Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Trung Le
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Trung Le of AFSCME.
Trung Le's story is one of resilience, strength and compassion. After escaping Vietnam at the age of 16 as a Vietnam War refugee, Le found a foster family in the U.S. and became a social worker, striving to protect children from the same abuse that he once endured. In 2017, after 23 years on the job with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, Le and his fellow program supervisors organized and voted decisively to form AFSCME Local 3419, of which he now serves as vice president.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/17/2024 - 10:41Service & Solidarity Spotlight: University of Washington Student Workers Reach a Deal with University After One-Day Strike
Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
After thousands of academic student employees (ASEs) at the University of Washington (UW) went on strike Tuesday, the bargaining team of International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Local 4121 announced later that night that they had reached a tentative agreement.
The union has been working diligently in bargaining sessions with university administrators since February, securing deals on all provisions except wages. UW academic student employees—including teaching assistants, researchers, tutors and others—voted nearly unanimously in April to authorize a strike and hit the picket lines early Tuesday morning to pressure administration to give them the fair pay they deserve. By 9 p.m. of the same day, they had reached a deal. Wins include the largest raises the bargaining unit has ever won in a contract, $0 health care premiums maintained, paid leave time for immigration appointments and hearings, grievance timeline improvements and more.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/17/2024 - 10:34Solidarity Is the Only Thing We Need: 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.
Actors' Equity:
Stay up-to-date with all the latest news and updates from Equity! Join the Equity Weekly mailing list today to stay in the loop - https://t.co/oa33DA5A1C pic.twitter.com/iyh5GO6sKx
— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) May 14, 2024
AFGE:
If Congress wants to deliver Americans’ hard-earned Social Security benefits accurately and timely, it must provide enough funding to adequately staff the agency.
Read AFGE SSA Council 220 President Jessica LaPointe's letter to the editor⬇https://t.co/s51sxCUEMR
— AFGE (@AFGENational) May 16, 2024
AFSCME:
Pay and job security motivate medical researchers at Oregon Health & Science University to form a union through AFSCME. https://t.co/dNr2KJTdD2
— AFSCME (@AFSCME) May 16, 2024
Alliance for Retired Americans:
Did you know? A new study shows that more than 200 million older Americans will face extreme heat risks in the next few decades. This makes it even more important to ensure adequate hydration and heat protection for seniors. https://t.co/GZhrEtQ8Iy
— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) May 16, 2024
Amalgamated Transit Union:
Our Local 113-Toronto, ON, members are united and fired up in their fight for the fair contract they deserve. #ATUStrongerTogether #canlab https://t.co/tIMNWKoSfx
— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) May 16, 2024
American Federation of Teachers:
Lots of books + smiles. @SOCORROAFT #RealSolutions pic.twitter.com/L6SA9XSiCZ
— AFT (@AFTunion) May 15, 2024
American Postal Workers Union:
📢APWU members! Negotiations for our new union contract begin June 25. Learn more about our contract priorities and how you can get involved in the May/June edition of the American Postal Worker magazine, headed straight to your mailbox in the coming days! pic.twitter.com/3rclZ0cUKH
— The American Postal Workers Union - APWU (@APWUnational) May 16, 2024
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance:
Why does it matter to have a @USDOL Secretary who believes in supporting union jobs and all workers? It gets workers one step closer to a voice in their workplace, fair wages, and provides their family a better chance for economic security #YesJulieSu pic.twitter.com/9eot09fO6b
— Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (@APALAnational) May 13, 2024
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:
BREAKING: 178 Members of Congress, led by @rep_stansbury, sign on to congressional letter to the NMB urging the agency to use ALL provisions under the RLA to resolve contract negotiations.
Read the letter & stmt: https://t.co/40Whf7SxLR pic.twitter.com/xfyJaMcN4k
— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) May 14, 2024
Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers:
The Hearthside workers (#hfsworkersunited) in London, Ky. have lost their Union election.
Follow the link for full update: https://t.co/GWQLpMQ9DR
— BCTGM International (@BCTGM) May 9, 2024
Boilermakers:
America needs union-built High Speed Rail. (And #Boilermakers are ready to help build it.) 🚄 #BuildHSR #HighSpeedRail #NationalInfrastructureWeek pic.twitter.com/YEKUtf1e5C
— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) May 16, 2024
Bricklayers:
BAC has long supported comprehensive investment in our nation’s #infrastructure, and thanks to the 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, members will get significant work hours on major #construction projects across the country. #InfrastructureWeek #infrastructureweek2024 pic.twitter.com/ewnHrAiDb4
— Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union (@IUBAC) May 15, 2024
Coalition of Labor Union Women:
In case you missed our Jubilee & Gala, watch "50 Years of CLUW: A Look Back."https://t.co/5cpjylvHQU
— CLUW National (@CLUWNational) May 15, 2024
Communications Workers of America:
New Flyer workers in Alabama have formed a union with CWA and inked a contract with big raises! ✊
The contract also restricts forced overtime and expands paid time off to include more parental leave and a Juneteenth holiday.https://t.co/etQd1evFDK
— CWA (@CWAUnion) May 16, 2024
Department for Professional Employees:
Arts, entertainment & media professionals have raised standards in their industries with unions. In 2023, these union professionals had 34% higher pay on average than their nonunion counterparts. Here are some specific examples of workplace gains made: https://t.co/0N5SyIpcRS
— Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) May 15, 2024
Electrical Workers:
One of the most important parts of our infrastructure is our communications infrastructure, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes billions to fund a buildout of high-speed internet. Here's why that's a boon for the #IBEW. #InfrastructureWeek https://t.co/ILZIQwTgLw pic.twitter.com/jxGDuFh0qx
— IBEW (@IBEW) May 15, 2024
Farm Labor Organizing Committee:
BREAKING: FLOC implements heat protections for over 9,000 workers covered under its collective bargaining agreement in North Carolina! These are some of the few heat guidelines in the United States! Read more here: https://t.co/avEry10j3J pic.twitter.com/vUbcBwMKj7
— Farm Labor Organizing Committee (@SupportFLOC) May 6, 2024
Heat and Frost Insulators:
Join us in celebrating Local 48 as they celebrate their 91st anniversary! Here's to many more years of hard work and accomplishments! pic.twitter.com/EDoYSb5znv
— Insulators Union 🦎 (@InsulatorsUnion) May 16, 2024
Jobs With Justice:
NEW from @lijwj : Starbucks Workers’ Rights Board Hearing Report! ☕️
The report includes testimonies from Starbucks workers and their concerns about health and safety, gender inequities, harassment, scheduling, and more.
https://t.co/mPJ0HrDMaz
— Jobs With Justice (@jwjnational) May 16, 2024
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:
On weekend, Chicago Metro LCLAA partnered with SEIU Local 1 IUOE Local 399, SEIU Local 73 AFL-CIO Painters District Council 14 of Chicago, Sheet Metal Workers Local 73, and other organizations to the 6th Free Legal Clinic, to help immigrants to start employment permits process. pic.twitter.com/TuqDzpdD4h
— LCLAA (@LCLAA) May 13, 2024
Labor Heritage Foundation:
Hear the story behind Emily Jo Tanzey's winning song "Solidarity is the Only Thing We Need" on today’s Labor Heritage Power Hour; #EmilyJoTanzey #laborarts #solidarity 1P on @wpfwdc; @aflcio #1u #unions #laborradiopod @iww @ProfPeterCole #BenFletcher #laborhistory pic.twitter.com/aNBId5QADs
— Labor Heritage (@LaborHeritage1) May 16, 2024
Laborers:
Life's a “reel” dream when you're hooked on the #union! From better benefits to job security, being part of a union isn't just a catch, it's a lifeline! #ItsBetterInAUnion #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/agRYmHLC0O
— LIUNA (@LIUNA) May 16, 2024
Machinists:
Join us in firing up the grills for an incredible cause this #NationalBBQDay!
