BALCONY - Business and Labor Coalition of New York
Top Issues
Wall Street and the New York Economy Wall Street and the New York Economy Status of Health Care Reform Rochester Forum Pictures Bruce, Alan, Lou Lou Gordon Alan Lubin Bruce Ventimiglia Adria Linehan
News from BALCONY

Nurses Association to rally March 8 against state budget cuts

March 7th, 2010


The New York State Nurses Association will rally at the Capitol on Monday, March 8 to protest $1 billion in proposed cuts to health care in the Executive State Budget. The rally kicks off a multi-media campaign that includes print, billboard and television advertising in major markets statewide.

PEF launches statewide ad campaign

March 5th, 2010


Albany - The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) has launched a statewide television, print and Web advertising campaign in an effort to educate the public and legislative leaders on the impact of proposed budget cuts.

Governor Paterson Announces Progress Made in Effort to Assist Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Center

March 2nd, 2010
By New York State Office of the Governor

ALBANY, NY (03/01/2010)-- Governor David A. Paterson today announced that additional emergency funding has been secured for Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Center (SVCMC), providing the Stakeholder Task Force with more time to develop a viable, long-term strategy for the hospital's future. The funds were provided by GE Capital and TD Bank, which committed $5 million, and the State Assembly Majority, which committed $1 million.

Hospital Workers Rally State To Keep St. Vincent's Open

March 2nd, 2010


Elected officials, nurses and hospital workers rallied in front of cash-strapped St. Vincent’s Hospital Monday.

They are urging state officials to keep the Greenwich Village hospital open.

Rep. Chris Lee: Fed growing too big, too fast

February 23rd, 2010


Tom Gillett, Chris Lee, Lou Gordon


Health Care Panel





By Jim Stinson


A forum on small business became a place to discuss big government and possibly bigger health care plans. Speaking to the Business and Labor Coalition of New York at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, U.S. Rep. Chris Lee said the federal government is growing too big and expanding its payroll, and that even during the recession Washington, D.C., saw growth in its gross metropolitan product while many other regional economies were contracting.


Feb 19th Rochester Forum Will Help Small Business Owners Survive the Times

February 9th, 2010
Feb 19th Rochester Forum Will Help Small Business Owners Survive the Times

Rochester, NY - BALCONY (Business and Labor Coalition of New York) www.balconynewyork.com will host its second Access for Small Business Forum with the goal of helping small business owners in the Rochester area. The forum will feature timely and informative workshop discussions with experts, advocates and government officials on how small businesses can survive during the current, uncertain economic times. There will be a focus on access to health care, technology solutions, and business development and capital.

New York State Labor Chief Is Confirmed to Federal Post

February 5th, 2010
NYT Logo 300px

By Steven Greenhouse

The Senate voted 60 to 37 on Thursday to confirm M. Patricia Smith, the New York State labor commissioner, for the Labor Department’s No. 3 post.

Gov. Paterson authorizes $6M loan to cash-strapped St. Vincent's Hospital

February 2nd, 2010


By Kenneth Lovett
DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF

ALBANY - Gov. Paterson has authorized a $6 million loan to St. Vincent's Hospital to help the cash-strapped hospital make payroll, the Daily News has learned.

  

"This is a dire situation, but I don't want to see this hospital close unless every available means has been employed," he said.
News from BALCONY Archives
News from our Members

NYSUT Ad Campaign

March 5th, 2010


Ad campaign combats proposed budget cuts http://www.nysut.org/cps/rde/xchg/nysut/hs.xsl/budget_14503.htm

NYSUT K-12 Education Ad Campaign: State Budget 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkd8GJ66T1w

NYSUT Higher Education Ad Campaign: State Budget 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axR3jZ3cIXI


Top Labor Executive Leaves for Green Jobs Initiative

March 1st, 2010


Chris Chafe, the executive director of the Change to Win labor federation, is leaving to his post at the end of the month to launch a new clean economy business and marketing initiative.

The departure of Chafe, a leading light of the labor movement, comes at a time when labor, frustrated by the pace of change in Washington, is looking for non-traditional allies and new opportunities to grow their ranks in the global economy.

Fiscal Policy Institute Update – February 2010

February 25th, 2010


NEW YORK STATE BUDGET

In early February, in both Albany and New York City, the Fiscal Policy Institute (FPI) presented a detailed briefing on New York State's Economic and Fiscal Outlook for 2010-11. In cooperation with New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness, FPI will be presenting budget briefings in Rochester on March 1, Elmira on March 2, and Poughkeepsie on March 3. For details on these and other upcoming presentations, check the FPI events page.

PEF President sets record straight at hearing on work force issues

February 12th, 2010


Albany - The president of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) testified today before the state Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees on work force issues setting the record straight on the size of the state work force and how it affects state spending. PEF President Kenneth Brynien also laid out a detailed plan for how the state can save hundreds of millions of dollars without eliminating jobs and services.

Paterson Gives St. Vincent’s Hospital Another Loan

February 8th, 2010
NYT Logo 300px

By Anemona Hartocollis

Gov. David A. Paterson provided the second cash infusion in a week Sunday to St. Vincent’s Hospital Manhattan in Greenwich Village, but said concessions from unions and physicians would be needed to keep the hospital open.
News from our Members Archives
BALCONY Issues in the News

Broad Plan Urged to Battle New York’s Fiscal Crisis

March 10th, 2010
NYT Logo 300px

by Danny Hakim

ALBANY — New York could borrow billions of dollars to address its urgent budget shortfall and a financial review board would be established to impose new discipline on future spending under a five-year financial rescue plan that Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch will present Wednesday.

Unions, contractors nail down cost cuts

February 23rd, 2010


The two sides are back at the table, trying to figure out ways to lower costs

by Theresa Agovino

Last year's groundbreaking agreement between contractors and unions to bring down construction costs in the city reduced overall expenses by between 10% and 20%, slightly below the 15% to 21% originally projected.

DiNAPOLI: WALL STREET BONUSES ROSE SHARPLY IN 2009

February 23rd, 2010
Wall Street bonuses paid to New York City securities industry employees rose by 17 percent to $20.3 billion in 2009, according to an estimate released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Total compensation at the largest securities firms grew even faster and industry profits could exceed an unprecedented $55 billion in 2009, nearly three times greater than the previous all-time record. In 2008, the industry lost a record $42.6 billion.

St. Vincent’s RNs to protest acquisition by Beth Israel & Continuum Health Nurses will protest outside the hospital on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 11 a.m.

January 26th, 2010


NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2010 – The 800 registered nurses who work at St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center in Greenwich Village fervently oppose the proposed takeover of the 727-bed facility by Beth Israel Medical Center and its parent Corporation, Continuum Health Partners. Within 60 to 90 days of the takeover, all acute care, surgical units, and emergency services would be shut down.

Don't Close St. Vincent's Emergency Room and Trauma Center

January 26th, 2010
Statement by NYS Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried

"After 9/11, St. Vincent's was the primary admitting hospital for the injured survivors," said Assembly Health Committee chair Richard N. Gottfried. Read more...
BALCONY Issues in the News Archives