AFL-CIO and Anti-Slavery Activists Get Results on Mauritania

On Friday, in response to a petition originally filed by the AFL-CIO in 2017, the U.S. government gave Mauritania an ultimatum: It must make sufficient progress toward protecting internationally recognized workers' rights, including combating the scourge of hereditary slavery, or face the loss of trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Mauritania has until Jan. 1, 2019 to take action.  

Mauritania was the last country on Earth to prohibit slavery—in 1981. However, slavery persists. Since at least 2002, the International Labor Organization has tried—without success—to work cooperatively with the government of Mauritania to end the practice. That’s why the AFL-CIO’s petition and the corresponding U.S. government action are so important. The trade benefits that Mauritania stands to lose create an incentive for action.

While Mauritania prohibits slavery in law, it fails to take action to abolish the practice. To the contrary, human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch and Anti-Slavery International have documented harassment and jailing of anti-slavery activists. Mauritania has even charged some activists with blasphemy—a crime subject to the death penalty.  

Let’s be clear: Mauritania doesn’t simply allow “slavery-like” conditions. It allows chattel slavery, in which people are treated as personal property to be disposed of as owners please. Most slavery victims in Mauritania are ethnic Haratines, who are rented, loaned, given away and even passed along as inheritance. These enslaved people have no freedom and suffer serious physical abuse, including sexual abuse and rape. No country that knowingly allows such practices should receive benefits from the U.S. government.

The AFL-CIO is hopeful that this notice will be a wake-up call for the government of Mauritania to stop paying lip service to ending slavery and protecting workers, and to start enforcing anti-slavery laws, vigorously prosecuting slaveholders, and otherwise protecting fundamental labor and human rights for all its people. We also hope that other governments will follow the United States’ lead and put pressure on Mauritania to end slavery once and for all.

The AFL-CIO’s most recent petition on Mauritania can be found here.

More on the Department of Labor’s work in Mauritania can be found here.

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/05/2018 - 14:05

Tags: Mauritania

The Final Countdown: 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 this week’s Working People Weekly List.

Trumka: Record Labor Voter Mobilization Emphasizes Pocketbook Issues: "Organized labor’s record voter mobilization efforts this year, which started earlier than ever before for a mid-term election, emphasized pocketbook issues and—says AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka—will produce huge 'momentum at the ballot box' on Nov. 6. It also produced a record number of unionists running for everything from city council and county commissioner to Congress and governor, Trumka and Julie Greene, the federation’s mobilizing—and politics—director said in an Oct. 30 telephone press conference."

Equal Pay for All: "Today is Latina Equal Pay Day, the day in the year when Latina pay catches up to that of white, non-Hispanic men. That means Latinas work nearly 23 months to make what white, non-Hispanic men earn in one year."

Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Bill Kidd: "This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Missouri state Rep. Bill Kidd."

Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Claire McCaskill: "This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Sen. Claire McCaskill from Missouri."

'State of the Unions' Podcast: Union Members in Public Office: "The AFL-CIO has launched another tool to bring you the issues and stories that matter to working people. Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, 'State of the Unions,' where we talk about the upcoming election with special guest Dahlia Vertreese, the mayor of Hillside, New Jersey."

Get Out the Vote: 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."

Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Susie Lee: "This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Susie Lee, who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada."

Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Sherrod Brown: "This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Sen. Sherrod Brown from Ohio."

NALC Opposes State Department Decision to Leave UPU: "The U.S. State Department announced last week that the United States will withdraw from the Universal Postal Union (UPU) after a special meeting of the UPU failed to adopt pricing policies (so-called terminal dues) advocated by the United States at the urging of private delivery companies (i.e., UPS and FedEx). The proposals were outlined in an August 2018 memorandum, just a few weeks before the September 2018 meeting of the 192-nation UPU in Ethiopia. The private companies have complained that the UPU terminal dues rules result in business going to the USPS by offering below-cost delivery to the U.S.—especially from China."

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/05/2018 - 11:12

Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts Continue in Florida AFL-CIO

This is the second installment of AFL-CIO National Media Manager Carolyn Bobb’s documentation of Hurricane Michael relief efforts in the Florida Panhandle. Read the first piece here.

Disaster relief is a long-term commitment that can become more difficult once immediate needs are met. For the Florida AFL-CIO, which is leading Hurricane Michael relief efforts, the work of rebuilding now begins.

“We cannot forget our members. A lot of basic needs have been met and now we’re focusing on getting people back to some sense of normalcy in their lives, which includes getting members back to work,” said Teamsters National Disaster Relief Coordinator Roy Gillespie.

This next stage of recovery, known as Phase 2, is about stabilization, and it focuses on targeted union member outreach. Many people have had a chance to assess the damage to their homes, and now they’re able to begin the cleanup process. That’s where the Florida AFL-CIO team comes in, delivering key supplies like trash bags, bleach and sponges, along with clothes, diapers, laundry detergent and personal items.

The Florida AFL-CIO serves as a command and control center, fielding a constant stream of calls, texts and emails to figure out how to get the thousands of supplies to those most in need. The team also is able to help a key community partner. After receiving notice that a local Red Cross facility had poor lighting, they called Miller Electric Co. out of Jacksonville to assist. Within a few days, the lighting was fixed. This can-do attitude is a constant during this labor-led relief effort.

“Our hearts go out to all of our sisters and brothers and their families during this difficult time,” said Mike Williams, president of the Florida AFL-CIO. “We are going through all the requests for help and getting supplies out to the most impacted communities. Because of all the great volunteers, we’ve been able to coordinate Phase 2 supply distribution in hard-hit areas such as Panama City, Blountstown, Marianna and Wewahitchka.”

We see firsthand the dual lives many union members are living when we make our first Phase 2 delivery to Panama City 15 days after the hurricane hit. Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 624 member Greg Cramer finishes a shift at a nearby mill and then opens up the union hall so we can unload two trucks. He is part worker, part volunteer. It is a blessing to have a place to store and distribute these supplies because the rain is relentless for several hours.

