Greetings,

THE CNY SOLIDARITY REPORT 

A newsletter of the Central NY Labor Federation, AFL-CIO - issue #33

ACTION ALERT!

Health Care National Day of Action & Remembrance

24th Congressional District Caravan

 Join Health Care for America Now on Tues Oct 20th for:
     National Day of Action & Remembrance For Health Care Reform

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
10am- Binghamton- 1st Presbyterian Church 42 Chenango St
12:30pm-Cortland -Unitarian Church - 3 Church St - on the Corner of Elm
5:30pm-Utica at the Federal Building - 10 Broad St

 Did you know that 45,000 people die each year because they lack access to health care? It is time for Congress to act. Please join the voices of thousands across the country to tell congress its TIME TO DELIVER. We can’t wait! We need health care reform that is affordable and has a strong public option.

• At Each Stop - The Faith Community will lead a brief  Remembrance vigil
• People who have tragically lost family members because of lack of coverage will share their stories
• A Bell will toll every 12 minutes – representing yet another needless death
• A  march to Congressman Arcuri’s Office in Cortland & Utica presenting 1500 petition signatures to support HR 3200 
  

For More Info: Call Citizen Action of NY
Health Care for America Now  607-723-0110

 THIS MONTH IN CENTRAL NEW YORK LABOR NEWS

Calendar of Events, CNY ALF News, Broome-Tioga News, Cayuga News, Greater Syracuse News, Midstate News, Oswego News, Tri-County News, Labor History, Member and Steward Tip, Comic

MONTHLY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

If you would like to add an event to this calendar, please contact Field Coordinators Jay or Bonnie  to add your event:

Monday, October 19 -  Cayuga Labor Council holds Candidate Screening at 6:30 PM at BCTGM  Local 116, 66 Genesee Street, Auburn.

Tuesday, October 20 -  6:00 PM: Midstate Central Labor Council meets at 6:00 PM at Laborers Local 785, 622 West State St., Ithaca.  contact Bonnie Wilson if any questions.

Wednesday, October 21:  The Greater Syracuse Labor Council, AFL-CIO will hold its next Delegates meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, with the Executive Board meeting at 5:30 and the Delegates meeting at 7:00pm.  As usual, our meeting will be held at the Sheet Metal Workers Local #58 at 301 Pulaski Street. 

Wednesday, October 21:  6:00 PM, Broome-Tioga Council Delegate meeting; Laborers Local 785 (formerly Local 7), 98 Main Street, Binghamton.  Contact Bonnie Wilson or Mary Whitmore if any questions.  E-Board meets at 5:30 PM.

Tuesday, October 27:   Ti-County Labor  Council meeting 6:00 PM at the CWA Union Hall, 9 River Street, Sidney.  For more information contact President Mary Twitchell or Field Coordinator Bonnie Wilson or call 607-729-2547.

Wednesday, November 4: Oswego Council Delegate Meeting, 7:00 pm, Plumbers and Steamfitters Hall
705 E. Seneca Street, Oswego, Contact: Tim Rice (315) 343-4037

Wednesday, November 4: "The Corporation," free-will offering to benefit Central New York Labor-Religion Coalition , 7:30 p.m. at the Norton Putter Gallery, 505 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse.  See CNYALF News  below for more information.
 

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CNY ALF News

Showing of "The Corporation" to Benefit Central New York Labor-Religion Coalition

Hailed as "One of the must-see documentaries of the new century" by the Seattle Times and "Visually arresting and very funny." by the L.A. Weekly, "The Corporation" is an acclaimed documentary film exploring the nature and spectacular rise of the most pervasive institution of our time. Winner of 23 international awards, including the SUNDANCE World Cinema-Documentary Audience Award.

The event is sponsored by the CNY Labor-Religion Coalition, ArtRage, and Plymouth Congregational UCC. 

A free-will offering will benefit the Central New York Labor-Religion Coalition.

Event to be held Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 p.m. at the Norton Putter Gallery, 505 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse.  For more information call (315) 218-5711

Jay Morgese Temporary Acting Field Coordinator

Field Coordinator Heather Keegan will be taking a leave of absence.  Jay Morgese , familiar to many as an Intern at CNY ALF, will be working part-time for the ALF until she returns.  He can be reached at 315-433-3363 x12.

"CNY Solidarity Report" Now Available On Our Website

Miss an issue or event?  Want to find out what happened? The current and past three months issue is now linked on our website  Just click "E-Newsletters" in the left menu bar.

