‘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. 

Albany Report

May 7, 2013
By Glen Casey

New York State AFL-CIO
This week in Albany, the AFL-CIO has come out in opposition to the repeal of the Scaffolding Law. This law allows workers who fall from heights and suffer catastrophic injuries to sue outside of the workers compensation system. Opponents say the law is onerous and drives up project cost due to the availability and cost of separate insurance. Proponents argue that due to the nature of these injuries often caused by unenforced safety regulations, workers need this protection to care for their families long term financial needs.

AFL-CIO and UWUA Shareholders of FirstEnergy to Reject Raises to Chief Executive

May 7, 2013
By Neal Tepel

WASHINGTON DC - The AFL-CIO and the Utility Workers Union of America are urging shareholders of FirstEnergy (FE) to vote "against" the company's advisory vote on compensation for its named executive officers -- also known as the "Say-on-Pay" vote.

de Blasio: Stop-and-Frisk is Valid

May 6, 2013
By Marc Bussanich

Brooklyn, NY—Public Advocate Bill de Blasio told parishioners at First Baptist Church of Crown Heights on Sunday that Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s comments last week to the NYPD regarding stop-and-frisk were astounding because the Mayor was arguing that public safety and civil liberties can’t co-exist. Mr. de Blasio also said he wouldn’t eliminate the controversial practice if elected mayor because it’s a valid policing practice. Watch Video

NYSUT Members Receive Books through Partnership of AFT and First Book

May 6, 2013
By Kismet Barksdale

Thanks to a new partnership with the AFT and First Book, NYSUT members can receive new books at little or no cost for students through age 18 in schools that are Title I or Title I-eligible. Iannuzzi, who is also an AFT vice president, says he hopes to have 50,000 NYSUT members register with First Book over the coming year.

Postal Union Fights Newburgh NY Plant Closing

May 6, 2013
By Neal Tepel

Newburgh, NY. - The United States Postal Service is planning to eliminate mail processing from the Mid-Hudson Processing Plant, located in Newburgh, NY. This change will include moving mail 96 miles away to Albany to be processed. This will reduce services significantly and eliminate over 100 jobs. The USPS is expected to complete this downsizing of services by September 30, 2013.

Liu: Bloomberg Abdicated Responsibility with Labor Contracts

May 3, 2013
By Marc Bussanich

Brooklyn, NY—Mayor Michael Bloomberg warned yesterday at City Hall that the City faces long-term challenges because of rising employee costs such as pensions and health care, and wants City employees to start paying more for their health premiums. But Comptroller John Liu said the Mayor should have resolved labor contracts long ago. Watch Video

Obamacare At The Heart Of Contentious Stop & Shop Contract Talks

May 3, 2013
By Joe Maniscalco

New York, NY - Stop & Shop employees working in meat, deli and seafood departments throughout the city and Long Island are on edge this week as 18-month-old contract negotiations between their union and the Dutch conglomerate which owns the supermarket chain battle over President Barack Obama’s Affordable Healthcare Act.