The Phase 2 coordination is led by Executive Assistant Helen Parker of the state federation. Helen is a seasoned disaster relief coordinator, having worked on efforts after Hurricane Irma in 2017 and most recently in North Carolina, still recovering from its own hurricane. Husband and wife team Fred with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and Carol Croon with BESPA—who evacuated and came back to some pretty major house damage—are pros at organizing the supplies and sorting through clothing that has been donated.

The first distribution is a success, and at other sites over the weekend, some 100 families are able to pick up items that will help them get started on the long road to recovery. The Florida AFL-CIO will be there every step of the way. Anyone wanting to make donations may continue to do so through the Florida Workers Relief Fund.

See photos from Phase 2 of the recovery efforts.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 11/02/2018 - 13:48

Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Chuck Brannan

This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Chuck Brannan who is running for state legislature in Florida.

Here are some of the key reasons why Brannan is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:

• He supports a defined-benefit retirement system for public-sector workers.

• Brannan will make it a priority to fund health and safety protections for public employees.

• He wants to expand funding for the state's college system, with an emphasis on workforce development.

• Brannan supports increasing salaries and maintaining good benefits for public-sector workers.

• He will insist that apprenticeship programs be included as a key element of the state's workforce development strategy.

• Brannan supports allowing both state and local governments to enact minimum examination, certification and licensing requirements for skilled craftsmen.

• He supports legislation that would protect pensions and other benefits from being used to offset workers' compensation payments.

• Brannan opposes private school voucher programs that take funding from public schools.

To learn more about Brannan, visit his website.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 11/02/2018 - 13:40

Tags: Elections 2018

Economy Gains 250,000 Jobs in October; Unemployment Unchanged at 3.7%

The U.S. economy gained 250,000 jobs in October, and unemployment was unchanged at 3.7%, according to figures released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Continued slow wage growth means the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee should pause current plans to raise interest rates.

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

From last October, wages rose 3.1 percent.  That is a slight improvement, but still sufficiently modest for the @federalreserve to modify its rate hike strategy and pause. @AFLCIO

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) November 2, 2018

Labor force participation increased in October by 0.2 points.  The increase for Blacks explains the increase the unemployment rate from 6.0 to 6.2% that took place despite the share employed also increasing @aflcio @rolandsmartin

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) November 2, 2018

Labor force participation increased in October by 0.2 points.  The increase for Blacks explains the increase the unemployment rate from 6.0 to 6.2% that took place despite the share employed also increasing @aflcio @rolandsmartin

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) November 2, 2018

The convergence in Black and white labor force participation rates continues.  This month they were virtually equal, 62.8% for whites and 62.6% for Blacks @AFLCIO @rolandsmartin @CBTU72 @dchometownboy @JointCenter pic.twitter.com/6OUpRsWIvZ

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) November 2, 2018

While the top-line U-3 unemployment rate was flat at 3.7%, the broadest measure of labor slack, U-6 including involuntarily part-time and the marginally attached to the labor force inched down from 7.5 to 7.4% getting closer to 1999 lows @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/hsxpWOo84G

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) November 2, 2018

Let's be clear on Republican congressional ads bragging about the economy.  Trump took office with the unemployment rate already below 5% and falling.  The current trend in falling unemployment rates since October 2009--9 years ago--is not accelerating @AFLCIO thanks @POTUS44 pic.twitter.com/BmRJKmoBGo

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) November 2, 2018

As a nation, we are not going to get ahead if we continue to follow Republican governors in austerity--cutting workers in local education hurts us all.  Maryland voters need to remember Governor Hogan's sequestering education funds. @AFTunion @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/JoYgerwlVG

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) November 2, 2018

Last month's biggest job gains were in leisure and hospitality (42,000), health care (36,000), professional and business services (35,000), manufacturing (32,000), construction (30,000), transportation and warehousing (25,000), and mining (5,000). Employment in other major industries—including wholesale trade, retail trade, information, financial activities and government—showed little change over the month.

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for teenagers (11.9%) declined. The jobless rates for blacks (6.2%), Hispanics (4.4%), adult men (3.5%), adult women (3.4%), whites (3.3%) and Asians (3.2%) showed little or no change in October.

The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was essentially unchanged in October and accounted for 22.5% of the unemployed.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 11/02/2018 - 10:02

Equal Pay for All AFL-CIO

Today is Latina Equal Pay Day, the day in the year when Latina pay catches up to that of white, non-Hispanic men. That means Latinas work nearly 23 months to make what white, non-Hispanic men earn in one year.

More than 50 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, women still get paid less for the same work. But women of color—Latinas especially—experience the widest wage gap for the same jobs.

While it’s shameful that women are still fighting for equal pay, there are steps we can take to close the gap. The best way is to join a union. Through union contracts, women have closed the wage gap and received higher pay and better benefits. In fact, union women earn $231 more a week than women who don’t have a union voice.

When women are represented by unions and negotiate together, they have the power to create a better life.

Check out some facts below about Latina Equal Pay Day, and learn more from AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler here.

• Latinas get paid only 53 cents to every dollar a white, non-Hispanic man makes—the largest gap in the nation.

• Latinas must work 23 months to earn what a white man does in 12 months.

• The average weekly earnings for Latinas is $621, compared to the $815 that white, non-Hispanic women bring home every week.

• Latinas in unions earn 48% more.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/01/2018 - 14:30

Tags: Equal Pay

Are You Ready for Election Day?

Tuesday is Election Day. It seems like every recent election has been powerfully important to working people and 2018 is certainly no exception. Are you ready? Have you prepared everything you need in order to make sure that you can use the power of your voice? 

Earlier this week, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka joined other advocates for working people on a tele-town hall, emphasizing the importance you, as a voter, have on the outcome of this election:

You have the power to write the next chapter of the American story.... You are our most powerful asset. You can make the difference in this election...this is the moment where we determine our future. This is the moment you’ll look back on. Don’t let yourself wonder if you could have done more.

