Paducah Unions Observe Workers Memorial Day by Helping Feed the Hungry
Union families gather on Workers Memorial Day to remember men and women who lost their lives on the job the previous year.
“This year, we wanted to do something different,” said Kyle Henderson, president of the Paducah-based Western Kentucky AFL-CIO Area Council.
So on Saturday, about 30 members of council-affiliated unions grabbed shovels and helped start a living memorial to deceased workers. They planted about 40 dwarf apple trees whose fresh fruit will help feed the hungry.
(This year, Workers Memorial Day is Sunday. But many unions held observances on Saturday.)
More than 250 men, women and kids pitched in to boost Project Pomona, a city nonprofit started by Bryant Hileman.
He said many times local food pantries are swamped by the need for food. Project Pomona is designed to reduce the number of food insecure households by planting and cultivating orchards and donating the harvest to the food pantries.
Hileman named his nonprofit for the Roman goddess of fruitful abundance.
Project Pomona has raised nearly $20,000 since it began in March, 2018. More information is available from the organization’s Facebook page or from an article posted on Forward Kentucky. Contributions can be made by visiting gofundme.com/project-pomona.
Henderson said Hileman is a strong supporter of area unions, which donated funds to build a greenhouse for the orchard whose trees are expected to bear fruit in three to five years.
"In Memory of All Workers Killed on the Job," says a plaque Hileman put on a post in front of the greenhouse. "May Their Sacrifices For Their Families Not Be In Vain." Also inscribed on the plaque are "Mother" Jones's famous words: "Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living."
After the little trees were in the ground, Hileman gathered the union members for a group photo by the greenhouse.
"Thank you for coming out," he said. "My father was a working person; I'm a working person; my grandfather was a working person. Working people built this and this is for working people."
"This is a great community event," said Jimmy Evans, business manager of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 816. Bryant does a great job and this is a great way to honor workers who lost their lives."
Jeff Wiggins agreed. "We are observing Workers Memorial Day as part of a great community event," said the secretary-treasurer of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO. "We get two birds with one stone."
Wiggins, who lives in Reidland, a Paducah suburb, preceded Henderson as area council president. "As a labor leader, I'm here to support the community," said council Vice President Howard "Bubba" Dawes who also served under Wiggins.
"This is something that the whole community can come out and see and not for just one day," said Dusty Owens of Local 816.
See photos of the program from Forward Kentucky.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/03/2019 - 13:25Economy Gains 263,000 Jobs in April; Unemployment Declines to 3.6%
The U.S. economy gained 263,000 jobs in April, and the unemployment rate declined slightly to 3.6%, 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 April job numbers, AFL-CIO Chief Economist William Spriggs tweeted:
Though the unemployment rate fell to 3.6% the share of Americans holding a job remained steady. Labor force participation fell 0.2%. The number employed fell, pointing to a very mixed picture for workers. #JobsReport @AFLCIO #1u
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 3, 2019After a rough three months, the Black unemployment rate stabilized at 6.7%, unchanged from March; while the employment to population ratio edged up for men and women @CBTU72 @APRI_National @AFLCIO #1u
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 3, 2019Unemployment rate for LatinX fell from 4.7 to 4.2% but shows the bigger trend, drop in the number employed, drop in labor force participation, drop in the employment-to-population ratio. #JobsReport @AFLCIO @Marietmora
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 3, 2019Drop in labor force participation was most noticeable for those workers who have some college or an associate's degree. Says something interesting about weak wage growth in the middle. #JobsReport @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/jktY625FGa
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 3, 2019Another reason the jobs report may be more mixed for workers than the low unemployment rate shows, the rising share of unemployed workers who are long term unemployed. #JobsReport It stabilizes after rising in February and March, but higher than last April @AFLCIO #1u pic.twitter.com/DKpvCTiXy9
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 3, 2019More understanding on the drop in labor force participation: women who were unemployed in March were more likely to drop out of the labor force in and give up looking in April than to get employed. #JobsReport @AFLCIO @CLUWNational @IWPResearch pic.twitter.com/qT2OsARViR
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 3, 2019Why the job numbers are more mixed than the top line drop in unemployment rate suggests: continued weakness in motor vehicle manufacturing, dropping again in April by 1,500 @AFLCIO #JobsReport
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 3, 2019Employment in food services was up 25,000, so now 12.18 million Americans work in this industry compared to 12.8 million in all of manufacturing. This is why the #RaiseTheWage Act is so important. #JobsReport @AFLCIO
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 3, 2019In straight numbers, why the @BLS_gov #JobsReport was mixed for workers: The number of workers in the labor force fell 490,000, the number employed fell 103,000 and the share employed in April was flat with the March rate @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/7MWYQZG95O
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 3, 2019The drop in labor force participation in April and the recent trend in the share of long term unemployment among the unemployed make the @BLS_gov #JobsReport mixed for American workers, the household survey and payroll report diverge @AFLCIO #1u pic.twitter.com/BgjvCSSQNR
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 3, 2019Retail trade stood out as the big loser in April, losing 12,000 jobs, and remaining below last year's employment. Troubled waters in retail have been highlighted by @EileenAppelbaum pointing to heavy leveraging by private equity firms. @UFCW @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/XoSxHtOHK7
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 3, 2019Last month's biggest job gains were in professional and business services (76,000), construction (33,000), health care (27,000), social assistance (26,000), financial activities (12,000) and manufacturing (4,000). Employment in retail trade (-12,000) declined in April. Employment in other major industries, including mining, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, information, leisure and hospitality, and government, showed little change over the month.
Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates fell for and Hispanics (4.2%), adult men (3.4%), adult women (3.1%), whites (3.1%) and Asians (2.2%). The jobless rate increased for teenagers (13.0%). The jobless rate for blacks (6.7%) showed little change in April.
The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was little changed in April and accounted for 21.1% of the unemployed.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/03/2019 - 10:14What (Guest-Worker) Women Want
We’re farm workers, crab pickers and cruise ship workers. We’re chocolate packers, engineers, veterinarians, nurses and teachers from all around the world. We are united by our motivation, yearn for knowledge and commitment to creating change in our communities. We stand with guest-worker women from around the world to ensure that the policies that affect us reflect our experiences.
In several different ways, we have all endured inequity and hardships in our journeys to the United States and in our workplace. Our hopes to provide a better life for our children and families have been met with deceit, discrimination and lack of access to opportunity. Many of us have suffered sexual harassment, one that doesn't let us live or work. Basic medical aid is nonexistent, with something as little as an aspirin being inaccessible to us. At our employment-provided housing, we are provided one bathroom for all and must take cold showers. We live and work in physical and mental isolation. We often don’t speak the language, nor know anyone beyond the employer. Many of our employers take our passports and visas upon arrival. It is difficult to access any justice or remedies.
