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Black History Month Profiles: Calvin Brooks

Thu, 02/02/2023 - 08:59
Black History Month Profiles: Calvin Brooks

This year, for Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Calvin Brooks of SMART.

Calvin Brooks serves as the business agent and financial secretary for International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 25 and treasurer of the Passaic County Central Labor Council in New Jersey. He began his 30-year career as an apprentice from 1993 to 1997, graduated to journeyperson in 1997, and worked his way up the ranks to be shop steward, foreman, general foreman and Local 25 ombudsman. Brooks is a Navy veteran, who served from 1983-1989 on the USS Nassau in Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, and a member of the Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO. Brooks is the proud father of two children.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 02/02/2023 - 09:59

Tags: Black History Month

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: AFT’s Share My Lesson Provides Black History Month Plans and Resources for Teachers

Thu, 02/02/2023 - 08:30
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: AFT’s Share My Lesson Provides Black History Month Plans and Resources for Teachers

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Teachers and educators play an important role during Black History Month. While lesson plans need to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Black people throughout our shared history, teachers also have the opportunity to explain to students the diversity of our society and provide inspiration and examples of how students can step up and make their own contributions to Black history. The American Federation of Teachers’ (AFT’s) Share My Lesson website provides teachers with the tools they need to make their Black History Month lessons as good as possible.

From “Ida B. Wells and Her Crusade for Racial Justice” to “Memphis in 1968: The Sanitation Workers’ Strike,” Share My Lesson includes numerous lesson plans, activities and articles on a wide variety of Black history topics. Find these and other tools on the Share My Lesson Black History Month website.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 02/02/2023 - 09:30

Black History Month Profiles: Annie Anderson

Wed, 02/01/2023 - 08:44
Black History Month Profiles: Annie Anderson

This year, for Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Annie Anderson of AFSCME.

Annie Anderson is head custodian at the Columbus Spanish Immersion Academy in Columbus, Ohio, where the students know her as “Miss Annie.” She makes sure her students know they are loved and can achieve great things. As an AFSCME member, Anderson uses her voice to ensure that she and her co-workers have the tools they need to provide a safe and colorful environment where kids can thrive.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 02/01/2023 - 09:44

Tags: Black History Month

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: AFGE Seeks 8.7% Raise for Federal Workers to Close Gap Between Public and Private Sector Workers

Wed, 02/01/2023 - 08:31
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: AFGE Seeks 8.7% Raise for Federal Workers to Close Gap Between Public and Private Sector Workers

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

AFGE is seeking an 8.7% pay increase for federal workers in 2024. The raise is part of the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act recently re-introduced by Rep. Gerry Connolly (Va.) and Sen. Brian Schatz (Hawaii). AFGE applauded the legislation, which National President Everett Kelley said was needed to close the double-digit pay gap between federal employees and their private sector counterparts. 

“The latest report of the Federal Salary Council shows that federal worker pay lags behind the private sector by over 23%⁠—making it difficult for agencies to recruit, hire, and retain top talent and hurting the quality of services Americans receive,” Kelley said. “The 8.7% pay increase included in the FAIR Act will not only reward federal employees’ hard work and help them keep pace with inflation, but it will also help government agencies remain competitive and deliver high-quality services to the American public. We wholeheartedly endorse this bill.” 

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 02/01/2023 - 09:31

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: International Unions Call for Justice for 42 Miners Killed in October

Tue, 01/31/2023 - 08:48
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: International Unions Call for Justice for 42 Miners Killed in October

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

International unions, led by IndustriALL Global Union, are calling for justice for 42 miners who were killed in October in Turkey’s Amasra district. The deaths were a result of an explosion at the mine and four mine workers are still in the hospital, two in intensive care. IndustriALL Global Union Assistant General Secretary Kemal Özkan (pictured above, third from left) and IndustriAll Europe General Secretary Luc Triangle (second from left) visited the mine and met with local officials, mine employees and family members of the killed miners.

“It is the duty of the trade union movement to commemorate our lost fellow miners and to protect their rights. We came here to show our solidarity and express our readiness to work together to prevent future accidents. We will do our best to ensure that mine workers can work in healthy and safe conditions,” Özkan said.

A fire still rages in the mine and efforts are underway to extinguish it so coal production can restart. Workers and the local community want the mine to reopen and for life to return to normal. A prosecutor is asking for a sentencing between 16 months and 1,062 years for 19 suspects, including the manager of the mine for “causing death and injury to more than one person by conscious negligence.”

