The Local: Apr. 17, 2025 news roundup

Welcome back to The Local, a publication of NYC-DSA Labor Working Group reporting every two weeks. We remain interested in recruiting new writers for this newsletter so reach us at thenyclocal@substack.com, along with any tips, corrections, and other feedback. In this issue, Alamo Drafthouse workers win their jobs back, a federal lawsuit against DOGE cuts, and NJ transit may see a strike on the horizon.

Photo by Alexandra Chan at a CAAAV rally in Sunset Park on 04/06.

Organizing (asterisks indicate employer-filed petitions for union election)

• The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center voluntarily recognized their staff union.

• Workers of the New York Transit Museum won voluntary recognition and joined TWU Local 100.

• Workers at Abrams Books are organizing with UAW Local 2110

• Paralegals, legal assistants, program facilitators and other support staffers at Queens Defenders are organizing with ALAA UAW 2325, which currently represents Queens Defenders’ lawyers and social workers.

• Starbucks Workers United wins an election 15-1 at 201 Sunrise Highway, Bellmore, NY.

• Workers at South Seaport Museum voted 30-4 to join UAW Local 2110.

• Production crew workers at Julliard voted 74-1 to join IATSE.

• Technicians at 148 West 37th Street, 5th Floor, New York, New York voted 1-4 to decertify from Teamsters Local 804.

• Researchers Organizing Committee at Sinai won elections as instructors voted by 95% and scientists voted by 91% to join UAW.

• Workers at Optimum Walk In Centers in Brooklyn are organizing with CWA.

• Workers at Blank Street Coffee are organizing with UFCW Local 1500. Blank Street Coffee at 1 Boerum Place filed an RM petition as well, it may be the same store.

• Fire Life Safety Directors on Staten Island are organizing with Local One Security Officers Union.

• A decertification petition is filed for parking attendants at 1699 NY Ave against IBT Garage Employees Union Local 272.

• UAW Local 2110 files a unit clarification petition at the American Folk Art Museum.

• Porters and handymen at Acacia Network are organizing with Teamsters Local 808.

• Allied Universal security guards are organizing with United Federation LEOS-PBA.

• Workers at Gotham Dispensary at 296 Kent Avenue are organizing with RWDSU/UFCW Local 338.

Bargaining & Action

• 04/16: NYSNA nurses at CenterLight Health reached a tentative agreement.

• 04/13: After 55 days on strike, NYC Alamo United ratified a new contract, winning back all jobs.

• 04/15: The NYPD sergeants union reached a tentative agreement with the city.

• 04/15: Workers at Manhattan Beer & Beverage Distributors with Laundry, Distribution and Food Service Joint Board, Workers United/SEIU went on strike, picketing Hunts Point headquarters on E. 149th St. in the Bronx and at other facilities in Ridgewood, Queens, Wyandanch, L.I., and Suffern, N.Y., in the Hudson Valley.

Albany

• Upstate lawmakers introduced legislation to provide a grace period for 2,000 state correction officers, who were fired for illegally striking, to get their jobs back without discipline.

City Hall

• The city Department of Education announces a plan to hire more than 3,700 new teachers to meet a mandate on lower class sizes.

• A Department of Design and Construction worker with DC37 claims retaliation after testifying against a superior.

Miscellaneous

• The AFL-CIO, UFT, AFGE and more unions filed a federal lawsuit hoping to reverse Trump administration cuts to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services.

• NJ Transit locomotive engineers with Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen rejected a tentative agreement by 87%.

• PSC-CUNY members are still waiting for ratification bonuses, retroactive pay and raises after ratifying their new contract on Jan. 13.

Job Listings

• Field Representative - NYPEF (Salary: $78,348.00 - $102,980.00)

• Organizer - NYSUT (Salary: $92,999)

• Political Coordinator II - 32BJ SEIU (Salary: $81,895 - $96,491)

A complete list of local union jobs can be found at unionjobs.com, alongside here is the complete list of New York City’s civil service exams. Additionally if you’re interested in taking a job in a strategic industry and want to be connected through the Labor Working Group, check out this form here.