In New York’s newly redrawn 48th State Senate District, which includes the city of Syracuse, Sen. Rachel May, one of upstate New York’s most prominent progressive Democrats, faces competition from Julie Abbott, a moderate Republican with an extensive local resume.
Eddie Velazquez
Eddie Velazquez is a Syracuse journalist covering economic justice in the region. He is focused on stories about organized labor, and New York's housing and childhood lead poisoning crises. You can follow his work on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ezvelazquez.
Eddie is a frequent contributor to Central Current and can be reached at edvel37@gmail.com
Posted inJustice & Equity, Labor & Employment, News
Labor organizers gather for event in Syracuse as union petitions surge across U.S.
With the steady surge in union organizing at workplaces throughout the country in the last year, New York state labor leaders and scholars gathered at Syracuse University on Monday.
Posted inLabor & Employment
Starbucks to close Armory Square location months after union efforts, citing safety issues
Starbucks plans to close down its Armory Square location in Syracuse, citing concerns for the safety of workers and customers. The closure comes three months after employees at the store attempted to unionize.
Posted inHousing
Judge orders eviction of tenant whose ceiling collapsed at South Side apartments
A Syracuse judge this week granted an order evicting Ericka Johnson from her apartment at Brighton Place because of her refusal to pay rent. Johnson was the subject of a Central Current article earlier this month.
Posted inNews
South Side apartment tenants start rent strike after ceiling collapse, code violations
Ericka Johnson’s two-bedroom apartment at the Brighton Place complex was suddenly rendered uninhabitable on Sept. 21. City officials found five open code violations.
Posted inJustice & Equity
Wage board: Farm workers in NY state should collect overtime like everyone else
Overtime regulations for farm laborers in New York could be changed to be in line with those seen in other industries.
Posted inJustice & Equity
Phone operators for the deaf in Syracuse make minimum wage, seek to unionize
If the election succeeds, CSD Workers United would be the first union of nonprofit workers providing relay services in the country.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
City of Syracuse ramps up enforcement of lead paint violations
The city of Syracuse began enforcing its new lead abatement ordinance Monday, two years after it was approved.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Syracuse parents, teachers at school safety town hall call for more mental health services
Parents and school safety advocates gathered at Fowler High School to call on the Syracuse City School District to fund mental health support systems and alternatives to what they deemed a punitive “zero-tolerance” education system.
Posted inNews
Syracuse 8-year-old who appeared in viral video over Doritos wants to sue police after handcuffing
Anthony F. was the 8-year-old in that viral video of Syracuse officers detaining a kid for stealing a bag of chips. Now lawyers for his family are suing, claiming he was handcuffed a second time in July and is the target of harassment by Syracuse police.
