May 09, 2013 — North Country Community College has reached a new, five-year deal with the union that represents its faculty.

NCCC President Steve Tyrell presented on the new contract at Monday's Essex County Board of Supervisors meeting. Afterward, county lawmakers approved the deal unanimously.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Jan 29, 2013 — It took a few days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo released his budget plan last week for many North Country school districts to realize they had a problem. The initial funding proposal didn't provide enough money to help them out of the budget hole.

But there's still some hope in the governor's proposal. His plan includes more than $200 million in what's called fiscal stabilization funding. The idea is to help schools with a spike in pension costs this year.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 18, 2012 — Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered a budget yesterday that he says is honest, no gimmicks or one-shots, and manageable. It closes a $2 billion deficit, raises health care and education spending and begins mandate relief for local governments. It also tackles pension reform, and offers an ultimatum to schools to accept a teacher evaluation program or lose out on an increase in state aid. And Cuomo promises no new taxes.

The governor again took sharp aim at what he called the status quo in Albany, demonizing some of its most powerful public labor unions. We have details and reaction this morning, starting with our Albany reporter, Karen DeWitt.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Nov 03, 2011 — The votes will be counted for the second time this fall on a contract offer between the state worker union the Public Employees Federation, and Governor Andrew Cuomo.

PEF members rejected the first offer. This time, if the contract is rejected, the governor has vowed to lay off 3500 state workers. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 30, 2011 — Dozens of North Country workers are in line for pink slips this week after their union, the Public Employees Federation, rejected a contract deal with New York state.

At least twenty-five people were slated to lose their jobs at the Sunmount Developmental Disabilities Services facility in Tupper Lake.

White collar workers at North Country prisons are also expected to be hit hard.

In an interview today with public radio's Susan Arbetter on the program "Capital Pressroom," Cuomo said he is already moving forward with plans to lay off 3500 state workers.

The governor blamed union members for sparking the confrontation.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 30, 2011 — Two days after one of the state's two major worker unions rejected a contract, the Public Employees Federation President says he has "new ideas" for a contract settlement, and is anxious to meet with Governor Cuomo to discuss options to avert the 3500 lay offs ordered by the governor.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jul 01, 2011 — Layoffs remain on the table for one major state worker union, after the Public Employees Federation failed to reach an agreement with the Cuomo Administration on a contract.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 06, 2011 — The prospect of a property tax cap could heighten tensions between workers and management at public schools in the state, as both sides gear up to fight over shrinking revenues and resources.

Karen Dewitt reports from Albany.  Go to full article

Apr 27, 2011 — School across the North Country finalized their budget plans last week. Now they go before the voters on Tuesday, May 17.

Most spending plans raise taxes and cut staff and programs. But the situation could have been worse if teachers didn't help out.

According to New York State United Teachers, at least 200 local teachers' unions - or about a third statewide - accepted contract concessions or restructuring to give more money to their school budgets.

Pressure to do so came from the highest levels of state government, and some say teachers didn't give enough. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Apr 08, 2011 — A large group of nurses gathered in front of one of the region's largest health care facilities this week to call for fair wages and benefits.

The nurses' union at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake says it wants a contract similar to those at other area hospitals, like the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh and the Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone.

But hospital officials counter that they've been negotiating in good faith, and that their contract proposal is, in fact, fair.

Chris Morris has our report.  Go to full article