Are you ready to do your part? We're in the last days before the election, so the top thing left to do for most people is to actually cast their ballot. Here's what you can do:

1. Make a plan to vote: The simple fact is that people who make a plan are more likely to vote. When are you voting? Where are you voting? What do you need to bring with you to the polling location? These and other questions need to be answered before Election Day, so you can make sure that your vote is counted. We can help: Visit aflcio.org/plan.

2. Know who you're voting for: Don't wait until you arrive at the polling booth to know what's on your ballot. If you want to maximize the impact of your vote, you need to know which candidates and ballot initiatives are supported by working people. We can help: Visit MyUnionMyVote.org to find a list of the endorsed candidates in your area. You can also read more about the best candidates for working people in our blog series which highlights dozens of worker-champions across the country.

3. Know your rights: Not a week has gone by this year without some kind of attempt to deny people the right to vote. We've been fighting back against those efforts all year, but lots of money and energy is being put into voter suppression in 2018. Voting is a right and you need to know what your rights are. We can help: Read our blog post on what to do if you are turned away at the polls. If you have any problems trying to vote or have more questions, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) or visit 866OurVote.org.

4. Help others: If you've already voted or plan to vote, you can expand the impact your voice has on this election. There are still GOTV-related events happening across the country. Phone banks, canvasing and other related activities will be ongoing until the polls close. We can help: Click here and type in your zip code to find events near you.

You still have time to make sure that your voice is heard in this election. Are you ready?

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/01/2018 - 13:21

Tags: Elections 2018

Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Bill Kidd AFL-CIO

This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Missouri state Rep. Bill Kidd.

Here are some of the key reasons why Kidd is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:

• Kidd is a small businessman who has experience creating good jobs for Missourians.
• He voted against "right to work" and voted to sustain former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of right to work legislation.
• Kidd voted against paycheck deception legislation.
• When the Missouri House overrode Nixon's veto of a bill cutting unemployment benefits, Kidd voted to sustain the veto.
• He is endorsed by the Missouri AFL-CIO, Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO, the Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transporation Workers (SMART) Transportation Division for Missouri, Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 3133 and IAFF Local 781, Missouri NEA and Teamsters Joint Council 13.

To learn more about Kidd, visit his website.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/01/2018 - 11:37

Tags: Elections 2018

Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Claire McCaskill AFL-CIO

This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Sen. Claire McCaskill from Missouri.

Here are some of the key reasons why McCaskill is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:

• She worked to pass the first boost in the federal minimum wage in more than a decade and supports raising the current minimum wage.

• McCaskill wants to invest in the nation's infrastructure to improve access to good-paying jobs.

• She has long opposed "right to work" legislation.

• McCaskill supports providing student loan forgiveness to public school teachers who have served at least 10 years.

• She has sponsored legislation to provide financial assistance to veterans for college or vocational training.

• McCaskill worked in a bipartisan manner to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

• She is an outspoken advocate for those who have faced sexual harassment in the workplace.

• McCaskill is a founding member of the Senate Veterans Jobs Caucus and has worked in a bipartisan way to incentivize companies to hire and train veterans.

• She has worked to bring affordable broadband access to rural communities.

• McCaskill fought to save rural post offices and maintain delivery standards for the United States Postal Service.

• She successfully pushed President Donald Trump to allow Missouri rice and beef producers to export goods to China.

• She supports a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United.

To learn more about McCaskill, visit her website.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/01/2018 - 11:07

Tags: Elections 2018

'State of the Unions' Podcast: Union Members in Public Office AFL-CIO

The AFL-CIO has launched another tool to bring you the issues and stories that matter to working people. Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, “State of the Unions,” where we talk about the upcoming election with special guest Dahlia Vertreese, the mayor of Hillside, New Jersey.

One in four Americans listen to podcasts on a monthly basis. “State of the Unions” is capturing the stories of workers across the country. It’s hosted by two young and diverse members of the AFL-CIO team: Political Mobilization Director Julie Greene and Executive Speechwriter Tim Schlittner. A new episode will drop 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 Wednesday's episode with Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese. You also can learn more about Julie and Tim in their inaugural episode and check out an interview with Flint, Michigan, water crisis whistleblower, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha.

The upcoming schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, Nov. 14: Post-election recap and analysis.

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

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/01/2018 - 08:12

Tags: Podcast

Get Out the Vote: What Working People Are Doing This Week APALA

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:

NAACP hopes to improve voter turnout after winning lawsuit against election commission https://t.co/uNiCrefqgC

— APRI National (DC) (@APRI_National) October 26, 2018

Actors' Equity:

Looking to hire Equity actors and stage managers? We've revamped our website to make it easier than ever to find the info and forms you need. https://t.co/eCv8x5fqnA

— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) October 26, 2018

AFGE:

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are coming together to stop the proposed federal retirement cuts. https://t.co/14vdiWgRcc

— AFGE (@AFGENational) October 26, 2018

AFSCME:

Des Moines Register: State workers' unions in Iowa overwhelmingly win re-certification https://t.co/L9ztGxEy8u #voteyesIA

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) October 30, 2018

AFT:

.@AFTHealthcare nurses care, fight and show up for their patients every day. And until Nov. 6, @MassNurses are also getting ready to VOTE #Yeson1 for #SafePatientLimits! #AFTVotes pic.twitter.com/gDGfnbpcqs

— AFT (@AFTunion) October 30, 2018

Air Line Pilots Association:

Thank you to the Honorable Howard "Skip" Elliott of @PHMSA_DOT for sharing how the #aviation community can partner with regulators to ensure that the U.S. aviation system is the safest in the world. Read more: https://t.co/krTUNR56rW pic.twitter.com/ndOitSLB06

— ALPA (@WeAreALPA) October 26, 2018

Alliance for Retired Americans:

Big Pharma's greed has forced older and working Americans to choose between paying for their medicine and paying for other necessities like food. That's why we must elect people who will fight to lower drug prices. https://t.co/G24qVXTQ9Z #Vote2018 #Midterms2018 #RxForAll pic.twitter.com/AZQi0K5wKP

— Alliance Retirees (@ActiveRetirees) October 30, 2018

Amalgamated Transit Union:

#Denton County Transportation Authority workers reach tentative agreement https://t.co/oMKj4aihGA #DCTA #transit #publictransit pic.twitter.com/Sczn6EiGcu

— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) October 22, 2018

American Federation of Musicians:

Support workers on strike fighting for fair treatment, dignity and respect! If you’re booked in one of the hotels on strike, please make alternate plans to not cross the picket line until the strike has ended. #MarriottStrike https://t.co/jLK3syFOKi

— Amer. Fed. Musicians (@The_AFM) October 19, 2018

American Postal Workers Union:

“Postal Banking brings a service to the people that’s not only important to the community of the Bronx...it's important to this nation.” - Jonathan Smith, NY Metro Area Postal Union President https://t.co/gQH2scBWTw @bankpostal @agrandalliance #apwunited #postalbanking #usps

— APWU National (@APWUnational) October 22, 2018

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance:

One week until #ElectionDay! Elect leaders who will put the interests of working people first, whether they’re white, Black, Brown, or Asian. #WeVoteWeCount
Check out this voter guide by @SAALTweets: https://t.co/WUPNINoiMk pic.twitter.com/b1H95Tp0Rq

— APALA (@APALAnational) October 30, 2018

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:

Our hearts are with the 189 passengers and crew of Lion Air flight JT-610, and we send our love to their family and friends. AFA EAP stands ready to assist anyone in need following this tragedy. Call 1-800-424-2406. https://t.co/qbbDdjMAiO

— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) October 29, 2018

Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers:

Don't forget to support hardworking UNION CANDY MAKERS tomorrow! Buy #Unionmade treats for your Halloween festivities!

Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Susie Lee AFL-CIO

This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Susie Lee, who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada.

Here are some of the key reasons why Lee is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:

• She wants to ensure that working-class families have health care and can save for retirement.

• Lee will protect service industry employees who rely on tips in addition to their wages.

• She will fight to make sure that no worker faces discrimination because of their disability, race or sexual orientation.

• Lee will protect Social Security and Medicare for future generations, including making sure they keep up with cost-of-living increases.

• She wants to increase funding for early childhood education and programs for children living in poverty.

• Lee wants to increase funding for training and apprenticeship programs.

• She favors allowing Medicare to negotiate with insurance companies for lower prescription drug prices.

• Lee supports comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship.

• She supports legislation that will protect temporary protected status recipients and Dreamers.

• Lee supports efforts to achieve gender pay equity.

• She will fight for fair representation of women in leadership roles as part of a comprehensive approach to reducing sexual misconduct and harassment in the workplace.

• Lee will fight for paid family leave.

• She will advocate for training and education programs that help veterans smoothly enter the civilian workforce.

To learn more about Lee, visit her website.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/30/2018 - 13:37

Tags: Elections 2018

Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Sherrod Brown AFL-CIO

This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Sen. Sherrod Brown from Ohio.

Here are some of the key reasons why Brown is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:

• Brown opposes trade agreements that negatively impact American manufacturing and he voted against the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other bad deals.

• He supports steel and aluminum tariffs to protect America's manufacturers against being undercut by cheap imports from countries that don't play by the rules.

• Brown has fought to crack down on currency manipulation, which he argues is effectively an unfair subsidy supporting Chinese manufacturers.

• He fought to save the U.S. auto industry, protecting hundreds of thousands of jobs in Ohio.

• Brown has secured millions of dollars to invest in job creation and training for manufacturing and helped create a national network of innovation hubs to boost manufacturing.

• He has worked to pass legislation that rewards manufacturers and small businesses that hire more employees and invest in job training and retraining.

• Brown has secured more than $17 million to support job creation and training in Ohio since 2013.

• He stood with working people in the fight to overturn Ohio's anti-collective bargaining law.

• Brown wants to make sure that teachers get the salaries and benefits they deserve for preparing students for the future.

• He introduced legislation that would repair, renovate and build schools across the country, which would create nearly 2 million jobs.

• Brown has consistently voted against any attempts to undermine Social Security benefits.

• He championed legislation to allow Medicare to directly negotiate with insurance companies for lower drug prices.

• Brown introduced a plan to stabilize pension funds to make sure that promises are kept to retirees.

• He has introduced and co-sponsored a number of programs to provide veterans with job training and placement services.

• Brown sponsored legislation that rewards companies that hire veterans and service members. He also launched Solar by Soldiers to help veterans prepare for jobs in the clean energy economy.

• He co-sponsored an expansion of GI Bill to provide education benefits to post-9/11 veterans.

• Brown voted to create job training programs that help Ohioans with disabilities get jobs.

• He has secured more than $2.5 billion to expand broadband and invest in infrastructure in rural areas.

• Brown supports legislation that protects LGBTQ Americans from discrimination in the workplace, housing and other key areas.

• He co-sponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act and helped pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

• Brown voted to give workers more paid family, medical and sick leave.

• He will fight to close the gender wage gap.

• Brown wants to make the minimum wage a living wage.

• He frequently works in a bipartisan manner to get results; and in the current Congress, he ranks fourth in terms of senators who have passed the most laws, despite serving in the minority.

To learn more about Brown, visit his website.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/30/2018 - 12:33

Tags: Elections 2018

NALC Opposes State Department Decision to Leave UPU

This post comes from Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).

