Union Strong

Labor Day 2020 – Where we have been and where we need to go

Each year on Labor Day we recognize and honor the incredible achievements and many contributions of working people. This year however is like no other. While we still honor the hard work of working people, the unemployment rate in New York State is at nearly 16 percent, workers fear about their safety on the job and the safety of their families. Parents struggle with whether to send their children back to school and many families struggle with how to pay for housing and food. And, an alarming number of workers have died or become ill after being exposed to the coronavirus at work.

On this podcast we hear from the President of the New York State AFL-CIO, Mario Cilento. President Cilento talks about where we have been in 2020 and what we need to do moving forward to support workers and our economy.

The USPS, Delivering Democracy

The United States Postal Service is by far the public's favorite agency in the federal government. But just weeks before the 2020 general election, the postal service is caught in the middle of a firestorm with a new postmaster general calling for cutbacks that are causing delivery delays and a President launching an attack on mail-in voting. On this podcast we hear from Bill Cook, the President of the Northeastern New York Branch 358 of the National Association of Letter Carriers to set the record straight. 

The Countdown to Being Counted - Census 2020

There are concerns across the country of a massive undercount for the 2020 Census. In New York state, like many others, residents are falling behind in responding and there is a lot at stake.

 

In New York City the push to be counted is in full force and labor is playing an important role.

 

The New York City Central Labor Council has been working hard to get the word out about the importance of filling out the 2020 Census.

On this podcast our guest is the Political Director of the NYC CLC, Lucia Gomez who explains why the count is so important and how labor is getting over the many hurdles to ensure everyone is counted.

 

COVID-19 Workplace Safety

More and more of us are returning to our workplaces as New York State reopens after the COVID-19 shutdown. You may also be visiting retail and department stores, hair and nail salons and barber shops. Many New Yorkers are also dining out.

The big question is, how do we return safely as clients, customers and workers.

On this podcast we will talk about workplace safety in the office setting, and in the retail industry to learn what we can do as customers, clients, and coworkers to stay safe.

Our guests are:

Geraldine Stella – Health & Safety Specialist at the NYS Public Employees Federation (PEF)

David Mertz – Assistant to Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) President Stuart Appelbaum

Charlene Obernauer – Executive Director of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH)

Future of School

After the most unusual school year ever, planning is underway on how to safely reopen schools. NYSUT President Andy Pallotta joins the podcast to talk about what school may look like this fall.

Union Avoidance Exposed

The coronavirus pandemic has more workers concerned about workplace safety, job security and benefits like sick time and health insurance – which is why union avoidance firms are anticipating an increase in union organizing. On this podcast, what companies are doing to try to silence working people.

Racial Injustice

The horrific and senseless death of George Floyd has left us all reeling and during an already uncertain time.

As a labor movement, we have always fought for equality, justice, and for civil rights. We must continue to stand united against the hatred that divides us, and instead stand together in peace.

Let’s use this moment of unimaginable pain to bring us all together.

On this podcast you will hear from the President of the New York State AFL-CIO, Mario Cilento and our Secretary-Treasurer Terry Melvin who is also the President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist as they address racial injustice in America and what the Labor Movement can do to change it.

2020 Elections

Keeping voters safe during the coronavirus pandemic has led to procedural changes. NYS AFL-CIO Chief of Staff Ryan Delgado explains what you need to know to make sure your vote counts.

 

Reopening New York State

One of the first regions to reopen, during the COVID-19 pandemic, was the nine county Rochester-Finger Lakes region. Labor is at the table and in the “Regional Control Room”. We talk to Dan Maloney, President of the Rochester Labor Council and Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation to find out how the reopening process is going and what protocols are in place to keep workers safe.​

Union Construction Sites Ready to Reopen

Construction is one of the first industries to get back up and running as New York state begins to reopen. Pat Purcell, the executive director of Greater New York LECET (Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust), joins us to talk about what that new normal will be like.