Fighting for National Security: Worker Wins New Jersey State AFL-CIO

Our latest roundup of worker wins begins with airport workers fighting for national security and includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.

Orlando TSA Workers Defeat Privatization Push: AFGE members who work in airport security at Orlando International Airport defeated attempts to privatize security at one of the busiest airports in the country. Despite Orlando being named the top airport in customer service satisfaction, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority previously voted to replace federally trained TSA officers with private screeners. Under pressure from AFGE members and an outraged public, GOAA reversed its earlier vote.

With Tuesday Victories, New Jersey Labor Candidates Program Notches 971st Victory: The New Jersey State AFL-CIO's labor candidates program continues to rack up victories. On Tuesday, Jerell Blakeley, a United Steelworkers (USW) Local 397 member, was elected to the Trenton City Council; Ed Osborne with Laborers (LIUNA) Local 1153 was elected to the Newark City Council; and Anthony Vauss with Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 68 was elected mayor of Irvington. Another candidate, Marge Caldwell Wilson, a member of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1087, qualified for a runoff election for Trenton City Council.

Chicago Tribune Guild Reaches Historic Agreement with Tronc: Tronc, the company that operates the Chicago Tribune and numerous area publications, voluntarily recognized the Chicago Tribune Guild, which is an affiliate of The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA), after more than 85% of eligible employees signed cards supporting unionization. Leaders from the TNG-CWA said that voluntary recognition from a company as large as Tronc was unprecedented in their experience.

Just Born Loses Appeal in BCTGM Pension Case: After a judge ruled last year that Just Born, the company that produces Marshmallow Peeps and various candies, couldn't unilaterally stop enrolling employees in their pension plan without penalty, the company appealed. In April, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Just Born. To date, the workers and their union, the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM), have won all legal battles related to Just Born's pension actions.

Dodo Editors and Video Staff Become Latest Digital Media Workers to Join WGAE: Editorial and video staff at digital publication the Dodo, which writes about animals and related causes, have joined the Writers Guild of America, East. The Dodo follows Vox Media, Onion Inc., HuffPost, Vice, The Intercept, Think Progress, MTV News, Salon, Slate and Gizmodo Media Group in joining WGAE.

Health Care Workers at Shasta Regional Medical Center Join Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union (CHEU): Some 400 nursing assistants, laboratory technicians, respiratory therapists, orderlies, housekeepers, admitting staff and other workers will be joining CHEU, an affiliate of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United. The employees voted 90% in favor of the union and will now elect a team to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement. Among the top issues the Shasta employees are pursing are safe staffing, a stronger voice in patient care delivery, improved health care and retirement benefits, and job protections.

Workers at Agency Trump Tried to Close Vote to Join AFGE: Employees at the U.S. Chemical Safety Board voted to join AFGE. President Donald Trump has targeted the agency for closure in two budget proposals. The union is pursing a grievance and arbitration process for employees and also will negotiate for a more comprehensive contract.

Charter School Teachers at Alliance College-Ready Public Schools Sign Cards to Join United Teachers Los Angeles: A clear majority of teachers at three Alliance College-Ready Public Schools charters signed cards to join the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA). More than 100 educators are joining UTLA and other charters in the alliance network are expected to follow.

Quality Assurance Employees at Nestle Purina Join BCTGM: Workers who do quality assurance at Nestlé Purina PetCare's plant in Edmond, Oklahoma, voted to be represented by BCTGM. David Woods, an international representative for the union, lauded the strength of the workers in the face of strong opposition from Nestlé Purina: "I am very proud of the quality assurance workers who had the courage to resist the companies’ anti-union propaganda and anti-union strategy throughout the 23-day period between filing for an union election and being able to and vote to become members of BCTGM Local 366G."

Working People at the Palms Continue Organizing Victories at Station Casinos: Workers at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas voted 84% in favor of unionizing. About 900 workers will be represented by the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Local 165, affiliates of UNITE HERE. The Palms is the fifth Station Casinos location to join together in union since 2015.

School Bus Drivers Win Contract in Yonkers: School bus drivers that work for First Mile Square in Yonkers, New York, have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract, with a vote of 282 in favor and 7 against, with Transport Workers (TWU) Local 100. The contract provides annual wage increases and was first agreed to after the union was poised to strike late last year.

Jobs to Move America to Be Repaid Legal Fees for Holding New Flyer Accountable: In a 2013 deal to sell buses to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority, New Flyer made hiring and wage commitments. Jobs to Move America, a nonprofit that urges state and local governments to hire locally and pay livable wages, requested information from New Flyer about compliance with those commitments. The company attempted to block the release of those records, but a judge rejected those attempts and ruled that New Flyer has to pay Jobs to Move America for legal fees.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/10/2018 - 11:13

America's Labor Movement Loses Champion Diann Woodard AFSA

Diann Woodard, president of the School Administrators (AFSA) and a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council, died on Sunday after a long illness. She had a long and distinguished career as a teacher and as a tireless advocate for quality public education for all children and for the rights of working people.

In addition to 36 years in the schools of Detroit as a teacher, counselor and administrator, Woodard quickly became active in her union, serving on the union's general executive board for 16 years before being elected president. In her time as president, she was instrumental in forging an alliance with the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Association of Elementary School Principals, that was key to securing congressional funding for training principals.

AFSA Executive Vice President Ernest Logan lauded Woodard's advocacy for children and working people:

Diann’s passing is a great loss to America’s labor movement. She personified the word leader in the fight for union rights and working families, though elected officials and antagonists of public education who mistook her quiet grace for weakness soon found themselves in a much longer, tougher struggle than they anticipated.

She spent decades fighting on behalf of workers in every profession while standing up for the children whom she has dedicated her life to educating, in the hope of empowering them to think independently and pursue greater opportunities.

Woodard grew up as part of a union (UAW) family before later becoming active in the Organization of School Administrators and Supervisors, AFSA Local 28. She served three consecutive terms as president of the local before becoming president of AFSA in 2009. For the AFL-CIO, Woodard served as vice chair of the Committee on Women Workers and fought for a greater role for women and minorities in the labor movement.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said:

For over nearly four decades Diann Woodard fought to give Michigan’s children a better future, while fighting for justice and rights for teachers and school administrators. Today, America’s labor movement has lost a champion, and an exemplary leader and educator. And I've lost a friend. From her days growing up in a UAW household in Detroit to her lifelong service to our country as a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal and labor leader, Diann Woodard always put workers, students and families first. On behalf of the AFL-CIO, I send my deepest condolences to Diann's family, including her sisters and brothers at AFSA. She will be sorely missed.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/09/2018 - 11:47

Teaching Solidarity on Teacher Appreciation Day AFL-CIO

A quality public education is the bedrock of democracy, which is a truism on this Teacher Appreciation Day more than ever, as educators across America instruct us all by example in the power of learning, activism, solidarity and public service.

Throughout 2018, America’s working families have been inspired by the teachers rallying together against long odds for better schools. America’s labor unions offer our heartfelt thanks.

Every single one of us can recall an inspirational teacher, someone who saw and valued a spark in us. Today is when we, as a nation, pause to appreciate our teachers.

