Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: American Postal Workers Union AFL-CIO

Next up in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates is the American Postal Workers Union (APWU). The series will run weekly until we've covered all 55 of our affiliates.

Name of Union: American Postal Workers Union

Mission: Through collective bargaining, legislative action and mobilization of its members and the public, APWU fights for dignity and respect on the job for postal workers throughout the postal industry—for decent pay and benefits and safe working places, for defense of the right of the people to public postal services and for solidarity with all workers, at home and abroad.

Current Leadership of Union: Mark Dimondstein was elected president of APWU in 2013 and won a second term in 2016. He began his postal career in 1983. In 1986, he was elected to the first of six consecutive terms as president of the Greater Greensboro (N.C.) Area Local. Beginning in 2000, he served as APWU's national lead field organizer. He won AFL-CIO's Southern Organizer of the Year Award in 2001. 

Debby Szeredy serves as APWU’s executive vice president, Elizabeth Powell serves as secretary-treasurer and Vance Zimmerman is the industrial relations director. The national executive board also includes four craft division directors who oversee the clerk, maintenance, motor vehicle service and support service crafts at the United States Postal Service (USPS), as well as five regional coordinators.

Current Number of Members: 222,000.

Members Work As: Retail postal clerks, mail processors and sorters, building and equipment maintenance, custodial workers, truck drivers and mechanics, information technology workers, nurses and others.

Industries Represented: Members are active and retired workers for the USPS, as well as private-sector workers employed in the mailing industry.

History: The American Postal Workers Union was founded on July 1, 1971, when five postal unions merged after the Great Postal Strike in 1970. The two largest unions involved in the merger were the United Federation of Postal Clerks—which represented employees who "worked the windows" at post offices and workers who sorted and processed mail—and the National Postal Union—who represented postal workers in multiple crafts. The National Association of Post Office and General Service Maintenance Employees, the National Federation of Motor Vehicle Employees and the National Association of Special Delivery Messengers were the other three unions who merged to create the APWU.

Before the Great Postal Strike, early postal unions essentially had no collective bargaining rights, with wage increases dependent on the whims of Congress, i.e. "collective begging." As a result, postal workers were chronically underpaid, barely making enough to make ends meet.

Workers grew increasingly frustrated with Congress’ inaction, and on March 18, 1970, thousands of New York City postal workers walked off the job in protest, starting the Great Postal Strike. During the strike, mail service ground to a halt and the plight of postal workers was brought to the public’s attention. The strike was soon settled, with Congress approving a 6% wage increase and other gains for postal workers.

The strike motivated the enactment of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, which granted unions the right to negotiate with management over their wages, benefits and working conditions.

Since that first contract almost 50 years ago, the APWU has fought for dignity and respect on the job for the workers they represent, as well as decent pay and benefits and safe working conditions. As a result, the postal unions have achieved unprecedented job security provisions.

Current Campaigns: APWU is a partner in A Grand Alliance to Save Our Public Postal Service that fights back against efforts to dismantle the USPS. APWU has many current campaigns to protect the workers and customers of the USPS, including fighting: against privatization, for a fair and decent contract protecting their entire bargaining unit, against post office closures and to promote safe postal jobs. With the solidarity of the labor movement and community allies, the APWU led the successful "Stop Staples" fight against the privatization of postal retail services.

APWU is also pushing for postal banking as a way to expand basic financial services to those whose needs are unmet by the corporate-dominated financial sector, and protect them from the predatory Payday Loan and check cashing industry.

Community Efforts: The American Postal Workers Accident Benefit Association provides insurance and pays benefits to postal workers and their families in the case of accidental death or disability. The E.C. Hallbeck scholarship provides educational benefits for children of APWU members while the vocational scholarship program helps the children of APWU members pursue trade, technical, vocational or industrial occupations. The Postal Employees Relief Fund helps postal workers and their families recover from natural disasters and house fires. The APWU promotes strong alliances and common bonds between the labor and civil rights communities.

Learn More: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/08/2019 - 11:28

Collective Voices Lead to Victory: Worker Wins

Our latest roundup of worker wins begins with grocery store workers using their collective voices and includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.

UFCW Workers at King Soopers/City Market in Colorado Reach Tentative Agreement to End Prevent Strike: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) members who work at King Soopers and City Market in Colorado have accepted a tentative agreement to prevent a strike and the new deal must be approved by the membership. The new contract addresses wage increases, health care costs, improved benefits and increased safety requirements. UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova said: "Today’s deal represents an important investment in King Soopers and City Market workers and strengthens our ability to continue providing shoppers with the high-quality customer service they deserve. The fact that this offer is significantly better than where we started in December is a tribute to the hard work of every member."

Two More Condé Nast Publications Join Organizing Wave: Pitchfork and Ars Technica, two publications owned by Condé Nast, have become the latest publications to join the wave of organizing that has been sweeping newsrooms and digital media in recent years. Employees at both publications have asked for voluntary recognition of their union representation. Ars Technica covers technology and science and Pitchfork publishes music criticism and news. Pitchfork's senior editor Stacey Anderson said: "The editors, writers, producers and strategists of Pitchfork are deeply proud of the work we do here. We believe that forming a union will keep this a sustainable place for all of us. We’re ready for management to address our concerns and work as hard for us as we do for them."

Boise Philharmonic Musicians Vote for Representation by American Federation of Musicians: With 96% of the vote, musicians at the Boise Philharmonic have voted to join the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). Kate Jarvis, a violinist and assistant concertmaster, said: "We're excited to join the community of working musicians, and we think this is an exciting time in the life of our orchestra. We have a vested interest in the organization, and we think it's important for the musicians to have a voice in the organization."

Staff at Podcast Startup Gimlet Media Join Writers Guild: More than 80 staff who work for Gimlet Media have asked management to voluntarily recognize their unionization with the Writers Guild of America, East. Gimlet produces popular podcasts such as Reply All and StartUp and the membership includes producers, engineers, reporters and hosts. Among the issues the new union will be negotiating with management are fair treatment for contractors, increased workplace diversity, protection of employee intellectual property, and transparency around pay, promotions and firings.

Flying Food Workers Avoid Strike and Ratify New Contract: Nearly 700 catering employees of Flying Food Group who work at Los Angeles International Airport averted an approved strike after 98% voted to ratify a new contract. The workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 11, will see wage increases and the end of costly monthly health care premiums. Flying Food Group worker Juan Varela applauded the agreement: "This new contract is going to change my life. I used to pay $332 a month for my health insurance and now I won’t have to pay any money out of my check for full coverage for me and my family."

Tufts Dining Workers Reach Tentative Agreement After Nearly a Year: Dining workers represented by UNITE HERE at Tufts University have reached a tentative contract after nearly a year of negotiations. The contract would be the first for dining workers at the university. The contract addresses wage increases, health care, the conversion of temporary employees to regular status, maintaining employees' existing time-off benefits and other issues.

Ohio Teachers End Strike After Ratifying New Contract: Teachers at Summit Academy Parma in Ohio ended a nine-day strike after the members of the Ohio Federation of Teachers overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new contract. OFT President Melissa Cropper said: "The teachers and intervention specialists at Summit Academy Parma organized their union to improve their students’ learning conditions. That’s what this contract does with language on staffing and class sizes, and by establishing a labor-management committee so that we can solve problems as they arise." The contract was secured after the teachers went on strike in order to improve teaching and learning conditions at the charter school, which serves special needs students.

New Jersey State Workers and Gov. Phil Murphy Agree to New Contract: After a long-fought battle with former Gov. Chris Christie, New Jersey's new governor, Phil Murphy, is much more open to working with state workers. A breakthrough contract last year was followed by a tentative agreement on a four-year contract with the state and the Communications Workers of America New Jersey. The new contract was approved by the membership at the end of March.

BuzzFeed Workers Join NewsGuild: The overwhelming majority of U.S. journalists working for online news outlet BuzzFeed voting to be represented by The NewsGuild of New York, CWA Local 31003. Earlier this year, BuzzFeed moved to eliminated 15% of its workforce and the new unit is seeking better benefits and fair pay. The BuzzFeed workers said: "We want to remain spry and competitive, but we reject the argument that we must choose between freelancing in a hellscape gig economy for vampirical platforms or submitting to the whims of a corporation that botches basic HR tasks." The BuzzFeed workers have asked management to voluntarily recognize the union.

Boston's WBUR Staff Overwhelmingly Vote for Representation Through SAG-AFTRA: With 96% voting in favor, staff at radio station WBUR in Boston voted to recognize SAG-AFTRA as their union. They are in the beginning stages of negotiating their first contract. Ally Jarmanning, a digital producer at WBUR, said: "We are thrilled to officially be recognized as a union at WBUR. Organizing has brought our staff closer together and we can't wait to get to work negotiating a contract that will be fair for all. We know together we can make WBUR an even better place, both for workers and listeners."

Machinists at Boeing Win Mid-Contract Pay Raise: Thousands of Machinists who work for Boeing in Seattle have won a $4-per-hour increase of minimum pay rates. While their current contract sets pay rates through 2024, the Machinists fought for an increase after management responded to a labor shortage by offering new hires wages higher than the existing contract. The union successfully argued to management that the contract's minimum wage should be raised so that already hired workers would be making as much or more than new hires.

Gizmodo Editorial Staff Unanimously Ratifies New Contract: Nearly 170 members of the editorial staff at Gizmodo Media Group voted unanimously to ratify their second collective bargaining agreement. The staff is represented by the Writers Guild of America, East, and about the contract the bargaining committee said: "We’re incredibly proud of the contract we won. With a strong union, and the support of our colleagues at other unionized shops across digital media, we were able to build on our first contract and help elevate industry standards to better protect workers and the independence of our newsrooms. But building labor power in digital media is bigger than just a contract, so the struggle for a more democratic, transparent industry continues. There’s power in standing together, and when we fight we win."

