Elected Representatives: Assemblyman Harry Bronson attending, other state representatives invited.

Presenters: Bishop Herman Dailey, Outreach Community Center and Carly Fox, Worker Justice Center of New York.

Today, there are 880,000 workers in New York State that are earning under $8.50/hr. Workers at the current minimum wage, working full time, earn $290/week or only $15,080/year. We know that this isn’t a wage that can even begin to address the basic needs of so many of us. The State of New York shouldn’t allow labor laws that allow for some to profit by paying poverty wages.

There is currently a proposal to raise the minimum wage to $8.50/hour and index it to inflation so that it raises some each year. While, we know that this doesn’t begin to approach a genuine living wage for many in our state, we do support ensuring that 880,000 workers throughout the state get a raise this year!

Assemblyman Harry Bronson will be attending, and other state representatives are invited. Come and let them know what kind of support there is for raising the minimum wage and let them know that ultimately we expect to live in a state where all people are guaranteed a living wage.

What & Why: New York State Assembly Public Hearing on Minimum Wage

When: Tuesday, April 24, 2012, @ 1:00 PM

Where: Common Council Chambers, 233 E. Washington St., 2nd Floor, Syracuse, NY

We will PACK the Assembly Public Hearing on Minimum Wage and… OVERWHELM the opposition.

Because New York needs a raise—now.

Raising the minimum wage from the current $7.25/hour to $8.50/hour will directly benefit at least 880,000 New Yorkers who right now work for less than $8.50/hour. It’s the right thing to do.

Please consider attending the hearing on this important issue.  For more information about the hearing and raising the minimum wage,  please click the links below:

Public Hearing on Minimum Wage

Raise the Minimum Wage

To the view the story, please visit Tax Dodger Dodgeball, penny poll use tax day to send message.

To the view the story, please visit Tax Day protest.

SEIU Local 200United Contract Victory with CDS Monarch

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 – Yesterday, the majority of the three hundred direct care workers employed by CDS Monarch and represented by SEIU Local 200United voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement.

“I am so happy to know we can come to the table with management and discuss issues that are affecting our membership and work together to find solutions. I value the good relationship we have built here,” said Senitra Ferron, Chairperson of SEIU Local 200United at CDS Monarch.

In a time of economic uncertainty, and scaled back federal and state funds, workers and management at CDS Monarch were able to negotiate a fair contract that includes a 2.5% cost of living wage increase in each of the next two years and a wage reopener in year three. Workers and management successfully maintained 95% employer paid health insurance as well as continued contributions to a defined benefit retirement plan. The new agreement will expire in April, 2015.

“The clients and families that our members care for are the real winners in this contract. Positive labor relations helped to facilitate a good contract, which in return helps to reduce high employee turnover and that is always in the best interest of the clients CDS Monarch serves. Our positive dialogue has facilitated a workplace of respect and understanding, which provides workers a voice to promote a better place to work,” said Jerry Dennis, President of SEIU Local 200United.

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To download a PDF version of the press release, please click here.

CONTACT: Trisha Botty, Politics/Communications | (315) 415-2123 | tbotty@local200united.org

The award will be presented annually to a deserving graduating senior at Homer High School, the school from which Mark’s daughters Ashley and Tory graduated not long ago. The recipient will be a social science major in college and must have demonstrated academic excellence and involvement in the community. Financial need, minority and/or disability status and outstanding achievement may all be factors in selecting the recipient.

It is our hope that this award will be presented for many, many years, but frankly, that won’t happen without your generous personal support and that of your organization. Checks for any amount (of course, the more, the better!) can be made out and sent to:

Homer Education Foundation
P.O. Box 174
Homer, NY 13077

Please write Mark Keith on the memo line of your check so it will be directed to the appropriate account. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization, so your contribution is tax-deductible.

The Homer Foundation has a website with a donation form you can download and print here.  It isn’t necessary to use it, but if you do, please write “Mark Keith Scholarship” somewhere in the box on the lower right.

On behalf of the Keith family and future Homer HS grads, we thank you.

• Saturday, March 3rd, 2012
• Form Up: 12:30 p.m.
• Corner Fayette & Court
• Bring Your Banners, Show Your Colors, and Wear Your Hard Hats!

Don’t miss the fun – help us assemble our Float!

• Float assembly – March 1st & 2nd: 2:30 p.m. – till ?
• Kolba Construction, 2805 Vestal Road, Vestal
• Tools helpful! Especially screw-guns
• We provide food & drink for our volunteers!

For more information, please contact Bonnie Wilson at bonnie@cnylabor.org or (607) 372-3153.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Syracuse
Syracuse St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Pot-Luck Luncheon
Greater Syracuse Labor Council

• Saturday, March 17th, 2012
• Meet at 11:00 a.m. (tentative to placement in parade)
• Parade Starts at 12:00 p.m.
• Meeting/Luncheon Location: IBT 317 Hall, 566 Spencer Street., Syracuse

To register your dish for the luncheon, please email Maggie Mahoney at maggie.mahoney@1199.org.
For questions and/or more information, please contact Anthony Vilardo at anthony@cnylabor.org or (315) 422-3363.

SEIU Local 200United celebrates Black History Month.