As guest-worker women, we are together in this movement. We are telling our story because we do not want others to face what we did. It is our responsibility to follow this path, to unite, organize and not let it get lost. We represent our families, our community and future generations. We're women, and there is nothing braver than thinking aloud. We aren’t the “weaker sex.” We are strong and capable. We are courageous and triumphant.
We want equal rights and opportunities, as we have equal responsibilities. We want to speak up and be heard. We want transparency. We seek reforms in law. We want to change conditions. We want our employers and the people and the government of this country to value us.
We envision an alternative future for ourselves and our communities—one where migrant women feel empowered to raise our voices and not stand alone. This future holds concrete policy changes and a shift in the ways companies and employers work. Generations to come have strong protections, are free from abuse and hold employers accountable. Women are not isolated; we have access to resources for our mental and physical health to exercise our rights. In this joint vision, we are as powerful as ever.
This vision requires disassembling guest-worker programs in order to build gender equity in labor migration. Join us—the hundreds of thousands of guest-worker women—in building that future now.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/02/2019 - 12:56Profiling Labor Leaders and Activists for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
For Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian and Pacific Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights. First, let's take a look back at Asian and Pacific Americans we've profiled in the past:
- Ai-jen Poo
- Larry Itliong
- Maf Misbah Uddin
- May Chen
- Philip Vera Cruz
- Sue Ko Lee and the Dollar Store Strikers
- Velma Veloria
Check back throughout May as we add more names to this prestigious list.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/02/2019 - 11:48Tags: Labor History
‘State of the Unions’ Podcast: Not Good Enough
In the latest episode of "State of the Unions," podcast co-hosts Julie and Tim talk to Celeste Drake, the AFL-CIO's recently departed trade policy specialist, about flaws in the proposed new NAFTA and outline the labor movement's high standards for current and future trade agreements.
"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 chat with Kristen Johnson, a deli manager and shop steward at the Stop & Shop in Somerville, Massachusetts, about why she went on strike.
- Talking about the #StampOutHunger food drive with Brian Renfroe, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) executive vice president, and Christina Vela Davidson, NALC assistant to the president for community services.
- 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 Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) General President Kenneth Rigmaiden.
- Kooper Caraway, the 28-year old president of the Sioux Falls AFL-CIO, on how the labor movement can reach young people.
“State of the Unions” is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and anywhere else you can find podcasts.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/01/2019 - 14:54Labor's Resurgence: In the States Roundup
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.
Alabama AFL-CIO:
11th annual "Road Kill BBQ" is getting off to a great start. #1U pic.twitter.com/Cm9BXBUSX0
— Alabama AFL-CIO (@AlabamaAFLCIO) April 3, 2019Alaska AFL-CIO:
Keep our pioneers in Alaska! Time to testify on Alaska Pioneer Homes (HB 96) is NOW (3 pm)! #akleg pic.twitter.com/IkT9Gk4nhd
— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) April 23, 2019Arizona AFL-CIO:
Huge thank you to all our Union Brothers and Sisters and Arizona State Legislators that participated in our 2019 #AZAFLCIO Day of Action at the Capitol today! Remember, the work does not stop here! #WeWorkForUnions @ Arizona State Capitol — at... https://t.co/ONnN7ZRS0K
— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) April 17, 2019Arkansas AFL-CIO:
Expensive degree and no guaranteed job: More students are considering options outside of 4-year college https://t.co/RJLkA092B7
— Arkansas AFL-CIO (@ArkansasAFLCIO) April 24, 2019California Labor Federation:
Companies who dodge their obligation of providing basic protections like a minimum wage need to be held accountable. To put an end to cheating workers #CALeg must #DisruptInequality and vote #YesOnAB5. @LorenaAD80 https://t.co/JbOnMC9WlB
— California Labor Federation (@CaliforniaLabor) April 23, 2019Colorado AFL-CIO:
Colorado can do it – reduce carbon emissions, make a difference on climate change and ensure a fair and just transition for displaced fossil fuel dependent workers at the same time. Read the report below!https://t.co/e7x5ozckq5
— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) April 16, 2019Connecticut AFL-CIO:
Today we remembered and honored the lives of the 28 workers who were killed in the L'Ambiance Plaza collapse 32 years ago. We must recommit ourselves to fight for good, safe jobs for all working people. @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/jbdkQPGdb6
— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) April 23, 2019Florida AFL-CIO:
Week 7 was full of political tricks as the attack on Working Families continued. 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/i3td0bV3cE
— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) April 22, 2019Georgia AFL-CIO:
Union workers hit another milestone in building our energy future. This investment in Georgia's energy infrastructure & workers is key for the future of Georgia, its infrastructure & its economy as the state grows. Congratulations and thank you for the work you do every day! #1u pic.twitter.com/1Aa1mNYa04
— AFL-CIO Georgia (@AFLCIOGeorgia) March 26, 2019Idaho AFL-CIO:
#SpringCleaning? Be sure to buy #Union! #Solidarity #UnionYes #UnionProud #1u #MadeInUSA #unionstrong
Check out @Labor411 for a complete list! https://t.co/YH92oU5TtC pic.twitter.com/c7bNKxIrMr
Indiana State AFL-CIO:
The message that #StopAndShopWorkers sent to their company by collectively standing up for themselves, their families, and good jobs has resonated not only with the company, but all of America. Thank you to the hardworking @UFCW members at Stop & Shop for everything you’ve done!
— Indiana AFL-CIO (@INAFLCIO) April 22, 2019Iowa Federation of Labor:
Workers Memorial Day Events Around Iowa https://t.co/kEyH9hGGnL pic.twitter.com/U8yqaGzQFX
— Iowa AFL-CIO (@IowaAFLCIO) April 23, 2019Kansas State AFL-CIO:
Working people everywhere thanks you Governor Kelly for the veto of
SB 22. pic.twitter.com/ZEDqMXlbc6
Kentucky State AFL-CIO:
Thank you to our union brothers and sisters working with Operation Victory to build a home for a Veteran in need.