Yet this year is different because teachers have collectively ignited a spark across America, by gathering and rallying together against the politics of austerity and for meaningful investments in quality public education for every student.

America needs solidarity today, as a cure for our rampant economic inequality and to inspire us to invest in a shared future of broad prosperity.

Educators in Arizona, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma and elsewhere have demanded and won new tax dollars for the common good and demonstrated the positive power of solidarity.

For inspiring us all to see what’s possible, today, we say, “Thank you!”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/08/2018 - 14:27

Make Sure Mother's Day Is Union Made in America AFL-CIO

You have no excuse for waiting until the last minute to find a nice gift for Mother's Day that also carries the union label. Our friends at Labor 411, the union business directory from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, can help you out.

If you want to go the traditional route with some top-of-the-line chocolates, you have many options:

• Ghirardelli
• Hershey's
• Russell Stover
• See’s Candies

If mom deserves a little pampering, try these health and beauty products:

• Dove Beauty Bar and skin care 
• Caress skin care
• L’Oréal Paris
• Revlon

If you plan to celebrate the evening with one of mom's favorite beverages:

• André 
• Arbor Mist
• C.K. Mondavi
• Charles Krug
• Cook’s California Champagne
• J. Roget
• Gallo Estate 
• Peter Vella
• Sheffield Cellars
• Turning Leaf
• Wycliff

If you'd rather go the floral route, try getting your flowers from:

• Albertsons
• Costco
• Gelson’s
• Pavilions
• Ralphs
• Safeway
• Vons

Also, Union Plus members receive a 25% discount on flowers from Teleflora.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/08/2018 - 10:28

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Labor Heroes: The Working People Weekly List

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.

 

7 Labor Activists You Should Know About for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: “Each May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, when we celebrate the accomplishments, culture and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Today, we are going to take a deeper look at members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community who have advanced the cause of worker justice. Here are seven labor activists who you should know about for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.”

The Future of Work in a Digital Age: “In Washington, D.C., yesterday, leaders and advocates for working people came together to discuss the future of work. The occasion was the first meeting of the AFL-CIO Commission on the Future of Work and Unions. The commission was created by a resolution at the federation’s 2017 convention and is designed to rethink ways of building bargaining power and providing economic security for millions of Americans.”

10 Things Working People Should Know About the Caravan Arriving in California: “As Central American families who have made the perilous journey through Mexico arrive at the U.S. border, here are 10 key things working people should know.”

Led by Labor: Earned Sick Days Become Law: “Organized labor marked a major victory today as New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed a statewide earned sick days policy into law. The result is that more than 1 million workers in New Jersey will no longer have to choose between their health and their paycheck.”

Letter Carriers’ ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Drive Is May 12: “For the 26th year in a row, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will be conducting its ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Food Drive. Every year on the second Saturday in May, postal carriers, in addition to their regular workload, collect food from people in more than 10,000 cities across the country. Each year, it is the largest one-day food drive in the world.”

Celebrating Workers on May Day: 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.”

Overdue for Overtime: “When President Donald Trump abandoned the Department of Labor’s new overtime protections, he cost working people over $1 billion in annual wages. Now we’re standing up for a fair return on our work and fighting for the Restoring Overtime Pay Act, which would extend overtime pay protection to millions of working people.”

Another Organizing Victory in the South: IBEW at Atlanta Gas Light: “Last week, working people scored another notable victory in the South, when 700 working people at Atlanta Gas Light voted to join the Electrical Workers (IBEW). Here is what organizers on the ground said about the victory.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/04/2018 - 13:21

The Future of Work in a Digital Age

In Washington, D.C., yesterday, leaders and advocates for working people came together to discuss the future of work. The occasion was the first meeting of the AFL-CIO Commission on the Future of Work and Unions. The commission was created by a resolution at the federation's 2017 convention and is designed to rethink ways of building bargaining power and providing economic security for millions of Americans.

In launching the discussion, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said:

We can’t afford to sit back. No matter how far we’ve come, we can’t act like there isn’t more change ahead. It’s tempting to hang on to yesterday’s victories. We’ve certainly been guilty of resting on our laurels from time to time. But that only weakens our ability to shape what’s coming next. More than ever, it’s time to look squarely forward.

Strong unions must be at the center of the debate. Shaping the future of work...making the economy fairer for everyone...is our domain.

Here are some of the key tweets from yesterday's discussion:

Full house with hundreds of leaders coming together to consider the role of unions in the future of work #IdeasAtWork pic.twitter.com/y0zy8A3WK5

— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) May 3, 2018

BREAKING: Future of Work LIVE @AFTunion @ufcw @ironworkers @MachinistsUnion @wearealpa @afgenational #ideasatwork https://t.co/bE8aE1Yqxu

— Richard L. Trumka (@RichardTrumka) May 3, 2018

The @AFLCIO Commission on the Future of Work will hold its first meeting today and it's open to the public! You can watch the live stream here: https://t.co/FedVpgjcRb #1u #FutureofWork #IdeasAtWork

— Amaya Smith (@amayajsmith) May 3, 2018

“Strong unions have to be at the center of the debate” - @AFLCIO President @RichardTrumka at the opening of the AFL-CIO’s The Future of Work event. #IdeasAtWork #1u pic.twitter.com/QzLKKPiiUT

— DPE (@DPEaflcio) May 3, 2018

“Aspiration has trumped fear and we must create a sense that strong unions equal strong communities.” @rweingarten #IdeasAtWork pic.twitter.com/lz4hjhaJVt

— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) May 3, 2018

“If there’s no humans, is there a Human Resources department?” @Marc_Perrone #IdeasatWork pic.twitter.com/tUNwz43rfg

— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) May 3, 2018

Technology has saved lives in construction. @TheIronworkers President Eric Dean pic.twitter.com/ZfJ04EUHyh

— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) May 3, 2018

“Change is inevitable. We are not going to stop that machine.” President Tim Canoll @WeAreALPA #IdeasatWork pic.twitter.com/00uVB2Y3vJ

— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) May 3, 2018

Labor movement wants to ensure advances in technology are human-centered. #ideasatwork @lizshuler pic.twitter.com/HTklmS7Oga

— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) May 3, 2018

Key message from @AFLCIO Comm'n on #FutureOfWork: The goal of Labor is not to stop innovation. It is to treat workers with dignity & justice. @RichardTrumka @RWeingarten @AFTUnion @jschmittwdc @EconomicPolicy @marc_perrone @UFCW @CMURobotics #FredRolando @NALC_National pic.twitter.com/MUPvAl7DUA

— Prof Spencer Overton (@SpencerOverton) May 3, 2018

Even as certain jobs may go away, whole new sectors will grow around changing technology. @mchui #ideasatwork @McKinsey_MGI pic.twitter.com/k2HYkCayPv

— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) May 3, 2018

.@aft @WeAreGAGE activist Karen Rice, @IUBAC Glen Kelly and @AFLCIONextUp talking about young workers and the #FutureofWork on @AFLCIO #IdeasAtWork panel. Worker voice and empowerment are key to changing nature of work! pic.twitter.com/Y6fLlYTHhb

— Liz Shuler (@lizshuler) May 3, 2018

"The human touch cannot be replaced."
Younger folks at @APWUnational are getting active to support each other. #IdeasAtWork pic.twitter.com/plwfpMoNo2

— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) May 3, 2018

This is just the beginning. We can harness tech to make jobs safer and lives better. @RichardTrumka wrapping up #IdeasAtWork pic.twitter.com/S73e7zZh49

— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) May 3, 2018 Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/04/2018 - 12:53

Tags: Future of Work

Cardinal Sends Letter to Mondelēz CEO Demanding Economic Justice for Nabisco Workers BCTGM

Following a request for support of Nabisco-Mondelēz workers that was sent to the Vatican’s Peace and Justice Office by the general secretary of the International Union of Food Workers (IUF), faith leaders from across North America are escalating the call for fairness.