CNY ALF Mobilizing Committee Planning Next Activity/Action

We are in the process of planning our next mobilizing action.  All are welcome to participate in the Mobilizing Committee.  Please contact Jay Morgese at (315) 422-3363, ext 12 or Bonnie Wilson at (607) 729-2547 for details. or email Bonnie  or Jay Morgese

Sign Up at our Facebook Page and Join our Facebook Group

CNY ALF now has its own Facebook page and Group.  Join in!   CNY ALF maintains website , blog , a space for photos on Flickr .   We also have a spot on YouTube for videos, which we have not yet taken advantage of.  Across our six Councils, a lot is going on!  Submissions for our web content are welcome!  Contact Bonnie Wilson ; phone 607-729-2547

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Broome-Tioga News

Broome-Tioga to Vote on Candidate Endorsements

Broome-Tioga CLC will vote on local candidate endorsements at the Delegate meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 6:00 PM, at Laborers Local 785 (formerly Local 7), 98 Main Street, Binghamton.

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CAYUGA NEWS

Cayuga Council Endorses Capanna, Klink

On Monday, October 12, the Cayuga CLC - the only CNY ALF Council to encompass an part of the 7th Judicial District,  endorsed Paloma A. Capanna, Candidate for the NYS Supreme Court, 7th Judicial District.  Three days later the Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO also endorsed Capanna. 

Cayuga CLC also endorsed John Klink, the incumbent Owasco Town Supervisor for re-election.  John Klink is a NYSUT retiree. 

Cayuga Council to Hold Candidate Screening Meeting

The Screening Committee of the Cayuga Labor Council has invited local candidates to a question and answer session on Monday, October 19, 6:30 PM at BCTGM  Local 116, 66 Genesee Street, Auburn.  Contact President George Farenthold for more information.

Apollo Alliance

If interested, please contact George Farenthold for more information

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GREATER SYRACUSE NEWS 

Greater Syracuse Labor Council Endorses Candidates

The Greater Syracuse Labor Council is pleased to announce its endorsement

of the following candidates for local office.  These endorsements were

finalized at our September 16, 2009 meeting.

Body, Patricia - Commissioner of Education
Buckel, Tom - Onondaga County Legislature, 7th District
Coleman, Joe - Onondaga County Legislature, 1st District
Corbett, James - Onondaga County Legislature, 8th District
Denno, Lance - Councilor at Large, Syracuse
Dudzinski, Chet - Cicero Town Supervisor
Ennis, James - Onondaga County Legislature, 8th District
Ervin, Linda - Onondaga County Legislature, 19th D
Giarusso, Mike - Town of Salina, Supervisor

Hanford, Karen - Onondaga County Legislature, District 6
Henry, Chuck - Onondaga County Legislature, 14th D
Jones, Ralph - Onondaga County Legislature, 10th District
Kessner, Jean - Syracuse Common Councilor at Large
Laguzza, Sam - Onondaga County Legislature, 16th D
Matousek, Sylvia - Dewitt Town Board
McCarthy, James - Supreme Court Justice, 5th Judicial District
Marsh-O’Connor - Donna Onondaga County Legislature, 2nd District
Masterpole, Martin - Onondaga County Legislature, 17th District
Miner, Stephanie - Mayor, City of Syracuse
Mott, Jason - Cicero Town Council
Robinson, Van - Council President, City of Syracuse
Stanczyk, Mark - Onondaga County Legislator, District 9
Stott, David - Onondaga County Legislator, 4th District
Strong, Richard - Commissioner of Education, City of Syracuse
Szczesniak, Edward - Onondaga County Legislator, 3rd D
Young, Sam DeWitt - Town Justice
Zambrano, Jessica - Cicero Town Council

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MIDSTATE NEWS

Midstate Council is pleased to announce its endorsement of three local candidates who were instrumental in promoting local Resolutions in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.  The Council supports Pat Leary for Town of Ithaca Board, Kathy Luz-Herrera for Tompkins County Legislature,  and Susan Feiszli for Mayor of Cortland.  Sister Luz-Herrera is a member of IBEW, and helped shepherd the EFCA Resolution through the Tompkins County Legislature.  Pat Leary was the sponsor the EFCA Resolution in the Town of Ithaca Board.  Susan Feisli currently sits on the Cortland Common Council and introduced the EFCA Resolution in that body.   

TCWC Center Becomes 11th Workers' Center, Nationally, to Affiliate with AFL-CIO

The Midstate Council and Tompkins County Workers' Center Labor Day Picnic also marked the official announcement of the formal affiliation of the TCWC with the Midstate Labor Council.  Such affiliations are intended to "build unity and strengthen our organizations’ ability to promote and enforce
the rights of working people" ... "This affiliation "will authorize the worker center in question, and/or an association of worker centers, to affiliate with the local state federation and/or local central labor council in order to build ties between these organizations and enable them to work cooperatively on issues of mutual concern.  Such affiliation will entitle the worker center/association of worker centers to a representative in the state federation and/or central labor council in question...Workers served by worker centers that receive such certificates of affiliation, or by their associations, shall be eligible for membership in Working America, the AFL-CIO's community affiliate." (AFL-CIO)

The Tompkins County Workers' Center and the Midstate Labor Council have a history of working collaboratively on issues that matter to all workers and working families. 