Greater Louisville Central Labor Council, GLCLC https://t.co/ZfF1HrgtzV
Maine AFL-CIO:
Chris Tucker of LIUNA Local 327 testifying in support of LD 1386 to improve the way prevailing hourly wages & benefits are set on state construction projects #mepolitics pic.twitter.com/GhJry21Hka
— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) April 24, 2019Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
Statement from President Tolman on the end of the 2019 UFCW Stop & Shop Worker Strike. Click for full statement: https://t.co/ZZ1CMFYjRJ #1u #solidarity #StopAndShopWorkers #Stopandshopstrike @StopDontShop pic.twitter.com/CkZC4OzRN9
— Massachusetts AFLCIO (@massaflcio) April 22, 2019Metro Washington (D.C.) Council AFL-CIO:
Painters lend a hand in the community https://t.co/vdXmSEj8kh
— MetroDCLaborCouncil (@DCLabor) April 24, 2019Michigan AFL-CIO:
America’s largest one-day food drive is Saturday, May 11! Help your letter carriers #StampOutHunger: https://t.co/BP500FrxNF pic.twitter.com/7wntxQKwPk
— Michigan AFL-CIO (@MIAFLCIO) April 22, 2019Minnesota AFL-CIO:
The House is back in session and they’re working on the Jobs bill, which includes paid family & medical leave, cracking down on #WageTheft, and earned sick and safe time. #PaidLeaveMN #mnleg #1u
— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) April 24, 2019Missouri AFL-CIO:
Thanks to Senators Holsman, May, Nasheed, Arthur, Walsh, Rizzo, Sifton, Schupp, Williams, and Curls for standing up for Missouri voters and protecting our constitutional right to have a say in Missouri laws. Join us in thanking them for standing up against SJR1. #moleg pic.twitter.com/aFLe8GilEc
— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) April 17, 2019Montana AFL-CIO:
Under flags at half-mast to honor the fallen, Montana protects its future by making presumptive coverage for firefighters law. Thank you to @mcconnell_nate, our men and women in uniform, and everyone else who fought to make this happen! #mtpol #mtleg pic.twitter.com/WvQj8Dn1X5
— Montana AFL-CIO (@MTaflcio) April 18, 2019Nebraska State AFL-CIO:
We oppose any proposal that disproportionately increases taxes on low-income families. LB289 would increase the state sales taxes by 3/4 cent and the effects would fall heaviest on low-income families. Tell your senator to oppose LB289. Find senator here: https://t.co/qxFk3gHDC9
— NE State AFL-CIO (@NEAFLCIO) April 18, 2019Nevada State AFL-CIO:
Nevada’s legislators are learning about how paid apprenticeship programs benefit key communities and our economy at Apprenticeship Day 2019 at the #NVLeg. pic.twitter.com/cHbCgU6mO6
— Nevada State AFL-CIO (@NVAFLCIO) April 23, 2019New Hampshire AFL-CIO:
By acclamation @PresBrackett has been elected to a second term as NH AFL-CIO President! #nhpolitics
— NewHampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) April 13, 2019New Mexico Federation of Labor:
Congratulations Brothers and Sisters https://t.co/dhPjnvPbZ5
— NMFL (@NMFLaflcio) April 18, 2019New York State AFL-CIO:
President Cilento on the picket line with #UnionStrong @UAWRegion9A
CAMBA workers on strike in NYC. pic.twitter.com/TvJDuKqGzu
North Carolina State AFL-CIO:
"The ban on collective bargaining for public employees denies us the information we need to recruit, retain, and ensure the safety and well-being of our employees." @CityofWinston @bessefornc #ncga #ncpol #1u pic.twitter.com/3fmCqnPo9J
— NC State AFL-CIO (@NCStateAFLCIO) April 24, 2019Ohio AFL-CIO:
Union rallies outside GE as contract talks near. We stand united in #Solidarity with our @IUE_CWAUnion members! Across the country workers are finding their strength and power for dignity and respect... and winning! https://t.co/3BCS9OUpan
— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) April 24, 2019Oklahoma State AFL-CIO:
Thank you to those who keep the work going! pic.twitter.com/Hoq9Oqtwfh
— Oklahoma AFL-CIO (@OK_AFL_CIO) April 24, 2019Oregon AFL-CIO:
— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) April 20, 2019Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:
2019 Hall of Fame Inductees - William Leskosky, (posthumously) AFSCME, Vicki Wyland SEIU, Ed Yankovich, Jr. UMWA. An outstanding annual event hosted by a Central Labor Council with outstanding members! — at DoubleTree Pittsburgh Meadow Lands https://t.co/zQRBC2jY3g
— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) April 20, 2019Rhode Island AFL-CIO:
#HelpASisterOutPeriod The RI Coalition of Labor Union Women, w/ the support of @rifthp, @IBT251, @riaflcio, is launching our #HelpASisterOutPeriod campaign, to raise awareness for women who lack the financial means to purchase menstrual products. https://t.co/cIgjYAAcTb #1U
— Rhode Island AFL-CIO (@riaflcio) April 22, 2019South Carolina AFL-CIO:
Facing Escalating Workplace Violence, Hospital Employees Have Had Enough https://t.co/U84xXMiEHh
— SC AFL-CIO (@SCAFLCIO) April 9, 2019Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council:
ICYMI: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee pokes a sleeping tiger with his school voucher agenda https://t.co/M5ZewLoPZz
— Tennessee AFL-CIO (@tnaflcio) April 22, 2019Texas AFL-CIO:
Dow locks out more than 200 workers in Deer Park https://t.co/vHUyrO5U8t via @houstonchron
— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) April 23, 2019Virginia AFL-CIO:
"We’re talking to people about labor history and we’re not even walking the walk in this institution." https://t.co/3rZVCX1g4v
— Virginia AFL-CIO (@Virginia_AFLCIO) April 23, 2019Washington State Labor Council:
“Jacquie’s unexpected passing is a major loss for the labor movement in Washington state,” said WSLC President Larry Brown. https://t.co/N7rhBW1kIm
— WA State AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) April 17, 2019West Virginia AFL-CIO:
When underground labor is used, the communities lose millions.... payroll taxes go unpaid, the City of Charleston doesn't get its user fee. The state gets no state income taxes. https://t.co/q1vyqP7Ynp
— West Virginia AFLCIO (@WestVirginiaAFL) April 16, 2019Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:
Wisconsin AFL-CIO Applauds Executive Order to Combat Worker Misclassification and Prevent Payroll Fraud, https://t.co/HeVsiPqY51
— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) April 18, 2019 Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/01/2019 - 10:46Marriott Should Tell the Truth About Sexual Harassment
Marriott International, the biggest hotel chain in the world, is hiding the truth about the dangers its workers face. UNITE HERE members are demanding that the company comes clean.
In 2018, working people at Marriott went on strike and won greater sexual harassment protections. For those protections to fully work, the company has to tell the truth about the pervasiveness of harassment at its hotels. But it refuses to do so.