Showcase your BBQ prowess at IAM's virtual BBQ competition and help support our favorite charity, @GuideDogsGDA. Mark Aug. 3 on your calendars! 📅🐾
Sign up now: https://t.co/sn2XCNngqH pic.twitter.com/9HsIGVRoJJ
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) May 16, 2024
Maritime Trades Department:
The @steelworkers @MachinistsUnion @boilermakernews @IBEW and Maritime Trades Department are petitioning the U.S. Trade Representative to take action against unfair and anti-competitive shipbuilding practices in China that hurt American maritime workers.https://t.co/ikuhjj8Y7Y
— Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO (@Maritime_Trades) March 12, 2024
Metal Trades Department:
IAM International President Brian Bryant Joins President Biden to Announce Increased U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Goods in Bold Move to Protect U.S. Jobs - IAMAW https://t.co/fGJacRRXbD
— Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) May 15, 2024
Mine Workers:
This agreement highlights what can happen when both parties decide to engage in meaningful negotiations. These are exactly the kind of talks we have wanted to have for years with Warrior Met Coal.https://t.co/OSIyKPTHKT
— United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) May 7, 2024
Musical Artists:
David Maurice Sharp (@sharpiesez) will join the AGMA Staging Staff Caucus for a finance presentation on May 20, 9p ET. A chance to boost financial literacy! https://t.co/fiVoLWAngS pic.twitter.com/KfA1lvp4JM
— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) May 14, 2024
National Air Traffic Controllers Association:
May is Jewish American Heritage Month. NATCA honors the immense contributions of Jewish Americans—from civil rights to science and industry. Their enduring impact enriches our nation and our union. Learn more here: https://t.co/HgVwnKKqtj pic.twitter.com/AW02HIyNfE
— NATCA (@NATCA) May 16, 2024
National Association of Letter Carriers:
#TBT to last weekend's #StampOutHunger food drive ➡️ Here are a few snapshots from Evansville, IN Branch 377 and Montgomery, AL Branch 106 collecting donations letter carriers that will help ensure local food pantries are stocked and ready to serve those in need! pic.twitter.com/SNIVksUJ35
— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) May 16, 2024
National Day Laborer Organizing Network:
Support over 500 day laborers to attend NDLON’s #SomosMás IX Asamblea Nacional in NJ!
Migrant workers’ rights are at risk, which is why workers & organizers will gather from Jun 2-7, to plan & overcome the forces that place profits over people.
Donate: https://t.co/kFHn3LpBCi pic.twitter.com/e9dg5YsZZ0
— NDLON (@NDLON) May 6, 2024
National Domestic Workers Alliance:
Good morning from North Carolina! ☀️
Today, childcare providers from across the state have shutdown their centers to gather in Raleigh and show the state legislature the impact childcare has everyday in the lives of families across the country. pic.twitter.com/kBo4dSWfAb
— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) May 16, 2024
National Nurses United:
Congratulations to the fierce patient advocates at @nswnma on this victory! When we fight, we win! ✊ https://t.co/b1jWI2bMmo
— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) May 16, 2024
NWSL Players Association:
It reminds me that soccer is what I do, not who I am”, Madison Pogarch, newly elected NWSLPA Player Rep speaks on balancing sport and self. Po is active in her community and a true mental health advocate #mentalhealthmonth pic.twitter.com/lC0ORTY9fl
— NWSLPA (@nwsl_players) May 15, 2024
NFL Players Association:
Welcome to the family! #1u https://t.co/fjTkuQdUvZ
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) May 16, 2024
North America's Building Trades Unions:
Earlier this month, @Washingtonian recognized President McGarvey as one of DC’s most influential people. While this is an honor, he says it wouldn’t be possible w/o his staff, & that @WashGuild should be offered the respect + fair contract they deserve from CEO @merrillwilliams✊
— The Building Trades (@NABTU) May 16, 2024
Office and Professional Employees:
Christina Grady is an OPEIU Local 29 shop steward at Weinberg, Roger & Rosenfeld. A member since 2019, Grady also serves on her local union’s executive board. We are proud to recognize her accomplishments and contributions this #AAPIHeritageMonth! pic.twitter.com/Ra2J3Y5faR
— OPEIU | #UnionStrong (@OPEIU) May 15, 2024
Painters and Allied Trades:
Today @GoIUPAT and other labor unions are coming together and making history here in Springfield 🛠️ https://t.co/BVO9xHRs5p
— IUPAT (@GoIUPAT) May 16, 2024
Plasterers and Cement Masons:
Wages of private sector union workers rose 6.3% in the year ended in March, the largest increase [since] 2001... Meanwhile, nonunion workers...saw a 4.1% bump...not much higher than inflation.”https://t.co/mS3OVhgBwU
— OPCMIA International (@opcmiaintl) May 13, 2024
Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:
It also calls for workforce plan assessments for employees PASS represents, @FAA_Mike. Technicians & aviation safety inspectors also understaffed. PASS looks forward to working w/ @FAANews to implement law & continue safety critical work on behalf of the American flying public. https://t.co/TIjwJo1WAq
— PASS (@PASSNational) May 15, 2024
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:
Today, @USDOL issued their recs on AI & ensuring worker protections @RWDSU contributed to the considerations of these principals. @sappelbaum issued the following statement: https://t.co/DqRwprGzVy #AI #artificiallntelligence
— RWDSU (@RWDSU) May 16, 2024
Roofers and Waterproofers:
President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is mobilizing historic levels of private sector investments, bringing manufacturing back to America and creating tons of good, union jobs.
Check out this interactive map--there's probably a site near you! https://t.co/fYkEcECX8w
— Roofers Union (@roofersunion) May 16, 2024
SAG-AFTRA:
🔔 Friendly reminder for our Philadelphia Local #SagAftraMembers! Your membership meeting is on WEDNESDAY, May 22, at 6 PM ET. Join us at the Philadelphia Quartett Club for updates, Q&A and light refreshments. RSVP now! https://t.co/qLF6NcrxUF pic.twitter.com/LbOzv1hZGt
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) May 16, 2024
Solidarity Center:
To support Argentinian workers, Solidarity Center staff held a solidarity action at the Argentinian Embassy in Washington, DC. Workers were holding a 24-hour national strike to protest anti-democratic policies that are undermining important protections for #Argentina’s workers. pic.twitter.com/tPR1fBdONp
— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) May 13, 2024
The NewsGuild-CWA:
Good morning! Have you called @GovMurphy to demand he VETO S2930/A405 to protect free speech and access to public records?
📞 (609) 292-6000
📲 (732) 605-5455
📨 Send a letter: https://t.co/eS8BqkAUgI https://t.co/Bj4gJhD98q
— NewsGuild-CWA (@newsguild) May 16, 2024
Theatrical Stage Employees:
Meet today’s #APIHeritageMonth spotlight, @iatse828 member Eva Kuo. Eva has been a proud IATSE member for 8 years and is passionate about entertainment crafts and workers' rights. Eva, you rock! pic.twitter.com/MwFhbRczw0
— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) May 15, 2024
Transport Workers Union:
TWU International leadership is proud to swear in the new leadership of @twu556, including President Bill Bernal. Together we will achieve great things for our Flight Attendants! pic.twitter.com/SqlmYlH2hh
— TWU (@transportworker) May 15, 2024
Transportation Trades Department:
We're live from the @TTDAFLCIO Spring 2024 Executive Committee Meeting!
