In This Issue

- Health Care Reform Update
- Action Alerts!

- Labor Endorsements

- Free Movies
- Upcoming Meetings

Health Care Reform Update

-Newspaper Ads Signal Intensified Campaign
In ads running Wednesday in The Washington Post, The Hill, Roll Call and Politico, the AFL-CIO and dozens of national unions make the case that we’re closer than ever to achieving the health care reform that’s so urgently needed – but we’re not there yet. The ads running Wednesday are clear:  The Senate Finance Committee bill is deeply flawed and must be fixed.  We are confident that substantial improvements can be made in four specific areas:
A public health insurance plan option is essential to reform.  A robust public option is needed to lower premiums through competition and break the stranglehold insurance companies have over the current system. 
Health care reform has to ease the cost burden on individuals and families, not worsen it.  Americans whose health care premium costs have gone up 300 percent—while insurance company profits have gone up 1,000 percent—should not be asked to pay money we do not have.   
Employer Mandate - employers have to pay a fair share of costs.  The only fair way to cover the cost of care for all is to include an employer responsibility provision that requires all employers to provide health coverage or contribute a truly meaningful sum to help pay for subsidies. 
Health care can’t be paid for by a new tax on middle class benefits.  The Senate Finance Committee health reform bill slaps a 40 percent excise tax in 2013 on plans valued at more than $8,000 for individual coverage and $21,000 for family coverage (with some adjustments).  The congressional Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that this enormous tax would soon hit 40 percent of all plans.  Most likely to be hit:  plans with people who are older or sicker or those who work for small employers.  A new tax on the middle class is unacceptable.  Unless the bill makes substantial progress in the areas outlined above – and we are confident that with an all-out effort from our grassroots it will – we will oppose it. 
Health care is an issue that affects everyone and getting the best bill possible will improve health care for ALL Americans. See the union ad here:  full-page ad

Action Alerts!

- November 5th will be National Call Your Senators Day!

Be on the look out in future WINs for information on the Nov. 5th National Day of Action. Stickers will be available for worksite mobilization efforts, as well as, leaflets on the call-ins with talking points. It is important in the meantime to keep a steady flow of calls and letters going to our targetted congressmembers, who in this area is Scott Murphy. What we do in the next few weeks will determine the outcome of the final bills. Thank you for all you already have done and will continue to do!

-OVER 120 days on Strike!

Workers at the Holiday Inn Express in Latham have been on strike for over 120 days now.  The support received by the Capital Region community has been overwhelming.  Thank you to everyone who has been coming to the Wednesday public picket outside the hotel from 4pm to 6pm. 
This coming week, we urge you to join us on Wednesday, and additionally on Thursday, October 22nd at 12pm.  The Capital Region Siena Retiree Club and the Siena Office of Alumni Relations is planning to use the hotel to host a program that day because the owner of the hotel, Jim Morrell, is an alum of the college.  Join us in spreading the message to those that attend the event that union-busting has no place in the Capital Region.
WHO: Holiday Inn Striking Workers
WHAT: Picketing outside the Hotel
WHEN: Thursday, October 22nd at 12pm

- An Informational Picket by GCC/IBT Local 259M for Breach of Contract

WHEN: Thursday October 29th, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

WHERE: 677 Broadway, office of the owner of Dodge Graphic. 

WHY: Goldberg closed Dodge Graphics with no prior notice and the bargained for severance pay never materialized, and no owed vacation accruals were paid.  The company had until July 13 to respond to a Show Cause Order, President and Organizer, David Bartlett has asked the Capital District Area Labor Federation to co-sponsor this event and assist with turn out. Goldberg's actions have ruined lives and dashed the hopes of these workers and their families.   No longer will their future provide them the fruits of their dedication and hard work they so richly deserve.   Please stop by the line and show your support!!

-Stony Brook Research Assistants (RAs) Come To Albany to March for Contract Justice

WHEN: November 12^th at 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm  

WHERE: East side of Capitol to begin the March down State Street to Research Foundation office, corner of Broadway and State St. 1 pm Short Rally with speakers outside the Research Foundation office followed by a picket line with chants until 1:30 pm.

WHY: Last December Research Assistants at Stony Brook University voted to join the Communication Workers of America Local 1104. They have been negotiating for first contract with their employer, the SUNY Research Foundation, ever since.  They have decided it is time to bring their fight to Albany!  Join us at this rally to escalate the pressure campaign to push the Research Foundation to settle to a fair first contract.  Organized by the RA Union, CWA 1104, and the Capital District Area Labor Federation

For more information please visit www.sbraunion.org or contact Kathleen@cdalf.org Flyer attached for posting and distribution.

LABOR ENDORSEMENTS

- CLCs Make Endorsements - Target Races and Get To Work!

Albany CLC has decided to target the Colonie Supervisor race and support the current Supervisor Paula Mahan. Volunteers are needed on Oct. 31^st for a district wide literature drop. Folks will meet at the shopping center on the corner of Rt. 155 and Rt. 9 at 10 am. Phone bank volunteers are also needed at CSEA Region office, 1 Lear Jet Lane, Latham from 5-8 pm on Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29 and Nov. 1, 2 and 3. The weekend phone bank runs 11 am -2 pm.

Schenectady CLC has endorsed and continues to target the Ward 2 Supervisor for Montgomery County with labor's candidate Jeff Stark. Volunteers are needed every weekend and Election Day. (schedule and locations attached) Please give a little bit of your time to one of our own.

Troy CLC has endorsed and is targeting the Troy District 3 City Council candidate Russ Ziemba and will do a Labor Walk on October 24^th at 1538 Tibbits Avenue, Troy at 10 am. There are also plans to do phone banks and a mailing but dates for those activities are still to be determined at the CLC meeting this month.