Nurses Vote to Join Minnesota Nurses Association: An overwhelming majority of nurses at CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck, North Dakota, voted to be represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association. The nurses sought union representation after operational changes and layoffs had a negative impact on patient care. Nurse Leslie Wenger said: "We’re all extremely excited. We just really wanted to come together and have a voice to get heard and to get a seat at the decision-making table."

Journalists at The Morning Call Join NewsGuild: By a vote of 31-12, reporters, photographers and other staff at The Morning Call, located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, voted to be represented by The NewsGuild-CWA. Peter Hall, a senior reporter, said: "For a lot of people, this is about improving our sense of certainty about the future. Everyone involved in this has really worked hard."

San Francisco Bikeshare Workers Vote for TWU Representation: Workers at Ford GoBike in the San Francisco Bay area have voted to join the Transport Workers (TWU). The maintenance workers are employed by Motivate LLC and are seeking wage increases, better scheduling practices and other quality of life factors. TWU already represents Motivate workers in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Jersey City.

 

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/05/2019 - 13:11

Tags: Organizing

Economy Gains 196,000 Jobs in March; Unemployment Unchanged at 3.8%

The U.S. economy gained 196,000 jobs in March, and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.8%, according to figures released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Continued lower levels of job growth provide good reason for the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee to express caution in considering any interest rate hikes.

In response to the March job numbers, AFL-CIO Chief Economist William Spriggs tweeted:

Payroll numbers up 196,000 in March according to @BLS_gov unemployment holds steady at 3.8%, payroll numbers adjusted up for January and February by a combined 14,000 jobs. @AFLCIO

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) April 5, 2019

Average hourly earnings moderate to a 3.2% increase comparing March 2018 to March 2019. Moderating wage growth and job growth under 200,000 for two months coincide with moderation in GDP growth. @AFLCIO

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) April 5, 2019

After three straight months of increase in the Black unemployment rate, it falls to 6.7% in March, but for the wrong reasons, labor force participation dips from 62.5 to 62.1% and the share employed falls for third straight month. @rolandsmartin @AFLCIO

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) April 5, 2019

 

Unemployment rate holds steady in March at 3.8% from a decline in labor force participation and a slight dip in the employment-to-population ratio. With February and March numbers, shows a slowing labor market. Obviously, the @federalreserve got it right. @AFLCIO #JobsReport pic.twitter.com/4iiCq7sLEm

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) April 5, 2019

 

Labor Force Participation rate drops for all education attainment levels in March in new @BLS_gov report, except for college educated workers. So, unemployment is steady for the wrong reasons. @AFLCIO #JobsReport pic.twitter.com/oIeQAfF1Tv

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) April 5, 2019

 

Another, its not a good sign when... The share of the unemployed who are long time unemployed (over 6 months) has been increasing three straight months. Meaning its getting more difficult to get back into jobs. @AFLCIO #JobsReport pic.twitter.com/uMZMofHiae

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) April 5, 2019

 

Weakening auto sales showing in manufacturing of motor vehicles, down 6,300 in March. This doesn't erase the gain over the year from last March, but makes the annual gain now only 3,500 jobs. @AFLCIO

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) April 5, 2019

 

Skills shortages? Computer systems designs payroll up by 11,500 in March. But the problem is scale. That industry employs 2.18 million; compared to 12.1 million workers in food services, where jobs increased 27,300. @AFLCIO #JobsReport

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) April 5, 2019

 

Dip in the share of Americans employed in March shows how hard the recovery to more employment has been for Americans. This shows there is still more room for growth. @AFLCIO #JobsReport pic.twitter.com/TVdiYcboQa

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) April 5, 2019

 

Retail trade employment drops 11,700 in March and over the year is down 35,900 over the year shows effect of reckless private equity firms destabilizing the industry, sluggish consumer spending growth and the internet @AFLCIO #JobsReport

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) April 5, 2019

Last month's biggest job gains were in health care (49,000), professional and technical services (34,000), food services and drinking places (27,000), and construction (16,000). Manufacturing employment declined in March (-6,000 jobs). Employment in other major industries, including mining, wholesale trade, retail trade, transportation and warehousing, information, financial activities, and government, showed little change over the month. 

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates fell for teenagers (12.8%) and blacks (6.7%). The jobless rate increased for Hispanics (4.7%). The jobless rate for adult men (3.6%), adult women (3.3%), whites (3.4%) and Asians (3.1%) showed little change in March.

The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) rose in March and accounted for 21.1% of the unemployed.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/05/2019 - 12:57

Education Minnesota Is Gaining Strength One Conversation at a Time

Just over 18 months ago, the leaders of Education Minnesota (an affiliate of both the AFT and the National Education Association) decided that something had to change. With the Janus decision looming, and the 2018 midterm elections set to follow, the 90,000-member union knew that membership engagement had to be its top priority.

Education Minnesota President Denise Specht embarked on an ambitious internal organizing campaign, aiming to bolster members’ commitment to the union. The campaign sought to reach 100% of members, reduce the number of fee payers before the Janus v. AFSCME decision and minimize membership losses following the decision.

At its core, that effort would be built on value-centered, one-on-one conversations with individual members. Rather than focusing on benefits or contract language, these discussions would center on the needs of each member and the full value of belonging to a union.

By tying the core principles of unionism—having power in the workplace and joining together in a common fight—to individual members’ tangible experiences, organizers would build a foundational relationship with members that could weather both internal and external turbulence.

Specht knew that this would be no small task. With 460 locals across the state, varying priorities and internal politics threatened to derail the urgently needed program. While most local leaders embraced the opportunity, some initially resisted changes in how they communicated with their members. The program’s effectiveness, however, quickly spoke for itself.

In one region, two locals fully implemented the approach using stories and conversations about the value of belonging to a union during new employee orientation, while one carried out old habits by selling the union as insurance.

In a stunning feat of organizing, the two reformers signed up 100% of new employees. Meanwhile, the other local struggled to sign up 40%.

Specht’s vision for value-based conversations soon became a reality at union halls, worksites and orientations across the state. By the time the Janus decision was handed down, they were ready.

The union managed to recommit 95% of its members and, in the wake of the decision, limited membership losses to only 600. Far from receiving the gut punch pundits had expected, Education Minnesota came through stronger and better organized than ever.

But Specht wasn’t finished, and she wasted no time in channeling that energy toward the midterm elections. After a year of building and cementing relationships, organizers were in a newly strengthened position to mobilize members to the ballot box.

Across the state, the union recruited and trained more than 1,500 worksite leaders, who applied the successes of membership engagement to their political program. Through one-on-one conversations about the issues that mattered to them, members felt invested in the upcoming election—and turned out in droves.

Capping off a year that was supposed to mark the death of labor, Education Minnesota proved that it wasn’t going anywhere, showing its power on the campaign trail and catapulting one of its own members, Tim Walz, into the governor’s mansion, and another, Julie Blaha, into the state auditor’s office.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/05/2019 - 11:58

The Center of Victory Natasha Lindstrom/Tribune-Review

The labor movement helped elect a wave of union members and pro-worker allies across the country last night. We proved that if you support working people, we’ll have your back. And we sent a resounding message to every candidate and elected official that if you seek to divide and destroy us, we’ll fight back with everything we have.

The labor movement fought for our issues, union candidates and proven allies, and we filled the halls of power with our own.

We’re still tracking races and results, but here are the main takeaways:

• Pam Iovino (USW) flipped Pennsylvania’s 37th state Senate District.

• Union members Eric Genrich (AFSCME) and Satya Rhodes-Conway (AFT) were elected as the mayors of Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin, respectively.

• A slate of union members (from the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association and AFSCME) and allies swept the Milwaukee School Board elections, and Danielle Shelton (AFT) won the election for a seat on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

• In Missouri, Tommie Pierson Sr. (UAW) and Mike Corcoran (UA) won mayoral elections in Bellefontaine Neighbors and St. Ann, respectively. Meanwhile, Nick Trupiano (UFCW) was elected alderman in St. Peters and Orlando Smith (UA) won election as the Fire Protection District director for the city of Black Jack.

Working people win when working people run. In 2017, the AFL-CIO passed a powerful national resolution promising to train and campaign for union members to win public office through the Path to Power program.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/03/2019 - 15:08

‘State of the Unions’ Podcast: #StampOutHunger AFL-CIO

In the latest episode of "State of the Unions," podcast co-host Tim Schlittner talks to Brian Renfroe, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) executive vice president, and Christina Vela Davidson, assistant to the president for community services, about #StampOutHunger, the annual one-day drive that has collected more than 1 billion pounds of food for the hungry. 

"State of the Unions" is a tool to help us bring you the issues and stories that matter to working people. It captures the stories of workers across the country and is co-hosted by two young and diverse members of the AFL-CIO team: Mobilization Director Julie Greene and Executive Speechwriter Tim Schlittner. A new episode drops every other Wednesday featuring interesting interviews with workers and our allies across the country, as well as compelling insights from the podcast’s hosts.

Listen to our previous episodes:

• House Blue Collar Caucus co-chairs Brendan Boyle and Marc Veasey talk about how any plan to rebuild our economy must include working people. 
• A conversation with Kim Kelly, a labor columnist for Teen Vogue.
• A special Black History Month discussion with IUPAT General President Ken Rigmaiden.
• Kooper Caraway, the 28-year old president of the Sioux Falls AFL-CIO, on how the labor movement can reach young people.
• Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy with former Mayor Andrew Gillum of Tallahassee, Florida.
• Special #StopTheShutdown episode with AFGE President J. David Cox.

“State of the Unions” is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and anywhere else you can find podcasts.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/03/2019 - 10:00

Tags: Podcast

Closing the Gap: The Working People Weekly List AFL-CIO

Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.

