Union Strong

Today marks the 109^th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York City. Normally on this day, large crowds of union members and others would gather at Washington Place and Greene Street to pay tribute to the 146 lives lost on that fateful day. It was one of the deadliest industrial disasters in U.S. history.

COVID-19 has canceled those plans as gatherings continue to be off-limits. So, as more of us continue to be confined to our homes, we thought it would be fitting to remind you of this podcast – A Day in History that Changed Workplace Safety. It is a look-back at how a single tragedy changed workplace safety and strengthened the labor movement.

On this episode we hear from NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento and learn about COVID-19 relief available to workers both at the state and federal level.

More info at unionstrongny.com

SAG-AFTRA is the union representing members who are the faces and voices that entertain and inform us. New technology and new attitudes are changing their workspace. Our guest is Rebecca Damon, the national Executive VP of SAG-AFTRA and President of SAG-AFTRA’s New York Local. 

 

Join the celebration! It has already been one year since the New York State AFL-CIO launched the Union Strong podcast. President Mario Cilento stops in the studio to help us mark our one-year anniversary.

But first; employees at the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter are making history. They are the first employees at a major technology company in the U.S. to unionize. A Kickstarter employee and spokesperson for the newly unionized Kickstarter United explains why and how it happened and what’s next. 

On the latest episode of the Union Strong podcast, we talk to the executive director and chief economist of the Fiscal Policy Institute about New York State's financial plan and our revenue system which is proving to be unfair and unreliable. Ron Deutsch and Jonas Shaende run down some revenue options, discuss the states spending cap, income inequality and the results of a recent poll on how New Yorkers feel about taxing the wealthy.  

New York State has had a call center outsourcing problem that has resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of call center jobs over the past several years. Companies packed up and moved either out-of-state or out of the country and often after receiving state grants, guaranteed loans and tax benefits. On this podcast the statewide legislative and political director for CWA District 1 explains how a new law aims to change that. 

Elevators and escalators - we all use them throughout our daily lives. You may be surprised to learn that no license is required for those who oversee or maintain them. That’s about to change with the signing of the Elevator Safety Act. We talk to a representative of the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local One to learn more about the new law. 

Learn more about IUEC Local 1 at https://localoneiuec.com/

The Television Diversity Tax Credit Bill has been signed into law. We talk to Lowell Peterson, Executive Director of the Writers Guild of America, East to find out how it will change what we watch on television and the new opportunities it will create for writers and directors, who until now were overlooked.

A married couple, a teacher with breast cancer and a paraprofessional expecting a baby have all received layoff notices from the Rochester City School District. The district announced plans to cut more than 150 positions just days before the holidays.

“It’s really heartbreaking what is happening. Children are crying for their teachers. Teachers are crying because they are being severed from their students. It’s a very, very bad situation.” - Adam Urbanski

But - there is hope. On this podcast we hear from the president of the Rochester Teachers Association and the president of the Rochester Association of paraprofessionals about what is at stake and how you can help. 

Send a letter to the board at https://actionnetwork.org/letters/no-classroom-cuts-in-rochester-city-schools/

Attend the Dec. 19 rally and board meeting.

We need as many supporters as possible to turn out to urge the board to reconsider mid-year cuts that would have a devastating impact on our students.

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 19. Rally starts at 4:30 p.m. before the 6 p.m. school board meeting.
WHERE: RCSD District Office, 131 W Broad St., Rochester, NY 14614 [MAP]

• RSVP: Respond to the Facebook event to let us know you're coming and stay up-to-date as Dec. 19 approaches.

Ep. 25 –The Western New York Area Labor Federation has one of the highest union membership rates in the country. Listen in on a conversation with the president from that region about its rich labor history, what the future holds and the youth factor.