On April 27, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, archbishop of Newark, N.J., sent a letter to Mondelēz CEO Dirk Van de Put expressing his dismay that the core of the dispute is the company’s uncompromising position to abandon its commitment to the workers’ pension plan, and he urged the CEO to reconsider that destructive position.

Tobin wrote:

I am asking you to consider all alternatives before your company takes any action that would have a destructive social or economic impact on your former or current employees’ standard of living and retirement security.

As Archbishop of Newark, I am committed to working with the parties to secure a mutually acceptable outcome to this dispute. This issue has also been recently addressed on a global level with communication to the Vatican’s Peace and Justice Office. I know that a meaningful discussion by the principals can lead to a successful outcome.

The cardinal added that the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S. has been engaged for more than a year in supporting Nabisco-Mondelēz workers and their families as the dispute and the threat of moving jobs across the U.S.-Mexico border continues.

The cardinal asked Van de Put to meet with Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) International President David Durkee to begin productive discussions. Furthermore, he offered to serve as intermediary to facilitate this meeting:

In the interest of resolving this issue in a manner that enhances the job and retirement security of your employees, I am calling on you to engage directly and personally with the President of the BCTGM International Union through a dialogue that creates a constructive path which positions both parties for success and future cooperative efforts resulting in a new collective bargaining agreement that is fair to both parties.

The BCTGM awaits a response from Van de Put as more than 130 leaders from across the U.S. prepare to deliver an open letter urging economic justice for Nabisco workers during the May 16 Mondelēz shareholders meeting in Lincolnshire, Ill.

Read the full letter.

This post originally appeared at Protect American Jobs.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/04/2018 - 12:33

Economy Gains 164,000 Jobs in April; Unemployment Little Changed at 3.9%

The U.S. economy gained 164,000 jobs in April, and unemployment was little changed at 3.9%, according to figures released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The pace of hiring is slowing. And as the labor force participation rate drops, economists worry that Americans are feeling less optimistic about their job prospects and are giving up their searches entirely.

This continues the recovery of the labor market at a tempered pace, which means the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee should continue to let the economy grow and not raise interest rates. 

To boost hiring, President Donald Trump and Congress should commit to a multitrillion federal jobs and infrastructure package. 

In response to the April jobs numbers, AFL-CIO Chief Economist William Spriggs tweeted:

Over the year, average hourly pay is up 2.6%. This is in line with the report this week that compensation costs were up 2.7%. So, with theses modest numbers, and the slowdown in GDP for the 1st Quarter, @federalreserve interest rate hikes need to stay off the table. @AFLCIO

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 4, 2018

After showing strong convergence with white labor force participation, the Black labor force participation rate takes a dip. That fall in Black LFPR helped lower the Black unemployment rate from 6.9 to 6.6%. @AFLCIO @rolandsmartin @CBTU72 @APRI_National @dchometownboy pic.twitter.com/1rfnK5z2jF

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 4, 2018

After climbing up from its depths in July 2011, the share of Blacks employed hits a snag in April and falls back from 58.4% to 57.8% giving context to the fall in the Black unemployment rate from 6.9 to 6.6% The fall in unemployment rate is from a drop in participation. @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/j0EbZThXZ9

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 4, 2018

The share of Hispanics employed continues its recovery from its depths in May 2011. Last month it rose from 62.5 to 63.2% helping push the Hispanic unemployment rate down from 5.1 to 4.8% @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/R2KUrtDBiE

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 4, 2018

In the long fight over whether workers would return to the labor market, Re-entrants to the labor market are now as important to the unemployment rate as are those who are on permanent layoff. @AFLCIO

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 4, 2018

Long term unemployment continues to fall, good sign, and now 63.9% of unemployed workers have been out for less than 14 weeks. But, we are still not down to pre-Great Recession levels of long term unemployment. @AFLCIO @NelpNews

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 4, 2018

In a sign of continued fiscal austerity at the state level, public sector jobs in states continues its recent fall, down 7,000 in April (4,700 in state education) @afscme @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/4UKdl1CBnT

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 4, 2018

Another reason the @federalreserve needs to show caution, growth in payrolls for motor vehicle manufacturing is stalling as sales falter. Last month employment edged down 900. @UAW @AFLCIO @DetroitGearhead

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 4, 2018

Another reason the @federalreserve needs to watch the real economy, the slowdown in auto sales showing in retail trade employment numbers, a drop in motor vehicle dealers and parts of 1,000 in April. @AFLCIO

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 4, 2018

Key in the debate, are workers coming back: workers unemployed in March are staying in the labor force (discouragement down) they were 9% more likely to find a job in April than drop out of the labor force. @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/laoVSiRSFs

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 4, 2018

Second key in the debate, are workers coming back: workers not in the labor force in March were 2.62 times more likely to be employed when they re-entered/entered in April. @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/wwiG3EZhyi

— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) May 4, 2018

Last month’s biggest job gains were in professional and business services (54,000), manufacturing (24,000), health care (24,000) and mining (8,000). Employment changed little over the month in other major industries, including construction, wholesale trade, retail trade, transportation and warehousing, information, financial activities, leisure and hospitality, and government.

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for teenagers (12.9%), blacks (6.6%), Hispanics (4.8%), adult men (3.7%), whites (3.6%), adult women (3.5%) and Asians (2.8%) showed little or no change in April.

The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was little changed in April and accounted for 20% of the unemployed.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/04/2018 - 12:14

10 Things Working People Should Know About the Caravan Arriving in California

As Central American families who have made the perilous journey through Mexico arrive at the U.S. border, here are 10 key things working people should know:

1. Staying home simply is not an option. Families undertake this life-threatening journey because the crime, violence and crushing poverty at home are so extreme that they see little choice but to flee in order to survive and try to build a better future.

2. We must address the root causes of this displacement. Unfortunately, flawed U.S. foreign and trade policies have exacerbated dangerous conditions in these countries, breeding violence and desperation. We need to fundamentally reimagine our relations in the region instead of scapegoating refugee families and denying their rights.

3. The answer is not more militarized border enforcement. Nativists in the U.S. have incorrectly labeled this as an “immigration” problem that only can be solved with enhanced border control. The majority of families are turning themselves in to authorities and have suffered violence or faced threats of violence that indicate a need for international protection.