“We are here to join the demand for justice. The International and European union movement, public opinion and the families of victims want to know why these 42 miners were killed. We will continue to follow this case closely. Every mine worker has the right to return home healthy and safe,” Triangle said.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 01/31/2023 - 09:48

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Historic Job Growth in 2022 Reflects Strong but Uneven Economic Recovery

Mon, 01/30/2023 - 08:37
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Historic Job Growth in 2022 Reflects Strong but Uneven Economic Recovery

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released state and unemployment data for December 2022, which the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) used to analyze employment changes for the entire year.

EPI found that nationwide, the U.S. economy added 4.5 million jobs in 2022. This makes 2022 the second-strongest year for job growth in the past 40 years (2021 was the first).

Public sector employment continues to lag behind private sector employment. According to EPI, state and local government employment is still 2.3% below pre-pandemic levels as state agencies, school districts and local governments have struggled to fill vacancies.

The American Rescue Plan earmarked $350 billion for the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. However, as of October 2022, state and local governments have only used 40% of the available funds.

EPI calls on state and local lawmakers to use the remaining funds to invest in filling public sector vacancies.

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 01/30/2023 - 09:37

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Help HuffPost Union Members Secure Fair Contract

Fri, 01/27/2023 - 08:33
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Help HuffPost Union Members Secure Fair Contract

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The current contract between the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), and HuffPost expires at midnight on Jan. 31. WGAE members have been bargaining for a new contract for months, and important issues remain that must be resolved: fair guaranteed wage increases, an industry-standard 401k, health and safety provisions, and the ability to grieve out-of-title work. Management has refused to come to a fair resolution on those issues and has proposed wage increases that are lower than those in previous contracts.

The WGAE members at HuffPost are asking for your help. They deserve a fair contract and would like you to send a letter to Jonah Peretti, chief executive officer of HuffPost’s parent company, BuzzFeed.

Take a few minutes today to show your solidarity and send a letter in support of the members of HuffPost Union.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 01/27/2023 - 09:33

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Machinists Launch Training to End Workplace Violence and Harassment

Thu, 01/26/2023 - 08:35
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Machinists Launch Training to End Workplace Violence and Harassment

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

A group of Machinists (IAM) staff and officers recently attended a “Be More Than a Bystander” training at the IAM’s William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Maryland. These members are the first labor group in the country to receive training from the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia, which teaches participants how to recognize workplace harassment and violence, particularly against women and the LGBTQ+ community.

The objective of the program is to help men understand the impact of gendered violence in the workplace and the role they can have in speaking up.

“It was an honor for me to observe the first Be More Than a Bystander Program,” said IAM Women’s and Human Rights Director Julie Frietchen. “I found it informative and think that we will be able to use this material to make our union even more inclusive and stronger than ever.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 01/26/2023 - 09:35

What to do after Roe v. Wade?

Wed, 01/25/2023 - 11:30
What to do after Roe v. Wade?

January 22 should have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Instead, we’re fighting to keep the government out of our personal health care decisions.

If we can’t make choices about our own bodies and families, working people cannot do our jobs and contribute to our economy. Reproductive rights and worker rights are both fundamental freedoms that must be protected. With broken labor laws and Roe v. Wade overturned, our fundamental freedoms now depend on where we live.  We created a map comparing states that have abortion bans and anti-worker laws like “right to work.”

States that don’t protect abortion? They don’t protect workers’ rights either. This is not a coincidence. Take a look at our map: Did your state politicians protect your freedoms? Or strip them from you?

So how do we protect our freedoms? Fight like hell. 

Our map shows that threats to reproductive freedom go hand in hand with threats to economic freedom for workers. We have a guide on talking about reproductive health care as an economics issue, which you can use when organizing and talking to union members and your entire community. 

Find the map and resources here.

For what should be the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we’re not mourning—we’re organizing.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 01/25/2023 - 12:30

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Culinary Union Launches ‘My Stations Watch’ to Hold Casino Owners Accountable

Wed, 01/25/2023 - 08:40
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Culinary Union Launches ‘My Stations Watch’ to Hold Casino Owners Accountable

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The Culinary Union-UNITE HERE Local 226 launched a website designed to track Station Casinos’ actions and how the company’s decisions affect the working people of Las Vegas and the surrounding area. The website, MyStationsWatch.org, illustrates the Las Vegas valley footprint that Station Casinos has developed and gives local residents the avenue to have their say about the company’s actions in Nevada. Station Casinos is owned by Red Rock Resorts, the only publicly traded Nevada gaming company whose board is all-white and all-male.

