Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Ohio Unions Rally for Rail Workers with Support from Pro-Labor Candidates
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.
Unions in Toledo, Ohio, held a rally on Saturday demanding a fair contract for railroad workers who have gone almost three years without a contract or a pay increase. The ongoing dispute with America’s largest freight rail companies has spurred action from the Biden administration, which last week released recommendations to help resolve the bargaining impasse.
Rep. Tim Ryan, the pro-labor candidate running for the U.S. Senate in Ohio, spoke about his union roots and called on union members to vote this election year for candidates who have a record of helping working people get ahead. He was joined at the rally by Rep. Marcy Kaptur and other union-endorsed candidates.
Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) President Greg Regan also spoke at the rally about the labor movement’s increasing power and popularity: “Unions have the highest favorability ratings in decades. People are waking up. They’re recognizing they have power in their jobs.”
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 08/24/2022 - 09:49The Union Vote: 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 Twitter.
Alabama AFL-CIO:
Alabama Organized Labor Awards Foundation (AOLAF) held it's annual awards banquet August 13th at Embassy Suites in Hoover Alabama and named AFGE National President Everett Kelly 2022 Labor Person of the Year. pic.twitter.com/VxMlxPDT6e
— Alabama AFL-CIO (@AlabamaAFLCIO) August 15, 2022Alaska AFL-CIO:
Union member and endorsed East Anchorage State House candidate @TedForAlaska joined us this morning to help kick off our Labor Walk. #1u #GetOutTheLaborVote pic.twitter.com/WYrTYdvqSm
— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) August 20, 2022Arizona AFL-CIO:
"The union vote passed 45-31." Congratulations to the first unionized Trader Joe's! https://t.co/2O7fvGHhUg
— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) August 8, 2022California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:
The March for the Governor’s Signature on #AB2183 to ensure fair elections for Farm Workers has crossed into Sacramento County on its 20th day.
Join up with thousands of us on Friday as the March ends at the State Capitol @ 9:30am.
Learn more 👉🏾👉🏼👉🏽 👉🏿 https://t.co/KTxp276ShO https://t.co/kPaCOuyqmP
Georgia State AFL-CIO:
Rally for workers at Specialty Finishes, Inc. at Emory University in Atlanta with IUPAT District Council 77 . Workers rights are human rights! #UnionStrong #rallyforworkers #1U #georgia #votingmatters #love #communitysupport #activism #workersrights #WorkersUnite pic.twitter.com/fpPzXswy7n
— Georgia AFL-CIO // Pass The #ProAct (@AFLCIOGeorgia) August 23, 2022Indiana State AFL-CIO:
MUST LISTEN to Braxton’s story. He’s been on strike with the United Mineworkers against Warrior Met Coal for more than 500 days.
One day longer. One day stronger. #solidarity https://t.co/0VUUCQrXQB
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO:
Stop making excuses for Trump! – Daily High Five https://t.co/FGVB8tjMYB
— Iowa AFL-CIO (@IowaAFLCIO) August 22, 2022Maine AFL-CIO:
Augusta Chipotle workers lost their jobs for filing to form the first union at the company.
Now they need our help to continue the fight against Chipotle. Please donate to their Solidarity Fund: https://t.co/ikmpG7eqYh @BrandiMcnease @fightfor15 @32BJSEIU pic.twitter.com/fcXrgwe1ut
Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO:
Scream it from the rooftops: #UnionStrong https://t.co/UABHjlHuLa
— Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO (@MDDCStateFed) August 11, 2022Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
Great morning out on the doors for @Arena_DeRosa, @SousaforRep, and statewide candidates! #mapoli #1u pic.twitter.com/1nS5oPbDuJ
— Massachusetts AFL-CIO // Build Back Better (@massaflcio) August 20, 2022Michigan State AFL-CIO:
National call center legislation is COMMON SENSE legislation. Call your Congressional representative TODAY and tell them you support the U.S. Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act! https://t.co/Lwm2wos0NU
— Michigan AFL-CIO 💉💪 (@MIAFLCIO) August 18, 2022Minnesota AFL-CIO:
The #MNStateFair starts Thursday and we're getting the Labor Pavilion ready! Join us for music, giveaways, and more on the corner of Dan Patch & Cooper. P.S. The fanny packs are back! https://t.co/4pKwK96uiv #1u pic.twitter.com/vTtLhXMru2
— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) August 22, 2022Missouri AFL-CIO:
After two back-to-back years of having Labor Day parades canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the fun returns this year with events in St. Louis, Granite City and Belleville, among others. Check out the list of events by clicking the link. https://t.co/ax8jr9NPq9
— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) August 23, 2022Nevada State AFL-CIO:
Nevada State AFL-CIO Announces New Candidate Endorsements:
Toby Yurek (AD 19)
Elizabeth Brickfield (AD 23)
Selena La Rue Hatch (AD 25)
Angie Taylor (AD 27)
Reuben D’Silva (AD 28) Shannon McDaniel (AD 40) Aaron Sims (SD 16)
Full Endorsement List: https://t.co/M0AnF2hl9K pic.twitter.com/cd6l5VleFN
New Hampshire AFL-CIO:
Biden succeeds where others failed. US workers win. https://t.co/y4qj9cAXDk @AFTNewHampshire @AFSCME93 @SEIU1984 @NHNEAPrez @UAW2322 @PFFNH @Local_789 @NTULocal1044 @AFTunion @AAUP @AaupUnh @Ibew2320nh @Ibew490 @APWU
— New Hampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) August 21, 2022New Jersey State AFL-CIO:
Our Labor Candidates from our 26th Annual Labor Candidates School. We look to a successful campaign training as our union sisters and brothers go on to utilize what they learn to make sure Labor wins in November! pic.twitter.com/wwYwJCvv4n
— New Jersey AFL-CIO (@NJAFLCIO) August 19, 2022New York State AFL-CIO:
Agreed! Farmworkers deserve the same dignity and respect as all other workers! #UnionStrong https://t.co/eY642YZLRM
— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) August 22, 2022North Carolina State AFL-CIO:
Do our elected leaders know how it feels to choose between food and medicine? I do. https://t.co/SRaEZ55CaD
— NC State AFL-CIO // #OrganizeTheSouth (@NCStateAFLCIO) August 17, 2022Ohio AFL-CIO:
It's astounding the @ohiogop whined and cried over the John Lewis Voting Rights Act complaining of federal interference, then turn around and beg the same federal government to protect their blatant disregard of the Ohio Constitution. https://t.co/pXE8dNOm5G
— 🇺🇦 Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) August 22, 2022Oregon AFL-CIO:
Unions make a difference in the lives of women, their families, and their communities worldwide. #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/HG6ZWjzAmA
— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) August 23, 2022Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:
On behalf of 700,000 working men and women in PA, represented by 51 International Unions and 1,422 Locals, the PA AFL-CIO Executive Council endorsed 178 candidates in the Pennsylvania 2022 General Election.
