Service & Solidarity Spotlight: 1,300 AFT Members at PeaceHealth Southwest Vote to Authorize 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.
Service and maintenance and tech health care workers at PeaceHealth Southwest and lab professionals at PeaceHealth St. John voted to authorize a strike at both hospitals by 95%, with 93% of members participating in the vote. These health care workers, who are members of the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, AFT Local 5017, have been in negotiations over their next union contract for months. They say they were pushed to authorize a strike because management refused to bargain in good faith, put reasonable offers on the table, or address the issues that affect both staff and patients.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 10/13/2023 - 10:42Service & Solidarity Spotlight: A Permanent Triangle Fire Memorial Is Dedicated in Greenwich Village
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.
Nearly 113 years after the tragedy, the long-awaited public memorial to the victims and legacy of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was dedicated at the site of the historic fire in New York City. The event was co-sponsored by the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition and the New York City Central Labor Council. The Triangle Fire Memorial will be a permanent element on the very building that housed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, at the corner of Greene Street and Washington Place in Greenwich Village. This fire took the lives of 146 mostly young, immigrant women workers, and outrage over the incident was the impetus for changes in labor and fire safety laws that continue to protect us today. The Triangle Fire Memorial tells the story of the fire in the languages spoken by the victims—English, Yiddish and Italian.
“I’m grateful to the [Remember the] Triangle Fire Coalition for bringing us together today to honor the important legacy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire,” said acting Secretary of Labor Julie A. Su. “Over a century later, the impact of the Triangle fire still reverberates—not only due to the measure of its tragedy, but also because of its powerful role in galvanizing the American labor movement, and inspiring workers to stand up and demand the right to have their voices heard. As we honor all those who lost their lives on that day, we here at the Labor Department and across the country also recommit ourselves to the never-ending fight for workers’ rights.”
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 10/12/2023 - 10:21Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UAW Members at Mack Trucks Join Strike Wave to Demand Better Wages, Working Conditions
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.
UAW members voted by 73% to reject a tentative agreement, then nearly 4,000 UAW members at Mack Trucks in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida walked out on Oct. 9. “I'm inspired to see UAW members at Mack Trucks holding out for a better deal, and ready to stand up and walk off the job to win it,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “The members have the final say, and it’s their solidarity and organization that will win a fair contract at Mack.”
Many topics remain at issue, including: wage increases, cost of living allowances, job security, wage progression, skilled trades, shift premium, holiday schedules, work schedules, health and safety, seniority, pensions, 401(k) plans, health care and prescription drug coverage, and overtime. UAW locals 171, 677, 1247, 2301 and 2420 in UAW Region 8 and Region 9 represent workers at Mack Trucks in Macungie and Middletown, Pennsylvania; Hagerstown and Baltimore, Maryland; and Jacksonville, Florida. The Mack Trucks strikers bring the total number of striking International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America members to over 30,000 workers across 22 states.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 10/11/2023 - 09:59Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Joe Lopez
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Joe Lopez of the Mine Workers (UMWA).
Joe Lopez is the longest-tenured Hispanic miner and union member in the Mine Workers (UMWA). Lopez said: "Hola, amigos! My name is Joe Lopez and I’ve been mining for 34 years. I’ve been a proud union member and a member of UMWA Local 3106, located at a mine in Socorro, New Mexico, since the year 2001. I am proud of all our union members."
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/10/2023 - 09:59Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Art Institute of Chicago Workers Ratify 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.
Members of Art Institute of Chicago Workers United, an affiliate of AFSCME, have secured their first union contract with the museum. The contract includes pay raises, new career opportunities and affordable health care while protecting workers' rights on the job for four years. The 500-plus members of the museum and its affiliated school, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, have been in negotiations for over a year. The union began plans for a strike, then the museum presented a bargaining contract, which was accepted.
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/10/2023 - 09:48Economy Gains 336,000 Jobs in September; Unemployment Steady at 3.8%
The U.S. economy gained 336,000 jobs in September, and the unemployment rate remained at 3.8%, according to figures released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This strong jobs report shows the continued success of President Biden's policies.
September’s biggest job gains were in leisure and hospitality (+96,000), government (+73,000), health care (+41,000), professional, scientific and technical services (+29,000), social assistance (+25,000), and transportation and warehousing (+9,000). Employment in information (-5,000), declined over the month. Employment showed little change over the month in other major industries, including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; construction; manufacturing; wholesale trade; retail trade; financial activities; and other services.
Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for teenagers (11.6%), Black Americans (5.7%), Hispanics (4.6%), adult men (3.8%), White Americans (3.4%), adult women (3.1%), and Asian Americans (2.8%) showed little or no change in September.
The number of long-term unemployed workers (those jobless for 27 weeks or longer) was little changed in September and accounted for 19.1% of the total number of people unemployed.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 10/06/2023 - 11:21Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Yahaira Lopez
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Yahaira Lopez of the Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA).
Yahaira Lopez is an outstanding and contributing member of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) at Frontier Airlines. She is an integral part of the local council's leadership and a fearless Latina who is proud of where she comes from. She embraces her heritage and shares her culture.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 10/06/2023 - 09:38Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Jerónimo Álvarez
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Jerónimo Álvarez of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC).
-Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) member Jerónimo Álvarez is 59 years old and is from Hidalgo, Mexico. He has been coming to the U.S. to work in the fields since the 1990s and has been a member of the union since 2004. In the U.S., he works in the tobacco fields; when he is in Mexico, Álvarez works as a bricklayer and farmworker. He has leaned on the union throughout the years and was recently appointed to serve on FLOC's Union Advisory Council.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 10/05/2023 - 10:05Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UAW Video, ‘Broken Promises,’ Shows the Roots of the Strike Against the Big Three Automakers
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 UAW released a new video, “Broken Promises,” that reveals the deep roots of the union’s ongoing strike against the Big Three automakers. The video, narrated by UAW President Shawn Fain, describes the deal made during the Great Recession when the auto industry was on the brink of collapse. Fain said, “The deal was, UAW members take some short-term cuts for the long-term survival of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.” Those short-term cuts have lasted 15 years. Autoworkers hired after 2007 have been denied the pensions and retiree health care coverage won by generations of members of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America before them.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 10/05/2023 - 10:01Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Carolina Hernandez
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Carolina Hernandez of IATSE.
Carolina Hernandez is the principal set costumer on the new television series “Lawmen: Bass Reeves.” As a seven-year member of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 484, she dedicates her spare time volunteering at local food banks and has petitioned the Texas House for better film incentive programs to attract more union films to the state.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 10/04/2023 - 09:58Service & Solidarity Spotlight: University of Maine Graduate Student Workers Win Union Certification
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.
A majority of graduate student workers at the University of Maine signed cards in support of organizing with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). The Maine Labor Relations Board last week certified its union as University of Maine Graduate Workers Union-UAW. The new union will represent the 1,000 graduate workers across all campuses of the University of Maine System.
“Our work powers the educational and research mission of the university, and was instrumental in UMaine receiving the status of an R1 rated research university,” said Em Sowles, a research assistant in the physics department. “In short, UMaine works because we do.”
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 10/04/2023 - 09:42Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Brenda Bedolla
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Brenda Bedolla of the Ironworkers.
A Michoacán, Mexico, native and DACA recipient, Brenda Bedolla’s passion for workers’ rights and social justice was shaped by her firsthand immigrant experience. In her current role with the Ironworkers, Bedolla organizes Portillo’s food service workers. She is passionate about building people power in and outside of workplaces, and can be found organizing her community when she's not organizing workers.
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/03/2023 - 09:27Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IBEW Local 29 Reaches Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement with Duquesne Light Company
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.
Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 29 has reached a tentative three-year collective bargaining agreement with Duquesne Light Co. The agreement addresses key topics like wages, retirement and workforce renewal and investment, and still needs to be ratified by the membership.
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/03/2023 - 09:23Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Veronica Magos Sanchez
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Veronica Magos Sanchez of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS).
Veronica Magos Sanchez has been a Professional Aviation Safety Specialist (PASS) member for nearly 15 years and has served her colleagues at Los Angeles Airport as a union rep for the past nine years. She's a member of the Federal Aviation Administration's Hispanic and Native American associations and participates regularly in the agency's education and safety events.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 10/02/2023 - 08:44Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Resident Advisers at Penn Vote Overwhelmingly to Join OPEIU
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.
Resident advisers at the University of Pennsylvania voted overwhelmingly to unionize, joining a trend of labor organizing among undergraduate students across the country. The R.A.s voted 142 to 22 to be represented by Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 153.
“We as R.A.s are integral to campus life but are consistently undervalued and underpaid,” Penn union organizers wrote. “We are organizing for fair compensation, better communication and a more democratic workplace—when R.A.s are supported, so is the entire Penn community.”
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 10/02/2023 - 08:35
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Oscar Cerda
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Oscar Cerda of the Fire Fighters (IAFF).
Oscar Cerda immigrated to the U.S. from Chile with his parents when he was 5 years old. Motivated by a desire to help his community, he became a volunteer firefighter at the age of 17 and later joined the U.S. Air Force, where he spent more than five years on active duty. He now serves as a firefighter at the Francis S. Gabreski Airport, a joint civil-military airport in Suffolk County, New York. Cerda and his union siblings in CSEA/AFSCME Local 1000 are proud to keep their communities safe.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 09/29/2023 - 13:47Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement.
Here are the profiles we've already featured throughout the month:
Check back throughout the month for more.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 09/28/2023 - 10:30Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Joaquín Rodríguez
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Joaquín Rodríguez of the Washington State Labor Council.
Joaquín Rodríguez is a fierce advocate for social change and breaking down systemic racism in public education. He is a member of the Seattle Education Association (SEA), which is affiliated with the Washington State Labor Council. Rodríguez worked as a high school science teacher before being elected to serve as director of SEA's Center for Racial and Social Justice (CRSJ). In his time as CRSJ director, he’s been a champion for educators of color.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 09/28/2023 - 09:53Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Hospitality Workers Vote by 95% to Authorize Las Vegas Strip 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.
Members of Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, affiliates of UNITE HERE, voted by 95% on Tuesday to authorize a strike across the Las Vegas Strip. The negotiating committee is authorized to call for a strike at 22 casino resort properties operated by the three largest employers, MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts. The unions represent 60,000 hospitality workers in Nevada; 53,000 are based in Las Vegas and are in active negotiations with casino/hotel employers for a new five-year contract.
“Culinary and Bartenders Union members have sent the strongest message possible to the casino industry to settle a fair contract as soon as possible. We have negotiations scheduled next week with MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn/Encore Resorts and it’s up to the three largest employers in Las Vegas to step up and do the right thing,” said Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Workers Union. “If these gaming companies don’t come to an agreement, the workers have spoken and we will be ready to do whatever it takes—up to and including a strike. Workers brought every single one of these companies through the pandemic and into a great recovery, and workers deserve a fair share. Companies are doing extremely well and we are demanding that workers aren’t left behind.”
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 09/28/2023 - 09:48Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Maria Camilo
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Maria Camilo of UNITE HERE.
Maria Camilo works as a cashier for Sodexo at Colleges of the Fenway in Boston. She leads her co-workers in a campaign to win a great university food service contract and says: "With the union, our wages improved and we got great benefits. As a shop steward, I know that when I talk to my managers, I am their equal and I deserve respect."
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 09/27/2023 - 10:07
