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Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation in Solidarity with the New Paltz International Women’s Day March

While a demonstrator stood behind her holding a sign depicting an indigenous version of Rosie the Riveter and the caption “A woman’s place is in her union,” Janette Clark of the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation traced International Women’s Day’s roots in the garment workers’ strikes of the early 20th century. 

https://hudsonvalleyone.com/2019/03/11/activists-for-many-causes-find-co...

Current CLC Candidate Endorsements (2021)

The Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation's Central Labor Councils have endorsed the following candidates for the 2021 election cycle:

2021 CLC Local Judicial Endorsement Questionnaire

Thank you for your interest in Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation's endorsement and for your interest in the labor movement. Below, you will find a link to our 2021 Judicial Questionnaire.

2021 CLC Local Endorsement Questionnaire

Thank you for your interest in Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation's endorsement and for your interest in the labor movement. Below, you will find a link to our 2021 questionnaire.

Labor Unions Plan to Turn Out an Army of Poll Workers for the Election

A lack of poll workers can lead to a lack of available polling places ― and voter disenfranchisement. Given that the pandemic has made door-knocking infeasible in so many areas, labor groups are diverting some of that energy and resources to the poll worker cause. “With COVID, door-to-door has gone by the wayside. So this is how we show up for the moment,” said Michael Podhorzer, who leads political strategy at the AFL-CIO labor federation, which includes 55 unions. “It’s a million-person workforce that kind of has to be replaced.

Trumka Says Trump Broke His Promise on Manufacturing Jobs

Richard Trumka, the president of the AFL-CIO, on Thursday morning accused President Trump of breaking his promises to bring more manufacturing and infrastructure jobs to working Americans.

They were some of Mr. Trumka’s strongest comments to date — and a recognition that even labor leaders who were willing to give Mr. Trump a chance four years ago are no longer open to finding common ground.

During a pandemic, unions offer workers some protection, research shows

Belonging to a union is not a panacea for all that plagues workers during a pandemic, as many hospital and other workers short on protective gear can attest. Still, being covered by a collective bargaining does increase the chances of having medical coverage and paid sick time — benefits that are particularly important during a public health crisis — a new study finds. Nearly all, or 94%, of workers covered by a union contract have access to employee-sponsored health benefits, compared to 68% of nonunion workers, according to recent research published by the Economic Policy Institute.

Labor out in support of Senator Metzger

The HVALF was out in full force for NYS Senator Jen Metzgers campaign kickoff! 

Trump Executive Actions on COVID Are Smoke and Mirrors That Help No One

One way to view President Donald Trump’s executive actions last week on COVID relief is that they represent unlawful overreach. But that would imply that while his actions are illegal, they are nevertheless effective — and therein lies the core problem. What our showman president signed last week was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. 

In the COVID-19 Economy, We Are Running Out of Time to Prioritize Child Care

In March, working families across the country started to scramble. Our homes were transformed into makeshift classrooms, summer camps and daycare centers as the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered schools and child care facilities.

First Fridays: Exploring the Amazon in our Backyard

Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation's Education Committee had an informative online discussion on Labor's organizing challenges at America's largest online retailer. 

Featuring:

Mike Neidl, Legislative Director NYS AFL-CIO

Chris Smalls, Staten Island Amazon worker who led walkout over lack of COVID-19 protections for workers

Rene Mejia Jr., Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson

Dan Maldonado, President International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 445

Nick Moran, Mid-Hudson Democratic Socialists of America

Senate must pass HEROES Act for working families

In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act, a piece of legislation that would provide much-needed solutions to our current economic and public safety crisis. Unfortunately, its path forward has been uncertain. There has been no debate on the bill in the Senate, and Mitch McConnell even sent the Senate on vacation without hearing it.