Welcome to our new and returning @TTDAFLCIO Executive Committee members! #UnionStrong #1u pic.twitter.com/lof1K12YH3
— TTD | America's Transportation Unions (@TTDAFLCIO) May 16, 2024
UAW:
The German government is officially investigating Mercedes-Benz Group AG for the company’s illegal anti-union conduct at the Mercedez-Benz plant in Vance, Alabama.https://t.co/AQuhPNytNN
— UAW (@UAW) May 16, 2024
Union Label and Service Trades Department:
AFL-CIO blasts ‘sad and sinister’ Alabama union law from ‘bought-and-paid-for’ politicians https://t.co/9W7b0HSLgs
— Union Label Dept. (@ULSTD_AFLCIO) May 15, 2024
UNITE HERE:
Woo! We are so happy and excited about your victory Angela! pic.twitter.com/sL2C3O3doB
— UNITE HERE! Local 8 (@UniteHereLocal8) May 15, 2024
United Food and Commercial Workers:
UFCW wants to help set you up for success in today’s workplace!
From resume writing to professional problem solving skills, Work Essentials students will be equipped with the resources to build a promising career.
Learn more: https://t.co/iGpoPznmEM pic.twitter.com/W5UiL73HWu
— UFCW (@UFCW) May 15, 2024
United Steelworkers:
USW members were proud to join @POTUS at the White House today as he announced strengthening and strategically redesigning tariffs on Chinese goods.
Read more: https://t.co/QTYxz1N1Ji pic.twitter.com/HUrouWAyJG
— United Steelworkers #EverybodysUnion (@steelworkers) May 14, 2024
Utility Workers:
🥵🥵🥵 Utility workers are often exposed to the elements. As the seasons change and the weather heats up, OSHA reminds us that it is an employer’s responsibility to create a heat illness prevention plan.https://t.co/EYsGcqTmAS pic.twitter.com/WfybwWU2Lm
— UWUA National (@The_UWUA) May 16, 2024
Working America:
Do you know about the federal program that helps with cooling costs and AC repairs? Stay comfortable with the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) this summer. See if you’re eligible and spread the word: https://t.co/HdcHFNx4BS #LIHEAP #WorkingAmerica pic.twitter.com/Lck8vc1KCO
— Working America (@WorkingAmerica) May 15, 2024
Writers Guild of America East:
Support our @vox_union @thedodounion @thrillistunion members’ #OneUnionOneContract demand by sending a letter urging management to respect their workers’ wishes! https://t.co/o8ozX6TYdn https://t.co/4kCInlYLOf
— Writers Guild of America East (@WGAEast) May 13, 2024
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/16/2024 - 15:24Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Chad Yokoyama
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Chad Yokoyama of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART).
Chad Yokoyama grew up in a union household and followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a UAW member in 1994. Yokoyama began his railroad career in 2012 with BNSF Railway as a conductor. He was promoted to engineer in 2014. As a member of SMART Local 1687 in Belen, New Mexico, Yokoyama became involved with the union early in his career. He has served as a local chairperson, as well as delegate and alternate legislative representative. In 2018, Yokoyama was hired to work on the SMART-TD Human Rights Committee, which was renamed the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Also in 2018, he became a trainer with the Rail Workers Hazmat Training Program, where his passion for helping protect union members really took hold. Yokoyama was appointed to the SMART Recruitment and Retention Council in 2021. He is currently a member of SMART Local 113 in Winslow, Arizona.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/16/2024 - 10:09Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Condé Nast Union Overwhelmingly Ratifies First Contract
Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
After over a year and a half of negotiations, Condé Nast workers ratified their first labor contract, voting 97% to approve the three-year deal. The agreement averted a strike from the workers, members of The NewsGuild-CWA, ahead of the Met Gala. The contract boosts wages by $3.6 million, converts company permalancers into full-time staff members, provides two additional weeks of paid parental leave to union members, institutes just cause when management fires or disciplines a worker, ensures compensatory time when union members work over 40 hours in one week, includes both biological and chosen family in the bargaining unit’s bereavement policy and includes some hybrid work protections.
“Our pledge to take any action necessary to get our contract, including walking off the job ahead of the Met Gala, is what got us this contract, along with the tireless work of our bargaining team,” said Bon Appétit culinary producer Mallary Santucci. “Beginning today, the contract’s protections will have a profound impact on the lives of all of our members.”
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/16/2024 - 09:55Thank a Teacher: In the States Roundup
It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on X (formerly Twitter).
Alaska AFL-CIO:
From Labor Secretary to U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Arthur J. Goldberg lived a remarkable life. Goldberg was chief legal counsel to the CIO and helped negotiate the historic merger between the AFL and CIO. #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/5PlUdKQStw
— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) May 14, 2024
Arizona AFL-CIO:
Let's take a moment to recognize the tireless efforts of our educators who shape the future of our society. This Teacher Appreciation Week, we express our gratitude to all the dedicated teachers who inspire, challenge and support our students every day. #ThankATeacher pic.twitter.com/pPVjt9nSAt
— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) May 6, 2024
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:
“The next generation of nurses shouldn’t be saddled with debt. There shouldn’t be inadequate staffing. They shouldn’t be replaced with AI and computers. The value of a nurse can NEVER be understated.” - @LorenaSGonzalez #NursesWeek @UNACUHCP pic.twitter.com/PJAGQaYxYI
— California Labor Federation (@CaliforniaLabor) May 8, 2024
Colorado AFL-CIO:
Listen TONIGHT 6:00 PM 88.5 FM Boulder 1390 AM Denver and online on the KGNU Labor Exchange Podcast. Our guest is labor lobbyist Kjersten Forseth talking about the legislative session that just rapped up. Tune in tonight! https://t.co/fcnyFU1SKH #coleg #copols pic.twitter.com/F8PFLQuNpW
— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) May 13, 2024
Connecticut AFL-CIO:
.@GovNedLamont is threatening to side with corporate CEOs and veto legislation to help striking workers! Contact Lamont and urge him to stand with working people: https://t.co/Gd2bRlSfCk pic.twitter.com/YqxVPGNBc0
— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) May 13, 2024
Florida AFL-CIO:
Thank you, utility workers! https://t.co/EU0ykRTWAs
— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) May 10, 2024
Georgia State AFL-CIO:
Sunday #shoutout to all the Union Moms. We love you 😍, and we thank you for your support. ❤️ #1u #unionstrong #unionproud #love #mothersday #like #share #follow pic.twitter.com/Kv88DzHIBn
— Georgia AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOGeorgia) May 12, 2024
Illinois AFL-CIO:
The number of child labor violations are trending up nationally.
