Bill to Protect Environment against Hydrofracking Introduced in the Assembly

May 10, 2013
By Stephanie West

An Assembly Bill to Protect Environment against Dangerous Hydrofracking has  been introduced by Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell on Tuesday May 8, 2013. Assembly Bill A3561 is designed to Protect the Environment against Dangerous Hydrofracking so the Water Supply of New Yorkers remain the finest in the United States. Bill A3561, will prohibit the use of hydrofracking “flowback” water on our roads and highways.

Massachusetts Pioneer Valley Bus Drivers Join AFSCME

May 10, 2013
By Neal Tepel

Boston, Massachusetts - Bus drivers and bus monitors of the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative have voted to become part of AFSCME Local 93. After considering several option the 224 workers decided that AFSCME made the most sense for their group.

Williams: ‘We Live in a Segregated City!’

May 9, 2013
By Marc Bussanich

New York, NY—Councilman Jumaane Williams said outside the Department of Education on Wednesday that the disparities in the public school system make New York a segregated city. He was joined by Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito and Hector Figueroa of 32BJ to announce the release of a new report that highlights how disinvestment in public schools’ infrastructure is contributing to a widening achievement gap. Watch Video

Labor Reacts to TIAA-CREF's New Stance On Development

May 9, 2013
By Joe Maniscalco

New York, NY - Organized labor groups in the city are applauding the second-largest pension fund in the world and its decision to no longer work with irresponsible contractors this week - even as the battle over the Queens construction "sweatshop" which served as the lightning rod for the ongoing controversy continues.  

Don't let the Koch brothers buy your local newspaper

May 9, 2013
By Mary Kay Henry, SEIU President

How would you feel if your local newspaper was suddenly owned by the tea party? Right-wing extremists and tea party megadonors Charles and David Koch want to take over nine newspapers owned by the Tribune Company, including the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune.

Assembly to Convene Workgroup on Child Care

May 9, 2013
By Stephanie Wood

With a lack of quality, affordable child care still an obstacle for many working families, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced the formation of a working group on child care issues in New York State to better understand the challenges faced by working parents.

Saving lives a team effort

May 9, 2013

By Kris LaGrange

Every day, 13 Americans arrive at work and never leave. 




They die in workplace accidents, over 4,700 in the past year, and most of these deaths could be avoided if employers and employees followed guidelines set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1971.


‘Billionaire Man of the People!’

May 8, 2013
By Marc Bussanich

New York, NY—Billionaire and Republican candidate John Catsimatidis received the Liberal Party endorsement for the Mayor of New York City outside City Hall on Tuesday and said he would be the man of the people. The party’s executive director, Martin I. Hassner, said that Mr. Catsimatidis is a force of nature and there’s nobody like him around. Watch Video

Borough President Rubin Diaz Jr. Endorses Bill Thompson for Mayor

May 8, 2013
By Neal Tepel

New York NY - At City Hall on Tuesday May 7, 2013, Bronx Borough President endorsed Bill Thompson for Mayor stating "I have known Bill Thompson for two decades. He was the right man to lead our city four years ago, and he remains the right man today. In his time as both our comptroller and the leader of our city's school system, Bill developed the knowledge and experience to lead our city.

Miami University Cafeteria Workers Join 32BJ

May 8, 2013
By Neal Tepel

MIAMI, Florida - A majority of food service workers at the University of Miami have voted to join 32BJ SEIU and authorize the union to represent them when they begin negotiating a first contract with Chartwells Dining Services. Nicole Berry, 34, who has worked at the university for over four years, said "This opportunity to negotiate for better pay, meaningful benefits and for respect and a voice in the workplace was the reason why we fought to organize a union."

Obama Rides Job Creation Wave Higher

May 8, 2013
By John Zogby

"It was a good week for the president. The unemployment rate is down to 7.5 percent. Jobs are now growing at 208,000 a month in the past six months. Yes, there are way too many people unemployed and underemployed, or just out of the labor force. But this is the same barometer we have always used to grade presidents before and things are pointed up.

Avoid Nightclub 54 - It's Anti-Union

May 8, 2013
By Neal Tepel

The Local 802 has placed the nightclub '54 Below' on its Unfair List effective May 8. That club is being boycotted by Local 802 and should be avoided until the labor dispute is settled. Why is 54 Below being put on the Unfair List? After numerous requests, 54 Below has refused to bargain with Local 802, claiming they are not the employer of musicians. 54 Below employs musicians as part of self-contained acts as well as musicians who the club employs directly to play for various showcases, open mikes and "late night" entertainment.

del Blasio: Fiscal Challenges Looming for City

May 7, 2013
By Marc Bussanich

Brooklyn, NY—Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented his final Executive Budget last week and slammed the benefits of organized labor for being the culprit behind the City’s growing spending. But Public Advocate Bill de Blasio said the Mayor acted irresponsibly by not resolving outstanding labor contracts during his tenure. Watch Video

Spilt Between Woodlawn's 'Band of Brothers' And Union

May 7, 2013
By Joe Maniscalco

Bronx, NY - Woodlawn Cemetery’s “Band of Brothers” have teamed up with the community and are vowing to forge ahead with their long fight against a management team they say is discriminatory - but the union representing workers at the landmark graveyard says they’re now on their own.