“In the midst of a housing shortage, Station Casinos is holding hundreds of acres of undeveloped land, they have demolished three neighborhood casinos, and are putting up a luxury resort on the beltway,” said Bethany Khan, spokeswoman for the Culinary Union. “We want to make sure Station Casinos hears from our communities.”

Check out the website.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 01/25/2023 - 09:40

The Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Reminds Us that the Fight for Workers’ Rights Continues

Tue, 01/24/2023 - 13:20
The Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Reminds Us that the Fight for Workers’ Rights Continues

The 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade should have been a day of celebration. 

A day where we felt energized and ready to build on this historic victory for women’s rights and   increase the number of working people who could access safe abortion and quality, affordable reproductive health care.

But as we recognize the 50 years since the constitutional right was passed, this day also falls just seven months short of when the U.S. Supreme Court stripped millions of working women, people and families of this fundamental freedom in a country with zero guaranteed paid family or sick leave or a national standard for affordable and accessible child care and early childhood education. We must now use this time to coalesce around a plan to organize and mobilize, not only against attacks on abortion but also on the far-reaching and sustained attack on workers’ rights. 

In the months since the high court’s decision, working people have experienced chaos and uncertainty, and it is part of a larger campaign to deny us security and control over our own destinies. Each day, we hear unsettling stories from across the country about patients being denied lifesaving care; people’s choices being decided on the whim of right-wing judges; and extremist politicians floating dangerous legislation to criminalize women and medical professionals, and ban contraceptives. At the same time, many of those same judges and politicians also have joined forces with corporate interests to weaken workers’ ability to have a voice on the job through a union. The court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization posed an imminent threat to collective bargaining agreements, and the justices heard arguments earlier this month in a case that could deal a devastating blow to workers’ right to strike. 

These fights are deeply connected, and in many states where abortion has been restricted, workers’ rights are also severely limited. Working people have the ability to respond and that’s why we launched a new map to help workers make informed decisions to better advocate for ourselves and our families. 

 

The map demonstrates how anti-worker policies such as failing to raise the minimum wage, the lack of paid family and medical leave, “right to work” laws and poor access to critical programs like Medicaid interact to shrink democracy and create environments where working families struggle to thrive. Many of these states have lower life-expectancy rates, higher rates of poverty and low voter turnout. 

This map is a powerful resource that will give you the information you need to fight back and includes trainings on how to have productive conversations on the issue of abortion and the economy with your community; collective bargaining language to strengthen union contracts; and a voter guide to help you connect these issues to state, local and federal elections. 

Your quality of life should not depend on where you live. The labor movement will continue to be a force for progress and economic equality for working women and gender-oppressed people everywhere.  

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 01/24/2023 - 14:20

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Support Journalists and Local Journalism in Milwaukee

Tue, 01/24/2023 - 08:41
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Support Journalists and Local Journalism in Milwaukee

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Over the past 15 years, more than 1,800 local newspapers have shut down. Many others have seen huge staff cuts. Entire communities have no coverage of local government, schools and business.

In Wisconsin, Gannett, which runs the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and 10 other newspapers in the state, has cut the size of the newspaper’s bargaining unit by 25% in recent years. Meanwhile, Gannett chief executive officer Mike Reed was paid $7.7 million last year, while the median Gannett journalist’s salary is less than $50,000 per year.

Journal Sentinel workers are fighting not only to save their own jobs, but to save local news. You can help. Please send a message to Gannett, telling it to support vibrant local news at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by ensuring adequate hiring, a career path for journalists who work for the newspaper, and diversity, equity and inclusion for staff.

Support local news today.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 01/24/2023 - 09:41

Explainer: New Report on Union Members

Mon, 01/23/2023 - 09:39
Explainer: New Report on Union Members

The Bureau of Labor Statistics just released their annual report on union membership. A lot of people are lamenting union density, which declined slightly—but that isn’t the whole story. Here are our three takeaways from the report:

1. Union membership grew by 273,000. Corporate giants like Starbucks and Amazon are spending millions of dollars to intimidate and harass workers when they organize. Despite that, 273,000 workers were able to win their union in the face of blatant union-busting. We have the momentum. That is a sign of worker power and resilience that we celebrate.

2. Union density declined because of broken labor laws, not because of disapproval or disinterest. Unions currently have a 60-year high approval rate. Last year there was a 53% rise in union elections. It’s clear: Workers want unions. So why did union density decline?

Because non-union jobs were added faster than we could unionize them. This isn’t surprising. Workers face a stacked deck when they organize a union. And corporations know that stalling an organizing drive is an effective union-busting tactic.

