City Council Grills Schools Chancellor at Hearing
October 13, 2011
By Marc Bussanich
About 672 Local 372 school aids and parent coordinators did not have a job to go to on Tuesday. Instead, some of them attended a City Council Oversight Hearing to hear directly from Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott explain why the job cuts were necessary.
New York City Construction Costs Continue to Rise
October 12, 2011
By Neal Tepel
Construction costs in New York City, which increased in 2010 after a 2009 decline, have increased at an accelerating rate thus far in 2011, according to a New York Building Congress review of multiple cost induces.
According to Engineering News-Record's (ENR) Building Cost Index (BCI), construction costs in New York City have risen 3.55 percent in 2011.
The Jobs of New York City’s School Workers Should Not Be Cut!
October 12, 2011
Reprint - www.UnionsMatter.wordpress.com
Barbara Kestenbaum is a passionate union activist. Wherever there is a rally, demonstration, picket line with union members fighting for justice you will often find Barbara. In the following account she writes variably about her recent experience at a rally to save the jobs of essential public school workers.
Actors' Equity and Broadway League Reach Tentative Agreement
Actors' Equity and Broadway League Reach Tentative Agreement
October 11, 2011
Around Town by Neal Tepel
Actors' Equity Association (Equity), the national union of professional stage actors and stage managers, and The Broadway League (League), the national trade association for the Broadway and touring industry, have successfully reached a tentative agreement for the Production Contract. This collective bargaining agreement outlines the terms and conditions of employment for stage actors and stage managers working in commercial Broadway and touring productions.
NYC Council Passes Law to Limit Contracting
NYC Council Passes Law to Limit Contracting
October 10, 2011
Around Town By Neal Tepel
At the October 5th NYC Council Stated Meeting the Council approved a strengthening of Local Law 35 of 1994. This common sense legislation will increase transparency and maximize cost efficiencies when entering into contracts that could displace City workers.
Helping a Family Find Justice
October 10, 2011
By William Schwitzer
When our client was asked to disassemble a scaffold in Long Island, he trusted that the structure he was standing on was sturdy and safe. His assurance transformed into shock and disbelief, as seconds later the platform planks began to collapse beneath his feet.
No Work for 700 Local 372 Members
October 8, 2011
By Marc Bussanich
Local 372 President Santos Crespo and union members stood again on the steps of City Hall on Friday October 7th the last day of work for over 700 Local 372 school aids and parent coordinators.
Joined by numerous politicians and leaders from other DC 37 locals, Crespo, dressed in black because “it’s a day of mourning,” said the reason the city is going forth with the layoffs must be “political payback” because the city has been posting positions already being performed by Local 372 members.
NYS Expands Computer Technology Jobs
NYS Expands Computer Technology Jobs
October 7, 2011
By Neal Tepel
New York State has entered into agreements providing for investments valued at a total of $4.4 billion over the next five years from five leading international companies to create the next generation of computer chip technology: Intel, IBM, GLOBAL FOUNDRIES, TSMC and Samsung. This initiative will result in the creation and retention of approximately 6,900 jobs. No private company will receive any state funds as part of the agreement. Research and development facilities will be located in Albany, Canandaigua, Utica, East Fishkill and Yorktown Heights.
Legislation to Protect Retiree Healthcare Benefits
Legislation to Protect Retiree Healthcare Benefits
October 7, 2011
By Neal Tepel
The national retiree advocacy organization ProtectSeniors.Org is applauding the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 827 for actively and aggressively seeking passage of federal legislation to protect earned retiree health care benefits.
Unions Demand Wealthy to Pay Up
October 7, 2011By Marc Bussanich
The Occupy Wall Street Movement got a big lift October 6th from the city’s union. Assembling at Foley Square, different union leaders standing atop a flatbed truck looked out among a crowd of union members numbering anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 and spoke for the need to fight back against corporate greed and to demand the wealthy to pay more taxes.
Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW Annual Blood Drive that Saves Lives
October 6, 2011
Around Town - By Neal Tepel
Each year Local 338 RWDSU/ UFCW - representing thousands of local workers including those in the retail and grocery businesses runs a blood drive for the benefit of the New York Blood Center. The campaign started after the September 11, 2001 attacks as a means to help save lives in the local community, while also honoring and remembering those that lost their lives on that day.
Local 372 Members on the Layoff Brink
October 5, 2011By Marc Bussanich
This upcoming Friday is D-Day for 700 members of Local 372, who have received letters from the Department of Education (DOE) that they will be laid off. For Local 372, it’s been an agonizing past few months whilst they hoped this Friday would never come.
We Need Jobs Not Unfair Trade Agreements
October 4, 2011
By Richard L. Trumka, AFL-CIO President
Millions of people who are ready, willing and able to work are unemployed or underemployed. But instead of focusing on job creation, Congress is getting ready to take up unfair, job off-shoring trade deals.
With more than 25 million people desperately searching for full-time jobs, the last thing our leaders should focus on is these unfair trade deals. It’s the wrong thing to do, and it’s a huge distraction from our jobs crisis.
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