The U.S. State Department announced last week that the United States will withdraw from the Universal Postal Union (UPU) after a special meeting of the UPU failed to adopt pricing policies (so-called terminal dues) advocated by the United States at the urging of private delivery companies (i.e., UPS and FedEx). The proposals were outlined in an August 2018 memorandum, just a few weeks before the September 2018 meeting of the 192-nation UPU in Ethiopia. The private companies have complained that the UPU terminal dues rules result in business going to the USPS by offering below-cost delivery to the U.S.—especially from China.

NALC opposes the decision to withdrawal from the UPU— the problems identified by the August memorandum are best solved through multilateral diplomacy. Leaving the UPU could have unintended negative consequences on American citizens and businesses and hurt the Postal Service financially. This is certainly what is driving the private shippers, which are targeting the Postal Service’s $2.7 billion in international mail revenue.

Background

The UPU was already moving forward with measures to eliminate the U.S. Postal Service’s losses on inbound small packages resulting from the terminal dues system. (Terminal dues are the fees postal operators pay each other to deliver international letters and small packages.) Based on changes adopted by the last UPU Congress in 2016, China’s country status was already changed (it was removed from the poorest developing country status that had allowed it to pay the lowest rates in the past) and a series of terminal dues increases on e-packets (small parcels) were implemented—rates are increasing 13% annually starting in 2019 and continuing through 2021. The goal is to eliminate any Postal Service losses on inbound international mail that unfairly subsidizes overseas sellers. 

A uniform system of terminal dues—like that provided by the UPU—serves to promote universal service in the same way that uniform domestic postage rates benefit all Americans, rural and urban alike. Terminal dues make possible the benefits of universal service on a global scale. 

The UPU is the United Nations agency that allows 192 countries to provide universal postal services worldwide. It allows Americans living overseas to send letters and packages back home and for their families to reach them at affordable rates. It provides the infrastructure for the transport and exchange of letters, e-packets and packages that benefit all Americans and their businesses—including payment systems, automated processing systems and advanced electronic data (AED) for customs officials.

Pulling out of the UPU would deny ourselves access to this infrastructure and threaten the world’s invaluable system of universal postal services. This would raise costs for consumers and reduce access for millions of American families with overseas ties—and have unpredictable impacts on international mailers. For that reason, the International Mailers Advisory Group, a trade association of international shippers, also opposes exiting the UPU.

Although the State Department announcement indicated a willingness to rescind the withdrawal if bilateral and multilateral negotiations succeed, making a threat to leave makes the success of those negotiations unlikely. Threats are not conducive to diplomacy.

It is not practical to negotiate bilateral agreements with 191 other countries—and it certainly cannot be done within a year. It makes much more sense to go to the next UPU Congress in 2020 and continue to pursue our goals on a multilateral basis in a way that will preserve universal service. 

Staying in the UPU gives us the mechanism and leverage to continue the progress made in 2016, which included the adoption of an integrated product plan that is being used to fight the international shipment of opioids with the transfer of AED (advanced electronic data) technology to developing country postal operators. Increasing the provision of AED on international shipments is part of our government’s plan, as required by the recently adopted STOP Act, to combat the importation of illicit opioids into the United States.

Sadly, this UPU policy, and the August memorandum that proceeded it, was developed to serve the interests of large private companies such as UPS and FedEx. It emerged from the White House Domestic Policy Council and was hidden from public view. Neither the August memorandum nor last week’s announcement was presented to the advisory committee of the International Postal and Delivery Services (IPoDS) by the State Department—as intended by law. In fact, the IPoDS has not met since November 2017.

This post originally appeared at NALC.

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 10/29/2018 - 10:25

Steps to Protect Your Vote: 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 this week’s Working People Weekly List.

What to Do if You're Turned Away at the Polls: "Last week, reports came out that because of Georgia's 'exact match' law, 53,000 residents of the state who registered to vote have had their registration marked as 'pending,' raising questions about whether or not those voters will be allowed to cast their ballots in this year's election. An analysis of the pending applications by The Associated Press showed that they overwhelmingly belong to African American applicants. The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia responded to the news by ensuring Georgians that the 'pending' status does not prohibit them from voting if they have proper identification."

Dispatches from Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts in Florida: "AFL-CIO National Media Manager Carolyn Bobb was given access to see how a multifaceted union disaster response comes together. What follows is her experience documenting a four-day period of Hurricane Michael relief efforts in the Florida Panhandle."

A Landmark Moment: "After a five-week organizing election, catering workers at United Airlines have overwhelmingly voted to join UNITE HERE. After celebrating late last night, 2,700 United employees in Cleveland, Denver, Honolulu, Houston and Newark, N.J., will soon head to work with the hard-earned rights and dignities that come with a freshly printed union card."

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

A Series of Firsts: Worker Wins: "Our latest roundup of worker wins begins with more victories for working people in digital media and includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life."

Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Chris Smith: "This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Rep. Chris Smith from New Jersey."

Reaching the Unorganized: "The results of a recent Department for Professional Employees (DPE) campaign with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) demonstrate that low-cost social media advertising is an effective way to generate quality organizing leads."

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 10/26/2018 - 15:55

Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Tom Wolf AFL-CIO

This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.

Here are some of the key reasons why Wolf is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:

• He approved nearly $1 million in new training programs across Pennsylvania to give job-seekers the skills needed for careers in manufacturing.
• Wolf passed a tax credit to spur investment in manufacturing in the commonwealth.
• His programs have helped train more than 120,000 workers.
• Wolf investments in infrastructure repaired or rebuilt 1,300 roads, 600 bridges and more than 6,000 miles of roadway. This $6 billion investment has created jobs across Pennsylvania, and Wolf plans to invest $2 billion more over the next 10 years.
• He created a one-stop shop that has assisted more than 7,000 business owners, helping to spur job growth.
• Wolf created more than 15,000 jobs by investing in the Port of Philadelphia, a steel plant in Johnstown and a new Shell Chemicals cracker plant in western Pennsylvania.
• He restored $1 billion in education funding cut under the previous administration.
• Under his programs, Pennsylvania has risen to third in the nation in STEM education.
• The number of students earning credentials from career and technical education programs has risen 32% under his leadership.
• His efforts have increased high school graduation rates in the commonwealth to 86%, among the best in the country.
• Upon becoming governor, he expanded Medicaid, giving health care to more than 720,000 Pennsylvanians.
• He re-opened a loan program that encourages the use of solar energy in the commonwealth, spurring job creation in the renewable energy sector.
• Wolf expanded protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender expression or identity for state employees.
• He has fought to end mass incarceration in Pennsylvania and banned the box on noncivil service jobs under his jurisdiction.
• Wolf signed comprehensive pension reform for state employees that reduces risk, pays down the debt and cuts Wall Street fees.
• He introduced reforms to expand the right to vote, including same day and automatic voter registration, online registration, modernized absentee voting and campaign finance reform.

