put them at a disadvantage, but now the ‘Local Pie’ has gotten bigger,” Brown told WNYLaborToday.com.

Hoffert, meanwhile, praised those ECIDA Board Members who voted for the Local Labor Workforce Policy, as well as Brown, who provided in-put from the Building Trades.

Hoffert also took a moment to reflect on his efforts over the years to get a Local Labor Workforce Policy adopted during the Administration of Former Erie County Executive Chris Collins, who would never support such a Policy.

“Under Collins, the County Executive would never hear of it because, he said, it ‘impeded’ Developers’ Costs. But now, Taxpayers will be getting something in return for their Tax Dollars used on these ECIDA-Funded Projects: Local Jobs,” he said.

Outrage Over The Use Of Chinese Steel Decking For The Verrazano Bridge Project Tops The Discussion At The 2013 Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation Legislative Town Hall Meeting

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:00 -0400

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Richard Lipsitz (Far Left) presides over the WNYALF’s 2013 Annual Legislative Town Hall Meeting that was held on Saturday, May 18th at the United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 9’s Headquarters in the Buffalo Suburb of Williamsville. Six State Representatives took part in the slightly more than Two-Hour Give-And-Take Session, which was extremely Educational and Informative. (WNYLaborToday.com Photo)

(BUFFALO) - While overall, the 2013 Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) Legislative Town Hall Meeting was extremely Educational and Informative, emotions boiled over when a United Steelworkers (USW) District 4 Representative made Area Labor Leaders and Delegates - as well as a group of six New York State Assembly Members and Senators who took part in the Annual Event - aware that Chinese-made Steel is being used to build Decking on the Verrazano Bridge Project in New York City.

More than 100 Union Leaders and Representatives attended the Legislative Town Hall at the United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 9’s Headquarters in the Buffalo Suburb of Williamsville on Saturday (May 18th) that addressed Four Major Topics of Discussion: The New York State Energy Highway Blueprint; The Need to Pass Safe Patient Handling/Staffing Legislation; The Dangers and Repercussions of Cutting State Services; and the Need to Buy American.

Although the morning started out with six State Representatives: Assembly Members Sean Ryan (Democrat), Dennis Gabryszak (Democrat), Crystal Peoples-Stokes (Democrat) and Michael Kearns (Democrat), as well as State Senators Tim Kennedy (Democrat) and Mark Grisanti (Republican) - only four (Gabryszak, Grisanti, Kennedy and Ryan) were left when United Steelworkers (USW) District 4 Representative Frank Hotchkiss made his way to the podium where he was to lead a short discussion on the Need to Buy American.

“The Port Authority of New York-New Jersey has awarded a ($235 million) Contract that is allowing a Chinese Company to put in Steel Decking on the Verrazano Bridge (a Double-Decked Suspension Bridge that Connects the Boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn) in New York City,” Hotchkiss said, his voice rising louder and louder. “‘Buy American’ Products must be amplified and our Legislators ‘haven’t done their homework.’ While this is not Illegal, the Port Authority did something ‘Morally Reprehensible.’ So the USW is asking for your support. Will you stand up and insist that Domestic Content be used?”

Senator Grisanti was the first to respond, answering that he would and took the opportunity to talk about two other pieces of Proposed State Legislation (Senate Bill 3750 and SB 1589) that involves striving to include American-Made Products and Services and Local Labor on State-Funded Projects.

Assemblyman Gabryszak noted that “(20) U.S. States have already passed American Steel Provisions and that if New York State has not as yet, we should be the twenty-first.” “The Steel in the Windmills that you see are made in Canada,” he added. “Imagine how much work there would be in the Steel for the Windmills were made in the United States? It’s a perfect example.”

Said Assemblyman Kennedy: “Steel is being outsourced on a ($235 million) Project through the New York/New Jersey Port Authority? We need to find out where that money is coming from and if it is tied to the Federal Government, we have to make sure it is spent on American Steel.”

While it has been a very long battle, according to CWA District 1 Healthcare Coordinating Council Political/Legislative Coordinator Ann Converso, Health Care Workers called on the State Legislators to Put Patients First and Pass these Two Important Bills this year.

“Here we go again, talking about (Safe Staffing and Safe Patient Handling),” Converso told those attending the Town Hall Meeting. “I have been a Registered Nurse for thirty-six years and we have been working on this for a decade now. Its way too long. These Bills are good for Patients, Workers and Health Care Facilities.”

All of the State Elected Representatives voiced support for Passage of both Bills.

“You already have an Advocate here: Kaleida (Health),” noted Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes. “This is something important to (everyone’s) ‘Bottom Line,” from the Patient to the Employer. I will use my ‘Voice’ as loud as I can to make sure they pass.”

“I support both Bills,” Assemblyman Kearns told those Union Leaders and Delegates in attendance. “I have two Elderly Parents and my Father, who is (83 years old), was nearly killed in an Auto Accident. He’s heavy and it’s definitely a serious situation when I have to (lift him) to get into the shower. And my Mother needs constant help.”

Assemblyman Gabryszak, who said both his Elderly Parents “were in the Hospital a couple of weeks ago,” said Passage of the Bills – which he co-sponsored – was a “no brainer.”

“This makes sense,” Kennedy added. “These are ‘Common Sense’ Issues. It helps saves money in the long run and helps Patients and Nurses – who would argue against that? And when it comes to Safe Staffing, Corporations are thinking more about their ‘bottom line.’ Companies don’t want to pay Nurses to do the job.”

From underscoring the closing of 17 Psychiatric Hospitals across New York to the loss of a host of Mental Health and Probationary Services, the Public Employees Federation’s (PEF) Craig Speers and the United University Professions’ (UUP) Fred Floss double-teamed the topic of The Dangers and Repercussions of Cutting State Services. “They are also causing deep cuts in the Labor Community with the Loss of Jobs,” Speers said. Added Floss: “The ‘Myth’ is over. New York is ‘not’ a ‘Big Spending State.’ It’s not true that we need to Cut (more Jobs). New York started getting rid of State Workers in (1985) and we’re now providing Services with far less Workers. So we’re asking you, do the Benefits outweigh the Cuts?”

Grisanti said he was upset with what he described as the “attitude” displayed by Courtney Burke, Commissioner of the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), during a recent Voice Mail message that he played off his Phone for those in attendance, especially when it comes to Mental Health and “throwing people back into the Community.”

“I have a handicapped Child and Families (with Developmentally Disabled Children) need support and the State should be there,” Gabryszak offered.

Ryan, meanwhile, switched gears and spoke about the misconception that Public Employees “get paid too much,” noting that Lower-Wage Working Families got their Taxes increased by 2% while High-Income Earners got their Reduced by 10%.

“It’s a ‘Hunger Games’ Situation,” he said.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 97 Representative Phil Wilcox handled the Topic of the New York State Energy Highway Project, underscoring the need for New York State to improve its “Inadequate (Electrical) Transmission Lines” and the audacity of New York to purchase 1,000 Megawatts of Power from Quebec, Canada.

“If the Public Service Commission allows the Canada Project to move ahead, it will mean a Foreign Investor taking over U.S. Property,” he warned.

“I would be supportive of Legislation to preclude Foreign Companies to take State Land,” Kearns said.

Added Grisanti: “How can we allow Quebec to come with Power Lines on ‘our’ Land and shut down the Indian Point Power Plant? We have our ‘own’ ability to send ‘our’ Electricity to New York City. You have an ally here (with me).”

“This would be nothing more than Out-Sourcing Jobs while we recognize that we need to keep Jobs here in New York State. It’s essential we stand up and fight this quickly and stop this Quebec to New York City (connection) when we already have the means here,” Kennedy said.

“This nothing but ‘Senseless’ Deregulation,” Ryan said. “We’ve got Western New York Power for New York City. It’s a question of insisting in a ‘New York State Highway’ or a ‘Quebec Highway.’ The Blackstone Group, which is much like the Koch Brothers, is funding this effort and (former) Governor (George) Pataki is a Principal of this Group. There’s a lot of Money Influencing Bad Decisions.”

Via Labor Notes: University of California Hospital Workers Strike, Demand Safer Staffing & Pensions

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400

(THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA) – On Tuesday (May 21st), 13,000 Workers at Seven Campuses of University of California Hospitals began a Two-Day Strike to protect their Pensions and Enhance Patient Care.

Tim Thrush, an Ultrasound Technician and Bargaining Team Member, described a Sea of Green T-Shirts, hundreds of Members Chanting and Picketing outside the UC San Francisco Medical Center where he works. “The turnout is incredibly strong,” Thrush said. “The Membership has really had enough of how we are treated at UC.”

The Strikers, Members of AFSCME 3299, are Patient Care Technical Workers - including Respiratory Therapists, Surgical and Lab Technicians, Nursing Assistants and Licensed Vocational Nurses - in San Francisco, Davis, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Irvine and San Diego.

Service Workers in the same Local - such as Housekeepers and Cafeteria Workers - are Striking in Sympathy. Those 7,000 Workers are also in Negotiations, but have a Separate Contract.

And the Union of Professional and Technical Employees, representing 3,400 other UC Hospital Employees - including Social Workers and Pharmacists, jumped into the action with a One-Day Sympathy Strike. Their Contract has Expired and they are facing Similar Proposals from UC to Cut Benefits.

The Technical Workers’ Contract expired in September. They are Dead-Locked with Hospital Management after bargaining for nearly a year.

“It’s been incredibly disappointing to bargain with UC,” Thrush said. “They are complaining they had to spend twenty-million dollars to deal with the strike. Why didn’t they spend twenty-million dollars on the Contract?”

The Union claims Cost-Cutting is Endangering Care.

Management eliminated 300 Jobs at UCSF and paid $1.2 million to settle a Whistleblower Suit that Charged Patient Neglect at UC Irvine.

“We don’t want them to Prioritize a Business Model that Cuts Corners on Patient Care,” said Local 3299 President Kathryn Lybarger. “UC Hospitals ‘don’t meet’ Basic Industry Standards, especially on Staffing.”

The UC Health Care System boasts nearly $7 billion in Operating Revenue, but Management wants to create a Two-Tier Pension System for Workers, while Executives get Yearly Pension Payouts of as much as $300,000.

Lybarger argues the System relies on Temporary and Per Diem Workers rather than Full-Time, Benefited Staff. The Union is Demanding Stronger Protection against Sub-Contracting, and a Conversion System so Part-Time and Temporary Workers working Full-Time Hours can receive Benefits.

They also want more of a Voice in Staffing and Patient Care matters at the Hospital.

“Our demand is to have Staffing Committees with a Neutral Arbitrator,” Lybarger said. “We have Committees that meet with the University, but ‘they’ get ‘Final Word.’”

Months ago, AFSCME Local 3299 Members created a Patient Protection Task Force to Outline Safety Precautions in case of a Strike, including Emergency Call Lists and Contingency Plans.

UC Medical Center Management refused to cooperate.

UC sought an Injunction to Stop the Entire Walk-Out, but a Judge sided with the Union as long as the Local follows through on its Proposal to have a Core Group of Workers remain in the Hospitals during the Strike.

In all, 447 Workers - including Local 3299 Members who are Respiratory Therapists in Intensive Care and Burn Units - will remain in the Hospitals while the Two-Day Strike goes on.

“The UC’s ‘ego’ got in the way,” Thrush said. “They thought for certain they would get the State to Enjoin the Entire Strike - now ‘they’re’ scrambling.”

Labor Notes Editor’s Note: You can read this Labor News Story directly at: http://portside.org/2013-05-21/university-california-hospital-workers-strike-today-demand-safer-staffing-pensions

Via The Nation: Hardball ? Giants Concession Workers Fight For The Soul Of San Francisco

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Picture AT&T Park, Home of the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, about as breathtaking a Baseball Stadium as exists in the United States with the San Francisco Bay - otherwise known as McCovey Cove, framing the Outfield like a Norman Rockwell Post Card as conceived by Leroy Neiman.

Picture Seats packed with People clad in their Iconic Orange and Black reveling in the once Hard-Luck Team that now defines the City and stands atop The Game.

What we don’t picture when we conjure images of this or any Ballpark are the People actually doing the work to keep it all running.

As idyllic as the aesthetics of the Park remain, those Prepping the Food and Cleaning the Toilets make $11,000 a year in a City where, due to yet another round of Tech-Bubble Gentrification, they cannot afford to live.

Concession Workers at the Park earn their $11,000 in a City where a One-Bedroom Apartment runs $3,000 a month and People are spending near that much to Live in Laundry Rooms and Unventilated Basements.

These same Workers, who commute as much as two hours each way to get to the Park, have now gone three years without a Pay Increase.

This, despite the fact that the Value of the Team, according to Forbes Magazine, has increased 40%. Ticket Prices have spiked and the cost of a Cup of Beer has climbed to $10.25.

This also despite the fact that, as Packed Sellouts become the norm, the Stress and Toil of the Job has never been greater.

Now, the 800 Concession Workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 2, have voted 97% to Strike.

Team Management, which Sub-Contracted Food Services to a South Carolina Outfit called Centerplate, claims no responsibility for the Labor Troubles, even though they receive 55% of every dollar spent by the Giants Fans.

The Nation spoke with Billie Feliciano, who’s been Working at the Park for over Three Decades. She said to me: “This is the first time in thirty-five years we’ve had to go to these extremes. Centerplate says ‘talk to the Giants.’ The Giants say ‘talk to Centerplate.’ If we stepped back for five minutes they’d figure it out after they started to lose all that money. All we’re saying is ‘we want a Fair Share.’”

Getting their Fair Share from Giants owner 80-year-old Multi-Billionaire Charles Johnson will not be easy. A Child of Wall Street Wealth whose Fortune has Grown Exponentially with the Expansion of the Financial Markets, he now heads the Mutual Fund Franklin Templeton started by his Father. As he said to The San Francisco Chronicle, quoting the Company’s Namesake Ben Franklin: “A ‘Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned.’”

It would be far more fitting if he quoted the Ben Franklin who said of money: “The more one has, the more one wants.”

In a startling bit of symmetry, Johnson lives in the City’s Carolands Chateau, a 100-room, 65,000-square-foot Palace originally built a Century Ago for the Daughter of Railroad Magnate George Pullman. That would be George Pullman, namesake of the bloody 1894 Pullman Railway Strike where the United States Army intervened to crush the Nascent Industrial Workers Organization known as the American Railway Union. Then, destroying the mere idea of an Industrial Union like the ARU was seen as a High Priority.

Today we’re seeing Service Industry Workers starting to Organize, Walk Out and Be Heard, and a 21st Century Pullman is looking to halt the mere idea that the Expansion of Service Unions will happen on his watch.

This is why the struggle at AT&T Park is bigger than 800 Concession Workers and why everyone has a stake in Offering Solidarity and Support.

As Legendary Bay Area KPFA Hardknock Radio host Davey D said: “There is a lot of talk about having a City-Wide Fast Food Union in San Francisco. So if you can ‘topple’ the Union at AT&T Park, then you can ‘topple’ that idea. And, if you can ‘topple’ [Service] Unions there, you can ‘topple’ them ‘anywhere’ and can ‘stop that tide’ around the Country.”

The Workers are ready.

Feliciano said to The Nation: “We come there rain or shine. Are we Striking? Not yet. But these Workers are ‘ready’ to Strike.”

The Community, the Major League Baseball Players Association and the Players on the Giants, from Buster Posey to Tim Lincecum to Sergio Romo, should Support them as well.

As for the Negotiations, they display all the arrogance of both Centerplate and Charles Johnson.

During one session, while Management scolded the Union for thinking they were worth more than $11,000 a year, Hedge Fund honcho Mike Wilkins, a Partner at $400 million Kingsford Capital Management, was on the Field Running the Bases with 100 of his Buddies, at a One-Day Rental Cost of $500,000.

This was described to the Website Buzzfeed as an exercise in “Grown Up Boys’ Fantasy Time.”

Will San Francisco ever again be anything but a Playground for the Overgrown Millionaire Children of the Tech Sector?

That’s the question.

We’ll find out the answer in the weeks to come.

The Nation Editor’s Note: You can directly access this Labor News Story at: http://www.thenation.com/blog/174423/hardball-giants-concession-workers-fight-soul-san-francisco?utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=buffer76e55#. You can also go to thegiantzero.org for Updates on the Struggle.

Nurses & Health Care Workers From Across New York Descend On The State Capitol Today To Lobby And Hold Rally For Safe Nurse Staffing Ratios & Safe Patient Handling

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

(ALBANY) - Thousands of Nurses and Health Care Workers from across New York are in Albany today (Tuesday, May 21) to Lobby State Elected Leaders and Rally in support for the Passage of Two Important Bills - Safe Nurse Staffing Ratios and Safe Patient Handling - which will work to Improve the Quality of Patient Care and Cut Back On Caregiver Injuries.

Health Care Workers from Four Unions - the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), and 1199 SEIU (Service Employees International Union) United Healthcare Workers East - have joined to create the New York Healthcare Workers Coalition, which includes Nurses and Caregivers who have come together to Advocate for their Patients with a United Voice. The Coalition’s Main Goal has been to get Lawmakers to enact the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act (A6571 & S3691) and the Safe Patient Handling Act (A2180-A/S1123-A).

While it has been a very long battle, according to CWA District 1 Healthcare Coordinating Council Political/Legislative Coordinator Ann Converso, Health Care Workers are calling on State Legislators to Put Patients First and Pass these Two Important Bills this year.

“Here we go again, talking about (Safe Staffing and Safe Patient Handling),” Converso told those attending this past weekend’s Legislative Town Hall Meeting that was sponsored by the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF). “I have been a Registered Nurse for thirty-six years and we have been working on this for a decade now. Its way too long. These Bills are good for Patients, Workers and Health Care Facilities.”

Several State Elected Representatives who took part in the WNYALF Legislative Town Hall Meeting, including Assembly Members Sean Ryan (Democrat), Dennis Gabryszak (Democrat), Crystal Peoples-Stokes (Democrat) and Michael Kearns (Democrat), as well as State Senators Tim Kennedy (Democrat) and Mark Grisanti (Republican) – all voiced support for both Bills.

Here’s a short rundown of each Bill:

The Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act: Right now, New York Patients are at risk because Health Care Administrators are forcing Nurses to take on nine, 10 or even more Patients at once. That’s why the New York Healthcare Workers Coalition supports the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act. This Legislation, which is similar to a Bill that has already been enacted in California, will require all Acute Care Facilities to Comply with Safe Minimum Nurse-To-Patient Staffing Ratios. The Bill would also require all Residential Health Care Facilities to Comply with Minimum Care Hours for Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs). Safe Staffing Levels will cut Health Care System Costs, Reduce the Occurrence of Avoidable Patient Deaths, Decrease Incidents of Hospital-Acquired Infections, Shorten Hospital Stays, and Decrease Re-Admissions.

The Safe Patient Handling Act: The Coalition of New York Healthcare Workers supports the Safe Patient Handling Act, which is Legislation that would create a Statewide Safe Patient Handling Policy for all Health Care Facilities in New York State. Safe Patient Handling Practices Reduce Injuries for Patients and for Health Care Workers that result from Manual Lifting. The Bill would require each Hospital and Nursing Home in the State to provide Proper Equipment and Training in the Context of a Program developed by the Facility and Tailored to its Specific Needs. Projected Results include: Fewer Falls, Skin Tears and other Injuries to Patients; Fewer Career-Ending and Debilitating Injuries for Health Care Workers; and Cost-Savings to Facilities through Reduced Workers Compensation and Patient-Injury Claims and Less Money spent Replacing Injured Workers

Health Care Workers are scheduled to hold a Rally today at West Capitol Park on South Swan Street in Albany. A number of Elected Leaders are expected to attend, including: Senator Kemp Hannon (Republican), Western New York Senator George Maziarz (Republican) – a Major Sponsor of the Legislation, Assembly Member Aileen Gunther (Democrat), and Assembly Member Richard Gottfried (Democrat), who are also Chief Sponsors of the Two Bills.

The New York State Nurses Association is the Voice for hundreds of thousands of Front-Line Nurses. NYSNA is also New York's Largest Union and Professional Association for RNs.

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the Largest and Fastest-Growing Health Care Union in the United States, representing more than 350,000 Nurses and Caregivers throughout the States of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida and Washington, D.C. SEIU’s Mission is to Achieve Quality Care and Quality Jobs for all.

The Communications Workers of America represents 15,000 Health Care Workers in 20 Locals in New York (including across Western New York) and New Jersey. In all, CWA represents more than 500,000 Workers in both the Private and Public Sectors, including more than a half million Workers who are building the Information Highway. CWA Members also work in Telecommunications, Health Care, Broadcasting, Cable TV, Journalism, Publishing, Manufacturing, Airlines, Customer Service, Government Service, Education and other fields. .

The New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO, represents 54,000 Professional, Scientific and Technical Employees across the State.

Wal-Mart, The Gap, Macy?s, Sears/Kmart, JC Penney, Target, Kohl?s, Nordstrom, American Eagle Outfitters & The Foot Locker Among The 14 North American Retailers Who Refuse to Sign Bangladesh Factory Safety Accord

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:00:00 -0400

Ignoring the Memory of the more than 1,100 Factory Workers that died at the Rana Plaza Factory Collapse in Savar, Bangladesh last month, at least 14 Major North American Retailers have declined to sign the Accord on Fire and Building Safety - an Agreement that would have entailed a Five-Year Commitment from all Participating Retailers to conduct Independent Safety Inspections of Factories and Pay Up To $500,000 Per Year towards Safety Improvements.

The Retailers worried the Agreement would give Labor Groups and others the Ability to Sue them in U.S. Courts, but anybody that has paid attention to the last 30 years of Global Unfettered Corporate Greed knows the Truth: these Corporations care more about their Bottom Line than they do about the Lives and Safety of Third-World Workers, and their actions reflect it. They are so obsessed with Reducing Production Costs that they Couldn’t Care Less about a few Cheap Lawsuits from Cash-Starved Labor Groups.

While the Agreement has garnered Overwhelming Support outside of the United States, the American Public is barely aware of its Existence and Significance, standing idly by and silently condoning these Major Multi-National Corporations as they neglect any semblance of Corporate Social Responsibility for the Dangerous Workplace Conditions they Establish for Workers in Third-World Countries.

Several Major European Retailers like Marks & Spencer, Carrefour, Bennetton, and H&M deserve credit for having Rightfully Taken Responsibility for their previous inaction and joined the Agreement.

PVH, Parent Company to Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, also signed the Agreement, along with Abercrombie & Fitch.

However, that leaves 14 North American Retailers that are shirking responsibility for any Future Workplace Deaths by refusing to sign the Accord.

If the American Public doesn’t awaken from its slumber and start to apply Public Pressure on these irresponsible North American Corporations, they will have No Incentive to put an End to their Reckless Evasion of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Here are their Names, Spread Their Shame: Wal-Mart; The Gap; Macy’s; Sears/Kmart; JC Penney: VF Corporation; Target; Kohl’s; Cato Fashions; Carter’s; Nordstrom; American Eagle Outfitters; The Children’s Place; and the Foot Locker.

You can access this Story directly at:

http://www.filmsforaction.org/news/bangladesh_factory_safety_accord_the_14_north_american_retailers_who_refuse_to_sign/

Re-Elected To A 17th Consecutive Term, Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore Vows To Negotiate A New Contract With The School District & Work With The School Board ? Even Though One Of The ?New? Members Does Not ?Like? Him

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:00:00 -0400

(BUFFALO) – A self-described “Rejuvenated” Phil Rumore, who won Re-Election as President of the Buffalo Teachers Federation (BTF) over the weekend by a 2-to-1 Margin, predicted in an interview with WNYLaborToday.com that “there will be a New Contract” between the Buffalo School District and his 3,500-Member Teachers Union in the not too distant future.

In addition, Rumore (Pictured Above) says despite the fact Former GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Carl Paladino – who recently won a seat on the Buffalo School Board - has publicly made it known (time and time again for that matter) that he “doesn’t like him,” Rumore vowed to “agree to work together” with the School Board – “just like we’ve done in the past.”

“I am very relieved and honored when you think about ‘who’ I was Re-Elected by, whom I consider the ‘Hardest-Working’ Teachers who have the ‘Hardest’ of Jobs,” Rumore told Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper on Monday (May 20th) while back at work behind his desk at the BTF’s Buffalo Offices on the corner of Niagara and Porter.

“I am rejuvenated,” Rumore added. “There is a lot going on, our Negotiations on a New Contract with the School District, this Statewide Teacher Evaluation Mess – which is making People angry because they don’t know what’s going to happen, and a New School Board that has a Person (Paladino) who really doesn’t like me. But we’ve always agreed to work ‘together’ and we will – again.”

Rumore defeated Challenger/Teacher Marc Bruno by a Final Vote Tally of 758 to 398, making it the 17th Consecutive, Two-Year Term he will serve as BTF President. Over the years, Rumore has run mostly Unopposed and has only had a total of four Challengers over the course of time.

And while only One-Third of the entire BTF Membership voted in the Union’s Election of Officers, “all Supported BTF Board Members” – including Incumbent Treasurer Barbara Bielecki – were also victorious.

“Basically the BTF Team has fought the District and the State and has historically delivered the Best Possible Contracts. I think Teachers realized the fact that (Bruno) had never been on a Negotiating Team and had no experience in Arbitrations, while I had thirty years,” Rumore said.

The BTF has been without a Contract with the Buffalo School District for nine years now.

However, both sides met on Friday in the latest Negotiation Session, which now involves a Public Employees Relations Board (PERB) Mediator.

Rumore told WNYLaborToday.com that he believes “there will be a New Contract” hammered out between the two sides in the not too distant future.

Asked why he was so optimistic, Rumore answered: “Because there is no more Litigation. So, there are no more excuses” not to come to an agreement on one.

Asked if he has received any feedback from BTF-Represented Teachers on the race and his victory, Rumore said he had.

“That’s what is more gratifying. Many told me they were ‘thankful’ for what you (Rumore) do for us. I even had other Teachers from other School Districts (outside Buffalo) who offered their thanks for ‘fighting for all of us,’” he said.

Sunday Labor Column: It Was A Very Big ?Political Week? Across The Western New York Labor Movement & Will Be Again This Week

Sun, 19 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400

News, Notes & A Bunch Of Observations Made While Covering The Western New York Labor Community Over The Past Several Weeks:

Last week was a Very Big and Busy Week for both WNYLaborToday.com – Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper, and Western New York Labor News… NOW!, Your Labor News TV Program. It was also a very Political Week across the Western New York Labor Movement and you can read about most of what happened right here on WNYLaborToday.com Today and during the rest of this week. So let’s get started:

First off, the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council held its Meet The Candidates Event in Niagara Falls on Wednesday, May 15th – which attracted a dozen Candidates seeking Public Office this year on the Niagara County Legislature, the City of Niagara Falls Council and on various School Boards. However, the most interesting and quite frankly, Best News, were the number of Union Leaders and Union Members who’ve made the decision to Get Involved For Change and run for Public Office this year. You can read WNYLaborToday.com’s Labor News Story here: Influx Of Union Candidates Running For Public Office This Year Highlights Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s Meet The Candidates Night… From The Niagara County Legislature To The Niagara Falls City Council To School Board Positions… 10 Union Leaders/Union Members Set To Run For Public Office & Introduce Themselves To The Niagara County Labor Movement In Specially-Held Event. In fact, and not included in our Story, is that a total of Four Members of IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 237 in Niagara Falls are running for Elected Office, including three for the Niagara County Legislature itself, and most notably – Local 237 President David Naus. By the way, WNYLaborToday.com will be sitting down with all four on Tuesday for a Labor News Story you’ll only see on Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper later in the week.

On Saturday, WNYLaborToday.com attended the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation’s (WNYALF) 2013 New York State Legislative Town Hall Meeting at the United Auto Workers (UAW) Union Hall in Suburban Buffalo. Several Area State Assembly Members and Senators took part in the Event, which focused on Four Areas: New York State’s Energy Highway Blue Print; Passage of a Statewide Safe Patient Handling and Staffing Law; The Dangers of Making Any More Cuts To State Services; and Statewide Status of Manufacturing/Buy American. All in all, the nearly 2.5-hour Legislative Town Hall Meeting was both very Educational and Informative. As such, WNYLaborToday.com plans on publishing our Labor News Story on the Event either Tuesday or Wednesday, so keep an eye out for it. On that note, WNYLaborToday.com believes the WNYALF needs to consider Videotaping these Events for viewing on its and other Area Labor Unions’ Websites. Obviously, those in attendance were Union Leaders and Representatives, many of whom are involved in their Union Organization’s Political Action Committees (PACs). However, there was much to learn and some Extremely Eye-Popping Information was not only shared by those Labor Representatives in attendance, but in subsequent give-and-takes with those Electeds who took part.