We are working with @RobertJPeters + @ILDeptofLabor to ensure we have the strongest child labor protections in the nation by passing SB3646 to keep kids in school + off the factory floor.https://t.co/j83ymmHEms pic.twitter.com/GbACd1iW1O
— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) May 13, 2024
Indiana State AFL-CIO:
All across the state, in all types of industries, Hoosiers are joining unions! Our movement is building momentum. https://t.co/G7mhPHYwli
— Indiana AFL-CIO (@INAFLCIO) May 3, 2024
Maine AFL-CIO:
Solidarity with Apple workers in Towson, MD!
https://t.co/WTRNqs0oaD @MachinistsUnion
— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) May 13, 2024
Minnesota AFL-CIO:
There's a difference when working people have the power to negotiate. #1u https://t.co/UavrdXdRhO
— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) May 13, 2024
Missouri AFL-CIO:
Trump failed. Biden delivered. #InfrastructureWeek was a joke for four years under Trump. But now we don't just have an infrastructure week... we have an infrastructure DECADE! pic.twitter.com/B84sX4Uwxp
— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) May 13, 2024
Nebraska State AFL-CIO:
Join us for our Annual Charity Golf Event, with a team or get a hole sponsorship. Deadline to submit in two weeks. #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/9vMJcAIt2h
— NE State AFL-CIO (@NEAFLCIO) May 9, 2024
Nevada State AFL-CIO:
The 2024 NV AFL-CIO Arnold/Jones/Evans Scholarship application is open to all high school seniors.
One parent must be an active or retired member in good standing of any local union affiliated with the NV AFL-CIO.
Apply here! https://t.co/zsxYOuQVoh pic.twitter.com/pPya7jiSJb
— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) May 13, 2024
North Carolina State AFL-CIO:
We outchea! Fighting for respect and the freedom to thrive in Western NC and beyond. Join us! https://t.co/QKi3u7B6Tc #1u pic.twitter.com/UqOOjMqG6W
— NC State AFL-CIO // #CountMeIn (@NCStateAFLCIO) May 14, 2024
North Dakota AFL-CIO:
Congratulations IAM local 2525! https://t.co/ReE5bM8P8y
— North Dakota AFL-CIO (@NDAFLCIO) May 7, 2024
Ohio AFL-CIO:
Congratulations to the workers at the @UAPL who just voted to form their @OFTunion @AFTunion. Welcome to the @AFLCIO #union movement!https://t.co/Cb5IqbXZV4 pic.twitter.com/4Jamwuro7Z
— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) May 13, 2024
Oregon AFL-CIO:
The Keller Auditorium provides 100s of jobs for people who work and perform there as well as for restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. These jobs must be protected!https://t.co/LA0YBxpl0X pic.twitter.com/bw4cOzHKND
— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) May 14, 2024
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:
Thank you to all of our volunteers today who are helping us get ready for our 2024 convention! #YearOfTheWorker pic.twitter.com/TUThoq4ekg
— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) May 11, 2024
Texas AFL-CIO:
Calling all union siblings in Harris County!
We have a chance to send one of our own to the Texas House – CWA member @LASimmonsTX146.
Join the Texas AFL-CIO and our community partners next weekend to knock doors for this workers' champ!
Sign up here: https://t.co/BFm0UQ1dpd pic.twitter.com/g8DKaiaJkr
— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) May 9, 2024
Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:
With multiple strikes in Washington, solidarity is more important than ever.
Shoutout to our SEIU fam who turned out big for our @IbewLocal46 siblings on the line last week. That's that purple power!
More photos: https://t.co/8bQrsyXB4q@SEIU6 @seiu775 @SEIU925 @SEIU1199NW
— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) May 14, 2024
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:
How changes to 'non-compete' agreements and overtime pay could affect workers https://t.co/2VsG6vRvhZ
— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) May 10, 2024
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/15/2024 - 10:31Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Yan Yan Teague
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Yan Yan Teague of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA).
Yan Yan Teague is a member of AFA-CWA Local 27019 and an Alaska Airlines flight attendant. Her appointments as the inaugural chairperson for the AFA-CWA Human Rights Committee and to the National CWA Women's Committee are testaments to her unwavering commitment to human rights and her dedication to making a positive impact on the world. Before becoming a flight attendant, Teague worked with AmeriCorps through the United Way of King County, Washington, showcasing her passion for creating meaningful change in people's lives.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/15/2024 - 10:08Service & Solidarity Spotlight: CLUW Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Last week, the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) celebrated five decades of building power and community for women throughout the labor movement at its 50th Anniversary Gala and Education Conference in Niagara Falls, New York.
Formed on March 24, 1974, CLUW is the country’s only national organization for union women. Its core principles of getting women involved in their unions, organizing the unorganized and promoting social justice in the workplace are still as relevant and pressing as they were a half-century ago. On Friday, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler delivered remarks celebrating the history of CLUW and shared an inspiring vision for a future where there is safety on the job for every woman, where the wage gap is closed and where women’s voices are uplifted in our democracy. She also led a discussion group with the CLUW National Officers Council about what’s at stake during the 2024 elections and how the labor movement can ensure that all working women in this country see collective bargaining as a path to a better tomorrow.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/15/2024 - 09:59Tags: CLUW
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Kevin Boone
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Kevin Boone of the
Kevin Boone is a steward for USW Local 9562 at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. As a Korean American and a fourth-generation union member, he was a proud first-time attendee at last year’s APALA Convention in Seattle, and he returned to his local determined to better support his fellow members. "The pride I feel contributing to the legacy of my AAPI siblings and their multiracial and transnational solidarity empowers me to experience a stronger connection to my heritage."
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/14/2024 - 10:18Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Spokane Grocery Store Workers Ratify Three-Year Contract
Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Grocery store workers in Spokane, Washington, overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract in their first union negotiation. The workers, members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 3000, secured an increase in journey wages of $4 an hour or more, an all-purpose clerk scale with historic pay raises for many departments, health care benefit improvements with no increases to premiums or deductibles, significant improvements to vacation banks, ensuring vacation is based on hours worked, automatic pension funding increases every time wages increase, and dedicated money to fund training and workforce development.
“In the midst of a proposed grocery mega-merger, we’ve sent a clear message," UFCW Local 3000 said in a statement. "We have power in our communities, we have a voice in our workplace, and we have a strong new contract that will be the backbone for our future.”
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/14/2024 - 10:09Part of a National Movement: 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 the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.
Senate Approves Bill to Reauthorize FAA and Improve Air Travel: “The Senate on Thursday passed legislation to reauthorize federal aviation programs for the next five years and put in place new safety measures and consumer protections for passengers, at a moment of intense uncertainty and disruption in the air travel system. The bill, which still must win final approval in the House before becoming law, would provide more than $105 billion to the Federal Aviation Administration and another $738 million to the National Transportation Safety Board for airport modernization, technology programs and safety. It would also bolster the hiring and training of air traffic controllers, codify airlines’ refund obligations to passengers, ensure fee-free family seating and strengthen protections for passengers with disabilities.”
First Lady Honors Teachers at Inaugural State Dinner: “First lady Dr. Jill Biden shined a spotlight on educators making an impact during the inaugural Teachers of the Year state dinner on May 2. From the president to national dignitaries, academic instructors and support staff from every U.S. state, territory and the Department of Defense Education were honored with special recognition, in addition to receiving an award from the Council of Chief State School Officers. ‘The real threat is that public education is central to our democracy, central to opportunity, central for kids in communities to thrive. [Book bans are] just another obstacle to stop us from doing the best job we can to help all kids learn,’ Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, told The Informer. ‘Every time there’s an obstacle that threatens a teacher, or makes it so hard that they leave the profession, or has them teaching on eggshells.’”
