Covering Andrew Cuomo

Azi Paybarah — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:28:41 -0400

Here's what it's like to try to report at an event for a gubernatorial candidate who has not publicly said he's gubernatorial candidate, and yet is acting gubernatorial.

At Kingston Meeting, Labor and Dems Work to Get on Same Page

Jimmy Vielkind — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:53:29 -0400

ALBANY—Labor leaders told Democratic Party officials of concerns they are being overlooked during a meeting today in Kingston.

"It was more a general opportunity to put on the table people's frustrations and feelings that they're, in a sense, taken for granted. I have to say I was somewhat surprised by some of the points that were made," Assemblyman Joe Morelle, who is also the Monroe County Democratic chairman, said after the three-hour meeting.

Assemblymen Carl Heastie and Vito Lopez, the chairs of the Bronx and Brooklyn Democratic parties, attended as well as Julian Schreibman of Ulster County, Diane Dwire of Onondaga County and Jay Jacobs, the incoming state chairman who currently runs the Nassau County party.

Union leaders present include Michael Mulgrew of the United Federation of Teachers; Stuart Appelbaum of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union; George Gresham of SEIU 1199; Mike Fishman of SEIU 32BJ and Gary La Barbera Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York.

According to one person in the room, the 2010 ticket was discussed, and union leaders "expressed concern about the polling numbers for everyone--except Cuomo."

The group agreed to meet again.

Observer » Mike Fishman

Covering Andrew Cuomo

At Kingston Meeting, Labor and Dems Work to Get on Same Page