(WESTERN NEW YORK) – Western New York Teamsters Joint Council No. 46 today announced the Labor Union’s following political endorsements for the 2010 Elections: NYS Governor: Andrew Cuomo (D) NYS Comptroller: Tom DiNapoli (D) U.S. Senate: Charles Schumer (D) more»

National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on the July Jobs Report: Nearly a year into the recovery, we are still mired in the most serious employment crisis since the Great Depression. July's disappointing employment report shows the economy shed 131,000 workers, mostly because of the winding down of the U.S. census. Of more concern is that private more»

New York Newspaper Guild Presses City On Cut Tax Breaks for Thomson Reuters Members of the Newspaper Guild of New York/CWA Local 31003 at Thomson Reuters have some powerful allies in their fight for a fair contract. Local members who have been mobilizing for a fair contract covering 400 workers at Thomson Reuters have won support from members of the New more»

Pictured Above: WNYLaborToday.com Editor/Publisher Tom Campbell interviews National Labor Organizer Stewart Acuff during the annual Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council’s Summer Picnic in Elma. Acuff, who’s been involved in organizing for 35 years, once served as president of the Atlanta AFL-CIO Labor Council and now champions passage of the Employee more»

(ALBANY) - The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) is condemning the New York State Legislature’s decision to pass the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP) contingency plan. This plan, NYSNA Representatives say, is intended to off-set a possible loss of FMAP Percentage funding, which will ultimately lead to unsustainable cuts to Medicaid more»

(WASHINGTON) - After President Obama (pictured above) finished delivering his speech to the National AFL-CIO Executive Council yesterday in Washington, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka asked the president the following question: “We’re going into a Congressional Election three months from today and I think it’s fair to say that workers’ hopes for more»

(ORLANDO, FLORIDA) – U.S. Congressman Anthony Weiner (Democrat-New York) today told delegates at the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) convention he’ll continue to help them fight to keep Walmart from moving into New York City, and that he thinks more Democrats should call out Republican members of Congress who are blocking vital more»

(BUFFALO) – Leadership of the Labor Unions that represent blue-and-white-collar Erie County Workers say County Executive Chris Collins “has gone off the deep edge” with his call for department cuts of 20%, which they say will ultimately impact the level of offered social services during a time when so many are unemployed and looking to make ends more»

Editor’s Note: National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka had published the following information on his Facebook Page that came out of the recently-held Communications Workers of America Convention in Washington, D.C.: Long gone are the days of U.S. Senators standing on the floor of the Senate as hours turned to days while they filibustered legislation more»

(ORLANDO, FLORIDA) - As the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) opened its 21st Biennial Convention in Orlando, the Union’s president - Stuart Appelbaum - delivered a fiery keynote speech that blasted “corporate greed,” while calling on the RWDSU’s 100,000 members in the United States and Canada to escalate their involvement in more»

One Nation Movement Plans October 2nd March On Washington Delegates to the Communication Workers of America (CWA) recent convention pledged to join the growing One Nation movement and said they will do everything possible to make the high-profile October 2nd march on Washington and other events a huge success. One Nation, first proposed by the NAACP, has more»

Pictured Above: This is just one of several informational digital billboard layouts that Western New York motorists will be seeing over the next several weeks as WNYLaborToday.com kicks off a major advertising campaign in mid August in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and the Southtowns – which is aimed at introducing Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper and The more»

NYSNA-Represented Carthage Area Hospital RNs Reach Tentative Agreement (CARTHAGE) – Registered Nurses (RNs) represented by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) at Carthage Area Hospital have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract just four days before their current contract was set to expire. The new contract includes a wage increase more»

(BUFFALO) - Unionized Buffalo Firefighters – who’ve not had an increase in pay since 2002 – make roughly $20,000 less than firefighters in the Niagara County City of Lockport, despite the fact they have to deal with some of the oldest housing stock in the U.S. when it comes to battling fires, the president of Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local more»

(ALBANY) - U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has announced New York State is a finalist in the second round for Race to the Top funding – which Assemblyman Sam Hoyt is a direct result of the Legislature passing a package of bills sponsored by the Buffalo lawmaker. The three bills, which more than doubled the cap on charter schools from 200 to 460, more»

(ALBANY) – The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) – New York’s Leading Union – has formally announced its endorsement of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. CSEA President Danny Donohue said the decision was based on DiNapoli’s demonstrated honesty and competence as Comptroller since 2007 - coupled with his unblemished record as a more»

USW Cites Congressional Effort Asking Obama Administration to Address Chinese Subsidies of Paper Industry Threatening U.S. Jobs (WASHINGTON) - The United Steelworkers (USW) has joined Appleton Coated LLC, NewPage Corporation and Sappi Fine Paper North America in applauding the efforts of more than 100 Members of Congress who wrote to President Obama - more»

