Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation

04/08/2026

Join us this May 1st for a celebration of International Workers Day as we participate in the nationwide call to action to put Workers Over Billionaires! Share widely! Link with more details in the comments!

11/17/2025

The Rochester Labor Council is deeply saddened by the passing of Freddi Macek, a lifelong champion for working people and a beloved member of our labor family. Freddi’s dedication to the labor movement was not just something she supported, it was something she lived. Her commitment to fairness, dignity, and solidarity touched countless workers across our community.

Freddi believed wholeheartedly in collective action and the responsibility we all share to lift up the most vulnerable among us. Whether she was standing with workers on a picket line, giving politicians tough questions in an interview, or running the retiree phone banks she was so dedicated to, Freddi showed up with a full heart and unwavering conviction. Her optimism, her humor, and her belief in people made our movement stronger.

To us, Freddi was more than an activist. She was a friend, a moral compass, and an example of the power of a life spent in service to others. The Rochester labor community is better, kinder, and more determined because of her. We will carry her spirit forward in every organizing drive, every act of solidarity, every phone bank, and every fight for justice across our community.

We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all who loved her. Thank you for sharing Freddi with us. Her legacy will live on in the work we do every day.

A celebration of Freddi’s life will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 601 Edgewood Ave, Rochester, NY 14618. A luncheon will follow at 11:00 AM at Workers United, 750 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607.

May her memory be a blessing, and may her commitment to working people continue to inspire us all.

Fredericka (Freddi) Macek passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025 at the Mount Carmel Comfort Care Home. Freddi was born on August 21, 1940 in...

10/22/2025

Labor Leader, scholar and author Bill Fletcher Jr. will be with us tomorrow! Don't miss out.

04/21/2025

The Rochester Labor Council was proud to stand with the 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.

03/26/2025

Rochester Labor Community,

Workers at Nazareth University have been exercising their constitutionally protected right to form a union with NYSUT. Unfortunately, instead of respecting their rights, the university has retaliated against members of the organizing committee—including the unjust termination of one of their organizers.
This is a direct attack on the rights of workers to organize, and we cannot stand by and allow it to happen in our community.

As members of our union family, we ask you to sign on to the attached community letter in support of these workers—and to encourage your fellow members to do the same. We are gathering signatures this week to send a strong message to the leadership at Nazareth: Rochester’s labor movement stands together. You can add your name by completing this form as soon as possible.

Rochester has a long and proud history of standing up for workers’ rights. When one group of workers faces retaliation for organizing, it threatens all of us. Whether in education, healthcare, manufacturing, or the public sector, we all benefit when workers have the right to negotiate fair wages, better conditions, and a voice on the job. This fight at Nazareth is not just about one workplace—it’s about protecting the right to organize across our entire community.

We know that institutions like Nazareth University thrive when professionals—including advisors, librarians, financial aid specialists, career counselors, and IT professionals—are respected and have a real say in their workplace. These workers are committed to making our community a world-class environment for higher education, and they deserve dignity, fairness, and respect.

We cannot tolerate this kind of treatment of workers in our community. Please sign the community letter today and show that Rochester’s labor movement stands with Nazareth’s Workers.

SIGN ON HERE:

Thank you for your willingness to support the Nazareth United Professionals! Since taking action to form their union, workers have faced tremendous amounts of harassment and intimidation, including the termination of one of their organizing committee members, Amanda Rampe-Eggleston. Union busting ha...

02/24/2025

The Rochester Labor Council stands in solidarity with the University of Rochester Medicine Home Care (URMHC) workers as they take a courageous stand for fair wages, reasonable caseloads, and affordable healthcare.

Union workers are the backbone of our communities, fighting every day for better working conditions, fair treatment, and dignity on the job. Their struggle is not just about one workplace—it is about setting a standard that protects all workers and ensures that essential services, like home healthcare, are delivered safely and effectively.

URMHC caregivers provide critical home care services across seven upstate counties, yet they are being overworked and denied the affordable healthcare they deserve. After months of negotiations, management has refused to address these basic concerns, forcing workers to take action with a one-day unfair labor practice strike.

We are proud to stand with these brave workers as they demand a fair contract. Strong unions mean strong communities, and it is time for URMHC leadership to recognize the value of their workforce. We call on management to meet their demands and negotiate in good faith so that both workers and patients get the care and respect they deserve.

02/23/2025

STRIKE TOMMOROW!

SEIU 1199's unit of UR Medicine Homecare workers will hold a one-day unfair labor practice strike to advocate for reasonable patient caseloads and affordable health insurance.

The picket line will be active from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM in front of the UR Medicine Homecare office at 2180 Empire Boulevard, Webster, NY 14580.

The rally and speakers will be at 12 PM. Dress warm and we'll see you out there!

02/21/2025

🚨 Join Us for an Inspiring Evening! 🚨

The Rochester Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) invites you to our Black History Month Meet & Greet—a night celebrating African Americans in Labor! 🎉

📅 Date: February 28, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: 1956 Lyell Ave, Rochester, NY 14606 (BENTE/AFSCME LOCAL 2419)

✨ What to Expect:
✅ Career & Job Opportunities
✅ Networking & History
✅ Live Music by Rufus McGee & Company 🎶
✅ Raffles, Prizes, Vendors, Food & Drinks!

👕 Dress Code: Casual (Red, Black, Green, Yellow) or Union Apparel

🎟️ Admission:

CBTU Members: $20 per person
Non-CBTU Members: $40 per person
(Payment via PayPal to CBTU Rochester Chapter or by check—must be received by February 24, 2025)
📩 Questions? Contact [email protected] or call 585-214-9759
🌐 Visit: www.cbtu-rochesterchapter.org

Come celebrate history, community, and opportunity with us! Tag a friend and spread the word!

10/26/2024

We had an incredible day today! Our members canvassed Henrietta for pro-labor champions Jeremy Cooney and Assemblymember Harry Bronson, and our labor contingent was proud to represent at the Rally for Prop 1.

Don't forget that early voting starts today, and it's not too late to get involved. We have a bus going to Erie to canvass for VP Harris tomorrow and we'll be walking for our state delegation next weekend.

https://events.democrats.org/event/711948/?force_banner=true&share_context=event_details&share_medium=copy_link

10/17/2024

Please join us and our membership this Saturday at the Rochester Labor Community Job Fair!

We'll have many employers from our region and giveaways for families and children. Hope to see you there!

08/27/2024

Our friends at NABET-CWA Local 22 are holding a picket tomorrow at Channel 8. Nexstar, the owner of the Channel has been refusing to recognize the union of their staff despite a proper election over one year ago. NO UNION BUSTERS IN ROCHESTER!