The House Just Passed a Bill to Close the Gender Pay Gap: "House Democrats easily passed the Paycheck Fairness Act on Wednesday—their latest in a long series of attempts to make sure women and men are paid equally. The final vote was 242-187. Democrats were joined by seven Republicans. To give you a sense of how long bill author Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) has been fighting for this cause, she first introduced the bill in 1997."

Vice Media Agrees to $1.87 Million Settlement for Paying Female Staffers Less Than Men: "Vice has agreed to a $1.875 million deal to resolve a class action lawsuit brought by some of the media company's female workforce. The proposed settlement was quietly submitted for approval to a Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Monday. By the looks of the court papers, Vice was likely saved from paying millions more because the company tends to employ younger women."

Mexico Must Change Labor Laws for USMCA Passage, Trumka Says: "AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka discusses the USMCA trade agreement and its impact on U.S. labor with Bloomberg's Jason Kelly on 'Bloomberg Markets: Balance of Power.'"

Labor Organizers Share Insight and Tips on Unionizing the Game Industry: "There’s been a lot of talk about unionization in the game industry, so today at GDC some union [members] took the stage in front of an audience of game makers to share what they’d learned about effectively organizing labor.  During an hour-long session that was chiefly Q&A, panel members Emma Kinema (Game Workers Unite International), Kevin Gregory Agwaze (Game Workers Unite UK), Linda Dao (SAG-AFTRA), Justin Molito (Writers Guild of America, East) and Liz Shuler of AFL-CIO (which published an open letter encouraging game devs to organize) fielded some notable labor questions from game devs. Shuler jumped in to say that, on the bright side, she’s seen a recent surge in labor organization, citing the recent Marriott workers strike as a good example of how workers can successfully fight for better pay and more protection on the job. 'We’re seeing a movement moment,' she added. 'I think people are discovering that they don’t have to sit back and take it. They can fight back.'"

Unions Step Up Push for $15 Minimum Wage in Congress: "Labor unions and their allies on Tuesday stepped up their push to get Congress to approve a $15-an-hour federal minimum wage, up from the current rate of $7.25, urging rank-and-file members to press their congressmen on the issue. 'Three weeks ago, lawmakers in the House brought that bill one step closer to a floor vote. Now, we’ve got to keep the momentum going,' AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in an email to members Tuesday. 'This is our chance to make a $15 per hour minimum wage a reality for ALL workers. Tell your congressperson that raising the wage is a win-win for workers and the economy.'"

Trump Finds Democrats a Tough Sell on NAFTA Replacement: "Critics of the agreement have called for beefing up its labor and environmental protections, as well as ensuring those aspects are actually enforceable in practice. Some Democrats have asked the administration to make changes to the deal, like taking steps to lower prescription drug prices and expand the scope of the new minimum wage requirements. Celeste Drake, the AFL-CIO's top trade and globalization policy guru, will testify before Blumenauer's subcommittee during a hearing on Tuesday morning, alongside representatives from the United Auto Workers, the United Steelworkers, and other key organized labor groups."

Millions of People Can't Afford Medicines. Groups Lead Efforts to Lower Prices: "'Excessively high drug prices and unjustified price increases do not happen by chance, they are the result of deliberate political decisions made in Washington,' said Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO. 'Patients at the pharmacy counter, workers at the bargaining table and their health plans negotiating with pharmaceutical companies are forced to pay the price,' added Trumka."

When We Stand United, We Prevail: What Working People Are Doing This Week: "Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week."

Equal Pay for Equal Work: In the States Roundup: "It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states."

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Train Dispatchers: "In this weekly series, we take a deeper look at each of the AFL-CIO's affiliates. Next up is the American Train Dispatchers Association."

Women's History Month Profiles: Maida Springer Kemp: "For Women's History Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various women who were leaders and activists working at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's profile is Maida Springer Kemp."

 

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/02/2019 - 12:19

It's Time for Equal Pay

Equal Pay Day serves as a reminder of how far we still have to go to close the gender pay gap. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler (IBEW) has more on why unions are the best tool to achieve pay parity.

The House of Representatives recently passed the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would:

• Prohibit employers from using salary history.

• Protect against retaliation for discussing pay with colleagues.

• Equalize discrimination claims based on gender, race and ethnicity.

Now it’s up to the Senate to bring it up for a vote and pass it. Add your name to the petition in support of the Paycheck Fairness Act.

The AFL-CIO Executive Council recently adopted a statement in support of the Paycheck Fairness Act and other equal pay efforts. Read it here.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/02/2019 - 12:02

Tags: Equal Pay

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: AFT AFL-CIO

Next up in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates is the AFT. The series will run weekly until we've covered all 55 of our affiliates.

Name of Union: American Federation of Teachers

Mission: The AFT "is a union of professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, health care and public services for our students, their families and our communities. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism, and especially through the work our members do."

Current Leadership of Union: Randi Weingarten was elected president of AFT in 2008 after serving for 12 years as the president of the United Federation of Teachers, representing 200,000 educators in New York City's public schools. After graduating from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and the Cardozo School of Law, she worked as a lawyer and was active in numerous professional, civic and philanthropic organizations. Weingarten also taught history at Clara Barton High School in Brooklyn before becoming UFT's assistant secretary in 1995 and treasurer two years later.

Lorretta Johnson serves as secretary-treasurer and Mary Cathryn Ricker serves as executive vice president. The AFT also has 42 vice presidents representing various geographic areas.

Current Number of Members: 1.7 million.

Members Work As: Teachers from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; faculty and professional staff in higher education; nurses and other health care professionals; early childhood educators; and federal, state and local government employees. 

Industries Represented: Public schools, higher education, health care and federal, state and local government.

History: The AFT was founded in Chicago and was chartered by the American Federation of Labor in 1916. It grew quickly, chartering more than 170 locals in the first four years. A post-World War I push from local school boards intimidated many members into leaving the union, cutting its size in half by the end of the 1930s. The AFT fought back and pushed for academic freedom and tenure laws to protect teachers during the Red Scare. By the end of the Great Depression, the AFT had secured tenure laws of some sort in 17 states.

During World War II, the AFT was a significant supporter of the war effort while also campaigning against oppression of people of color at home. The AFT also fought to improve conditions in schools. Another Red Scare came along in the 1950s and the AFT took a lead role in opposing loyalty oaths and other limitations on teachers. The AFT was active in the civil rights movement, in particular in support of school desegregation. As the 1960s unfolded, the AFT turned toward strikes to obtain better pay, benefits and job security. More than 300 teacher strikes took place in the 1960s, and membership more than doubled to 200,000 by the end of the decade.

While dealing with new issues in the 1970s like declining school funding in urban areas, the AFT was the fastest-growing union in the country; and by the 1980s, it led the movement toward education reform and teacher professionalization. Throughout the ensuing decades, the AFT continued to focus on innovation and making sure that teachers had the cutting-edge skills to best serve their students.

In the 2000s, the AFT surpassed a million members, with the total hitting 1.7 million in 2017. During the presidency of Randi Weingarten, the AFT has continued to innovate with major initiatives such as the AFT Innovation Fund, Reconnecting McDowell, Share My Lesson and a partnership with First Book.

The past few years have seen an inspiring rise in collective action in the United States, and teachers, led by members of the AFT, have engaged in a wave of strikes that have scored a series of important victories for edcuators and the students and communities they serve. In particular, teachers were  successful using their collective voices in West Virginia, Oklahoma City, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Current Campaigns: A Decade of Neglect shines a light on the underfunding of public schools, and Fund Our Future seeks to remedy that problem. It is also working to help members deal with the burdens of the Student Debt Crisis. The AFT is fighting to keep families together in the face of "zero tolerance" immigration policies, to stop student loan fraud, to arm schools with resources instead of guns and to support Puerto Rico's teachers and parents.

Community Efforts: I Am AFT spotlights the community efforts of members. The AFT also provides disaster relief and emergency preparedness for members, its families and communities. The AFT also works with various community partners, including the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools, First Book, the Food Research and Action Center, the Special Olympics, the BlueGreen Alliance and the Healthy Schools Campaign.

Learn More: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/01/2019 - 08:03

When We Stand United, We Prevail: What Working People Are Doing This Week AFL-CIO

Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.

A. Philip Randolph Institute:

U.S. Circuit Court rules it is legal to refuse jobs to people with dreadlocks https://t.co/vqqN3xXRcb

— APRI National (DC) (@APRI_National) March 26, 2019

Actors' Equity Association:

Equity's "How to Hire Me" letter is a resource that is intended to pave the way for Equity members who live outside Equity's office cities to get hired by producers who may not have a lot of experience using Equity Contracts.https://t.co/jnsA3xVKyx pic.twitter.com/kQiaZs0Fce

— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) March 28, 2019

AFGE:

It’s still March which means we’re still celebrating #AFGEWomen. AFGE Local 1793 President Karen Ford-Styer explains what #WomensHistoryMonth means to her. #1u pic.twitter.com/PEtfopIGmO

— AFGE (@AFGENational) March 27, 2019

AFSCME:

During #WomensHistoryMonth, we celebrate the proud and fearless sisters who drive change in our union. #1u #AFSCMEStrong pic.twitter.com/IVgMWNmwle

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) March 26, 2019

AFT:

The AFT has a long history of engaging in the political process, with the goals of bettering the lives of our members and strengthening our communities. Get involved in the #AFTvotes #Election2020 endorsement process now: https://t.co/mSHraSij0o pic.twitter.com/leAW4a5TAT

— AFT (@AFTunion) March 20, 2019

Air Line Pilots:

Thank you to Senator @PattyMurray for your support of U.S. aviation workers: “I am particularly opposed to the proposal that would require an arbitrary 2-year bar on any union representation election after a decertification vote.” @HELPCMTEDEMS @GOPHELP pic.twitter.com/H9BW0eTWM1