To learn more about Wolf, visit his website.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 10/26/2018 - 13:31

Make Your Halloween Union-Made! Union Label

With Halloween only two weeks away, people across the country are getting ready to go shopping to buy the candy and snacks that are a staple of the holiday's tradition. But did you know that when you do your Halloween shopping, you can use the power of your paycheck to support good jobs that pay well and respect the rights of working people? Here is a handy guide to the union-made treats that will make your holiday not only fun, but will help working people, too.

Annabelle Candy Company

• Abba-Zaba peanut
• Big Hunk
• Rocky Road S'mores
• U-No

American Licorice**

• Black and red vines
• Strawberry ropes

Bachman

• Cheese curls
• Corn chips
• Jax Cheese Curls
• Keystone Snacks Party Mix
• Pretzels

Ghirardelli Chocolates

• All filled and nonfilled squares
• All filled and nonfilled bars 
• Chocolate chips
• Nonpareils

Hershey Products*

• Cadbury Dairy Milk Bar
• Cadbury Fruit & Nut Bar
• Cadbury Roast Almond Bar
• Cadbury Royal Dark Bar
• Caramello Bar
• Hershey's Kissables
• Hershey's Kisses
• Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar
• Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Almonds Bar
• Hershey's Nuggets
• Hershey's Special Dark Bars
• Hershey's Symphony Bar with Toffee
• Hershey's Syrups
• Jolly Ranchers
• Kit Kat Bars
• Rolo

Jelly Belly Candy Company 

• Candy Corn
• Disney Mickey and Minnie jelly beans
• Fall Festival Mix
• Gummi Rats
• Gummi Tarantulas
• Halloween Jelly Belly
• Harry Potter Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans
• Harry Potter Jelly Slugs
• Hello Kitty Halloween Deluxe Mix
• Jelly Belly BeanBoozled
• Jelly Belly Disney Villains bags
• Mellocreme Pumpkins
• Sour Gummi Pumpkins

Nestlé

• Baby Ruth*
• Butterfinger*
• Butterfinger Crisp
• Laffy Taffy
• Nestle Crunch
• Peanut Butter Cups
• Pearsons Nips

Pearson's Candy

• Bun Bars
• Mint Patties
• Nut Goodie
• Salted Nut Roll

Sconza Candies

• Boston Baked Beans
• Chocolate
• Chocolate Covered Cherries
• Chocolate/Yogurt Fruit and Raisins
• Jaw Breakers
• Jordan Almonds
• Lemoncello Almonds

See's Candies

• Brittles and toffees
• Candy Bars
• Chocolate assortment
• Lollypops
• Nuts & Chews
• Truffles

Tootsie Roll Industries

• Andes Mints
• Blow Pops
• Charleston Chew
• Junior Mints
• Sugar Daddy
• Tootsie Rolls
• Wack-O-Wax

*Some products made abroad; check the label for country of origin.

**Also made at a nonunion plant in Laporte, Indiana.

For more information on union-made products, visit Union Label and Service Trades Department's website.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 10/26/2018 - 12:18

Union Strong: 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:

#akelect #akgov #VoteUnion #VoteBegich pic.twitter.com/m6lBQY1BlN

— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) October 23, 2018

Arizona AFL-CIO:

Educator and Arizona AFL-CIO endorsed candidate for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, Kathy Hoffman, has earned the support of the Arizona Republic. https://t.co/75OlyAuHiL

— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) October 19, 2018

California Labor Federation:

Our #UnionStrong candidate of the day is Josh Harder! He's running in #CA10 to strengthen workplace protections, fund apprenticeship programs and create more good jobs in the Central Valley! Go Josh! #IVoteUnion #1u @joshua_harder pic.twitter.com/jRC7zBiM2Y

— California Labor Federation (@CaliforniaLabor) October 23, 2018

Connecticut AFL-CIO:

.@CBIANews is lying again. @CTMirrorKeith thoroughly dispelled this falsehood about taxes over two weeks ago, but CBIA continues to repeat it. What's worse, CBIA's president was quoted in the article and was "dismayed" they made the claim. Learn more: https://t.co/y5Nky2XQ5c pic.twitter.com/kIdYYbuiG0

— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) October 16, 2018

Florida AFL-CIO:

Florida's unions have been on the front lines of Hurricane Michael relief efforts the past 14 days. Make your contribution to workers in need at https://t.co/d2hAm5grNb and read about the incredible volunteer work by union members in the Panhandle here: https://t.co/AhvLEpACqW pic.twitter.com/s9CNUXcpjr

— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) October 24, 2018

Georgia AFL-CIO:

We support the only candidate who will support workers in every GA county #1u #teamabrams https://t.co/3kgPFh1fvH

— AFL-CIO Georgia (@AFLCIOGeorgia) October 23, 2018

Idaho State AFL-CIO:

Endorsed candidates list available at https://t.co/S9zquIqLJA pic.twitter.com/KR6Intauw0

— Idaho State AFL-CIO (@IdahoAFLCIO) September 18, 2018

Illinois AFL-CIO:

Another fantastic weekend of Labor 2018 canvassing in the books!