Bill Introduced to Protect U.S. Call Center Jobs: “Senators Bob Casey, Sherrod Brown, and Catherine Cortez Masto have introduced the United States Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act aimed at preventing the outsourcing of American call center jobs overseas. The bill seeks to protect American workers and consumer data by imposing restrictions and penalties on businesses that relocate call center operations abroad.”
Penn Grad Workers Say ‘We’re Part of a National Movement’ After Union Win: “Thousands of graduate student workers at the University of Pennsylvania—about 97%—voted to unionize in early May. The Graduate Employees Together University of Pennsylvania, or GET-UP, is behind the drive to affiliate with the United Auto Workers, which often represents student worker unions. The union election was scheduled for mid-April but was delayed after the University of Pennsylvania tried to exclude several hundred student workers through the National Labor Relations Board appeal process, but the university failed.”
More Than 400 Lab Professionals at LabCorp Win a Union: “Lab professionals employed by the medical lab services company, LabCorp of America, held a union election from March 1–3 where 434 workers voted to join together in a union with the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP), a local affiliate of the 1.7 million-member [American Federation of Teachers] AFT. These healthcare professionals work at labs within seven Legacy Health facilities in Oregon and Washington, including Emanuel and Good Samaritan in Portland, and Salmon Creek (WA).”
Trade Union Reaches Recognition Agreement with Brightline West Train Maker: “The company tapped to manufacture the trains for Brightline West's high-speed rail project will recognize any potential unionization effort from workers. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, or IAM, announced Tuesday that it reached a voluntary recognition agreement with Siemens Mobility. According to IAM, the agreement will allow future employees to get information about union representation. If a majority of workers petition to join IAM, Siemens will recognize the union and begin collective bargaining immediately.”
Introducing the Smith College Libraries Workers Union: “On April 9, library workers at Smith College voted unanimously in favor of unionizing with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153. The new union is known as the Smith College Libraries Workers Union (SCLWU). A month before the election, workers at Smith College Libraries (SCL) announced their union by delivering a letter to the college’s President and Board of Trustees where they asked that the union be voluntarily recognized.”
National Nurses Week 2024: RN Reflects on the State of the Profession, Calls for Change: “Monday, May 6 kicks off National Nurses Week, and it gives folks an opportunity to show their love and appreciation for the people who take care of the sick, injured and dying. Catherine Kennedy, a registered nurse and the Vice President of National Nurses United, told USA TODAY that there needs to be systemic change on the federal level to give nurses the best chance to care for their patients.”
More Than Ever, ‘Union Wages Buy More’: “This 74-year-old union retiree (American Federation of Teachers) remembers those old Kentucky State AFL-CIO novelty license plates that proclaimed ‘Union Wages Buy More.’ That’s true more than ever today. ‘Union members in the United States saw record raises, while nonunion workers’ pay barely beat inflation over the past 12 months, latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows,’ says Thursday’s Team AFL-CIO Daily Brief in a short synopsis headlined ‘It’s Better in a Union: U.S. Union Members See Record Pay Raises, Outpacing Nonunion Workers.’ The brief also cites BLS statistics released on Tuesday that showed ‘wages of private sector union members have risen 6.3% since March 2023.’”
Retail Workers Vote to Form Florida’s First H&M Union: “Retail workers at an H&M clothing store in Melbourne overwhelmingly voted to unionize Friday, forming a historic first H&M union in the state of Florida. According to Will Cox, an organizer with the United Food and Commercial Workers, the election was secured by a supermajority of workers at the Melbourne Square Mall store, who voted in favor of unionization on Friday.”
Biden Vetoes Bill Against Joint Employer Rule: “President Joe Biden vetoed a Congressional Review Act measure to overturn the National Labor Relations Board rule broadening joint employer liability, fulfilling a promise made in January, the White House announced Friday. The CRA measure passed the Senate in a nearly party-line vote in April, and passed the House of Representatives in a largely, but somewhat less, polarized vote in January. The veto saves the NLRB’s rule legislatively, but the regulation was vacated by a federal judge in Texas in March, though it may yet be appealed. The NLRB’s rule expands the bargaining obligations and liabilities of employers that reserve control of essential conditions of employment or exercises such control indirectly.”
How Changes to ‘Non-Compete’ Agreements and Overtime Pay Could Affect Workers: “For millions of American workers, the federal government has taken two actions that could bestow potentially far-reaching benefits. In one move, the Federal Trade Commission voted to ban non-compete agreements, which bar millions of workers from leaving their employers to join a competitor or start a rival business for a specific period of time. The FTC's move, which is already being challenged in court, would mean that such employees could apply for jobs they weren't previously eligible to seek. In a second move, the Biden administration finalized a rule that will make millions more salaried workers eligible for overtime pay. The rule significantly raises the salary level that workers could earn and still qualify for overtime. On the social media site X, the AFL-CIO labor organization said the rules will ‘restore and extend overtime protections for hard-working Americans.’”
Middle Rio Grande Irrigation Workers Unionize: “Irrigation workers at the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District voted to form a union with AFSCME Council 18 on Tuesday, according to a news release from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in New Mexico. Council 18 is the umbrella organization for the various city, county, and state locals affiliated with AFSCME.”
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 05/13/2024 - 14:17Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Moe Elhady
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Moe Elhady of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW).
Moe Elhady is proud to call himself a UAW member for the past 25 years. He currently works as a machine technician at Ford's Livonia Transmission Plant where he is a member of UAW Local 182. Moe is a staunch supporter of the labor movement who communicates with passion and humor. He is also the treasurer for Michigan APALA.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 05/13/2024 - 10:30Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Sesame Workshop Writers Overwhelmingly Ratify New Five-Year Contract
Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Writers Guild East members at Sesame Workshop secured a new contract, overwhelmingly approving a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. The deal was struck just in time to avoid a work stoppage, and the workers won historic jurisdiction and minimum rates for animation and new media programs produced by Sesame, protections against artificial intelligence, paid parental leave benefits and substantial improvements to new media residuals.
“Congratulations to our Sesame Workshop writers, who won groundbreaking protections that will allow them to continue creating children’s media,” WGAE President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “Make no mistake—these historic gains mark an important step in organizing animation. Writing for children’s media and animation isn’t easier than other forms of screenwriting, and those workers deserve the same protections.”
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 05/13/2024 - 09:59Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Mohamad "Mike" Beydoun
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Mohamad "Mike" Beydoun of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW).
Mike Beydoun is a second-generation UAW member whose father immigrated from Lebanon. He has served on the UAW National Negotiating Committee. He is also president of Michigan APALA.
Kenneth Quinnell Sun, 05/12/2024 - 10:19Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Eunice How
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Eunice How of UNITE HERE.
Eunice How's leadership has made Seattle the largest chapter of APALA. She is a lead community and political organizer with UNITE HERE Local 8, and also serves on the national executive board of APALA. She earned a bachelor's degree in public health with a minor in geography from the University of Washington, and organized with United Students Against Sweatshops and Jobs with Justice while in college. She is the proud daughter of Chinese Malaysians and was raised in Illinois and Singapore. She has also served on the leadership board of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum.
Kenneth Quinnell Sat, 05/11/2024 - 10:19SOLIDARITY ALERT: Save These Workers' Pensions
Glass manufacturing workers at Gemtron in Vincennes, Indiana, make the glass that goes into refrigerators by Whirlpool, Sub-Zero and GE—huge brands used in restaurants and kitchens around the world.
Unfortunately, these workers are on an unfair labor practices strike since management has been unilaterally attempting to eliminate their pensions.