— ALPA (@WeAreALPA) March 28, 2019

Alliance for Retired Americans:

Wall Street bonuses have grown by 1,000% since 1985. Had the minimum wage grown at the same rate it would be $33 an hour. Higher pay now means a secure retirement later. We must #RaiseTheWage. https://t.co/QX39ZuRq1j #FightFor15 #1u pic.twitter.com/2Ej242MxWq

— Alliance Retirees (@ActiveRetirees) March 28, 2019

Amalgamated Transit Union:

Fix New York’s school bus crisis - Restore the Employee Protection Provisions (#EPP) to ensure experienced #schoolbus drivers and escorts are safely transporting students. https://t.co/FxH0ipKsrA #NYC #1u pic.twitter.com/SNnuUkN07C

— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) March 28, 2019

American Federation of Musicians:

.@MusiciansChiSym "privileges' are hard won – every day, week, month & year of their professional lives (and long before and after)." Solidarity w/striking Chicago Symphony Musicians! #UnionMusicians #1u https://t.co/ddZ7q0AmnI

— AFM (@The_AFM) March 28, 2019

American Postal Workers Union:

Today we remember when, in 1970, postal workers took to the streets and won the right to collectively bargain for wages and benefits.
More about the Great Mail Strike here: https://t.co/fAzpvSsMRh#1u pic.twitter.com/oniE46l33N

— APWU National (@APWUnational) March 25, 2019

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance:

FACT: There are 68 mil ppl displaced around the world, including 25 million #refugees. @realDonaldTrump administration cut #refugees admissions to just 30,000 for FY19. And now the U.S. isn’t even on track to meet this goal. #WhereRtheRefugees #RefugeesWelcome pic.twitter.com/X3qMJUqiln

— APALA (@APALAnational) March 27, 2019

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:

AFA Air Wisconsin Flight Attendants continue to fight for a fair contract. SAVE THE DATE for the next picket in Chicago on April 11th. Read more about their fight ⬇️ https://t.co/TvHlHO68cs

— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) March 26, 2019

BCTGM:

New video tells the stories of White, Black, and Brown working families who have paid the price for Wall Street buying our democracy in the form of rent hikes, toxic mold, and layoffs. https://t.co/bmjwDFpHYT pic.twitter.com/Hl2b8bmczv

— BCTGM International (@BCTGM) March 18, 2019

Boilermakers:

Congrats to the 16 Canadian #Boilermakers who completed project management training in Toronto! https://t.co/fSClKk8i43 pic.twitter.com/NWLBqwM0AP

— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) March 25, 2019

Coalition of Labor Union Women:

Call Now to Urge Your Representative to Vote YES on the Paycheck Fairness Act: 1-855-973-0824
Here's our message: Women can’t wait any longer for fair pay. As your constituent, I urge you to vote YES on H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act, to help close the gender pay gap. #WageGap

— CLUW National (@CLUWNational) March 25, 2019

Communications Workers of America:

Listen to the kids. Join a union! #1u #WednesdayWisdom ?? pic.twitter.com/R3wLNhpUUV

— CWA (@CWAUnion) March 27, 2019

Department for Professional Employees:

Another reason to join together in union. #1u https://t.co/DPOhIOdE2T

— Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) March 28, 2019

Electrical Workers:

https://t.co/mgeTYt0L1A

— IBEW (@IBEW) March 25, 2019

Farm Labor Organizing Committee:

Listen to our Kentucky Organizer, Stephen, talk about our work in Kentucky!
‘Sustainability Now! | Stephen Bartlett | Farm Labor Oraganizing Committee | March 4, 2019’ on #SoundCloud #np https://t.co/7Lv4qfxTyR

— Farm Labor Organizing Committee (@SupportFLOC) March 28, 2019

Fire Fighters:

Send your mayor to #Fire Ops 101 #IAFFMayorsFireOps https://t.co/agEXlflUuY pic.twitter.com/2BA4i8Zcxd

— IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) March 28, 2019

Heat and Frost Insulators:

Union Insulators offer the most effective solutions for sound attenuation due their extensive job training and institutional knowledge and they continue educate their members on new techniques to ensure highest quality of work is being done. Learn more: https://t.co/PBCqNEvMqL

— Insulators Union (@InsulatorsUnion) March 27, 2019

International Labor Communications Association:

Meet us in Manhattan April 4 at the esteemed house of @RWDSU #1u https://t.co/z0GYgNmp2Z

— Labor Communications (@ILCAonline) March 26, 2019

Ironworkers:

Iron Workers Local 396 in St. Louis, MO topped out the $12.4 million Boys & Girls Clubs Teen Center of Excellence in Ferguson on Wednesday. https://t.co/xxg8TOmVQq

— Ironworkers. (@TheIronworkers) March 28, 2019

IUE-CWA

Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards
for Fiscal Year 2018 (Oct. 1, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2018)
For more information go to https://t.co/x8wBaEOeT2 pic.twitter.com/J758eKYJC3

— IUE-CWA (@IUE_CWAUnion) March 22, 2019

Jobs with Justice:

The data is pretty clear: Federal workplace health and safety protections aim to keep working people from harm on the job. Dismantling those protections puts people in harm's way. via @michellechen https://t.co/SKMag044IY

— Jobs With Justice (@jwjnational) March 28, 2019

Laborers:

Legislation to fund #waterinfrastructure improvements in Indiana is headed to @GovHolcomb desk #InfrastructureNow https://t.co/Ksj84Gh5Qa

— LIUNA (@LIUNA) March 28, 2019

LCLAA:

Thank you to our amazing panelist today on Capitol Hill who discussed and answered questions on sexual harassment of farm worker women. #NFAW19 @SAFistas pic.twitter.com/Kh1rNjkbes

— LCLAA (@LCLAA) March 27, 2019

Longshoremen:

Dockworkers around Europe (Sweden, Portugal, Denmark, England, Spain, France, Greece, Slovenia, Belgium) support our brothers and sisters from “La Compagnia Unica de lavoratori portuale di Napoli” #LashingisDockersWork #Proud2beDocker pic.twitter.com/2gzoP7oh17

— IDC/dockworkers (@IDC_Dockers) March 20, 2019

Machinists:

IAM Puppy Madness is down to the #FinalFour! Want to make sure your favorite pup wins? Every dollar you donate to @GuideDogsGDA counts for a vote.

?️https://t.co/tjlWwaHGj9 pic.twitter.com/MJIjpRg0ni

— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) March 28, 2019

Metal Trades:

“All the NAFTA renegotiation efforts in the world will not create U.S. jobs, raise U.S. wages or reduce the U.S. trade deficit if the new rules do not include clear, strong and effective labor rules that require Mexico to abandon its low wage policy,”... https://t.co/0ppO6o50DN

— Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) March 26, 2019

Mine Workers:

Remembering the importance of health and safety in the workplace, fighting for workers rights and union solidarity.https://t.co/XhK7mxcoWw

— United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) March 20, 2019

Musical Artists:

Today, AGMA pauses in remembrance of the souls lost to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire on this day in 1911.

May their collective memory - and sacrifice - serve as an ardent reminder that the labor movement can never rest in fighting for a safer workplace for all. pic.twitter.com/C5x04Mk2FA

— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) March 25, 2019

NABTU:

This generation of women in the #BuildingTrades is changing expectations for girls across North America ?

“Young girls tend to not know this is an option. Sometimes, it’s hard to do something and be something if you don’t see someone doing it first.”https://t.co/PHvyIAYRMH

— The Building Trades (@NABTU) March 27, 2019

National Air Traffic Controllers Association:

As longtime OSHA Committee Chair Mike Odryna retires after a 35-year career in the FAA, Los Angeles Center member Karena Marinas will take on the role of leading the committee in making sure NATCA members are safe in the workplace and well-represented. https://t.co/e7DuknNUmr pic.twitter.com/uyeWfPyjap

— NATCA (@NATCA) March 28, 2019

National Association of Letter Carriers:

Are you aware of a NALC brother or sister who has come to the aid of a local customer(s) while on their route and is a community hero? If so fill this form out -> https://t.co/1LtiE0DQni and nominate them to be a NALC Hero!#NALC #CarriersCare #Community #NALCHero #2019Heroes pic.twitter.com/9hubaUOweA

— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) March 26, 2019

National Day Laborer Organizing Network:

Día trabajado, día pagado #NoPayNoWay #EndWagetheft https://t.co/0ispISNNGK

— NDLON (@NDLON) March 14, 2019

National Domestic Workers Alliance:

#TBT to when Executive Director of @mataharijustice Monique Nguyen organized a domestic workers’ convention in Boston to “dream and brainstorm” about how to change the lives of domestic workers. #WomensHistoryMonth https://t.co/FLRcY7706m

— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) March 28, 2019

National Nurses United:

Press Release: Illinois RNs Applaud Lawmakers as They Move Gold-Standard Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Legislation to Full Assembly

"This bill gives #nurses the tools they need to provide the highest quality of care." Mattie Newsom, RN https://t.co/F6QSYsyDyI #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/IxXDXY8NhR

— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) March 28, 2019

National Taxi Workers Alliance:

NY State Senator Salazar says she supports our call to exempt yellow taxis from the congestion surcharge & says: “We need to examine what the actual impact would be on yellow cab drivers.” Thank you for your solidarity @JuliaCarmel__ ! https://t.co/7RgJaCVD2V via @motherboard

— NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) March 26, 2019

News Guild:

Congratulations! The NewsGuild family stands with you! Solidarity. https://t.co/iDWvBDqdnY

— NewsGuild (@news_guild) March 28, 2019

NFL Players Association:

??? to @JordyRNelson -- a consummate professional and union player rep who balled out during his career https://t.co/KaBtwCmuu1