4. Our laws require a fair hearing for asylum seekers. The U.S. has obligations under national and international law to ensure that people are not returned to dangerous situations—obligations our government cannot meet with enhanced border enforcement, detention, family separation or expedited removals.

5. Violence, crime and corruption are widespread in Central America. Honduras and El Salvador currently have the highest murder rates in the world. Organized crime has infiltrated the police force in many areas, and the military has a long history of human rights abuses. Government corruption frequently means authorities do not properly investigate violence against workers and union activists or, worse, are complicit in such acts.

6. Poverty and inequality in the region are on the rise. Inequality has increased in both Guatemala and Honduras over the past decade, and real wages in El Salvador actually decreased between 2004 and 2011. The majority of jobs in Central America remain in the informal sector, with no benefits and no safety net. Nearly two-thirds of people in Honduras live in poverty—the top 10% earn more than 55 times what the poorest 10% earn.

7. Workers’ rights violations have increased. Trade unions in the region report that labor repression has increased, especially in the expanding maquiladora sector. In both Guatemala and Honduras, employers routinely refuse to engage in collective bargaining and avoid paying workers the wages and benefits they are due. Too often, workers involved in union organizing are fired, threatened and even killed. Many Central American governments fail to respond to these abuses, intensifying the problems working families face.

8. The Central American Free Trade Agreement failed to deliver its promised economic benefits. During negotiations in 2005, CAFTA supporters argued the deal would create broad economic growth and raise labor standards. These claims have proved false. The “high-skilled” jobs promised for the maquila sector never materialized. CAFTA benefited corporations at the expense of working families by including provisions that drove up the price of vital medicines, restricted financial service regulations and gave businesses the right to sue governments in unaccountable “corporate courts” over public interest laws that threaten profits.

9. The CAFTA labor provisions are weak and have been implemented inadequately. Despite years of effort to ensure Central American workers can exercise their basic rights, governments still do not enforce their own labor laws and employers violate workers’ rights with impunity. Lack of decent work is one of the primary root causes of migration in the region, but the U.S. government has taken no independent action to enforce CAFTA’s labor provisions, and has been slow and ineffective when responding to complaints raised by labor unions.

10. The U.S. must reorient its foreign and trade policy. Central American children and their families will continue to flee their homes until they can live without constant fear of violence, exercise their rights without retaliation and access decent work. U.S. government policies should prioritize job creation, decent work, and meaningful protection of labor and human rights to reduce the “push factors” that breed desperation and displace working families.

 

Read more about the AFL-CIO’s vision for trade policies that promote global shared prosperity.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/03/2018 - 15:58

7 Labor Activists You Should Know About for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Each May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, when we celebrate the accomplishments, culture and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Today, we are going to take a deeper look at members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community who have advanced the cause of worker justice. Here are seven labor activists who you should know about for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month:

Wikimedia Commons

Ai-jen Poo: Ai-jen Poo started organizing domestic workers in 1996 and helped found Domestic Workers United. In 2010, DWU was key in the passage of New York's Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, the first law in the country to guarantee domestic workers labor protections. The next year, DWU helped organize the first national meeting of domestic worker organizations, leading to the formation of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. She has been NDWA's director since 2010. Her other efforts on behalf of working people include Caring Across Generations, which campaigns for affordable health care for our aging population and for access to quality jobs for the caregiver workforce.

Larry Itliong: Born in the Philippines, Larry Itliong was a farm worker in California. In 1956, he founded the Filipino Farm Labor Union and later organized a group of Filipinos to strike against grape growers in Delano. For eight days they were harassed and faced violence and saw no progress. Itliong approached César Chávez and the two groups joined together to launch the Delano Grape Strike of 1965 that eventually led to the creation of the United Farm Workers (UFW). Chávez became director and Itliong assistant director. He continued to organize with the UFW and the Filipino American Political Alliance until his passing in 1977.

AFSCME

Maf Misbah Uddin: In 1988, Maf Misbah Uddin began work as an actuary in New York City. He became active in the Accountants, Statisticians and Actuaries Local 1407, becoming president in 2000. He also became treasurer of AFSCME District Council 37. As treasurer, he improved the transparency of the union's finances. His work was vital in keeping DC 37 on budget in the devastating aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, which did extensive damage to the union's headquarters. He is also founder and president of the Alliance of South Asian American Labor.

Voices of Labor

May Chen: Before moving to New York in 1979, May Chen taught high school and college courses in California and founded a day care center. In New York, she did some work for UNITE HERE Local 6 of the Hotel, Restaurant, Club Employees and Bartenders Union. Inspired by the 1982 garment workers' strike in Chinatown, she joined the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union (ILGWU). There she worked on the Immigration Project, the first union-created legal advocacy department for immigrant workers. She later worked in ILGWU's education department and served the New York City Central Labor Council, the Coalition of Labor Union Women and the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, ILGWU Local 23-25, the New York Metropolitan Area Joint Board. Before retiring in 2009, she served as international vice president of UNITE HERE.

Philip Vera Cruz: Born in the Philippines, Philip Vera Cruz worked on farms before moving to the United States. In 1943, he moved to California and became a farm worker. After joining the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, he was a key part of the strike of grape pickers in Delano, California, in 1965. He served as vice president of UFW until 1977. After that, he helped create the Farm Workers Credit Union and he created Agbayani Village, a retirement community for farm workers.

Sue Ko Lee and the Dollar Store Strikers: Sue Ko Lee worked in the National Dollar Store's San Francisco factory in sweatshop conditions in the 1930s. ILGWU began organizing the Chinese Ladies Garment Workers Union Local 361, and it won a union election in 1938. The owner immediately sold the company to a new company headed by the factory manager and a former National Dollar Store employee in attempt to set aside the contract and break the union. Lee and her fellow workers went on strike and actively organized the strike, obtaining solidarity from their white co-workers. The unified front led to a contract that improved salaries, benefits and working conditions for the workers and helped break down racial barriers in San Francisco. Lee went on to become secretary of the union local and the San Francisco Joint Board.

Velma Veloria: After graduating from San Francisco State University and working on anti-war and Filipino rights causes, Velma Veloria became an organizer for the Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU), ILWU Local 37 for cannery workers and SEIU. She fought for justice for Gene Viernes and Silme Domingo, ILWU local leaders who were assassinated in 1981. Later, she began working in support of political campaigns. Veloria used her experience to win a seat as a state legislator and pursued a variety of causes important to women and people of color. She organized numerous trade missions to Southeast Asia and helped strengthen relations between the United States and countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia.

This is obviously just the tip of the iceberg. May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, if you have other Asian American or Pacific Islander labor leaders that you think we should feature in other installments in this series, please e-mail me at kquinnell@aflcio.org.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/03/2018 - 09:42

Led by Labor: Earned Sick Days Becomes Law New Jersey State AFL-CIO

Organized labor marked a major victory today as New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed a statewide earned sick days policy into law. The result is that more than 1 million workers in New Jersey will no longer have to choose between their health and their paycheck.