Marriott was asked to report the total number of incidents of sexual harassment at its hotels to shareholders. Instead, it revealed the number of formal legal complaints that have been filed in the past five years, only 44 worldwide. But according to estimates from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's Select Task Force on the Study of Harassment in the Workplace, between 25% and 85% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, while only 6%-13% file a formal complaint. By revealing only the number of formal legal complaints, Marriott is likely under-reporting harassment in its hotels and making it harder to prevent future incidents.
Join UNITE HERE in signing the petition demanding that Marriott tell the truth about harassment and assault on its properties and engage in a dialogue with workers to find solutions to this growing problem.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/26/2019 - 12:57
12 Things You Need to Know About Death on the Job
The AFL-CIO today released its 28th annual Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect report. Each April, we examine the state of worker safety in America. This year's report shows that 5,147 working people were killed on the job in 2017. Additionally, an estimated 95,000 died from occupational diseases.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka (UMWA) called for action:
This is a national crisis. And it’s well past time that our elected leaders in Washington, D.C., stop playing politics and take action to prevent these tragedies. Instead, the Trump administration is actually gutting the protections we fought so hard to win in the first place. This is unacceptable. It’s shameful. And the labor movement is doing everything in our power to stop it.
Here are 12 key findings from the report:
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Every day, 275 workers die from hazardous working conditions.
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There is only one Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspector for every 79,000 workers.
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Since 1970, there have been 410,000 traumatic worker deaths, but only 99 cases have been criminally prosecuted under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
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The average OSHA penalty for serious worker safety violations is only $3,580. The penalty rises to $7,761, on average, for worker deaths.
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About 8 million public sector workers lack OSHA protection. Their rate of injury and illness is 64% higher than private sector employees.
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Workplace violence is now the third-leading cause of death on the job.
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Women face the brunt of workplace violence, accounting for 2 of every 3 people who are attacked.
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Workplace violence caused 807 deaths in 2017 and nearly 29,000 serious injuries. More than 450 of those deaths were homicides.
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Health care and social assistance workers are four times more likely to suffer a workplace violence injury than those who work in other occupations. The level of serious workplace violence injuries for these workers has risen 69% in the past decade.
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The five most dangerous states to work in are: Alaska, North Dakota, Wyoming, West Virginia and South Dakota.
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The fatality rate for Latino and immigrant workers and workers 65 and older is higher than the national average.
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Workplace violence is preventable. An enforceable OSHA standard would keep workers safe, but in the meantime, Congress should pass the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act.
Read the full report to learn more.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/25/2019 - 15:31What Happens When Call Center Jobs Are Shipped Abroad and Workers Try to Organize?
One of the world's largest "contact center" companies, U.S.-based giant Alorica, has been expanding in the Philippines, where more than 1.3 million women and men work in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. These workers and their allies came together through BIEN, the BPO Industry Employees Network, to defend workers' interests in this booming sector. Alorica, a global player in this industry, offers "customer experience" services to the U.S. market for clients like Comcast, AT&T, Citibank, Barclays and Caesars.
Since 2015, Unified Employees of Alorica (UEA) has been organizing to defend these workers' rights. At every step, Alorica has denied workers their right to form a union, broken laws and refused to recognize the union, retaliating against workers who unionize by firing them.
In September 2018, the union filed a notice of strike and began planning a legally protected strike to protest union-busting by Alorica. The United Employees of Alorica have the following demands:
- Drop the criminal charges filed against the union leaders.
- Reinstate the terminated officers of UEA.
Just this week, Michael Concepcion, a regional organizer for BIEN who has worked directly with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), received a death threat by text message.
This and previous threats show a pattern of harassment, extra-judicial detentions and killings that have affected more and more union activists in the Philippines under the Duterte administration. Large corporations like Alorica and AT&T use this repressive climate to their own benefit.
Starting today, CWA and Filipino activist groups Migrante and Bayan are holding solidarity protests in San Francisco and Los Angeles, along with other local supporters in California.
Support the UEA and allies like BIEN in their efforts to defend workers’ rights in this key industry in an economy globalized according to rules written by corporations and governments desperate to attract investment. Please tweet or post the following to Facebook and other social media:
Respect workers’ rights in the Philippines @OfficialAlorica @ATT Drop charges against UEA union leaders. #HumanRights #AloricaPH
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/24/2019 - 10:02USITC Report Backs Up the Need to Fix New NAFTA to Add Real Enforcement
On April 18, the United States International Trade Commission released its analysis of the likely economic impacts of the new NAFTA (also known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or USMCA). The report supports the AFL-CIO’s position on the new NAFTA: Congress should not vote on it until it is fixed.
The usual Washington, D.C., pundits will talk a lot about how the report "proves" that the new NAFTA is good for the economy. But they probably won’t talk very much about the most important thing: Does the report provide useful insight on what matters most to workers?
An important caveat: The USITC has a history of wrong predictions. Not just randomly wrong. The USITC has only erred in one direction: to overestimate how great trade deals will be.
For instance, the USITC predicted the original NAFTA would have small positive effects on wages in the United States and Canada and large positive effects on wages in Mexico. Instead, NAFTA suppressed wages in all three countries. Many U.S. union members saw their workplaces transfer production to Mexico, while others were forced to accept concessionary contracts to keep their jobs. In Mexico today, the minimum wage has less purchasing power than before NAFTA and there is a bigger gap between U.S. and Mexican manufacturing wages. This is because the original NAFTA puts the interests of global corporations ahead of the interests of working people.
Importantly, the new USITC report notes: "The agreement, if enforced, would strengthen labor standards and rights." In fact, it predicts that with enforcement, wages for union workers in Mexico would rise by 17.2%. This prediction may be another wild exaggeration (and even if it is not, a 17% raise on $2.00 per hour is still only $2.34 per hour). But it confirms what the AFL-CIO has been saying all along: A new NAFTA is useless to working people without swift and certain labor enforcement.
With or without NAFTA, America’s working families live in a global economy. We are exposed to international competition no matter what. One great way to increase our leverage to negotiate better pay and benefits is to help workers in other countries—including Mexico—raise their wages and benefits, too. The USITC is right that Mexican wages will only rise if Mexico completes its labor law reform process and all three NAFTA parties work hard to monitor and enforce the labor provisions of the deal.
But enforcement can’t happen unless the text is repaired to make sure that one party can’t block enforcement, unless labor loopholes are eliminated, unless new swift and certain monitoring and enforcement tools are added, and unless adequate, long-term resources are devoted to enforcement. And those changes to the deal can’t happen unless Congress tells the administration that it refuses to vote on the new NAFTA until it is fixed.
Please help us get this right. Call Congress today at 855-856-7545 and tell your representative: No vote until NAFTA is fixed!