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) March 27, 2019

Office and Professional Employees:

If we want to get “tough on crime,” why not start with the most pervasive form of theft in the U.S.? #WageTheft disproportionately impacts those who cannot afford to have part of their paycheck stolen by the person who signs their checks. https://t.co/vMnY8RsvB7 #1u #UnionStrong

— OPEIU (@opeiu) March 28, 2019

Painters and Allied Trades:

Just last month, surrounded by the members of several Illinois unions, IL Governor JB Pritzker signs executive orders designed to strengthen working families and support organized labor on January 15, 2019. pic.twitter.com/XlpoGC5sMt

— GoIUPAT✊? (@GoIUPAT) March 27, 2019

Plasterers and Cement Masons:

Unions raise living standards! A recent study of workers found that men represented by unions earned a median annual wage of $64,000, compared to $34,000 for their non-union counterparts. For women, it’s $40,000 union vs. $26,000 non-union. #1u https://t.co/MkKYDNNra3

— OPCMIA International (@opcmiaintl) March 28, 2019

Pride At Work:

Tomorrow, the House of Representatives will vote on House Resolution 124 that states the House's strong opposition to Trump's #TransMilitaryBan

Contact your representative NOW via @TransEquality to ensure they vote "yes" on H. Res. 124: https://t.co/lH1wk8E908

— Pride at Work (@PrideatWork) March 27, 2019

Printing, Publishing and Media Workers:

Have you visited our website lately? The new edition of the Sector News is online. https://t.co/egK6Z1xNw8 https://t.co/egK6Z1xNw8

— CWA Printing Sector (@CWAPrintingSect) March 20, 2019

Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:

Spot on, @transportworker! The aviation safety inspectors @FAANews that PASS represents are dedicated public servants whose ONLY business is aviation safety. Agency needs to invest in the inspector workforce, not outsource it, to protect flying public! #FAASafety https://t.co/2QGG6i7fJ4

— PASS (@PASSNational) March 27, 2019

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Workers:

This isn't generosity. It's surrender.

Huge props to @fightfor15 and the fast food workers who kept up the pressure and made this happen.

Next up: No union-busting either. #1u https://t.co/Vf8B6d1KY5

— RWDSU (@RWDSU) March 27, 2019

SAG-AFTRA:

Thank you @SenatorLeyva for introducing SB564, which creates a civil cause of action for victims of #Deepfakes porn & other sex-related digital doubling. Image-based sexual abuse violates union contracts & human decency: https://t.co/7NDq8YOIx8 #ProtectMyImage #SB564 pic.twitter.com/ANMFoB02KI

— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) March 28, 2019

School Administrators:

Union actors are fighting for a fair wage and health care. It's time we join together and stand our ground. AFSA stands with our sisters and brothers at @SAG/AFTRA. #StrikeBBH pic.twitter.com/CZV8Fg5MrT

— AFSA Leadership (@AFSAUnion) March 22, 2019

Seafarers:

Dare we say it? Amen!!! And thank you! https://t.co/S3CiaPSnLs

— Seafarers Union (@SeafarersUnion) March 27, 2019

Solidarity Center:

#Migrantworkers in Arab Gulf countries often are pushed into irregular status by a system that ties them to their employer. Amnesty--repatriating them back to their origin country or to a new employer--is supposed to be a fix. It isn't working.https://t.co/mKxCEJBCMJ

— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) March 28, 2019

Theatrical Stage Employees:

All people are equal & all people deserve respect & fair treatment. On March 20th, 2019, International President @matthewloeb established the IATSE Pride Committee, which is tasked with coordinating activities that support LGBTQ+ workers in the entertainment industry. #IATSEPride pic.twitter.com/SuIOZvNy1k

— IATSE (@IATSE) March 28, 2019

Transport Workers:

TWU IL/IN State Conference Chair Brendon Remezas, @TWU512 member George Volkl, Nestor Agudo and Stephen Kamykowski testify at the Chicago City Council for the expansion of @DivvyBikes in the city. Keep bike share public! #bikechi @chicagoaflcio @activetrans pic.twitter.com/rrwNtEITTq

— TWU (@transportworker) March 28, 2019

Transportation Trades Department:

Public safety and good jobs are not negotiable. As driverless vehicles become more ubiquitous, we’re calling on Congress and the Administration to protect both with this 8-point plan: https://t.co/jNY7iAAkB2

— Transp. Trades Dept. (@TTDAFLCIO) March 28, 2019

UAW:

Read what UAW President Gary Jones has to say about the power of collective bargaining in this week's Labor Voices: https://t.co/zngtrZvVND

— UAW (@UAW) March 27, 2019

UFCW:

Both consumers and the grocery business rely on #SNAP: "The grocery industry is strongly opposed to cuts to the SNAP program. Their businesses rely on these benefits being redeemed at their stores. It would be a major blow were any cuts to occur." https://t.co/uLIV6uxtTL @UFCW400 pic.twitter.com/FNafd5n5nG

— UFCW (@UFCW) March 28, 2019

Union Label and Service Trades:

Two members of Congress are pushing for answers about the National Labor Relations Board’s plans to contract out its unionized staff’s duties https://t.co/tGwwdusS9R https://t.co/edxoNIX7kZ https://t.co/edxoNIX7kZ

— Union Label Dept. (@ULSTD_AFLCIO) March 26, 2019

Union Veterans Council:

The Union Veterans @unionveterans we are working to build a veterans program for all veterans.

That is why we are proud to partner with @PrideatWork to announce our sponsorship of the @LGBTMilPartners 2019 Gala. AFL-CIO https://t.co/f4CvglFwym

— Union Veterans Council (@unionveterans) March 28, 2019

UNITE HERE:

The are lots of ways to be a Muslim. There are lots of ways to be a woman. Here's celebrating everyone who does both and brings that strength and integrity to the struggle for our collective liberation. #MuslimWomensDay #1u pic.twitter.com/hGD38Vw7B2

— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) March 28, 2019

United Steelworkers:

RT if you <3 what Local 105 out of Bettendorf, Iowa, representing over 1,900 brothers & sisters at Arconic have done to show their solidarity during contract negotiations! #USWUnity pic.twitter.com/oQRKPtekZm

— United Steelworkers (@steelworkers) March 28, 2019

Utility Workers:

Utility Worker Spotlight! Meet UWUA Local 601 President, Noel Christmas: pic.twitter.com/0xP1w5DPJg

— UWUA National (@The_UWUA) March 28, 2019

Working America:

Since 1985, Wall St bonuses have increased 1000%, compared to a 116% increase for minimum wage workers.

If earnings for minimum wage workers grew like Wall St bonuses, the minimum wage today would be over $33 an hour.#RaiseTheWage #1u https://t.co/GqkrDXwgwY

— Working America (@WorkingAmerica) March 26, 2019

Writers Guild of America, East:

Read our full statement here: https://t.co/QOu2RRWUfk #HB481 #HB481isBadForBusiness pic.twitter.com/FAkt8oMYDQ

— Writers Guild of America, East (@WGAEast) March 27, 2019 Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/28/2019 - 12:10

Equal Pay for Equal Work: In the States Roundup AFL-CIO

It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on Twitter.

Alaska AFL-CIO:

.@vincebeltrami responds to @GovDunleavy private Town Halls. #AKleg #AKgov https://t.co/08wsv9TTne

— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) March 20, 2019

Arizona AFL-CIO:

HB 2523 is being heard by committee TODAY! Make sure to call and let your State Senator know that we support equal pay for equal work and do not support this bill that would pay working students... https://t.co/BiCgzM9UBs

— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) March 14, 2019

Arkansas AFL-CIO:

Some AR legislators are trying to create 2nd class citizens that don't receive the state's new minimum wage. Call your Rep today and ask them to leave minimum wage alone. 501-682-6211#arpx #arkleg #1u #willofthepeople #arklabor https://t.co/NSiKFDYjuM

— Arkansas AFL-CIO (@ArkansasAFLCIO) March 19, 2019

California Labor Federation:

This #WomensHistoryMonth we recognize the incredible contributions that women have made to the labor movement! From fighting gender based discrimination in the workplace to equal pay for equal work, women have always been at the forefront of the labor rights movement! #1u pic.twitter.com/EpDhzglhAn

— California Labor Federation (@CaliforniaLabor) March 1, 2019

Connecticut AFL-CIO:

.@EconomicPolicy Institute's Senior Analyst David Cooper: Contrary to opponents' warnings of economic ruin & massive job losses, states & cities throughout the U.S. have raised their minimum wages hundreds of times and the sky has never fallen. #FightFor15 https://t.co/hhUHKo5FZX

— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) March 18, 2019

Florida AFL-CIO:

Week 2 saw Florida inch closer to certain apocalypse. Watch our update videos covering all of the critical issues affecting you and your family during Legislative Session.

Sign up for email alerts at https://t.co/tDa78A8Tvyhttps://t.co/om0npkP4SN

— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) March 17, 2019

Georgia AFL-CIO:

Actors' Equity Releases Statement On Trump's Proposal To Eliminate The National Endowment For The Arts https://t.co/k7kCPB8MUi

— AFL-CIO Georgia (@AFLCIOGeorgia) March 20, 2019

Indiana State AFL-CIO:

The Indiana Senate is considering legislation that would weaken training requirements for companies that bid on state design-build projects. Tell your senator to protect high-skill training programs that benefit local workers and communities! #inlegis https://t.co/dWQVL6iTlx

— Indiana AFL-CIO (@INAFLCIO) March 19, 2019

Iowa Federation of Labor:

Indianola schools and teachers approve contract https://t.co/2PmOJ9v9k5

— Iowa AFL-CIO (@IowaAFLCIO) March 20, 2019

Kansas State AFL-CIO:

Show your support & join Ks Gov Kelly for her first Public Town Hall Meeting pic.twitter.com/3BuOZ3DN10

— Kansas AFL-CIO (@KansasAFLCIO) March 20, 2019

Kentucky State AFL-CIO:

We agree. Call your Metro Council member at 502-513-7057, lines are open M-F 8am-5pm.

