1199SEIU opened the doors to their new Central New York location in downtown Syracuse on January 25, and welcomed hundreds of Delegates, community allies, local elected officials, and employers to view the new space and enjoy musical entertainment, drinks, and appetizers from various downtown eateries.

In Buffalo, NY, hundreds of faith, labor, and community members rallied on December 10 in Niagara Square before marching to three locations that they say symbolize the ongoing assault that workers are under in New York State and nationwide.

11999SEIU members and families gathered for their first annual Holiday Parties on December 9th and 10th.

After 25 years on Oak St. in Syracuse, 1199SEIU Central NY headquarters has moved.

Healthcare workers at Bethany Gardens in Rome, NY unanimously ratified a new labor agreement on November 8. The new three-year contract will increase wages for current employees 3.5 percent this year, offer a one percent anniversary bonus next year, and increase wages another two percent in the last year of the contract.

Again, organized labor has made a stunning victory in what was once thought of as an unwinnable race in upstate New York. Democrat Erie County Executive Candidate Mark Poloncarz defeated incumbent Republican Chris Collins. Poloncarz, who now becomes only the second Democrat to win the Erie County Executive’s race in the 51-year history of the office,- defeated Collins by a margin of 53 to 47 percent. The victory comes just several months after underdog Democrat Kathy Hochul defeated her Republican opponent in a heavily Republican District to capture the Congressional seat in New York’s 26th District.

Built out of wood in 1934, the crumbling foundation of the Evan’s Street Bridge in Downtown Syracuse created a symbolic backdrop as a cross section of the Central New York community, the grass roots foundation of society, came together on November 17 to demand that Congress pass the American Jobs Act, repair our badly damaged infrastructure, and end corporate greed.

“Through rain, through snow, OCCUPY BUFFALO” could be heard all though out downtown Buffalo on November 16. Members of the Fight for a Fair Economy (FFE) Coalition gathered at the Heating Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) office for a concert and march called Fuel the 99 Percent:The Great Disconnect.

The City Council of Auburn in upstate New York unanimously passed a resolution on November 3 that memorializes Auburn Memorial Hospital to continue as a locally-run full service hospital. This resolution grew out of an October 27 Council meeting in which healthcare workers testified about their concerns over a possible merger between Auburn Hospital and another larger institution from outside the Auburn and Cayuga County area.

Thirty-two Occupy Rochester protesters were arrested by the Rochester Police Department at they attempted to occupy Washington Square Park downtown on Friday night, October 28th. Rochester Mayor Tom Richards had directed the Rochester Police Department to arrest anyone who remained in the park beyond its 11 pm closing time.