Meanwhile, Western New York Labor News… NOW! had a tremendous Sit-Down Interview with Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue up in Niagara Falls on Wednesday, where the Head of New York’s Leading Union – which represents 300,000 Public Employees across the State – took time out of his busy schedule to talk with WNYLaborToday.com’s Labor News TV Program on a Range of Topics, including what has become a Non-Existent Relationship between CSEA and Governor Andrew Cuomo. You won’t want to miss it. By the way, this Interview will air within the June Edition of Western New York Labor News… NOW! sometime during the first week of next month – so, again, keep any eye for it. On that note, WNYLaborToday.com/Western New York Labor News… NOW! would like to Thank President Donohue, as well as CSEA Western Region 6 President Flo Tripi and CSEA Statewide Communications Director Steve Madarasz, who all helped to facilitate our meeting with President Donohue, which was very enjoyable.

WNYLaborToday.com/Western New York Labor News… NOW! had also hoped to Interview New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento a day earlier during his visit to Buffalo to speak with Area Labor Leaders and address those Labor Delegates attending the Monthly Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s Monthly Meeting in Suburban Depew. However, word came late Monday from President Cilento that he did not wish to have any Media or News Cameras at his Buffalo appearance, explaining through Local Labor Leaders that he planned to share some things that were not meant for Public Consumption. WNYLaborToday.com/Western New York Labor News… NOW! was disappointed over the lost opportunity and had hoped to package Cilento’s Interview with our Interview a day later with CSEA President Donohue. Hopefully, WNYLaborToday.com will be able to arrange another opportunity when President Cilento returns to visit Buffalo in the not too distant future.

On Thursday (May 23rd), United Steelworkers (USW) Local 6992 – whose nearly 300 Members are employed at DuPont’s Yerkes Plant in the Town of Tonawanda – will hold a Rally outside the Plant to focus Public Attention on a Number of Issues, including a Number of Health and Safety Concerns. Western New York Labor News… NOW! featured a Labor News Report in this Month’s Edition, entitled; Problems at DuPont, which can currently be viewed off our Front Page. The Rally will take place between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on River Road at the Main Entrance to the Plant. WNYLaborToday.com will also be there to report on the Rally and will have a Labor News Story on Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper the following day.

And Finally, Congratulations to the Five Retired Members of Buffalo’s Sheet Metal Workers Local 71, who will be honored later this month with the Distinguished Preservation Award for their help in donating their time to help restore Buffalo’s Central Terminal by Building Several Light Sconces. You can read WNYLaborToday.com’s Labor News Story at: Sheet Metal Workers Local 71 Retirees To Be Honored With Preservation Award For Helping Restore Buffalo’s Central Terminal By Building Several Light Sconce Replicas… “The Lanterns Have Come Home,” Says Sheet Metal Workers Local 71 Business Manager John Helak, Who Is Proud Of His Group Of Buffalo-Area Union Retirees For “Being Acknowledged For Something They Enjoyed Doing.” The Local 71 Retires Good Work was recognized by Local Preservationists, who watched Western New York Labor News… NOW!’s Story in the January Edition of our Show, which was entitled: Breathing New Light Into Buffalo’s Central Terminal, which you can watch here: http://www.wnylabortoday.com/videos/tv-show-archive/western-new-york-labor-news-now-january-2012-edition-segment-ii/?query=category.eq.TV%20Show%20Archive&back=Videos.

In addition, some of the Still Photos from the Western New York Labor News… NOW! Piece were used by Buffalo Rising in a Story that appeared on their Website, as seen below. The Buffalo Rising Story can be accessed directly at: http://www.buffalorising.com/2013/05/preservation-award-winners-central-terminal-ironworker-craftsmen.html

Influx Of Union Candidates Running For Public Office This Year Highlights Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council?s Meet The Candidates Night

Sun, 19 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Pictured Above: A dozen Candidates - including 10 from Organized Labor - took part in the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s Meet The Candidates Event that was held last week in Niagara Falls. In what could be considered the Wave of the Future, many of the Candidates who are either Union Leaders or Union Members have made the decision to run for Public Office for the first time in their lives. (WNYLaborToday.com Photo)

(NIAGARA FALLS) – In what may well be considered the Wave of the Future for Organized Labor, as many as 10 Union Leaders and Individual Union Members have made the decision to run for Public Office in Niagara County this year, including some for Re-Election - but many more for the first time in their lives.

In what was a heavily-attended gathering, a total of 12 Candidates took part in the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s Meet The Candidates Event that was held last week (May 15th) at the Lewistown #2 Fire Hall on Saunders Settlement Road in Niagara Falls.

Interestingly enough, those Candidates included: Three Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) Union; Two represented by the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) – including one with the Niagara Falls Teachers Association; Two from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); One from Niagara Falls Fire Officers Union; Another represented by the Niagara Community College Faculty Association; and, finally, another with prior Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Representation.

During the more than Two-Hour Event, the Candidates were not only introduced to a variety of Labor Unions who had Representatives attend the meeting, but were given the opportunity to answer Specially-Selected Questions from the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council’s Political Action Committee – headed by ARCEU-NYSUT Local 4265 President Nick Zawacki and PAC Board Member Scott Jones, a Member of the United Steelworkers. The Candidates were also provided with the opportunity to give a brief closing statement at the end of the evening.

Those Unions that sent Representatives to attend the Meet The Candidates Event included the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the CSEA, the IBEW; and International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 463. In addition, Labor Representatives from neighboring Orleans County also attended, who are also part of the Two-County Niagara-Orleans Labor Council.

Buffalo’s Coalition for Economic Justice (CEJ) Executive Director Jennifer Diagostino also addressed those at the meeting, as did Niagara Wheatfield Teachers Association President Kevin Rustowicz.

“There are too many Cuts to the Public Workforce (in Niagara County) and we have an Obligation at the same time to Fund a Quality Environment here in Niagara County,” Niagara-Orleans Labor Council President Jim Briggs told those in attendance. “We just ‘don’t’ Elect ‘Good People.’ We’ve Elected People who give Tax Breaks – ‘our’ money – to Create Poverty-Level Jobs. How is that Economic Development? And there has been no Labor Agreement with County Unions for three years now.”

Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Richard Lipsitz also addressed those in attendance, telling them: “This is an Election Year that (Organized Labor) can truly focus on the Local Level without any Major State or Federal Races. And we can have an impact on the Legislative Scene in a Number of Races. This is a perfect year to start.”

With an emphasis on the WNYALF’s High-Road Economic Initiatives across the Region, including Moving Forward on Labor’s Push for Expansion of the Niagara Falls Airport into a Cargo Hub and Training Center, Lipsitz added: “This too is long overdue and we can work together to improve the Economic Climate in Niagara Falls.”

One of the Candidates who spoke was IBEW Local 237 President David Naus, who noted that he has six children, including four now who have grown up and unfortunately left the area for what he described as “Greener Pastures.” “I don’t want my other Children leaving the area,” the Niagara Falls Labor Leader said of his decision to run for Public Office, which was also rooted – he added - with the support that he has gotten from his wife, Kim.

Those Candidates taking part in Meet The Candidates Event were:

Niagara County Legislature Candidates:

Christopher Ferrante - Democrat

Niagara County Legislature – 1st District

Member of USW Local 9434

Owen Steed – Democrat/Incumbent

Niagara County Legislature – 4th District

Jason Zona – Democrat/Incumbent

Niagara County Legislature – 5th District

Member of Niagara Falls Fire Officers Union Local 3359

Dennis Virtuoso – Democrat/Incumbent

Niagara County Legislature – 6th District

USW Local 9432

Christopher Srock – Democrat

Niagara County Legislature – 10th District

CSEA & SEIU 1199 Union Member Affiliation

David Naus – Democrat

Niagara County Legislature – 11th District

President/International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 237

Joshua Walker – Democrat

Niagara County Legislature – 15th District

Member/International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 237

Niagara Falls City Council Candidates:

Sam Fruscione

Niagara Falls Teachers Association Local 801

Andrew Touma

New York State United Teachers

Russ Vesci

USW Local 9334

Town of Niagara Town Council:

Lee Wallace – Democrat/No Union Affiliation

Lockport School Board:

Jon Williams – Republican/Member of Niagara County Community College Faculty Association

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper’s Labor New TV Video Crew attended the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s Meet The Candidates Event and will feature an extended Labor News Report on the June Edition of Western New York Labor News… NOW!, which can be viewed off WNYLaborToday.com’s Front Page.

Via The Los Angeles Times: White-Collar Workers Are Turning To Labor Unions

Sun, 19 May 2013 11:00:00 -0400

(NEW YORK) - The Next Wave of Union Protesters isn't Blue Collar - it's Lawyers, Paralegals, Secretaries, Helicopter Pilots, Judges, Insurance Agents and Podiatrists.

These White-Collar Workers are not exactly the picture of the Labor Movement, but they are becoming a more essential part of it as they turn to Unions for Help in a Tough Economy as Bosses try to squeeze out More Profits.

"Employers have been Down-Sizing, Asking Employees to take on Larger Roles, ‘making them’ Work More Hours," said Nicole Korkolis, spokeswoman for the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU). "People are feeling like they ‘need’ an Advocate."

Members of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2320 in New York, nearly half of whom are Lawyers, Voted to Strike last week, after their Employer - Legal Services NYC - pushed for Cuts to Benefits in a recent Contract Negotiation.

Many of them had never been involved with Labor Unions before, but they said decisions by Management led them to take the Drastic Action of Voting to Strike.

"They're pushing a lot of changes that are making it a ‘less pleasant place’ to work," said Logan Schiff, 30, who recently left his job in the Corporate World to become a Lawyer helping Clients facing Foreclosures on Staten Island.

Like many in his Union, he puts the blame on his Employer's Board Members, who he says are Unwilling to Compromise: "These are Corporate Lawyers, making Millions of Dollars a year, ‘dictating’ the Policies of Management."

Some Experts see Professional Workers such as Schiff as the Future of the Labor Movement in a Job Market where White-Collar Employment is Increasing and the Manufacturing Industry is steadily diminishing.

Professionals account for 62% of the U.S. Workforce, up from 15% in 1977.

But Labor hasn't usually done a good job in Recruiting Professional Workers, said Gary Chaison, a Professor of Labor at ClarkUniversity in Worcester, Massachusetts, as the Labor Movement tends to focus on Professions that have a Large Number of Employees, such as Fast Food or Hotel Workers.

To read the rest of this Labor News Report, go to: http://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/16/business/la-fi-union-white-collar-20130516

Sheet Metal Workers Local 71 Retirees To Be Honored With Preservation Award For Helping Restore Buffalo?s Central Terminal By Building Several Light Sconce Replicas

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: On Friday, May 31st - in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall - five Sheet Metal Workers Local 71 Retirees will receive the Distinguished 2013 Preservation Award during the 5th Annual Preservation Awards Ceremony and Luncheon. The Retired Union Sheet Metal Workers will be honored for donating their time to help restore Buffalo’s Central Terminal by building from scratch several Light Sconce Replicas. Pictured from Left to Right are: Retirees Henry Forman, Roger Korsh and Andy Adam, Local 71 Business Manager John Helak, and Retirees Larry Fuchs and Robert Stetzko. (Photo Courtesy of Sheet Metal Workers Local 71)

(BUFFALO) – Many times the good things so many Labor Unions, their Members and their Retirees do go unnoticed across the Western New York Region, but not this time.

On Friday, May 31st - in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall - five Sheet Metal Workers Local 71 Retirees will receive the Distinguished 2013 Preservation Award during the 5th Annual Preservation Awards Ceremony and Luncheon. The Retired Union Sheet Metal Workers will be honored for donating their time to help restore Buffalo’s Central Terminal by building from scratch several Light Sconce Replicas.

“The Lanterns have come home,” joked Sheet Metal Workers Local 71 Business Manager John Helak, who told WNYLaborToday.com that he is extremely proud of his group of Union Retirees for “being acknowledged for something they enjoyed doing.”

“I’m very excited for them,” Helak told Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper. “They focused on something they’d done for their entire lives and this was a different challenge. This is a High Honor for them, but there was never any (original) intent to enhance their or our Union’s Reputation – it was just a project that they were asked for their help on.”

On another front, Helak made it a point to single out and Thank Union Glaziers represented by the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades (IUPAT)/District Council 4 in Buffalo, who provided the Cut Glass that was used in the Replica Light Sconces.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: In January 2012, Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper published the following Labor News Story on Local 71’s Retirees and what they were doing for the Central Terminal, which can be directly accessed at: http://www.wnylabortoday.com/index.php?src=news&refno=2450&category=Buffalo. In addition, their work was profiled on the January Edition of Western New York Labor News… NOW!, which can be directly accessed at: http://www.wnylabortoday.com/videos/tv-show-archive/western-new-york-labor-news-now-january-2012-edition-segment-ii/?query=category.eq.TV%20Show%20Archive&back=Videos

Sheet Metal Workers Local 71 Retirees Help ‘Breathe Light’ Back Into Buffalo’s Central Terminal Restoration Project/Without Benefit Of Original Plans, Retirees Build Sconce Replicas Based On Provided Photos & Dimensions From Originals In Hong Kong

An Appreciative Central Terminal Restoration President Mark Lewandowski Thanks Local 71 Retirees For Donating Their Time & Providing Quality Craftsmanship To Help Restore Grandeur Of The Old Railroad Passenger Terminal On Buffalo’s East Side

(BUFFALO) – Much has been written and reported over the years on the grandeur of Buffalo’s once-bustling Central Terminal, where 10,000 passengers and 200 trains came and went on a daily basis in its heyday. Once inside the now quiet building, it’s not hard to conjure up images of a packed concourse if one chooses to close their eyes and think about its glorious past.

But today, as the Central Terminal Restoration Corp. continues to move forward and make inroads on its massive effort to restore the Art Deco masterpiece and its unmistakable Tower in order to attract new business and tenants to the East Side site, there’s a small group of Union Retirees from Sheet Metal Workers Local 71 in Buffalo who are lending their skills and craftsmanship from behind-the-scenes to literally help breathe light and life back into one of the City’s most treasured buildings.

Local 71 Retirees Larry Fuchs, a 40-year Union Member from Buffalo who retired in 2000; Roger Korsh, a 50-year Member from Buffalo who retired in 2002; and Robert Stetzko, a 30-year Member who retired in 2008, meet religiously each Wednesday at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall and Training Facility on Liberty Avenue for a couple of hours to continue to build – from scratch – sconce lamps that once helped light up the Terminal’s Passenger Concourse.

The ornate 27-inch-tall, 22-inch-wide, eight-sided octagon sconces are being constructed by the trio of Union Retirees without the benefit of having their original plans or materials. They’re doing so from photos and dimensions that were taken of the original lanterns that are now displayed in a Hong Kong restaurant, which purchased the sconces sometime during the 80s and 90s when a salvage company marketed much of what was salvageable from the old building that opened in June 1929 and stopped serving passengers in October 1979.

Local 71 Business Manager John Helak tells WNYLaborToday.com he approached his Union Retirees after receiving an inquiry for help: “I was told they had some photos and dimensions and was asked, ‘Can you make them?’ I said I couldn’t, but had a couple of fellas I could ask. They come in here to the Hall and on their own time and expense are hand-crafting the sconces.”

Local 71 Retiree Stetzko tells WNYLaborToday.com that Sheet Metal Workers “do more than just make ductwork.” “We can do anything,” he said during a recent interview after touring the Central Terminal with Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper. “The impossible only takes a bit longer. It’s a challenge, but we enjoy doing it. It’s a good feeling to give something back. I’ve lived here all my life and I’m doing my bit to help support (the community). It takes me back to the day when I went with my Dad to pick up my Grandparents at the Central Terminal. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment.”

After its closure back in 1979, the Central Terminal fell victim to vandals and much of its glorious past was stripped away. Damage was done everywhere. Windows were shattered. Marble and concrete was broken. And over the years, Buffalo’s elements also helped further deteriorate the building to the point where its trademark shops, restaurants, soda foundation and passenger services in the concourse were hardly recognizable.

But with the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation taking the property over in the late 90s, slowly but surely, restoration and renovation on the original $15 million structure began.

Today, a number of major events are being held in the concourse area, which not only provides the not-for-profit operational revenue to keep the restoration campaign going – but reintroduces both young and old Western New Yorkers to part of Buffalo’s past.

“There were a lot of artifacts removed and they were icons,” Central Terminal Restoration Corp. President Mark Lewandowski tells WNYLaborToday.com. “By replacing these artifacts, (the Local 71 Retirees) are putting life back into a building that people remember. They’re donating so much of their time to this project. You know, when the Central Terminal was built, it was constructed in just twenty-four months with quality Labor and that’s why it’s still standing today. The quality craftsmanship (the Retirees) are providing is simply amazing.”

During those Wednesday get-togethers at Local 71, which they describe as “an Old Farts’ Club,” the trio of retirees used the photos that Lewandowski said were taken by an Western New Yorker on vacation in Hong Kong who not only snapped the pictures, but was allowed to take and write down the dimensions of the sconces, information that was eventually used to help guide the Sheet Metal Workers’ Union Retirees in the building of the new lanterns.

“We have not ‘duplicated’ the originals,’ notes Korsh, saying the originals - which appear to have been constructed out of brass - have been replaced with galvanized steel.

Each sconce project is broken down into pieces by the three, says Stetzko, so a reconstruction procedure could be put into place. Each piece of the eight-sided octagon sconce is clamped down (photo below/WNYLaborToday.com Photo) before it’s eventually soldered and/or spot-welded.

The crew is initially making six sconces as they continue to “get the bugs out,” Stetzko said.

“It’s a challenge,” adds Fuchs. “But it’s about quality control. If it fits, it’s a go, but it’s the kind of project that as it gets looking better, expectations get higher.”

On another front, Sheet Metal Workers Local 71 has also been involved in the Central Terminal Restoration Project. Business Manager Helak and Business Agents Paul Crist (pictured above inside the Central Terminal standing next to a section of the railings/WNYLaborToday.com Photo) and Joe DeCarlo have dedicated some of their time in helping recreating some ornate metal railing that’s also been installed within the Central Terminal’s Passenger Concourse. “We tried to replicate them as they were, but it wasn’t doable,” Helak said.

All the materials being used to construct the Central Terminal Passenger Concourse Sconces – as well as the railings - have been donated, including the electrical innards and glass frames, which are being cut by Union Glaziers represented by IUPAT/Painters District Council 4 in Buffalo.

“We take a lot of pride in what we’re doing,” Korsh told WNYLaborToday.com. “It’s a big nut to crack. But we’d like to make (the general public) aware of where these sconces are coming from so they think twice about saying anything negative or putting down Union People or our Union.”

Bangladesh Government Moves To Ease Unionization

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:00 -0400

National AFL-CIO News Now Editor’s Note: This Labor News Story: Bangladesh Government Moves to Ease Unionization, originally appeared on the Solidarity Center’s Website.

The Bangladesh Cabinet has approved a Change to the Nation’s Labor Laws that it says would Enable Workers to More Freely Form Unions.

The Proposal, which must be approved by Parliament, would allow Workers to join Unions without Showing the List of Union Supporters to Factory Owners to Verify their Employment - a Practice that Effectively Makes It Impossible for Unions to Gather Sufficient Support to Register with the Government because Factory Owners often Penalize or Fire Workers who Support Unionization.

The move follows an announcement that the Bangladesh Government would Raise the Minimum Wage for the Nation’s 4 million Garment Workers, who at minimum are paid $37 a month - the Lowest Wages in the Global Garment Industry, while often Risking their Lives just to be at Work.

The Government’s step toward improving Bangladesh Labor Laws is welcome, but Significant Issues remain, says National AFL-CIO Solidarity Center/Asia Regional Director Tim Ryan: “Registering Unions is ‘only part’ of the difficulty Workers experience when they seek to Form a Trade Union. In the Ready-Made Garment Industry, Workers who want to Join a Union report they face Anti-Union Harassment and Discrimination On the Job. Until the Government takes steps to afford Workers their Fundamental Right of Freedom of Association, by bringing its Labor Laws into Full Compliance with International Standards, Bangladesh Garment Workers ‘will not be able’ to have a ‘Voice on the Job’ that ‘they need’ to Improve Safety and Health Conditions.”

Ryan also points to the Lack of Movement in finding those responsible for the murder of Aminul Islam, a Union Organizer in the Garment Sector who was tortured and killed last year. Finding the Perpetrators of those who murdered Aminul and obtaining Justice for him would demonstrate that Bangladesh Respects the Rights of its Workers.

Recently, Major Retailers who represent the Largest Purchasers of Clothes made in Bangladesh announced they would Help Finance Safety Upgrades at Apparel Factories.

This move follows the Collapse of the Eight-Story Rana Plaza Building, which resulted in the World’s Worst Industrial Disaster since the 1984 Bhopal Explosion in India.

The announcement came as Rescue Efforts ended at the site, with the bodies of 1,127 Workers recovered from the rubble. The building housed Five Garment Factories.

These actions by the Government and Brands follow weeks of Protests and Walk-Outs by Garment Workers across the Capital, Dhaka, who joined together to Demand Safe Working Conditions and Wages that can Support Themselves and their Families.

Three Factories were just closed (Monday) after Workers spotted cracks on a wall. They immediately evacuated the Building that housed the Factories and began Protesting outside. After cracks surfaced in the Rana building on April 24th, Garment Workers were told to report to work. Within hours, the Building pancaked in on itself.

In Ashulia, near Dhaka, Garment Makers said they are Indefinitely Closing all Factories in the area because of Worker Protests. Workers have been Demanding Pay Increases, Benefits and Workplace Safety for the past 12 days. Ashulia’s more than 300 Garment Factories account for nearly 20% of Total Garment Exports.

Also on Monday, Several Hundred Workers at a Ready-Made Garment Factory blocked a road in the Mirpur Area of the Capital for more than two hours, protesting the dismissal of 13 Co-Workers.

Arati Bala Das, 18, was among those pulled from the Rana Building after being pinned under a Concrete Pillar for three days. She told Solidarity Center Staff in Dhaka: “When the Building collapsed, I felt that I was going down. When it stopped, I found myself in the dark. It was difficult to breathe. I could not see anything. I could not move a bit. I realized that two dead bodies had fallen on my legs and a pillar had fallen on those dead bodies. I was very much afraid, and I thought I would not be able to return alive.”

Arati’s mother, Titon, was killed in the collapse, and Arati’s right leg was amputated. Both worked at New Wave Style Ltd. Factory. Her father, Adhir Chandra Das, a Day Laborer, now faces the likely impossible task of supporting Arati and her three young sisters without the Additional Wages of his Wife and Eldest Daughter.

In November 2012, a Fire at Tazreen Fashions killed at least 112 Garment Workers. Since that blaze, 18 Garment Workers have Died at their Workplaces and more than 650 have been Injured in 43 Fire Incidents, according to Data compiled by Solidarity Center staff in Dhaka. Just days after the Rana Collapse, eight Workers were killed at the Tung Hai Sweater Factory.

Labor Perspective From Brian Finnegan, Global Worker Rights Coordinator With The National AFL-CIO: U.S. Brands & Retailers Should Sign The Bangladesh Safety Accord

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:00 -0400

National AFL-CIO News Now Editor’s Note: Brian Finnegan is the Global Worker Rights Coordinator for the AFL-CIO's International Department. You can take action and let the GAP and other Companies know how important it is that they sign the Agreement by Signing the AVAAZ Petition here. You can also find out more from IndustriALL, the UNI Global Union and the ILO.

Rana Plaza, the Bangladesh Factory that collapsed three weeks ago, killed more than 1,100 Workers - many of them Young Women.

This tragedy adds to the more than 1,500 Bangladeshi Workers killed in Preventable Fires and Building Collapses since 2005.

Documents found at the Factory show that the Workers produced for Big Names in Global Retail, revealing the link between Poor Workers in Bangladesh and Major Retail Brands.

Obviously, the Government must improve Local Laws and their Enforcement to stop these Tragedies, but Brands also must take responsibility for their Supply Chains.

They must be held accountable to the Tragedy that happened in their Supply Chain.

Last year, Local Bangladeshi and International Unions and Workers’ Rights Groups Negotiated an Agreement to stop these Deaths and help Bangladesh’s Garment Workers claim their Rights.

Two Brands signed the Agreement; but U.S. brands, including Walmart, JC Penney, the GAP and the Children’s Place.

Other North America Brands have not.

The Binding and Legally-Enforceable Agreement ensures that Owners Repair Factories or lose access to Markets and that International Brands pay their share.

Many Clothing Companies chose to Produce in Bangladesh and have made High Profits based the World’s Lowest Wages and Most Dangerous Conditions in this thoroughly Globalized Industry.

The Agreement strengthens Workers’ Right to Organize and Defend their own Rights - including the Right to Refuse to Enter or Remain in an Unsafe Workplace.

While Two Major Brands signed the Agreement, most of the Industry refused.

The Rana Plaza Factory Collapse, which has killed more than 1,100 Workers, makes it clear that a Binding and Enforceable Agreement is needed to Save Lives and Improve Conditions in this Global Supply Chain.

Supported by the Global Unions of Manufacturing and Retail Workers, IndustriALLand UNI, Local Unions and Workers’ Rights Groups and International Allies have Pressed Forward with the Negotiations.

Within the last several days, 18 Companies have signed onto the Accord on Fire and Building Safety, including some of the Largest Buyers of clothing from Bangladesh.

However, only one of these Companies is a U.S. Company - PVH Corporation, the Wwner of the Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein Brands.

Other signatories include major European Brands with stores in the United States: Benetton, H&M and Zara.

U.S. Brands need to make the same commitment: Wal-Mart, JC Penney, the GAP, the Children’s Place and other North America Brands must sign.

As National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka noted: “We too have had our Horrendous Workplace Tragedies, such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in 1911. Part of the Solution then was surely Improving and Enforcing Laws. But Unions and Employers also played a role. We had a System of Supply Chain Negotiation and Binding, Enforceable Agreements that made the Jobs ‘safe’ and brought the Workers Out of Poverty. U.S. Brands and their Suppliers negotiated with Workers and their Unions and went a long way toward Eliminating Sweatshops in the U.S. Then Employers chose to Produce in Countries with Little Enforcement of Laws and few Workers Organized in Workplaces. It’s time for U.S. Brands to be part of ‘Today’s Solution’ to Sweatshops in Global Supply Chains.”

The International Association Of Machinists & The Transport Workers Union At The ?New? American Airlines Agree To Jointly Represent Nearly 30,000 Ground Workers

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

The International Association of Machinists (IAM) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) have reached a Partnership to Jointly Represent nearly 30,000 Ground Workers at the New American Airlines following the Merger of American Airlines and US Airways.

The two Unions signed Agreements this week to Cover Various Segments of the Merged Airlines. The New Labor Partnership, to be known as the TWU/IAM Employee Association, will ask the Federal National Mediation Board (NMB) to hold Elections among the combined Employees for each Classification after the close of the American-US Airways Merger.

“I am proud that our Two Great Unions put the Members ‘First’ in a ‘True’ Demonstration of Solidarity,” IAM President R. Thomas Buffenbarger said. “These Agreements protect our Members' Representation, Pensions and Seniority. Working jointly with the TWU, we will Ensure both Unions' Members are Rewarded in this Merger.”

TWU President James Little said the agreement: “Allows us to use our Combined Strength and Resources on behalf of ‘all’ our Members as we move forward at the ‘New’ American Airlines. Both Unions have Decades of Experience representing Workers at US Airways and American Airlines, and both Unions are Members of the AFL-CIO.”

The IAM currently represents Mechanic and Related, Fleet Service and Stores Employees at US Airways. The TWU represents these Classifications at American. TWU also and currently represents Aircraft Dispatchers, Flight Crew Training Instructors and Flight Simulator Engineers at both Airlines. Additionally, IAM represents Maintenance Instructors at US Airways.

NYS Senator Tim Kennedy Of Buffalo Brings Aboard Former National Association Of Letter Carriers/Branch 3 President Robert McLennan As His New Staff Labor Liaison

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:00:00 -0400

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Pictured Above, Former and Recently-Retired National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)/Branch 3 President Robert McLennan (on the Left) shakes the hand of New York State Senator Tim Kennedy outside Kennedy’s District Office in South Buffalo. McLennan was recently brought aboard as Staff Labor Liaison for Senator Kennedy here in Western New York and is believed to be the only Labor Liaison working for any of the Area’s Elected Leaders. (WNYLaborToday.com Photo)

(SOUTH BUFFALO) – Robert McLennan’s career as a Member with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)/Branch 3 Union in Buffalo spanned 32 years as a U.S. Postal Service Employee, a Union Steward, Branch 3 Vice President and then Local NALC President, a position he served in for nearly 23 years. In addition, he served 18 years as an Executive Board Member with the Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and as an Executive Board Member with the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Foundation since its inception in 2001.

Now McLennan, who recently retired, has decided to take on a New Challenge as Staff Labor Liaison for New York State Senator Tim Kennedy (Democrat) of South Buffalo.

McLennan started in March and his hit the ground running, meeting with a variety of Local Public and Private Unions, as well as Building Trades – making them aware of his New Position with Senator Kennedy and building bridges between the Labor Community and a Respected Public Official who has a Long and Consistent Track Record of Supporting a Variety of Issues that Positively Impact both Organized Labor and Working People.