Tell your Metro Council member that You Oppose Frontline Worker Cuts!

From the Courier Journal:
“Louisville Metro Council, it's time for bold leadership. Approve... https://t.co/xtVfXr4PLH

— Kentucky AFL-CIO (@aflcioky) March 20, 2019

Maine AFL-CIO:

Today we are calling on the Legislature to honor its commitments & fully fund revenue sharing! #mepolitics pic.twitter.com/lXQtGGahp4

— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) March 20, 2019

Massachusetts AFL-CIO:

Solidarity with @UFCW Stop & Shop workers in Chicopee, MA! #1u #solidarity pic.twitter.com/IbIWRKWff4

— Massachusetts AFLCIO (@massaflcio) March 20, 2019

Metro Washington (D.C.) Council AFL-CIO:

We Were There kicks off @busboysandpoets Takoma with the DC Labor Chorus and friends pic.twitter.com/jEHTwiR3bJ

— MetroDCLaborCouncil (@DCLabor) March 19, 2019

Michigan AFL-CIO:

After nearly a decade of shell games and rosy outlooks, Michigan citizens were finally given a frank assessment of the true cost of years of neglect and failing to invest in our state’s critical infrastructure. https://t.co/26w7Vz0oN4

— Michigan AFL-CIO (@MIAFLCIO) March 13, 2019

Minnesota AFL-CIO:

We agree, @GovTimWalz! #mnleg #mngov #MNPotholes https://t.co/3ibOcoU6L0

— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) March 20, 2019

Missouri AFL-CIO:

March Madness: 16 marches that shaped the history of the labor movement. pic.twitter.com/c1MD2bpLVS

— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) March 19, 2019

Nevada State AFL-CIO:

"Workers do not dislike unions. But wealthy people and conservative donors sure do — and that, more anything, accounts for the anti-labor policies being passed at the state level."https://t.co/hjbiVCDKp3

— Nevada State AFL-CIO (@NVAFLCIO) March 18, 2019

New Hampshire AFL-CIO:

Prevailing wage legislation passed in @TheNHSenate! Thank you to @SenCavanaugh for your leadership on this issue and standing up for NH workers! #NHPolitics

— NewHampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) March 14, 2019

New Mexico Federation of Labor:

This is why we fight! https://t.co/FB4JZJMbNS

— NMFL (@NMFLaflcio) March 13, 2019

New York State AFL-CIO:

In a special episode of the #UnionStrong Podcast. @NYSDOLCommish Roberta Reardon talks about her labor roots and #WomensHistoryMonth . #UnionStrong #1U @NYSLabor #HERstory #WomenLead https://t.co/kHNvHoUe91 pic.twitter.com/2kIwd4Avho

— NYSAFLCIO (@NYSAFLCIO) March 20, 2019

North Carolina State AFL-CIO:

"Our bill is about making sure that everyone who works full time can earn a living wage, that everyone can afford the basics and that everyone has a fair opportunity to... https://t.co/JCZYpdkMOG

— NC State AFL-CIO (@NCStateAFLCIO) March 19, 2019

North Dakota AFL-CIO:

Welcome to our labor family! We couldn't be prouder of you in your historic victory! #1u @NationalNurses @mnnurses https://t.co/nk1RmH2Oxe

— North Dakota AFL-CIO (@NDAFLCIO) March 8, 2019

Ohio AFL-CIO:

Every time there is a crisis, it’s not the CEOs who take it on the chin, it’s the American worker that takes it on the chin.

-@AFTunion President @rweingarten in Canton @steelworkers Golden Lodge pic.twitter.com/dYVnaf7q3z

— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) March 20, 2019

Oklahoma State AFL-CIO:

Number of the Day: 85 - the number of hours a minimum wage worker in Oklahoma has to work each week to afford a two-bedroom apartment at fair market rate.

[Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition]

— Oklahoma AFL-CIO (@OK_AFL_CIO) March 19, 2019

Oregon AFL-CIO:

#LaborLobbyDay is here! Union members from across the state are gathering in Salem to advocate for working people & unions. #UnionStrong #ORleg @ Oregon State Capitol https://t.co/qrF4pWebT5

— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) March 19, 2019

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:

We must ensure the safety of our patients and healthcare workers and support #SafeStaffing! Safe patient limits save lives. Period. @seiuhcpa @PennaNurses @SenatorCollett @nursesofpa pic.twitter.com/nnbkTQfh5s

— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) March 20, 2019

Rhode Island AFL-CIO:

Relations between Stop & Shop and its New England unions have "gone from bad to worse," according to a spokeswoman for the workers, and both sides say no further bargaining sessions are scheduled. https://t.co/YtHqUAvLtF #1U #UFCW @UFCWLocal328

— Rhode Island AFL-CIO (@riaflcio) March 19, 2019

South Carolina AFL-CIO:

Look for the union label (it’s coming to a podcast company near you) https://t.co/uRjSNCdvAo

— SC AFL-CIO (@SCAFLCIO) March 20, 2019

Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council:

Unions for campaign staffers are extremely rare. https://t.co/rGfOvpVgAS

— Tennessee AFL-CIO (@tnaflcio) March 20, 2019

Texas AFL-CIO:

"It’s time to write the rules in a way that says, focus on what our families need and not on what the insurance companies need to earn.”

--#TxAFLCIO Prez @RickTxAFLCIO, promoting Healthy Texas Act, healthcare expansion embodied in HB 4127 by Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin. #1u pic.twitter.com/4VUiOguGcW

— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) March 13, 2019

Virginia AFL-CIO:

Effort to raise minimum wage in Virginia remains at standstill | Government & Defense Contracting | https://t.co/Aj4wQiWoWB https://t.co/XT831wgIqV

— Virginia AFL-CIO (@Virginia_AFLCIO) March 15, 2019

Washington State Labor Council:

Thank you, @CMTMosqueda for speaking out on behalf of Darigold dairy workers outside the Starbucks shareholder meeting in Seattle today. #Starbucks must hold its suppliers accountable for labor abuses! #DarigoldDozen @UFWupdates pic.twitter.com/g94Yz2puwC

— WA State AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) March 20, 2019

West Virginia AFL-CIO:

West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword talks about why he opposes so-called “Right to Work” laws and about the circuit court ruling that found the 2016 law violates the WV Constitution. #wvpol https://t.co/CMBLoT2TXY

— West Virginia AFLCIO (@WestVirginiaAFL) March 12, 2019

Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:

Great to hear from Congresswoman Gwen Moore at today's @MALC_WI Labor Breakfast. #WIunion pic.twitter.com/VkE8epLCqU

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) March 20, 2019 Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 03/27/2019 - 13:10

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Train Dispatchers AFL-CIO

In this weekly series, we take a deeper look at each of the AFL-CIO's affiliates. Next up is the American Train Dispatchers Association.

Name of Union: American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA)

Mission: To provide representation for train dispatchers and other railroad employees in contract negotiations with railroads both individually and collectively with other rail unions, discipline and grievance handling and contract enforcement, and to engage in legislative activities and regulatory processes on behalf of its craft and rail labor in general.

Current Leadership of Union: Leo McCann currently serves as president of the ATDA, a post he has held since 1999. Ed Dowell has served as secretary/treasurer since 2015. Paul E. Ayers, John Salvey, Rory Broyles and Barry Cross hold the positions of vice president. The organization also has a board of trustees with three members and a support staff of four full-time employees at its headquarters in Cleveland.

Members Work As: Train dispatchers, assistant and chief train dispatchers, power supervisors, power directors and load dispatchers, conductors and engineers, maintenance of way workers and yardmasters working for freight, passenger and commuter railroads across the country.

Industries Represented: The U.S. railroad industry.

History: While earlier efforts had been made to organize train dispatchers, the organization that would be successful, the ATDA, was founded in 1917 and its first meeting was held in Spokane, Washington. The craft union came together to organize and represent people working as train dispatchers in the nation’s railroad industry. Eventually, the organization expanded to include assistant and chief train dispatchers and power supervisors and directors who supervise and manage the power supply for electrically powered trains. In the 1990s, other crafts such as train and engine crews, maintenance of way workers and yardmasters joined the organization.

Community Efforts: In addition to representing and negotiating contracts for its members, the officers and staff of the ATDA promote legislation and regulatory improvements that benefit the safety and well-being of its members, the rail industry and every community where the railroad provides a vital service. The ATDA also serves on committees that manage and improve health care benefits and partners with organizations like Union Privilege to provide additional benefits to its members.

Learn More: Website, Facebook. 

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/25/2019 - 12:00

Just, Inclusive and Sustainable: The Working People Weekly List AFL-CIO

Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.

A Just, Inclusive and Sustainable Economy: "This week, labor leaders from across the country descended on New Orleans to map out the path ahead for our movement. From trade and public education to equal pay and paid leave to back pay for federal contract workers and bargaining power for all, the AFL-CIO Executive Council tackled the issues that will define working people’s fight for economic justice in 2019 and beyond."

omen's History Month Profiles: Dolores Huerta: "For Women's History Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various women who were leaders and activists working at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's profile is Dolores Huerta."

‘State of the Unions’ Podcast: A Conversation with House Blue Collar Caucus Co-Chairs: "In the latest episode of 'State of the Unions,' Julie and Tim talk to the co-chairs of the House Blue Collar Caucus. Reps. Brendan Boyle (Pa.) and Marc Veasey (Texas) both come from union families and formed the caucus in the aftermath of the 2016 election to better connect with blue-collar workers. They say the path to a stronger America runs through the labor movement and any plan to rebuild our economy must include the working people who make it go."

