WNY Unionists Have Opportunity To Participate In A Live Webcast Called: Open For Questions About The Job Crisis/Get Chance To Ask Questions Of National AFL-CIO President Trumka

(WESTERN NEW YORK) - Western New York Unionists will have their opportunity to ask National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka questions about the economy and job creation on Tuesday, December 15^th at 4 p.m. during a live webcast called: Open for Questions About The Job Crisis.  Two weeks ago, AFL-CIO President Trumka laid out the National Labor Federation's Five-Point Plan for job creation.  Since then, President Obama has given a major national speech on the jobs crisis and now Congress appears ready to act quickly.  While no one disputes that the jobs crisis in our country is massive, with more than 15 million people out of work and millions more under-employed, solving the crisis and putting America back to work is more complicated.   Now Western New York Unionists can take their questions directly to AFL-CIO President Trumka by submitting them on-line and voting on the questions they would most like answered.   Those participating can ask about the scope of America's jobs crisis, how we got into this mess or about the AFL-CIO's plan to get us out of it.  To participate in the National AFL-CIO's on-line conversation, go to www.aflcio.org/open.  To learn more about the AFL-CIO's five-point jobs plan, go to: www.alfcio.org/createjobs.

ACORN Founder Wade Rathke Set To Visit Buffalo/Book Reception To Be Held On Wednesday, December 16th

(BUFFALO) - 1199 SEIU (Service Employees International Union) representative William Covington, who is also the Buffalo-Niagara Organizer for the Healthcare Education Project, will welcome Wade Rathke, life-long economic justice organizer and founder of the national community organization ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), on Wednesday, December 16th at 7 p.m. at the Network of Religious Communities, located at 1272 Delaware Avenue, near Gates Circle in Buffalo.  Covington tells WNYLaborToday.com that Rathke has written a book that every person interested in social and economic justice should read.  In his book that's entitled, Citizen Wealth: Winning the Campaign to Save Working Families, Rathke draws on lessons learned in his 40 years of organizing in low- and -moderate-income communities.  He describes winning strategies and partnerships that can end income inequality, and create a strong foundation for working people, building a future that extends beyond paying next months rent and electric bill, Covington said.  Rathke also shares the experience of ACORN and other organizations in winning Living Wage Campaigns, battling predatory lending, and cutting through government indifference to get programs delivered to those in need.  For further information, contact William Covington at 716-913-6487 or visit http://chieforganizer.org/citizen-wealth-the-book/.

Partnership For The Public Good To Hold Forum To Explore Rights of Immigrants

(BUFFALO) - The Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) will hold a free forum on Tuesday, December 15^th that will explore the rights of immigrants.  Federal civil rights law protects people from discrimination on the basis of national origin.  This means that people whose first language is not English may have the right to free interpreting and translating in getting services from governments and federally funded agencies.  In this free public forum, Sam Magavern, from the University at Buffalo Law School and the Partnership for the Public Good, will offer a brief overview of what the law requires and then moderate a panel of local experts to talk about local language access issues.  Panelists include: Felicidad Frenette, Director of the Language Services Department at the International Institute; Hispanics United of Buffalo Executive Director Lourdes Iglesias; and Monica Zucco, Interpreting Services Coordinator at Journey's End Refugee Services.  The forum will take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Suite 1200 at 237 Main Street.  To make a reservation, contact PPG Co-Director Magavern at 716-852-4191 (Extension 117) or by e-mail at magavern@gmail.com.

Assemblyman Hoyt Set To Host Holiday Cocktail Reception For New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo At Home of Labor Lawyers Anne & Philipp Rimmler

(BUFFALO) - State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt is hosting a Holiday Cocktail Reception for New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday, December 22^nd at the Buffalo home of Labor Attorneys Anne and Philipp Rimmler of the Paul William Beltz PC Law Firm.  "I hope you will join me for this important event to help my good friend Andrew Cuomo.  As you know, Andrew is a rising star in state and national politics and it is important that we in Western New York show him he has our strong support. I hope to see you on the December 22nd and please forward this message to others who support Andrew's attempts to clean up state government," Hoyt said.  For more information, call 212-238-3270 or e-mail tom@andrewcuomo.com.