The Nation’s economic crisis, lack of jobs and the inability to pay for higher education are key issues for today’s young workers - and Unions must focus on reaching out to them, said panelists who took part in the National AFL-CIO’s Young Workers: Taking Charge of Our Future event. Moderated by National AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler, the more»

Remarks by National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka While Addressing The United Mine Workers of America 54th Constitutional Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada: Brothers and sisters, I am proud to work for 11.5 million Union Workers across America, and I think about them every single day. But the United Mine Workers of America will always be my Union. It more»

(ALBANY) – Reaction was swift from the Union presidents of both the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and Public Employees Federation (PEF) after New York Governor David Paterson once again publicly floated the concept today of laying off state workers to help balance a growing $10 billion, 2010 budget deficit. According to published reports, more»

Pictured Above: New Western New York Working Families Party Chapter Chairman Jim Lakeman discusses his plans to expand the presence of the WFP across the Southern Tier during a recent interview with WNYLaborToday.com. Lakeman also tells Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper he plans to emphasize the fact the WFP’s agenda “is about the social movement more»

Alliance Members to Celebrate Medicare's 45th Birthday & Social Security Turns 75 On July 30th, the federal Medicare program turns 45 and Alliance For Retired Americans members will be celebrating the occasion with events all across the country. The events will serve to remind lawmakers and the general public how important and efficient the Medicare more»

Pictured Above: State Senator Eric Schneiderman received endorsements last week from United Auto Workers Region 9 and 1199 Service Employees International Union Healthcare Workers East in his campaign for New York State Attorney General. Meeting with several local Labor Leaders at 1199 SEIU’s Kenmore Avenue headquarters, Schneiderman - who proclaimed he more»

(WASHINGTON) – Last week, Western New York Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (New York-28th District) voted to extend unemployment insurance benefits to millions of out-of-work Americans and the families they support, saying: “Many hard-working Western New Yorkers, who through no fault of their own are out of a job, need this assistance to help pay bills, more»

(NEW YORK CITY) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in New York City has notified the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) that it has issued a determination, finding there is reason to believe the City of New York's refusal to designate the jobs of nurses and midwives as physically taxing constitutes illegal discrimination more»

A new report by the Berger-Marks Foundation offers a "top ten list" to help Unions attract and keep a new generation of workers, especially women members. "Stepping Up, Stepping Back: Women 'Talk Union' Across Generations" provides some very specific suggestions to help increase activism and leadership among young workers, especially women. The report is more»

Sound Familiar? Omaha TV Techs Battle Hearst For A Fair Contract In Omaha/NABET-CWA Members Use Bus Bench Ads In Fight For Fair Contract At KETV-Channel 7 (OMAHA, NEBRASKA) - NABET-CWA (National Association of Broadcast Employees & Technicians/Communications Workers of America) technicians at Omaha's KETV Channel 7 are fighting for a fair contract more»

(NYACK, NEW YORK) - Registered Nurses (RNs) represented by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) have a motto to express their approach to contract negotiations: “Whatever it takes - for as long as it takes.” At Nyack Hospital, this means RNs will continue their fight for a fair contract, no matter what, Union Representatives pledge. After more»

(BUFFALO) – The Western New York Chapter of the statewide Working Families Party (WFP) has announced its 2010 Political Endorsements: U.S. Congress 27th District – Brian Higgins 28th District – Louise Slaughter New York State Senate 58th District – William Stachowski 59th District – Cynthia Appleton 60th District – Antoine Thompson more»

(ATLANTA) – Atlanta-area residents facing foreclosure joined an array of community groups, clergy, the National AFL-CIO, the Alliance for Retired Americans and government leaders today to demand big banks like Wells Fargo/ Wachovia reform their policies and protect homeowners currently facing foreclosure. At a hearing that was sponsored by the Atlanta more»

(BUFFALO) - The Coalition for Economic Justice (CEJ) – one of 40 area community and Labor groups that have combined forces to create the Canal Side Community Alliance – has reacted to a deal offered to City Council Members by the Brown Administration’s, saying the “closed door deal does not meet transparency and accountability” for the Buffalo more»

(ALBANY) – Kenneth Brynien, president of the New York Public Employee Federation (PEF) – New York’s second-largest, State-Employee Union that represents 58,000 professional, scientific and technical employees – released the following statement today after yet another threat by the Paterson Administration to move forward on laying off state workers: more»

WASHINGTON: Statement by National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, urging the appointment of Elizabeth Warren to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: The National AFL-CIO applauds the passage of the Wall Street Accountability Act and looks forward to the creation of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - which has the potential to be a more»