3. We have work to do. If we want higher union density and more union members, we need labor laws that actually protect our right to organize and that hold union-busting corporations accountable. Every worker in America who wants to join a union should be able to. It’s as simple as that.

We’re ready to fight corporations, bad bosses, paid-off politicians and anyone who wants to take away our right to organize and join a union.

Tell us if you’re with us.

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 01/23/2023 - 10:39

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Registration Now Open for NALC’s Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive

Mon, 01/23/2023 - 08:43
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Registration Now Open for NALC’s Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Registration is now open for the 31st Annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive. On May 13, letter carriers across the country will pick up donations for the largest annual single-day food drive in the United States. NALC branch presidents can now register to participate in the drive through the members-only portal at nalc.org.

For the actual Stamp Out Hunger Drive on May 13, anyone can make a tax-deductible food donation, and the collected food items will be distributed to more than 10,000 food agencies across the country. NALC’s website for the campaign contains more information and useful links for organizers, partners, sponsors and working people

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 01/23/2023 - 09:43

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: The Animation Guild Secures Voluntary Recognition for Union Drive at Nickelodeon

Fri, 01/20/2023 - 08:38
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: The Animation Guild Secures Voluntary Recognition for Union Drive at Nickelodeon

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The Animation Guild, Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 839, has secured voluntary recognition for a group of unionizing production workers at Nickelodeon Animation Studios. The company agreed to recognize the bargaining unit of 177 workers that includes production coordinators, production managers, asset production coordinators and others. This will be the largest unit of production workers to join The Animation Guild so far and they will now begin negotiations for their first union contract.

“By doing this, the studio has shown that they are willing and ready to recognize the hard work, time and love we pour into our productions,” said the organizing committee in a statement. “We are so excited to work with them and our artist colleagues to come to an agreement that reiterates their support for what we do.”

 

One of the primary goals for the new unit will be to increase inadequate pay, which makes it challenging for production workers to afford living in Los Angeles. Many animation workers must seek overtime, additional jobs, loans or financial help from friends and family.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 01/20/2023 - 09:38

New BLS Data: Union Membership Grows by More than 200,000 in 2022

Thu, 01/19/2023 - 11:25
New BLS Data: Union Membership Grows by More than 200,000 in 2022

Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today showed union membership in the United States grew by more than 273,000 in 2022, despite fierce and often illegal corporate union-busting.

While the data also showed a slight dip in nationwide union density, the real story is that hundreds of thousands of workers overcame the odds to join a union last year in a system rigged against them. Corporate giants such as Amazon and Starbucks are spending millions of dollars to thwart collective action in the workplace, harassing, intimidating and even illegally firing workers trying to form unions to improve their lives. Still, many workers found a way to have a voice on the job. 

Despite broken labor laws and rampant union-busting, working people are undeterred in their pursuit of a union. The year 2022 saw a reinvigorated labor movement, one led by young workers and workers of color, who organized at a clip not seen in years. 

Last year there was a 53% rise in union elections, including groundbreaking wins at corporations that were once viewed as impossible to organize. 

Unions are more popular with the public now than at any point in the past five decades because working people are fed up with low pay, unsafe working conditions and shoddy treatment on the job. This momentum won't wane; in fact, workers are doubling down on standing together. 

“In 2022, we saw working people rising up despite often illegal opposition from companies that would rather pay union-busting firms millions than give workers a seat at the table,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “The momentum of the moment we are in is clear. Organizing victories are happening in every industry, public and private, and every sector of our economy all across the country. The wave of organizing will continue to gather steam in 2023 and beyond despite broken labor laws that rig the system against workers.” 

This year, the labor movement is going all in on an organizing agenda that will ensure every worker who wants a union has the chance to join or form one. Now’s the time for elected leaders to fix what’s broken by reforming our outdated labor laws that for far too long have stacked the deck against working people. 

Rhetoric in support of working people isn’t enough. We need leaders who will fight to pass laws like the PRO Act and Public Sector Freedom to Negotiate Act that level the playing field and give workers a real chance to better our lives, strengthen our communities and create a more equitable economy. 

If last year taught us anything, it’s that you should never bet against the American worker. Despite the odds, we’ll organize until we win.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 01/19/2023 - 12:25

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Equity Celebrates 8th Annual Swing Day

Thu, 01/19/2023 - 08:51
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Equity Celebrates 8th Annual Swing Day

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Today, Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) celebrated its eighth annual Swing Day, honoring the “swing” members of a theatrical musical’s cast. Swing members learn multiple parts and are on standby to fill in for other performers who can’t participate on a particular day. Swing members may learn they’re going on stage only moments before a performance begins, and they may have to play multiple parts in the same show, including characters that are different genders, races or ages.