“I was very interested in this – right away,” McLennan told WNYLaborToday.com during a sit-down interview with Senator Kennedy in his District Office in South Buffalo. “It marks my belief in Tim. If I didn’t believe in Tim, I wouldn’t be here.”

“I am here to help our Friends and Allies in Organized Labor,” McLennan continued. “There will never be any Lack of Communication (between Senator Kennedy and the Area’s Labor Movement). That shouldn’t happen and I am learning how intricate (the Labor Movement here is) between City, State, County and Federal Workers, and the Building Trades. Now Tim will be able to get the ‘Full Story’ (from Labor through McLennan’s efforts).”

Referring to the Staff Labor Position, Kennedy – himself a Union Member with SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Local 200 United - told Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper that “this is ‘not’ a Job – it’s a ‘Lifestyle’ to do better things for Working People across the board. We want to know the Issues and have all our bases covered. We don’t want to miss anything.”

In regards to the decision to bring McLennan – whose Union represented Federal Employees – aboard, Kennedy added: “I went right to Bob and (McLennan) was the only one I talked to (about being his Staff Labor Liaison). He’s lived ‘Labor’ and he’s been successful. His expertise is outstanding and he’s ‘done everything.’ He was a perfect fit.”

McLennan also made it a point to say that while NALC/Branch 3 represented U.S. Postal/Letter Carriers who are Federal Employees, the only exception the Union had made under his Long-Time Leadership to Endorse individual Erie County Candidates – where Kennedy once served as a County Legislator – was to support Kennedy because of his Strong Track Record in Standing Up for Worker’s Rights. “That’s why we backed him,” McLennan said.

It is WNYLaborToday.com’s belief that McLennan is the only Staff Labor Liaison that any Elected Representative in Western New York maintains at this time.

In the past there have been at least two others: Bill Greeley of the Buffalo Ticket-Takers/Ushers Union who worked with U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins here in Buffalo, and the International Association of Machinists’ (IAM) Tom Wisniewski, who was once employed by former Congressman Jack Quinn of Buffalo and then with Quinn’s son, who also served in State Government representing the Hamburg Area.

In the time to come, McLennan will mirror Kennedy’s efforts on the State Level, reaching out, talking to and working with the Western New York Labor Movement as Kennedy continues to step forward to help stop the attacks on Working People, ranging from Big Business’s Efforts to Dismantle the Scaffold Law, as well as Collective Bargaining – just two of so many issues important to Working People, Labor Unions and the Labor Movement.

“We’re fighting to Protect Binding Arbitration. We were successful in getting it removed from the last State Budget (which would have dramatically and negatively impacted Police and Fire Unions). The Farm Workers Bill and Voting Reform are also important too,” Kennedy said.

In addition, Kennedy and McLennan told WNYLaborToday.com that Kennedy and State Assemblyman Sean Ryan – another Supporter of Organized Labor and Workers’ Right – will team up to partner on a series of Periodic Labor Roundtables. A variety of Area Labor Leaders and Representatives will be invited, including the first that is being set up and scheduled for June 6th at the Hearthstone Manor in the Buffalo Suburb of Depew.

Maryland Bucks Trend, Expands Prevailing Wage Law

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

(THE STATE OF MARYLAND) - While other States are Passing Anti-Union Laws, Maryland has Passed the Largest Expansion of the Prevailing Wage Law in the State’s History.

A Bill introduced by Delegate Tom Hucker (Democrat-Montgomery), and recently passed by the General Assembly, expanded the Prevailing Wage Requirement to the Massive Suburban Maryland Water Utility (WSSC) just as it is embarking on $2-3 billion in work over the next five years under the Terms of a Consent Decree with the EPA.

"For too long, WSSC has spent Ratepayers' Money on Low-Wage Contractors from outside our area” said Hucker. “I'm so Proud our Landmark Expansion of the Maryland Prevailing Wage Law will mean hundreds of millions of dollars of New Work for Local Contractors and thousands of New Union Construction Jobs."

The Bill "ensures that folks working on these projects will get paid a Fair Wage and Benefits... we're happy about that" says Washington Building and Construction Trades’ Representative Mark Coles.

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley will sign the bill on Thursday (May 16th) and Hucker - a Long-Time Labor Ally and founding Executive Director of Progressive Maryland - has invited Supporters to join him at a Celebratory Event followed by the Bill-Signing Ceremony.

You can directly access this Labor News Report that originally appeared on the Metropolitan Washington Council’s Website at: http://www.dclabor.org/ht/display/ArticleDetails/i/108045

The New York State United Teachers Union Anticipates Thousands Of New Yorkers To Attend June Rally In Albany For The Future Of Public Education

Tue, 14 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400

(ALBANY) - In a Vocal Pushback against Out-of-Control Standardized Testing, the Out-Sized Influence that Giant Testing Companies are having on Teaching and Learning, and New York’s Inequitable School Funding System, a Coalition of Parents, Educators, Community Members and Students will Rally in early June in Albany to Fight For The Future Of Public Education.

The One Voice United Rally – which will begin at Noon on Saturday, June 8th at the Empire State Plaza in Albany – is anticipated to bring thousands of New Yorkers to Speak Out against the State’s Obsession with Standardized Testing and Misuse of Data to Label Students and Teachers. Those attending and speaking at the Rally will call for a Moratorium on the Use of Standardized Tests in High-Stakes Decisions for Students and Teachers until the State Education Department and Regents properly implement the State’s New Common Core Learning Standards.

However, the Rally’s Focus will extend far beyond the Explosive Growth of Standardized Testing, NYSUT Representatives say, which now includes 3,200 minutes of State Tests for Elementary and Middle-School Students, a nearly Six-Fold Increase in Testing from the 625 minutes spent on State Tests in 2004.

Education Supporters will also Demand a Greater Investment in Public Higher Education, Enactment of the DREAM Act, and Legislation to help Ensure a safe, Secure Learning Environment for every Student. NYSUT Officials add that they will also Voice Support for Greater Local Control of Schools by Fixing the Tax Cap, including Restoring the Democratic Principle of Majority Rule.

“This is ‘our’ Moment, ‘our’ Chance to Seize Public Education back from the Bureaucrats and Billionaires who think they ‘Know More’ about ‘What’s Best’ for Children than Educators and Parents,” NYSUT President Richard Iannuzzi said. “Thousands will gather in Albany (on June 8th) to speak in ‘One Voice’ and Deliver a Loud, Clear Message that ‘Enough is Enough.’ This Rally will be another Step in ‘our’ Fight for the Future of Public Education.”

NYSUT is offering information on the June Rally on its Website at http://www.nysut.org/resources/special-resources-sites/one-voice-united.

Additional information about the Rally, including a Program and Full List of Co-Sponsors and Speakers, will be announced in coming weeks, NYSUT Officials said.

The New York State United Teachers - the State’s Largest Union - represents more than 600,000 Teachers, School-Related Professionals, Academic and Professional Faculty in Higher Education, Professionals in Education and Health Care and Retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Education Association (NEA) and the AFL-CIO.

Union Retiree News From The Alliance For Retired Americans: Seniors Join Pro-Retiree Members Of Congress To Protest Benefit Cuts

Sun, 12 May 2013 11:00:00 -0400

Seniors Join Pro-Retiree Members Of Congress To Protest Benefit Cuts

Last week, more than 100 Alliance For Retired Americans Activists joined with several Leading Members of the U.S. Senate and House for an Energetic Press Event on Capitol Hill. The Event was headlined by Senator Bernie Sanders (Independent-Vermont), and also featured remarks from Senators Elizabeth Warren (Democrat-Massachusetts), Jack Reed (Democrat-Rhode Island), and Al Franken (Democrat-Minnesota); as well as U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (Democrat-Illinois), Keith Ellison (Democrat-Minnesota), Ted Deutch (Democrat-Florida), Peter DeFazio (Democrat-Oregon) and David Cicilline (Democrat-Rhode Island). All of the Lawmakers Strongly Denounced the Idea of cutting Social Security Benefits by switching to the Chained CPI Cost-of-Living Adjustment Formula. They made it clear that they will Protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid from any Cuts, so that the Programs remain strong for both the current Generation of Retirees and also our Children and Grandchildren. They also drove home the point that the Wealthiest among us and Corporations need to Pay their Fair Share. Three Alliance Members spoke at the event, explaining the Heart-Breaking Consequences that Cuts to Social Security would mean for them. “I would like to extend special ‘Thank-You’s’ to those Alliance Members,” Alliance Executive Director Edward Coyle said. “Regional Board Member Marty Alvarado of Dallas, Texas, who worked in the Electronics Industry; Jody Weinreich of Allentown, Pennsylvania, who worked in the Garment Industry; and Marty Walsh of Glendale, Missouri, who worked in the Insurance Industry, were all quite eloquent in their remarks. They brought Tears to the Eyes of many who were in attendance. I was Very Proud to ‘Stand Strong’ against Earned Benefit Cuts alongside Senator Sanders and so many of our Stalwart Allies.” To watch a video of the event, go to http://tinyurl.com/dxknfbd. For Facebook photos, go tohttp://tinyurl.com/cmevp9e. The day before the event, National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka addressed Alliance Activists, Thanking them for their Role in the 2012 elections and for their Work to stop the Chained CPI.

Moderate Democratic Senators Come Out Against Chained CPI

Several Democratic Senators from Swing States, who are Running for Re-Election in 2014, have Declared their Opposition to the Chained CPI. U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (North Carolina), Mark Begich (Arkansas) and Mark Pryor (Arizona) have Co-Sponsored a Senate Resolution against the Chained CPI. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) also Opposes the Benefit Cut. Currently, eight of the 14 Democrats running for Re-Election in 2014 have stated that they will not support the Chained CPI. “This is Clear Evidence that Politicians all over the Country are ‘Getting the Message’ that Voters across the Political Spectrum ‘Overwhelmingly Oppose’ Chained CPI,” Alliance President Barbara Easterling said. “We urge our Members to Keep Hammering that Message Home. Call your Members of Congress and Urge Them to come out against Chained CPI. If they have already done the ‘Right Thing,’ call to ‘Thank’ them for their Support.”

Senate Passes Older Americans Month Resolution

The U.S. Senate has passed a Resolution to designate May 2013 as Older Americans Month. The Resolution, which was sponsored by Senator Bill Nelson (Democrat-Florida) and Co-Sponsored by Senator Susan Collins (Republican-Maine), Senator Christopher Coons (Democrat-Massachusetts) and Senator Sanders, passed by Unanimous Consent on May 9th. The Resolution points out Seniors rely on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid for Financial Security and High-Quality Health Care. It also stresses the Important Role that Seniors play within their Communities by being Sources of Experience and Knowledge. The Resolution encourages the People of the United States to Emphasize the Importance of Seniors and provide them with Opportunities to share their Wisdom and Skills with the Community. To view the Resolution, go to http://tinyurl.com/ca4rfed.

Big Pharma Gives $1.57 Billion To CEOs, Charges Medicare Exorbitant Drug Costs

Over the last 10 years, the 11 Largest Pharmaceutical Companies have given their CEOs a combined $1.57 billion in Compensation, according to a New Report from Health Care for American Now (HCAN.) The Report found that the Pay of the CEOs has Increased Considerably over the course of those 10 years, particularly after the Medicare Prescription Drug Program went into effect in 2006. Under the Drug Program, Medicare is not allowed to Negotiate the Prices of the Medications it Buys, which has led to a windfall for pharmaceutical companies. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) has introduced Legislation that would allow Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices. To read the HCAN Report, go to http://tinyurl.com/buoxjdu. “This is a disgrace,” Alliance Secretary-Treasurer Ruben Burks said. “Medicare is supposed to be an ‘Earned Benefit’ Program to provide Seniors with Health Care, ‘not’ a Program to ‘Further Enrich’ the Over-Flowing Pockets of Wealthy CEOs. Yet the same Politicians who will not allow Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices have the ‘audacity’ to claim Medicare is costing ‘too much money’ and ‘wrongly’ insist we need to Cut Benefits. It is time to Close the Prescription Drug Loophole and allow Medicare to Negotiate for Cheaper Prices.”

Observational Hospital Stays Continue To Leave Seniors With Big Bills

Medicare Recipients who need more time to Recuperate after a Hospital Visit are entitled to a 20-day Stay in a Nursing Home, as long as their Hospitalization lasted at least three days. However, many Seniors in this situation are being Forced to Pay for their own Nursing Home Care because one or more days of their Hospital Stay were Classified as “Observational.” Medicare Officials say Recipients must be “Admitted Patients” at the Hospital for at least three days to Qualify for Nursing Home Care. Since Hospitals are not required to tell Patients when they are Classified as “Under Observation,” Seniors and their Families often have no idea that Medicare will not be covering their Nursing Home Costs. Since we last wrote about the issue in February, 14 Seniors represented by the Center for Medicare Advocacy have filed a Lawsuit for Medicare to Eliminate the “Observational” Label. “Medicare must swiftly end this Unfair Practice,” the Alliance’s Coyle said. “Seniors and their Families, who are already under a lot of Emotional and Financial Stress, should ‘not be faced’ with Crippling Nursing Home Bills because of a Technicality that Hospitals are ‘not even required’ to inform them about.”

Sunday Labor Column: WNYLaborToday.com Registers Best-Ever, Five-Day Visitor Total, Could It Have Something To Do With Our USW Local 6992-DuPont Report?

Sun, 12 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

News, Notes & A Bunch Of Observations Made While Covering The Western New York Labor Community Over The Past Several Weeks:

First off - Happy Mother’s Day to all on this day of the year that we take time out to truly celebrate our Wonderful Moms! My Mother passed away a number of years ago and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss her. She was a Wonderful Woman who played a Major Role in my Life and helped mold me into the Person that I am today. She, as well as so many other Mothers, is dearly missed. So, if you’re Mom is here with you today, give her a Big Hug from WNYLaborToday.com! If she’s a Union Mom, give her Two Hugs – she deserves it!

Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper has been Walking on Clouds the past several days after Registering the Best-Ever, Five-Day Visitor/Viewer Total that WNYLaborToday.com has had since we first started our Labor News Media Outlet back in April 2008! While WNYLaborToday.com is read across Western New York, New York State and the United States (we have Print Subscribers from as far away as Los Angeles and the State of Washington), we believe our New Labor News TV Program: Western New York Labor News… NOW! had a lot to do with it. If you haven’t yet watched our May Edition, check this for a quick Rundown: Just A Reminder If You Haven’t Watched The May Edition Of Western New York Labor News… NOW!... USW Local 6992 Has Problems At Tonawanda’s DuPont Plant, ARCEU-NYSUT Local 4265 - People, Making A Difference In Niagara County, Labor-Management Spotlight On The Visiting Nurses Association & CWA Local 1122 & The Annual WNYALF Dinner. And here’s the intro to the United Steelworkers Report: USW Local 6992 represents nearly 300 Manufacturing Workers at the DuPont Yerkes Plant, where a number of Products are made with the use of Toxic Ingredients. But some Workers are worried about the Negative Impact it’s having on their Health, including Pregnant Workers. United Steelworkers (USW) Representatives met with Western New York Labor News… NOW! and spoke about Safety Problems that they allege are continuing to go on inside the Tonawanda Plant - even after the recent Death of One Worker who was Killed in a Tank Explosion. On that note, surprisingly - we had an Extremely High Number of Visitors over a period of just three days this past week from the State of Delaware, where DuPont is Headquartered in Wilmington – nearly 250! Now, let me say that we do not have any Print Subscribers from Delaware, but nonetheless, Western New York Labor News… NOW!’s Report – which debuted on Monday (May 6th) on the USW Local 6992-DuPont Situation has apparently drawn some attention, more than likely from DuPont Management. With that said - hopefully this Labor News Coverage not only focused a Spotlight on the Problems facing its Union-Represented Workforce, but will begin to Right the Ship when it comes to Worker Safety at the DuPont/Yerkes Plant in Tonawanda.

WNYLaborToday.com is pleased to announce that Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper has received additional Union Support in recent weeks from not only ARCEU-NYSUT Local 4265 in Niagara Falls (which underwrote Year-Long Print Subscriptions for their entire 300-Membership), but now with USW Local 6992 (which did the same) and from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 463 in Ransomville (Niagara County), which increased their Yearly Support to cover their 300 Membership. Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper is not only Extremely Appreciative of these three Unions’ Support, but believes it makes a Powerful Statement and Commitment to what we here at WNYLaborToday.com continue to offer our many Viewers/Readers. And let’s face it - without such support, the Western New York Labor Community – which Ranks as the #2 Labor Community across the entire United States – would not have its own On-Line Labor Newspaper and a Monthly Labor News TV Program that allows it to not only Get its Message Out, but get it out Unimpeded. And these are not Large Unions that have decided to Support WNYLaborToday.com, which makes their decision even more gratifying. On that note - Thank You All for your Support, which is also allowing WNYLaborToday.com to thrive, grow and continue to provide the Western New York Labor Community with a Unique Labor News Vehicle that has No Equal when it comes to Covering and Reporting on the Local Labor Community, not only here at home – but across the entire United States.

It will be a busy week for Organized Labor in Western New York as New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento addresses the Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s Monthly Delegates Meeting on Tuesday (May 14th). The very next day – on Wednesday, May 15th – Statewide Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue visits Niagara Falls, were he will be meeting with Local CSEA Members. WNYLaborToday.com is currently making arrangements to have our Western New York Labor News… NOW! Video Crew at both events in order to provide our Viewers/Readers with a Labor News Report on the Visit of these two Statewide Union Leaders that would be featured in the June Edition of our Monthly Labor News TV Program. In addition, WNYLaborToday.com will provide Print Labor News Coverage of State AFL-CIO President Cilento’s visit to Buffalo. He made a similar stop recently in Rochester to address Labor Delegates affiliated with the Rochester AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation.

And speaking of Western New York Labor News… NOW! – our Video Crew will also be up in Niagara Falls on Wednesday (May 15th) Evening to cover the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s Meet The Candidates Night, which should be very interesting to say the least. It is WNYLaborToday.com’s understanding that several Area Union Leaders and Delegates – including four just from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 237 in Niagara Falls who have made a decision to run for Public Office – will be in attendance. Speaking of IBEW Local 237, Union President Dave Naus has officially announced his run for the Niagara County Legislature. WNYLaborToday.com hopes to talk to not only Naus, but those several other Union Leaders and Members who have Thrown their Hat into the Political Ring on Wednesday Night.

In addition, WNYLaborToday.com asks that you don’t forget the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s upcoming and Fifth Annual Labor’s Night at the Races. It’s a truly tremendous event that raises a lot of money to help a number of United Way of Niagara/Organized Labor-Supported Programs, and – it’s a Must-Be-At Event if you’re part of the Labor Movement not only across Niagara and Orleans Counties, but across the Western New York Labor Community. For more information, go to: http://www.laborsrace.com/.

And finally, it is more than disturbing to continue to watch the Death Numbers increase to more than 1,100 in the Garment Factory Collapse that recently occurred in Bangladesh, India, which Injured thousands more. The literal Lack of Respect for Human Life that has been replaced by Greed knows no bounds. If this Horrible Incident does not bring about increased Safety Regulations and eventual Unionization of those Workers who toil for a Miniscule Daily Amount for a number of Clothing Companies and Retailers – including a number of U.S. Retailers – they should be Boycotted altogether until something is done. We - who are Workers and those who represent Workers Worldwide - cannot turn a Blind Eye to what has and is allowed to continue to happen to in India because in the end, it impacts all of us.

Via Washington Post Columnist Harold Meyerson: Labor Wrestles With Its Future

Sun, 12 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

Washington Post Editor’s Note: Harold Meyerson warhrites a Weekly Political and Domestic Affairs Column and contributes to the PostPartisan Blog. Meyerson’s Column can be directly accessed at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/harold-meyerson-labor-wrestles-with-its-future/2013/05/08/852192d6-b74f-11e2-b94c-b684dda07add_story.html

Since the Emergence of Capitalism, Workers seeking Higher Pay and Safer Workplaces have Banded Together in Guilds and Unions to Pressure their Employers for a Better Deal.

That has been the approach of the American Labor Movement for the past 200 years.

That approach, however, has begun to change.

It’s not because Unions think Collective Bargaining is a bad idea, but because Workers can’t form Unions any more - not in the Private Sector, not at this time.

There are some exceptions: Organizing continues at Airlines, for instance, which are governed by different Organizing Rules than most Industries.

But Employer Opposition to Organizing has become Pervasive in the Larger Economy, and the Penalties for Employers that Violate Workers’ Rights as they Attempt to Unionize are so meager that such Violations have become routine.

For this and a multitude of other reasons, the share of Unionized Workers in the Private Sector dropped from roughly One-Third in the mid-20th Century to a scant 6.6% last year. In consequence, the share of the Nation’s Economy constituted by Wages has sunk to its lowest level since World War II and U.S. Median Household Income continues to decline.

Unions face an existential problem: If they can’t represent more than a sliver of American Workers on the Job, what is their Mission? Are there other ways they can advance Workers’ Interests - even if those Workers aren’t their Members?

These questions are anything but easy.

Unions have begun to experiment with answers, even if, as the Unions readily admit, they’re a Poor Substitute for Collective Bargaining.

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has detailed dozens of Organizers to Fast-Food Joints in a number of Cities: There have been One-Day Strikes of Fast-Food Workers in New York and Chicago, and such actions are likely to spread.

The goal isn’t a National Contract with Companies such as McDonald’s but the eventual mobilization of enough such Workers in sympathetic Cities and States that City Councils and Legislatures will feel compelled to Raise the Local Minimum Wage or set a Living Wage in Particular Sectors.

This means, however, that the SEIU is helping to Build an Organization that won’t produce anywhere near the level of Dues-Derived Income that Unions normally accrue from Collective-Bargaining Agreements. This New Approach may not pencil out, but neither does the slow Decline in Membership that Labor will continue experiencing unless it changes course.

The National AFL-CIO has embarked on a similar — and perhaps even more radical — roll of the dice. “We’re not going to let the Employer decide who our Members are any longer,” Federation President Richard Trumka told me in a recent interview. “We’ll decide.”

Instead of claiming as its Members only the Diminishing Number of Workers in Unions whose Employers have Agreed to Bargain, the AFL-CIO plans to Open its Membership Rolls to Americans not covered by any such Agreements.

The First Part of this Plan is to expand its Working America Program, a Door-to-Door Canvass that has Mobilized Non-Union Members in Swing-State Working-Class Neighborhoods to back Labor-Endorsed Candidates in Elections in the past decade. In New Mexico in recent months, Working America enrolled 112,000 Residents on their door-steps in a Campaign that Raised the Minimum Wage in Albuquerque and then in an adjacent County.

But the goal of such Campaigns - says Karen Nussbaum, the Organization’s Director - isn’t just to Win A Raise; it’s also “to get as many Workers as we can involved in ‘Winning the Raise’ and hope this carries over to Specific Workplace Activism.”

They aim to Build a Workers’ Movement - even though, as with the SEIU Campaign of Fast-Food Workers, securing Workplace Contracts (and the kind of Membership dues that sustain Unions) isn’t on the horizon.

The AFL-CIO’s plans don’t end there.

“We’re asking Academics, we’re asking our Friends in other Movements: ‘What do we need to become?,” Trumka says. “We’ll try a whole bunch of New Forms of Representation. Some will work, some won’t – but we’ll be Opening Up the Labor Movement.

Forming a Larger Organization of Unions and other Progressive Groups isn’t out of the question, though it would take time to pull off.

The Labor Movement that emerges from these Reforms might resemble a Latter-Day Version of the Knights of Labor, the Workers’ Organization of the 1880s that was a cross between a Union Federation, a Working-Class Political Vehicle (it championed the Eight-Hour Workday) and a Fraternal Lodge.

With Working Americans unable — at least for now — to advance their interests in their Workplaces, Unions are looking to Mobilize Workers to Wage those Fights in other Arenas.

They don’t know exactly where they’re headed, but they’ve begun to make their turn.

HEY!... Just A Reminder If You Haven?t Watched The May Edition Of Western New York Labor News? NOW!

Sat, 11 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400

Just in case you haven’t taken the time to watch the May Edition of WNYLaborToday.com’s New Labor News TV Magazine… Western New York Labor News… NOW! as yet, here’s what you’re missing:

United Steelworkers Local 6992 represents nearly 300 Manufacturing Workers at the DuPont Yerkes Plant, where a number of Products are made with the use of Toxic Ingredients. But some Workers are worried about the Negative Impact it’s having on their Health, including Pregnant Workers. USW Representatives are also speaking out about Safety Problems that they allege are continuing to go on inside the Tonawanda Plant - even after the recent Death of One Worker who was Killed in a Tank Explosion.

The Slogan of ARCEU-New York State United Teachers Local 4265 in Niagara Falls is simply put: People, Making A Difference. And the nearly 300 Members that Local 4265 Represents across Niagara County are employed by Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara – the County’s Largest Human Services Association, which provides an Array of Quality Services for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. It’s a special kind of work that these Union Members perform on a daily basis - one that left us here at Western New York Labor News… NOW! humbly in awe of what they do.

When it comes to Positive Labor-Management Relations here in Western New York - like the one the Visiting Nurses Association and the Communications Workers of America Local 11-22 have - it’s all about Mutual Respect and Open Communications. That, so says C-W-A Local President James Wagner, are the Keys to a Successful End-Goal of Always Putting Patients First. And while the Line of Work that CWA-Represented Caregivers at the VNA perform “is not easy,” the CWA Union Leader says: Open and Honest Dialogue helps keep the Eye On The Prize - A Strong and Viable Employer with a Highly-Skilled and Fairly-Paid Workforce.

With an Overwhelming Theme of Solidarity that carried throughout the evening, the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation’s Annual Appreciation Awards Dinner attracted more than 400 Union Leaders, Delegates, Members, Elected Officials and Friends of Labor who packed the Hearthstone Manor in Suburban of Depew in late April. And - Key Note Speaker, Buffalo Assemblyman Sean Ryan, issued an interesting Challenge to Local Labor to go out and Organize hundreds of Non-Represented Hotel Workers in the Buffalo Area.

Detroit Fast Food Workers' Strike Shuts Down Locations

Sat, 11 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

(DETROIT) - Fast Food Workers at more than 60 Restaurants in Detroit Walked off the Job yesterday (Friday, May 10th) in what may be the Largest Fast Food Strike in American History, involving more than 400 Workers from McDonald's, Long John Silver's, Burger King, Popeye’s and KFC.

The Strike in Detroit follows on the heels of similar acts in New York, Chicago and Pennsylvania, to name just a few. Some locations were forced to shut down. Reports were coming in that one McDonald's called in Replacement Workers, some of whom then Joined the Strike.

At issue is Workers' Right to Form a Union and an Increase in Base Pay to a Minimum of $15 Per Hour.

Pastor W.J. Rideout III, a Leader in Detroit’s Good Jobs Now Coalition, said the Organic Action was a Result of a Long History of Mistreatment of Fast Food Workers.

“They’ve been ‘wronged’ in so many ways, it really doesn’t take much coaching to say, ‘Hey, we’re going to Organize ‘together,’ We’re going to Stand Up ‘together,’” he said. “There are (50,000-plus) Fast Food Employees in the Detroit Metro Area and they’re not even giving them the proper amount of hours. At (40 hours) a week, they’re making about ($15,000) a year and they’re not even getting forty hours a week.”

Instead, Managers hire many Employees on an exclusively Part-Time Basis.

“Some of them are getting between fifteen and twenty hours a week and that’s barely enough to pay a Cell Phone Bill,” Rideout said.

Via americanrightsatwork.org: Senate Action Required To Maintain The NLRB

Sat, 11 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

(WASHINGTON) - The Federal Agency charged with Protecting Employees’ Rights to Collectively Improve their Job Standards is in limbo, and that’s Great News for Unscrupulous Employers who want to take advantage of workers - but it also serves as a Wake-Up Call for those of us who care about Workers’ Rights.

In January 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that the Obama Administration’s January 2012 Recess Appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) were Unconstitutional – a Ruling at Odds with other Circuit Court Decisions.

This ruling has created Legal Havoc.

Employers are now Filing Appeals to Decisions Issued at all Levels of the Agency, charging that since the Board Members are Invalid, the Decisions should be Vacated.

As a result, the NLRB is now hamstrung in its effort to enforce the National Labor Relations Act, the Law that is supposed to Protect Workers’ Rights to Organize, Collectively Bargain and Engage in Collective Actions.

This leaves America’s Workers without any Effective Legal Protections provided under Law –and no one Policing the Workplace.

America’s Workers deserve much more than the Status Quo to Fully Protect Their Rights On the Job – yet, they do not deserve to have their Basic Workplace Rights invalidated due to Congressional Inaction.

americanrightsatwork.org Editor’s Note: You can click here to view our New Fact Sheet that explains - in detail - how Senate Obstructionism and Judicial Overreach led to this Crisis and more about why Workers’ Rights are in the crosshairs without a functioning National Labor Relations Board. You can also access this Labor News Report directly at: http://americanrightsatwork.org/blog/2013/05/02/senate-action-required-to-maintain-the-nlrb/

Via labornotes.org: Republic Windows Sit-Downers Become Worker-Owners In Chicago

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:00:00 -0400

(CHICAGO) - Workers say it's a New Era as they become Owners of their Window-Making Cooperative. In 2008, and again in 2012, they occupied their Factory to keep Management from Removing Machinery. Now they own those machines. They inspired the Country when they Sat Down inside their Chicago Factory in December 2008, and now they’ll have the chance to inspire us again - this time as Worker-Owners.

