By Dana Williams
One announcement that Spitzer made, to a standing ovation by those in attendance, was his administration¹s commitment to improving the lives of working men and women. ³Immigrant workers‹primarily migrant workers who work on the farms, to all workers in New York City, deserve to be protected,² Spitzer said. ³I think that idea is the heart and soul of what the union movement has always been about.²
The Long Island Federation of Labor, which is a part of the voluntary American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, consists of more than 250,000 members from a wide range of union workers such as teachers and construction workers. The federation organizes rallies, and helps union workers fighting for a contract.
Spitzer also discussed that the increasing disparities of wealth in America are contributing to economic problems such as increasing foreclosure rates, and financial debt. Two problems that he said are directly impacting middle and lower classes citizens.
The Democratic governor‹who repeatedly said that he was not trying to discredit the hard work wealthy citizens have put into becoming successful‹promised workers that he will continue to push for workers compensation and healthcare reform programs, among other initiatives, while he is in office.
³We have members of the working middle class, who simply can¹t afford health care, whose employers do not offer health care, and they are working very hard. But, they can¹t afford healthcare,² Spitzer said. ³[President George Bush] says Œoh they can get healthcare, they can go to the emergency room.¹ Not only is that bad health care, it¹s bad economically, it¹s bad for kids longterm ... and we¹re hoping to get legislation passed through Congress to improve this problem.²
Governor Spitzer was one of the many guest speakers at the federation¹s 17th Constitutional Convention inside Hofstra¹s Student Center. Members of the federation were also able to hear from Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray as well as New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. The convention is held every three years to elect the federation¹s officers and executive board.
³This convention ... galvanizes our people to focus the energy and determination of our membership towards securing a higher quality of life for our hard working members, their families, and for the future generations of working Long Islanders,² said John R. Durso, president of the Long Island Federation of Labor.
This year, Durso, along with fellow incumbent officers Dominick Macchia, treasurer, and Eileen Sullivan, secretary, were re-elected to three-year terms, and a new executive board was also elected to serve for the 2007-2009 term.
The union members also discussed ways to improve their abilities to produce jobs with decent pay and benefits for the federation¹s member. All of the participants of the event were also able to enjoy a cocktail and dinner reception at the conclusion of the day-long convention.
Comments about this story? DWilliams@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
