Liu Reaches Fundraising Cap

May 15, 2013
By Stephanie West

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Friends of John Liu announced on Tuesday May 14th, that the campaign has reached the fundraising cap and is also eligible to apply for the maximum amount of public funds under the NYC Campaign Finance Program.

The campaign has raised $3,331,600 to-date. The campaign currently has $1,912,517 in cash on-hand.  With $605,516 in total matchable contributions claimed to-date, the campaign is eligible to apply for the maximum amount of public funds under the NYC Campaign Finance Program. 

Crises Mount But President Keeps Majority

May 15, 2013
By John Zogby, Forbes.com Contributor

According to a new poll of likely voters by Zogby Analytics, President Barack Obama maintains a 51% overall job approval rating. The poll of 1000 likely voters, conducted online on May 8 and 9, shows the President’s disapproval rating to be 46%. The numbers are almost identical to last month’s Zogby Analytics’ poll which had Mr. Obama at 52% approval and 46% disapproval.

NYS Program Encourages Hiring Those with Criminal Record

May 15, 2013
By Neal Tepel

New York, NY - New York City Regional Economic Development Council (REDC)partnering with the New York State Labor Department  has developed a program titled 'Work For Success'  that provides financial incentives to businesses that hire those formerly incarcerated.

1199SEIU Members Win More Than Money at GBMC Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO

May 15, 2013

Washington DC - 1199SEIU members at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) have won more than raises and better benefits. The tentative agreement’s concrete wins are significant, said Environmental Services worker and bargaining committee member Dwayne Flintall, but there was another issue at stake for GBMC workers: respect.

Missouri 'Right to Work' Bill Attacks Labor

May 15, 2013
By Neal Tepel

Jefferson City, Missouri - The Right to Work Debate has now spread from Michigan to Missouri. A recent bill introduced in the Missouri legislature would reduce union and worker rights for municipal employees. The legislation would require public employee unions to gain consent every year from members before union dues or PAC money could be deducted from member paychecks. The bill would also require that unions gain written permission annually from members before using those deductions for political purposes.

Educators, Parents, Students, Community Members to Rally Thousands to Speak in One Voice for Future of Public Education

May 14, 2015  
By Stephanie West

ALBANY, N.Y. ­— In a vocal pushback against out-of-control standardized testing, the outsized influence that giant testing companies are having on teaching and learning, and New York’s inequitable school funding system, a coalition of parents, educators, community members and students will rally next month in Albany to “fight for the future of public education.”

WFP Backs Corey Johnson

May 14, 2013
By Stephanie West

MANHATTAN NY – The Working Families Party (WFP) has announced its endorsement of City Council candidate Corey Johnson. This key endorsement adds to Johnson’s growing list of endorsements from Former State Senator Tom Duane, Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), 32BJ SEIU, American Federation of Musicians Local 802, Teamsters Joint Council 16, Retail Wholesale Department Store Workers Union (RWDSU), Uniform Fire Officers Association (UFOA), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1500, the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council (HMTC), Mason Tenders District Council (MTDC), the Village Independent Democrats (VID), and over 600 community and neighborhood leaders.

The New Organizing

May 14, 2013
By Neal Tepel

Across the country Workers Organizing Committees are being formed supported by UFCE, SEIU and other progressive labor organizations. These organizing committees have linked to local community groups creating a powerful force for workers. Workers Organizing Committees are demanding increased wages for employees in retail and fast-food industries as well as improved working conditions.

UFCW Statement on House Bill Attacking Hourly Workers

May 13, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The UFCW released the following statement on May 9, 2013 after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1406, the inappropriately named Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 which would take money out of the pockets of America’s hourly workers.

Improving Financial Picture for USPS

May 13, 2013
By Fredric Rolando, President National Association of Letter Carriers

The Postal Service’s financial report—which included the first revenue increase in five years—reflects an improving financial picture as the economy gradually improves.

Operating revenue in the most recent fiscal quarter was $121 million higher than the same period a year ago, while expenses fell by $1.2 billion.

Target Violated Federal Labor Law, Workers’ Rights According to NLRB Decision

May 13, 2013
http://www.ufcw.org

On April 26, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) overturned the results of a union election based on Target’s worker rights violations at their store in Valley Stream, N.Y. during the campaign last year. Additionally, the NLRB found that the company systematically violated the rights of workers nationwide by maintaining illegal work rules designed to keep workers from speaking out for change at work.

Another Win For UAW

May 13, 2013
By Neal Tepel

Arlington, Texas - UAW's organizing drive was successful in Texas. Workers at the Flex-N-Gate plant in Arlington, Texas voted overwhelmingly to join the United Auto Workers.

Cindy Estrada, UAW vice-president said that workers at Flex-N-Gate’s non-union plants, including the one in Arlington, are paid about $10 an hour even if the have more than ten years of service.

UFCW Members Lobby New York Legislators

Reprinted in Laborpress May 13, 2013
www.ufcwaction.org/

UFCW members from local unions all across New York descended upon the Capitol in Albany April 23rd to lobby their elected officials about important bills pending in the Assembly and the Senate.

UFCW members lobbied in support of the New York DREAM Act, the Fair Elections Act, the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act, medical marijuana, and conveyed their strong opposition to the Walmart tax credit that was structured into the recently passed minimum wage deal.

UFCW NY Local 348-S Americare Workers Ratify New Contract

May 13, 2013
By Stephanie West

New York NY - Thousands of Americare workers from UFCW Local 348-S in New York City ratified a new contract in an overwhelming city-wide vote.. The new contract includes a new system that ensures worker seniority when it assigns cases. Members also have improved bereavement leave.