The Workers who used to Build Windows at Republic Windows and Doors have bought the Equipment from a Cut-and-Run Owner. With the Grand Opening of their Factory - the New Era Window Cooperative – the Worker-Owned Business is now housed in a former Campbell Soup Plant for Lower Rent.

“We’ve Defeated the Obstacles in front of us before by doing things like Occupying the Plant,” said Armando Robles, who still serves as President of United Electrical (UE) Workers Local 1110 at the Plant. “Now we have a whole ‘another kind’ of Obstacles.”

The Union will continue to represent the Workforce. The UE has, in fact, a Co-Op Division for similar Worker-Run Businesses. UE Members have been to Mexico to meet with Members of the Co-Op Division of the FAT, the UE’s Sister Federation there. (For a detailed look at an Industrial Co-Op in action, see our Profile of a Worker-Owned Tire Plant in El Salto, Mexico: Can Worker-Owners Make a Big Factory Run?)

Production of Samples has begun, with just 18 workers - way down from nearly 300 when Republic was at its peak - each of whom invested $1,000 in the business. The rest of the more than $400,000 necessary Capital was raised by The Working World, a Non-Profit that helps Worker Co-Ops get off the ground in the U.S. and Argentina. Working World found Non-Traditional Socially Responsible Investors who were willing to wait for the venture to pay off. Working World Founder Brendan Martin is the only Co-Op Member who’s not a Former Republic Worker, and he is bringing Needed Expertise on use of the Web and Sales Strategy.

Some Workers raised their $1,000 Stake from Three Months’ Severance Pay they received when Serious Materials, the Owner that took over from Republic, closed down. The Plant will run without Supervisors per se, Robles said. He expects some sort of In-Plant Leadership will be chosen by Election, and there will be a Board of Directors. Wages have not been determined.

The Plant will produce Custom and Standard Replacement Vinyl Windows, Robles said, both Residential and Commercial. The Co-Op Website advertises Double-Hung and Picture Styles - both with the tag 1110 as part of their brand name - for the Local Union. Prices will be lower than those charged by Serious. The Co-Op will be competing against Window Factories belonging to Former Owners of Republic, who use only Temp Labor and Pay No Benefits.

Robles’s goal is for each Worker “to learn every spot.” I n the past at Republic, he said, People tended not to share their Skills. Now he wants everyone to know all the Jobs, even in the Office. None of the Workers - who include Latinos and African Americans, five Women and 13 men - had done Office Work at Republic or Serious. The co-op already has five orders and urges Labor Notes Readers: “If you live in Chicago, buy a Window!”

LaborNotes Editor’s Note: For more, click here to see a 10-minute Democracy Now! Interview with Robles and two other New Era Worker-Owners. You can also directly access this Labor News Story at: http://www.labornotes.org/2013/05/republic-windows-sit-downers-become-worker-owners

National AFL-CIO President Trumka Says Immediate Action Needed In Bangladesh After Garment Factory Building Collapse Kills More Than 1,000 & Injuries Thousands More

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:00:00 -0400

(WASHINGTON) - National AFL-CIO President Trumka says Immediate Action is needed in Bangladesh after the recent Garment Factory Building Collapse, which killed more than 1,000 Workers and Injured Thousands more

More than 1,000 Garment Workers were killed and thousands more Injured when the Eight-Story Building housing five Textile Factories collapsed on April 24th. This was the worst ever, Industrial Accident in Bangladesh and it came just months after more than 100 Garment Workers Died in two Factory Fires. Large structural cracks appeared in the Building the day before and an Evacuation Order was given. The Building and Factory Owners Ignored the Warning and Insisted Work Continue hours before the Building Collapsed.

In a Released Statement, AFL-CIO President Trumka said:

Working People around the World are Watching in Horror and Disbelief as the number of Workers who have Needlessly Died in Bangladesh rises. Now, over 800 Brothers and Sisters, Husbands and Wives, Friends and Loved Ones have been Confirmed Dead in a Tragedy that never should have happened – and hundreds more remain missing.

There is no doubt that the Collapse of the Rana Plaza Building and Factories in Bangladesh will be known as One of the Worst Workplace Catastrophes in History.

We must Collectively as a Nation and as a World, together with Bangladesh, take Immediate Steps to Prevent these kinds of Disasters in the Future.

First and foremost, the AFL-CIO encourages the Unions and Corporations throughout the Supply Chain to Negotiate, Sign and Implement a Binding Agreement regarding Workplace Fires and Building Safety in Bangladesh.

The Proposed Fire and Building Safety Agreement, already accepted by two Major Brands, Guarantees Worker Participation, Recognizes the Role of Government and takes Measures to Combat Corruption by Requiring Rigorous Inspections, Transparent Reporting of Audits and Public Oversight of Results.

This Agreement offers an Integrated and Sustainable Solution.

Agreements like these are needed in many Countries where Major Brands and Retailers have chosen to Produce their Goods under a Low-Wage and No-Rights Model, but the many Recent and Needless Deaths and Injuries in Bangladesh make that Country the Most Urgent Priority right now.

Companies that say they want to Improve Conditions in Bangladesh must join the Brands that have signed this Agreement, rather than seeking an Alternative with Less Transparency and Accountability.

We call on the U.S. Government to Immediately Withdraw, Suspend or limit Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Benefits for Bangladesh until it Fulfills its Most Basic Duties to Workers.

As the AFL-CIO has maintained since filing a GSP Petition in 2007 (and in earlier years), Suspending Trade Benefits is a Crucial Mechanism to pressure the Bangladeshi Government to take Clear and Concrete Actions to Afford Workers their Internationally-Recognized Worker Rights.

Clearly, the Pace of Progress has been Inadequate to Date.

Over 80% of Garments produced in Bangladesh are exported to the United States and the European Union. This creates Shared Responsibility for Finding a Sustainable Solution to the Lax Conditions and Weak Workplace Protections.

Major Brands and Retailers in the United States, Europe and elsewhere have made Millions from High Profit Margins based on Low Wages and Dangerous Conditions.

We call on the Retailers not to leave Bangladesh, but to take an Active Role in Improving Conditions by Pressuring the Government to Implement Reforms and by Negotiating with Workers and Local Employers.

People outside Bangladesh must insist that Retailers, Brands, Investors and our Governments use their Power to Promote Sustainable Development and Shared Prosperity for Workers in Bangladesh who Produce our Clothes.

Via The Huffington Post: Farm Workers Fired For Leaving During California Wildfire

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

(OXNARD, CALIFORNIA) - Picking Strawberries is Tedious, Back-Breaking Work - but when the Camarillo Springs Wildfire filled the sky with smoke and ash last week, Farm Laborers found that their Already Difficult Job Felt Impossible to do Safely.

The conditions made breathing difficult for at least 15 Workers at Crisalida Farms in Oxnard, California – which is located just 11 miles south of Camarillo. But when they decided to seek Shelter Indoors from the Wildfire's Smoke, Laborers had to make a choice between their Health or their Job.

"The ashes were falling on top of us," one Worker told NBC LA. "[But] they told us if we leave, there would be ‘no’ Job to return to."

True to the Foreman's word, when the Laborers returned to work the next day, they found out they'd all been Fired.

And that's when the United Farm Workers (UFW) Union stepped in.

Even though none of the Laborers were Union Members, they reached out to UFW Representative Lauro Barrajas for help. Barrajas met with the Farm's Upper Management and reminded them of this Old Union Rule: No Worker shall Work under Conditions where they feel His life or Health is in Danger.

The Camarillo Springs Wildfire ended up scorching about 44 square miles of land and still is not completely contained some six days later.

The Huffington Post Editor’s Note: You can directly access this Labor News Story at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/07/farmworkers-fired-california-wildfire_n_3231660.html. You can also watch at Video at this link to find out what UFW Representatives were able to win back for the Workers.

Via unioncircle.com: Union Poster Rule Struck Down By U.S. Court Of Appeals

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

(WASHINGTON) - In another blow to the Nation’s Labor Unions, an Appeals Court has struck down a Federal Rule that would have required Millions of Businesses to put up Posters Informing Workers of their Right to Form a Union.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) violated Employers’ Free Speech Rights in trying to force them to Display the Posters or Face Charges of Committing an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP).

Unions had hoped the Posters would help them Boost Falling Membership, but Business Groups argued that they were too one-sided in Favor of Unionization.

The Court’s Ruling is the Latest Success for Business Groups that have worked to Prevent the NLRB from Shifting the Legal Landscape in favor of Labor Unions, despite President Barack Obama’s Appointment of Several Labor-Friendly Board Members.

Earlier this year, the same Appeals Court threw into question hundreds of other NLRB Decisions after finding that Obama’s Recess Appointments to the Board were Unconstitutional. The Obama Administration is appealing that decision to the Supreme Court.

The Poster Rule would have required more than six million Businesses to display an 11-by-17-inch Notice in a Prominent Location explaining the Rights of Workers to Join a Union and Bargain Collectively to improve wages and working conditions. The posters also made clear that workers have a right not to Join a Union or be Coerced by Union Officials.

The National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other Business Groups complained the Regulation Violated Free Speech Rights by Forcing Employers to Display Labor Laws in a way that some believed was too skewed in Favor of Unionization.

To read the rest of this Labor News Report, go to: http://news.unioncircle.com/union-poster-rule-struck-down-by-u-s-court-of-appeals/

National Association Of Letter Carriers? 21st Annual ?Stamp Out Hunger? Food Drive Is This Saturday/May 11th ? Local Donations Will Aid Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens Across Western New York

Wed, 08 May 2013 11:00:00 -0400

(WESTERN NEW YORK) – The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)/Branch 3 is reminding Western New Yorkers who are planning on donating Non-Perishable Food Donations to leave them next to your Mail Box this Saturday (May 11th) so Union-Represented Letter Carriers can pick them up. The Generous Donations will be part of NALC’s 21st Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive - our Country’s Largest One-Day Food-Collection Effort.

Last year, NALC-Represented Members picked up more than 70 million pounds of Non-Perishable Food Donations, which brought the overall and Country-Wide Grand Total from more than Two Decades of Collections to 1.2 billion pounds. NALC/Branch 3’s efforts here in Western New York have traditionally placed the area in the Top 3 Areas that have collected the Greatest Amount of Food over the past several years.

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive benefits Feeding America, the Nation’s Largest Domestic Hunger-Relief Organization. In 2012, NALC Letter Carriers collected Food Donations from 10,000 Communities across the U.S. – including right here in Western New York, helping to put Millions of Meals on the Tables of Americans in need. Letter Carriers, who will be joined by their Family Members and Thousands of Volunteers to help Collect, Sort and Distribute the Cans, Boxes and Jars of Non-Perishable Food Items left in Bags next to Customers’ Mail Boxes.

The Donations will subsequently be delivered to Food Banks, as well as Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens and Shelters. But, with more than 50 million People, including nearly 17 million Children, across the U.S. facing Hunger in America - the Fight for Hunger Relief continues.

“All of the Hard Work, the Planning, the Meetings, the Checklists - all of that is about to Pay Off,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said. “And our Customers who need this Food will be the ‘True Beneficiaries’ of this Massive, Nationwide Effort. And since Food Pantries are pretty much ‘tapped out’ by the time our Drive rolls around, this Infusion of Food comes at just the Right Time. And while its fun to Set Goals, to Strive for Better Collection Numbers and Break Records, all any of us ask is that you Try your Best to Collect as much Food as you can. Helping our Customers Feed their Hungry Families is our ‘Real’ Goal.”

National AFL-CIO News: President Trumka Welcomes New York State Attorney General Schneiderman?s Intention To Sue Banks For Violating The National Mortgage Settlement

Wed, 08 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

(WASHINGTON) – National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka is welcoming news that New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman intends to Sue Banks for Violating the National Mortgage Settlement, and is taking issue with Wal-Mart on the Big Box Retailer’s Plan to Hire Returning Honorably Discharged Veterans, which Trumka says is “more about Public Relations than Honoring our Heroes.”

In regards to New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Trumka said:

“The AFL-CIO welcomes the announcement by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman of his intention to Sue Banks for Alleged Violations of the National Mortgage Settlement. Last year, State and Federal Authorities and the Largest Mortgage Servicers agreed to the National Mortgage Settlement to Settle Allegations that the Servicers Violated Legal Requirements during the Foreclosure Process. Attorney General Schneiderman has alleged that Bank of America and Wells Fargo engaged in Hundreds of Violations of the Mortgage Modification Standards agreed to in the National Mortgage Settlement. We applaud Attorney General Schneiderman’s Diligent Efforts to Enforce the Terms of the Settlement. But the ‘real work’ of Holding Wall Street Accountable for the Conduct that Brought Down the Economy and threw millions of America's Families Out of their Homes remains to be done. To this end, President Obama and Attorney General Holder must give the Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Working Group sufficient Federal Resources to conduct a thorough Investigation into the conduct of ‘Too Big to Prosecute Banks and their Executives.

In regards to Wal-Mart, Trumka said:

“Wal-Mart’s recent announcement of a Plan to Hire Returning Honorably Discharged Veterans is more about ‘Public Relations’ than Honoring our Heroes. That this effort was valorized by President Obama and Vice President Biden reflects an acceptance of Economic Failure Out of Line with America’s History or Future. We owe it to our Returning Veterans to make sure they are ‘treated’ as the Heroes ‘they are,’ rather than as ‘Symbols’ used to ‘Green Wash’ Wal-Mart’s Eroding Brand. After facing Enemies abroad, is an ($8.81-an-hour) Part-Time Job ‘the best’ we can offer Returning Veterans? Already, Working Families and our Economy are struggling against an Epidemic of Low-Paying, Low-Benefit, Part-Time Work. Instead of ‘Legitimizing’ that Trend, we need to Treat the Talents of our Veterans - and of ‘all’ of America’s People - as a Critical National Resource. We need Businesses in this Country to ‘Step Up’ and make Family-Sustaining Jobs available to Returning Veterans. Previous Generations of Heroes returned from Overseas Service to Critical Jobs in Manufacturing, Construction and Public Service - Jobs that enabled Veterans to Help Build the Nation and Support Families. With the ‘Right Policies,’ including those in President Obama and Vice President Biden’s ‘American Jobs Act,’ we can live up to the Standards of our Past and Empower our Veterans for the Future.”

CSEA?s Orleans County Unit Holds Protest In Albion Over County?s Effort To Privatize The Villages Of Orleans? Nursing Home

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

(ALBION) – Concerned Citizens were to join with Union Members represented by the Civil Service Employees Association’s (CSEA) Orleans County Unit in a Protest held today (Wednesday, May 8th) outside the County Courthouse in Albion to draw Public Attention to the County Legislature’s move to Privatize The Villages Of Orleans’ Nursing Home.

The Public Action is expected to focus attention on the Orleans County Legislature’s “misguided move” to create a Local Development Corporation (LDC) with the intent of placing The Villages of Orleans Nursing Home into it, CSEA Officials said. The LDC is a Non-Regulated Shell Corporation that “has little Oversight and No Accountability to Taxpayers” and “is simply an attempt by Legislators to Minimize Scrutiny and Public Input,” Union Officials said.

“An LDC is politics at its worst,” said CSEA Orleans County Unit President Cindy Troy before the scheduled afternoon Demonstration (which was to be held between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.) on South Main Street in Albion. “It is nothing more than a way to Weaken the Process, get around the Law and Eliminate the Need for a Super-Majority Vote on the Sale of The Villages. Selling the Home would be Detrimental to the People of this County. The Villages is a ‘Public Safety Net,’ Providing Care regardless of Residents’ Ability to Pay or the Complexity of Needed Care. Legislators should not be ‘fooled’ by the Empty Promises of Real Estate Investment Firms that offer to ‘market’ The Villages. They’ll tell you any Conditions you wish may be included in a Sales Agreement, but these ‘Conditions’ are Not Worth the Paper they’re Written On.”

A Group of Concerned Citizens and CSEA Representatives have been meeting regularly in a Grassroots Effort to Stop the Sale of The Villages and Terminate the LDC.

The Proposal “will be so bad for this County as the Home will unlikely prove Viable as a Private Facility, so it will most likely Close or (fall apart) in the Future, as has happened in other Counties,” Troy said. “Orleans County has lost so much over the last few years (including Industry, Hospitals and Physicians, Retail Outlets) and we need to Maintain our Remaining Services to Stabilize our Community. The Nursing Home is also a Major Employer here and we’ve Maintained an Excellent Workforce that not only comes to ‘Work, to Work,’ but (shows their commitment to the) Residents.”

CSEA - New York State’s Leading Union - represents a variety of New York State Employees who work in its Counties, Towns, Villages, School Districts, Library Systems, Authorities and Public Corporations. Together - with a Growing Population of Private-Sector Members and Retirees - CSEA forms a Statewide Union that is 290,000 strong. CSEA is also the Largest Affiliate (Local 1000) of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which, in turn, is one of the Largest Affiliates of the AFL-CIO.

New National AFL-CIO Report: ?Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect? Shows 150 Workers Die Every Day From Injuries Or Occupational Diseases Across The U.S.

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – In 2011, 4,693 Workers were Killed on the Job, according to a New AFL-CIO Report: Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect. That is an Average of 13 Workers every day. In addition, another estimated 50,000 Workers Die Every Year from Occupational Diseases – an Average of 137 a day, bringing the Total Worker Fatalities to 150 a Day.

The National AFL-CIO’s Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect Report was released after hundreds of Workers Memorial Day Vigils, Rallies and Actions were held across the Country to Commemorate all those Workers who Died and were Injured On the Job. To get the Report, go to: www.aflcio.org/death-on-the-job.

The States of North Dakota, Wyoming, Alaska and Arkansas had the Highest Workplace Fatality Rates, while New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Washington had the Lowest. Latino Workers, especially those born outside of the United States, continue to Face Rates of Workplace Fatalities 14% Higher than other Workers, which was the same as last year.

In 2011, 3.8 million Workers across all Industries experienced Work-Related Illnesses and Injuries. The True Toll is estimated to be Two to Three Times Greater, but Lack of Reporting in this area results in Lower Official Figures.

The Job Fatality Rate had been Declining Steadily for many years, but in the Past Three Years the Rate has essentially been Unchanged, at 3.5 Fatalities per 100,000 Workers. Similarly, for the past two years, there has been no change in the Reported Workplace Injury and Illness Rate (3.5 per 100 Workers). If Progress is made in Reducing Job Injuries and Deaths, more Concerted Efforts and Additional Resources will be needed, AFL-CIO Officials said.

This year’s Report comes on the heels of a Horrific Explosion at a Fertilizer Plant in West, Texas, which Filled 15 people, Injured Hundreds more and caused Widespread Destruction, as well as the Tragic Collapse of a building that housed Garment Factories in Bangladesh, which led to the Deaths of more than 700 Workers.

The Report also examines the role of the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) some 43 years after its creation. It finds OSHA remains Under-Funded and Under-Staffed, and that Penalties are Too Low to Deter Violations. Because of the Under-Funding, Federal OSHA Inspectors can only Inspect Workplaces once every 131 years on average, and State OSHA Inspectors would take 76 years to Inspect all Workplaces.

OSHA Penalties are also deemed Too Low to be Taken Seriously, let alone Provide Deterrence. The Average Penalty is only $2,156 for a Serious Federal Health and Safety Violation, and only $974 for a State Violation. Even in Cases involving Worker Fatalities, the Median Total Penalty was a Paltry $5,175 for Federal OSHA and $4,200 for the OSHA State Plans. By contrast, Property Damage valued between $300 and $10,000 in the State of Illinois is considered a Class 4 Felony and can carry a Prison Sentence of 1 to 3 years and a Fine of up to $25,000.

Criminal Penalties under OSHA are also weak. While there were 320 Criminal Enforcement Cases initiated under Federal Environmental Laws and 231 Defendants charged in Fiscal Year 2012, only 84 Cases related to Worker Deaths have been Prosecuted since 1970.

In the face of an On-Going Assault on Regulations by Business Groups and Republicans in Congress, progress on many New Important Safety and Health Rules has stalled. The White House Office of Management and Budget has Delayed Needed Protections, including OSHA’s Draft Proposed Silica Rule, which has been held up for more than two years.

“In 2013, it is unacceptable that so many Hard-Working Men and Women continue to Die on The Job,” National AFL-CIO President and Third-Generation Coal Miner Richard Trumka said. “’No one’ should have to Sacrifice His or Her Life or Health and Safety in order to Earn a Decent Living - yet, Elected Leaders, Business Groups and Employers have Failed to Provide Adequate Health and Safety Protections for Working Families. At the same time, too many Politicians and Business Leaders are Actively Working to Dismantle Working People’s Right to Collectively Bargain On the Job and Speak Out against Unsafe, Unjust Working Conditions. This is a Disgrace to all those who have Died. America’s Workers Deserve Better!”

Report From The BlueCross-BlueShield Of Western New York/Health Now?s 2013 Labor Meeting: Get Ready - Mid-Term Elections In 2014 Will Have An Impact On The Affordable Health Care Act

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Richard Lipsitz participates in a Panel Discussion involving the Affordable Health Care Act and its impact on Labor Unions and their Members during BlueCross-Blue Shield of Western New York/Health Now’s 2013 Annual Labor Meeting that was held at the Company’s Downtown Buffalo Headquarters on Wednesday, May 1st. (WNYLaborToday.com Photo)

(BUFFALO) – The upcoming Congressional Mid-Term Elections that will take place in 2014 are sure to have an Impact on the Affordable Health Care Act, so says Naomi Senkeeto - BlueCross-BlueShield’s Senior Manager/Legislative and Regulatory Policy, who believes that afterward, Congress will be “more open” to making Amendments to the Law in the Future.

“One-Third of the (Seats in the) Senate and a Half of the House will be involved in the Mid-Term Elections in 2014 and it will be interesting to see how open Congress will be to making Amendments in the Affordable Health Care Act for Future Years,” Senkeeto told the more than 100 Area Labor Leaders who took part in BlueCross-Blue Shield of Western New York/Health Now’s Annual Labor Meeting that was held at the Company’s Downtown Buffalo Headquarters on Wednesday, May 1st.

Senkeeto was joined by Don Ingalls - Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Western New York’s Vice President/State & Federal Relations, Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Richard Lipsitz and Blue Cross-Blue Shield Director of HealthCare Reform Greg Pasieka - in a Panel Discussion that was conducted on a wide Variety of Important Issues Concerning Health Care that Impact Labor, Union Members and their Families.

BlueCross-Blue Shield of Western New York also provided those in attendance with a titled: Large Employers & Unions Checklist, so Labor Leaders could better understand Reform Implications, such as: The Cost Benefit of Providing a Group Plan; Subsidy and Credit Calculations; Employer Penalties; Plan Differential Costs; and Income and Payroll Tax Implications.

“This is a Challenge for People who are Bargaining (Contracts) on behalf of Workers,” Lipsitz said during the Panel Discussion. “There is no choice but to deal with these things and – again – it’s a Challenge. But I feel that why much of this has been delayed, we are moving fairing quickly. And, we will ‘all’ figure out a way through this.”

Labor Representatives who attended the BlueCross-BlueShield Event came from a number of Unions, including: The American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME); Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282; The Communications Workers of America (CWA); The United Steelworkers (USW); Bricklayers Local 3; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); The Heat & Frost Insulators; Ironworkers Local 6; The Teamsters; and the Office and Professional Employees International (OPEIU) Local 212 – which Represents more than 300 BlueCross-Blue Shield of Western New York Employees in Buffalo.

Starting out with Health Care Reform and How It Impacts You, BlueCross-BlueShield Officials outlined and elaborated on several Key Issues that will take effect, beginning January 1st of 2014. “There are (2,409) Pages in the Health Care Reform Act, but we’re not going to go through each and every page today,” joked Ingalls, who then touched on Individual Mandates and Premium Subsidies, as well as Shared Responsibilities under the Health Care Act.

Presently, there are 40 million Americans who are Uninsured across the United States and it is expected 30 million to 32 million will be insured as a result of the Health Care Law, BlueCross-BlueShield Representatives said. Many will choose their Insurance Coverage via an Insurance Exchange that is being set up, including one that will cover New York State. In fact, New York’s Health Benefit Exchange “will be up and running by October,” BlueCross-Blue Shield Officials added. “You’ll be able to go to the Exchange, Make a Choice and Enroll in a Plan,” Ingalls said.

While the Affordable Health Care Act has been viewed as controversial by some, there are many good things to point out, Ingalls said, including: The fact that 3 million Americans up to the Age of 26 are now covered under their Parent’s Policies; That there are no Lifetime Dollar Limits; and the Small Business Tax Credit, to name just a few.

BlueCross-BlueShield of Western New York Representatives also said it is imperative for Labor Unions and their Members to keep up on the many changes and delays in the Law. Much of that information, as well as answers to other specific Health Care Questions those Unions have who are part of the BlueCross-BlueShield Family may have, are being directed to visit the Company’s Website at https://securews.bcbswny.com/web/content/BCBSWNY_brochure/home.html.

“Communication will be key,” several Company Representatives stressed during the meeting.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper would like to extend our Congratulations to several BlueCross-BlueShield of Western New York/Health Now Labor Representatives who helped create and carry out the Company’s Annual Labor Meeting, most notably: Michael Conroy -Vice President/Commercial Accounts; Paul Valley - Director, Major Accounts/WNY Commercial Accounts; Labor Benefits Consultant Bob Butski; and Brad Rybczynski, who serves as Labor Consultant/Commercial Accounts. And to the entire BlueCross-BlueShield Team: Nice Job!

In Wake Of Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion & Deadly Building Collapse In Bangladesh, The Need For Increased Governmental Worker Safety Regulations Called For During Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Labor Council?s 22nd Annual Workers Memorial Event

Sun, 05 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Niagara County AFL-CIO Central Labor Council/United Way of Niagara Labor Liaison Bill Jakobi, who served as Master of Ceremonies during the Labor Council’s 22nd Annual Workers Memorial Event in Niagara Falls on Saturday (May 4th), addresses those in attendance at the Memorial – which is located at the Base of the Power Authority Reservoir on Lewiston Road in Niagara Falls. Several Speakers called for Increased and Stricter Governmental Regulations to make Workplaces more Safe for Workers during the Event. (WNYLaborToday.com Photo)

(NIAGARA FALLS) – Addressing the more than 60 Labor Leaders, Relatives of Deceased Workers and Elected Officials who attended the 22nd Annual Workers Memorial Event in Niagara Falls on Saturday (May 4th) at the Base of the Power Authority Reservoir on Lewiston Road in Niagara Falls, an emotional Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President James Briggs said “it is time” for our Leaders in Washington and Albany to “stop talking” and move forward in Strengthening Worker Safety Regulations.

With 125 New York State Workers killed while On-The-Job and another 232,000 Injured in 2012 alone, combined with the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that show slightly more than 4,600 Workers were killed doing their Jobs in 2011 – Briggs told those in attendance, which included U.S Congressman Brian Higgins, Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster, Niagara County Legislature Chairman William Ross and several others, that: “We’ve not done enough. We need to stop talking about it and get it done!”

“No Job is inherently safe,” Briggs said. “But we must work to make them safe. A good example is Safe Patient Handling (which has yet to be adopted into Law in New York State after years of campaigning for it). We’re spending millions of dollars on People who have been hurt. We don’t spend enough to diminish the Number of those Injuries. We don’t care enough about our own - and when did Management (and making Profit) mean more than Worker Safety?”

Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation President Richard Lipsitz also spoke at the Event and used the recent examples of High-Profile Worker Deaths and Injuries at the West, Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion that killed 15 and Injured Hundreds, as well as the more than 600 Workers who died and the thousands who were Injured in a Garment Factory Building Collapse where Clothing was being made for a number of American Retailers.

“There were Unsafe Conditions at the Fertilizer Plant in Texas (which had not been inspected by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) since 1985). The Deaths suffered at the Bangladesh Factory Collapse surpassed the (Historic) Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York in 1912 (that brought about the creation of a number of Worker Safety Regulations in the United States). It’s the same thing and it should not have happened. Our (Labor) Movement is not only a National Movement, it’s an International one. Every Worker wants to work in a Safe Environment – here and in Bangladesh,” he said.

Several other Speakers also addressed those in attendance:

· United Steelworkers District 4 Training Coordinator Mark McDonald underscored the commitment of his Union and District 4 Director John Shinn for Worker Safety, saying: “We’re here to continue our fight for Worker Safety. But the sad part is, many are not following the Law. Many are taking shortcuts (in the Workplace). (Workers) cannot count on Management to Protect Us. ‘Their’ Goal is (increased) Production and to make Money. We have to start saying that ‘this doesn’t look right’ when we see something on the Job. It’s an attitude we have to have, instead of just saying: ‘We’ll work through it.’”

