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JAMES R COOK LABOR AGENCY

WHITESBORO, NY · EIN 161100189 · Form 990EZ · FY2025 · NTEE J40Z · Employment · Micro (<$100K) · cnylaboragency.com
revenue
$63K
expenses
$106K
net assets
$7K
employees
mission · from form 990

TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF HUMAN, SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN CENTRAL NEW YORK COMMUNITIES.

profile · synthesized from sources

James R Cook Labor Agency, INC is a labor support organization serving union members in Central New York. It provides training programs in leadership, public speaking, team building, strike readiness, and community activism. The agency also offers community services and fosters volunteerism among union members to improve quality of life in Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison counties.

named programs · 7 · from sources

What they call their work

Active Shooter Training
Preparedness program teaching individuals how to respond during active shooter incidents to mitigate impacts.
Community Counselor Training
Program that trains participants to identify individuals in need and connect them with health and human services such as addiction support, mental health resources, childcare, and food stamps.
Conquering Your Fear of Public Speaking
Training session providing strategies and hands-on exercises to overcome anxiety and improve public speaking abilities in professional settings.
Leadership Training For Women
Workshop designed to help women in the workforce develop management and leadership skills, enhance soft skills, and advance their careers.
Strike Readiness Training
Training program that educates union members about what occurs during a strike or lockout, builds community resource networks, and increases support for the union movement.
Team Building For The Workplace
Workshop using improvisation and creative exercises to improve communication, collaboration, and morale among workplace teams.
UCAN - Union Community Activist Network
Initiative to build a network of union activists and volunteers committed to advancing labor's agenda and improving community conditions.
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Union Member Training & Leadership Development 2 activities
    • Leadership and Union Training Programs
      Implements leadership development and training programs for union members, including a women’s leadership program, public speaking workshops, team-building through improv, and strike readiness training to educate on strike/lockout processes and union goals.
    • Union Capacity Building and Activist Development
      Builds networks of union activists and community volunteers to advance labor’s agenda and improve local conditions. Includes training union counselors and developing campaign accounts with organized labor through the AFL-CIO Community Services Core Program.
  • Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
    • Community Services and Referral Program
      Provides human, social, and educational services to individuals in Central New York, including information and referral services regardless of union affiliation or workplace status. Operates in Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison counties and the Mohawk Valley area.
  • Teachers Union Representation 1 activity
    • Union Representation Services
      Represents members of the Utica Teachers Association and Rome Teachers Association, advocating on their behalf in labor matters.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Workforce and Community Safety Training
      Offers training programs focused on workplace and community safety, including active shooter preparedness training to educate individuals on mitigating impacts during such incidents.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$63K
Contributions & grants$52K82%
Program service revenue
Investment income
Other revenue$12K
expenses
Total expenses$106K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits$81K
Grants paid out
balance sheet
Total assets$7K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$7K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -44.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

board members · 3
  • MARY JO FERRARE — TRUSTEE
  • NORMA CHRISMAN — TRUSTEE
  • SAMANTHA DERISO — TRUSTEE
relationships · 21

Who they work with

  • AFL-CIO Network — Implements the AFL-CIO Community Services Core Program as part of its network initiatives.
  • AFL-CIO Central New York Labor Council Partner — Partner organization for which the agency was originally established to support service delivery to union members.
  • Central New York Labor Council Partner — Provides updated information on COVID-19 leave laws and resources in collaboration with the James R Cook Labor Agency.
  • James R Cook Labor Agency, INC Partner — Labor union organization hosting professional development workshops in Utica, NY.
  • MVCC PA Partner — Partner organization representing professional staff at Mohawk Valley Community College, affiliated with the labor agency.
  • NYSUT Network — Member of the New York State United Teachers, a statewide federation of teachers' unions.
  • New York State United Teachers Partner — One of 63 affiliated locals, with 40 locals belonging to this organization.
  • PEF Partner — Partner organization representing professional employees, affiliated with the labor agency.
  • Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 112 Partner — Partner union representing plumbers and pipefitters, affiliated with the labor agency.
  • Rome Teachers Association Partner — Partner organization representing teachers in Rome, NY, affiliated with the labor agency.
  • SEIU 1199 Partner — Partner union representing healthcare workers, affiliated with the labor agency.
  • The Peacemaker Program Partner — Partner organization in the Empowered Pathways collaboration offering team building workshops.
  • UAW Local 2367 Partner — Partner union representing workers, affiliated with the labor agency.
  • UFCW District Local 1 Partner — Partner union representing food, retail, and allied workers, affiliated with the labor agency.
  • UMWA Local 717 Partner — Partner union representing mine workers, affiliated with the labor agency.
  • United Roofers Local 195 Partner — Partner union representing roofing industry workers, affiliated with the labor agency.
  • United Way Partner — Collaborates with United Way on free tax preparation services
  • United Way Partner — Collaborating organization with which the agency's staff worked directly on campaign activities and service development.
  • Utica Teachers Association Partner — Partner organization representing teachers in Utica, NY, affiliated with the labor agency.
  • Women's Employment & Resource Center Partner — Partner organization in the Empowered Pathways collaboration offering team building workshops.
  • community service organizations Partner — Collaborates with community service organizations to deliver strike readiness training and support.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community-Partnered Strike Preparation
    methodology: community-partnered strike preparation
    By preparing union members for strikes in collaboration with community service organizations, the organization builds practical readiness and sustained community support, because linking labor actions to broader community networks increases resilience and reduces isolation during labor disputes.
  • Experiential Learning for Confidence Building
    methodology: experiential learning
    By using hands-on, engaging exercises such as improvisation and public speaking practice, the organization reduces anxiety and builds confidence, because experiential methods create safe spaces for behavioral rehearsal and personal growth.
  • Labor Unions as Community Networks
    methodology: labor-unions-as-community-networks
    By uniting union members across regions, the organization amplifies collective impact in both the labor force and communities, because shared networks strengthen civic engagement and improve work standards through organized action.
  • Leadership Development Through Self-Assessment and Skill Building
    methodology: leadership-development-through-self-assessment
    By providing leadership training that includes self-assessment and skill development, particularly for women, the organization produces workplace advancement and organizational leadership, because reflective practice increases confidence and career readiness.