On May Day: Senator Gillibrand Stands With Labor Across New York State

Gillibrand Stands with Teamsters Local 118, IBEW Local 43, and NYSUT in Union Visits New York, NY – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, stood with labor leaders and advocates at the Teamsters Local 118 in Rochester, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 43 in Syracuse, and the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) conference in Albany. During the visits to Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany, Gillibrand urged the swift passage of the Faster Labor Contracts Act , which would require employers to come to the negotiating table quickly and ensure that they engage in good faith negotiations with unions. “Everything from groceries to gas costs more now than it did before President Trump took office, and American workers are feeling the pinch,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Instead of focusing on lowering costs and helping people get ahead, President Trump has spent his time launching a full-frontal assault on organized labor. In the face of these attacks, we must not back down, which is why the passage of the Faster Labor Contracts Act is so critical. Every step forward for the American worker – from every weekend off to every safe workplace and every living wage – came because workers showed up, fought back, and refused to be silent.” Teamsters Local 118 is a Rochester, New York-based labor union representing approximately 4,300 members in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. Its members work across various industries critical to the region’s supply chains and public infrastructure, including transportation, warehousing, food production, and public sector jobs. IBEW Local 43 in Syracuse represents more than 1,500 skilled and trained electricians, apprentices and technicians throughout Central New York, including Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego and parts of Cayuga, Chenango, Otsego, Tompkins and Wayne counties. Gillibrand visited their Central New York Technical Alliance training center, which offers an apprenticeship program for the next generation of electricians. NYSUT is a federation of more than 1,200 local unions representing nearly 700,000 classroom teachers, teaching assistants and aides, custodians, nurses, bus drivers, and professional staff who work in, or are retired from, New York schools, colleges, and healthcare facilities. Today, Gillibrand spoke at their Representative Assembly, NYSUT’s annual policy convention. “On behalf of IBEW Local 43, I thank Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for visiting today and for her strong support of the Faster Labor Contracts Act. This common-sense legislation protects workers’ right to not only organize, but to secure a first contract in a timely manner,” said IBEW Local 43 Business Manager & Financial Secretary Alan Marzullo. “We appreciate Senator Gillibrand’s leadership and remain committed to working together to strengthen the middle class across our region.” “As NYS Assembly Labor Chair, I am proud to stand in solidarity with Senator Gillibrand, Teamsters Local 118 and labor leaders to echo the call for passing the Faster Labor Contracts Act. This act is necessary not only to protect hardworking Americans from Trump’s attacks on organized labor, but to provide meaningful recourse when employers refuse to negotiate in good faith,” said Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson. “At a time when the cost of living is out of control, the collective voice of workers ensures middle-class wages and benefits so people can make ends meet. Let’s pass the Faster Labor Contracts Act so every worker, in every workplace has equitable opportunity to fight for the rights they deserve.” “As a former union president, I’ve sat across the table and fought for every dollar, every benefit, and every protection working people deserve,” said NYS Senator Chris Ryan. “I know firsthand that the hardest part isn’t just forming a union—it’s securing that first contract. This legislation is about making sure workers aren’t left waiting while employers drag their feet. I’m grateful to Senator Gillibrand for her leadership and for fighting on behalf of Central New York workers to move this forward. When people stand together to demand fairness, the law should stand with them—and the Faster Labor Contracts Act helps ensure that the promise of collective bargaining becomes a reality, not a delay.” Senator Gillibrand has had a longstanding partnership with organized labor. As a champion of bills such as the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, Gillibrand has been a leader in the Senate, urging her colleagues to pass bipartisan legislation that would bolster and protect New York State workers. This week, Senator Gillibrand sent a letter to the Department of Defense condemning the termination of collective bargaining agreements for American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) members at Fort Drum and the Defense Finance Accounting Services (DFAS) in Rome. While this administration continues to actively work against unions, Senator Gillibrand is continuing to fight for them. Her legislative priorities remain focused on: Strengthening collective bargaining and ensuring workers have a seat at the table without fear of retaliation; Protecting federal funding and ensuring the long-term solvency of the WTCHP and VCF for 9/11 first responders and survivors; Safeguarding union jobs and supporting the development of pathways to economic mobility, including through pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs; And advocating for paid family leave and affordable child care, longtime priorities that have both New York State and New York City governmental support. ###