Union

Before approving Ithaca's 2023 budget, Ithaca Mayor Laura Lewis joined city attorney Ari Levine to condemn some of the comments made by city employees, alderpersons and community members during a Common Council meeting earlier this month.

City employees, from building managers to engineers, testified about their frustrations with contract negotiations and what they say are stagnant wages.

There was a lot on the docket during the most recent meeting of the Tompkins County Legislature, plus some debate not tied to any specific motions. Here's a recap.

The unfair labor practice charges include temporarily and permanently closing stores and firing union leaders.

The laws set standard wages for renewable energy jobs, set higher energy efficiency standards and incentivize thermal energy infrastructure and research.

The resolution passed committee on a four-to-one vote. The full council will vote on the resolution on July 6th.

"We still don’t know if we’ll have jobs after Friday and we’re bargaining for the store and we’re not going to give that up.”

Inspired by a successful effort to unionize a location in Buffalo in December, Starbucks workers at three locations in Ithaca said they want to follow suit.

Longtime nurse Lolita McComb came to work early to support her picketing coworkers. But when she clocks into her night shift at 3:00 PM, she said it is likely she will be the only nurse on a floor with 41 patients.