· Niagara County Labor Activist and Retired Communications Workers of America Local 1117 Member Earl Frampton: “That Monument out there has (45) Names on it. We started with (19). My Message is Simple: We must renew our fight for Safe Working Conditions. Because Labor Unions are Organized and demand Stronger Protections, they’ve made it Safer for All – Union and Non.”

· Western New York Council on Occupational Safety and Health (WNYCOSH) Director Germain Harden: “Thirteen Workers a day were killed on the Job in 2011. (125) Workers in New York State Died On-The-Job, and another (15) were Killed and another (200) Injured in West, Texas. (That) would not have happened if it was better Regulated. Their last OSHA inspection was in 1985. Congress is now looking at ‘Rolling Back’ Regulations, not increasing them. Our Nurses lift (1.8) Tons of (Patient Weight) in an Eight-Hour Shift. It’s one of the ‘Most Dangerous’ Jobs in New York State. Workers Deserve Protections and Passage of the Safe-Handling Bill. It’s passed the State Senate, but not in the Assembly. We’re hoping it will pass in June. Congress is also look at the Protecting American Worker Act that will equip OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) with the Tools to meet the Challenge of Providing Safe Workers.”

· U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins: “It is the obligation of Government to Protect its Workers. There have not been updates in the Regulations and we need to Increase Penalties.”

· New York State Assemblyman John Ceretto, who said he was a former United Auto Workers (UAW) Union Member and President of UAW Local 257, told those in attendance that he worked 21 years in a Local Plant. He later found he was “full of lead” when applying for another Job. “I feel your pain and I vow not to forget my past. I am with you,” he said.

· Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster told the story of his Great-Grandfather, who was an Ironworker/Riveter, who Lost his Life in a Fall while working on a Bridge Project over the Niagara Gorge back in 1900. “I remember back to where we were before and I want to make sure we are not going backwards,” Dyster said.

Workers’ Memorial Event Notes: The Reverend Patrick Bradley, who serves as the Chaplain for the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, provided a number of Words of Comfort during the Spiritual Blessing at the Workers Monument prior to the addresses of those who spoke… A lone Bagpiper played Amazing Grace, a Rifle Salute was conducted and a Roll Call of the 54 Names of the Deceased Workers who are inscribed on the Monument were given by Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Council Recording Secretary Richard McIntyre and Financial Secretary and former Council President Anna Horton… Niagara County Legislature Chairman William Ross and Fellow Legislator David Godfrey presented the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council with a County Proclamation recognizing the Annual Workers’ Memorial Event… Several New Inscriptions appeared on Pavers at the Monument this year, including one the Council is calling Angels of Labor – in honor of the 13-year-old Grand-Daughter of Niagara County Building Trades President Clyde Johnston, Jessica Stone, who recently lost her battle against Cancer (Pictured Below)… WNYLaborToday.com has also purchased a Paver to Honor Those who’ve Lost their Lives While On-The-Job In Niagara County… Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour also attended the Event… ARCEU-NYSUT Local 4265 President Nick Zawacki (Also Pictured Below) sang God Bless America during the Ceremony... Niagara County Labor Council/United Way of Niagara Labor Liaison Bill Jakobi served as Master of Ceremonies during the Event.

Hey, Young Workers! What's On Your Policy Agenda?

Sun, 05 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

(WASHINGTON) - Workers under the Age of 34 face Higher Unemployment Rates than Older Workers and make up nearly Half of the Currently Unemployed. As student Debt continues to Build Up - Exceeding even Credit Card Debt - and Wages Stagnate or Fall for Workers with or without a College Degree, Young Workers are accruing Less Wealth than their Parents, perhaps the First Time in U.S. History when a Generation has failed to do better than its Parents!

Young Workers are continuing to Struggle to find Work and often take Jobs that are Below their Education and Skill Level or Bounce from Contract to Unpaid Internship to Temp Job without the Stability of a Full-Time Regular Job but with all the Long Hours and Hard Work.

The U.S. Economy continues to trudge along in a Recovery that most of us- especially Young Workers - have yet to experience, while some Washington, D.C. Elites seem to think that the Prescription for High Unemployment and Slow Growth is just more Austerity.

But if you ask Young Workers, they’ll tell you that Sequestration and Austerity - Fancy Words for Terrible Ideas - are not on our Agenda.

So, what is on the Economic Policy Agenda of Young Workers?

This Wednesday - May 8th - the National AFL-CIO Next Up Program, in Partnership with Campus Progress, Generational Alliance, the Young Invincibles, the Roosevelt Institute Campus Network and Jobs with Justice, will host the National Youth Economic Policy Forum.

This event is the First Of Its Kind: Young Workers and Youth Activists will gather together at the AFL-CIO Headquarters in Washington, D.C. to discuss the State of the Economy and begin the Process of Building an Economic Policy Platform for the Millennial Generation.

Participants will Engage in In-Depth Conversations on Education Access and Student Debt, Economic Inequality, Job Creation and Youth Unemployment, the Federal Budget and Building a Modern Workplace.

AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Shuler will oversee a Panel Discussion involving several Elected Representatives and Q&A on Building a Sustainable Economy and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka will Introduce the Panel.

So, do you have a question for our Policymakers Panel?

Do you have an idea for an action?

Or do you have any suggestions for how to Build Shared Prosperity?

Take the time to join us On-Line or on Twitter by following the hashtag #YEPF.

We’ll be Live-Tweeting the Policymakers Panel and taking your Questions for the Panelists.

This Forum will be the first of many Events to Engage Young Workers and Activists around Economic Issues.

Stay tuned for more Information about how You can get involved with Next Up and the AFL-CIO’s Youth Policy Program.

Unions At Three Wisconsin Paper Mills Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreements/ New Company Will Create The Largest Specialty Paper Company In North America

Sun, 05 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

(WISCONSIN) - The Trade Union representing three Northern Wisconsin Paper Mills have Ratified a New Collective Bargaining Agreement that is expected to clear the way for the Mills to Merge under New Ownership into the State's Biggest Papermaking Company by Employment.

KPS Capital Partners LP - a New York Private Equity Firm - has agreed to acquire Rhinelander and Mosinee Paper Mills from Wausau Paper Corporation and the Kaukauna and De Pere Mills from Thilmany Papers. De Pere is a Non-Union Mill and didn't need to Ratify the Contract. The New Paper Company will employ 1,800 in the State.

KPS previously has said it cannot finalize its Acquisitions until a New Union Contract is approved. The creation of a New Paper Company takes places as the Paper Industry in Wisconsin, the Nation's No. 1 Papermaking State, is in a period of Restructuring and Consolidation.

The United Steelworkers, which has a Major Paper Mill Sector, hailed the Four-Year Contract and lauded KPS for its “willingness” to Increase Wages, Improve Health Care Benefits and "lock in Retirement Security," according to a statement from the Union's Pittsburgh Headquarters.

What all Four Mills have in common is that they Produce Specialty Papers for Packaging. It's often a Niche Business - anything from Candy Wrappers and Microwave Popcorn Bags to Masking Tape. None of the Four Mills makes Paper for Printing and Publishing, which is a Major Wisconsin Industry - but one that's under the Greatest Pressure of Obsolescence in a Digital Age.

The new KPS-Owned Company does not yet have a formal name, but it will create the Largest Specialty Paper Company in North America, its proponents have said.

In Northern Wisconsin, where Tens of Thousands of Jobs are linked to Pulp and Paper, the recent acquisitions by KPS have been greeted with relief. Although Private Equity Companies have Closed, Sold or Broken Up other Wisconsin Paper Companies - including Wausau Paper - KPS told Thilmany that it plans to invest in all four of its New Mills.

"The approach KPS took in working through these Negotiations to create a World-Class Paper Company should serve as a Reminder to Hostile Short-Sighted Venture Capitalists - and even our ‘own’ State Government - that a Big Part of ‘Value Creation’ is People sitting down ‘together’ to solve difficult problems," said Michael Bolton, who serves as the United Steelworkers’ District Director for Wisconsin and Michigan.

You can read this Labor News Report directly at: http://www.jsonline.com/business/unions-at-three-paper-mills-ratify-new-collective-bargaining-agreements-pt9qine-205968381.html

Campaign That Thrust California Liberal Arts College Into Controversy Over Immigration Policy & Labor Rights Comes To An End As Dining Hall Workers Vote To Unionize

Sun, 05 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

(CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA) - Dining Hall Workers at Pomona College have Voted to Unionize, culminating a Three-Year Campaign that thrust the Small Liberal Arts College into Controversy over Immigration Policy and Labor Rights.

In the election Tuesday, 83 Members of the Dining Hall Staff cast Ballots, Voting 57-to-26 to join UNITE HERE Local 11, a Union that represents about 20,000 Hospitality and Food Service Workers in Southern California.

“I feel very happy we made it,” said Benny Avina, 46, a Catering Chef who has worked at the College for 27 years, starting as a Dishwasher. “We need Job Security and Respect - it’s not ‘about’ Money. We’re doing this for the ‘good’ of Workers, Students and also for the College. It’s going to be ‘better’ for ‘everyone’ in the Community.”

The Union Campaign gained National Attention in 2011, when the College fired 17 Immigrant Workers, most of them Dining Hall Staff, who could not provide Proper Work Documents. Many Students, Faculty and Alumni held Protests in Support of the Workers, asserting that the firings were related to Union Organizing Efforts

College Administrators denied that was the case. In a statement last week, College President David Oxtoby said the School is Committed to Working with the Employees: “We consistently stood for the Ability of our Employees to make this decision for themselves through a Democratic Process and we are glad that they have Exercised that Opportunity. I’m happy for our Employees that this Period of Uncertainty is now over and I’m proud of our Community for Upholding the Principles this Institution stands for throughout this difficult, sometimes divisive, process.”

The Election must still be Certified by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), at which time the Union and College Administration will begin Negotiating an Initial Contract.

This Labor News Story can be directly accessed at: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-college-workers-20130501,0,7115949.story

April Jobless Rate Dips To 7.5%, As Nation?s Economy Adds 165,000 New Jobs

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:00:00 -0400

(WASHINGTON) - The Nation’s Economy added 165,000 New Jobs in April, while the Jobless Rate dropped to 7.5% from March's 7.6%, according to Figures released today (Friday, May 3rd) by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The 165,000 New April Jobs are about twice the number of Jobs created in March and mark 37 Straight Months of Positive Job Growth. But Economists say the growth rate is too slow to fuel a Healthy Jobs Recovery.

The Slow Job Growth reiterates the need for Congress to Repeal the Sequester and its Across-the-Board Cuts that will cost more than 750,000 Jobs this year alone and are Derailing the Economic Recovery. The Sequester and other so-called Austerity Measures pushed by Congressional Republicans will only Strangle a Recovery that was fueled by Economic Stimulus. The Sequester’s impact also should serve as warning against other Austerity Proposals being floated, including a so-called Grand Bargain - Republican Code for Lower Tax Rates for Rich People - Paid For by Benefit Cuts for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

“The only way to build a Strong and Sustainable Economy is to Rev Up the Nation’s Job Creation Engine, but the Sequester is causing it to stall,” National Employment Law Project (NELP) Executive Director Christine Owens said. “Anyone in Congress who ‘cares’ about keeping our Economy moving in a Positive Direction should make Repeal of the Sequester ‘Sledgehammer’ an Immediate Priority.”

Figures showed the Number of Long-Term Unemployed (those who are Jobless for 27 weeks or more) Dropped Slightly from 4.56 million and 39.6% of the Unemployed to 4.4 million, accounting 37.4% of the Jobless. The Unemployment Rate for Adult Women dropped to 6.7% from 7%, while the Rate for Adult Men (7.1%), Teenagers (24.1%), Whites (6.7%), African-Americans (13.2%), Latinos (9%) and Asians (5.1%) showed little or no change. The Biggest Job Gains were in Professional and Business Services (73,000), Leisure and Hospitality (38,000), Retail (29,000) and Health Care (19,000).

Employment in other Major Industries, including Mining, Manufacturing, Wholesale Trade, Transportation and Warehousing, Information, Financial Activities, State Government and Local Government, showed little change from March.

Meanwhile, National AFL-CIO PresidentRichard Trumka released the following statement on the April Jobs Report:

The Economy added 165,000 Jobs in April, bringing the Unemployment Rate Down Slightly, to 7.5%. This is Welcome News, together with Upward Revisions to prior Months’ Jobs Figures. But overall, the Nation’s Economic Recovery remains Lackluster – almost four full years after the Official End of the Recession. By any measure, the Shortage of Jobs is the real Deficit Crisis for this Economy.

Beneath the Headlines, there are Several Troubling Indicators in today’s report: Hours Worked Per Worker actually fell; Involuntary Part-Time Work increased; and the Unemployment Rate for Teenagers is stalled at 24.1%; Youth Unemployment Rates would be even higher, were it not for the Dramatic Drop in the Labor Force Participation Numbers for Young People, meaning that many are not counted as Unemployed.

Our Economy is struggling to Achieve the Economic Velocity necessary for Full Recovery and the Blame for this Falls Largely on Republicans in Congress. For years, they have pushed Austerity Policies that have turned Stimulus Tailwinds into Austerity Headwinds. It is this misguided Policy Direction that distinguishes this Weak and Slow Recovery from Past Economic Cycles.

Austerity Policies are Failing around the World and have now also been Discredited among Policy Analysts. The Main Research cited to Support these Policies - by Professors Reinhart and Rogoff - contained Significant Errors in Calculation and Design, and no longer Supports the Strong Policy Recommendations initially claimed.

It is time for Leaders in Washington to take Immediate Action to Reverse these Disastrous Policies and that Starts, first and foremost, with Repealing the Harmful and Unnecessary Sequester.”

Misguided Austerity has hurt our Economy, kept Unemployment High and Undermined Wages, and we urgently need to Change Course. But the Price for Correcting this Mistake should not be Cutting Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits - or other Harmful Cuts that would Further Damage the Economy.

Working People were not responsible for this Mistaken Policy, and they should not have to Pay The Price.

We need more Economic Security, not less.

We need to Invest in Good Jobs and our Future – not Slash Essential Social Programs and Investments.

Teachers & Staff In One Of Chicago?s Largest Charter School Networks Overwhelmingly Vote To Join AFT Affiliate - The Chicago Alliance Of Charter Teachers And Staff

Fri, 03 May 2013 16:00:00 -0400

(CHICAGO) - The Teachers and Staff in one of Chicago’s Largest Charter School Networks have Overwhelmingly Voted to join the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff (Chicago ACTS), an American Federation of Teachers (AFT) affiliate.

The more than 400 Educators work at the 13 Schools with about 6,500 Students. The Schools are operated by the United Neighborhood Organization (UNO). The Election was conducted under a Neutrality Agreement reached in March in which UNO agreed not to take a position and to Respect the Workers’ Choice. The Educators Voted by 87% to join Chicago ACTS.

AFT President Randi Weingarten said the UNO Election could be a “Turning Point” in the way Charter School Operators deal with Teachers: “It’s a Signal that the Anti-Union Atmosphere and Climate we’ve seen in Charters may be changing. It is also an example of another Charter School Operator recognizing that it ‘can’t’ succeed ‘without’ the ‘Voices’ of those who work most closely with Students and can Best Advocate for what Students need to succeed - things like Smaller Class Sizes and a Great Curriculum.

Before the vote, UNO Teachers sent a Letter to Parents - in both English and Spanish - outlining the Reasons they were Seeking to form a Union: To give Teachers a Stronger, More Unified Voice in Advocating for their Students and their Schools; To Ensure Teachers have the Support and Security to Focus on the Students and our Profession; and To Create a Positive Partnership between UNO and their Teachers that is Necessary to Create an Environment where the Best Teaching and the Best Learning can happen.

UNO Eighth Grade Math and Science Teacher Jessica Hanzlik said that having a Union means:

“We'll be able to Advocate ‘More Strongly’ for our Students and we’ll have a Greater Ability to Speak Out for what ‘we’ know works to Improve Teaching and Learning.”

Illinois Federation of Teachers/AFT President Dan Montgomery said: “The UNO effort is a great example of what ‘can’ happen when teachers and Management ‘Work Together’ for what’s most important - the Students. Teachers know first-hand what ‘works’ in the Classroom and How Children Learn Best. Their Ability to Advocate for High-Quality Education with a Collective ‘Voice’ will Greatly Benefit the Students and our Communities.”

You can read more about Chicago ACTS here.

CSEA-Represented Erie County White Collar Employees Reject Tentative Agreement Reached By The County & Union In April

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

(BUFFALO) – By a little more than a 2-to-1 margin, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)-Represented Erie County White Collar Employees have Voted to Reject a Tentative Agreement reached by the County and Union in April, CSEA Local 815 President Joan Bender announced today (Friday, May 3rd).

“We brought the Tentative Agreement to our Membership and they have spoken,” Bender said in a distributed Press Release. The Final Vote Count was 1,296 No to 570 Yes votes, the Union said. Roughly 2,700 CSEA-Represented Erie County, Erie Community College and the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Employees voted on this latest Tentative Agreement.

CSEA-Represented County Employees have been working without a Contract since the previous Agreement expired back in 2006. This was the third Tentative Agreement that CSEA White Collar Members have Voted Down since the last Contract expired.

However, the Agreement did not include CSEA-Represented Workers employed at the Erie County Medical Center, who recently Ratified a Separate Addendum to the Contract (See WNYLaborToday.com’s March 11th Labor News Report: 1,200 CSEA Local 815-Represented Erie County Medical Center Workers Agree To New Contract Addendum With Management That Nets Union Workers $5,000 Each)

Last month, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced that the Tentative Agreement on a New Contract had been reached between the County and the CSEA Erie County White Collar Unit. According to a Press Release distributed by Poloncarz’s Office, County Employees represented by Erie County’s Largest Union would have seen their Pay Increase by 11.5% during the next Five Years under the Agreement. However, the Agreement would have also required Current Employees to begin paying 7.5% of their Health Insurance Premium in January 2017, according to the Agreement’s Terms that were subsequently posted on the County’s Website.

60-Day Strike By Union-Represented Taxi Drivers In Las Vegas Results In New Contract At Yellow Check Star Transportation

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400

(LAS VEGAS, NEVADA) – A 60-Day Strike targeting the Yellow Checker Star Transportation (YCS) in Las Vegas, Nevada by Taxi Drivers Represented by the Industrial, Technical and Professional Employees Union (ITPEU)/Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 4873 has resulted in a New Contract, Union Officials have announced.

The Agreement includes an Increase in the Drivers’ Share of the Meter, Reinstatement of Eligibility for the Four-Day-Work-Week of 12 Hours Per Day and 10-Hour Per-Day Shifts, Increases in Annual Bonuses and other Benefits. In all, the Union Negotiated 16 Wage and Benefit Changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The 60-Day Strike began on March 3rd (2013) and ended on May 1st.

“I’m Extremely Proud of the fact that we have the Loyal Support of so many Drivers, all of whom are the ‘Heart and Soul’ of this struggle,” OPEIU International President Michael Goodwin said. “These Drivers, although Enduring a Great Deal of Personal Hardship, Stood Together and Proved that through Solidarity and Collective Bargaining, Workers ‘can’ Improve their Quality of Life.”

“The Drivers Stood Strong during a Very Difficult Strike and now have a Contract that brings the Eighteen-Hundred Drivers employed by YCS the Respect and Dignity they deserve,” said ITPEU/OPEIU Local 4873 President Dennis Arrington. “We fought back against the Companies’ Attempts to force Senior Drivers to Work Five or Six Days Per Week, at Sixty and Seventy-Two Hours. And all of the Striking Drivers will return to Work at the same time on Thursday, May Second.”

On another front, the OPEIU gratefully acknowledged the support it received from the International Association of Machinists (IAM), Culinary Workers Union Local 266/UNITEHERE, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), the Seafarers International Union (SIU), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), the Communication Workers of America (CWA), the California School Employees Association (CSEA), the Transportation Communication Union (TCU), and American Income Life Insurance Company (AIL) for its Generous Support and Counsel during the Strike.

Appreciation was also given to International President Emeritus Doug Dority of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and to Nevada State AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Danny Thompson for their Participation, Support and Counsel during the Strike.

OPEIU also acknowledged appreciation to Several Organizations that sent Letters in Support of the Union to YCS, including: The CWA; The Building & Construction Trades Department (BCTD); The American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME); The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA); The American Federation of Teachers (AFT); The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE); The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU); and the Iron Workers. OPEIU also thanked the United Labor Agency of Nevada (ULAN), which facilitated the Distribution of Hardship Funds to Striking Drivers.

CWA Local 1133 Represented-Nurses At Kenmore Mercy Hospital In Suburban Buffalo Ratify New Four-Year Agreement With The Catholic Health System

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400

(BUFFALO) – By a 73% Margin, nearly 300 Communications Workers of America (CWA)-Represented Registered Nurses (RNs) at Kenmore Mercy Hospital in Suburban Buffalo have ratified a New, Four-Year Contract that is Retroactive to January (2013), Union Officials told WNYLaborToday.com today (Thursday, May 2nd).

Eight-Two-Percent of the 273 RNs Represented at Kenmore Mercy Hospital by CWA Local 1133 participated in the Ratification Vote, Union Spokeswoman Deb Arnet told Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper.

“While many are relieved, we still had some Nurses who were willing to go out on Strike. That’s how upset they were, but there were enough changes in the Contract (which was previously turned down twice by RNs) to get it done,” she said.

Arnet also told WNYLaborToday.com that while the Agreement could be Concessionary, CWA Local 1133 Negotiators are already “gearing up” for Negotiations the next time around.

“There will be ‘no more’ Concessionary Contracts (in the future),” Arnet pledged. “This will not become a habit.”

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Your Regional On-Line Labor Newspaper published the following Labor News Report on CWA Local 1133’s battle to get a New Contract with the Catholic Health System at Kenmore Mercy Hospital on April 18th:

Agreement Reached On A Tentative, Four-Year Contract Between CWA Local 1133-Represented Nurses & Catholic Health Management At Kenmore Mercy Hospital In Suburban Buffalo

Threat Of Strike Was Major Factor In Coming To A New Agreement After Negotiations – Which Initially Began In November – Dragged On/Ratification Vote To Be Held On April 29th On Pact That Features 2.5% Wage Increase In Each Of Its Four Years

(BUFFALO) – A threatened Strike by 273 Registered Nurses (RNs) at Kenmore Mercy Hospital in Suburban Buffalo played a Major Role in a New Contract negotiated between Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1133 and Catholic Health System Management, Union Officials told WNYLaborToday.com this afternoon (Thursday, April 18th).

The Tentative Agreement, which calls for a 2.5% Wage Increase in each year of the Four-Year Contract, will be voted on by RNs on April 29th, Local 1133 Spokeswoman Deborah Arnet tells Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper. The Agreement was reached Wednesday Evening, several months after Negotiations initially began in November (2012).

Asked whether the Nurses’ willingness to move forward and Strike the Hospital played any role in the New Agreement, Arnet answered: “That brought (Negotiations) to an end. It was definitely a Major Factor.” Arnet told WNYLaborToday.com that Kenmore Mercy Hospital Management had not taken the resolve of its RNs seriously and had spread a rumor over the weekend that the CWA National Union “had not given” its blessing to Local 1133-Represented Nurses to go out on Strike, she said. That was not the case, Arnet added, saying CWA National had indeed given the Strike Go-Ahead to Nurses.

“(The Contract) isn’t everything we wanted, but we got the job done. Our Negotiating Committee believes it got the best deal we could get, under the circumstances - and our Negotiating Committee is recommending to our Nurses that it be Ratified,” Arnet told Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper.

Highlights of the Tentative Agreement include:

· Wages - A 2.5% Wage Increase in each year of the Four-Year Contract.

· Health Benefits – Under the Agreement, Full-Time RNs will have 90% of their Health Care Coverage paid for by Catholic Health/Kenmore Mercy Hospital under a Single Plan and 80% under a Family Plan. Part-Time RNs will have 55% paid for either Single or Family Coverage.

· Overtime – Daily Overtime will not exist in the New Contract. However, Overtime will be paid to RNs on a Weekly Basis, following their Weekly Work Fulfillment of 37.5 Hours – not 40.

· Supplemental Pay – Will be kept in force until September 3rd (2013) at $8 to $10-per-hour.

In addition, CWA Local 1133’s Arnet said a $9-an-hour Shift Payment had been created to compensate those RNS who are called in on Emergency Staffing Situations, a decision that will made by Hospital Management. On another front, a newly-created Paid Time Off (PTO) Day was also included in the Contract, which only can be taken advantage of by Nurses who provide necessary “documentation,” Arnet said.

Communications Workers Of America National President Larry Cohen Challenged CWA Convention Delegates To Build A Robust Movement For Democracy & Economic Justice

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400

(PITTSBURGH) - Celebrating a number of Organizing Wins by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), National President Larry Cohen told CWA Convention Delegates in Pittsburgh to Join Together and Build a Robust Labor Movement for Democracy and Economic Justice.

“Some may say this is too big a reach for our Members,” he said. “But this Executive Board and so many of you are saying: ‘If not now, when?’ If we don’t build a Much Deeper Movement now, when? If we don’t Fight for Universal Voter Registration and Against Voter Suppression now, when? I f we don’t demand that Democrats confirm an NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) with a Democratic Majority that will make Decisions that Support Us Now, when? If we don’t stand up for Retiree Health Care, not just in our ‘own’ Union but across the Nation, now, when? This is our time to take up this challenge.”

Cohen said in the 75-year History of the CWA, “our survival has never been harder.”

“State Governments are Attacking Bargaining Rights. Members are faced now with the Worst Trade Agreement ‘ever,’ the Trans Pacific Partnership, despite a Democratic White House. Across the Country, Workers are struggling to join CWA and to even have the ability to negotiate with their Employer. Yes, it’s hard, but it’s not hopeless,” he said.

Cohen pointed out that CWA has Celebrated a Number of Organizing Wins, including welcoming 9,300 Flight Attendants from United-Continental. CWA Ratified Contracts for over 100,000 at AT&T, 38,000 at Verizon, 10,000 at General Electric, 750 Nurses and 750 Journalists at Bloomberg’s Bureau of National Affairs. “Our Bargaining Committee Members have become ‘Heroes,’” Cohen said. “When Elected, no one knows how long they will be there – except ‘One Day Longer’ than our Employers’ Resistance,” he said.

There are “Two Key Elements of our Union’s Strategy moving forward,” Cohen explained. “First, we must ‘Act Different’ Politically. We must ‘challenge’ Candidates who aren’t with us and Advocate for Candidates who ‘Stand With Us’ and ‘For Change.’ We need a New, Progressive Tea Party, not just ‘more’ Democrats. Second, we ‘must’ Build a Movement of Fifty Million Progressives in our Workplaces, Locals and Communities. This Coalition will be what it takes to Enact the Changes we need and ‘Shake Up’ the Status Quo. Recently, CWA has formed Alliances with the NAACP, Sierra Club, Common Cause and more. Now it’s time to reach out to more Progressive Groups and start Working Together. It won’t be easy and it won’t be quick. It’s likely a ten-year effort because the Challenges we face are Monumental, but they are ‘not’ Impossible. This is where the choices each of you make and what you do matter.”

New York City Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution In Support Of Long Island College Hospital

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400

(NEW YORK) - New York City Council Members have Voted Unanimously in Favor of a Resolution calling on the State University of New York (SUNY) and the Department of Health (DOH) to work with Stakeholders to find another Operator for the Long Island College Hospital(LICH) to ensure that all LICH Assets are used to Preserve Care and Authorizing the Speaker to File or Join Amicus Briefs on behalf of the Council in Support of Preserving Services.

“LICH is an ‘Invaluable Asset to the Community in Brooklyn, Saving Lives and Providing Good Jobs for Working Families. By passing this Resolution, the New York City Council is sending a ‘Strong Message’ to SUNY and the Department of Health - that keeping LICH ‘Open for Care’ is a ‘Critical Part’ of meeting New York Health Care Needs now and in the future,” 1199 SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Vice President Ronnie Babb said.

Registered Nurse (RN) Loreto Gasmen, RN, who is a Member of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), added: “I’ve been Caring for Patients at LICH since 1975. I would like to ‘Thank’ the Members of the City Council for their On-Going Support in the Fight to Save our Hospital. This Resolution will Help Strengthen our Movement to keep LICH ‘Open for Care’ so that we can keep Saving Lives.”

Closing LICH would have put Patients from across Brooklyn at risk, Union Officials said. The City Council’s Committee on Health Unanimously Approved the Resolution. On April 1st, a Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge granted a Temporary Restraining Order barring any further action towards closing LICH. A Court Hearing was originally scheduled for May 2nd, but was been postponed until May 29th.

“The loss of Long Island College Hospital would be a Tremendous Blow to the Downtown Brooklyn Community and our entire City,” City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said. “The Council Resolution sends the Message that Preserving Access to Vital Health Care in Downtown Brooklyn is a Top Priority for us. Along with other Elected Officials and Advocates, I’ll work to help ensure the Local Community continues to have Access to Critical Health Care Services and that any outcome of LICH closing doesn't ‘negatively impact’ New Yorkers.”

