America's working people get up every day and do their jobs, and they expect their elected leaders to do the same. 

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka has a message for Senate Republicans who are signaling they will place a giant roadblock in the way of filling the vacant U.S. Supreme Court seat: Do your job. 

Watch his message above. 

The labor movement is welcoming Pope Francis back to North America this week and joining with those celebrating his historic visit to the U.S.–Mexico border. His visit brings a much-needed message of solidarity at a time when immigrants, refugees and working people are increasingly under attack.

A new report released today shows how the Trans-Pacific Partnership lacks adequate labor rights provisions. AFL-CIO Director of International Affairs Cathy Feingold explained the problem.

Today, the Wisconsin Legislature is scheduled to vote on legislation that would open the door to the privatization of municipal water systems without democratic input from local citizens. The legislation, the Fast Path to Water Privatization Bill (AB 554), was added to the calendar at the last minute despite the fact that it could affect every Wisconsinite and lead to a repeat of the Flint, Michigan, water crisis in community after community. 

Supporters of strict voter identification laws argue that they are needed to prevent voter fraud and that they aren't designed to suppress anyone's vote. We've already known for quite a while that voter fraud is largely a myth. Research from the 2014 election shows that voter ID laws suppress the votes of Democrats at more than twice the rate the laws block Republican voters. Are you shocked?

Every week, we'll be bringing you a roundup of the important news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here's this week's Working People Weekly List.

Students at Van Derveer Elementary School who are enrolled in the Back Pack Buddies nutrition program have a new friend.

Utility Workers (UWUA) Local 423 has “adopted” the 210 students in Back Pack Buddies at Van Derveer by donating $3,570 to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County, which coordinates the nutrition program at Van Derveer and all elementary schools throughout the county.

The story has been all over the news in recent months, but there is a major crisis with the water in Flint, Michigan. What is covered a lot less is that working people in unions, both in Michigan and beyond, have stepped up in a variety of ways to help the residents of Flint maintain their safety during the crisis. Here are some of the ways that working people have helped out so far.

In this video, workers at the Carrier plant in Indianapolis react to the company announcing that it will ship 1,400 local jobs to Mexico in what they described as "strictly a business decision." You can hear the heartbreak and outrage in the voices of the workers who must now scramble to figure out how to take care of their families. Carrier makes heating, air conditioning, ventilation and other systems. The layoffs are scheduled to begin in 2017.

Art Pulaski, executive secretary-treasurer for the California Labor Federation, wrote a recent op-ed for The Sacramento Bee explaining why the Trans-Pacific Partnership is bad for America's workers.

With the 2016 election season underway, the timing could not be better to go see an exciting new film from progressive champion Michael Moore. It’s called “Where to Invade Next,” and it takes on some of the most pressing issues facing America today. Moore, in his usual funny, creative and thought-provoking way, makes a strong case for the AFL-CIO's Raising Wages agenda as a way to restore the American Dream.

Just days before the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade and investment deal was signed, a human rights experts warned against it.

In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to spotlight one of California's most forward-thinking labor leaders, Doug Moore. Moore is the executive director of United Domestic Workers of America, AFSCME Local 3930, which is made up of more than 91,000 California home care workers. His union has made historical gains under his leadership, expanding membership by the thousands in recent years. When talking to Moore, I was struck by his enthusiasm and seemingly tireless resolve to grow our labor movement. You can tell he cares deeply about his members, the broader workers’ rights movement and racial justice in our country. Let’s dive in.

Why not give your valentine some union-made sweets this Feb. 14, toast your love with champagne that carries a union label or touch up your pheromones a bit with some smell-good union-made scents.

It might surprise you to hear we have a progressive majority right now, but we need to stop wasting dollars chasing and trying to change the minds of conservative white swing voters. The progressive policy agenda will benefit all working people, as is the case with Obamacare, but we can’t waste time or money chasing a shrinking sector of the electorate when growing communities of color are eager to engage and work with us to reshape America’s policies and priorities.

Federal District Judge David Hale’s decision striking down Hardin County's “right to work” ordinance was a victory for Kentucky’s working families, said Bill Londrigan, president of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO.

Why shouldn’t higher education be free for everyone?

Higher education is not a commodity. It is a social good. It’s increasingly necessary to get a good, middle-class job. A more highly educated workforce can be more adaptable and make the country more competitive. So why shouldn’t it be free for everyone?

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a so-called “trade deal” that could cost 448,000 U.S. jobs, suppress U.S. wages, and irreparably weaken our democracy and sovereignty.

Americans may like to keep politics and sports separate, but over the past year reality has repeatedly intruded on the country’s most popular pastime.

Every week, we'll be bringing you a roundup of the important news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here's this week's Working People Weekly List.