The complete list: https://t.co/K2ApOKODGZ#Labor2022 #PAAFLCIO #AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/har4pmww7S
Rhode Island AFL-CIO:
The RI AFL-CIO rod proudly endorsed Speaker @JoeShekarchi for re-election 🗳 pic.twitter.com/suQlVDCTId
— Rhode Island AFL-CIO (@riaflcio) August 22, 2022Texas AFL-CIO:
Yesterday our team held our fourth volunteer training in North Texas, preparing union members to make a difference in the upcoming election.
Led by @NTX_RFieldOrg, volunteers learned how to canvass, make calls, and speak to fellow union siblings about getting involved. #1u pic.twitter.com/hxXfwLcIJ0
Virginia AFL-CIO:
Introducing our new friend Postie for our Labor 2022 program! #1u #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/Y8zGoRxKZO
— Virginia AFL-CIO (@Virginia_AFLCIO) August 17, 2022Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:
Looking for a good, union job? Know someone who is? Help us get the word out about the @MLKLabor ✨Union Jobs Fair✨ in Seattle from 4-6pm on Sept. 1! Get all the details and sign up: https://t.co/wWcWaHGRLJ #1u pic.twitter.com/4nXLJXVH9y
— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) August 23, 2022Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:
Organized by the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin union @PFFW https://t.co/3FSjf8kUCa
— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 23, 2022 Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 08/23/2022 - 14:25Freight Railroad Worker Stories: Willette Thomas of TCU/IAM
At a recent Virtual Freight Railroad Worker Town Hall, Transportation Trades Department (TTD) President Greg Regan introduced a group of workers who explained the challenges they've faced in their three-year fight for a new contract with U.S. freight railroad companies:
Since 2015, seven major railroad companies made $146 billion in net profits off the backs off these workers. That’s the most money they’ve ever made in the history of railroading—even more than the Gilded Era railroad robber barons. During this same time period, the companies eliminated 45,000 jobs from the industry. Instead of recognizing the value of these workers, the companies have enacted massive job cuts and offered the remaining workers a net pay cut and worse health care benefits than they have now. This is unacceptable.In the coming days, the AFL-CIO will share the stories of those workers. Check back here every day for more.
Today's story comes from Willette Thomas, a crew dispatcher who works for CSX in Jacksonville, Florida. She is a member of the Transportation Communications Union (TCU), an affiliate of the International Association of Machinists (IAM).
Thomas said: “I've been with the railroad for 23 years. When the pandemic started, we were told that we were essential workers and had to come to work every day. We were not afforded the safe option of working from home as others in the company were afforded. We were told that we were essential workers who had to come to work in the building, but we were not protected as essential workers.
“I work in a building that houses crew dispatchers and train dispatchers. They started with giving us partitions that barely reached our shoulders when we sat down. Finally, they gave us partitions that made sense—ones that were actually taller than us. They eventually gave us masks and wipes. But of course, those things were always running out. There were times when we had to use our own supplies or wait for them to gather the supplies.
“We are a 24/7 operation and we share desks. So even prior to COVID, it was very important that we wiped things down because we're desk sharing over three shifts. Then the layoffs came. So when the layoffs started coming, we were being forced to work 16-hour shifts. Every day we would go to work and we didn't know if we were coming home at the end of our scheduled eight-hour shift.
“And then we started getting COVID in waves.
“I can honestly say without any doubt that 99% of us got COVID in the building. There were deaths, many deaths. We had crew dispatchers who passed away. We had managers who passed away. We had train dispatchers who passed away. I mean, these are people's families, their husbands, their sons. These were family members that were passing away as a result of not being properly protected in the building and not being given the opportunity to work from home.
“I know that we have the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) but nobody ever really said to us, ‘Do you need EAP? Are you OK? Are you all emotionally and mentally OK?’ No one ever asked. There was no compassion. We showed up, we worked with no contract, no raise, and never an offer for hazard pay of any kind.
“I never felt like an essential worker. I was never recognized as an essential worker. I get it. I'm not a doctor. I'm not a nurse. But when the railroad said that I had to come to work every day because I am an essential worker but I never received any essential worker benefits from it, that was disheartening. There was no COVID pay when we were out sick. We had to use our own entitlements to maintain financial stability—if you had entitlements. I had my daughter and a newborn grandson at home. There was always the scare of coming home and giving my family COVID, which I did. My daughter got it. Thank God, the baby was fine, but there was always that fear.”