For more than 150 years, Patients have depended on LICH for Emergency and Primary Care Services. Without LICH, Severely Over-Crowded Emergency Rooms throughout Brooklyn would be Stretched beyond Capacity, Wait Times would Increase and Patient Outcomes would have gotten worse, they added. The burden would have fallen heavily on the Public Hospital System, and would have further strained Patient Care and Financial Stability in Already Fragile Safety-Net Hospitals in Brooklyn.

Union Retiree News From The Alliance For Retired Americans: Tell Your U.S. Senators To Co-Sponsor The Resolution Opposing The Chained CPI!

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400

Tell Your U.S. Senators To Co-Sponsor The Resolution Opposing The Chained CPI!

Alliance Members have helped Drive an Increase in the Number of Co-Sponsors for the Cicilline Resolution. This House Resolution expresses Clear Opposition to Using the Chained CPI to calculate Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) for Social Security Benefits. And the Alliance is doing the same in the Senate. Alliance Members are being encouraged to write their Senators and Urge Co-Sponsorship of the Senate Version of the Cicilline Resolution - S. Con. Res. 15 - which has been introduced by Senators Tom Harkin (Democrat-Indiana), Bernie Sanders (Independent-Vermont) and Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat-Rhode Island). For a list of Senators who are already Co-Sponsors, go tohttp://tinyurl.com/ckogdz8. If you have not done so yet, and would like to send a Letter to your Senators urging them to become Co-Sponsors, go to http://tinyurl.com/bvvoomx. To see the Alliance Letter that urges all U.S. Senators to Co-Sponsor the Resolution, go to http://tinyurl.com/cvexrn4.

Grand Bargain: A Possible Scenario

Forbes Magazine’s On-Line Site recently offered a write-up on the likelihood of a Grand Bargain between Democrats and Republicans that would Shrink the National Deficit, but Cut Earned Benefits for Seniors. Available at http://tinyurl.com/czo72e2, it was written by Bob Rosenblatt, a Writer and Editor specializing in Aging Issues. He is also a Senior Fellow at the National Academy of Social Insurance, a Think Tank dealing with Social Security and Medicare. The article addresses a number of Issues, including a Possible Cut in your Annual Social Security Cost-of-Living Increases, as well as an Increase in the Age of Eligibility for Medicare, from today’s 65 to 67, and explains the Latest Tweaks in the Plan of Fiscal Commission Co-Chairs Alan Simpson, a former Republican Senator, and Erskine Bowles, a former Clinton White House Chief of Staff. President Obama’s 2014 Budget Proposal calls for Cutting the Size of Social Security’s Annual Cost-of-Living Benefit Increases by switching to the Chained CPI (Consumer Price Index) starting in 2015. The Chained CPI grows, on average, about 0.3% a year - more slowly than the standard CPI, meaning the President’s Proposal would cut Social Security Benefits by roughly $230 billion over 10 years. Obama recently Ruled Out Raising Medicare’s Eligibility Age from 65 to 67, but Republicans favor it. Asked if he believes Republicans would Raise Taxes in order to Cut Seniors' Benefits, Len Nichols – who serves as Director of the Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics at George Mason University - said: “If they want the Deal, they’ll give on Revenues. If not, they will try to use the Chained CPI as a Wedge to Drive the Democratic Party away from the President.” A New Fact Sheet and Graph from the group Social Security Works explains what the Chained CPI would mean. Go tohttp://tinyurl.com/d4gjvfd to view it.

House Democratic Caucus’ Seniors Task Force Re-Launches

The House Democratic Caucus has re-launched its Seniors Task Force, an Initiative to Raise Awareness on Issues that matter most to America’s Seniors and Work to Protect and Strengthen Vital Services that the Aging Population has Earned through a Lifetime of Hard Work. The Task Force, which is co-chaired by U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky of Illinois and Doris Matsui of California, announced that it will host its first meeting of the 113th Congress this week. The Task Force already has 38 Members and expects to welcome more. For additional information, watch the video at http://tinyurl.com/crokt2t. “The Task Force is a Key Weapon against Attempts to Cut Seniors’ Earned Benefits and Reduce their Retirement Security,” Alliance for Retired Americans President Barbara Easterling said.

Senate Votes To End Air Traffic Controller Furloughs - Other Sequester Cuts Remain

The U.S. Senate has Unanimously Passed a Bill to end the Furloughs of Air Traffic Controllers. The Bill would allow the U.S. Transportation Secretary to move $253 million from other programs in order to Pay the Air Traffic Controllers to Work Full Time. This flexibility was not previously possible due to the across-the-board nature of the Sequester Cuts. The House of Representatives moved to approve the measure. For more on the vote, read NPR’s write up at http://tinyurl.com/c2o2jb9. “While we are pleased that the Senate has taken action to end the Furloughs, Piecemeal Fixes and Moving Money Around will not fundamentally change the Impact of the Sequester,” the Alliance’s Executive Director Edward Coyle said. “Until Legislation is Passed to Repeal all of the Sequester Cuts, many programs Vital to Seniors, including Meals on Wheels, Cancer Clinics and Medical Research, will remain crippled due to Lack of Funding.”

Scams Are Tied To Confusion Over Health Care Reform

Law Enforcement Agencies are reporting an Increase in Health Insurance Scams across the Country. Many of the Fraudsters seem to be Preying on the Public’s Confusion over the Massive Changes taking place in the Nation’s Health Care System. According to Kaiser Health News, Seniors are often targets - they’re more likely to be home to answer the phone and they tend to have Retirement Savings that Scammers hope to tap. But they aren’t the only victims. The Federal Government received nearly 83,000 Complaints of Imposter Scams last year - up 12% from the year before (http://tinyurl.com/bpdlbq4). “Don’t take calls from people you did not initiate contact with, who are offering to help you with your Health Care Needs,” advised the Alliance’s Secretary-Treasurer Ruben Burks. “And, definitely don’t give them any Personal Information.”

Via The Huffington Post By Way The National AFL-CIO: From Young Unionist/Author Carmen Berkley - Will Millennials Come Back to Labor?

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400

National AFL-CIO News Now Editor’s Note: The following Column authored by Carmen Berkley, entitled: Will Millennials Come Back to Labor?, originally appeared in the The Huffington Post. It was recently re-printed on the National AFL-CIO News Now Website. Berkley is the Executive Director of the Generational Alliance, a collaboration of 22 National Youth Organizations that are Building Community and Collective Power for the Emerging Majority of Young People of Color, Women, LGBTQ Folks and Low-Income Communities -who usually don't have a seat at the table:

As we (celebrate) International Workers' Day, also known as May Day, it's hard not to wonder about the Future of the Labor Movement, and whether or not Young People in the United States will wake up and see that Joining Labor Unions could be a Part of the Solution to the Nation's 22.9% Youth Unemployment Rate.

Somewhere between the Hate Propaganda promoting the dangers of Joining Labor Unions (including Bringing us a Weekend and the 40-Hour Work Week), and Out-Sourcing Millions of Jobs Overseas, the Millennial Generation (aka Generation Y, whose beginning Birth Dates range from the late 1970s or from the early 1980s to the early 2000s) has been Raised to Turn our Backs on Labor and pray for a Job at Google where we might be able to get Fair Working Standards like a free bowl of Cap'N Crunch or a Bike-Share Program.

Let’s face it - the Average Millennial will have seven jobs before they turn 26, if they can find a Job at all! Perhaps that reason why Millennials switch Jobs so frequently is because we are Unhappy with the Benefits, Treatment and Lack of Respect due to our Age in the Workplace.

Something needs to change, and it could start with a Massive Movement of Currently Employed Young People joining Labor Unions.

Imagine a Young Teacher joining the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and Increasing their Income to Pay Off their $22,000 Student Loan Debt, or a Young Garbage Woman joining the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and Earning More Paid Vacation Days to Spend Time with Family or Friends.

If our Generation Stands Together and Demands Fair Working Practices, we would not only be setting ourselves up for Future Economic Success, but we would be Setting Up Success for Future Generations.

Let’s not get it twisted: Labor needs us, as much as we need them!

As the Labor Movement clings to their Aging Membership, they know they have a lot to change.

They just caught up with the rest of us by Utilizing Technology to Organize our Generation, and we definitely need to see more People of Color, Women, Low-Income Folks, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer People as the Face of some of the Most Powerful Unions.

But we have a choice: Continue being Sad about being Under-Employed or Straight-Up Hating our Jobs, or we can change the Status Quo.

What if our Generation re-defines what it means to have a Union Job?

What if Labor took on more Progressive Issues that Millennials care about?

What if we encouraged our Colleagues to Sign the Cards and be a Part of an Institution that has Power in the Statehouse and the White House?

What if we changed the face of Labor?

I believe the Millennial Generation will change the Economic Crisis - not Ma Ma and Pop Pop who’ve been in Congress since before TV dinners were invented.

Transformation of the Economy starts with the Value of the Worker, and the Value of the Worker starts with our Generation joining a Union.

Today?s May Day Celebrations Around The United States And The World Focus In On The Need For Workers & Immigrant Rights

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400

Across the United States and around the World today (Wednesday, May 1st), Workers, Unions, Activists and Allies are celebrating International Workers' Day.

May Day is a National Holiday in more than 80 Nations that Honors Workers and Workers’ Rights and Celebrates the Significant Role Unions Play.

May Day actions in the United States this year will place a Special Emphasis on Immigrant Rights and the Need for a Common Sense Immigration Process.

According to the National AFL-CIO, Union Members are joining Community Partners and Allies in more than 50 actions.

Let’s face it - the Average Millennial will have seven jobs before they turn 26, if they can find a Job at all! Perhaps that reason why Millennials switch Jobs so frequently is because we are Unhappy with the Benefits, Treatment and Lack of Respect due to our Age in the Workplace.

Something needs to change, and it could start with a Massive Movement of Currently Employed Young People joining Labor Unions.

Let’s not get it twisted: Labor needs us, as much as we need them!

As the Labor Movement clings to their Aging Membership, they know they have a lot to change.

But we have a choice: Continue being Sad about being Under-Employed or Straight-Up Hating our Jobs, or we can change the Status Quo.

What if our Generation re-defines what it means to have a Union Job?

What if Labor took on more Progressive Issues that Millennials care about?

What if we encouraged our Colleagues to Sign the Cards and be a Part of an Institution that has Power in the Statehouse and the White House?

What if we changed the face of Labor?

I believe the Millennial Generation will change the Economic Crisis - not Ma Ma and Pop Pop who’ve been in Congress since before TV dinners were invented.

Transformation of the Economy starts with the Value of the Worker, and the Value of the Worker starts with our Generation joining a Union.

Governor Cuomo?s Plan To Assist Municipalities Restructure Includes Plan To Beef Up Advisory Body For Municipal Labor Pacts

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400

(ALBANY) – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo hopes to give a Planned Advisory Panel for Stressed Upstate Municipalities some Teeth for Negotiating Contracts with Police and Fire Unions, the Albany Times-Union reports.

The Governor told reporters at a Manhattan News Conference last week that he would use the coming Expiration of the System of Binding Arbitration for Police and Fire Unions as an "opportunity to do something real" to add Power to the Panel, which he first outlined during his State of the State presentation in January.

"Let's put together a Financial Restructuring Board, and Local Governments that are in Financial Distress can come before the Board, and this Board will work with them to Restructure the Government so it's Economically Viable. And part of that will be Working Out the Contracts with their Police and Fire," Cuomo said. "We have to Restructure these Local Governments so that they're Financially Solvent. I have not wanted to Subsidize the Problem - I want to Solve the Problem."

Decades of Declining Populations and Loss of Industry have left many Upstate Cities Financially Hurt, a Crisis compounded by a spike in Mandated Pension Contributions caused by the Stock Market Collapse of 2008.

Mayors, including Stephanie Miner of Syracuse, have asked Cuomo to lead a Statewide Dialogue on the problem. In January, Cuomo said the Panel would include Outside Experts as well as Staff Members from the Comptroller's Office, the Budget Division and the Attorney General's Office. Larry Schwartz, Cuomo's Top Aide, told The Times Union in January that "there's no carrots or sticks — just good, sound advice," but the Governor's comments and in an earlier interview with The Wall Street Journal indicated that he plans to go further.

Peter Baynes, who serves as Executive Director of the New York Conference of Mayors, said Cuomo's plan seemed to be "evolving and expanding." "It sounds like a Hybrid of a Bankruptcy and Control Board without calling it either," he said. "I think it's a Good Sign that the Governor is Serious about trying to Help Local Governments avoid being on a Path to Fiscal Ruin. I'm just not sure what the intended approach is."

Steven Madarasz, a spokesman for the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), said - even without details - the Proposal "raises all kinds of red flags for us."

Cuomo suggested he was working on Legislation, but spokesmen for both Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli indicated their Offices had not been in contact with the Governor's Aides.

Police and Fire Unions may enter Binding Arbitration if an Impasse is declared during Contract Talks. That Empowers a Three-Member Panel - with One Member selected by the Union and Municipality, the Third by Consensus - to make Decisions on a Contract Increase.

As part of his Executive Budget, Cuomo proposed to Cap the Wage and Benefit Increases that Arbitration Panels could assign if the Municipality is deemed to be under "fiscal distress."

Mayors and other Municipal Officials praised the change, but it was rejected by Legislators under pressure from Unions.

Cuomo has said he will not sign a Renewed Law without changes. It expires on June 30th.

You can access this Labor News Story at: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Cuomo-plan-to-help-municipalities-restructure-4465131.php#ixzz2RljxVDFW

The New Maker Of Twinkies Ditches The Union Members Who Made Them, Tells Media They're Confident They Will Find Non-Union Workers To Do The Job

Wed, 01 May 2013 02:00:00 -0400

Ho Ho’s, Ding Dongs, and Twinkies are coming back – but without the Union Workers that once produced them. The reborn Hostess Brands LLC intends to cut ties with the Teamsters Union and the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM), the CEO of Metropoulos & Company, which bought the Bankrupt Company along with Apollo Global Management, tells The Wall Street Journal.

Metropoulos intends to spend $60 million to Re-Open Four Bakeries within the next 10 weeks, hiring at least 1,500 Workers. That's a far cry from the 19,000 Workers Hostess Brands Incorporated had Pre-Bankruptcy, 15,000 of whom were Unionized.

BCTGM International President David Durkee issued the following statement on behalf of all BCTGM Members:

The BCTGM is pleased to see that Hostess Brands LLC, the Newly-Formed Snack Cake Company created by Apollo Global Management and Metropoulos & Company, has announced that it will be reopening four Hostess Bakeries to produce the Iconic Hostess Cake Brands.

Those Four Successful Cake Plants were represented by the BCTGM for many years under former Hostess Ownership.

However, we are Extremely Disappointed to see Negative Statements from Company Executives about the Union Status of its Future Employees.

Ideally, we would like to see as many of our Members hired as possible.

We believe their Combination of Experience, Dedication and Know-How will give the New Owners the chance to get High-Quality Snack Cakes back in the Marketplace.

Federal Labor Law governing the Hiring Process and the Obligations for the Employer and the Rights of the Future Employees in this situation is quite definitive.

We expect the New Owners will respect the Statutory Rights of all Workers during the Hiring, Start-Up and Future of this New Company.

The BCTGM remains focused on Ensuring that the new Hostess Brands Ownership understands that the Snack Cakes at the Center of this New Company are inextricably linked to the Hands that make them - and have made them for Generations.

We know our Workers have a Critical Role to Play in Protecting and Enhancing some of America’s Most Valuable Consumer Brands.

We all want the same outcome: that the Brands should Prosper and Endure.

This is what the Next Stage of this Saga is all about - Implementing a New Ownership and Manufacturing Structure worthy of the Brands Themselves and America’s Manufacturing Prowess.

Our Members provide Immense Value to the New Ownership with Decades of Experience, Expertise and Training.

Not only have our Members Produced these Quality Products for Consumers for Generations, they know these Bakeries inside and out.

Our Members are Eager and Willing to return to these Snack Plants and help Usher in a new Period of Prosperity for Hostess Snack Cakes.

It is our Sincere Hope that the New Owners will Fully Recognize the Tremendous Value of Hiring Back our Members.

If, however, they do not want us as part of the Future of this Company, we will Continue to Fight for our Membership through other avenues.

On This Workers Memorial Day - Update From Bangladesh: Deaths From Garment Factory Collapse Exceed 300, Warrant Out for Building Owner

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:00:00 -0400

More than 300 Workers now have been Confirmed Dead from Wednesday’s Building Collapse in Bangladesh. Some 2,200 Survivors have been pulled from the ruins of what is being called One of the Worst Manufacturing Disasters in History. More than 3,000 Garment Workers were On the Job when Upper Building Floors pancaked on top of each other.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered the Arrest of the Building’s Owner, Mohammed Sohel Rana, a Local Leader of Ruling Awami League's Youth Front, who Told Factory Operators the Building was Safe. Hasina also has ordered the arrest of Five Garment Factory Owners.

Cracks in the Multi-Story Building, located in Savar, just outside the Capital, Dhaka, were reported in the Local Media after they appeared on Tuesday. Although Workers in the Retail Shops on the Building’s First Floor were told to stay home on Wednesday, Operators of five Garment Factories in the Building’s Top Floors ordered Employees to Report to Work. According to the Bangladesh Daily Star, video shot before the Collapse shows Cracks in the Walls, with some attempts at repair. The video also shows Columns missing Chunks of Concrete. Bangladesh’s BDB News24 reports Workers say Factory Owners forced them to work on Wednesday, including Aklima, a Garment Worker. “I did not want to go to the Factory since a crack appeared yesterday (Wednesday),” she said. “But the Factory’s Officers forced us into the Building in the morning.” Bangladesh Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu told the Press that the Collapse “was not an accident, it was a killing incident.”

The AFL-CIO Solidarity Center has called on the Bangladesh Government to enforce its Labor and Building Codes, on Multi-National Companies that Source from the Country to Prioritize Health and Safety Conditions in Factories, and on both to Respect the Rights of Workers and to recognize that the only way Bangladesh will have Safe Factories is if Workers have a Voice on the Job. Human Rights Watch noted to the Associated Press that “none of the Factories in the Rana Plaza were Unionized, and that had they been, Workers would have been in a better position to refuse to enter the Building Wednesday.” Media Reports describe Dhaka and Savar as chaotic, with thousands of Garment Workers protesting the Collapse and Demanding Arrest and Punishment of those responsible for the Tragedy, and Families of Missing Workers pressing to get access to the ruins to find their Loved Ones.

The Building Collapse took place five months after a Fire killed 112 Garment Workers at the Tazreen Fashion Factory. Since then, there have been at least 41 Fire Incidents at Bangladesh Garment Factories that have killed nine Workers and Injured more than 660 others, according to Data compiled by the Solidarity Center.

Bangladesh’s Apparel Industry is the Country’s Largest Source of Export Revenue – 78% of the Country’s $23 billion in Export Revenue in 2011. Yet, Garment Workers are paid $37 a month, the Lowest in the World, as Factories seek to Minimize Costs to meet the Price Demands of the Global Apparel Brands. Workers often are Prevented from forming Unions, and these Vulnerable and Impoverished Workers cannot Fight Alone for their Rights.

A New York Times Editorial concisely summed up the solution to Bangladesh’s on-going Workplace Tragedies, writing that the Government must “Enact Meaningful Changes for the Country’s 3.5 million Garment Workers, many of whom are Women.” The most essential change is to “Enforce Bangladeshi Labor Laws and Safety Standards, which theoretically provide Protection but are rarely honored. The Laws allow Workers to form Unions and Bargain with Management on Wages and Working Conditions, but the Government has not Defended those Rights, despite promises to do so to International Agencies and the United States.”

National AFL-CIO News Now Editor’s Note: Bangladesh: Deaths Exceed 300, Warrant Out for Building Owner originally appeared on the Solidarity Center’s Website.

On This Workers Memorial Day ? An Update From Texas: Americans Want Tougher Enforcement Of Workplace Safety Laws After Fertilizer Plant Explosion Kills 14

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:00:00 -0400

(WEST, TEXAS) - In the wake of the West, Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion that killed 14 people, a Plurality of Americans say the United States’ Current Workplace Safety Regulations are Not Strict Enough to prevent such Disasters, according to a New Poll from YouGov and The Huffington Post.

A Majority, though, said Tougher Enforcement of Existing Laws would be more effective at Preventing Future Disasters than New Laws, the Poll found:

· According to the New Survey, 44% of Americans say that Current Workplace Safety Regulations are Not Strict Enough, compared to 26% who said that they are About Right and 7% who said they are Too Strict.

· But asked which they thought would Do More to Prevent Another Accident like the one in Texas, 52% of Respondents said that Better Enforcement of Existing Regulations would be the Most Effective, while 18% said Stricter Safety Regulations would be More Effective.

Indeed, Existing Laws may have Prevented the Explosion at West Fertilizer had they been enforced. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hadn’t inspected the Plant since 1985, and it slipped through the cracks of at least seven Regulatory Agencies. Despite Fines and Citations, it had not Improved its Handling of Dangerous Explosive Chemicals like Ammonia. The Plant Failed to Alert Federal Regulators that it had 270 tons of Ammonium Nitrate on site, according to records examined by CNN.

Instead of Tougher Enforcement, however, Lawmakers at both the State and Federal Level have moved to Weaken Regulatory Agencies tasked with Preventing such Disasters.

Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry has bragged extensively that his State has fewer Business Regulations than other States, and Texas Lawmakers had attempted to Weaken the Regulatory Agency that oversees the Plant before the Explosion.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, in fact, had lost $305 million and 235 Employees because of recent Budget Cuts.

At the Federal Level, 11 Lawmakers have led efforts to weaken the Environmental Protection Agency’s Monitoring of Dangerous Chemical Sites like West Fertilizer.

You can access this Labor News Report directly at:

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/04/28/1931531/americans-want-tougher-enforcement-of-workplace-safety-laws-after-texas-explosion/?fb_action_ids=4924810641665&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%224924810641665%22%3A492850247435076%7D&action_type_map=%7B%224924810641665%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

Buffalo Police Officer Patty Parete & CSEA Local 815-Represented Nurse Jackie Wisniewski Honored At Workers Memorial Day Event Held At The St. Thomas Aquinas Campus In South Buffalo

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:00:00 -0400

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Pictured Above, Buffalo AFL-CIO President Michael Hoffert addresses those who attended Sunday’s (April 28th) Workers Memorial Day Even at the St. Thomas Aquinas Campus in South Buffalo to honor Western New York Workers who have lost their Lives while on the Job. This year, two Union-Represented Workers - Buffalo Officer Patty Parete and Erie County Medical Center Nurse Jackie Wisniewski – were individually singled out and honored. (Photo Above and Below Courtesy of International Union of Painters & Allied Trades/District Council 4 Union Member William Mayer)

(BUFFALO) – One by one, the Individual Names of 200 Workers who have lost their Lives while Working On The Job here in Western New York were read off today (Sunday, April 28) during the Jointly-Sponsored Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and Western New York Council on Occupational Safety & Health (WNYCOSH) Workers Memorial Day Observation that was held at the St. Thomas Aquinas Campus in South Buffalo.

In addition to the Names of Deceased Workers who were read aloud – two Individual Union Members were singled out: Buffalo Police Officer Patty Parete and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 815-Represented/Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Nurse Jackie Wisniewski.

“While we think of Workers who have Lost their Lives while Working on the Job, dying of a Workplace Accident, it was different for both Officer Parete and Nurse Wisniewski,” Buffalo Labor Council President Michael Hoffert told WNYLaborToday.com prior to the Workers Memorial Day Event. “But we will Honor the Memory of a Buffalo Police Officer, who put her Life on the Line every day for us, and a Nurse who was the victim of someone with a Mental Problem. They were First Responders who went to Work, every day, to protect us ‘all.’ Their Deaths also underscores the need for ‘all’ of us to come together to put an end to our Societal Problems. And, as a Labor Movement, we are very diverse and we represent a variety of Workers from all Faiths.”

Parete, a Union Member Represented by the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association (PBA), died in early February (2013) after battling injuries she initially suffered in December 2006 when she and Fellow Officer Carl Andolina were shot after answering a Robbery Call in Downtown Buffalo. Andolina survived and the Gunman was sentenced to a 30-year Prison Term. The 48-year-old Parete, who suffered a Spinal Injury, was Partially Paralyzed by one the bullets.

Wisniewski was shot to death by Dr. Timothy Jorden, who she had previously dated, at ECMC after being lured to a stairwell at the Buffalo Hospital. After murdering Wisniewski, Jorden took his own life. The 33-year-old Wisniewski, who had a young son and was training to be Nurse, was a Union Member Represented by CSEA Local 815.

“In Workplaces across America, Workers continue to be exposed to Toxic Chemicals like Asbestos and Safety Hazards such as Unguarded Machinery,” the Buffalo AFL-CIO Council and WNYCOSH said in an Issued Press Release. “Injured Workers and Relatives of Workers who have Lost their Lives on the Job will share their stories and Renew the Fight for Stronger Regulations and Protections for ‘all’ Working People. Participants will note that while the Obama Administration has moved forward to Strengthen Protections with Tougher Enforcement, Business Groups and Conservative Politicians are trying to Roll Back Regulations and Block New Safeguards.”

As part of the Buffalo Workers Memorial Day Event, U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins of Buffalo delivered the Closing Address. Amazing Grace was also played by a lone Bagpiper.

Hoffert, meanwhile, told Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper that he was hopeful next year’s Workers Memorial Day Event will be held at Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park, where the Buffalo AFL-CIO Labor Council is working to restore an existing Workers Memorial.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: The following Labor News Story on Workers Memorial Day appeared on the National AFL-CIO News Now Website:

Job Safety: 100 Years Ago, Bosses Had ‘Divine’ Rights -Workers None

A Century ago on Workers Memorial Day, millions of Men, Women and Children Worked Long Hours at Low Pay in Jobs that Threatened their Lives and Limbs and many of them were Immigrants.

“They don't suffer,” George Baer said of Coal Miners who came to America from Eastern Europe. “Why, hell, half of them don't even speak English."

Known as “Divine Right” Baer and “George the Last,” he was The Fiercely Anti-Union President of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. The Company also owned Coal Mines. Baer rates only a few lines in most History Books. Even so, he is worth remembering every day, but especially on Workers Memorial Day, which has been observed every April 28th since 1989. In Baer's time, Workplace Safety Laws were Few, Inadequate and Mostly Ignored by Employers. As a result, Railroads, Mines, Mills and Factories were Slaughter-Houses. Before the advent of a Strong Union Movement, thousands of Workers were Killed, Maimed or made Seriously Ill while On the Job each year. One apologist for the likes of Baer said the Country didn't need Worker Safety and Health Laws because such Laws “protected those of the Lowest Development.”

While Unions have always Fought For Better Wages and Benefits for Workers, they also have Tirelessly Championed Worker Safety and Health Laws. Employers like Baer stubbornly and often violently resisted Unions. Baer especially hated the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). He once declared: The Rights and Interests of the Laboring Man will be Protected and Cared For, not by the Labor Agitators, but by the Christian Men to whom God in His Infinite Wisdom has given the Control of the Property Interests of the Country, and upon the Successful Management of which so much depends.

History Teaches Otherwise.

Unions, not the George Baers, have Consistently Protected and Cared For the Rights and Interests of Workers. Many Union Leaders have been - and still are - Christians or Men and Women of other Faiths. By far, UMWA Mines are safer than Non-Union Mines. Everywhere, Union Workplaces are safer than Non-Union Workplaces. Proof is abundant - most recently in the Explosion at the Texas Fertilizer Plant that killed 14 People and Injured 200. The Plant has no Union and its last Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Inspection was in 1985, the Associated Press reported.

Thus, we still must Mourn The Dead, Fight For The Living.

That's the Unofficial Motto of Workers Memorial Day.

And nobody has battled harder for Unions and for Worker Safety and Health in the Era of Divine Right Baer than the UMWA's Mother Jones. Dubbed “the Most Dangerous Woman in America,” she was also a Socialist who helped start the Industrial Workers of the World. Her picture is engraved on the Kentucky State Workers Memorial Stone, which is on the lawn outside the Paducah-based Western Kentucky AFL-CIO Area Council Hall. Jones was dubbed the Miners' Angel, “But she didn’t always ‘talk’ like an Angel,” said Jeff Wiggins, who serves as Council President and President of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9447. He explained: “What she really said was: ‘Mourn for the Dead, fight like Hell for the Living.' That's what's chiseled on our Memorial.”

Overwhelming Theme Of ?Solidarity? Highlights 2013 Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation?s Appreciation Awards Dinner

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:00:00 -0400

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Richard Lipsitz kicks off the 2013 WNYALF Annual Appreciation Awards Dinner, addressing more than 400 Union Leaders, Delegates, Members, Elected Officials and Friends of Labor who packed the Hearthstone Manor in the Buffalo Suburb of Depew on Thursday (April 25th) evening. (WNYLaborToday.com Photo)

(BUFFALO) – With an Overwhelming Theme of Solidarity that carried throughout the evening, every Union Leader and Member who personally got involved and participated in Last Year’s Elections were honored with the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation’s (WNYALF) Labor 2012 Award during the WNYALF’s 2013 Appreciation Awards Dinner that attracted more than 400 Union Leaders, Delegates, Members, Elected Officials and Friends of Labor who packed the Hearthstone Manor in Suburban Depew Thursday (April 25th) evening.