“Swings exemplify the best of the chorus and have kept the curtain up time and time again,” said Al Bundonis, Equity’s second vice president. “We are excited to spend the day celebrating and uplifting swings by acknowledging all the work you do.”

Throughout the day, Equity shared various content from swings and their supporters on InstagramFacebook and Twitter using the hashtags #EquityTeamSwing and #SwingDay2023.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 01/19/2023 - 09:51

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Study: Prevailing Wage Repeal Shrinks Pay, Increases Dangers and Leads to More Workers on Public Assistance

Wed, 01/18/2023 - 08:09
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Study: Prevailing Wage Repeal Shrinks Pay, Increases Dangers and Leads to More Workers on Public Assistance

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

According to a new study from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, repealing prevailing wage laws leaves workers with less earnings, less productive, more likely to rely on public assistance and at an enhanced risk of dying on the job.

The bipartisan infrastructure bill passed last year designated billions of dollars for construction projects across the nation. Contractors in states that have repealed prevailing wage laws are facing problems staffing up that are likely to increase. Six states repealed their prevailing wage laws between 2015–2018: Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, West Virginia and Wisconsin. The three states with full prevailing wage repeals saw hourly wages decline at the same time prevailing wage states saw an average wage growth of more than 12%.

“What prevailing wage does, it kind of standardizes and stabilizes the industry of a local market,” said researcher Larissa Petrucci. “When you repeal that, what you have is contractors who are able to undercut wages and pay workers far below the training that they have developed to get these kinds of jobs. Naturally, you’re gonna see wages decrease.”

In repeal states, worker productivity and hours worked grew at a much slower rate than states that kept prevailing wage laws in place. Similarly, repeal states saw an increase in the on-the-job fatality rate.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 01/18/2023 - 09:09

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IAFF Members Work to Pass New Protections for Federal Firefighters

Tue, 01/17/2023 - 08:50
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IAFF Members Work to Pass New Protections for Federal Firefighters

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The Fire Fighters (IAFF) union is celebrating a provision in the recently passed National Defense Authorization Act that extends protections for the firefighters who protect our public lands and military installations. As many as 100 federal firefighters file cancer-related workers’ compensation claims each year, but more than 80% of those are typically rejected. The new law would require that certain cancers be presumed to be occupational, which ensures that federal firefighters will receive workers’ compensation benefits. The new rule applies not only to active federal firefighters, but also those who have retired in the past 10 years. The move is a major victory for firefighters, as it is estimated that nearly 75% of job-related firefighter deaths are attributable to cancer. IAFF District 16 worked with Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Tom Carper (Del.) to pass the measure.

IAFF Local 123 President Kyle Moser said that firefighters have been working to secure this protection for more than 30 years, and Maine became the 48th state to adopt the cancer presumption protection.

“Before this bill, a shipyard firefighter would be fighting fires in local towns beside municipal firefighters, but if they both got occupational cancer, only the local firefighter would have a presumption for workers’ compensation benefits,” Moser said. “We want to thank Senator Collins, Senator Maggie Hassan and the rest of the Maine and New Hampshire Congressional delegations for supporting this critical measure.”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 01/17/2023 - 09:50

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Mon, 01/16/2023 - 09:30
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This weekend, we are celebrating the great civil rights leader and our union brother. And we remember the lesson he always emphasized: The fight for civil rights and worker rights are intertwined. 

In our time, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated as a civil rights icon. During his time, he faced fierce and violent backlash.

Because he spoke the truth about racism in white America. Because he spoke the truth about poverty and the struggles of working people.

We must remember him and his words truthfully—far beyond the often-repeated and misused line about skin color and character.

Most people know Dr. King only as a civil rights leader. But we must remember him as a labor leader who was assassinated while supporting 1,300 Black men in their fight against neglect and abuse at the sanitation strike in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dr. King is associated with “peaceful protest.” But we must remember his sermon “When Peace Becomes Obnoxious”: 

“If peace means a willingness to be exploited economically, dominated politically, humiliated and segregated, I don’t want peace. So in a passive, non-violent manner, we must revolt against this peace.”

Dr. King’s words about skin color and character are often twisted to say we should not see or talk about race.

But racial justice is not the absence of race. Dr. King spoke extensively about many issues: the oppression of Black people, the suffering of Vietnamese people during the Vietnam War and white poverty.

So this weekend, we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a civil rights leader and a staunch trade unionist until the day he was assassinated.

And we vow to remember his lessons truthfully as we continue his fight against racism and economic inequality

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 01/16/2023 - 10:30

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