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Boilermakers Advocate for Diversified Energy Strategy at Hydrogen Summit
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.
With hydrogen gaining global interest in the mix of evolving climate change solutions, members of the Boilermakers (IBB) joined “Renewable Hydrogen: Energy’s Future,” a union-hosted summit in Bilbao, Spain, in June. IBB International Director of Climate Change Policy Solutions Cory Channon served on a panel to discuss the Boilermakers’ position on an “all of the above” energy approach and solutions—including carbon capture, use and storage and hydrogen—that can provide reliable energy and preserve or create jobs.
“We need all energy options: wind, solar, hydro, nuclear, fossil fuels and hydrogen. And we need to deploy all solutions that can stop climate change,” Channon said. “We can’t cherry pick the solutions that fit neatly into a narrow narrative, and we’re not working together as we should be.”
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 08/23/2022 - 10:02Marching Forward: 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.
Marching Forward: An Exclusive Interview with AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler: “What workers really want is a seat at the table about decisions that affect their daily lives—through unions in the AFL-CIO or independent of it. Agreeing to that, rather than labor law-breaking to stop union organizing, is good for business, too, Shuler stated. It produces more-willing workers who stay longer, produce higher-quality products and boost profits. All this with a vision in mind: To lead/march unions forward into new work sectors, new directions and new bottom-up decision-making in politics, union leadership and organizing.”
As Apprenticeships Take Off, Unions are in the Driver’s Seat: “When the White House held a summit last month touting its efforts to rebuild the workforce through the American Rescue Plan, Melissa Wells was a featured speaker. An experienced labor leader, she’d recently joined North America’s Building Trades Unions, an umbrella labor organization for the construction industry, to head up its strategic efforts around workforce development and career pathways. She was given a particular focus on bringing a more diverse group of Americans into the building trades. NABTU, Wells told the audience, is ‘very intentional about how we can create a more diverse workforce.’ And the linchpin in that work is union-led apprenticeships. North America’s Building Trades Unions coordinates and supports much of the training work that local unions do on the ground. Fifteen years ago, it designed a multi-craft pre-apprenticeship program designed to get more people across the country into the apprenticeship pipeline.”
Progressive National Convention Joins with AFL-CIO to Advance Racial and Economic Justice: “Martin Luther King Jr. also saw the connection between racism and economic oppression, AFL-CIO Treasurer Fred Redmond said during the town hall session. ‘Dr. King knew all too well that you could not have racial justice without economic justice. That’s why Dr. King worked so hard to bring the civil rights movement and the labor movement together,’ he said. ‘Dr. King knew that social and racial equality depend on economic security. And that remains true today.’ PNBC and the AFL-CIO must collaborate now to resist surging voter suppression efforts and other existential threats, Redmond said. The denomination, to which King belonged, and the labor giant joined to promote the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1964.”
SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP Reach Tentative Agreement On Exclusivity Contract Provisions: “SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have reached a tentative agreement covering exclusivity terms—standard provisions in TV contracts that can hold actors off the market and unable to work for long periods of time. The tentative agreement is subject to approval by the SAG-AFTRA National Board, which will meet on Saturday, Aug. 20.”
Atlanta’s Overlooked Labor Union History May Show the Future of Changing Times: “Labor organizing is tough in a right-to-work state where unions have long been presented as ‘scary,’ said Charlie Fleming, director of the Georgia AFL-CIO, a federation of unions. But, he said, local union membership is rising with demographic changes, a young generation aware it’s ‘gotten the shaft,’ and the society-shaking effects of COVID-19. ‘I think it’s changing and I think it’s going the other way. The pendulum has switched,’ said Fleming, who’s been a machinist for Northwest Airlines at Hartsfield-Jackson for over 30 years. ‘I’m excited as a labor leader.’”
Organizing a Top Topic at Steelworkers Convention: “Organizing—who, where and what industries—dominated the discussion and delegates’ decisions at the Steelworkers convention in Las Vegas. The five-day gathering of 2,000 delegates, plus observers and others, heard union President Tom Conway set that agenda and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris laud it. The nuts-and-bolts details were in resolutions the delegates approved, according to postings on USW’s website. ‘People want more power. They want more of a voice. They want more opportunity,’ Conway led off in his keynote address.”
26th Annual Labor Candidates School Provides Union Member Political Candidates with the Skills to Win: “Over the weekend, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO hosted its 26th annual Labor Candidates School featuring a graduating class of 24 union members running for office as first-time candidates. Additionally, many alumnae opted to join the school for a refresher course, as the Labor Candidates School provides training in the most up-to-date campaign techniques, which continue to evolve at a rapid pace.”
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 08/22/2022 - 15:50Freight Railroad Worker Stories: Nick Greficz of SMART-TD
At a recent Virtual U.S. Freight Railroad Worker Town Hall, Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan introduced a group of workers who explained the challenges they’ve faced in their three-year fight for a new contract with U.S. freight railroad companies:
Since 2015, seven major railroad companies made $146 billion in net profits off the backs of these workers. That’s the most money they’ve ever made in the history of railroading—even more than the Gilded Era railroad robber barons. During this same time period, the companies eliminated 45,000 jobs from the industry. Instead of recognizing the value of these workers, the companies have enacted massive job cuts and offered the remaining workers a net pay cut and worse health care benefits than they have now. This is unacceptable.
In the coming days, the AFL-CIO will share the stories of those workers. Check back here every day for more.
Today’s story comes from Nick Greficz, a member of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Transportation Division (TD) in Detroit.