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Actors and Artistes: "The AFL-CIO is taking a deeper look at each of our affiliates in our regular weekly series. Next up is the Actors and Artistes (4As)."

Women's History Month Profiles: Frances Perkins: "For Women's History Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various women who were leaders and activists working at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's profile is Frances Perkins."

Transit Unions Are Drawing Up a Plan to Confront Autonomous Vehicles: "As institutional embrace of automation continues to create a mounting threat to existing jobs, unions are formally taking note. Last year, the largest Las Vegas service workers union organized a strike partly over casinos’ plans to embrace automated systems, and the union won language in the resulting contract that included protections against automation. 2018 also saw bus drivers protest against the prospect of Ohio adopting driverless buses. Now, the Transportation Trades Department (TTD), the umbrella of unions that represent transit workers inside the AFL-CIO (itself the largest federation of unions in the United States), has released a policy statement outlining its own plans to confront the threat automation poses to its workforce."

Kickstarter Staff Begin Unionizing As Game Industry Debates Its Merits: "Kickstarter United also reflects an ongoing conversation about fair treatment, workers’ rights, and unionization in the games industry. AFL-CIO, the largest union federation in the U.S., recently called on games industry employees to unionize. In an open letter published by Kotaku, AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer Liz Shuler criticized game studios’ 'outrageous hours,' 'inadequate paychecks,' and 'stressful, toxic work conditions.' 'This is a moment for change. It won’t come from CEOs. It won’t come from corporate boards. And, it won’t come from any one person,' Shuler wrote in February. 'Change will happen when you gain leverage by joining together in a strong union. And, it will happen when you use your collective voice to bargain for a fair share of the wealth you create every day.'"

Labor to Oppose Rush to Enact ‘New NAFTA’: "The AFL-CIO Executive Council announced March 14 that it will oppose any GOP Trump administration and corporate rush to enact a 'new NAFTA' quickly in the 116th Congress. In a detailed statement/position paper released at the end of the council’s meeting in New Orleans, the federation said 'if the administration insists on a premature vote on the new NAFTA in its current form, we will have no choice but to oppose it.' Bill Samuel, the federation’s Director of Legislative Affairs, had forecast the decision in an interview with John Wojcik of the People’s World before the council met, but while labor leaders’ committees were preparing for the council sessions. 'We can’t support NAFTA in its current form,' said Samuel. 'Protections for workers are better than they were before (under the old NAFTA) but the problem is that the new NAFTA does not set up mechanisms to enforce the protections. Another big problem is that the big pharmaceutical giants are free to do whatever they want. In its current form, it is a giveaway to them.'"

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/25/2019 - 10:25

Women's History Month Profiles: Maida Springer Kemp Kheel Center

For Women's History Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various women who were leaders and activists working at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's profile is Maida Springer Kemp.

Maida Springer Kemp was born in Panama, but moved to Harlem at the age of 7. Her mother, Adina Steward Carrington, listened to the messages of Marcus Garvey and passed the lessons she learned to her daughter, teaching her to be hopeful and to value education.

She joined the labor movement during the Great Depression, when she became a member of the Dressmakers' Union, Local 22 of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union. Her interest in unions spiked after hearing a 1929 radio address by A. Philip Randolph. According to Springer Kemp biographer Yevette Richards, Randoph's speech helped her realize that there were larger forces that hindered working people.

In 1933, Local 22 launched a successful general strike of dressmakers. Afterwards, Springer Kemp quickly moved up the union's ranks. In 1938, she began serving on the executive board and in 1940, she became the chair of the local's education committee. She became known as "the pride of ILGWU" and Randolph began to mentor her and helped raise her profile by choosing her as one of the first African Americans to march in New York's grand union parade.

In 1945, Springer Kemp became the first black woman to represent U.S. labor overseas, when the AFL and CIO sent her as part of a group observing wartime conditions in Great Britain. Her time in England would be just the beginning of her international efforts to promote union organizing. She helped found the first women's labor movement in Turkey before becoming a key figure in establishing relationships between leaders in the emerging African and U.S. labor movements. She advised newly-formed unions in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana and other African nations and helped run a scholarship program for union members. She officially joined the AFL-CIO's International Affairs Department in 1959, a position which she held until 1965. 

From 1970 to 1973, she served as the Midwest Director of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, where she worked on voter registration and education. She also worked for the African American Labor Center and coordinated relief programs after drought struck in Africa. She later became a consultant with the Asian American Free Labor Institute and worked as a consultant and lecturer promoting women's labor rights and unionism in Africa.

She continued to promote equality for working women and supported the labor movement long after her retirement in 1981. She died in 2005 at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy that helped improve the lives of working people around the world.

Read all of our Women's History Month profiles.

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/25/2019 - 04:00

Women's History Month Profiles: Dolores Huerta Wikimedia Commons

For Women's History Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various women who were leaders and activists working at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's profile is Dolores Huerta.

Huerta was born in 1930 to Alicia and Juan Fernández in Dawson, New Mexico. Her father was a farmworker and miner who became a state legislator after her parents divorced and Huerta moved with her mother to California. There, her mother worked as a waitress and cannery worker before eventually buying a small hotel and restaurant. Huerta learned her compassion from working people and her dedication to community activism from her mother.

After graduating from the University of Pacific's Delta College, Huerta taught school. After witnessing many hungry children of farmworkers in her classes, she decided she could do more good by organizing farmworkers than she could teaching their children. In 1955, she co-founded the local chapter of the Community Service Organization. While registering Hispanic voters and fighting for economic rights for farmworkers, she also founded the Agricultural Workers Association. After meeting César Chávez, the two founded the National Farm Workers Association, the predecessor to the United Farm Workers (UFW), which formed in 1965.

With UFW, Huerta organized workers, negotiated contracts and advocated for safer work conditions for farmworkers. She was a key organizer in the 1965 Delano grape workers strike and lead negotiator for the contract that followed. She built upon that success and led the table grape boycott efforts of the late 1960s that led to a collective bargaining agreement in 1970. The 1973 boycott of grapes led to the passage of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975.

Huerta continued to serve as vice president of UFW until 1999. In the years after the successful grape boycotts, she fought for legislation that would expand working people's voices in government and politics and focused on helping elect more Latinos and women to public office.

She was awarded the Elanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award in 1998 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. She remains active today, serving as a board member of the Feminist Majority Foundation, president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation and in an emeritus role for UFW.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/21/2019 - 09:24

‘State of the Unions’ Podcast: A Conversation with House Blue Collar Caucus Co-Chairs

In the latest episode of "State of the Unions," Julie and Tim talk to the co-chairs of the House Blue Collar Caucus. Reps. Brendan Boyle (Pa.) and Marc Veasey (Texas) both come from union families and formed the caucus in the aftermath of the 2016 election to better connect with blue-collar workers. They say the path to a stronger America runs through the labor movement and any plan to rebuild our economy must include the working people who make it go. 

"State of the Unions" is a tool to help us bring you the issues and stories that matter to working people. It captures the stories of workers across the country and is co-hosted by two young and diverse members of the AFL-CIO team: Mobilization Director Julie Greene and Executive Speechwriter Tim Schlittner. A new episode drops every other Wednesday featuring interesting interviews with workers and our allies across the country, as well as compelling insights from the podcast’s hosts.

Listen to our previous episodes:

• A conversation with Kim Kelly, a labor columnist for Teen Vogue.
• A special Black History Month discussion with IUPAT General President Ken Rigmaiden.
• Kooper Caraway, the 28-year old president of the Sioux Falls AFL-CIO, on how the labor movement can reach young people.
• Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy with former Tallahassee, Fla., Mayor Andrew Gillum.
• Special #StopTheShutdown episode with AFGE President J. David Cox.
• A review of 2018, which was a year of collective action on the rise.
• A conversation with UNITE HERE about recent worker victories at Marriott and AFA-CWA International President Sara Nelson talks about aviation's first responders.
• Special Episode: What's Wrong with GM? with longtime UAW member Brad Markell.
• Discussing the midterms and the future of labor with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.
• Our midterm recap with Rep. Conor Lamb from Pennsylvania.
• Talking about union members in office with Mayor Dahlia Vertreese of Hillside, New Jersey.
• An interview with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the Flint, Michigan, water crisis whistleblower.
• Inaugural episode where you can learn about hosts Julie and Tim.

“State of the Unions” is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and anywhere else you can find podcasts.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 03/20/2019 - 10:22

Tags: Podcast

Disgraceful: The Working People Weekly List AFL-CIO

Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.

Obama Expanded Overtime Pay to 4 Million Workers. Now Trump Is Scaling That Back: "Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO labor federation, called the new rule 'disgraceful.' '[This] is part of a growing list of policies from the Trump administration aimed at undermining the economic stability of America’s working people,' he tweeted on Friday. The public can comment on the rule proposal for 60 days before the Department of Labor sends a final version to the White House for review. If the White House approves the new rule, which is likely, it will be the Trump administration’s latest victory in its quest to undo Obama-era regulations meant to benefit workers."

Organized Labor Opposes Proposed New NAFTA Deal: "The AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest federation of labor unions, won’t support the USMCA trade agreement if an early vote is pursued, the organization announced March 14. The federation’s executive council voted to oppose the deal after a two-day meeting, saying that it lacks sufficient enforcement mechanisms that would strengthen labor conditions in Mexico. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, if ratified, would replace the existing North American Free Trade Agreement."