It’s the same story we see across the country—a story that workers are coming together to fight against. Gemtron was bought by SSW Advanced Technologies, and its CEO, Luis Liu, has refused to come to the table and acknowledge the union.
These workers were handed a piece of paper informing them that their pension was to be eliminated. “I’ve got 28 days left,” explained Mike, one of the workers on strike.
Will you write a letter to Gemtron CEO Luis Liu to ask him to come to the table and bargain in good faith? These workers have accepted years of concessionary contracts to protect their hard-earned retirements, and Gemtron has not met with them a single time. These are not hugely high-paying jobs.
The challenge in rural communities is that corporate CEOs think they can quietly gouge workers’ hard-earned benefits without much of a fuss. A car drives past Gemtron headquarters about every 10 minutes. That’s why we need your help to protect this hardworking community.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/10/2024 - 14:45Worker Wins: Making a Huge Difference in So Many Lives
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
Dotdash Meredith Union Wins Contracts: Editorial workers—represented by The NewsGuild of New York, a local of The NewsGuild-CWA—at People, People video, Entertainment Weekly and Martha Stewart Living have reached contract agreements with digital and print publisher Dotdash Meredith. Union members voted to ratify the contracts on Monday. Highlights of the new three-year agreements include average immediate wage increases of 28%, a 35-hour workweek with protections against overwork, protected holiday-pay premium, reinstitution of recall rights after layoffs and more. This victory has been a long time coming as workers have been bargaining since 2021, often in the face of anti-union activity. For most of the bargaining units, this is their first union-negotiated contract. “We’ve been in fight mode since 2020, when we began organizing some of our brands besides People print,” said Gabrielle Danchick, a copy editor at People and a member of the bargaining committee. “It’s a relief to finally flip the fight-mode switch off and take a breather as the company does the right thing. Because of our collective resolve and refusal to back down, we have a strong legally binding agreement that gives us the protections we need and the kind of pay that will make a huge difference in so many lives.”
Breeze Airways Flight Attendants Vote Overwhelmingly to Join AFA-CWA: On Tuesday, Breeze Airways flight attendants voted with 76.3% in favor of joining the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA). Breeze Airways, a low-cost airline headquartered in Utah, launched in 2021 and has expanded quickly to employ more than 650 flight attendants. The crew at Breeze began organizing because of experiences with inconsistent work rules, low pay, lack of adequate hotel accommodations, insufficient hours and disrespect from management. Within two weeks of announcing their intent to form a union, flight attendants filed for an election. Although Breeze Airways management launched an aggressive union-busting campaign—including hiring anti-labor consultants to break up the organizing efforts—workers held fast and secured a massive victory with this election. “Management broke out all the tired old union-busting, but together we weren’t intimidated or fooled,” said Robynne Martino, a flight attendant and member of the Breeze Airways AFA-CWA Organizing Committee. “Our work group spoke clearly. It’s time for Breeze to treat us with the dignity we earn every day on the line. We call on management to come to the table and negotiate a fair contract without delay.”
Apple Illegally Interrogated NYC Retail Staff, National Labor Relations Board Rules: The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled earlier this week that Apple illegally interrogated staff at the World Trade Center store location in New York City. The NLRB ruled that the retail store in Manhattan violated labor law by badgering a worker about whether he supported a campaign to form a union with Apple Retail Union–Communications Workers of America (CWA). The agency also affirmed a judge’s ruling last year that Apple violated federal law in 2022 by confiscating flyers about organizing and barring workers from placing them on a table in the staff break room. Last month, the NLRB also sided with workers at Apple’s Penn Square store in Oklahoma City, approving a settlement agreement for an unfair labor practice charge after the tech retail giant terminated its COVID-19 policy without bargaining with the unit. “Time after time, when workers want to join a union, Apple has had an opportunity to live up to its stated values and failed,” CWA Communications Director Beth Allen said in a statement. “This is why workers need an independent voice—to help Apple live up to its credo and make sure that every member of the team is respected and valued.”
IAM Members at Case New Holland Approve New Contract: The Machinists (IAM) Local 2525 has ratified a new contract with agricultural and construction equipment producer CNH Industrial. The previous six-year contract expired on April 28, but the union and company agreed to extend the contract and continue negotiations up until this past Saturday. Workers at the Fargo, North Dakota, facility held fast on their demands for better compensation and improved benefits and safeguards for the well-being and livelihoods of all staff. Thanks to their endurance and the hard work of IAM’s negotiating team, the newly ratified agreement includes higher wages, retention of health care and pension benefits, and more time off. “Through their solidarity, IAM Local 2525 members have secured better wages and benefits, protected their economic stability, job security, as well as ensured the balance between work and life,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Their victory underscores the fundamental truth that when workers stand together, they can achieve remarkable outcomes, shaping a workplace that values their work and honors their dignity.”
Biden Vetoes Bill Against NLRB Joint Employer Rule, Protecting Workers: President Biden vetoed a Congressional Review Act measure late last week that sought to overturn the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule preventing corporations from hiding behind a subcontractor or staffing agency when workers want to collectively bargain. The NLRB’s joint employer rule expands bargaining obligations and liability for labor violations for employers that have power over working conditions, even if workers are hired through a third party or by franchisees of a larger franchise. This regulation ensures that union members can bargain with each company that has the power to make changes in the workplace. A two-thirds majority in the House and Senate would be required to overturn the veto, an unlikely scenario as an overwhelming majority of congressional Democrats endorse the rule. “Without the NLRB’s rule, companies could more easily avoid liability simply by manipulating their corporate structure, like hiding behind subcontractors or staffing agencies. By hampering the NLRB’s efforts to promote the practice and procedure of collective bargaining, Republicans are siding with union-busting corporations over the needs of workers and their unions,” Biden said in a statement.
Retail Workers Vote to Form Florida’s First Union at H&M: Workers at an H&M location in Melbourne, Florida, overwhelmingly voted to form a union with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1625 on Friday, marking a historic first in the state for the clothing retailer. The election was secured by a supermajority of workers at the Melbourne Square Mall store, creating a bargaining unit of about 20 full-time and part-time staff. The multinational clothing company based in Sweden has 15 locations with workers represented by Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW) in New York, with some locations already having secured contracts guaranteeing paid time off, sick days, medical coverage and more. Workers at the Melbourne store first reached out to the international union earlier this year and were directed to Local 1625, which represents some 8,100 workers across Florida, to start the organizing efforts. Now that the retail and merchandising associates have won their election by a landslide, they’re ready to start bargaining a contract with better pay, more opportunities to secure full-time hours and quality health care.
Fungi Perfecti Workers Joining Together with LIUNA: On-site staff at Fungi Perfecti, which produces gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, have announced their intention to form a union with Laborers (LIUNA) Local 252. Unfortunately, the medicinal mushroom company, located in Olympia, Washington, has responded with an aggressive union-busting campaign rather than respecting the collective action of its workers. Local 252 already has had to file several unfair labor practice (ULP) complaints against Fungi Perfecti and has confirmed that more are in the works to protect the organizing efforts from illegal employer interference. Fungi Perfecti has enlisted the services of infamous anti-labor firms Littler and the American Labor Group (ALG), which represent clients like Amazon, Apple, Google and Starbucks, all of which also have faced multiple ULP charges. But, despite this, workers are steadfast in their goal of forming a union to better their working conditions. “ALG has been distributing anti-union propaganda that, in some cases, are outright lies,” said Derek Sewell, a warehouse worker for Fungi Perfecti. “But we will not be discouraged. It’s just unfortunate that they are spending thousands of dollars on union-busting to try to discourage us rather than investing in making Fungi Perfecti and better and more sustainable place to work.”