“The passage of Earned Sick Days perfectly demonstrates the values of the labor movement—to stand up for workplace safety, fair and equal treatment, respect on the job, and the right to a collective voice,” stated New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech. “As with today’s victory, labor’s mission on behalf of working people will continue to lift up our communities, businesses and state economy."

After years of sustained advocacy, education and engagement, the New Jersey State AFL‑CIO is proud of its leadership role to enact this law. We also are immensely grateful to the bill’s prime sponsors, state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D) and Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D); to the Murphy administration, which is holding true to its commitment to put working families first; and to numerous affiliates, community allies and working people who provided the critical voice on this issue.

As we all know: elections have consequences. By electing Gov. Murphy, pro-worker legislators and dozens of rank-and-file union members to public office, we are now realizing the benefits of our political engagement. With earned sick days and equal pay bills both signed into law this year, workers are on a roll; and with your continued support, we will continue to champion progress and make sure New Jersey leads the way for the rest of the nation.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/02/2018 - 13:11

Letter Carriers' 'Stamp Out Hunger' Drive Is May 12

For the 26th year in a row, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will be conducting its "Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive. Every year on the second Saturday in May, postal carriers, in addition to their regular workload, collect food from people in more than 10,000 cities across the country. Each year, it is the largest one-day food drive in the world.

Doing your part in the food drive is super easy. Before our regular mail pickup on May 12, leave bags of non-perishable food items by your mailbox. Letter carriers pick up the bags and deliver the food to local food agencies with the help of retired letter carriers, other postal employees and countless volunteers.

Each year, the drive collects tens of millions of pounds of food. During the 25 years the drive has been ongoing, more than 1.5 million pounds of food have been collected and distributed during the time of year that most food pantries and agencies are at their slowest time for donations.

This year's partners for the food drive include: the AFL-CIO, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, the U.S. Postal Service, United Way Worldwide, Valpak and Valassis.

To learn more about the drive, visit NALC's website and follow the drive on social media with the hashtag #StampOutHunger.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/02/2018 - 08:11

Celebrating Workers on May Day: What Working People Are Doing This Week AFL-CIO

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

A. Philip Randolph Institute:

This is why Staying Woke.....AND fighting back is so important and relevant... https://t.co/kVTUFiMAVv

— APRI National (DC) (@APRI_National) April 30, 2018

Actors' Equity:

Today is a huge day for #Broadway performers, creatives and theatre enthusiasts alike. Congratulations to all of the talented Equity Members and our colleagues nominated for #TonyAwards2018 pic.twitter.com/TD5gtLYLeG

— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) May 1, 2018

AFGE:

It's #MayDay!

Today we're celebrating workers and union members across the world who are fighting for better working conditions and workplace protections. #1u https://t.co/PiGY78QALh pic.twitter.com/2sZ8Qe5xde

— AFGE (@AFGENational) May 1, 2018

AFSCME:

Members of AFSCME Council 28 (Washington Federation of State Employees) and two other unions are fighting efforts by the University of Washington to outsource laundry services at the public institution’s medical school. https://t.co/fatIt2UCMx pic.twitter.com/lNv4zUGcIn

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) April 30, 2018

AFT:

This is an atrocity, and while Chicago touts higher education rates and standardized test scores, Rahm is showing that he could care less about addressing infestation problems - @CTULocal1 VP @SharkeyCTU1 https://t.co/rjYcYwQE2o

— AFT (@AFTunion) April 30, 2018

Air Line Pilots Association:

Thank you @RepMimiWalters for meeting with ALPA pilots on the ways pilots and the aviation community can work together to #endhumantrafficking. pic.twitter.com/u7XFEH9Gxn

— ALPA (@WeAreALPA) April 30, 2018

Alliance for Retired Americans:

What does Big Pharma do when under public pressure because of skyrocketing prices? Give astronomical amounts of money to politicians and campaigns: https://t.co/ROovc15kE6 #RxForAll pic.twitter.com/aMiCmGvgQ0

— Alliance Retirees (@ActiveRetirees) April 30, 2018

Amalgamated Transit Union:

Work safety needs to improve, says #Kelowna bus driver https://t.co/voiq9uh0rB #publictransit #transit #labour

— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) May 1, 2018

American Federation of Musicians:

Solidarity In Action! A coalition of 11 unions including musicians are standing together to demand Disney pay a living wage. #EndDisneyPoverty
https://t.co/GhGuQLFCRi

— Amer. Fed. Musicians (@The_AFM) May 1, 2018

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance:

These stories tell the truth about Trump’s Muslim ban: It is deferring dreams, separating families, depriving people of life-saving health care, and blocking access to education. Read and share now >> #NoMuslimBanEver https://t.co/ll3tQBIWxr

— APALA (@APALAnational) April 25, 2018

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:

On #WorkersMemorialDay we honored Aloha 243 on the 30th remembrance. In the wake of Southwest 1380, we remember why we do our work and remind the public that we are Aviation's First Responders. https://t.co/6MbNR2GPK8 pic.twitter.com/ZpAgo6sWQy

— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) April 30, 2018

Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers:

#Organizing is the heart and soul of the BCTGM! Just ask Nestle @Purina PetCare QA workers in Edmond, Okla. who are proud new L.366G members! Check out their story: https://t.co/4JKzvpYYYd #Union #1u pic.twitter.com/owkkTTNtT5

— BCTGM International (@BCTGM) April 25, 2018

Boilermakers:

Love that this @NPR article is shedding light on skilled trades! (And timely since we open a state-of-the-art training center in Salt Lake City Monday…) #Boilermakers @joinIBB https://t.co/H9lHAuP9Zi

— Boilermaker News (@boilermakernews) April 30, 2018

Bricklayers:

A healthy worker is a productive worker. Our Local 4 IN/KY just opened a health clinic in #Indianapolis to promote health and wellness of our members and their families. #1u #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/h4Is9j1iF5

— Bricklayers Union (@IUBAC) April 30, 2018

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists:

Whiteness weaponized against a black person — again. #FlyingWhileBlack https://t.co/PFmn4hiFio

— CBTU (@CBTU72) April 28, 2018

Communications Workers of America:

Happy birthday to Mary Harris "Mother" Jones! #1u pic.twitter.com/HqgCg7Kowa

— CWA (@CWAUnion) May 1, 2018

Department for Professional Employees:

Happy #MayDay2018! We are proud to represent professional workers in union, like teachers, engineers, doctors, actors & entertainers. #InternationalWorkersDay #1u pic.twitter.com/B5yueXbn0R

— DPE (@DPEaflcio) May 1, 2018

Farm Labor Organizing Committee:

Bread and Roses performance during #WorkersMemorialDay in #Raleigh. @NCDOL why weren’t you there? #1u pic.twitter.com/YHbvybyKsI

— Farm Labor Organizing Committee (@SupportFLOC) April 27, 2018

Fire Fighters:

#Firefighters registry bill to track health risks https://t.co/JPHxANLW37

— IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) April 30, 2018

Heat and Frost Insulators:

Are you looking for a career where you get paid to go to class? How about training where you don't take out student loans, but receive excellent benefits & make livable wages? The Insulators Union wants to offer all of that to YOU!https://t.co/9XizCpwRkm https://t.co/gfNoNfPyKF

