In a crowded race to take over the seat of term-limited incumbent Manhattan City Councilwoman Gale Brewer, real estate attorney Marc Landis picked up a key endorsement that helps bolster his standing as the “progressive” candidate in the race. Landis was among the Council candidates to be endorsed by the labor-backed Working Families Party last week, who highlighted Landis’ work around affordable housing and fighting for tenants’ rights as part of the reason for their support. “We’re proud to endorse… [More]

In the crowded race to replace embattled Queens Councilman Dan Halloran one candidate continues to accrue widespread labor support, which could help him gain traction in the coming months. Austin Shafran, a former vice president of public relations for Empire State Development, was one of the Council candidates endorsed by the Working Families Party last week, and both the Hotel Trades Council and 1199 SEIU, two of the city’s more powerful unions, voted to support Shafran during the WFP voting process.… [More]

Brooklyn City Council candidate Carlos Menchaca, who is challenging incumbent Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez, added another labor endorsement today when the Communications Workers of America District 1 announced that they would be lending their support to his campaign. “Carlos Menchaca is the voice New York’s workers need on the City Council,” said Chris Shelton, vice president of CWA, in a statement. “Carlos has spent his entire career serving his neighbors, working to expand affordable housing, and fighting on behalf of small… [More]

A group of construction unions, community groups, and elected officials, including two Brooklyn politicians, City Councilwoman Letitia James and Assemblyman Walter Mosley, filed an Article 78 lawsuit against the Bloomberg administration and developer Acadia Realty Trust calling for the City Point real estate project to be shut down and to commission a new environmental impact statement for the construction site. The suit alleges that the wage rate allowed in the City Point lease would force construction workers to earn substandard… [More]

Bronx City Council candidate Ritchie Torres continues to pick up support from organized labor in a crowded race to replace City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera, winning the endorsement of the Teamsters Joint Council 16, one of the largest unions in the city with roughly 120,000 members. “Ritchie is the fighter we need on the City Council to represent working families in the Bronx,” said George Miranda, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16. “Ritchie understands the importance of maintaining and creating good middle class jobs and… [More]

Brooklyn City Council candidate Kirsten John Foy, picked up a major labor endorsement today, receiving the support of the United Federation of Teachers in his bid to replace retiring Councilman Al Vann. “Kirsten John Foy has a firm understanding of the issues and concerns that are facing his community,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew.  “The UFT will work hard to make sure that he is elected to the City Council so that we can make sure the issues and concerns of students and… [More]

Bronx City Council candidate Ritchie Torres added to his cache of labor endorsements with the additional support of the Communications Workers of America (CWA District 1) and the Sanitation Workers union (IBT Local 831). “Ritchie is a dynamic young leader and is just what the Bronx needs,” said Chris Shelton, Vice President of CWA. “Ritchie knows and understands the struggles of working men and women and CWA will do everything we can to make sure Ritchie is elected to the City Council.” Torres, a former… [More]

Tom DiNapoli New York State Comptroller Q: Your concerns about the governor’s plan to smooth out pension costs led to changes. What made the proposal more acceptable? TD: My responsibility, as the fiduciary of the [state’s pension] fund, is to ensure that the pension system is properly funded so that benefits can be paid to retirees. That’s why I recommended a variation of the existing program that was enacted in 2010. This program has given local governments flexibility while continuing… [More]

The next mayor of New York City has the unenviable task of settling outstanding municipal labor contracts, and with few resources to do so.… [More]

In the wake of the CityTime scandal, New York City officials have taken steps in recent years to increase oversight of outside contractors, including a joint transparency project with the city comptroller, a new city technology development corporation, and the passage of a law requiring a cost-benefit analysis before any outsourcing that could replace city workers. But for critics, still more changes are needed to prevent another debacle like CityTime, a computerized payroll system that went hundreds of millions of… [More]