“There is no plaque to give, but this goes to everyone who participated in Last Year’s Election, everyone who walked and went door-to-door,” said WNYALF President Lipsitz, who asked those in attendance who took part in the 2012 Elections to stand up and be recognized. “Tonight this Award honors you all – ordinary Union Members.”

Several other Awards - including the We Are One Award, which was presented to International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 106 Business Manager David Wilkinson of Jamestown - were given out during the Annual WNYALF Dinner, which brings together its Member Central Labor Councils in Buffalo, Niagara-Orleans, Dunkirk, Jamestown and Olean, as well as a number of Individual Labor Unions who are affiliated with each Council.

In addition, Key Note Speaker – New York State Assemblyman Sean Ryan, who spoke passionately about Union Solidarity and the many Victories it has brought about – issued a challenge to the Area’s Labor Movement: “Come Together and Organize Hotel Workers here In Western New York.”

“I can go to Pittsburgh and stay at a Best Western, Hilton or Double Tree (Hotel) and the (Hotel Workers there) are Unionized, but not here (in Western New York). Our Hotel Workers are living in Poverty, so here’s the Challenge: Come Together and Work Together to Organize these Workers. There are eight new Hotel Projects going up here in Western New York who Employ Workers who are working Minimum Wage Jobs. The Hotel Workers of Western New York are waiting for you,” said Ryan to a thunderous round of applause.

Ryan, a Labor-Endorsed-and-Supported Democrat who represents the 149th Assembly District, talked about a number of Issues impacting Labor, from getting involved in the Political/Election Process to Standing Up and Fighting Against Those who want to diminish Labor Protections and keep Working People and the Working Poor from bettering themselves, in addition to his continuing fight to stop Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) from doling out Millions in Taxpayer Dollars for frivolous Projects like Automobile Dealerships, Donut Shops and Pizzerias.

“I’ve been chasing a bit of a ‘White Whale’ over the years,” Ryan said of his effort to bring about IDA Reform. “But we have been successful, because in this New (State Budget), there will ‘no longer ‘be such Funding to assist Retail Deals. In fact the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency recently said ‘No’ to an Automobile Dealership (that was seeking Taxpayer Funding through the IDA for a Construction Project). This came about because of ‘Solidarity.’ It came about because of the hard work of Unions, the Clergy and many others.”

Jamestown IBEW Local 106 Business Manager Wilkinson, meanwhile, was praised by both Dunkirk Labor Council President Doug Stock and Jamestown Labor Council President Jack Rudy, who singled out Wilkinson for leading the Chautauqua County Labor Movement to victory in stopping the Privatization of the County Home in Dunkirk last year. Said Stock: “Dave always has the Union at Heart and really deserves this Award.”

The WNYALF’s Tireless Worker Award was presented to the Area’s Public Employee Federation (PEF) Retirees, a presentation jointly made by Niagara-Orleans Labor Council President Jim Briggs and Cattaraugus-Allegany Labor Council President Karen Fenner. PEF Retiree Steve Muscarella, who heads the Local ENCARA (Erie-Niagara County Alliance for Retired Americans) Group, accepted the Award on behalf of PEF Retirees, saying: “I saw a T-Shirt for Seniors that said: ‘In Dog Years, I’m Dead.’ But (Retirees) are not dead. We are Standing Up. Don’t give up the Fight.”

The Communications Workers of America’s (CWA) Western New York Locals 1115, 1117 and 1122 were honored with the WNYALF’s Economic Justice in Telecommunications Award, which was presented by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Regional Director Mike Deely, who jokingly asked those in attendance: “Does anyone know that Verizon is greedy?” It was the Campaign Tag-Line used by the CWA during its Contract Battle with the Telecommunications Giant. “These CWA Locals executed incredible Campaigns,” Deely said.

Accepting on behalf of the three Locals, CWA Local 1122 President James Wagner said: “There is no ‘Hall of Fame’ for what we do. This is about ‘all’ of us. It’s about Solidarity and the Unconditional Support (CWA received from so many other Local Unions) in our Relentless Pursuit,” he said.

The United Steelworkers (USW) were the recipient of the WNYALF’s Environmental-Labor Award, which was presented by Buffalo Labor Council President Michael Hoffert to USW District 4 Director John Shinn, who – along with the USW – was honored for “thinking Locally and Globally by Campaigning for the Need for Clean and Safe Environments and Workplaces, as well as Advocating Job and Trade Policies and supporting Elected Officials who believe in the Quality of Work and Protection of the Environment.”

WNYLaborToday.com Editor's Note: Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper has our Video Labor News Crew at the WNYALF's Annual Awards Dinner and will feature a Labor News Report in the upcoming May Edition of Western New York Labor News... NOW!, which can be viewed off WNYLaborToday.com's Front Page. The New Monthly Program will beginning airing the first full week of May.

Oregon Congressman Takes Action To Remove Needless Requirement That?s Bankrupting The U.S. Postal Service

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:00:00 -0400

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio has introduced Legislation in an attempt to save the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from its incipient Bankruptcy - and the Democratic Representative from Oregon is asking for the Public to help him pass it.

DeFazio’s Bill would repeal the Needless Requirement - one no other Business or Entity must face - that the Postal Service pre-Fund 75 years’ worth of Employee Health Benefits. That Requirement has hugely contributed to the USPS defaulting for the first and then second time in its History last year. Analysis from 2012 estimated that the USPS would have a $1.5 billion surplus without the Benefit Requirement.

National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) President Fredric Rolando told ThinkProgress he was happy with DeFazio’s efforts, which he called a Fight “for Meaningful Comprehensive Postal Reform aimed at strengthening the Postal Service so it can continue to provide Americans with the World’s Best and Most Efficient Delivery Service.”

However, Congressman DeFazio recognizes that facts alone will not influence his Colleagues to take up and pass the Legislation, so he has also turned to the White House’s Petition Platform, We The People, to Petition President Obama to take a stand against the Health Benefit Requirement.

DeFazio pointed out many of the other flaws in how Congress has Managed the Postal Service:

· About 80% of USPS Financial Losses since 2007 are due to a Congressional Mandate to Pre-Fund 75 years of Future Retiree Health Benefits over 10 years. In 2012, the USPS lost a record $15.9 billion - but $11.1 billion of that loss went to Pre-Fund Health Care.

· The USPS shouldn’t move to 5-Day Delivery. This would only save 3%, Risk Further Revenue Losses and Slow Mail Delivery.

· The USPS needs to Re-Establish Overnight Delivery Standards to Ensure the Timely Delivery of Mail and Prevent the Closure of Mail Plants.

· The USPS needs to Generate More Revenue by ending a 2006 Ban Prohibiting the USPS from Offering New Products and Services.

Does the Administration support HR 630 and S 316 to make these changes, save American jobs, and allow USPS to remain competitive? Some Conservatives have made the argument that having a National Postal Service is frivolous in the Age of Private Delivery Companies and E-Mail, but that ignores the fact that Rural Americans don’t enjoy those Services with the same Regularity that Urban and Suburban Americans do. For the Elderly and for Rural Americans, Closed Post Offices and Slowed Delivery mean Less Consistent Communication. It can also mean more Economic Inequality.

This Labor News Story can be directly accessed at: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/04/25/1919381/postal-services-defazio/?mobile=nc

Teamsters Reach Tentative Agreements Covering 250,000 Workers At UPS, UPS Freight

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:00:00 -0400

(WASHINGTON) – The Teamsters Union has announced it has reached Tentative Agreements with United Parcel Service (UPS) on New Five-Year National Contracts for Package and Freight Workers that Protect their Health Care Benefits, Provide Substantial Wage Increases and Significantly Raise Contributions to Pension and Health and Welfare Benefits.

The Tentative Agreement covering UPS Package Employees moves 140,000 Workers into Teamster-Controlled Health Plans from Company Plans to Maintain Current Strong Benefits for all UPS Teamsters while Growing the Funds for Teamsters in all Industries into the Future.

“These are Solid Tentative Agreements that ‘all’ Teamsters at UPS and UPS Freight can be proud of,” said General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall, who also serves as Co-Chairman of the Teamsters National Negotiating Committees and Package Division Director, during Thursday’s (April 25th) announcement. “I am pleased to announce that we have achieved our Members’ Priorities of Preserving their Excellent Health Care Benefits and Protecting Them into the Future while also Strengthening their Pensions and Providing Pay Raises.”

The Tentative Agreements were reached well in advance of the July 31st, 2013 Expiration Dates for the current Five-Year Contracts, which cover nearly 250,000 Workers at UPS and UPS Freight. The UPS Contract is the Largest Collective Bargaining Agreement in North America.

“This is a ‘Great Day’ for the Teamsters Union,” said General President Jim Hoffa, Co-Chairman of the Teamsters National Negotiating Committees. “At a time when Workers and their Pay, Benefits and Working Conditions are ‘Under Attack’ by Corporate America, we have succeeded in Improving the Lives of our Hard-Working and Dedicated UPS and UPS Freight Teamsters for years to come. These Tentative Agreements are Shining Examples to the entire Country of a Hugely Successful Unionized Company that Thrives ‘because’ of its Workers.”

In the UPS Tentative Agreement, Workers will get Substantial Pay Raises, including a Significant Increase in the Starting Wage Rate for Part-Time Employees. The Union also Won the Creation of more than 2,000 Full-Time Jobs from the Ranks of Part-Time Workers.

For UPS Freight, the Tentative Agreement resolves Sub-Contracting Issues by putting all Laid-Off Road Drivers back to work. UPS Freight Workers will receive Substantial Wage Increases and Lower Co-Pays for Health Insurance. The Agreement provides the Ability for more Part-Time Workers to become Full Time.

Representatives from UPS and UPS Freight Teamster Local Unions will meet soon to review the Tentative Agreements. Following that Meeting, Members will Vote by Mail on the Tentative Agreements, with Results expected in Mid-June. Upon Ratification, the Agreements will take effect on August 1st.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) represents more than 1.4 million Hard-Working Men and Women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information.

28-Year Inspection Gap At Deadly Texas Fertilizer Plant ?Stunning Indictment? Of OSHA?s Under-Funding

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:00:00 -0400

(WEST, TEXAS) - The West, Texas Fertilizer Plant, where a Fire and Explosion last week claimed at least 14 lives - including 11 Firefighters and EMTs - and injured more than 200, was last Inspected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1985.

In 2011, the West Fertilizer Company filed an Emergency Response Plan with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that said there was No Risk of Fire or Explosion, despite the fact that as much as 54,000 Pounds of Flammable and Toxic Anhydrous Ammonia could be stored on the site. While the Plant reported that it was storing up to 270 tons of Highly-Explosive Ammonium Nitrate to State Authorities - Oklahoma City Bomber Timothy McVeigh needed just two tons to blow up the Federal Building and kill 168 People - it did not report that fact to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In addition, several other Federal and State Agencies had pieces of the Regulatory Responsibility to Protect the Workers and Community. The Plant was surrounded by Homes, a Senior Citizen Housing Project and a nearby school. But as Bryce Covert of Think Progress writes:

Many of these Agencies have Previously Cited and/or Fined the Company. But they aren’t required to coordinate with each other and small distributors like the one that exploded are part of a system that focuses more on larger Plants.

While those State and Federal Agencies may inspect certain segments of a Plant’s Operations - Emissions, for example - OSHA is the Agency with the Broadest Mandate and Authority to Inspect a Plant’s Entire Operations, Enforce Safety and Health Laws and, if need be, Shut it Down.

But as the 2012 National AFL-CIO Report Death on the Job notes, OSHA is so Understaffed and Under-Funded that Federal Inspectors can Inspect each Workplace on average of one each 131 years. There are some 2,200 OSHA Inspectors for the Country’s eight million Workplaces and 130 million Workers. In Texas, OSHA conducted 4,448 Inspections in the Past Fiscal Year, a pace that would mean it would visit every Workplace in 126 years, according to the Death on the Job Report. In addition, says National AFL-CIO Safety & Health Director Peg Seminario, the West Fertilizer Plant had just seven Employees and “these kinds of Workplaces are not typically Inspected by OSHA.”

What most don’t understand is how Limited Resources are to oversee Workplace Safety and Health. BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director David Foster calls the 35-year Gap, since the last Inspection at the West Fertilizer Plant, “a stunning indictment” of OSHA’s Under-Funding. While the Obama Administration has Increased Funding for OSHA after nearly a decade of Cuts under the Bush Administration, the Republican Sequester now in place “means Fewer Inspectors to Monitor Facilities like the West Fertilizer Company,” says Keith Wrightson, Worker Safety and Health Advocate for Public Citizen.

Small Budgets also make it even harder for the Agency to Issue New Safety Standards. The Agency’s Budget is similar to what it was several decades ago, but the size of the Economy - and the Number and Complexity of Workplaces to inspect - has grown tremendously. Tom O’Connor, who serves as Executive Director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, says: “This Tragic Explosion points to the need for more Resources allocated to OSHA.”

With Adequate Funding for more OSHA Inspectors, more Potentially Dangerous Sites - like this Fertilizer Manufacturing Plant - can be Inspected and Hazards Abated. But while Workplace Safety Advocates have pushed for Stronger Health and Safety Standards - including Chemical Safety Standards for Facilities such as West Fertilizer, Covert writes: Even with all of the evidence that the Plant fell through a variety of Regulatory Cracks, an Industry-Backed Bill with ties to the Koch Brothers with the support of 11 Congressmen would Reduce the EPA’s Powers to Regulate Major Chemical Sites.

National AFL-CIO News Now Editor’s Note: For a more detailed look at the Regulatory History of the West Fertilizer Plant, see this Huffington Post Report by Chris Kirkham and Ben Hallman.

Want To Build The Middle Class? Make Sure Workers Can Easily Form & Join Unions

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:00:00 -0400

We've all seen the charts.

As Union Membership Rates go down, so goes the Middle Class and People's Ability to Bargain for Living Wages and a Voice On The Job.

David Madland and Karla Walter from the Center for American Progress (CAP) say their Top 6 Policies to Help the Middle Class that Won’t Cost Taxpayers a Penny, that strengthening People's Ability to Organize Unions and to Bargain Collectively will go a long way in Rebuilding the Middle Class.

If Unionization Rates increased by 10 Percentage Points - to roughly the level that they were in 1980 - the Typical Middle-Class Household, Unionized or not, would earn $1,501 more per year, according to Research conducted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund.

Madland and Walter suggest the following to ensure Workers can form unions:

· The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) should help put an end to Needless Election Delays and Modernize the Union Election Process.

· Congress should pass Comprehensive Labor-Law Reform that Establishes a Fair Process for Workers to decide on Union Representation that Expands Coverage so that more Workers are Provided the Right to Organize.

· Establishes Meaningful Penalties and Remedies for Workers who are Fired or Discriminated Against for Exercising their Right to Organize and includes Measures to Promote Productive Bargaining between Workers and Companies.

· Congress should also make the Right to join a Union a Civil Right. This would give Workers who are Discriminated Against in Exercising their Right to Organize a Private Right to Sue, just as Workers have a Right to Sue if they face Other Forms of Workplace Discrimination.

Other fixes to boost the Middle Class include Raising the Minimum Wage, Allowing Workers to Earn Paid Sick Leave and Lowering Monthly Housing Costs by Providing Homeowners with Principal Forgiveness.

You can read the rest on CAP's Website.

Unions Protest Awards For GOP Lawmakers In Michigan Who Passed Right-To-Work

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:00:00 -0400

(LANSING, MICHIGAN) - Union Workers rallied outside the Lansing Radisson on Wednesday (April 24th), as a Non-Union Building Trades Group honored two Republican Lawmakers who helped Lead the Passage of Michigan’s Right-To-Work Laws (For Less) last year.

State Representative Mike Shirkey and State Senator Pat Colbeck were presented with Legislator of The Year Awards from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Michigan for their Roles in Spearheading the Legislation, which Prohibits Mandatory Union Dues as a Condition of Employment.

Union Workers, such as 26-year-old Brenton Grove, protested the ABC Event in opposition to Right-To-Work and Lawmakers’ Potential Attempts to Reform the State’s Prevailing Wage Law. “They’re trying to Lower Wages and Benefits, which will profit them more and it attacks us Workers,” said Grove, a Member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 252 in Ann Arbor.

Officials with the ABC of Michigan could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Protesters chanted and held signs, including Shame on Shirkey, as they gathered along Michigan Avenue. They were flanked by Two Giant, Inflatable Rats that have become a Trademark at Union Rallies opposing Right-To-Work Legislation.

Grove and other Workers vowed they’ll attempt to Repeal Right-To-Work through a Ballot Measure in the 2014 Election. So far, no Petition Effort has been approved to do so.

The Republican-Led Legislature passed Right-To-Work in early December, amid Massive Protests at the Michigan Capitol that drew 12,500 People on the day the Bills were Approved and signed into law by Republican Governor Rick Snyder.

You can directly access this Labor News Story at http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20130424/NEWS04/304240044/Unions-protest-awards-GOP-lawmakers-who-passed-right-work

Via The LA Times: Union Musicians Picket Marvel Entertainment To Protest Out-Sourcing

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:00:00 -0400

(LOS ANGELES) - Captain America and Iron Man are hitting the wrong note with Union-Represented Los Angeles Musicians.

Members of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 47 picketed Marvel Entertainment at two Los Angeles Locations this week to protest what they described as the "Off-Shoring" of Musical Score Work for the Studio's Super Hero Movies.

AFM Local 47 held Protest Pickets this outside the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, where Marvel's Iron Man 3 will hold its World Premiere today (Wednesday, April 24th).

Union Members also protested early yesterday morning outside the St. Vincent Medical Center on 3rd Street in L.A., where Crews were Filming a Scene for another upcoming Marvel Movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which recently began filming in L.A. The Production also will shoot in Cleveland and Washington, D.C.

The AFM said the Protests were intended to call attention to Marvel's Reliance on European Musicians, particularly those in Britain, to produce the Scores for its Successful Action Movies, which include last year's hit film The Avengers as well as the Thor and Iron Man Films.

Although most of Captain America: The Winter Solider is filming in Southern California, Union Officials called it "Unfair" that Local Musicians were excluded from the Crew of the Film, which is set for release on April 4th, 2014.

"Recording Musicians are upset that rather than Employ Local Musicians, Marvel Entertainment pockets millions of Tax Dollars from U.S. Tax Credits meant to keep work in the United States and ‘instead’ Hires Foreign Musicians ‘on the cheap,’'' the Union said in a statement.

Representatives of Marvel, owned by the Walt Disney Company, were not immediately available for comment. Producers face growing pressure from Studios to Film Productions outside of California to take advantage of Film Tax Breaks that can Significantly Lower Production Costs.

But the Out-Sourcing of Musical Score Work has been Long-Standing Complaint of the AFM, which represents 90,000 Musicians in the U.S. and Canada.

The AFM held similar protests in August 2012 outside a Location Shoot in Wilmington, North Carolina for Iron Man 3.

You can access this Labor News Story at: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-marvel-musicians-picket-20130423,0,2484348.story

Via The National AFL-CIO: African-American Are Workers 19% More Likely To Be In Unions

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:00:00 -0400

"The Labor Movement was the ‘Principal Force’ that Transformed Misery and Despair into Hope and Progress.” - The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. said that in 1965 and African-Americans still hear his quote ring.

A New Report, Blacks in Unions: 2012, by the University of California, Berkeley, Center for Labor Research and Education, finds that Black Workers are 19% more likely to be in Unions than Non-Black Workers. In the Nation’s 10 Largest Metropolitan Areas, African-Americans are 42% more likely than Non-Blacks to be in Unions.

There’s a pretty good reason for this: Unions make a difference in the Lives of Black Workers. In Cold, Hard Cash Terms, it amounts to $185-a-week in Median Weekly Earnings, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall, Union Members also are more likely than Non-Union Workers to have Health-Care Coverage from their Employers and Good Pensions.

But Dr. King spoke of more than dollars and cents. He said those words to the Illinois AFL-CIO 48 years ago, he referred to the doors Unions opened to the Middle Class for Generations of African-Americans and other Workers otherwise shut out. He had in mind the Dignity that comes with having a Voice On The Job - a say in how to make a Job and a Life better. And he also honored the Union Movement’s Long Advocacy for Civil and Human Rights and Economic and Social Justice.

Davon Lomax, 25, a Member of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 9 in Queens, New York, tells it this way: “Everyone knows the benefits of being in a Union, no matter which one it is. I think Blacks are more likely to Join a Union because they see the Direct Correlation with a Decent Living and a Path where their Kids ‘can do better than them.’ Given the fact that Blacks historically have had hard times locking down Decent and Fair Paying Jobs, joining a Union is putting yourself in a ‘Fair Playing Field.’ A place where you won’t have to worry if someone is Getting Paid More or Getting Better Benefits. Everyone is ‘one’ and ‘everyone’ is Family. There is ‘no’ Discrimination and it is also a place where if you Work Hard, you can look yourself in the mirror and be proud of Yourself and your Union.

Dr. Steven Pitts, Researcher and Writer of the Report and Labor Policy Specialist at the UC Berkeley Labor Center, says the Unemployment Crisis facing the Black Community is regularly discussed. However, less talked about is the Crisis of Low-Wage Work. The Center wanted to use this Research to Highlight a Solution to this issue: Unions.

“[The Black Jobs Crisis] is not just an ‘Individual Problem,’ it’s a ‘Structural Problem’ that can be solved by Organizing,” says Pitts. “Unionization is a Strategy to address the Jobs Crisis.”

As the National AFL-CIO looks for New Ways to tackle the Future of the Labor Movement, Pitts says Black Unionists are an Underutilized Resource given the High Rates of Union Density for African-Americans. And he points to the lessons from the Chicago Teachers Union strike: “Because the Teachers had Good Relationships with the Black Community and Parents, they staved off Divisions between Unions and Members of the Community to Improve the Quality of Life.”

If we’re trying to look for New Pathways forward, Black Unionists are Key.

It?s Happened Again, 70 Injured & As Many As 600 More Injured In Garment Factory Building Collapse In Bangladesh

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400

(BANGLADESH, INDIA) - A day after Cracks were discovered in the Building's Edifice - but Supervisors forced Workers to work anyway - an eight-Story Garment Factory And Commercial Center in Bangladesh collapsed, killing at least 70 People and Injuring Hundreds more.

The Disaster is the latest in a string of Horrific Workplace Accidents at Facilities owned and operated by the Country's Garment Industry, which is among the World's Largest and Cheapest.

Media Reports say dozens are said to still be trapped and more than 600 injured, following the Wednesday (April 23rd) Morning Collapse. Rescue and Relief Efforts are on-going.

The Building, which housed four Garment Factories employing some 5,000 People, in addition to shops and a bank, had developed cracks on Tuesday, but Workers told Local News Outlets that Managers required them to attend work on Wednesday anyway.

The Collapse comes five months after a Fire at another Garment Factory killed 112 people, and eight years after another Garment Factory Collapse killed 64.

Bangladesh - which makes billions of dollars worth of clothes for Walmart, H&M, Gap and others - is the Second-Largest Exporter of Garments in the World, but its Cheap Labor (Minimum Wage is $37 a month) comes at a high price.

The Times writes: Industry Proponents say the Garment Industry has been an Essential Engine for the Bangladeshi Economy, lifting Millions of People, particularly Women, out of Abject Poverty - even with such Low Wages. Today, Garments represent roughly 80% of Bangladesh’s Manufacturing Exports and provide a Critical Source of Foreign Exchange that the Government needs to help off-set the High Costs of Imported Oil.

But Critics have blamed the Bangladesh Government, Factory Owners and Global Brands for doing too little to Protect Workers with Safe Working Conditions or to Pay Them a Livable Wage.

Labor Unions are almost non-existent inside Garment Factories, and a Labor Organizer, Aminul Islam, was tortured and murdered. His death remains unsolved.

This Story can be found at http://gawker.com/over-70-killed-in-garment-factory-collapse-479430079

Demanding A Hefty Raise & A Fair Chance To Form A Union, Fast-Food Workers Plan To Walk Off The Job In Chicago

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400

(CHICAGO) - Demanding a Hefty Raise and a Fair Chance to form a Union, Workers in Chicago’s Growing Fast Food and Retail Sectors planned to walk off the job today (Wednesday, April 24th). The One-Day Walk-Out was set to start at 5:30 a.m. (Central Time) and Organizers expected 500 Workers from a Dozen Chains to participate.

The Work Stoppage follows similar Strikes by New York City Fast-Food Workers and by Wal-Mart Retail Employees across the Country, and marks the Latest Escalation in the Struggle between an Embattled Labor Movement and Two Industries that Increasingly Dominate and Define the New Economy.

“At the end of the day,” Macy’s Employee Krystal Maxie-Collins told Salon, “it feels like I’ve done all of this to help everyone else, to help the Store, help the Managers, help the Customers - but it doesn’t feel like anyone is looking out for ‘me.’”

Maxie-Collins, a Mother of Four who works Part-Time for the State Minimum Wage of $8.25 plus a Commission, said she had initially been hesitant about the Strike because of the Risk of Retaliation. But “what we are fighting for, the reason for doing it, kind of overrode the fear of doing it.” “Usually the things that are worth it,” she added, “you have to sacrifice for.”

Katelyn Johnson, who serves as the Executive Director of the Community Organizing Group Action Now, said she expects a Strike that “really shakes up Business ‘as usual’ for Downtown.”

Organizers expect the Strikers to include Employees of McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts, Subway, Sears, Macy’s and Victoria’s Secret.

The Chicago Strike is spearheaded by Fight For 15, a Campaign backed by Organizations including Action Now and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which also provides Funding for the New York City Group Fast Food Forward, which brought 400 Fast Food Workers out on Strike three weeks ago. Both Fast Food Forward and Fight For 15 are collaborations between Unions and Community Organizing Groups.

A Macy’s Official declined a request for comment on the Fight For 15 Campaign. A McDonald’s Spokesperson referred Salon to a previous statement saying: “We value and respect all the Employees who work at McDonald’s Restaurants” and touting “Competitive Wages,” “Flexible Schedules and Quality, Affordable Benefits,” and “Professional Development Opportunities” for Employees.

Johnson said Action Now took a Leadership Role in Organizing Fast Food Workers after discovering on Door-to-Door Canvasses about Fare Hikes that “people were more concerned with their Jobs,” and that once Fast Food Workers started holding meetings: “Retail Workers heard about it and wanted to join the effort.”

Like their New York Counterparts, the Chicago Workers are Demanding Raises to $15 an hour, and the chance to form a Union without Intimidation.

That’s a very heavy lift and the campaign faces what may be impossibly long odds.

But the stakes are high, because the Future of Fast Food and Retail Jobs has Far-Reaching Implications for the U.S. Economy. Both Industries are among the Highest-Grossing, Fastest-Growing and Lowest-Paying in Chicago, and in the United States.

Retail is largely Non-Union.

Fast Food is almost entirely so.

Whether or not these Long-Squeezed Workers can force their Bosses to concede some money, and some measure of Democracy, will help Shape the Future of Work in the United States.

That’s especially true now.

Drawing on Federal Statistics, the National Employment Law Project last year found that Lower-Wage Occupations made up just 21% of the Jobs lost in the Great Recession, but 58% of the Job Growth in the Recovery.

The same Study found Food Service, Retail and Employment Services together represented 43% of Employment Growth in the previous two years.

U.S. Employment increasingly looks more like Fast Food and Retail – Service Sector Work heavy on Emotional Labor - the Constant Requirement to Perform a Certain Personality for Customers and light on Job Security, Benefits or Predictable Scheduling.

You can read the rest of this Labor News Story at http://www.salon.com/2013/04/24/fast_food_walkout_planned_in_chicago/

Boston Teamsters To Westboro Hate Group: You Are Not Welcome Here!

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400

(BOSTON) - More than 1,000 Boston Teamsters, Union Members and Concerned Citizens lined the Streets of Medford, Massachusetts earlier this week (Monday, April 22nd) to serve as Human Shields in order to block the Westboro Baptist Church Hate Group from Picketing and Disrupting the Funeral of Krystle Campbell, who was killed in the Boston Marathon bombing last week. Boston Teamsters also gathered to form a Human Shield to prevent the Hate Group from disrupting Wednesday's (April 23rd) Funeral for slain MIT officer Sean Collier.

"We will protect the Mourners of the Boston Marathon Bombing Victims from Hate Group Disruptions," International Vice President and Teamsters Local 25 President Sean O'Brien said. "I’m committed to making certain the Loved Ones of the Victims can Grieve in Peace. We will not stand by and allow these Cowardly Demonstrators to Spout their Hate toward these Families."

O'Brien also made it clear that Boston Teamsters will be at the Funeral of Officer Sean Collier to ensure that the Westboro Hate Group is hidden from Mourners - should they choose to show up.