Portillo’s Workers in Aurora, Illinois, Vote to Join Ironworkers: Workers at a Portillo’s in Aurora, Illinois, voted to join a union last week, becoming the second wave of the Chicago-based food chain staff to do so. After six months of coming together to speak out against disrespect on the job and weathering union-busting tactics from management, production staff are joining Ironworkers Local 853. This victory comes a year after workers at the Portillo’s Food Service warehouse in Addison voted 28–20 to organize. Members are now shifting their focus to starting negotiations on a contract that includes livable wages, respect and dignity on the job, and better working conditions. “I’m so happy, we have a union! This has been a tough fight, but it was definitely worth it. I’m ready to fight for better pay, respect, and a better future for me and my kids!” said Chandra Wilson, a production associate.
House Cafeteria Workers in D.C. Win Big Under New Contract: Cafeteria and catering workers at the U.S. House dining facilities, represented by UNITE HERE Local 23, are celebrating a new contract ratified in March that raises wages and improves working conditions. Members are employed by food services contractor Sodexo, which oversees 10 House dining locations, including the Capitol Market in the basement of the Capitol, office building facilities like the Longworth and Rayburn cafeterias, and the Au Bon Pain in Cannon. The workers who keep representatives, staff and visitors fed in Washington, D.C., had a swell of local support early on in negotiations from Howard University students and union members from other locals, which they said made their success with bargaining possible. The new deal includes a $3 hourly pay bump in the first year and a raise of $7.50 over five years, no-cost health insurance coverage, increased pension contributions and more. “We were all pretty satisfied with the new contract and excited about the raises coming in the next couple of months as well as future benefits,” said Joseph Smith, a Local 23 member who works in the Longworth cafeteria. “We’re all just looking forward to what’s next.”
Biden Administration Expands Protections for Farmworkers: The Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule on Friday that aims to strengthen and expand protections against wage theft and other labor abuses for temporary agricultural workers with H-2A visas. Introduced in 1986, the H-2A program allows U.S. employers to hire workers from other countries for temporary or seasonal agricultural jobs that go unfilled because of domestic labor shortages. Because these farmworkers don’t have U.S. citizenship and rely on bosses for necessities like housing and transportation, their working conditions can be extremely exploitative. The new DOL rule regulates termination policies to prevent retaliation against laborers for speaking up about working conditions, prohibit employers from holding or confiscating a worker’s passport or other documentation, improve safety standards, and more. “This final rule makes important progress in enhancing recruitment protections, empowering workers with information, lifting wages, limiting retaliation, improving safety protections, enabling concerted activity and ensuring employer accountability,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler in a press release. “When workers are able to join together safely and take collective action, we all win. The AFL-CIO commends the DOL for raising the bar on protections that will prevent further exploitation of migrant and America’s workers alike.”
Remaining West Coast IATSE Locals Reach Craft-Specific Tentative Agreements with Studios: All West Coast Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) locals have now reached tentative agreements with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on its craft-specific issues as of late last week. IATSE locals 44—the Affiliated Property Craftspersons union—and 884—the Studio Teachers union—join 11 other West Coast crew unions that have won tentative deals since bargaining over their local-specific contracts that began in March. IATSE’s Basic Agreement General Negotiations, which cover broader contractual issues like wages, pension and health care contributions, artificial intelligence usage, job security, and residuals, resumed on Monday, April 29, and are slated to run through May 16. Negotiations for the Area Standards Agreement (ASA) will start on May 20 and are set to run through the end of the month. “Our locals’ craft-specific issues required the employers’ attention, and at the table we’re seeing improved engagement and dialogue,” IATSE Vice President Mike Miller said in a statement. “That indicates the studios’ negotiators have different marching orders this contract cycle. This approach will be helpful as we continue our negotiations over the next few weeks.”
Pitt Faculty Union Reaches Tentative Agreement on First Historic Contract: Full- and part-time faculty at the University of Pittsburgh—who are represented by the United Steelworkers (USW)—announced Thursday that the union had reached a tentative agreement on its first contract. The more than 3,000 Pitt faculty voted to organize with the USW during the fall of 2021 and have been negotiating with university administration for two years. Members will soon be voting on a contract that contains historic language on wages and job security, the top two bargaining priorities for the unit, including a standardized wage floor, more manageable workloads and better advancement opportunities. “We unionized nearly three years ago so that we could have a voice in the decision-making process and increased transparency,” said Tyler Bickford, a professor in the English department, who served on the bargaining committee. “We remained united through negotiations, and our perseverance paid off with a strong contract that will help us now and provide firm foundation on which we can grow in the future.”
UAW Members in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee Reach Deal with Daimler Truck: The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) announced a tentative deal Friday night with auto manufacturer Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) in the eleventh hour before contract expiration, covering thousands of workers at plants in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. The four-year contract establishes huge wins for the 7,300 covered members, like a 25% pay increase over four years—including a 10% raise immediately when the deal is ratified—profit-sharing language, an end to wage tiers and the first ever cost-of-living adjustment guarantees since workers first organized. Members faced union-busting tactics from the Mercedes-Benz-owned company throughout negotiations, including retaliation against union members and bad-faith bargaining, forcing the UAW to file four unfair labor practice charges against Daimler. “Tonight, it’s clear the company, and the world, heard your message: WE build the product. WE make the profits. WE deserve a deal that reflects our hard work. But you did more than just that,” UAW President Shawn Fain said in prepared remarks. “With this agreement, you said: a rising tide needs to lift every single boat. No one gets left behind. UAW Family, that is solidarity at its best. We win more when we stick together.”
University of Kansas Faculty Vote ‘Union Yes’: On Thursday, seven months after filing for their election, faculty at the University of Kansas (KU) voted overwhelmingly to form a union. The United Academics of the University of Kansas (UAKU) is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), representing more than 1,550 academic workers at KU. Staff in the bargaining unit include full-time and part-time tenured and nontenure-track faculty, as well as teaching, research, clinical and online professors; lecturers; curators; librarians; grant-funded research scientists; and more. Members are seeking a contract that will provide job security, improved compensation structures like salary minimums and regular cost-of-living adjustments, and protections for academic freedom. “This is a really exciting day for us. By voting overwhelmingly to unionize, we now have a seat at the table to advocate for the needs of our university and the students we serve,” said Lisa-Marie Wright, an associate teaching professor in the Department of Sociology. “Our students deserve excellent, well-supported faculty, and that’s what we’ll fight for.”
Paramedics and EMTs Form Union with AFSCME in Montana: EMTs and paramedics at AMR Bozeman have unanimously voted to form a union with AFSCME Council 9, making them the first AMR employees to organize in Montana. AMR (American Medical Response) is a private ambulance company in the United States offering emergency and nonemergency medical transportation. When faced with low pay, high turnover and faulty equipment, staff tried going to management for help, but despite their urgency, AMR failed to provide them the resources needed to serve the community. So a core group of EMS professionals began collecting union cards with help from organizers at Council 9 so they could have a collective voice for enacting change. Despite AMR’s attempt to undermine their organizing efforts, all 34 workers who voted said yes to joining together for better conditions. “We really love what we do, we want to be helping people. But we need to make enough money to get by,” said EMT Chris Dooley. “That certainly sends a pretty strong message that this isn’t just a handful of people. We all landed on the same answer.”