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Schaumburg @iftaft office to talk to voters about candidates who support working families — candidates like @jbpritzker and @SeanCasten!#ILGOV #labor18IL #Flipthe6th pic.twitter.com/bSj4brxIlm

— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) October 22, 2018

Indiana State AFL-CIO:

RT @AFLCIO: ⚾️ That makes two ⁦@MLB_PLAYERS⁩ teams to cross the picket line. Where is the Solidarity with your union sisters and brothers? ⚾️ #1u https://t.co/UHuzNUOWVw

— Indiana AFL-CIO (@INAFLCIO) October 23, 2018

Iowa Federation of Labor:

Ottumwa door knocking volunteers of the day https://t.co/jpHyZ7fBMB pic.twitter.com/m5OrrUF034

— Iowa AFL-CIO (@IowaAFLCIO) October 24, 2018

Kentucky State AFL-CIO:

Looking for the right candy to buy for Halloween? Here are some good, Union-made, suggestions! https://t.co/uV3cy5NOOY

— Kentucky AFL-CIO (@aflcioky) October 21, 2018

Maine AFL-CIO:

Great day yesterday in Baileyville as Jared Golden spoke with workers at the Woodland mill. The @steelworkers, @MachinistsUnion, and @IBEW support @golden4congress because he always votes with working class families like ours, not Wall St CEOs like @BrucePoliquin. #mepolitics pic.twitter.com/3a1Ok6wqOX

— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) October 19, 2018

Massachusetts AFL-CIO:

National Grid needs to #endthelockout - for the workers, for public safety and for the economy. N. Grid spending stable, but hookups, leak repairs down - CommonWealth Magazine https://t.co/AAYkzz9noS

— Massachusetts AFLCIO (@massaflcio) October 23, 2018

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

Union City Radio for Wednesday, October 24 https://t.co/RFPClefRse

— MetroDCLaborCouncil (@DCLabor) October 24, 2018

Michigan AFL-CIO:

Rep. Tom Barrett Receives Another Failing Grade on Labor Scorecardhttps://t.co/8EeXgqbNWU

— Michigan AFL-CIO (@MIAFLCIO) October 24, 2018

Minnesota AFL-CIO:

Find where to vote and your Labor-endorsed candidates at https://t.co/9oVT750mDt. #1u #Labor18 pic.twitter.com/gU6xX1eOiS

— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) October 24, 2018

Missouri AFL-CIO:

The AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Treasury Fund has put together a helpful and quick-to-use resource for those wanting to vote for union-friendly candidates.https://t.co/xN7qxHgFJ3

— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) October 22, 2018

Montana AFL-CIO:

Thanks to everyone who came out and braved the cold temperatures to #StandWithThreeForks and support ⁦@jontester⁩’s pro-worker, pro-Montana legislation.#mtpol #mtsen #1u

Where’s Rosendale? pic.twitter.com/M57yrkpscr

— Montana AFL-CIO (@MTaflcio) October 13, 2018

Nevada State AFL-CIO:

Nevada's workers are the engine of our state's economy, and our volunteers are the engine of our campaign to elect pro-worker candidates. Click below and pledge to help in moving Nevada's working people forward. #NVLabor18https://t.co/isza3rfQ4K pic.twitter.com/DT0nNdUvgs

— Nevada State AFL-CIO (@NVAFLCIO) October 23, 2018

New Hampshire AFL-CIO:

NH AFL-CIO Legislative Conference votes on 2018 candidate endorsements https://t.co/ZtdXKK1C1J pic.twitter.com/SVcILgGyyn

— NewHampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) September 22, 2018

New Mexico Federation of Labor:

ICYMI! On Saturday, @AFTunion President @rweingarten joined us in New Mexico to kick off the first day of early voting in support our endorsed candidates @TeamHeinrich, @Deb4CongressNM, & @Michelle4NM! @AFLCIO @AFTNM @NMDEMS pic.twitter.com/G0467UHYjS

— NMFL (@LaborFed4NM) October 24, 2018

New York State AFL-CIO:

|￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣|
Do you know who your
#UnionStrong endorsed
candidates are?
|＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿|
\ (•◡•) /
\ /
---
| |

Find out at https://t.co/1StSAnThG3

— NYSAFLCIO (@NYSAFLCIO) October 22, 2018

North Carolina State AFL-CIO:

Why we ❤️ Anita Earls for NC Supreme Court: "I know that I'm not alone in what I faced, and I know that if I work with other people, we can try to make a difference." ✊ https://t.co/4OGsrVqPPy

— NC State AFL-CIO (@NCStateAFLCIO) October 23, 2018

North Dakota AFL-CIO:

pic.twitter.com/syl2W6IZSr

— North Dakota AFL-CIO (@NDAFLCIO) August 24, 2018

Ohio AFL-CIO:

If we elect candidates that will stand up for Ohioans like @LValentineOH, working people in #Ohio can have an economy that is built from the middle out! But we don't win with anger and apathy, we win by our vote! Get out and vote today!! pic.twitter.com/d9YgGqoFrl

— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) October 24, 2018

Oklahoma State AFL-CIO:

Remember your Union Made Treats for Halloween! pic.twitter.com/hIBXJAJKxz

— Oklahoma AFL-CIO (@OK_AFL_CIO) October 19, 2018

Oregon AFL-CIO:

There's a lot to consider on November's ballot. The experts from the Oregon AFL-CIO and Our Oregon sat down to discuss what Oregon's voters need to know on our latest podcast episode. https://t.co/cPJVI4cqqQ

— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) October 23, 2018

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:

We are getting out the vote for @WolfForPA and pro-UNION candidates. Workers’ rights are on the line on November 6! #Labor2018https://t.co/STgjgnxLNa

— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) October 23, 2018

Rhode Island AFL-CIO:

Book Signing - Kissing the Shuttle: A Lyric History by Mary Ann Mayer
Presented by Rhode Island Labor History Society. #1U #BookSigning #MaryAnnMayer pic.twitter.com/1tMp1jgFEQ