— Insulators Union (@InsulatorsUnion) April 27, 2018

International Labor Communications Association:

Today on #InternationalWorkersDay we celebrate the important role of labor communicators in furthering the fight for workers rights. For every strike and campaign there is a poster, slogan or image. This iconic work is called “Eight Hours” by Ricardo Levins Morales #MayDay #1u pic.twitter.com/TxAYMOG1Z5

— ILCA Communications (@ILCAonline) May 1, 2018

Ironworkers:

Ironworkers placed final steel beam atop the future site of the Women’s and Maternity Care Center and Adolescent and Adult Mental Health Inpatient Units https://t.co/gLjm1nzZcf

— Ironworkers. (@TheIronworkers) April 24, 2018

Jobs With Justice:

What happens to people work in a country with low wages, no federal #paidleave law, and high health care costs? They can die. And that country is the United States of America. https://t.co/U2mRygWN5F

— Jobs With Justice (@jwjnational) May 1, 2018

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:

Join LCLAA in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the 22nd National Membership Convention as we strategize & work on the priorities of Latino & immigrant workers in the nation. Lets show solidarity & support for our siblings in PR. Register today through this link: https://t.co/ThjkUIavQn pic.twitter.com/Txi7jx35ik

— LCLAA (@LCLAA) April 30, 2018

Laborers:

Having a strong #union is one of the most effective ways to reduce #safety incidents #1USafety pic.twitter.com/9CLY9N9Ojw

— LIUNA (@LIUNA) April 26, 2018

Machinists:

Thank you @IBEWLocal1! This is personal for us. James Price is the father of IAM Government Employees Director @Jprice322. https://t.co/C9Ogt1eVgS

— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) April 30, 2018

Metal Trades Department:

Saturday is Workers Memorial Day, a time for all of us to remember those who went to work but unfortunately never returned home because they lost their lives while on the job. https://t.co/sqDPT8uMM7

— Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) April 26, 2018

Musical Artists:

In a World That Polices Black Movement, #BlackBoysDanceToo Is Revolutionary - via @HuffPost https://t.co/0znk0W66Bi pic.twitter.com/y1HuXDIqof

— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) April 26, 2018

National Air Traffic Controllers Association:

Mike McColgan and The Street Dogs have been outspoken advocates of Unions & workers’ rights. Last week at #NATCAphilly2018, #NATCA made Mike McColgan an honorary NATCA member & donated $2000 in the name of the Street Dogs to Massachusetts Fallen Heroes. https://t.co/0vyqMKV74T pic.twitter.com/2Y3TDjytvP

— NATCA (@NATCA) April 28, 2018

National Association of Letter Carriers:

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive PSA is now available. A Spanish-language version is also available. https://t.co/RveFOC3JJM

— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) April 27, 2018

National Day Laborer Organizing Network:

Warming up for #InternationalWorkersDay #MayDay! #No287G https://t.co/uzRuwh6ehc

— NDLON (@NDLON) May 1, 2018

National Domestic Workers Alliance:

Happy #InternationalWorkersDay! We celebrate the women who are the backbone of our economy. Women like domestic workers who take care of our homes & families all while caring for their own. Today we honor them & all women whose power & dedication inspires us every day! #MayDay

— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) May 1, 2018

National Federation of Federal Employees:

NFFE Fights to Save the Civilian Conservation Centers!https://t.co/pG8MLH00oa pic.twitter.com/R3Bw8SZP7y

— NFFE (@NFFE_Union) April 30, 2018

National Nurses United:

It's unacceptable that in the wealthiest country on the planet 40% of Americans skip necessary healthcare due to costs. Our patients and communities deserve expanded and improved #MedicareForAll!

Data and graphic via @NORCNews at @UChicago. pic.twitter.com/BqYOtUtTSP

— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) April 30, 2018

National Taxi Workers Alliance:

For five years, Uber, Lyft and other Wall Street-financed App-based companies have been allowed to turn New York City into their unfettered playground, crushing drivers with a poverty so profound that four have taken their lives

— NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) April 30, 2018

The NewsGuild-CWA:

“This is a dangerous time to be a journalist. At least 44 reporters were physically attacked in the U.S. last year and angry rhetoric that demonizes reporters persists. The threatening atmosphere is palpable.” https://t.co/ZVStg92por via @HuffPost

— NewsGuild (@news_guild) March 1, 2018

NFL Players Association:

The importance of #mentalhealth in sports cannot be understated. We've partnered with the NFL & Cigna to create 'Beyond the Physical: A Symposium on Mental Health in Sports' in #ATL.

If you're interested in attending, register here: https://t.co/0OO2c8zJLM pic.twitter.com/tkTWpuwdo6

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 30, 2018

North America's Building Trades Unions:

"The law expands energy efficiency and low-income programs, protects 4,200 jobs, provides job training and keeps Illinois' nuclear facilities open, preserving 1.2 billion in economic activity." https://t.co/TpDgmM7Ixv

— The Building Trades (@BldgTrdsUnions) April 27, 2018

Office and Professional Employees:

.@Mlive @Mlivedetroit #Townhall meeting tonight to talk about public health threat posed by #unsafestaffing at area hospitals. Join #OPEIULocal40 for tonight's discussion.

— OPEIU (@opeiu) April 19, 2018

Painters and Allied Trades:

Go @MassAGO @GoIUPAT Appreciates the work you have done in protecting workers in Massachusetts! #WageTheft #Misclassification #EnoughIsEnough #MayDay2018 https://t.co/FFrTLaCQCP

— GoIUPAT✊

Overdue for Overtime

When President Donald Trump abandoned the Department of Labor’s new overtime protections, he cost working people over $1 billion in annual wages. Now we’re standing up for a fair return on our work and fighting for the Restoring Overtime Pay Act, which would extend overtime pay protection to millions of working people.

Overtime protections have eroded for over four decades, steadily covering fewer and fewer workers. This means that millions of working people are putting in more than 40 hours per week without being fairly compensated.

When Trump abandoned new overtime protections last year, he blocked a major attempt to right this wrong. Now we’re fighting back.

Our allies on Capitol Hill have introduced the Restoring Overtime Pay Act, dramatically raising the overtime salary threshold—the annual salary level under which salaried workers are automatically eligible for overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours per week.

The bill would more than double the threshold from $23,660 to $47,476, extending critical overtime protection to more than 4 million working people.

As corporations and CEOs continue to enjoy a $1.5 trillion tax giveaway, working families are demanding that we receive the wages we’ve rightfully earned.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/27/2018 - 12:47

Another Organizing Victory in the South: IBEW at Atlanta Gas Light

Last week, working people scored another notable victory in the South, when 700 working people at Atlanta Gas Light voted to join the Electrical Workers (IBEW). Here is what organizers on the ground said about the victory.

Jimmy Flynn, 5th District professional and industrial lead organizer for IBEW:

The men and women of Atlanta Gas Light have made the decision to collectively bargain and have a voice in the workplace. When the campaign began, the message was simple and true: Without a contract, you have no protection, no seat at the table and no just cause. When AGL became part of the Southern Co. and those employees looked at their co-workers, they knew the IBEW was the right choice for them.

