Union Strong

As Primary Election Day approaches, the stakes for working people have never been higher. Every endorsement made by the New York State AFL-CIO carries significant weight, and candidates seeking that endorsement must earn it by meeting a high threshold. On the latest Union Strong podcast, we sit down with our Political Director Kevin Eitzmann to take you inside our endorsement process, explore what’s at stake in this year’s election, and discuss how union members are making their voices heard at the ballot box. Resources: Volunteer for a labor walk or phone bank: https://nysaflcio.org/politics NYS AFL-CIO endorsements: https://nysaflcio.org/endorsements Voter information: https://nysaflcio.org/vote 

For 17 years, the journalists and media workers of the Albany Newspaper Guild have been working without a contract at the Times Union. They haven’t spoken about their fight publicly until now. On the latest Union Strong Podcast, we’re diving into their story: what it means to report the news that so many rely on while facing your own uncertainty, why this contract fight has stretched on for nearly two decades, and what’s at stake, not just for these journalists, but for the future of local news. In an interview with Wendy Liberatore, the president of the Albany Newspaper Guild, we gain insight into the ongoing contract dispute and its broader implications. TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE TIMES UNION WORKERS: Ask the Times Union and Hearst to give the Albany Newspaper Guild a fair contract now. Publisher George Hearst: [email protected], 518-454-5694 CEO Steve Swartz: [email protected], 212-649-2000 President of Newspaper Group Jeff Johnson: [email protected], 212-649-2000 Visit the Albany Newspaper Guild website for more information: https://albanyguild.org/

On March 8, thousands of union members packed the MVP Arena in Albany in an incredible show of solidarity, calling on the Governor and State Legislature to Fix Tier 6 in this year’s budget. In this episode of the Union Strong podcast, we break down how we got here, take you inside the arena for a firsthand look at the rally, and hear from New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento about what comes next in the fight to Fix Tier 6. Ask your State legislators and the Governor to Fix Tier 6: https://nysaflcio.info/4rgACWn NYS AFL-CIO Tier 6 Pension Reform web page: https://nysaflcio.org/tier-6 

New York State Assemblyman Harry Bronson’s journey from a childhood of hardship to becoming a champion for workers is inspiring. As one of 12 siblings growing up without indoor plumbing, and at times, no running water, he saw firsthand the struggles his parents faced working low-wage jobs for companies that did not offer collective bargaining. It was those early experiences that shaped his dedication to fighting for equity and opportunity. Now, as the powerful chair of the NYS Assembly Labor Committee, he is in a prime position to influence the future of labor policy, and he is our guest on the Union Strong podcast.

Unemployment benefits just got a significant boost in New York State. This long-awaited increase, championed by the union movement, raises important questions: How much did the benefit go up? Who qualifies? How long can you collect? New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon joins us to break down what’s changed, why it matters, and what workers need to know. Resources: Visit https://dol.ny.gov/