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/24/2019 - 09:50Tags: NAFTA
The U.S. Postal Service is Owned by the People—Let's Keep it That Way
As the tax deadline looms and millions scurry to get their forms sent on time, Tax Day is a good time to dispel the myth that the U.S. Postal Service is funded by tax dollars.
In fact, the Postal Service receives zero tax dollars for its operations. Without taking a dime in taxes, the Postal Service maintains the lowest prices for mail services in the industrialized world and delivers to 159 million addresses, six—and now often seven—days a week—all funded by revenue from the sale of stamps and other postal products.
While private courier companies only deliver where a profit can be made, the public post office provides universal service to everyone, no matter age, wealth, race, who we are or where we live.
It is little wonder that the Postal Service, a public institution enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and the crucial anchor of the growing e-commerce revolution, remains the most trusted federal agency. A recent Pew Research Center survey revealed that 88% of the population has a favorable view of the Postal Service, with the highest favorability ratings coming from young adults. Whether sending or receiving medicine, packages, greeting cards, letters, periodicals, catalogs or ballots, every person, household and business in this country is a postal customer.
Still, that persistent myth—that the Postal Service is a burden to taxpayers—is precisely the false narrative that led Congress to pass the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. That act manufactured a financial crisis by compelling the Postal Service to pre-fund all retiree health care costs, 75 years into the future—for workers not even born yet. This mandate transferred postal revenues to the U.S. Treasury and robbed the Postal Service of $5.6 billion a year over a 10-year period. No other company or agency faces, or could be expected to survive, such an onerous financial burden.
Adding to the absurdity is the fact that, prior to the 2006 law, the Postal Service had been reliably paying its annual retirement health benefit premiums on time.
Fast forward from 2006 to last year. Exactly one year ago, in April 2018—again using the guise of taxpayer protection—President Donald Trump established a postal task force to study Postal Service finances. However, before the task force even published its findings, the White House Office of Management and Budget in a June 2018 report on reforming government laid bare their goal of selling the Postal Service to the highest corporate bidder.
Postal privatization, if allowed to move forward, would surely enrich some Wall Street investors and a few powerful corporations. For the rest of us, it would result in diminished postal services and higher prices. This is exactly what happened when other nations, such as the United Kingdom, went down this path. Evidence of this can be seen in both the OMB report and the task force report that followed in December, which called for higher rates, cuts to service and lower wages and benefits for postal workers, all as a first step toward total privatization.
Other task force “solutions” include eliminating delivery days, slowing service speed, allowing anyone who pays a fee access to your secure and private mailbox, reducing door delivery, undermining the universal service obligation and piecemeal privatization that will all undermine the future of a vibrant public postal service.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Congress should simply fix the pre-funding fiasco they created in 2006. In addition, the Postal Service should provide an array of expanded services such as increased financial services and paycheck cashing, notary and various licensing services, internet access and electric automobile charging stations.
Everyone who sends and receives mail and packages has a stake in making sure that the U.S. Postal Service remains owned by, and in the service of, the people. Ask your member of Congress to co-sponsor House Resolution 33 and Senate Resolution 99. Both resolutions oppose privatizing the Postal Service.
Let’s ensure that the postal eagle, symbolizing its public ownership, is never sacrificed on the altar of private profit and replaced by the vulture of corporate greed. The U.S. Postal Service operates without tax dollars and provides a necessary and popular public service. Keep it—it’s yours.
This post originally appeared at The Cap Times.
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/23/2019 - 14:40Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Railroad Signalmen
Next up in our series that takes a deeper look at each of our affiliates is the Railroad Signalmen (BRS).
Name of Union: Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
Mission: To represent the men and women who maintain railroad signal systems and highway-rail grade crossing warning devices across the nation. In addition, the BRS negotiates contracts and promotes safety in the industry for its members and the traveling public. Local lodges elect delegates to national conventions, which is the organization's supreme authority. Delegates set policy, review the general state of the union, establish collective bargaining goals and elect Grand Lodge officers, who direct the organization between conventions.
Current Leadership of Union: Jerry Boles was elected to serve as president of the BRS in 2019. Mike Baldwin serves as secretary-treasurer. The BRS also has six vice presidents who serve in various capacities: Joe Mattingly (Midwest), Kelly A. Haley (Headquarters), James Finnegan (Commuter/Passenger), Tim Tarrant (East), Cory Claypool (West) and Brandon Elvey (NRAB).
Current Number of Members: 10,000-plus.
Members Work At: various railroad and supplier locations installing, repairing and maintaining railroad signal systems and highway-rail grade crossing warning devices. The signal system is used to direct train movements and the crossing warning devices warn motorists when a train is approaching a crossing. These members have been installing positive train control (PTC) equipment since Congress mandated the railroads install PTC back in 2008. PTC is an advanced train control system designed to automatically stop a train before certain accidents occur. In particular, PTC is designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, over speed derailments, train movements over track switches not properly lined and train movements into roadway worker work zones.
Industries Represented: The railroad industry and suppliers in the United States.
History: At the turn of the century, railroad signaling became an emerging craft as railroads increasingly incorporated new technology. In 1901, the BRS was founded to improve the safety and efficiency of railroad operations, and to represent the men and women who install and maintain signal systems. Over the ensuing decades, the organization grew into a national union consisting of working people across the Unites States.
Community Efforts: The BRS maintains a regular schedule of training for members as well as ongoing membership on various committees including the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee, which assist the Federal Railroad Administration in developing new regulatory standards to promote railroad safety. The BRS is actively engaged in Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings, and trespassing on or near railroad tracks.
Learn More: Website.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/22/2019 - 13:51Powerful Victory
A tentative agreement between the 31,000 members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) in New England and management at Stop & Shop supermarkets has been reached, effectively ending the historic strike that captured the country’s attention.
The proposed deal will preserve health care and retirement benefits, provide wage increases and maintain time-and-a-half pay on Sundays for members of UFCW locals 328, 919, 1459, 1445 and 371.
Workers walked off the job on April 11 after management proposed cuts to their health care benefits and wages, despite the company receiving a $225 million tax break in 2017.
The entire labor movement stood behind the workers, with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka (UMWA) and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler (IBEW) visiting picket lines last week.
In response to the tentative agreement, UFCW said in a statement:
We are incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who proudly stood together with us every day for a contract that invests in the communities we serve, and makes Stop & Shop a better place to work and a better place to shop.
Under this proposed contract, our members will be able to focus on continuing to help customers in our communities enjoy the best shopping experience possible and to keep Stop & Shop the number one grocery store in New England. The agreement preserves health care and retirement benefits, provides wage increases, and maintains time-and-a-half pay on Sunday for current members.