In 2005, Greficz was hired as a conductor for Norfolk Southern. He is currently a SMART TD organizer and also serves as the secretary for SMART TD’s General Committee of Adjustment 687.
Greficz said, “All the burden is being put on the shoulders of the employees, but they’re getting none of the benefits. Instead, they’re getting stagnant wages [and] dealing with unnecessary safety exposures and blatant disregard for the collective bargaining agreements on property. Instead of being treated as valuable assets, they’re being treated as numbers. And workers are tired of it. People are resigning en masse. There’s no consideration given to the employees for their personal lives.
“You [can] have 25 years on the railroad, and a year in advance you can say, ‘I request to have Thanksgiving off so I can be with my family’ or ‘I request Halloween off so I can take my kids trick-or-treating,’ and those requests are denied,” Greficz added. “Just because you’ve accrued the time off for working there for five, 10, 15 or 20 years does not mean that you actually get to use it. The manpower shortage trumps your years of loyal service to the railroad. It’s a shame, especially since the manpower shortages across all the freight railroads are self-imposed.
“What was once a highly regarded craft and a career has been dwindled down to a job that they can’t even hire people for when the minimum requirement is a high school diploma or GED,” he continued. “It’s actually deplorable what’s happened to this industry. You used to go to a hiring session, and there would be 400 people standing in a room for four job openings. Now, the railroads can’t get four people to show up when they want to hire for 400 jobs. That’s a problem.”
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 08/22/2022 - 10:00Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Union Members Hit the Pavement in Atlanta to Bring Home Election Wins
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.
Members of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3204 and SEIU as well as allied organizations and community partners gathered on Saturday for a weekend of action geared toward informing the community and voters about what’s at stake with this year’s election. The joint canvass event in Atlanta was supported by leaders of the Georgia State AFL-CIO and AFL-CIO staff members. Union volunteers successfully canvassed neighborhoods around the Atlanta area to increase voter support for pro-labor candidates in this key battleground state.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 08/22/2022 - 09:45Elections Matter!: 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:
Equity delegates have begun sharing their ideas for proposed resolutions with each other. If you have thoughts about the work you’d like to see at this year's convention, now is the time to reach out to your delegates and make your voice heard.
🔗 https://t.co/WB3gz6KPnf pic.twitter.com/Zi7t6A20PA
AFGE:
AFGE turns 90 today!
From the very beginning, our union’s mission has been not just to empower our members in the workplace but to give the American people a government that works for them.
Show us some birthday love! 🥳#1u pic.twitter.com/ilVYajLUWx
AFSCME:
Two new public-safety laws – that have strong AFSCME support – will keep our communities safer and benefit first responders and their families. https://t.co/dnQLiE4BAS
— AFSCME (@AFSCME) August 18, 2022Alliance for Retired Americans:
Elections matter! The midterm elections this November will have a direct impact on expanding Medicaid and reducing the coverage gap. https://t.co/us1rkJjC1E
— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) August 18, 2022Amalgamated Transit Union:
Our maintenance members at Local 998-Milwaukee, WI, came out for a practice picket to send a strong and unified message to Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) that they demand a fair and just contract that treats them with the dignity and respect they deserve. #1u #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/zL7F2B7Lv3
— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) August 17, 2022American Federation of Teachers:
"As we head back to school, the AFT is laser-focused on supporting teachers and school staff with the tools and resources that can help educators help kids learn and succeed."
Watch this video from @rweingarten announcing @sharemylesson's 2 million members 🎉 pic.twitter.com/PYE2WkUYb1
American Postal Workers Union:
Pres. Dimondstein: The entire labor movement must up the game to defend and expand voting rights and compel the federal government, which hides behind the anti-democratic filibuster and has shamefully not passed voting rights legislation to stop this new wave of voter suppression pic.twitter.com/sUhNH93uYN
— APWU National (@APWUnational) August 15, 2022Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance:
Care about safe and fair elections? You can help make sure elections run smoothly and polling places stay open in your own community by signing up to be a poll worker @powerthepolls today. #PollWorkerRecruitmentDay https://t.co/2G6pOgbVCF pic.twitter.com/azG5fTcAfo
— Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (@APALAnational) August 16, 2022Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:
Today, aviation unions launched a campaign demanding airline CEOs pledge to stabilize the industry with reliable operations & good jobs before diverting any airline cash to Wall Street through stock buybacks. #GreedDoesntFly
Demand action: https://t.co/dbkguAvI3R pic.twitter.com/4nXiLvr2XZ
Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers:
40 BCTGM members of Local 85 have gone on STRIKE at @CornNuts in Fresno, Calif. (owned by @HormelFoods). Get the early facts & learn how you can support! 👉 https://t.co/8u40vULvEw#CornNutsStrike #OnStrike #1u pic.twitter.com/b7aig3lmvX
— BCTGM International (@BCTGM) August 17, 2022Boilermakers:
We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at @TSSAunion ✊ #RailStrikes https://t.co/dFA1nf1kUx
— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) August 18, 2022Bricklayers:
IUBAC hails the passage of the IRA and congratulates Congress for taking the bold steps to make it a reality. “The Inflation Reduction Act shows that addressing climate change does not have to come at the expense of good jobs." - Pres. Driscoll https://t.co/qXqhWxGxCF
— Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union (@IUBAC) August 13, 2022Coalition of Black Trade Unionists:
https://t.co/MxmnC6F4Ai Watch: CBTU President Terry Melvin’s speech at the United Mineworkers Convention:
— CBTU (@CBTU72) August 11, 2022Communications Workers of America:
All union members should know about their Weingarten Rights. https://t.co/BHOCIpspkd
— CWA (@CWAUnion) August 18, 2022Department for Professional Employees:
We are excited for the strippers of Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood who are joining together in union with @ActorsEquity!
