New York State AFL-CIO

As Session Winds Down, Labor’s Issues Heat Up
(Governor Paterson Says Discussions Taking Place on Labor’s Legislative Agenda Items)

As the 2008 legislative session winds down, labor’s legislative priority issues continue to gain traction. Two in particular have made headlines in recent days: a state takeover of New York City OTB; and an agreement to eliminate mandatory overtime for nurses.

On June 15th, Governor Paterson, Senate Majority Leader Bruno and Assembly Speaker Silver jointly announced an agreement for an immediate takeover of OTB by a newly formed state public benefit corporation. As a result, the jobs of 1,500 workers who are members of DC 37, Local 2021 and Teamster Local 858, were saved.

Earlier this week, it was reported that a three-way agreement was reached on the elimination of mandatory overtime for nurses. If this legislation is passed and signed into law, it will ensure that patients are no longer cared for by overworked nurses, and it will allow these dedicated professionals to perform to the best of their ability.

The New York State AFL-CIO is deeply appreciative of the leadership displayed by Governor Paterson, Majority Leader Bruno and Speaker Silver on the aforementioned issues.

On June 17th, Governor Paterson was a special guest at the New York State AFL-CIO’s regularly scheduled Executive Board meeting in Albany. Governor Paterson signed the takeover bill into law at our Executive Board Meeting. The Governor stated in his remarks after the bill signing, that many of labor’s legislative priority issues were being worked on in the final days of the session. In particular, Governor Paterson mentioned IDA Reform, Paid Family Leave and Unemployment Insurance increases.

Needless to say, the New York State AFL-CIO is heartened by the Governor’s stated commitment to work diligently on labor’s priority issues. In addition, we greatly appreciate the support and guidance provided throughout the legislative session, by our friends in the Senate and Assembly, led by Senator Bruno and Speaker Silver.

As the session draws to a close, the New York State AFL-CIO continues to work with its affiliates on the issues vital to the cause and concerns of our members. We will be updating you over the next several days, as negotiations take their usual twists and turns in the final days of the session.

Denis M. Hughes, President

Issue of the WeekThe following memo was issued by the NYS Conference of International Union of Operating Engineers in opposition to S. 8489 (Lanza)/A. 11531-A (Rules-Lancman)

An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the completion of an approved apprenticeship program for certain hoisting machine operators

This legislation deletes from the NYC Administrative Code the years of experience required of applicants for the crane licenses administered by the City, replacing them with an apprenticeship requirement. Contrary to its stated intent, this bill will weaken the qualifications required of these applicants.

The deterioration of New York State’s apprenticeship system under the previous DOL administration led the current Labor Commissioner, commendably, to impose in 2007 a moratorium on registration of new programs while the damage to the system is identified and corrected. Even given a healthy apprenticeship system, no mere training program can prepare a person to operate complicated machinery twenty stories above the streets of New York City. Only quality instruction and hands-on experience, as is now required, can provide the knowledge necessary to perform these jobs.

According to all public information, the tragic crane accidents that recently occurred in the City were not caused by operator error, but rather by shoddy maintenance and repair practices that were a management responsibility. To imply that the operators who died were somehow at fault is an affront to their survivors. Worse, weakening operator qualifications increases the risk of future tragedies.

This bill is currently in the Assembly Labor and Senate Rules Committee.

Keep An Eye OnThursday, July 24, 2008
New York State AFL-CIO COPE “Day at the Races”, “At The Rail Pavilion” 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.