Today is a powerful victory for the 31,000 hardworking men and women of Stop & Shop who courageously stood up to fight for what all New Englanders want—good jobs, affordable health care, a better wage, and to be treated right by the company they made a success.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/22/2019 - 13:44No Enforcement, No Treaty: 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.
A. Philip Randolph Institute:
Attention all brothers and sisters, AND Youth Members! Please find the application for the A. Philip Randolph Institute 2019 NEC here!! If you have any questions, please direct them to Jaida Curtis at jcurtis@apri.org. Looking forward to seeing you all!
— APRI National (DC) (@APRI_National) April 10, 2019Actors' Equity:
Ballots for the upcoming referendum vote will be sent out during the last week of April. Make sure your contact information, including your email and mailing address, is up to date in the Member Portal. https://t.co/KlcvpKvaYM pic.twitter.com/Tr4bTGehY7
— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) April 18, 2019AFGE:
Good luck to @pittgrads who are voting for their union this week. Vote yes and know that the entire labor movement has your back! #1u #GradsTogether pic.twitter.com/2aHSyDEoAv
— AFGE (@AFGENational) April 18, 2019AFSCME:
Trade proposals for #NAFTA 2.0 fail to ensure labor rules will be enforced. Contact your Representative at 855.856.7545 and tell them no vote on #NAFTA 2.0 until its fixed. #NoVoteTillItsFixed pic.twitter.com/YaiRYNcHFj
— AFSCME (@AFSCME) April 17, 2019AFT:
The ideals and ideas I have outlined are not quixotic fantasies. They are pragmatic strategies that create the sustainable teaching and learning culture that enables the freedom to teach. - @rweingarten #FreedomToTeach
— AFT (@AFTunion) April 18, 2019Air Line Pilots Association:
DYK: Our ALPA pilots are busy promoting the #pilot profession to members of the military at today's @Rotary2Airline Convention in Fort Campbell, KY. Thank you to our ALPA pilot volunteers! #aviationcareers pic.twitter.com/f8SQipHewF
— ALPA (@WeAreALPA) April 13, 2019Alliance for Retired Americans:
The #GOPTaxScam did nothing for working Americans. Wealthy corporations didn't even use the millions they made from the tax cuts to raise wages or give out bonuses. https://t.co/ZAzYzyHXnL #Shame #RepealTaxCuts pic.twitter.com/j26tBNjcye
— Alliance Retirees (@ActiveRetirees) April 17, 2019Amalgamated Transit Union:
Public transit: An essential public service not to be privatized! Please share. https://t.co/3L3sjm9V7e #publictransit #transit #1u #UnionStrong
— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) April 17, 2019American Federation of Musicians:
Management did not budge an inch & just restated their “last, best and final” offer AGAIN to @MusiciansChiSym Outrageous & Unacceptable! ???? #1u #UnionMusicianshttps://t.co/VDzIm0xOGR
— AFM (@The_AFM) April 17, 2019American Postal Workers Union:
President Dimondstein writes:
Pres. Dimondstein:
“The U.S. Postal Service operates without tax dollars and provides a necessary and popular public service. Keep it — it’s yours.” #TaxDay #USMailNotForSalehttps://t.co/4UAZSYE02P
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance:
Our TPS, DACA, and DED siblings belong in our communities. Call on Congress to be bold and pass the #DreamAndPromiseNow ! Show your support and sign the petition today: https://t.co/mmwUWsgYvl …#SaveTPS #TPSJUSTICE #DACA pic.twitter.com/KIJ5Voqc9E
— APALA (@APALAnational) April 17, 2019Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:
#TBT to last week's Chicago (ORD) demonstration to support AFA Air Wisconsin Flight Attendants! Almost 100 people demonstrated to pressure Air Wisconsin management and United Airlines to negotiate a FAIR contract. #1u #ContractNow pic.twitter.com/m1topQ03wT
— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) April 18, 2019Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers:
BCTGM stands in #solidarity with striking @UFCW members @stopnshop_ne in New England. If you see a picket line - don’t stop & shop there until the strike is over! sign the petition at https://t.co/irbqoqbS9R #1u #jobs #wages #LaborRights pic.twitter.com/Ifp17tXIhj
— BCTGM International (@BCTGM) April 17, 2019Boilermakers:
Back at it today on Capitol Hill with Local 5, Zone 5. #Boilermakers are ready to discuss issues and advocate for working Americans. pic.twitter.com/PDK6hwsHVN
— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) April 16, 2019Bricklayers:
Our #union #apprenticeship allows younger students to make a living much faster, especially when #construction industry needs labor: https://t.co/gV016ilnJb #1u #SkilledTrade #Wisconsin @BuildingWI
— Bricklayers Union (@IUBAC) April 5, 2019Coalition of Black Trade Unionists:
— CBTU (@CBTU72) April 11, 2019Coalition of Labor Union Women:
Did you know your post office receives ZERO tax dollars to deliver mail to every address in our country at consistently low rates? Let’s keep the USPS a public good, not sell it to corporations for private profit. #USMailNotForSale #TaxDay https://t.co/opknPNw9cy
— CLUW National (@CLUWNational) April 15, 2019Communications Workers of America:
Before the #GOPTaxScam passed, massive companies made promises that they'd use their tax breaks to create jobs & raise wages. That's not what happened.
