25 Years of Matchless Expertise in Financial Services for Labor Unions and Employee Benefit Plans
August 1, 2011
For over twenty-five years, Salvatore J. Armao has provided accounting, auditing and consulting services to labor unions and Taft-Hartley employee benefit plans.
The son of a union official, Mr. Armao learned from his father how important unions are to the workers they represent. His father taught him that unions give workers job security, retirement income, and medical benefits. That’s why Mr. Armao works so hard today to help keep the unions that he serves on sound financial footing — so that they can continue to protect the rights of workers.
Statement by Mayor R. Bloomberg on Resignation of Commissioner of Administration for Children's Services John B. Mattingly
July 29, 2011
After Seven Years, Commissioner Will Step Down in September
“As I’ve said countless times over the last seven years, New York City has been extraordinarily lucky to have a nationally-renowned expert, John Mattingly, ably and tirelessly leading our Administration for Children’s Services. When John came to us and said he wanted to return to his foundation work in Baltimore and have more time for his family, I asked him to reconsider.
New Spending Cuts Hurt Workers
By Harry Kelber
Whether or not Democrats and Republicans reach a bipartisan agreement on raising the nation's debt ceiling before the August 2 deadline, American workers and retirees can expect spending cuts of at least $1 trillion, that would reduce their living standards and retirement income, as well as affect working conditions on the job. And it would increase unemployment, rather than reducing it.
For dozens of years, Congress has routinely raised the federal debt ceiling, without much debate, compared with the furious, ongoing battle between Democrats and Republicans about the size of the increase, and who will pay for it. Both parties are trying to use the government debt problem for political advantage to win control of Congress in the 2012 elections.
deBlasio Visits MedReview
deBlasio Visits MedReview
July 28, 2011
By Bendix Anderson
In a season of sharp budget cuts, when even teachers and firefighters face proposed layoffs, Bill deBlasio has a different prescription for the City budget and its ailing economy. DeBlasio, the Public Advocate for New York City, recently fought against a plan to fire 6,000 teachers, close 20 firehouses and shut down scores of daycare centers.
James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
July 28, 2011
Joint Statement by Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Committee on Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Chair Margaret Chin
“We are disheartened to learn that the Zadroga 9/11 health law will fail to cover Ground Zero responders and residents suffering from cancer. By excluding these victims from the benefits of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, the federal government turns its back on people who rushed to the nation’s aid during one of the darkest days in our history.
This legislation provides much needed health-care and compensation for the heroes of 9/11. It aims to heal those who continued to heal our community after the attacks. It’s a promise to the heroes of 9/11 that we will never forget the sacrifices they made. Implementing the Zadroga 9/11 health law in the way it was originally intended is the best way to keep this promise.
NY Jobs Held Hostage
By Richard L. Trumka, President AFL-CIO
Last weekend, House Republican leaders proved just how far they are willing to go to achieve their ideological goals. They shut down the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
As if bringing America to the brink of default hasn’t done enough damage already. Are they out of their minds? Because of the extreme ideological agenda of House Republicans and their political game-playing, 4,000 workers were furloughed over the weekend and more than 90,000 jobs across the country are on the line—including 2,304 in NY.
Social Network Your Way to Better Health!
July 26, 2011
Tom Canty, Vice President Sales Empire BlueCross BlueShield
Believe it or not tweens, teens and thirty-somethings have something in common. Social networking and dieting. Health minded folks of all ages are turning to interactive internet sites to help them lose weight and keep it off. As part of its effort to help people live healthier lives, Empire BlueCross BlueShield has launched a virtual contest to help people boost their way to better health. Facebook users who enter Empire BlueCross BlueShield’s “Join In to Win contest,” can “like,” post, and jump start their way to a healthier life and a personal training experience with Bob Harper from “The Biggest Loser.”
Progressive Caucus Introduces Resolution to Extend Millionaire's Tax
Progressive Caucus Introduces Resolution to Extend Millionaire's Tax
July 26, 2011
By Neal Tepel
The New York City Council's Progressive Caucus has introduced a resolution supporting an extension of New York State's current "millionaire's tax," an income tax surcharge on high-income households, for households earning more than $1 million per year. The resolution was introduced by Council Member Jumaane Williams on the same day that the City Council adopted the New York City Budget for Fiscal Year 2012.
Jay Walks
July 21, 2011
Statement from TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen on the resignation of MTA Chairman Jay Walder
“Transit workers won’t miss Jay Walder and quite frankly will be glad to see him go. He has been antagonistic to the union and the workers from his first day on the job. His attempt last year to blackmail the union into major pay and other concessions led to gratuitous layoffs.
Amalgamated Life Earns It's 36th Consecutive “A” Rating
By Stephanie West
For the 36th consecutive year, Amalgamated Life Insurance Company, a leading provider of life and health insurance has received an “A” (Excellent) Rating from A.M. Best Company. The rating attests to Amalgamated Life’s financially strong condition and excellent claims-paying ability.
Amalgamated Life President and Chief Executive Officer David Walsh stated, “Our A.M. Best rating attests to our strict adherence to best practices and the highest standards of service quality. That formula has kept us fiscally strong and earned us the respect and loyalty of our customers.”
Unemployment is Draining the Economy
July 21, 2011
By Stephanie West
The recent national recession led to record high levels of unemployed workers receiving unemployment insurance benefits. As a result, since 2009 New York State has borrowed over $3 billion from the federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (also known as the Recovery Act) provided interest-free loans to New York and other states with insolvent
Allstate Group Votes on Union Affiliation
By Stephanie West
Gulfport, MS – Tired of being controlled as employees and defined as independent contractors, members of the National Association of Professional Allstate Agents, Inc. (NAPAA), will soon take part in a secret mail ballot vote that will decide whether the Association will affiliate with Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) as a Guild. The vote will be counted on Wednesday, August 17, 2011.
The decision to poll the membership was bolstered by an enthusiastic response by attendees and the NAPAA Board of Directors at the group’s most recent national conference in New Orleans, LA, where Michael Goodwin, president of OPEIU presented the case for affiliation. He was quick to point out that guilds have proven to be very effective for self-employed workers, citing the Screen Actors Guild, of which Ronald Reagan was once president.
PEF members Asked to Vote on Contract Agreement
July 20, 2011
By Carol Moran
Reprint from Legislative Gazette July 18, 2011
Nearly 1,000 members of the New York State Public Employees Federation can breathe a little easier after the announcement of a tentative agreement between the union and the state that will rescind already sent out layoff notices, and if adopted, will save the state almost $400 million.
The five-year tentative agreement that PEF members will soon vote on includes a wage freeze for the first three years, followed by a 2 percent increase for 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.
How Can a Union Owe a Non-Represented Employee a Duty of Fair Representation?
The NLRB Says Watch-Out When Merging Shops with Both Union and Non-Union Workers
July 19, 2011
By Larry Cary, Esq.
A recent decision by the National Labor Relations Board makes it clear that even though a union does not owe a duty of fair representation to non-union employees when their workplace is being merged into a union shop, it can violate the law if the union discriminates against them because of their non-membership in the union.
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