The HVALF honors Martin Luther King Jr, on this day.

MORE PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE ON FLICKR

On the day millions of Americans return unwanted gifts, New Yorkers returned to Rep. Nan Hayworth her anti-worker policies. Constituents presented empty gift boxes, literally “boxes of nothing”, at Hayworth’s office to symbolize what Hayworth has done for workers in the Hudson Valley.   Advocates criticized Rep. Nan Hayworth’s refusal to fight for fair trade with China, her willingness to play chicken with funding for unemployment insurance and the middle class payroll tax holiday and her support for measures to make outsourcing easier. 

Call Congress: 888-245-3381

The 1% have the resources to hire lobbyists and make their voices heard on Capitol Hill.  New York's unemployed workers cannot do that, they are counting on people like us to voice our support for renewing unemployment insurance.  Withouth Congressional action, unemployment funding will expire on Dec. 31.

As you know, the House Republicans are threatening to vote down the bill passed by the Senate on Friday, that would provide a 2 month extension of unemployment benefits, and allow for continued negotiations for a longer term fix.   The Senate bill is not perfect – but a failure by the House to approve it will mean that 1.8 million Americans could lose their unemployment insurance benefits in January!

Please take one minute today to stand in solidarity with the hundres of thousands of New Yorkers struggling to find work.

Please call 888-245-3381 and tell your representative that you support the Senate's unemployment bill!

December 16, New York, NY – Today, Mario Cilento was unanimously elected President of the New York State AFL-CIO by the organization’s Executive Council.  He assumes leadership immediately.  Cilento succeeds Denis Hughes who announced his retirement plans last month

Upon taking office, Cilento said, “I am honored, humbled and feel incredibly privileged to have been elected President of the New York State AFL-CIO. The labor movement in this state has always risen to the challenges laid before us.  Together, as one movement, we will once again meet those challenges, and provide a brighter economic future for all working men and women.”

Cilento said his focus will be harnessing the collective power of the labor movement’s 2.5 million members statewide. “Make no mistake about it, this is a statewide movement.  From Buffalo to Montauk and everywhere in between we will create a groundswell of activism to educate our members on the issues of the day, and as a result, be better able to mobilize them.”

Poughkeepsie Journal:

More pictures on Flickr of the marchers at Occupy Poughkeepsie

Pictures of CWA Marchers at Vassar College

Pictures of CWA Marchers at Wappingers

“I voted incorrectly. In error, I voted in the negative (no) vote, when I intended to vote in the affirmative (yes)."

Source:  Amo says his vote against budget was a mistake

Date: Sunday, November 13, 2011
Time: 7:30pm sharp
Location: Legislator Michael Amo’s House, 16 Summit Ave., Central Valley NY 10917

Details: Wear warm clothing, bring a candle light (preferably battery operated) or a traditional candle for the action.

The CWA Marchers for the 99% were applauded by supporters in Kingston.

Daily Freeman covered the story.

More pictures on Flickr