Supporters in LA can show their solidarity on Friday (8/19) at 6:30 p.m. PT at a rally outside of the Equity office. pic.twitter.com/frHUswN6k2
Electrical Workers:
Colorado #IBEW apprentice has a unique side-gig: Modeling https://t.co/nRhmNqXRq5
— IBEW (@IBEW) August 18, 2022Fire Fighters:
FSRI Report Studies Near Misses to Help Improve Safety https://t.co/jtTnV6Lm0V pic.twitter.com/aPEzkSye5e
— International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFNewsDesk) August 18, 2022Heat and Frost Insulators:
Mechanical Insulation is the one item that goes into a building and starts paying for itself as soon as the system is activated, immediately saving energy and reducing greenhouse emissions to help our environment. https://t.co/wqLli9ybTL pic.twitter.com/mTCRBb2Xnn
— Insulators Union 🦎 (@InsulatorsUnion) August 18, 2022International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers:
IFPTE Applauds President Biden’s Signing of Inflation Reduction Act, Which Supports TVA Green Energy Investments https://t.co/YYbtfqSc5D
— IFPTE (@IFPTE) August 16, 2022International Labor Communications Association:
REMINDER: ILCA’s 2022 Labor Media Awards are open thru 9/30. Entry fees will go up on 9/2!
We’re holding a live Q&A on 8/19 to answer any questions about the contest.
RSVP for 12:30PM ET/9:30AM PT: https://t.co/fFgFaNZaWd
RSVP for 3:30PM ET/12:30PM PT: https://t.co/EyfmzZbl6I pic.twitter.com/5tsU6vQZW3
Ironworkers:
Mentorship within our Union is essential!
IW's Director of Diversity Vicki O'Leary lays out the importance in the July issue of The Ironworker Magazine. https://t.co/U7O1bFf8tr#Ironworkers #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/GPh3Fv7vpT
Jobs With Justice:
A must-read new report from @CPDAction. Once you've read it, sign the petition to call for an official investigation into the conditions at pharma plants in Puerto Rico!
👇🏾https://t.co/XDgXiki5qA https://t.co/bIK1xln5Qw
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:
Join us at our 50th Anniversary Gala to hear from @LatinaInstitute Executive Director @lupemrodriguez! Purchase tickets for the gala today: https://t.co/XTORPdcMfs pic.twitter.com/3IJiYsTkp0
— LCLAA (@LCLAA) August 18, 2022Laborers:
Good news for infrastructure & jobs! @POTUS delivers for working people. https://t.co/FP46Kd7bSh
— LIUNA (@LIUNA) August 18, 2022Machinists:
“We fought for & won unprecedented relief for airline workers to save the industry for its workers and the flying public, not to line the pockets of Wall Street,” -Richard Johnsen, @iamairtransport General Vice President... No Stock Buybacks! https://t.co/yuPZ7z97XQ
— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) August 18, 2022Metal Trades Department:
“AB 2183 would give more choices to farmworkers so they can vote free from intimidation — in secret, whenever and wherever they feel safe.” #Solidarity #UnionYES #WorkersVoicehttps://t.co/5A41dxuX0p
— Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) August 18, 2022Mine Workers:
On August 14, 1923, when a miner relit their lamp, fumes were ignited causing an explosion at the Frontier Mine owned by Kemmerer Coal Company. 99 miners were killed because of this explosion. #NeverForget #AnniversaryPost pic.twitter.com/EcmV3jHWaQ
— United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) August 14, 2022Musical Artists:
AGMA Ratifies 3-Year Agreement with Houston Grand Opera: https://t.co/YkhmUaRR2O pic.twitter.com/YBEjCeyMWI
— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) August 18, 2022National Air Traffic Controllers Association:
NATCA SCHOLARSHIP WINNER HIGHLIGHT: Camryn Cadenhead, child of Kansas City ATCT (MCI) member Clarence Cadenhead, is among the 2022 winners of the NATCA scholarship. Read the essay Camryn submitted here: https://t.co/agA8AItSEx pic.twitter.com/YDBATlHgLW
— NATCA (@NATCA) August 18, 2022National Association of Letter Carriers:
Kimberly Smith of Colorado Springs Br. 204 was at an apartment building on her route when a woman frantically approached her and asked if she knew CPR. She said yes, headed to the swimming pool, and started life-saving chest compressions on a young girl. https://t.co/Xu1mvT60EQ
— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) August 18, 2022National Domestic Workers Alliance:
“You will find domestic work is much more than meets the eye. They are teachers, nurses, confidants, coaches, event planners and much more,” - @aijenpoo
A #DomesticWorkersBillofRights is how we make sure every worker has the safe workplace they deserve.https://t.co/QvADAlBmlk
National Federation of Federal Employees:
Reminder: Take Advantage of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Waiver by October 31st! Almost all federal employees are qualified.
Visit our new resource page for more information: https://t.co/47YIflgiZI pic.twitter.com/p45EhdGTiA
National Nurses United:
The #monkeypox virus is continuing to spread, and more nurses are seeing suspected or confirmed cases in our facilities.
Join us for a special livestream presentation on what nurses and other health care workers need to know. https://t.co/SzPZt0OWhX
National Taxi Workers Alliance:
Rest in Peace, our Brother.
He was robbed, beaten and fell while being struck by multiple passengers. But the headline implies he just fell while running.
