Rochester Area Labor Federation

Join us for a presentation, discussion and reflection on the Rochester General Strike of 1946. May 28th is the 80th anniversary. After May Day in recent years has spawned so many conversations about general strikes, we thought it would be appropriate to truly reflect on this historic moment for our city. Please share widely!

Share widely! Join us as we participate in national May Day actions in the fight to put Workers Over Billionaires!

Bill Fletcher Jr., the labor activist, organizer and scholar will be in Rochester, NY speaking about the necessity to build broad coalitions with active leadership from Labor in the fight to defend democracy across our country. We hope that you'll join us for a powerful discussion that will lead to on-going action. Please RSVP with the QR code!

David Van Deusen is an organizer, unionist and President Emeritus of the Vermont State AFL-CIO. He has recently authored Insurgent Labor. In his book he charts the rise of the UNITED! slate to create a progressive and militant labor organization. He chronicles the many victories throughout his tenure including expanding union democracy into the rank and file, moving power away from single individuals and into democratic structures, supporting farm workers, supporting Black self-determination, and providing solidarity with the Revolution in Rojava. The boldest step undertaken by the Vermont AFL-CIO—and marker of years of steady progress in labor organizing and raising of political consciousness in Vermont—was authorizing a call for a general strike throughout Vermont as a possible response to the November 2020 coup threat by then US President Donald Trump. This book should be of interest to anyone, whether they have merely thought of joining a union or are an old union hand. Most importantly, Insurgent Labor offers a blueprint for militant labor’s advances in an era of capitalist polycrisis and offers hope for a brighter future based around equality, justice, and true democracy.

The Rochester Labor Council was proud to stand with the brave graduate employees at the University of Rochester today as they went on strike for a fair process to unionize. This is an incredibly important labor fight. These workers are standing up not just for themselves, but for the rights of all working people to organize free from intimidation and coercion. Unfortunately, the University has chosen to engage in Trumpian union-busting tactics—shameful behavior from one of our city’s most powerful institutions. We were thrilled to see Mayor Malik Evans out there addressing the crowd and showing his support. In moments like this, true leadership means standing with workers. Solidarity to all those on the picket line. You are not alone.

Join us for this important Labor and Community showing of unity and people power in the face of growing attacks on us all!

Over two hundred grads and supporters gathered today to march on Wallis Hall to demand that @urochestermangelsdorf honor her word and sign our election agreement; the election agreement that would let grads form our union. By refusing to recognize our right to form a union, President Mangelsdorf is aligning herself and the University of Rochester with the Trump administration's ongoing crackdown on human rights. We thank our speakers, graduate worker Katie, Azmeer, Joseph, and Emefa, City Councilmember Stanley Martin (@iknowstanley ), and Reverend Sam Kinsman (@vershineen ) We also thank all our supporters: @uroc.sa , @roclaborfederation , and City Councilmember and Mayoral candidate @marylupienroc . Until this election agreement is signed, we are prepared to keep taking concerted and escalatory action. #urglu #rochester #uofr #universityofrochester #seiu #unionstrong #gradschool

In October, graduate workers attended the @labornotes Troublemakers School at @uawregion9 headquarters in Buffalo to hone our organizing skills. We were joined by other grad workers, autoworkers, nurses, social workers, electrical workers, actors, flight attendants, educators, and more from all over the US and Canada. We are all a part of an international labor movement! In this picture, we join workers from all over Rochester who attended the Troublemakers School. They have our back and we have their's! #urglu #rochester #uofr #universityofrochester #seiu #labornotes

Proud to stand with the Federation of Social Workers as they rallied outside the County Legislature Meeting to keep their retention bonuses. Our FSW members are incredible public servants who spend every day protecting and working for our most vulnerable residents, and we must ensure they're fairly compensated for their labor!

Channel 8 workers have been fighting for their union to be meaningfully recognized for far too long! We can't allow a union buster to go unopposed in our town! Join NABET-CWA tomorrow!!

Support our friends at @nabet_22 ! Channel 8 and Nexstar continue to try and dodge their union. We can't allow any company to so flagrantly ignore Labor rules in our town!

Join us for the Labor Day Parade either as a marcher or a spectator! You can find details on our site at roclaborfed.org/events/ldp2024 We hope to see you there!