— Rhode Island AFL-CIO (@riaflcio) October 17, 2018

South Carolina AFL-CIO:

SC voters should vote NO on constitutional amendment November 6th! https://t.co/mGbIYIhXzS

— SC AFL-CIO (@SCAFLCIO) October 23, 2018

Texas AFL-CIO:

Let's make history together. Text TEXAS VOTES to 235-246 on your cell phone for labor-endorsed candidates in your area and polling information. #TXLabor2018 #Labor2018 #1u #unionstrong @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/A2JMzU1UY3

— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) October 23, 2018

Virginia AFL-CIO:

United Catering Workers in Six U.S. Cities Vote to Unionize - Bloomberg https://t.co/HBq1zRhW2M

— Virginia AFL-CIO (@Virginia_AFLCIO) October 24, 2018

Washington State Labor Council:

These Republican dirty tricks must stop! https://t.co/VBlZWjOMFh

— WA State AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) October 24, 2018

Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:

Need to lookup your polling location? View what's on your ballot? Start here, https://t.co/8yDehWa8Bf

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) October 24, 2018 Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 10/25/2018 - 13:12

A Landmark Moment UNITE HERE

After a five-week organizing election, catering workers at United Airlines have overwhelmingly voted to join UNITE HERE. After celebrating late last night, 2,700 United employees in Cleveland, Denver, Honolulu, Houston and Newark, N.J., will soon head to work with the hard-earned rights and dignities that come with a freshly printed union card.

“This is a landmark moment in our union, representing the largest organizing victory of the year,” said UNITE HERE International President D. Taylor. “Welcoming workers in United Airlines’ catering kitchens into our union will not only change thousands of lives for those individual workers, but it’s a tipping point in the airline catering industry. It’s no secret that airlines like United continue to enjoy profits in the billions. Fifteen thousand food workers have organized to tell major airlines that they refuse to be treated like second-class citizens—workers deserve their fair share of this industry’s success.”

The overwhelming vote comes after nearly a year of organizing. Check out a few of the key facts that drove this groundbreaking victory:

• Catering workers were the only nonmanagerial, front-line workers directly employed by United who did not have a union. Nearly 80% of United’s 88,000 employees are unionized.

• United Airlines made $2.1 billion in profit in 2017.

• Meanwhile, United Catering Operations workers earn wages as low as $9.99 an hour. Union work groups, however, secured contracts with some $900 million in annual raises.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 10/24/2018 - 13:00

Tags: Organizing

What to Do if You're Turned Away at the Polls

Last week, reports came out that because of Georgia's "exact match" law, 53,000 residents of the state who registered to vote have had their registration marked as "pending," raising questions about whether or not those voters will be allowed to cast their ballots in this year's election. An analysis of the pending applications by The Associated Press showed that they overwhelmingly belong to African American applicants. The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia responded to the news by ensuring Georgians that the "pending" status does not prohibit them from voting if they have proper identification.

Early voting already has begun in Georgia, and the voter registration deadline has already passed. Since many applicants were unaware that the exact match law applied to them, many don't know that their voter registration wasn't approved. They are still legally allowed to vote.

Sean J. Young, legal director of the ACLU of Georgia said:

The Secretary of State’s Office has confirmed that if your voter registration application is deemed ‘pending’ because of the exact match law, you can still cast a regular ballot IF you provide photo identification at the polls, which substantially reflects the name you used on your voter registration form. Though the ACLU of Georgia strongly opposes the discriminatory exact-match law passed by Georgia politicians, we must focus on ensuring that all registered voters come out to vote. We reiterate that all voters who have pending registration applications can still cast a regular ballot by presenting photo identification.

The placing of the registrations under pending status was carried out under the direction of Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who is running for governor against Stacey Abrams, who would become the first African American and first woman to become Georgia's governor.

During his time as secretary of state, Kemp has canceled more than 1.4 million voter registrations, including nearly 670,000 in 2017 alone. Kemp is far from the only Republican enforcing such laws. Since 2014, more than 16 million voters have been purged from voting rolls across the country. The systems used to purge voters often remove valid voters from the rolls, for instance, a study of a 2016 Arkansas voter purge found that thousands of voters had been falsely purged. And that doesn't even get into the validity of the laws in the first place, most of which were strenuously opposed by civil rights organizations.

So what can you do if you have been falsely targeted by one of these purges?

It depends on the state you live in, but here are steps you can take in any state to make sure you can vote in this election:

1. Check your registration now. While the voter registration deadline has passed in many states, it is still important that you double-check and make sure you are still properly registered to vote. Plus, 17 states allow for Election Day registration—check here to see if your state is one of them.

2. Find your polling place before Election Day. You can be turned away if you attempt to vote at the wrong location, so make sure that you know where to go. You should also be aware of the polling place hours and make sure that you arrive before they close. Remember that if you are in line at the time the polling location is set to close, you still have the right to vote and they cannot legally turn you away. Call the nonpartisan hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE if you run into any problems.

3. Make sure you have the required voter identification with you when you vote. Different states have different standards about what identification they will accept, so make sure to check in advance. Check now, that way if you don't have the required identification, you may have time to obtain it before Election Day.

4. Vote early if that option is available. If you have been falsely removed from the rolls, you will find out sooner rather than later and can call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to connect with a voter protection volunteer who can help you figure out what to do next.

5. If you are not on the voting rolls at your precinct or are turned away, election officials are required to give you a provisional ballot. (Some states call it a “challenge ballot” or an “affidavit ballot.”) Ask for one and request a receipt or other information about what you need to do to be sure your vote is counted.

6. If you have any problems that you can't work out, call the toll-free, nationwide, nonpartisan hotline 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) and talk to a trained volunteer for voting assistance.

You can learn more about your local laws and find other election protection news and information at 866OurVote.org.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 10/24/2018 - 10:54