Katie Foster, executive director of the Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council:

Wednesday, April 19 was a wonderful morning! Affiliates of the Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council stood with IBEW brothers and sisters as Atlanta Gas Light workers came into work that morning. The response from the workers was a true indicator of how ready the workers were to vote for union representation. They honked, waved and even talked with us as they were driving by. As a part of the council, I was extremely proud of other council affiliates who came out in support of IBEW. The labor movement in the South is alive!

Eric Richardson, political director for Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3204 and an Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council delegate:

We at the Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council were asked to assist IBEW in their organizing effort at Atlanta Gas Light. I am happy to report their campaign was successful. CWA Local 3204 was represented. I thank my local president, Ed Barlow, for giving me the opportunity to participate in the spirit of trade unionism, as what affects one affects all in the labor movement. I appreciate my brother affiliates and constituent groups that also participated in this and other actions, like the expungement event with Fulton County Solicitor General Keith Gammage, co-sponsored with the council. Congrats to IBEW!

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/27/2018 - 10:03

Death on the Job: 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.

15 Things You Need to Know from the 2018 Death on the Job Report: "For the 27th year in a row, the AFL-CIO has produced Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect. The report gathers evidence on the state of safety and health protections for America’s workers. Passed in 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act has saved the lives of more than 559,000 working people. President Barack Obama had a strong record of improving working conditions by strengthening enforcement, issuing key safety and health standards, and improving anti-retaliation and other protections for workers. Donald Trump, on the other hand, has moved aggressively on his deregulatory agenda, repealing and delaying job safety and other rules, and proposing deep cuts to the budget and the elimination of worker safety and health training programs."

‘They Have Forgotten the Lessons of Rana Plaza’: "Following the Rana Plaza collapse in which 1,134 garment workers were killed and thousands more injured in Bangladesh, the horror of the incident spurred international action and resulted in significant safety improvements in many of the country’s 3,000 garment factories."

Left with the Bill: "While President Donald Trump continues to tout his massive tax giveaway to corporations, working people aren’t buying it. Gallup found that a majority of Americans disapprove of the law, and it’s easy to understand why: We know we’re being left with a bill for $1.5 trillion."

New Jersey: Labor Makes History with Signing of Equal Pay Bill: "Today, a historic milestone was reached in the fight for women’s equality and universal workplace justice as Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.) signed the Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act into law. This legislative effort, which was spearheaded by organized labor in New Jersey, represents years of hard work, testimony, meetings, campaigning, outreach and coordination with stakeholders all around the state."

DC LaborFest: We're in the Same Boat: "The fifth annual DC LaborFest—anchored by the 18th DC Labor FilmFest—runs May 1-31 in Washington, D.C. Check out the complete festival schedule, including event descriptions, film trailers and links to RSVP or buy tickets. The essay below, by Working America’s Karen Nussbaum, is featured in the LaborFest’s 2018 program guide."

Big Week for Workers as More Than 10,000 Working People Join Together in Union in One Week: "This past week alone, more than 10,000 working people chose to join together in union for the freedom to negotiate a fair return on their hard work. From flight attendants to graduate students, each day more working people are gaining the power to change an economy rigged against us."

Celebrate Working People This Earth Day: "Earth Day is an annual event that celebrates our planet’s natural beauty and calls for the protection of our natural treasures and mitigation of the damage human activity can inflict on our planet. Across the country, working people are a key part of those efforts. Here are some key examples of how working people are making our world a cleaner, safer place every day."

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/26/2018 - 11:38

15 Things You Need to Know from the 2018 Death on the Job Report AFL-CIO

For the 27th year in a row, the AFL-CIO has produced Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect. The report gathers evidence on the state of safety and health protections for America’s workers. 

Passed in 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act has saved the lives of more than 559,000 working people. President Barack Obama had a strong record of improving working conditions by strengthening enforcement, issuing key safety and health standards, and improving anti-retaliation and other protections for workers. Donald Trump, on the other hand, has moved aggressively on his deregulatory agenda, repealing and delaying job safety and other rules, and proposing deep cuts to the budget and the elimination of worker safety and health training programs. 

These are challenging times for working people and their unions, and the prospects for worker safety and health protections are uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the toll of workplace injury, illness and death remains too high, and too many workers remain at serious risk. There is much more work to be done. Here are 15 key things you need to know from this year’s report, which primarily covers data from 2016.

1. 150 workers died each day from hazardous working conditions.

2. 5,190 workers were killed on the job in the United States—an increase from 4,836 deaths the previous year.

3. An additional 50,000 to 60,000 workers died from occupational diseases.

4. The job fatality rate increased to 3.6 per 100,000 workers from 3.4 per 100,000 workers. 

5. Service-providing industries saw the largest increase in the job fatality rate. The rate declined in manufacturing and mining and was unchanged in construction—all industries that receive the greatest oversight from OSHA or the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

6. Employers reported nearly 3.7 million work-related injuries and illnesses.

7. Underreporting is widespread—the true toll of work-related injuries and illnesses is 7.4 million to 11.1 million each year. 

8. The states with the highest job fatality rates were Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota.

9. Workplace violence deaths increased significantly. The 866 worker deaths caused by violence in 2016 made it the second-leading cause of workplace death. Violence also was responsible for more than 27,000 lost-time injuries.

10. Women are at greater risk than men; they suffered two-thirds of the lost-time injuries related to workplace violence.

11. There is no federal OSHA standard to protect workers from workplace violence; the Trump administration has sidelined an OSHA workplace violence standard. 

12. Latino and immigrant workers’ safety and health has improved, but the risk to these workers still is greater than other workers.

13. Older workers are at high risk, with 36% of all worker fatalities occurring among those ages 55 or older.

14. The industries with the most deaths were construction, transportation, agriculture, and mining and extraction.

15. The cost of job injuries and illnesses is enormous—estimated at $250 billion to $360 billion a year. 

The Trump administration and the Republican majority in Congress have launched a major assault on regulatory protections and are moving aggressively to roll back regulations, block new protections, and put agency budgets and programs on the chopping block. The data in this year’s Death on the Job report shows that now is a time when workers need more job safety and health protection, not less.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/26/2018 - 11:03

‘They Have Forgotten the Lessons of Rana Plaza’ Solidarity Center

Following the Rana Plaza collapse in which 1,134 garment workers were killed and thousands more injured in Bangladesh, the horror of the incident spurred international action and resulted in significant safety improvements in many of the country’s 3,000 garment factories.

But five years after the April 24, 2013, disaster, Bangladesh garment worker-organizers say employers often are not following through to ensure worksites remain safe, and the government is doing little to ensure garment workers have the freedom to form unions to achieve safe working conditions. Since the Tazreen Factory fire that killed 112 garment workers in 2012, some 1,303 garment workers have been killed and 3,875 injured in fire-related incidents, according to Solidarity Center data.

“Pressure from the buyers and international organizations forced many changes," said Tomiza Sultana, a garment worker-organizer with the Bangladesh Independent Garment Workers Union Federation (BIGUF), among them less interference by police and factory management.