Check out the op-ed by CWA President Shelton. Congress needs to start holding corporations accountable!https://t.co/mhwst57szH
Department for Professional Employees:
According to a report by @EconomicPolicy teachers are paid significantly less than comparable professionals #FreedomToTeach #1u https://t.co/XNbeu75sYC
— Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) April 18, 2019Electrical Workers:
The fastest growing jobs in nearly a quarter of U.S. states are #IBEW jobs - and they're green jobs too https://t.co/D1JnEwOYOB
— IBEW (@IBEW) April 17, 2019Farm Labor Organizing Committee:
This is a great short on getting underrepresented groups into agricultural degree programs. Shout out to @SankofaFarmsLLC! https://t.co/8fNvCkS4Af
— Farm Labor Organizing Committee (@SupportFLOC) April 16, 2019Fire Fighters:
It's a day of tribute to the Paris #firefighters who saved Notre Dame Cathedral from collapse and rescued its treasures from the flames https://t.co/BRr7UuESci
— IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) April 18, 2019Heat and Frost Insulators:
Mechanical Insulation is the one thing that goes into a building and starts paying for itself as soon as the system is activated - immediately saving energy and reducing greenhouse emissions. Learn more here: https://t.co/2daFpcwFV0
— Insulators Union (@InsulatorsUnion) April 17, 2019International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers:
Great article telling us what we already know, #unions are a HUGE benefit for professional workers!! JOIN THE MOVEMENT!! #1u #NerdUnion https://t.co/qRFDooJaxJ
— IFPTE (@IFPTE) April 13, 2019International Labor Communications Association:
Our annual ILCA Labor Media Contest is open. The first and largest competition exclusively for labor journalists, the contest recognizes excellence in labor journalism, photography, film, podcasts, websites, and social media. https://t.co/CIvnK9ZwBD
— Labor Communications (@ILCAonline) April 9, 2019Ironworkers:
Iron Workers from local 433/416 topped out Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on Monday. https://t.co/LdFQUNKGiB
— Ironworkers. (@TheIronworkers) April 17, 2019IUE-CWA:
Workplace violence is the 3rd leading cause of death on the job. One in every 6 workplace deaths are from workplace violence. Help end workplace violence and support HR 1309 Workplace Violence prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act
— IUE-CWA (@IUE_CWAUnion) April 18, 2019Jobs With Justice:
For years, working people have joined together and rallied for higher minimum wages across the country. Not only are we winning that fight, but big opponents are starting to back down. #fightfor15http://bit.ly/2ZeB0c9
— Jobs With Justice (@jwjnational) April 17, 2019Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:
LCLAA proudly supports the work of @AnnaAlvaradoArt who is an artist and youth empowerment advocate from East LA. With her art, she seeks to capture the emotional rawness of the female spirit encouraging Latinas to see perfection in their imperfections. #TrabajadorasTuesday pic.twitter.com/6LoE9WuaWi
— LCLAA (@LCLAA) April 16, 2019Laborers:
Our second session in #PuertoRico was emotional and inspirational. In partnership with @LIUNA @LiUNAEasternReg and @LiunaPR these sisters, brothers and now, new Instructors, are leading the #rebuilding of their Island. Power of #training #education. #feelthepower #trainingliuna pic.twitter.com/wc4vXv6Ofc
— LIUNA!Training (@TrainingLiuna) April 18, 2019Machinists:
Demonstrating solidarity and sending a clear message to @GeneralElectric. https://t.co/vlKc8rawlb
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) April 18, 2019Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO:
Trade Unions Pave Pathways to Good Jobs https://t.co/KP5p8mzl4g
— Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) April 16, 2019Mine Workers:
In Morgantown, WV today! President Roberts is speaking to District 2 and District 31 members about our pension fight. “We will win, because we will never quit.” -@CecilRoberts pic.twitter.com/rtzFvGyZfs
— United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) April 4, 2019Musical Artists:
Attention Chicago/Midwest AGMA members - On May 6th, The Actor's Fund (in partnership with SAG-AFTRA) will present a Myers-Briggs Career Development Workshop led by T.A.F. Career Counselor and Myers-Briggs Master Practitioner Maryellen Langhout.
https://t.co/5ZaAOuTNxZ
National Air Traffic Controllers Association:
After 53 years, retired charter member Joe Bellino – the Union’s first NGL RVP & second EVP – was invited by the National Pathfinder Association (NPA) to become a lifetime Associate Member #3. Less than 1% of military members are Pathfinder qualified. https://t.co/MZVRJIuk9x pic.twitter.com/CGomRsw02j
— NATCA (@NATCA) April 18, 2019National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-CWA:
#NABShow pic.twitter.com/Mo7tZ1l1tH
— NABET-CWA (@NABETCWA) April 10, 2019National Association of Letter Carriers:
Thank you for supporting the #StampOutHunger #FoodDrive, Mayor @billpeduto! NALC Branch President Ted Lee, left, & Retired Letter Carrier Alex Criego (food drive coordinator), right, met w/ City of Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto who committed to assisting in this year's food drive. pic.twitter.com/g8WTXZcp5n
— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) April 18, 2019National Domestic Workers Alliance:
Teresita also wrote a piece for the @nytimes in 2017 about why she and other caregivers, housecleaners and nannies participated in the #WomensMarch: “to show our collective power as the past, present and future of America.” https://t.co/k7ctPk0uWt
— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) April 18, 2019National Federation of Federal Employees:
NFFE FSC Vice President (CCC's) Beverly Tobin Ford Speaks at 2019 IAM Women’s Conference https://t.co/mH3ftDh1wq pic.twitter.com/7hVG6QBR8R
— NFFE (@NFFE_Union) April 15, 2019National Nurses United:
.@NNUCorey closes out with a call to action: The way we win is to educate, agitate, and organize. #Veterans, nurses and other VA workers have to join together, take to the streets, and organize town halls to educate the community about what is happening in the VA. ✊ pic.twitter.com/HjRTt8EjL4
— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) April 18, 2019National Taxi Workers Alliance:
Brothers & sisters, reach out for help if you need it. We are here for each other. Come by the NYTWA office any time you need to talk or be in the company of fellow drivers M-F 12pm-8pm. There are resources available for you. We are in this fight together. https://t.co/Wf1FxvLsuk
— NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) April 13, 2019The NewsGuild-CWA:
Welcome to the @news_guild! https://t.co/Ou1HR9zZ63
— NewsGuild (@news_guild) April 15, 2019NFL Players Association:
.@bcope51 is about that action! #AthleteAnd #sportsbiz https://t.co/0CcCvwELey
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 17, 2019North America's Building Trades Unions:
Family-sustaining wages and ZERO college debt. Why NOT join a #BuildingTrades union?
“From day one you’re earning money in an apprenticeship program.”https://t.co/PpTcRHlhXU
Office and Professional Employees:
Working families have suffered as a direct consequence of #NAFTA. We can’t let the renegotiation of the trade deal be dominated by corporations and billionaires. Call your representative NOW at 1-855-856-7545 and tell them to stand up for working families. #1u #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/Vt3aIeY1Up
— OPEIU (@opeiu) April 16, 2019Painters and Allied Trades:
The United States is receiving a D+ on its Infrastructure Report Card. The IUPAT has joined the fight to push Congress to pass an infrastructure bill that will change this ranking significantly. #InfrastructureNow #RebuildUSA pic.twitter.com/VHsnqy0dG0
— GoIUPAT✊? (@GoIUPAT) April 18, 2019Plasterers and Cement Masons:
“Today, the biggest obstacle that stands between us and the places we work, live and play is thousands of miles of crumbling roads, highways and bridges ... Every day we fail to invest, we’re putting more lives at risk.” https://t.co/KXSI1G1cEk
— OPCMIA International (@opcmiaintl) April 15, 2019Pride At Work:
"Anyone who qualifies for service under military standards should be allowed to serve.
