News and Notes                                                              November 5, 2009

 

In This Edition:

  • Presentation by Robert Gabrielli, Deputy Inspector General of the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board
  • 2009 Election Season Has Come to a Close
  • LERA Dinner
  • Healthcare Bill Vote Saturday
  • Governor’s Deficit Reduction Will Compromise State Health Services and Cost Jobs
  • Support Police and City Employees in City of Newburgh
  • Mark Your Calendars

Deputy Inspector General, Robert Gabrielli to Visit

The Deputy Inspector General and Chief of Investigations of the New York State Workers' Compensation Board, Robert Gabrielli, will be joining our Executive Board meeting on Monday, November 9th. Deputy Inspector Gabrielli will provide a brief presentation concerning the duties and functions of his office and answer any questions that you may have. He is interested in building a stronger connection with our labor bodies in an effort to better enforce labor law across the State. We welcome and encourage anyone who is interested to attend.

When: Monday, November 9, 2009, 5:00pm

Where: IBT Local 445 Hall

              15 Stone Castle Road

              Rock Tavern, NY 12575

Please RSVP to (845)567-7760 so we can better estimate dinner arrangements. We look forward to seeing you there.


2009 Political Season Has Come to a Close

As you know, Tuesday was Election Day. Though we had some victories and upsets, we greatly appreciate the efforts of every single person that helped us get out the labor vote. We had some very dedicated members this year who gave up their evenings, weekends, and even some of their sanity to help us out. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

We would like to wholeheartedly congratulate all the winners this year, regardless of party or endorsement. We would also like to thank the runners up for their dedicated service and commitment to the labor movement over the years. We really do appreciate all their help, guidance, and friendships.

Right now, we are in the process of analyzing how to utilize labor's strength and political muscle within the Hudson Valley. We are figuring out where to head for future elections, and we are reassessing our strategies to ensure victories in the future. We will post a full breakdown of the Election Day results on our website by next week.

Thank you again to everyone who made phone calls after working a full day, knocked on doors in the rain, and made us laugh throughout the process. Though we were not as successful as we had hoped, we still made a difference thanks to you.


LERA Dinner

The Hudson Valley Chapter of LERA is hosting a meeting dinner on Tuesday, November 10th. The evening will be a great opportunity for the labor community in the area to become better acquainted, to discuss labor issues, and to build a better path towards the future. The program for the evening will be "Partnership for Working Families" and will highlight a discussion led by Kate Atkins, Director of the Garden State Alliance for a New Economy (GANE). Kate has a tremendous amount of experience working with progressive groups that have taken the lead in community and labor organizing. This should prove to be a very exciting event.

Details: 5:30 Social Hour

             6:15 Dinner Served

             7:15 Presentation by Kate Atkins

Dinner costs $25 per person and includes entree (beef, chicken or fish), salad, dessert and coffee or tea.

When:   Tuesday, November 10th, 5:30pm

Where: Charlie Brown's Steakhouse, 18 Westage Drive, Fishkill

To make reservations, please contact Ed Lynch of the UFCW and President of Hudson Valley LERA: elynch@ufcw.org or (202) 701-5017.

Chapter website: www.hvlera.org

Charlie Brown's Steakhouse: 845-896-2666


Healthcare Vote TOMORROW

We would like to remind you that the House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 3962—the Affordable Health Care for America Act—a historic health care reform bill that includes a public health insurance option, guarantees that employers pay their fare share and doesn’t tax our benefits. This vote will be extremely close. Please call your representative and let him or her know that the time for reform is now: Support H.R. 3962.

Call your representative toll free today in Washington in support of H.R. 3962, the House bill: 1-877-235-2465

The House bill covers 96 percent of Americans, is entirely paid for, reduces the deficit and lets families keep the health care they have instead of facing cuts in benefits and higher costs. Working families need this because H.R. 3962:

  • Includes a strong public health insurance option to break the stranglehold of insurance companies and bring down costs
  • DOES NOT taxing our health care plans
  • Guarantees that employers pay their fair share

Governor’s Deficit Reduction Plan Will Hurt New Yorkers

New Horizons is a not-for-profit agency that provides services to developmentally disabled children and adults who live in the Hudson Valley. Governor Paterson's newly released Deficit Reduction Plan (DRP) will greatly limit the services that New Horizons can provide. The quality of care will ultimately be compromised as reduced funding will decrease the quality of care, shut down critical programs, and create job losses. For the sake of the residents, their families, and each community in the Hudson Valley that depends on New Horizons for their services, we are asking you to send a message to your State Senator and Assemblyman.

Please click the link to send a quick message. Thank you for your support.

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/newhorizons


Support Police and City Workers in Newburgh

Thank you to everyone who sent messages to decision makers in Newburgh concerning potential cuts to the Newburgh Police Department. Newburgh cannot afford a single layoff in any of its services departments and your letters helped decision makers realize that.

However, we still need your support. There will be a public forum on Monday, November 9th at 7:00pm in Newburgh where we will stand in support of all of Newburgh’s workers and tell the city that they cannot make cuts that will put the city in an even direr situation. We hope to see you there.

When: Monday, November 9, 2009, 7:00pm

Where: Newburgh Activities Center

              Washington Street, Newburgh


Mark Your Calendars

  • Saturday, November 7th: House Votes on Healthcare Bill
  • Monday, November 9th: Executive Board Meeting with Presentation by Robert Gabrielli of the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board, 5:00pm

           Public Forum in Newburgh in support of Police and City Workers, 7:00pm

  • Tuesday, November 10th: LERA Meeting Dinner, 5:30pm
  • Wednesday, November 11th: Veterans’ Day