This was a working person trying to earn a living and he was killed on the job. Rest in Peace, our Brother. pic.twitter.com/qLUSOK0TQ3
NFL Players Association:
One time for Kylen Granson @theKCG18, who distributed 250 uniforms as well as 550 backpacks & supplies at the @KGsKids1 2nd annual Back To School Drive for Indianapolis-area students!#CommunityMVP 💪 pic.twitter.com/JSmHLfCCZH
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) August 15, 2022North America's Building Trades Unions:
“We’re one of the last places in the economy where someone coming out of high school can make $75k-$80k without a college degree in 3-5 years with no student debt… Yes, these programs ACTUALLY exist.” 👏🙌https://t.co/N6SFVbwvId
— The Building Trades (@NABTU) August 18, 2022Office and Professional Employees:
#FundTheNLRB https://t.co/qIN1jLNsQy
— OPEIU (@OPEIU) August 17, 2022Painters and Allied Trades:
Union apprenticeships like ours provide world-class education, free of charge, and you earn as you learn a skilled trade that provides family-sustaining wages and robust benefits.
If you're looking for a better way, come join us! pic.twitter.com/Ayz6nBwtSh
Plasterers and Cement Masons:
— OPCMIA International (@opcmiaintl) August 18, 2022Pride At Work:
Pride at Work is occupying the lobby of the Millenium Hotel in Minneapolis as @unitehere fights for a fair contract! @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/Qow0prcjFF
— Pride at Work (@PrideatWork) August 18, 2022Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:
PASS is proud to represent nearly 11,00 of these FAA 'bureaucrats': skilled, experienced aviation safety professionals serving their country and the American flying public! #aviationsafety #publicservice https://t.co/QhPDJfHGp5
— PASS (@PASSNational) August 17, 2022Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:
#tbt to when the first farmworkers in New York State unionized in October 2021 at Pindar Vineyards! Less than a year later, farmworkers at Paumanok and Palmer Vineyards in Aquebogue, NY have joined the @Local338 union family – and they certainly won’t be the last! pic.twitter.com/bBN63n2G8E
— RWDSU (@RWDSU) August 18, 2022Roofers and Waterproofers:
Overhead power lines put roofers at risk of electrocutions and falls. Learn more at: https://t.co/D8JelAN09b #roofersafety365 pic.twitter.com/bFq9mvIESc
— Roofers Union (@roofersunion) August 17, 2022SAG-AFTRA:
Happy birthday to the Sundance Kid, 1995 SAG Life Achievement Award recipient #RobertRedford. The actor, director, producer and philanthropist has also received an Academy Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 🎂#BOTD pic.twitter.com/6IPzCWoIyJ
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) August 18, 2022Seafarers:
The numbers behind the Jones Act https://t.co/rilo32smWj via @splash_247 #maritime #1u #JonesAct
— Seafarers Union (@SeafarersUnion) August 17, 2022Solidarity Center:
Funding for environmentally sustainable projects like silk production often doesn't address human costs involved in primary production in places like #Tajikistan. where women are subjected to weeks of harsh working conditions for meager pay. https://t.co/IyPNh97FLR
— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) August 18, 2022The NewsGuild-CWA:
— NewsGuild-CWA (@newsguild) August 17, 2022Theatrical Stage Employees:
#ThrowbackThursday to when Local 27 gathered for a crew shot after load in at First Energy Stadium for Machine Gun Kelly’s Cleveland concert. #behindthescenes pic.twitter.com/gWlTD2qJMM
— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) August 18, 2022Transport Workers Union:
The grants recently awarded by @USDOT are a huge win for current and future Transport Worker Union members across the country. For the first time ever, these grants focus on worker training and development for all equipment purchased with these investments. https://t.co/S0WXYqctSW
— TWU (@transportworker) August 18, 2022Transportation Trades Department:
🔥 “After 16 years on the job, I should not have to worry if my career is safe when the railroads have made $146 billion in profit since 2015." https://t.co/0btpucSazs
— Transportation Trades Department (@TTDAFLCIO) August 18, 2022UAW:
The UAW commends President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for their leadership and perseverance throughout this lengthy process as it could not have happened without them. https://t.co/hyTQdE0fXA
— UAW (@UAW) August 12, 2022Union Label and Service Trades Department:
The Inflation Reduction Act lowers prescription drug prices, lowers health ins. premiums, invests in clean energy and creates jobs and economic opportunities for business and labor; reduces the deficit, and makes commonsense reforms to corp. tax code. https://t.co/e2KJNBqlik
— Union Label Dept. (@ULSTD_AFLCIO) August 8, 2022Union Veterans Council:
Today, we applaud @POTUS for signing the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our #PACTAct of 2022 into law: https://t.co/nxrkS3hNpD
— Union Veterans Council🪖✊ Pass the #PROAct (@unionveterans) August 10, 2022UNITE HERE:
UNITE HERE hospitality workers are putting Workers to the Front in the 2022 midterm elections.
Click here to get involved >> https://t.co/8W52Q3NYNc pic.twitter.com/Z42MKkl5fH
United Food and Commercial Workers:
NEW: @UNMC and UFCW release report based on one of the largest longitudinal #COVID19 studies with findings on:
✅ UFCW members’ COVID-19 infection rates;
✅ Employers’ workplace safety policies;
✅ Workers’ access to vaccinations & other critical resources.
Read now:
United Steelworkers:
Union votes to accept new 5-year collective bargaining agreement at Harley-Davidson York plant https://t.co/CLsmTlzaOU via @fox43
— United Steelworkers #EverybodysUnion (@steelworkers) August 18, 2022Utility Workers:
As utility workers, we’re proud to wake up every morning, put on our gear, and serve our communities by ensuring our families and neighbors have safe, reliable access to the utilities they need. #UnionProud pic.twitter.com/c3wLblbo5R
— UWUA National (@The_UWUA) August 17, 2022Working America:
A story about a normal American couple, undergoing the same medical procedure but differently priced, speaks to how unpredictable our healthcare system is. We need healthcare reform NOW. https://t.co/xNFzkoU3yW
— Working America | Pass the #PROAct (@WorkingAmerica) August 17, 2022Writers Guild of America, East:
Join the @WritersGuildF and @WGAWest tomorrow at 7pm ET (4pm PT) for Sublime Primetime 2022 – a celebration of the 2022 Emmy-Nominated writers for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series & Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.