This unfair policy treats transgender people different than other service members, which is antithetical to the core values of our military." #TransMilitaryBan pic.twitter.com/4hQOhLjI3g
Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:
PASS is honored to support @FedsHelpingFeds at this year's Public Service Walk & Run April 28, on behalf of our members @FAANews. Join the PASS team here: https://t.co/NPiYWr0PVi All proceeds go to the only charity dedicated to helping federal workers in need. #publicservice
— PASS (@PASSNational) April 12, 2019Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union/UFCW:
ICYMI: 1,800 RWDSU members secured a new union contract in Camilla, GA! #OrganizeTheSouth #1u @AFLCIO @AFLCIOGeorgia @UFCW https://t.co/soF9CmLccg
— RWDSU (@RWDSU) April 18, 2019SAG-AFTRA:
Congrats to #sagaftramember Vickie Thomas on her well-earned induction to the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. For more than 25 years she’s kept Detroiters informed and her service as a union steward and mentor to fellow members has been invaluable. https://t.co/dVwa3WWjsr pic.twitter.com/FFSeMUyhsv
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) April 16, 2019Seafarers:
Big win for the U.S. Merchant Marine (and apologies for the double post) https://t.co/1j58Yn5BHP
— Seafarers Union (@SeafarersUnion) April 3, 2019Solidarity Center:
The world creates as much as 50 million tons of e-waste/yr valued at $60 billion+ dollars but only 20% is formally recycled. This “toxic flood of electronic waste” should be converted into source of #decentwork per @ilo@LURNetwork @ClimateReality https://t.co/VpKi5dGU01
— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) April 18, 2019TCU/IAM:
"Too often, politicians & CEOs forget that behind every train that rolls across the country…Are thousands of dedicated, hardworking union members...And too often CEOs think it’s ok to attack your rights to be part of the labor movement." - @TTDAFLCIO Larry Willis #IAMtranspo19 pic.twitter.com/gCg4fB5xFC
— Transportation Communications Union/IAM (@TCUnionHQ) April 9, 2019Theatrical Stage Employees:
Congratulations to the technicians at @tarragontheatre who yesterday voted unanimously to be represented by @iatse58. Welcome to the @IATSE and @IATSECANADA family! #growthequalsstrength pic.twitter.com/5vOf6Ss3qS
— IATSE Local 58 (@iatse58) April 17, 2019Transport Workers:
The Richmond Board of Education has refused to listen to parents, to drivers, to children and have neglected the system putting Augusta's children in harms way. The TWU is leading the charge to ensure the safety of our children! #ToxicSchoolBus https://t.co/2Xgm3efthh
— TWU (@transportworker) April 18, 2019Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO:
This ? is ? not ? okay. Last year there were more than 100 documented assaults on transit workers & more than 2,300 cases of harassment. Congress must act now by passing the Bus Operator and Pedestrian Protection Act.https://t.co/rfLWUcbWec
— Transp. Trades Dept. (@TTDAFLCIO) April 17, 2019UAW:
Did you pay federal income taxes this year? 60 of America's largest corporations didn't! Get the details: https://t.co/e73Wz58rb6
— UAW (@UAW) April 17, 2019Union Label and Service Trades Department:
Stamp Out Hunger food drive is next month. pic.twitter.com/kofTYqcuoa
— Union Label Dept. (@ULSTD_AFLCIO) April 11, 2019Union Veterans Council:
Congrats to Union Veteran @pamforpa for flipping a red seat blue with the help of the Allegheny/Fayette Union Veterans Council.
This is what happens when me mobilize our veterans to be their own voices of change. @Darrinkellypgh @PaAFL_CIO pic.twitter.com/aF5V7t57Ez
UNITE HERE:
We’re demanding that Marriott disclose the total number of incidents of sexual harassment and assault in their hotels.
The public, survivors, and employees deserve to know the REAL totals, not just the 44 formal legal complaints. #MeTooMarriott #MoreThan44 pic.twitter.com/mqgowYBvFV
United Food and Commercial Workers:
Kristen with @UFCW Local 1445 works at #StopandShop as a deli manager & joins @AFLCIO's State of the Unions podcast to share why she's on the picket line & how its bringing people together to protect good #NewEngland jobs. RT and listen here: https://t.co/JQEFJRRj6e pic.twitter.com/XFnYRO5nZx
— UFCW (@UFCW) April 17, 2019United Steelworkers:
Activists vow to fight back as Tennessee lawmakers attempt to criminalize some voter registration https://t.co/DqenN396Ok via @thinkprogress #USWVotes
— United Steelworkers (@steelworkers) April 17, 2019United Students Against Sweatshops:
USAS students from across the country are sharing the stories of brave Indonesian Nike workers who are ready to fight by spreading their truth. Meet the women behind the Nike swoosh. #nikewalkthetalk #nikewomentruthtour pic.twitter.com/RwDhmdDGxZ
— USAS (@USAS) April 11, 2019United Union of Roofers and Waterproofers:
We need roofers in Nashville! Pref. journey level, but all levels welcome. Great wages + benefits. More info--> https://t.co/4SIbO2r5wo #hiringroofers pic.twitter.com/HWXbEQrvcF
— Roofers Union (@roofersunion) April 17, 2019Utility Workers:
Former Marine & Local 126 member Micah Herndon "is guts personified"! His determination to finish #Boston2019 inspires us all. @washingtonpost @BostonMarathon https://t.co/Ux4EyW3hia
— UWUA National (@The_UWUA) April 17, 2019Working America:
Although the reasons are complex, 2 leading factors of why black women have a higher risk of dying from pregnancy complications are b/c of lack of access & poor quality of care.
We can change that. #BMHW19 #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #MedicaidExpansion https://t.co/eafp8R9niG pic.twitter.com/AMEhPZ29BO
Writers Guild of America, East:
"The Writers Guild of America today filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking to establish that talent agency packaging fees are illegal under both California and federal law." #ClientsOverConflictshttps://t.co/2eygQvFWXN
— Writers Guild of America, East (@WGAEast) April 17, 2019 Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/22/2019 - 11:34Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: American Postal Workers Union
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 - 11:28Collective 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, 2019Average 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, 2019After 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, 2019Last 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 - 12:57Education 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 - 11:58The Center of Victory
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:
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Pam Iovino (USW) flipped Pennsylvania’s 37th state Senate District.
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Union members Eric Genrich (AFSCME) and Satya Rhodes-Conway (AFT) were elected as the mayors of Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin, respectively.
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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.
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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
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 - 10:00Tags: Podcast