(HAMBURG) - Brad Rybczynski, the Labor-endorsed candidate for the 146th Assembly District seat, has pledged – if elected - to champion lobbying and ethics reform in Albany. “As someone who has worked in this arena, I see a need for reform,” said Rybczynski, who has been endorsed by a number of Western New York Labor Organizations, as well as the more»

(WASHINGTON) - The U.S. Senate today broke the Republican blockade of unemployment insurance (UI) for long-term, jobless workers - a blockade that cost more than 2 million unemployed workers their benefits. The U.S. Senate voted 60-40 to end the filibuster led by Minority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell (Republican-Kentucky) which all but ensures the more»

(NEW YORK) - In response to the on-going strike by workers of the Mott’s manufacturing plant just outside Rochester in Williamson, New York by members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 220, the New York City Council today urged the profitable beverage maker to “return to the negotiating table.” Entering their eighth more»

(BOSTON) – In an effort to resume dialogue immediately with Dunkin’ Donuts DCP and reach a collective bargaining agreement, Teamsters Local 25 President Sean O’Brien has called CEO Kevin Bruce to discuss how the two sides could reach a resolution. O’Brien’s call was a direct response to many strong comments Bruce has made in a distributed press more»

Statement by National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka On the U.S. Treasury Department's Announcement on Chinese Currency We are disappointed by the Treasury Department's recent announcement that it will not designate China a currency manipulator in its semi-annual report. This announcement ignores the overwhelming evidence, including that in Treasury's more»

New Study From National Fiscal Officials Concerns Seniors The co-chairmen of President Barack Obama's fiscal commission have offered an ominous assessment of the Nation's economic future, calling current budgetary trends a "cancer" that will destroy the country from within unless checked by tough actions in Washington. The two leaders - Alan Simpson and more»

WNYLaborToday.com has posted a new video in our Young Unionists Section, which focuses on the growing Baltimore, Maryland-based Young Trade Unionists group. According to information posted on its website, during late March the Young Trade Unionists organization was contacted by the International Union of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which was interested in more»

(BUFFALO) – As a direct result of incumbent Mark Schroeder’s high-profile and recent support for an anti-Union/anti-Worker Walmart store in South Buffalo, the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) has issued a “no recommendation” in his 145th District State Assembly election race and will ask the New York State AFL-CIO not to more»

News, Notes & Observations collected while covering the Western New York Labor Community over the past several days: WNYLaborToday.com touched base with Buffalo AFL-CIO Council President Michael Hoffert last week, who wanted to remind the Western New York Labor Community that the Buffalo AFL-CIO Council’s Summer Picnic will be held on Friday, July more»

Court Orders Visteon To Negotiate Over Retiree Benefits In a huge victory for 2,100 IUE (International Union of Electricians)-Communications Workers of America (CWA) retirees who worked at Visteon Corp. in Indiana, the U.S. Court of Appeals found that the company illegally terminated retiree health and life insurance benefits. In a unanimous decision, the more»

Statement by National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on Comprehensive Financial Reform: This vote represents a historic shift of power - away from Big Bankers and CEOs to Working Families and Main Street. For years, big banks have profited on the backs of Working Families. Millions of Working Families lost their jobs and still can't find work more»

(ALBANY) - The announcement of a settlement between the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and the U.S. Department of Justice establishing Federal oversight of four of the state’s juvenile detention facilities comes as a surprise to the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), which represents more than 2,000 workers employed by the more»

(BUFFALO) – During a hearing held in City Hall to discuss public investment and involvement in the revitalization of the Inner Harbor at the Canal Side site, members of the Canal Side Community Alliance told Buffalo Lawmakers late yesterday that “a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) is a proven and sensible way to ensure public dollars produce public more»

Pictured Above: Collins & Brown Senior Partner William Collins (left) talks to two members of Bricklayers & Allied Craftsworkers Local 3 – Tim Wilde (in yellow shirt) and Gene McAndrews (in blue shirt) - outside the Buffalo Labor Law Firm’s North Street headquarters. Collins & Brown is spending $400,000 with R.E. Kelley, Inc. – a more»

(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (New York-28th District) is publicly thanking the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for endorsing her bill - H.R. 1549/The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act - and agreeing that excessive antibiotic use is a serious public health issue that leads to more»

(BUFFALO) – New York State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt of Buffalo (144th District) is urging the Senate to pass legislation that would eliminate bonuses to Public Authority employees and board members. The bill (A.7242b/S.3664b) has already passed the Assembly twice in the last 13 months - but has not been passed by the Senate. “The state has a more»

(VALHALLA, NEW YORK) – The upcoming elimination of nursing positions at Westchester Medical Center will have a negative impact on the quality of patient care, according to the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the Union that represents the medical center’s Registered Nurses (RNs). Late last week, management at the Westchester Medical more»