Biden Rule Grants Overtime Pay to Millions of Workers: Some 4.3 million workers who previously didn’t qualify for overtime pay could now be eligible, thanks to a new Department of Labor rule from the Biden administration. The mandate will extend overtime protections to salaried workers who earn less than $1,128 per week—about $58,600 per year—when they work more than 40 hours in a week. The threshold increase begins July 1 and is estimated to result in an additional $1.5 billion in pay for millions of salaried workers. And, in order to keep up with changes in average earnings, the threshold will automatically increase every three years starting in 2027. “This rule will restore the promise to workers that if you work more than 40 hours in a week, you should be paid more for that time,” said acting Labor Secretary Julie Su. “Too often, lower-paid salaried workers are doing the same job as their hourly counterparts but are spending more time away from their families for no additional pay. That is unacceptable. The Biden–Harris administration is following through on our promise to raise the bar for workers who help lay the foundation for our economic prosperity.”
Vice President Harris Announces Final Rules on Minimum Nursing Home Staffing Standards: Vice President Kamala Harris announced on Monday final rules setting minimum staffing requirements at federally funded nursing homes and mandating that a certain amount of the taxpayer dollars they receive go toward wages for care workers. This is the first time the federal government is requiring staffing minimums for nursing homes that accept payments from Medicare and Medicaid—which nearly every single one does. The rule comes after the COVID-19 pandemic claimed the lives of more than 167,000 nursing home residents in the United States, exposing how deadly and dangerous understaffing can be in facilities caring for older and disabled Americans. Harris said this overdue change will mean more staff on site to care for residents, fewer emergency room visits, and more peace of mind for caregivers and families. In addition to requiring more staff, the Biden administration is regulating how federal health care dollars are spent, requiring more of that money go to care worker wages in an effort to reduce high turnover rates and grow the industry workforce. Currently, Medicaid pays $125 billion annually to home health care companies, but those facilities haven’t previously been required to report on how they were spending the money. “It is about time that we start to recognize your value and pay you accordingly and give you the structure and support that you deserve,” Harris told a group of care workers during a roundtable in Wisconsin after the announcement. “This is about dignity, and it’s about dignity that we as a society owe to those in particular who care for the least of these.”
Volkswagen Workers in Tennessee Pass Historic Vote to Join Union: In a historic victory, Volkswagen (VW) workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, voted to join the UAW on Friday, making it the first auto factory in the South to vote to organize since the 1940s. An overwhelming majority of the 3,613 workers voted yes in a three-day election that drew high turnout. Against the backdrop of last summer’s intense Hollywood strikes, a recent sharp spike in National Labor Relations Board petition filings, coordinated health care worker walkouts and multiple other groundbreaking organizing victories, this win for VW workers is not only the biggest organizing success in years for the UAW—it’s also yet another piece of evidence that workers across industries and regions are fed up with not getting our fair share of corporate profits. Now that the election is over, the fight for a fair contract is next. Members are aiming for an agreement that secures more paid time off, more predictable scheduling, improved health care, retirement benefits and more. “This election is big,” said Kelcey Smith, a worker in the paint department at Volkswagen, in a UAW press release. “People in high places told us good things can’t happen here in Chattanooga. They told us this isn’t the time to stand up, this isn’t the place. But we did stand up and we won. This is the time; this is the place. Southern workers are ready to stand up and win a better life.”
Shedd Aquarium Workers in Chicago Vote to Form Union : Workers at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium announced on Thursday that they are forming their union, Shedd Workers United (SWU), with AFSCME Council 31. When certified, SWU will represent around 300 staff working in animal care, community education, guest relations, facilities and other departments. Workers at the aquarium are in good company as they join the ranks of their peers at other local public institutions like the Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry and the Chicago Public Library who all have recently organized with AFSCME Cultural Workers United. In a public letter signed by 60 workers, Shedd Workers United members said that through forming a union they can advocate not just for their own working conditions and rights, but also the welfare of the animals that are so beloved by their community. Core concerns for workers include the need for better work-life balance, improved compensation and solutions to high turnover rates. “We believe that through our union, we can use our voice to advocate for a sustainable, transparent, and equitable workplace for everyone at Shedd Aquarium, at every level,” workers said in their public statement. “We can further strengthen our role in the [diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion] initiatives. We can democratize the decision-making process that affects us, our families, and the animals we care for, leading to better collective decisions made inclusively with everyone and every animal’s best interest at heart.”
Wichita Nurses Ratify First-Ever Union Contracts at Ascension Hospitals: Registered nurses, represented by National Nurses United (NNU), at two Ascension-owned hospitals in Wichita, Kansas, ratified new two-year contracts on Monday, successfully winning critical protections for patient care. Members have overwhelmingly approved these new deals—at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, 96% of nurses voted yes, and 100% of nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph voted yes. This massive victory comes after nurses successfully leveraged their power by threatening a third strike at the hospitals if management refused to agree to fair deals. Highlights from the new contracts include staffing grids with enforceable nurse-to-patient ratios for every unit, salary increases, a transparent wage scale based on years of experience, new standards on infectious disease protections, better workplace violence prevention language and more. “This is a historic day for our union, our patients, our hospitals, and the entire city of Wichita,” said Shelly Rader, an RN in the emergency department at St. Francis. “We’ve shown Ascension that nurses won’t back down when it comes to fighting for better patient care and better working conditions. We organized to fight for and win a strong contract, and we’re very excited to announce we’ve done just that now that nurses have approved this contract.”
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/10/2024 - 11:27Tags: Organizing
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Maria Teresa Hank
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Maria Teresa Hank of the Transport Workers Union (TWU).
Maria Teresa Hank is an engaged union member who advocates tirelessly for workers' rights. As a Southwest flight attendant, Hank does not attend any meeting, action or rally without her “support your flight attendants” lanyards and giving anyone who will listen a quick background on why flight attendants deserve better protections. As a recent graduate of the Nevada State AFL-CIO candidate training program, she plans to run for office in a local capacity in 2026. She is of Filipino and Hawaiian descent.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/10/2024 - 10:19Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IAM Members at Case New Holland Approve New Contract
Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
The Machinists (IAM) Local 2525 ratified a new contract with agricultural and construction equipment producer Case New Holland Industrial.
The previous six-year contract expired on April 28, but the union and company agreed to extend the contract and continue negotiations up until this past Saturday. Workers at the Fargo, North Dakota, facility held fast on their demands for better compensation and improved benefits and safeguards for the well-being and livelihoods of all staff. Thanks to their endurance and the hard work of IAM’s negotiating team, the newly ratified agreement includes higher wages, retention of health care and pension benefits, and more time off.
“Through their solidarity, IAM Local 2525 members have secured better wages and benefits, protected their economic stability, job security, as well as ensured the balance between work and life,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Their victory underscores the fundamental truth that when workers stand together, they can achieve remarkable outcomes, shaping a workplace that values their work and honors their dignity.”
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/10/2024 - 10:00Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Anita Roberts
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Anita Roberts of the
Anita Roberts, a union member since 1998, serves her colleagues at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in San Diego as a mess attendant, cashier and shop steward. “Industrial, Technical & Professional Employees Union (ITPEU)/OPEIU Local 4873 has given AAPI members a voice at work,” Roberts said. “Our union recently won a great contract with guaranteed pensions, raises, job security, health care and good working conditions.”
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/09/2024 - 10:09
