Legislation on the state and national levels concerns the 2.5 million union members and their families in New York as it concerns every citizen. The New York State AFL-CIO provides a voice for these union members and for all workers, in both the state Legislature and with the state Congressional delegation.
Whatever it is, the New York State AFL-CIO has an interest. This is so, first of all, because 2.5 million people have an interest in almost everything, but beyond that, because the state AFL-CIO speaks not only for its own members, but all New Yorkers who work for wages and salaries and for all who have no other voice.
A number of times each year, the officers or legislative staff of the state federation present labor’s views to legislative committees conducting hearings on legislation of interest to the trade union movement. Frequently, staff members of the New York State AFL-CIO Department of Legislation and of affiliated unions are at the state Capitol or in Congressional offices to discuss pending bills with individual legislators and members of Congress.
This is the “labor lobby” in action, functioning in an open, straightforward fashion, pursuing labor’s legislative objectives as set forth in policy statements of the State Federation.
Some of these objectives have to do with unions as such and the regulations that affect them, including the Taylor Law and the National Labor Relation’s Act, State Labor Relations Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Unemployment Insurance Law, Prevailing Rate Laws and Workers’ Compensation Laws, Temporary Disability Insurance, etc.
Each year, the Legislative Department reviews over 14,000 legislative submissions in order to determine the impact on organized labor and the community. Where appropriate, a position to support or oppose the legislation is formulated and memoranda are issued. A network of communication is maintained among the labor lobby representatives of our affiliates as well as the central labor councils, and area labor federations throughout the state and particularly with the legislative action committees of this federation.
The department is frequently called upon to initiate legislation that will protect or benefit workers and their families. This department drafts bills, prepares legislative memoranda and assists in publicizing legislative issues. Basic legislative research is also conducted by this department. Affiliates often turn to us as a resource of information and assistance on legislative issues.
The labor lobby also deals with such familiar questions as unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, off shoring, paid family leave, child care, minimum wage, workplace health and safety, public employee pensions, education, mass transit and economic development among others.
A. 11484 Rules (John)/S.8358 Maziarz AN ACT to amend the public health law and the education law, in relation to a safe patient handling policy for health care facilities.
S. 6037-A Libous/A. 1369-A Brodsky, et al An Act to amend the business corporation law and the retirement and social security law, in relation to authorizing certain actions by institutional investors.
S. 6457-A Farley/A. 9393-A Abbate An Act establishing the task force on retiree health insurance protection; and providing for the repeal of certain provisions upon expiration thereof.
S. 182 Alesi, et al/A. 3593 Farrell An Act to amend the waterfront commission act, in relation to empowering the waterfront commission to accept applications in the longshoremen’s register; and to repeal section 5-p of such act relating thereto.
A. 8150 McEneny, et al/S. 6130B Robach An Act to amend the retirement and social security law and the civil service law, in relation to university police officers appointed by the state university.
S. 1551 Hannon/A6119 Gottfried An Act to amend the public health law, in relation to enacting the “safe staffing for quality care act” and to amend the state finance law, in relation to moneys deposited into the improving quality of patient care fund.
A. 1898B/Gunther/S6342 Morahan An Act to amend the labor law and the education law, in relation to limiting consecutive hours of work by nurses.
2008 Oppose Memos
S. 7575-A Seward/A. 10372-A Cymbrowitz An Act to amend the Insurance Law in relation to extending owner controlled insurance programs in certain instances.
S. 8159 Morahan/A.10966 Rivera, P An act amending chapter 371 of the laws of 1998, amending the public authorities law relating to the construction and financing of facilities by the dormitory authority for the New York State Rehabilitation Association, in relation to extending the expiration and repeal of such provisions.
A. 2528 Morelle, et al/S. 4317 Volker An Act to amend the civil practice law and rules, in relation to the applicability of certain provisions with respect to persons injured in the use of scaffolding and other devices for use by employees.
Article VII Proposals SFY 2008-2009 Executive Budget Submission Education, Labor and Family Assistance State Employee Relations Board
Haiti is a scene of unimaginable devastation and human tragedy today. The NYS AFL-CIO is asking our affiliates to do all they can to help Haitians survive Tuesday’s massive earthquake.
Donations can be made to the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center Emergency Relief Fund to ensure that assistance reaches workers and their families.
You may write checks payable to:
Solidarity Center Education Fund 888 16th Street, N.W., Suite 400 Washington, DC 20006
Please note in memo line: “Earthquake Relief for Haitian Worker Fund”
The Solidarity Center and its partners are ready to assist Haitian workers and their families in any way possible. Please contribute what you can to the Solidarity Center’s Earthquake Relief for Haitian Workers campaign. Updates on the relief efforts will be posted at http://www.solidaritycenter.org
Ethically Speaking...Introducing a new monthly segment written by Chalmers Clark, PhD, focusing on ethical considerations in conversations about our work and positive values that organized labor strengthens in American society.
In our last issue of Ethically Speaking... we took the doctrine of employment-at-will (EAW) and put it under the ethical lens of justice. We then brought the concept down to its roots in everyday notions such as 'fairness' and 'even handed treatment' or 'an even playing field'. (full story)
Unemployment Resources
If you're out of work, you're not alone. In December, 2009, the unemployment in the United States remained at 10 percent, while in New York State it climbed to 9 percent. America's working families deserve better.
The New York State AFL-CIO has a rich and proud history, which is deeply embedded in labor's continuous struggle for dignity and economic and social justice. This history is the story of the State Federation and its predecessor federations dating to 1865.
