January 2020 Rochester Labor Council Report

Bess Watts Receives the Lifetime Achievement Award

On December 12, the Rochester Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation and the Rochester Labor Council, AFL-CIO held its annual awards dinner downtown at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.  Among the honorees was Bess Watts, President of the Local Chapter of Pride at Work who received the Florence Tripi Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in the labor community.  Bess was also the keynote speaker.   She said it was the 'thrill of a lifetime!".  Congratulations Bess!

Ove Overmyer, Bess Watts, Adam Bello and Dan Maloney                           

Bess' speech can be found at this link.       

November 2019 Rochester Labor Council Report

October 2019 Rochester Labor Council Report

UAW On Strike

How to Give Material Aid for UAW Strike

There has been a great outpouring of support from the labor and broader Rochester community for those striking at General Motors. We'd like to make it clear and simple how to offer aid.

1)    Material support: If you'd like to get water, coffee, food, snacks, or any immediate support for the UAW members walking the picket lines, we please ask that you bring those donations to the UAW Union Hall at 221 Dewey Avenue, Rochester, NY 14608. The Union wants to ensure that support gets distributed equally between the various shifts on multiple picket lines.

2)    Emergency Food cupboard – bring non-perishable items such as canned goods, paper products, cereal, tuna, boxed foods, etc. for striker’s families.

3) Monetary support: The United Way will collect donations on behalf of the members of  UAW Local 1097. Anyone wishing to donate can text UAWSupport to 41444 or donate at   www.uwrochester.org/UAWsupport

 Any and all support is greatly appreciated!  If you need someone to pick up donations, please contact Bess Watts at besswhat@gmail.com or call 585-426-0862.

 #Union Strong #UAWStrike #PrideatWork

September Rochester Labor Council Report

Rochester Pride

On Saturday, July 20, Pride at Work and other union activists marched with their labor brothers and sisters in solidarity at the Rochester Pride Parade on  the hottest day of the summer.  After the march Pride at Work hosted a Union table at the Festival.  

Official Rochester, NY Pride organizers report more than 120 Units participated in the walk while thousands of marchers and parade onlookers took to the streets to spread the message of solidarity, love, inclusion, non-violence, peace and community pride.

Unions that joined us were CSEA, the Teamsters, Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, NYSUT,  Coalition Labor Union of Women, the Federation of Social Workers (CWA), AFT, UUP, UAW and many additional labor unions attended the event.  Pride at Work and the Rochester & Genesee Area Labor Federation were sponsors of Pride.   

The Teamster Truck is always a big hit along the parade route.

Out Alliance Executive Director Jeff Myers had a busy day, but not to busy to hold up a Union Strong sign!

A few photos from the day - taken by Bess Watts & Ove Overmyer