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How a Union Member Elected Official Is Transforming His Hometown

The computer chip project is the largest private investment in New York state history and is estimated to create tens of thousands of jobs, many of them good union jobs, in this high-tech American industry. It wouldn’t have been possible without the recently passed CHIPS and Science Act—and the tireless advocacy of a union member who represents Syracuse in the state legislature. John Mannion was elected to the New York State Senate in 2020. A longtime union leader and member of New York State United Teachers-AFT/NEA (NYSUT-AFT/NEA), his campaign received enthusiastic support from upstate New York’s labor movement. Mannion’s been a champion for union members and all working people during his time in office, including passing legislation he created to boost semiconductor manufacturing in New York state. Unions, including the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), warmly welcomed Tuesday’s announcement. Mannion promised, “My priorities moving forward are making sure construction jobs are local, and securing the significant infrastructure and workforce investments a project of this magnitude demands.” And progress like this shows what union members can achieve when we’re elected to positions of power.

We can make Dr. King’s dream real so that every American, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, wealth or the lack of it, has equal rights and equal opportunity. But we have to act to achieve his dream.

The computer chip project is the largest private investment in New York state history and is estimated to create tens of thousands of jobs, many of them good union jobs, in this high-tech American industry. It wouldn’t have been possible without the recently passed CHIPS and Science Act—and the tireless advocacy of a union member who represents Syracuse in the state legislature. John Mannion was elected to the New York State Senate in 2020. A longtime union leader and member of New York State United Teachers-AFT/NEA (NYSUT-AFT/NEA), his campaign received enthusiastic support from upstate New York’s labor movement. Mannion’s been a champion for union members and all working people during his time in office, including passing legislation he created to boost semiconductor manufacturing in New York state. Unions, including the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), warmly welcomed Tuesday’s announcement. Mannion promised, “My priorities moving forward are making sure construction jobs are local, and securing the significant infrastructure and workforce investments a project of this magnitude demands.” And progress like this shows what union members can achieve when we’re elected to positions of power.

 

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Houston’s Labor Movement Registers Hundreds of New Union Voters

The computer chip project is the largest private investment in New York state history and is estimated to create tens of thousands of jobs, many of them good union jobs, in this high-tech American industry. It wouldn’t have been possible without the recently passed CHIPS and Science Act—and the tireless advocacy of a union member who represents Syracuse in the state legislature.

John Mannion was elected to the New York State Senate in 2020. A longtime union leader and member of New York State United Teachers-AFT/NEA (NYSUT-AFT/NEA), his campaign received enthusiastic support from upstate New York’s labor movement. Mannion’s been a champion for union members and all working people during his time in office, including passing legislation he created to boost semiconductor manufacturing in New York state.

 

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends.

The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation helped register hundreds of new union voters in September in a multiday action in partnership with Teamsters Local 988. Union members talked to UPS workers in the Houston area about what’s at stake for working people this election year, offering them information, the opportunity to register to vote, and, for some, the chance to sign up and join their union. Members of the United Steelworkers, the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association-IAFF Local 341, Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 716, the National Writers Union and allied organizations also took part in this action.