“We organized trade unions, recorded complaints and trained many workers. But five years after the tragedy, the police and local leaders are supporting the factory owners and harassing us and anyone who wishes to come to us. They have forgotten the lessons of the disaster,” she said.

A Disaster that ‘Cannot Be Described in Words’

“I can vividly recall that day. I can still see the faces of families who were looking for the bodies of their loved ones by only holding their photo ID,” said BIGUF President Nomita Nath. “This disaster cannot be described in words.” The multistory Rana Plaza building, which housed five garment factories outside Dhaka, pancaked from structural defects that had been identified the day before, prompting building engineers to urge the building be closed. Garment workers who survived the collapse say factory managers threatened their jobs if they did not return to work.

Ziasmin Sultana, a garment worker who survived the collapse, recalls managers telling workers on the morning of April 24 the building was safe, even though “the previous day we had seen cracks [in the building] form right in front of our eyes.” Shortly after starting work, the electricity went out and the building began to violently shake.

After packing into a crowded stairwell to escape, Ziasmin said she found herself falling: “Everything happened in an instant, and it was dark everywhere. When I came to my senses, I realized that three of us have survived and everyone else around us was dead.”

“The world saw how much our lives meant to the owners of these factories,” Nath said. “They did not care about our lives. They only cared about meeting production targets.”

In the wake of Rana Plaza, which occurred months after a deadly factory fire at Tazreen Fashions killed 112 mostly female garment workers, global outrage spurred several international efforts to prevent deaths and injuries due to fire or structural failures. Safety measures were instituted at more than 1,600 factories.

Hundreds of brands and companies signed the five-year, binding Bangladesh Accord on Building and Fire Safety, which mandated that brands and the companies they source from fix building and fire hazards and include workers in the process. Many of the signatories recently have signed on to the renewed three-year agreement that takes effect in May. Extending the accord guarantees that hundreds of additional factories will be inspected and renovated.

Workers Still Struggle to Achieve Safe Workplaces

In a recent series of Solidarity Center interviews, garment worker-organizers from several national unions applaud the significant safety improvements but warn that employers are backsliding. And workers seeking to improve safety in their factories often face employer intimidation, threats, physical violence, loss of jobs and government-imposed barriers to union registration.

“The accord contributed to ensuring the safety of the factories, but there is a lot of other work that needs to be done,” said Khadiza Akhter, vice president of the Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation (SGSF). She and others interviewed said factories are not regularly inspected, employers do not ensure fire extinguishers and other safety equipment are properly maintained, and safety committees sometimes only exist on paper.

“We are now working in this area for maintaining the standard of fire safety. This is a big task in the coming future,” Akhter said.

The Solidarity Center, which, over the past two decades in Bangladesh, jump-started the process to end child labor in garment factories and served as a catalyst in the resurgence of workers forming unions, in recent years has trained more than 6,000 union leaders and workers in fire safety. Factory-floor–level workers learn to monitor for hazardous working conditions and are empowered to demand that safety violations be corrected. Many workers, in turn, share their knowledge with their co-workers.

Bangladesh at a Crossroads

Accounting for 81% of the country’s total export earnings, Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry is the country’s biggest export earner. Yet wages are the lowest among major garment-manufacturing nations, while the cost of living in Dhaka is equivalent to that of Luxembourg and Montreal.

“The workers can barely survive with such low wages, as their house rents and even food prices have risen,” said Momotaz Begum, who has worked as a garment worker organizer with the Awaj Foundation since 2008.

Without a union, garment workers often are harassed or fired when they ask their employer to fix workplace hazards or seek living wages. Worker advocates say Bangladesh is at a crossroads—and they hope the government and employers choose a future in which Bangladesh workers are partners in the country’s economic success and treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

But even in the face of severe employer harassment and government indifference, worker-organizers like Tomiza, Nath, Akhter and Begum, all of whom began working in garment factories as children or young teens, are helping workers join together and insist on their rights at work. Today, 445 factories with more than 216,000 workers have unions to represent their interests and protect their rights.

“I believe that the workers must be aware of their rights and they must be united to achieve them,” said Shamima Akhter, an organizer with the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers’ Federation. “We train them to let them know what they deserve, and we empower them so that they can claim their rights from the factory owners.”

In Bangladesh, the Solidarity Center implements the Workers Empowerment Program—Components 1 and 2—which provides training and rights education to garment workers and organizers with the support of USAID.

Iztiak, an intern in the Solidarity Center Bangladesh office, conducted the interviews in Dhaka. This post originally appeared at the Solidarity Center.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/24/2018 - 16:57

Tags: Bangladesh

Left with the Bill

While President Donald Trump continues to tout his massive tax giveaway to corporations, working people aren’t buying it. Gallup found that a majority of Americans disapprove of the law, and it’s easy to understand why: We know we’re being left with a bill for $1.5 trillion.

The Gallup poll is the most recent in a string of surveys finding that Americans are rejecting the new tax law. Even the law’s own backers are starting to run away from their handiwork.

While corporations are pocketing billions in tax cuts, most working people aren’t seeing a cent. In fact, 82% of Americans say they haven’t seen any difference in their taxes—or that they’ve even gone up.

A report this week from the Joint Committee on Taxation found that one provision alone funnels $17.4 billion to people making at least $1 million per year.

What’s more, despite promises that corporate tax cuts would lead to higher wages and more bonuses, working people are being left empty-handed.

In fact, less than 0.0015% of U.S. businesses have followed through and shared anything with their employees.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/24/2018 - 15:56

New Jersey: Labor Makes History with Signing of Equal Pay Bill New Jersey AFL-CIO

Today, a historic milestone was reached in the fight for women’s equality and universal workplace justice as Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.) signed the Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act into law. This legislative effort, which was spearheaded by organized labor in New Jersey, represents years of hard work, testimony, meetings, campaigning, outreach and coordination with stakeholders all around the state.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO was proud to work hand in hand with the prime sponsors of this bill, state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D) and Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D), and recognizes their tireless work that enabled this historic victory. We further thank state Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D) and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D) for making this issue a top priority and ensuring a prompt vote on this pressing matter that has been allowed to persist for far too long.

“No organization has been on the frontlines longer or done more to address the gender wage gap than organized labor,” said New Jersey State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Brennan. “A union contract has long guaranteed equal pay for equal work to women and all demographic groups. It is thanks to this model, along with labor’s commitment to pay equity as a universal right, that we celebrate this historic moment for all New Jersey working families today.”

“With the strongest equal pay law in the nation, our labor movement and our state can stand proud in recognition of the progress we have achieved,” said New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech. “This is a fight for which organized labor will continue to bear the torch until all working people around the country are ensured equal pay for equal work.”

Once again, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO recognizes the enormous efforts of our affiliates, community allies and elected officials, along with Gov. Murphy and his administration, for the extraordinary teamwork that made this victory possible. We know that the benefits of this law to women, families, businesses and working people across all demographic groups signal a new direction for our state and a future that represents our shared values of progress, economic fairness and workplace justice.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/24/2018 - 12:27