"This is what the Teamsters Union is about, it's what we do," said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. "I could not be more proud of Sean O'Brien and the Boston Teamsters for standing with these Families during this tragic time."

Members of Local 25 who came to Medford said they “just wanted to help.”

Jason Lopes, a Teamsters Steward at Stop and Shop, said: “When we heard someone was needed to ‘stand up’ for Krystle (Campbell), we answered the call. This is what Teamsters do. This is what Unions are for.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million Hard-Working Men and Women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

First Global Labor Film Festival Launches On May Day

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:00:00 -0400

The First-Ever Global Labor Film Festival (GLFF) kicks off on May Day, as Festivals in the United States – including the Rochester Labor Film Series - Australia, England, Israel, Norway and Turkey host more than a dozen Screenings of Labor Films.

First conceived at the Second Annual International Conference of Labor Film Festival Organizers at the 2012 DC Labor FilmFest - organized by the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO - the GLFF is an opportunity to Showcase the Growing Worldwide Scope of nearly two dozen Film Festivals focused on Films about Work, Workers and their Issues.

Labor Film Festivals around the Globe will screen a Labor-Themed Film of their choice during the month of May, chosen because May 1st - which is International Workers' Day - is a National Holiday in more than 80 Countries and Celebrated Unofficially in many other Countries.

Sixteen of the two dozen Labor Film Festivals are participating in the GLFF, screening a wide range of Films from Classics such as Salt of the Earth and Reds, to Brand-New Films like Dreamwork China, Harvest of Empire and The War on Whistleblowers.

National AFL-CIO News Now Editor’s Note: To find a Screening near you click on this link. To visit the Rochester Labor Film Series’ Website, use this link. And to access additional information, go to: http://laborfilms.com/category/a-labor-film-festivals/

Union Retiree News From The Alliance For Retired Americans: Tell Your U.S. Representative To Co-Sponsor The Cicilline Resolution Opposing The Chained CPI

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400

Tell Your U.S. Representative To Co-Sponsor U.S. Representative Cicilline’s Resolution Opposing The Chained CPI

Last week, U.S. Representative David Cicilline (Democrat-Rhode Island) introduced a Resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives expressing Clear Opposition to using the Chained CPI Method to calculate Cost-Of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) for Social Security Benefits. In light of recent Budget Proposals that include Chained CPI, it’s crucial that Representative Cicilline’s Resolution receives a High Level of Support. More than 2,600 Members of the Alliance For Retired Americans have already contacted their Members of Congress asking them to Co-Sponsor the Resolution. The Cicilline Resolution is H. Con. Res. 34 and has 81 Co-Sponsors. To see who they include so far, go to http://tinyurl.com/bmhw3wq. To see why the Alliance opposes using the Chained CPI and to add your voice to the cause, if you have not already done so, click on http://tinyurl.com/bsd8hfj. As a reminder, more than 4,800 Alliance Activists have signed a Letter to the White House opposing the Chained CPI. Help us reach 5,000 at http://bit.ly/10CYEd9.

Alliance Supports U.S. Senator Rockefeller’s Bill As Way To Achieve Medicare Savings

The Alliance released a Statement last week regarding Legislation that Lowers Prescription Drug Prices. In a response to the Federal Government paying Unconscionably High Drug Prices for Dual-Eligibles on Medicare, U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (Democrat-West Virginia) introduced a bill last week to Require Drug Companies to provide Discounts for Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries, as they currently do under Medicaid. The Alliance strongly supports Senator Rockefeller’s Legislation (S. 740), which would save Taxpayers and Medicare Beneficiaries billions of dollars. After passage of the Medicare Prescription Drug Law in 2003, Drug Companies received Windfalls worth billions of dollars, as a result of No Longer Applying Rebates for Dual-Eligibles (Beneficiaries who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid). Senator Rockefeller’s 2013 Medicare Drug Savings Act reverts back to previous Law and Recaptures the Savings Lost under the 2003 Law. “By simply returning these Beneficiaries to Medicaid-Negotiated Rebates, Taxpayers would save ($141.2 billion) over the next ten years,” Alliance Executive Director Edward Coyle said. The Rockefeller Bill has 18 Co-Sponsors. To see who they are, go to http://tinyurl.com/blaogvu. Read the full Rockefeller Press Release and see a Coalition Letter of Support at http://tinyurl.com/cn7g2yz.

National AFL-CIO Releases New Database To Track CEO Pay

Last week, the National AFL-CIO released Executive PayWatch 2013, a Comprehensive Searchable Database tracking the Excessive Pay of Corporate CEOs. The CEOs of the Top 500 Companies now make an average of 354 times the Average Wage of a U.S. Worker. This Income Inequality has Significantly Worsened in the last 30 years. In 1982, top CEOs made only an Average of 42 times the Average Wage of a U.S. Worker. To view the Database and Compare Your Own Pay to that of a CEO, go to http://tinyurl.com/cauuvka. “In order to enjoy a Secure Retirement, Americans ‘must receive’ a Fair Wage during their Working Lives,” Alliance Secretary-Treasurer Ruben Burks said. “When CEOs keep increasing their ‘own’ Pay to Astronomical Amounts at ‘Others’ Expense, Workers cannot afford to save for Retirement.”

Recommended: New PBS Documentary - Age Of Champions

The Alliance invites you to watch the new PBS Documentary - Age of Champions - for free from April 18th - 28th, at www.ageofchampions.org/premiere. Age of Champions tells the story of Five Competitors who Sprint, Leap and Swim for Gold at the National Senior Olympics. You’ll meet a 100-year-old Tennis Champion, 86-year-old Pole Vaulter, and rough-and-tumble Basketball Grandmothers as they triumph over the limitations of age. The Film premiered to a standing ovation at the prestigious Silverdocs Film Festival. The Washington Post hailed it as “infectiously inspiring,” and it’s already shown at more than 1,000 venues around the World. Invite your Family, Friends and Colleagues to watch the Film by sharing the link on Facebook. Also invite them to a Live Filmmaker Q&A on April 25th at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. PST! Watch the trailer and learn more at www.ageofchampions.org/premiere.

More Retirees Claim Early Social Security Benefits During Recession

According to Data from the Social Security Administration, Increasing Numbers of Retirees have been Claiming Early Social Security Benefits since the Economic Recession began in 2008. In 2007, 33.5% of Men and 36.3% of Women Claimed Early Benefits at Age 62. Two short years later, in 2009, 35.8% of Men and 38.9% of Women Claimed Early Benefits. The SSA believes that this Trend is Likely the Result of Increasing Unemployment. To read the SSA Report, go to http://tinyurl.com/d2quf3m. “This data is a clear illustration that Raising the Eligibility Age for Social Security would be devastating for Seniors,” Alliance President Barbara Easterling said.

Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Labor Council Roundup: Unions Ready To Kick Off Major Niagara County-Wide Political Initiative, Including Introducing Several Union Candidates Who Will Be Running For Public Office Later This Year

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:00:00 -0400

WNYLaborToday.com attended the Monthly Meeting of the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council last week and is offering this rundown of Labor-Worthy Announcements and News that were discussed by the more than 30 Labor Leaders and Delegates who were in attendance at ARCEU (Association For Retarded Citizens Employees Union)/NYSUT (New York State United Teachers) Local 4265’s Union Hall in Niagara Falls:

On Wednesday, May 15th, the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council will hold its Meet The Candidates Event at the Lewiston #2 Fire Hall. Union Leaders and Delegates will have the opportunity to meet a number of Legislative Candidates who will be running for Office in the November Elections. In addition – and more importantly – a number of Union Candidates who are interested in running for a variety of Public Offices will also be on hand. Several Union Leaders and Members – upset over the current state of Political Affairs across Niagara County – have made a decision to get involved and run for Public Office. As such, those intending to do so will also mingle with Representatives of the Niagara County Democratic Party and other Labor-Endorsed and -Supported Candidates during the event, which Labor Officials are hopeful that as many as 300 to 400 will attend. There was much discussion on the matter during the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council Meeting, which was led by Niagara-Orleans Council President Jim Briggs and the Council’s Political Action Committee (headed by and ARCEU Local 4265 President Nick Zawacki). Most Union Leaders/Delegates agreed that changes on the Political Level must be made if things are to be made better for Working Families across Niagara County, from Supporting and Electing Union Representatives and Labor-Supported Candidates who will be running in a number of races this Fall to those who favor of Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Reform. Council President Briggs took aim at those current Republican Elected Officials who have made a conscious decision not to work with Labor and their fellow Democrats in County, City and Town Governments, saying “changes must be made.” As such, this Campaign to attract Union Leaders and Members who are interested in and committed to changing the Political Landscape of Niagara County is unprecedented in our Region, and it will be extremely interesting to see what comes of it. In addition, WNYLaborToday.com will have its Labor News Camera Crew at the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council’s Meet The Candidates Event and will feature a Labor News Report on the meeting on the May Edition of its Labor News TV Program: Western New York Labor News… NOW!

Several Unions, Labor Unions, Leaders and Members were recently honored at the United Way of Greater Niagara’s Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast. Those from Organized Labor who received Awards were: United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9434 Members Rick Buchman and Steve Juzwicki/The President’s Award; Retired CWA (Communications Workers of America) Local 1117 and AFSCME (American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees) Local 855 Member Chris Sposito/The Humanitarian Award; New York State United Teachers (NYSUT)/Niagara Falls Teachers Association (NFTA) Local 801 Member Tom Fisher/ Outstanding Employee Campaign Coordinator Award; Long-Time Niagara County Labor Activist Earl Frampton/The Earl Frampton AFL-CIO Labor Community Services Award; Durez/USW Local 209/The Horizon Award (For Outstanding United Way Campaign); and FMC/IAM (International Association of Machinists) Local 1180/For 100% Participation. “I am so pleased to see that so many Labor Unions and Members received United Way Awards for the tremendous and wonderful work they do,” said Bill Jakobi, who serves as the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Council/United Way of Greater Niagara’s Labor Liaison. Pictured Below (Photo Courtesy of Bill Jakobi) are Front Row, Left to Right: Juzwicki; Buchman; Sposito; (at the end of the row) Fisher. Back Row: Third from the Left, Frampton. In addition, NYSUT/Lockport School District Representative Cheryl Larkin also received a United Way Outstanding Employee Campaign Coordinators Award. However, Larkin was unable to attend the event.

On another front, a Union Representative of the Lockport Teachers Association (LTA) was in attendance at the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council’s Monthly Meeting to ask Local Labor’s Support in helping get the Positive Word out to those in the Local Labor Movement of the need to pass the upcoming School Budget. An LTA Representative spoke on the “dire straits” the Lockport School District is facing with Layoffs and Teachers having to handle Classes “with as many as thirty to thirty-five Students” in them. The LTA received positive response from the Labor Council and its Delegates.

On Saturday, May 4th, beginning at 9 a.m. – the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council will hold its 22nd Annual Workers Memorial Day Service at Reservoir Hill, which is located the base of the New York State Power Authority in Niagara Falls. Memorial Pavers can still be purchased by those interested in Honoring the Area’s Workers who lost their lives while On the Job. For more information, contact Bill Jakobi directly at 716-216-4582.

And finally, the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Labor Council’s Annual Labor’s Night at the Races Fundraising Event will be held on Friday, June 7th at Ransomville Speedway. Over the past four years, the Council has raised a total of $31,000 for the United Way - courtesy of the great support it’s received from the Niagara-Orleans and Western New York Labor Communities, including a record 600 Tickets sold and 573 in Attendance at last year’s event. The Ransomville Labor Night At The Races Event was originally suggested by Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Council President Briggs, a USW (United Steelworker) District 4 Representative and a Race-Car Driver himself. To purchase Tickets or an Ad in the Racing Program or for more information, contact Bill Jakobi directly at 716-216-4582.

Working Families Alert: Proposed Republican-Introduced Bill Would End 40-Hour Work Week

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400

(WASHINGTON) - House Republicans have introduced a Bill that would end the 40-Hour Work Week, Dismantling an Important Component of the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 and Hurting Middle-Class Families across the Country.

Sponsored by U.S. Representative Martha Roby of Alabama, the dubiously-titled Working Families Flexibility Act (H.R. 1406), would remove the Requirement that Employers Pay a Cash Premium for Overtime Work and instead allow them to Offer Employees Compensatory Time Off. The effect would be an FLSA that is undermined of its only Incentive against Excessive Hours and a Cheaper Way for Employers to Demand Mandatory Overtime.

Eileen Appelbaum, a Senior Economist with the Center for Economic Policy and Research, says the Bill’s Major Effect would be to Hurt Workers, “likely Increasing Overtime Hours for those Who Don’t Want Them and Cutting Pay for those who do.”

International Association of Machinists (IAM) International President Tom Buffenbarger wrote a Letter to Congress encouraging them to Vote against the Bill: “Employers can already Work within the Existing Laws to allow Workers adjusting Work Schedules around Family Needs ‘without’ Changing the 40-hour work-week. ‘Comp time’ Proposals let the Employer decide whether Workers can use any Accrued Compensatory Time. Additionally, ‘nothing’ would prevent the Employer from Forcing Workers to Take Time Off Individually or Limiting whether Workers can use the compensatory time at all if it is too burdensome to the work-load.

The Bill was referred to Committee and could come to a vote in the House as early as this Coming week.

This Labor News Report can be directly accessed at: http://www.goiam.org/index.php/imail/latest/11342-proposed-bill-would-end-40-hour-work-week

Canadian United Food & Commercial Workers Union & Mexico Sign Historic Agreement Ensuring The Rights Of Migrant Agriculture Workers Are Protected & Defended In Mexico, Canada & The U.S.

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400

(CUERNAVACA, MEXICO) – The National Farm Workers' Confederation (CNC) and the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) of Canada have signed what is being called a Historic Agreement to Ensure the Rights of Migrant Agriculture Workers are Protected and defended in Mexico, Canada and the United States.

The Mutual Cooperation Agreement, which was signed earlier this week by UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley and Senator Gerardo Sanchez, who serve as President of the CNC, will result in Better Conditions for Migrant Mexican Agriculture Workers in North America. The Mexican Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare, Alfonso Navarrete Prida, and Graco Ramirez, the Governor of Morelos, attended the event and were Honorary Witnesses to the Agreement.

Labor Rights Training, and Pro-Active Monitoring and Advocacy are Cornerstones of the Agreement. To this end, UFCW Canada and the CNC will also be Developing a Comprehensive Data Base and Analytical Reports on the Conditions facing Migrant Agriculture Workers in Mexico, the United States and Canada. This Research and Analysis will also be used to develop Programs to Improve Access to Social Programs and Benefits such as Health, Housing and Educational Subsidies for the Workers and Members of their Families.

As Strategic Allies, UFCW Canada and CNC will also share their Experience to give a Voice to the Concerns of Mexican Migrant Agriculture Workers Internationally.

“As Farm Workers' Unions, we understand that Migration has Historically been linked to the Abuse and Exploitation of Migrant Agriculture Workers," said the UFCW Canada National President. "Together, UFCW Canada and CNC will fight to make sure that the Rights of Mexican Migrant Agriculture Workers are protected and that they get their ‘Fair Share’ for their work, whether they own the land or not.”

UFCW Canada is the Country’s Largest Private-Sector Union and has Led the Fight for the Workplace and Safety Rights of Migrant Agriculture Workers for more than two decades. In association with the Agriculture Workers Alliance (AWA), UFCW Canada operates 10 AWA Agriculture Worker Support Centers across the Canada.

This Labor News Story can be directly accessed at: http://www.ufcw.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3389%3Aufcw-canada-and-mexicos-cnc-sign-historic-agreement&catid=6%3Adirections-newsletter&Itemid=6&lang=en

Why Former President Bill Clinton Came to 'Talk Windows' With National AFL-CIO Leaders

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:00:00 -0400

(WASHINGTON) - It began with a simple conversation over water and dinner rolls in a restaurant in Davos, Switzerland. After the Annual World Economic Forum held in Davos, National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and Former President Bill Clinton discussed what should be done to Create Jobs and take on the Challenge of Climate Change - and how Working People could step up and invest where Banks and Wall Street had failed.

Upon discovering Clinton and the AFL-CIO were working on separate, but similar, tracks for years, the two decided to join forces.

In 2011, the Labor Movement committed, as part of the Clinton Global Initiative, to help facilitate $20 million in Investment in Energy-Efficient Retrofits. Yesterday (April 18th), Clinton joined Trumka, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten and National AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD) President Sean McGarvey for a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony as work begins on an Energy-Efficiency Retrofit of the AFL-CIO’s Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Through a Partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the AFL-CIO Headquarters will improve its Energy-Efficiency by more than 20%, create more than 30,000 hours of Skilled Construction Work, Lower Carbon Consumption and Improve the Functions and Comfort of the Building. The Retrofit will Replace and Upgrade the existing Windows and deploy a New Lighting System, allowing the AFL-CIO will operate its building and its utilities more efficiently. "We have to find ways to get the ‘Jobs-Engine’ going again and also to try to change the Job Mix so Average Wages start going up," Clinton said. "This is a big deal. We can Create Jobs that Pay Above-Average Wages - to do things that need doing - that will be benefiting the Next Generation for thirty or forty years, that actually have a Self-Financing Mechanism."

The commitment announced two years ago is intended to encourage both Workers' Capital and Skilled Labor to contribute to Large-Scale Investments in the Reconstruction of America's Built Environment. These Projects, the AFL-CIO believes, will result in at least $10 billion in Workers' Capital invested in this area within five years, Stimulating Job-Creating Infrastructure Projects across the Country.

The AFL-CIO also committed to at least $40 million to stoke the Development of a Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Retrofit Market, as well as a Commitment to Upgrade the Skills of 100,000 Trades-People and enroll 40,000 New Apprentices.

As part of these commitments and through a Partnership with the IBEW, the AFL-CIO committed $4.8 million in Financing to Retrofit its own Headquarters. The Retrofit, managed by McKinstry - a Nationally-Recognized Energy Services Corporation - will increase the Federation Headquarters Efficiency by 20%, save more than $125,000 per year in Utilities and create more than 30,000 hours of Skilled-Construction Work.

"This is another powerful example of America’s Workers ‘making a difference’ in the lives of the People and Communities they serve,” the AFT’s Weingarten said. “Harnessing the strength of the Pension Funds of Teachers, Nurses, Firefighters and other Workers to Rebuild our Roads, Schools and Bridges and create the Infrastructure America needs is not just a Financially-Sound Investment - it creates Jobs, Accelerates our Economic Growth and Invests in the Future of our Nation."

McGarvey said he “looked forward” toward working with President Clinton's Task Force on Infrastructure to discuss what’s needed in Cities and States all over the United States. “And by partnering with the Building Trades, not only do we provide the Safest and Most-Skilled Workforce anywhere in the World through our Jointly-Managed Training Programs, we can also bring our Financial Resources to bear during this time of Tight Federal, State and Municipal Budgets. At the end of the day, this is ‘all about’ the Workers,” he said.

Added Trumka: “Working People believe in the ‘Promise’ of America. We’re investing our Time, our Energy and our Resources into American Projects for America’s Future, because that’s how we make that ‘Future’ come true. And we have a lot of work to do. Our Nation’s Infrastructure Deficit is three-trillion dollars and counting. Millions need work. Pension Funds need returns. All of us - Workers and our Unions, our Pension Funds, Government - all need to step up and do our part.”

Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Says ?Unions Are The Problem?

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:00:00 -0400

“Unions are the problem.”

These were the words that Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie used in response to a question posed by a Teacher at a recent Town Hall Meeting.

The Governor has clearly taken a page out of the Union-Busting Playbook by trying to brand the Union as a Self-Interested Third Party, but the Teacher sensibly corrected the Governor, stating that “Teachers are the Union.”

Christie’s egregious statement should alarm every Sector of the Labor Movement, since he has essentially called Unionism a problem in New Jersey.

This only reinforces the fact that if Christie gains any more Political Power, there would be little to stop his All-Out Anti-Labor Agenda.

A Governor - who views Unions as the problem - would not hesitate to pass So-Called Right-To-Work (For Less) Laws, eliminate Project Labor Agreements and Prevailing Wage Laws and further chip away at Collective Bargaining Rights.

The Governor’s statement should immediately dispel any myth that he’s a Moderate Politician.

With only a handful of words, Christie made it clear that he has no respect for the Labor Movement and the Workers who make up the Union.

For the Governor to make this Anti-Labor Statement, in a state that was built by Hard-Working Union Men and Women, is simply outrageous.

The Governor’s message is one that every Union Member and Union Family in New Jersey needs to hear and a position for which the Governor must be held accountable.

National AFL-CIO News Now: You can CLICK HERE for a Story from The Star-Ledger covering Christie’s Anti-Union remarks at his Town Hall Meeting. This post originally appeared on the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Website.

BREAKING LABOR NEWS: Agreement Reached On A Tentative, Four-Year Contract Between CWA Local 1133-Represented Nurses & Catholic Health Management At Kenmore Mercy Hospital In Suburban Buffalo

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0400

Highlights of the Tentative Agreement include:

· Wages - A 2.5% Wage Increase in each year of the Four-Year Contract.

· Overtime – Daily Overtime will not exist in the New Contract. However, Overtime will be paid to RNs on a Weekly Basis, following their Weekly Work Fulfillment of 37.5 Hours – not 40.

· Supplemental Pay – Will be kept in force until September 3rd (2013) at $8 to $10-per-hour.

The Civil Service Employees Association Slams ?Sweetheart? Lottery Deal

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400

(ALBANY) – The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) is calling for a Legislative Hearing over the Appearance of Impropriety at the New York State Lottery.

The call comes after a Published Report that a Top New York State Lottery Official who recently Negotiated a Multi-Million Dollar Contract with a Private Vendor is now working for the same Vendor. CSEA Officials believe the situation should be reviewed immediately by the Office of Inspector General and J-COPE.

The revelation also comes as Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Administration continues to Promote Privatizing Public Work.

Gordon Medenica, the Former Director of the New York State Lottery, is now a Consultant with GTECH - a firm that has nearly a billion dollars worth of business with the State. Last year, while still serving as New York State Lottery Director, he negotiated a $25 million deal with GTECH that essentially Privatizes the Jobs long held by Marketing Representatives at the Lottery.

“This has the appearance of impropriety on the face of it and the Governor knows it,” said Danny Donohue, who serves as President of the nearly 300,000-Member CSEA - New York's Leading Union, which represents every classification of Public Worker in every part of New York State. “We will only see more of this if the Cuomo Administration continues its path of Eroding Public Jobs while playing fast and loose with Private Contractors at Public Expense.”

The $25 million GTECH Contract created a Pilot Program that called for the hiring of Private-Sector Workers to do Identical Jobs at the Lottery Division. The State started the Program on September 17th. CSEA questions whether the deal is truly in the Public Interest. Before the deal with GTECH, the Cuomo Administration had not filled Authorized Positions even through they are Revenue-Generating Jobs.

Donohue, meanwhile, also decried Medenica’s Hypocrisy and Conflict-of-Interest-Tainted Job Offer with GTECH since he warned Lottery Staff that they were prohibited from applying for the new GTECH Positions “due to State Revolving Door Laws.” According to State Laws, any Official must wait two years before conducting business with their prior Agency when working in the Private Sector, and they are Permanently Barred on Contracts or Transactions they directly worked on. “Here’s a Classic Example of ‘do I say, not as I do,’ that we’ve come to expect from this Administration,” Donohue said. “The Public needs some honest answers and accountability.”

GTECH, a Private Company owned by a Foreign Global Conglomerate already has hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Contracts with the State. It’s also a Company that donated $40,000 to Cuomo’s Campaign. Indeed, according to a New Analysis by the Good Government Organization Common Cause, the Gambling Industry has poured some $50 million on Lobbying and Campaign Contributions in the State since 2005. In the first half of last year, the Industry had already spent nearly $4 million on Lobbying alone.

The original $25 million GTECH Contract to hire about 20 Workers was amended from two years to five years. Hiring just 20 State Employees from the Active Civil Service List would cost less than a million over the same period. The Lottery Office in New York City currently has roughly equal numbers of GTECH Workers and State Workers.

In the past two years the Agency was cleared to hire at least 100 additional Personnel, though only 17 positions were filled. There are currently at least 200 Eligible Candidates on Civil Service Lists who have passed both Written and Verbal Exams, just waiting to be hired.

Via The Nation: The National AFL-CIO?s Non-Union Worker Group Is Heading Into Workplaces In 50 States

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400

The Country’s Largest Non-Union Workers’ Group will soon announce plans to establish Chapters in every State, Achieve Financial Self-Sufficiency and extend its Organizing - so far focused on Politics and Policy - directly into the Workplace.

“This Organization has done really what nobody else thought could be done,” National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka told The Nation, “and that’s recruit more than three million people ‘without’ a Union to be part of the Labor Movement.”

That Organization is Working America, the AFL-CIO Affiliate for Workers without a Union on the Job. Created 10 years ago, it now claims 3.2 million Members - more than any of the Individual Unions in the AFL-CIO or any of the other Alt-Labor Groups Organizing and Mobilizing Non-Union Workers in the United States. “We’re taking the momentum that we’ve built Organizing Workers in Communities,” said Working America Executive Director Karen Nussbaum, “and beginning to Organize a ‘Community’ in the Workplace.”

As reported in The Nation’s October 29th (2012) Issue, Working America’s past efforts have taken place Outside of Work. Paid Canvassers go Door-to-Door in what the Group calls Working Class Moderate Neighborhoods, starting conversations about Economic Issues and asking People to join the Organization (according to Trumka, two out of three people sign up by the end of the conversation). During Election Season, Organizers come back to persuade and mobilize these Members to Vote For Endorsed Candidates, touting their Stances on Issues like Out-Sourcing (they explicitly avoid discussing so-called Social Issues). Year-round, Working America supports Union-Backed Campaigns on Issues like Supporting Paid Sick Leave or Opposing Liquor Store Privatization. Members Write Letters, Lobby Politicians and Join Rallies.

Nussbaum told The Nation that, following the Group’s success in Mobilizing Workers who haven’t been reached by Unions or other Progressive Organizations, “it was the Local Labor Leaders who came to us last August and said: ‘We need you in every State.’” The Organization plans to double its number of State Chapters over the next three years to 24 and to create Chapters in the rest of the 50 States by 2018. Working America’s most recent New Chapters are in Texas and North Carolina, both Southern States with even Lower Unionization Rates than the Country as a whole.

Nussbaum, Working America’s Architect since its founding, said she expects the expansion to require at least One Staffer in each State. Given the Expense of Maintaining Full-Time, Year-Round Canvassing Teams, she said the Group is “building on the base that we have and turning that into a More Flexible, Vibrant Organization” that can “build out in a lot of different ways, meeting the ‘immediate needs’ of whoever our Partners are.” Nussbaum noted that Working America Staff now include On-Line Organizers, who push Members to Take Actions ranging from Calling Legislators to sharing I Support The Minimum Wage on Facebook. But “at the end of the day,” she said, “we still think that Face-to-Face, One-on-One Communication, that makes the difference in bringing New People into our Movement.”

To read the rest of this Labor News Story published in The Nation, go to:

http://www.thenation.com/blog/173875/afl-cios-non-union-worker-group-headed-workplaces-fifty-states#

Health Committee Chair And State Assemblyman Richard Gottfried & The New York State Nurses Association Join Together To Speak Out For Safe Staffing

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400

(ALBANY) – New York State Health Committee Chair and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried joined more than 1,300 Members of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and Nursing Students earlier this week during a Rally held in Albany to speak out against the Shortage of Nursing Staff in New York Hospitals.

"Safe Staffing Levels reduce avoidable Patient Injuries and Deaths. Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows the odds of Patient Death increased by seven-percent for each additional Patient a Nurse must care for at one time,” Gottfried told those attending the Rally.

On April 10th, Assemblyman Gottfried introduced Assembly Bill 6571 - the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act - which would Set a Limit for the Number of Patients a Nurse can be forced to take on at one time in Acute-Care Hospitals. Since it was introduced, 76 Members of the Assembly have signed on to Co-Sponsor the Bill – which is more than half of the Assembly’s Total Membership of 150.

“The Ratios and Hours specified in the Bill are based on Peer-Reviewed and Evidence-Based Recommendations and will help Hospitals and Nursing Homes ‘work better’ for Patient Safety and Quality Health Care," Assemblyman Gottfried said.

Registered Nurse (RN) Pat Kane, an Elected NYSNA Leader, also spoke at the Rally, saying: “Hospital Administrators are forcing Nurses to care for nine, ten, or even more Patients at once. That’s too many. We need our Elected Representatives to set a limit on how many Patients a Nurse can be forced to take on at a time.”

After the Rally, Nurses and Nursing Students took part in more than 200 scheduled meetings with State Assembly Members and Senators to make their case for Safe Nurse Staffing.

NYSNA - The Voice For Nursing In The Empire State - Represents more than 37,000 Members, and is the State's Largest Professional Association and Union for RNs. The Union also supports Nurses and Nursing Practice through Education, Research, Legislative Advocacy and Collective Bargaining.