Roc/ACTS

05/23/2026

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&

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...

05/10/2026

Your Voice Matters!

05/10/2026

04/21/2026

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.

04/20/2026

We Will Continue To Fight!

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

04/20/2026

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

We Will Continue To Fight!

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

04/20/2026

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

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

04/18/2026

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

04/18/2026

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.

04/16/2026

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Defend Police Accountability! File the Appeal and Fund the PAB!

To our allies in labor and the People of the City of Rochester,

Nearly every year since its formation in 2022, the PAB has been defunded following attacks by the Locust Club and its opponents in city government.

Currently, the PAB is facing its largest cuts yet, including planned layoffs to its longest serving staff, despite already saving nearly one million dollars by eliminating vacancies. These cuts would eliminate nearly all union jobs at the PAB, dealing a devastating blow to the agency and the mission of civilian oversight of law enforcement in Rochester.

In 2019, our community overwhelmingly voted to create the PAB after decades of efforts to bring about criminal justice reform and racial justice in policing. Despite ongoing legal threats to the PAB's authority, the fight continues and the staff have succeeded in producing historic results for our community.

Now, we are asking our allies and supporters to stand by our side and defend the PAB from this existential threat. Please attend Speak to Council tomorrow, April 16th, with the following messages:

1. Fully fund the PAB! No further cuts to the PAB budget.

2. Stop the layoffs! Retain all PAB staff in the 26/27 budget.

3. File the appeal! Appeal the removal of investigative authority before the April 22nd deadline

Sign up by calling 585-428-7538 no later than 4:30 pm tomorrow. If you can't make it tomorrow, there will be another chance for advocacy next month.

Thank you for fighting beside us, and for supporting the cause of police accountability in our community.

In solidarity,

PAB Workers Union