In response to a continuing management campaign to deny Crowne Plaza hotel workers the right to join a union, NYSUT is moving its 2009 convention from Rochester to Buffalo.

The 585,000-member union had planned to bring its Representative Assembly to the Rochester Riverside Convention Center from April 1-4, 2009.

The union has instead booked the Buffalo Convention Center for the same dates.

The annual NYSUT policy-making convention, which brings some 2,500 delegates to a host city and books about 4,500 "room nights" in downtown hotels, has a projected economic impact — including meals and other spending — of at least $5 million.

That was the estimated impact on Rochester in 2006, when the city last hosted the NYSUT RA.

However, NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi said the anti-union campaign by Crowne Plaza management against UNITE HERE's Rochester organizing effort impelled NYSUT to relocate the 2009 convention — a decision that had to be made now because of the scope and complexity of the event.

While NYSUT had hoped the labor dispute would be resolved by now, the need to firm up plans for the 2009 convention meant the statewide union had to act.

"We had been looking forward to having another wonderful convention in Rochester, which has been a great city for us in the past," Iannuzzi said. "But it's important for us to stand with the Rochester labor community against the unfair campaign waged against workers' efforts to organize at the Crowne Plaza."

NYSUT leaders and members in Rochester understand and respect the decision, Iannuzzi said.

"We look forward to a successful and productive convention in Buffalo, where we can do the union's business and also help that city's economy," Iannuzzi said.

He noted that the union hopes to return to Rochester when it can be assured that the Crowne Plaza hotel respects workers' rights.