Roc/ACTS

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-the-legislature-to-include-the-15-million-daniels-law-crisis-response-programs-in-the-fy-27-budget?source=direct_link&

Tell the Legislature to Include the $15 Million Daniel’s Law Crisis Response Programs in the FY ’27 Budget! We need your help to protect the rights of our neighbors, friends, and family members with mental health and substance use conditions. Write an email to elected leaders and tell them to include the Daniel’s Law crisis response programs in the FY ’27 budget, and to co-sponsor Daniel’s Law. Stud...

Your Voice Matters!

Join us tomorrow on the steps of City Hall to defend PAB workers.

In 2019, Rochester overwhelmingly voted yes for police accountability. Today, we are watching that mandate be undermined. The firing of six PAB employees is not just a personnel decision—it is clear anti-union retaliation and an attack on the agency our community fought to build.

We need community defense now.
Bring your bodies. Bring your voices. Let’s get to work.

We Will Continue To Fight!

Rochester files appeal to restore Police Accountability Board's investigative powers The City of Rochester is appealing a recent court ruling that stripped the Rochester Police Accountability Board's investigatory powers.

https://13wham.com/news/local/advocates-urge-rochester-city-council-to-protect-pab-funding

We Will Continue To Fight!

Advocates urge Rochester City Council to protect PAB funding Advocates spoke before Rochester City Council Thursday evening in support of the city’s Police Accountability Board as concerns grow over its future funding.

...We Hold Their Names Because The Systems Keep Trying To Silence Accountability

Stand With Us To Protect The Accountability Our Community Fought To Build!

https://13wham.com/news/local/rochester-police-accountability-board-lays-off-6-workers-pab-investigative-powers-new-york-state-court-of-appeals-supreme-court-appellate-ruling-decision

"The Police Accountability Board Alliance is deeply disappointed in the layoffs of PAB workers and stands in full solidarity with them. This action was both premature and unnecessary, and it represents yet another attempt to dismantle the work that our community has spent years building to ensure true accountability and public trust."

Rochester Police Accountability Board lays off 6 workers Rochester, N.Y. — The Police Accountability Board laid off six staff members Friday, Executive Director Lesli Myers-Small announced in a statement.

AFSCME Local 1635 Statement In Regards to the Layoff of Six Employees of the PAB Agency:

PAB Workers United are reaching out for the City/Council's response:

Honorable Members of the Rochester City Council,
AFSCME Local 1635 learned today that the City has, effective immediately, laid off six employees from the City of Rochester Police Accountability Board (PAB). The union was informed only minutes before the employees themselves were notified. At the time of notification, no Union Representative was present, despite at least one employee requesting representation. This is especially concerning given that Chris Spencer an AFSCME Local 1635 shop steward was available and present in the building when the AFSCME members were informed of their lay off.
The timing of these layoffs is highly unusual. The affected positions are included in the current budget, and historically, the union becomes aware of potential layoffs during the presentation of a new budget. This process allows the union to advocate for the preservation of positions during budget hearings and to work with Human Resources to identify alternative employment opportunities within the City.
As you know, AFSCME Local 1635 has been engaged in negotiations with the City regarding the accretion of PAB positions into the union. Notably, all members involved in the current PAB/AFSCME negotiations are among those whose positions were eliminated today.
Additionally, when the City unilaterally reduced the benefits of AFSCME-represented PAB employees on August 25, 2025, the union filed an Improper Practice charge under the Taylor Law with the New York State Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). In a decision dated April 15, 2026, Judge Scott ruled in favor of the union. A copy of that decision is attached for your review.
We have also attached a list of recent projects reviewed with PAB management involving the Accountability and Transparency Division. To the best of our knowledge, all of the employees laid off today were actively engaged in this work, which now risks being left unfinished.
We respectfully urge the City Council to advocate for the immediate reinstatement of these PAB employees so they may continue their vital work in advancing accountability and transparency within the RPD.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.