Duncan Freeman

New York

Staff Reporter at The Chief Leader

I cover workers, the FDNY, and organized labor in NYC for @TheChiefLeader.

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Articles

FDNY seeking to 'integrate' firefighting and EMS corps

6 days ago | thechiefleader.com | Duncan Freeman

Posted 5/16/25 The FDNY plans to further integrate its EMS and firefighting services by unifying the administration of both and bringing “critical resources” to beleaguered EMTs, paramedics and EMS officers, according to the department’s 2025 strategic plan.
Insurgent slate looks to topple Local 3005 leadership

1 week ago | thechiefleader.com | Duncan Freeman

Dissident members of Local 3005 who last year succeeded in passing a motion calling for the union's pensions to be divested from Israeli stocks and bonds are now seeking to oust the local's leadership in elections being held this month.
Con Ed cleaners finally get contract

1 week ago | thechiefleader.com | Duncan Freeman

Posted 5/9/25 About 100 workers who clean Con Edison buildings and are represented by Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union have secured their first-ever union contract. The union reached a five-year agreement with three companies contracted by the investor-owned energy company to clean Con Ed’s Gramercy neighborhood headquarters, substations and customer service centers.
On May Day, city workers take aim at Trump

1 week ago | thechiefleader.com | Duncan Freeman

Foley Square was once again the site of a massive gathering of workers and union leaders celebrating May Day, International Workers Day. Whereas last year's event drew thousands of workers calling for a ceasefire in the conflict in the Gaza Strip, this year's rally and march focused far more on the immediate threats that American workers face from the Trump administration.
City academic unions condemn Trump's attacks on universities

2 weeks ago | thechiefleader.com | Duncan Freeman

Posted 5/2/25 Union leaders gathered outside of City Hall last week to condemn the Trump administration’s attacks on higher education as it withholds federal funds earmarked for university coffers, rescinds research grants and deports students. Leadership of the Professional Staff Congress-CUNY, United Auto Workers Region 9A and Local 1104 of the Communications Workers of America joined the City Council’s Progressive Caucus at a recent rally to denounce the administration’s efforts.
Senator, union leaders sound alarm on Social Security cuts

2 weeks ago | thechiefleader.com | Duncan Freeman

Posted 5/2/25 Federal Social Security employees are "being set up for failure" the president of a union representing 1,200 Social Security Administration employees in New York City, Westchester and Long Island has said.
With ranked endorsements, DC 37 rejects Cuomo, hears out activist members

2 weeks ago | thechiefleader.com | Duncan Freeman

Posted 5/2/25 Within a day of District Council 37’s endorsement of City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for mayor, the union had already printed out dozens of pro-Adams signs and marshaled Attorney General Letitia James and the heads of two other powerful unions — UNITE HERE Local 100 and Local 1180 of the Communications Workers of America — to join DC 37’s leadership and Adams at a press conference in the union’s new, state-of-the-art downtown headquarters.
Adrienne Adams, 2 others score coveted DC 37 endorsement

3 weeks ago | thechiefleader.com | Duncan Freeman

Posted 4/25/25 City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has notched the top endorsement from District Council 37 in her bid to become mayor, which she will hope kickstarts her so-far moribund campaign. The union also ranked Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and State Senator Zellnor Myrie in its slate of three candidates. As the city’s largest union of municipal workers, DC 37’s endorsement is highly coveted. The union backed Eric Adams in 2021.
Council bill would compel DOI to investigate discrimination in FDNY

3 weeks ago | thechiefleader.com | Duncan Freeman

Posted 4/25/25 Three City Council members are taking another crack at trying to solve the FDNY’s persistent issue of exclusion of and discrimination against Black and female firefighters by introducing a bill that would expand the Department of Investigation’s oversight of the department.
TWU local suing MTA over bus lane fines

3 weeks ago | thechiefleader.com | Duncan Freeman

A Transport Workers Union local representing New York City Transit supervisors is suing the MTA and the city’s Department of Finance over what the union's president says are unfair fines issued to members who park city vehicles in bus lanes, busways or bus stops while doing their job. TWU Local 106 represents dozens of bus supervisors who inspect and maintain NYCT buses, including those that drive on dedicated bus lanes throughout the five boroughs.