Learn more & RSVP ⬇️https://t.co/trziycej0d
Freight Railroad Worker Stories: Luke Edington of SMART-TD
At a recent virtual U.S. Freight Railroad Worker Town Hall, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, (TTD) President Greg Regan introduced a group of workers who explained the challenges they've faced in their three-year fight for a new contract with U.S. freight railroad companies:
Since 2015, seven major railroad companies made $146 billion in net profits off the backs of these workers. That’s the most money they’ve ever made in the history of railroading—even more than the Gilded Era railroad robber barons. During this same time period, the companies eliminated 45,000 jobs from the industry. Instead of recognizing the value of these workers, the companies have enacted massive job cuts and offered the remaining workers a net pay cut and worse health care benefits than they have now. This is unacceptable.In the coming days, the AFL-CIO will share the stories of those workers. Check back here every day for more.
Today's story comes from Luke Edington, a member of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Transportation Division in Topeka, Kansas. In 2015, he was elected as a full-time officer of SMART-TD’s General Committee of Adjustment 953. As the general chairman, Edington represents conductors, brakemen, yardmen and engineers across the northern region of the Union Pacific Railroad, stretching from Chicago to Seattle.
Edington was hired as a switchman for the railroad in May 1998 and worked a variety of yard and road assignments throughout Nebraska and the surrounding states.
Edington said: “I have worked the majority of my years in the rail industry as a conductor on road extra boards. Most weeks, I would be home an average of 48 to 60 total hours. That’s all the time I would have to see my family and get rested for my next assignment. The balance of my time each week was spent on a train or in a hotel room while on layover.
“Unfortunately, the quality of life for rail workers today has deteriorated even more. In my union office, we deal with countless employees who are burned out, injured, or resigning because they can’t take the pressure Union Pacific has them under. Workers are tired, they have mental fatigue and body fatigue. Many are resigning because they just can’t take it anymore. The employees resigning aren’t brand new employees, they are veterans who have been in these jobs for 20 years or more. They have invested the majority of their adult life in the rail industry but are willing to let it go because they just can’t take the workload and stress the railroad is placing them under.
“Employee workloads have dramatically increased and they are constantly being pushed to increase production. The expectations from management are unrealistic and place employees in a no-win situation because, in most cases, it’s impossible to complete the volume of work they are given within their shift. To make matters worse, when they fall short of meeting management's inflated expectations, they are threatened with insubordination. This results in employees working long hours, including mandatory overtime hours, and little or no ability to take compensated days off due to manpower shortages.
“The railroad’s hiring plan for this year in the northern region doesn’t even cover the number of employees who have retired, resigned or were dismissed for minor rule violations. As a result, the remaining employees are expected to work more days and longer hours to pick up the slack. My members are professionals and take great pride in their work. They know their jobs inside and out and want to move freight and keep the nation’s supply chain flowing. They can’t do this with the current resources the railroads are providing. Railroading is a demanding job with a lot of responsibilities and these workers need a new contract that rewards and recognizes the hard work and sacrifice they’ve made during some very difficult times in our nation. We need a contract that makes these jobs competitive again and improves the quality of life for railroad workers in order to attract new employees to the industry.”
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 08/19/2022 - 10:00Service + Solidarity Spotlight: BCTGM Members on Strike Against Corn Nuts
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.
Forty members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 85 have gone on strike at the Corn Nuts plant in Fresno, California. Workers who make the beloved snack food say that management is unilaterally changing their health care coverage by increasing deductions from workers’ paychecks, increasing deductibles and increasing maximum out-of-pocket expenses.
“We are on strike at Corn Nuts because the company is not bargaining in good faith,” said Local 85 Financial Secretary Jerry Gil. “The company is reluctant to reach an agreement, is surface bargaining and changing the terms and conditions of the workers’ medical plan without notifying the employees or bargaining with the union before making these drastic changes.”
Here’s how you can support the workers on strike:
- Join the picket line or drop off food, drinks and supplies at 4343 E Florence Ave., Fresno, CA.
- Email letters of encouragement directly to the strikeline organizer, Jerry Gil, so he can share them with workers: Jerry@BakersUnion85.com.
- Spread the word on social media by following BCTGM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and use the hashtag #CornNutsStrike in your posts.
Freight Railroad Worker Stories: Kari Cecil of SMART-TD
At a recent virtual U.S. Freight Railroad Worker Town Hall, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, (TTD) President Greg Regan introduced a group of workers who explained the challenges they've faced in their three-year fight for a new contract with U.S. freight railroad companies:
Since 2015, seven major railroad companies made $146 billion in net profits off the backs of these workers. That’s the most money they’ve ever made in the history of railroading—even more than the Gilded Era railroad robber barons. During this same time period, the companies eliminated 45,000 jobs from the industry. Instead of recognizing the value of these workers, the companies have enacted massive job cuts and offered the remaining workers a net pay cut and worse health care benefits than they have now. This is unacceptable.In the coming days, the AFL-CIO will share the stories of those workers. Check back here every day for more.
Today's story comes from Kari Cecil, who works as a conductor in Galesburg, Illinois. She is a member of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Transportation Division.