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OSWEGO NEWS

Candidate Endorsements

The following candidates have been formally endorsed by the Oswego CLC.

Oswego County Legislature

District 4 Barry Leemann
District 5 Ron Sakonyi
District 7 Jack Proud
District 8 Robin Koes
District 11 Linda Lockwood
District 14 Jim Oldenberg
District 15 no endorsement
District 16 Amy Tresidder
District 17 Dan Hoefer
District 18 Mike Kunzwiler
District 19 Dan Chalifoux
District 20 Doug Malone
District 21 Judy Walsh
District 22 Phil Vasho
District 23 no endorsement

City of Oswego Common Council

1st Ward Connie Cosemento
4th Ward no endorsement
5th Ward Dan Donovan
6th Ward Tim Rice

Other County Races

Hannibal Highway Sup, Dan Mahaney
Hannibal Town Justice Adam Labonski

The Council  thanks all the candidates who participated in our process

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TRI-COUNTY NEWS 

Tri-County Council Endorses Stuligross, Miller

Tri-County Council is pleased to announce that it has endorsed Katherine Stuligross for Otsego County Board Representative and Erik Miller for Mayor of the City of Oneonta. 

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The following items reprinted here courtesy of union communications services, inc.  

LABOR HISTORY

October 19
The J.P. Stevens textile company is forced to sign its first union contract after a 17-year struggle in North Carolina and other southern states - 1980

October 20
Eugene V. Debs, U.S. labor leader and socialist, dies in Elmhurst, Ill. Among his radical ideas: an eight-hour workday, pensions, workman's compensation, sick leave and social security. He ran for president from a jail cell in 1920 and got a million votes - 1926

Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan writes to PATCO President Robert Poli with this promise: if the union endorses Reagan "I will take whatever steps are necessary to provide our air traffic controllers with the most modern equipment available and to adjust staff levels and work days so that they are commensurate with achieving a maximum degree of public safety." He got the endorsement. Nine months after the election, he fires the air traffic controllers for engaging in an illegal walkout over staffing levels and working conditions - 1980

Death of Merle Travis, songwriter and performer who wrote "Sixteen Tons" & "Dark as a Dungeon" - 1983

October 22
Bank robber Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy" Floyd is killed by FBI agents near East Liverpool, Ohio. He was a hero to the people of Oklahoma who saw him as a "Sagebrush Robin Hood," stealing from banks and sharing some of the proceeds with the poor - 1934

October 23
Explosion and fire at Phillips Petroleum refinery in Pasadena, Texas, kills 23 and injures 314 - 1989

John Sweeney, president of the Service Employees Intl. Union, elected president of AFL-CIO - 1995

Postal workers Joseph Cursseen and Thomas Morris die after inhaling anthrax at the Brentwood mail sorting center in Washington, D.C. Other postal workers are made ill. Letters containing the deadly spores had been addressed to U.S. Senate offices and media outlets - 2001

October 24
Strike of Teamsters, Scalesmen and Packers in New Orleans. City trade is paralyzed; within a week the walkout becomes a general strike, involving more than 20,000 whites and blacks together, in support of demands for union recognition and a 10-hour work day - 1892

The first U.S. federal minimum wage – 25 cents an hour – takes effect, thanks to enactment of the Depression-era Fair Labor Standards Act. The law required an increase to 30 cents an hour one year from this date, and to 40 cents an hour on this date in 1945.  The FLSA also established the 40-hour work week and forbade child labor in factories - 1938

AFL-CIO readmits Teamsters union to the labor federation, ending a 30-year expulsion for corruption. In 2005 the Teamsters again parted company with the AFL-CIO – along with a half-dozen other unions – over differences of approach on organizing and politics - 1987.

October 25
25,000 silk dye workers strike in Paterson, NJ - 1934

In what becomes known as the Great Hawaiian Dock Strike, a six-month struggle to win wage parity with mainland dock workers ends in victory - 1949

Sources:
Toil and Trouble, by Thomas R. Brooks; American Labor Struggles, by Samuel Yellen; IWW calendar, Solidarity Forever; Historical Encyclopedia of American Labor, edited by Robert E. Weir and James P. Hanlan; Southwest Labor History Archives/George Meany Center; Geov Parrish’s Radical History; workday Minnesota; Andy Richards and Adam Wright, AFL-CIO Washington DC Metro Council (graphics research).

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MEMBER and STEWARD TIP

Member Tip

Your Role in Arbitration

At all stages of the grievance/arbitration process, your role is to assist your union representatives in pursuing and processing the case.  It’s not enough simply to file a grievance and then figure that the union will do the necessary work to win it.  As a very practical matter, you are likely to be familiar with facts that your union representatives are not, so you need to stay involved at all stages so that you can provide important input.  You also owe it to yourself and to the union to be involved every step of the way, so that you can have a realistic outlook if the question of settlement comes up at any stage of the processing of the case.

Adapted from The Union Members Complete Guide, by Michael Mauer