AFL-CIO Backs Legislation That Would Power Up American Working Families: "Bill Samuel, the AFL-CIO’s Government Affairs Director, discussed some of the labor federation’s top legislative goals with People’s World as the council meeting opened here Tuesday. High on labor’s list is 'some version,' as he put it, of the Workers Freedom to Negotiate Act, a bill that has already been introduced into Congress. What the federation is aiming for is a law that will make it much easier to organize a union and bargain with employers. As it stands now, workers who try to form a union often face harassment and loss of their jobs. Current law also allows employers not just to target organizers but to drag their feet and stall in the bargaining process after the union has been established."

Steelworker Wins Election to Local Maine School Board: "United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9 member Kathy Wilder won a write-in election for school board in Maine School Administrative District (MSAD) 54 on March 4. Wilder, who works as a chemical prep operator at Sappi Fine Paper in Skowhegan, says that her priorities will be student achievement, fiscal responsibility, clear communications and social justice."

Paving the Way: What Working People Are Doing This Week: "Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week."

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: AFSCME: "Next up in our series taking a deeper look at each of our affiliates is AFSCME."

Our Time Is Now: Leading with Passion, Purpose and Power: "More than 300 union sisters from all sectors of organized labor gathered at the Hilton East Brunswick Hotel on March 1 for the 16th annual Women in Leadership Development (WILD) Conference. This two-day conference featured several distinguished speakers, including Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler (IBEW) and Alice Paul Institute Executive Director Lucienne Beard."

Economy Gains 20,000 Jobs in February; Unemployment Down to 3.8%: "The U.S. economy gained 20,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate fell to 3.8%, according to figures released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a dramatically lower level of job growth than we have seen in recent years and is good reason for the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee to express caution in considering any interest rate hikes."

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/19/2019 - 14:54

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Actors and Artistes

The AFL-CIO is taking a deeper look at each of our affiliates in our regular weekly series. Next up is the Actors and Artistes (4As).

Name of Union: Associated Actors and Artistes of America

The 4As works to advance and protect the welfare of the people who work to entertain and inform others in person and through every medium of recording and transmission. There are five member unions that make up the 4As. Actors' Equity (AEA) and SAG-AFTRA are directly affiliated with the AFL-CIO. Three other unions are part of the AFL-CIO through their membership in the 4As: the Musical Artists, the Variety Artists and the Italian American Actors.

AGMA Musical Artists (AGMA)

Mission: To represent members and to guarantee that our nation's artistic institutions adhere to fair labor practices, securing both gainful employment and quality of life for our artists.

Current Leadership of Union: John Coleman serves as president. The other officers are: Gregory Stapp (first vice president), George Scott (second vice presiden), J. Austin Bitner (third vice president), Jane Shaulis (fourth vice president), Louis Perry (recording secretary) and Raymond Menard (treasurer).

Members Work As: Soloists, choral singers, actors, ballet dancers, production staff and related jobs.

Industries Represented: America's operatic, dance and choral heritage.

History: AGMA formed in 1936 as an organization of solo musical artists. In August of the next year, AGMA was granted a charter from the 4As to cover the fields of grand opera, concert and recital. AGMA pursued a campaign to organize artists throughout the country and the first collective bargaining agreement that AGMA successfully negotiated that fall was with the Southern California Symphony Association.

Current Campaigns and Community Efforts: AGMA maintains an active list of auditions relevant to members, provides visa consultation services and publishes AGMAzine.

Learn More: Website, Facebook, Twitter.

AGVAAGVA Logo Variety Artists (AGVA)

Mission: To represent performing artists and stage managers for live performances in the variety field.

Current Leadership of Union: Judy Little serves as executive president. Other officers include Christopher Johnson (executive vice president) and Susanne K. Doris (executive secretary-treasurer).

Members Work As: Variety performers, including singers and dancers in touring shows and in theatrical revues, theme park performers, skaters, circus performers, comedians and stand-up comics, cabaret and club artists, lecturers, poets, monologists, spokespersons and those working at private parties and special events.

Industries Represented: Any performances in the variety area.

History: AGVA was founded in 1939.

Current Campaigns and Community Efforts: AGVA helps members obtain benefits beyond timer periods specifically related to shows and contracts. It also offers current and previous members assistance through the AGVA Sick & Relief Fund, which also regularly contributes to industry-related charities and presents shows to raise the funds available for relief. AGVA also provides members visa application assistance.

Learn More: Website, Facebook, Twitter.

GIAA Italian American Actors (GIAA)

Mission: To preserve the history and promote awareness of Italian heritage amongst its members. GIAA is committed to helping advance, promote, foster and protect the welfare of its members, not only within its own jurisdiction, but within the jurisdiction of its sister unions.

Current Leadership of Union: Carlo Fiorletta is the president of GIAA. Other officers include: Carson Grant (first vice president), Debbie Klaar (second vice president), Mara Lesemann (secretary/treasurer), Elaine Legaro (councilor), Ron Piretti (councilor), Simcha Borenstein (alternate councilor), Dana Halsted Moss (alternate councilor) and Lauren Cozza (alternate councilor).

Members Work As: GIAA is the only ethnic acting union in the United States. It is an Italian actors union for Italian speaking performers.

Industries Represented: The arts and entertainment industries.

History: GIAA was founded in 1937.

Community Efforts: GIAA provides news and casting opportunities to its members.

Learn More: Website, Facebook.

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/18/2019 - 09:51

A Just, Inclusive and Sustainable Economy AFL-CIO

This week, labor leaders from across the country descended on New Orleans to map out the path ahead for our movement. From trade and public education to equal pay and paid leave to back pay for federal contract workers and bargaining power for all, the AFL-CIO Executive Council tackled the issues that will define working people’s fight for economic justice in 2019 and beyond.

Sending waves through Washington yesterday, the Executive Council’s most notable decision was its announcement that, “if the administration insists on a premature vote on the new NAFTA in its current form, we will have no choice but to oppose it.” Here are a few highlights from the statement:

• Trade policy must be judged by whether it leads to a just, inclusive and sustainable economy....By that measure, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has driven the outsourcing of so many good jobs, has been a catastrophic failure.

• By design, NAFTA distorted power relationships in favor of global employers over workers, weakened worker bargaining power and encouraged the de-industrialization of the U.S. economy.

• After a quarter-century of this race to the bottom, workers in all three NAFTA countries find it more difficult to form unions and negotiate collective bargaining agreements.

• The NAFTA renegotiation requires strong labor rights provisions and strong enforcement provisions that as of today are not yet in the agreement.

• The current effort by the business community to pass the new NAFTA is premature, and if it continues, we will be forced to mobilize to defeat it, just as we mobilized to kill the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 03/15/2019 - 15:12

Women's History Month Profiles: Frances Perkins AFL-CIO

For Women's History Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various women who were leaders and activists working at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's profile is Frances Perkins.

Perkins was born in Boston in 1880, descendant from a long line of Maine farmers and craftsmen. At Mount Holyoke College, she studied the natural sciences and economic history and was exposed to a variety of works and lectures who exposed her to new ways of thinking about the social problems she witnessed.

After graduation, she learned more about the plight of working people when she volunteered in New York's settlement houses. She heard stories directly from workers about the dangerous conditions of factory work and the desperation of being unable to collect promised wages or secure medical care for workplace injuries. She left her teaching career, just as it was beginning, to earn a master's degree in economics and sociology.

In 1910, she became secretary of the New York Consumers' League and was part of a team that lobbied the state legislature for a bill limiting the workweek for women and children to 54 hours. On March 25, 1911, she was attending a social function near the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory when the fire began. She witnessed the entire event. She was deeply affected by it:

Up until that point she had lobbied for worker rights and on behalf of the poor, but she had been on a conventional trajectory, toward a conventional marriage, perhaps, and a life of genteel good works. After the fire, what had been a career turned into a vocation. Moral indignation set her on a different course. Her own desires and her own self became less central and the cause itself became more central to the structure of her life. The niceties of her class fell away. She became impatient with the way genteel progressives went about serving the poor. She became impatient with their prissiness, their desire to stay pure and above the fray. Perkins hardened. She threw herself into the rough and tumble of politics. She was willing to take morally hazardous action if it would prevent another catastrophe like the one that befell the women at the Triangle factory. She was willing to compromise and work with corrupt officials if it would produce results. She pinioned herself to this cause for the rest of her life.

The results were obvious. 

Perkins began to focus more on practical remedies to the challenges faced by working people. She held to a strong belief that legislation was the most important avenue to "right industrial wrongs," and she simultaneously championed labor organizing and collective action. In 1918, she was invited by Gov. Al Smith to join the New York State Industrial Commission, becoming the first woman to serve. By 1926, she had become the commission's chairwoman. In 1929, Gov. Franklin Roosevelt appointed her as the industrial commissioner for the state. She led a series of progressive reforms that included expanding factory investigations, reducing the workweek for women to 48 hours and championing minimum wage and unemployment insurance laws.

In 1933, Perkins was chosen by President Roosevelt to serve as secretary of labor, making her the first woman ever appointed to a federal Cabinet position. She focused on creating a safety net to counteract the Great Depression's effects on working people. This was evident in the legislation she helped secure, including the Wagner Act (which gave workers the right to organize unions and bargain collectively), the Fair Labor Standards Act (which established the first minimum wage and created a maximum workweek) and the Social Security Act of 1935.

She also played a crucial role in the dramatic labor uprisings of the 1930s and 1940s. She consistently supported the rights of workers to organize unions of their own choosing and to pressure employers through economic action. She successfully resolved strikes with gains for workers time and time again, most notably helping end the 1934 San Francisco General Strike without violence or the use of federal troops, an option that was on the table.

In 1945, Perkins resigned from her position as labor secretary to head the U.S. delegation to the International Labor Organization conference in Paris. President Harry Truman appointed her to the Civil Service Commission, a job she held through 1953. She also returned to the classroom to teach at Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She died in New York in 1965 at the age of 85 and was buried in her family's plot in New Castle, Maine.

Read more about Perkins.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 03/15/2019 - 10:37