Cecil said: “As a conductor, I work anywhere from 12 to 20 hours a day. I have no set schedule—and I work the weekends and holidays. I am at the mercy of the railroad. We are only supposed to work 12 hours, but management seems to forget that.
“The BNSF Hi-Viz attendance policy is the most egregious attendance policy we have seen. It allows no time off without penalty. It doesn’t allow us to spend time with our families or to make appointments for our own health and safety. Our last attendance policy was manageable, where we could spend some time with family, make some appointments, and pick and choose what we missed.
“Now, we just miss everything.
“Management has made it quite clear that they believe we are expendable. However, their profits are on our backs. We are out there working egregious schedules while they continue to stay home, make their appointments, and spend their time with their families."
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: AFL-CIO’s Labor 2022 Website Goes Live
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.
Freedom to vote, freedom to join a union, freedom to access lifesaving health care, freedom to earn a living wage and so much more is on the ballot this November. The only way for us to protect our freedoms is to vote, and the only way to elect pro-labor candidates is to mobilize and engage our members in this election.
To help our members make the most of the Labor 2022 campaign, the AFL-CIO has launched a new election website: aflciovote.org. At this site, members can learn more about the labor movement’s priorities, check our voter registration status and submit the member issues survey. And be sure to keep an eye on the website as we add information about candidates and ballot initiatives that we’re fighting for this year.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 08/18/2022 - 09:41Freight Railroad Worker Stories: Rodney Neatrour of IAM
At a recent virtual U.S. Freight Railroad Worker Town Hall, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, (TTD) President Greg Regan introduced a group of workers who explained the challenges they've faced in their three-year fight for a new contract with U.S. freight railroad companies:
Since 2015, seven major railroad companies made $146 billion in net profits off the backs of these workers. That’s the most money they’ve ever made in the history of railroading—even more than the Gilded Era railroad robber barons. During this same time period, the companies eliminated 45,000 jobs from the industry. Instead of recognizing the value of these workers, the companies have enacted massive job cuts and offered the remaining workers a net pay cut and worse health care benefits than they have now. This is unacceptable.In the coming days, the AFL-CIO will share the stories of those workers. Check back here every day for more.
Today's story comes from Rodney Neatrour, a locomotive mechanic who works for Norfolk Southern in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Machinists (IAM) and a District Lodge 19 executive board member.
Neatrour said: "I'm coming up on 17 years as a locomotive mechanic on the railroad. I’ve been a proud Machinist the entire time.
“The locomotive shop I work at has experienced severe furloughs. As late as 2015, the shop employed 1,100 workers. That number has since dropped to less than 400 workers. I was furloughed during the 2009 economic downturn. When I got called back from that furlough, there was never a thought that I wouldn’t retire from this job. But the furloughs are completely different now. They don’t make any sense.
“I purchased a home and I have bills—a mortgage, car payment, things like that. About a year and a half ago, given the nature of the furloughs and how deep the railroads were cutting, I actually took on a second job at that time so I would have an avenue of escape if the furloughs hit me.
“After 16 years, I should not have to worry if my career is safe when the railroads have made $146 billion in profit since 2015.
“When I was hired, the railroad was one of the best jobs you could have. But now I can tell you with 100% certainty that there is not one person at my location that is satisfied with their pay, benefits, or their security in their job. Everyone has some trepidation regarding those three things.
“What would you do if you got laid off? There are people that have more service time than me—20 years or more. It’s a scary time for all railroaders. If the railroads value us as much as they claim, they’ll treat us fairly with this contract.”
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IUOE Local 501 Demands Answers on Resorts World’s Ties to China Following Company’s Attempt to Bust Union
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.
This month, Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 501 appealed to Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak to intervene as the union is pursuing its organizing campaign at Resorts World Las Vegas. The union alerted the governor that the casino’s parent company has close ties to Chinese state-owned enterprises—a cause for concern given a recent report of the communist government’s willingness to influence Nevada’s gaming licenses for “malign foreign policy purposes.” In its letter to Sisolak, Local 501 called for state regulators to review the parent company’s relationship with Chinese companies.
In April, the National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint against Resorts World Las Vegas, alleging that company management committed numerous violations of federal labor law in its effort to prevent more than 100 facilities maintenance workers and gaming technicians from forming a union with Local 501.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 08/17/2022 - 10:00Unions Give People an Opportunity: 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.
Union Nurses Announce Strike Vote as Negotiations with 15 Hospitals Stall: “Unionized nurses at 15 hospitals across the Twin Cities and the Duluth area will vote on Monday on whether to authorize a strike, as negotiations remain stalled over staffing levels and wages. A vote to strike wouldn’t lead to nurses immediately walking off the job but would allow the Minnesota Nurses Association to call some 15,000 away from bedsides to picket lines for any duration with 10 days notice. ‘We don’t take this lightly,’ said Mary Turner, president of the Minnesota Nurses Association and an intensive care nurse at North Memorial Health Hospital.”
MetroAccess Workers Reach Tentative Union Agreement with Private Contractor, End Strike: “Workers who run some of Metro’s paratransit service have reached a tentative agreement with a private contractor, ending a nine-day strike. The over 200 MetroAccess workers walked off the job on August 1, after negotiations for a new three-year contract with employer Transdev stalled. The main sticking points were wages—workers said the company was offering less than what similar workers in Baltimore currently make—and the company’s original unwillingness to sign on to a three-year contract, workers say. The employees perform a range of MetroAccess functions, working in utilities, maintenance, dispatch, and supervisory roles. They are expected to ratify the tentative agreement soon, according to Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 organizers. The agreement came after workers rallied and attended a contract negotiation en masse. ‘Our members stood strong and united throughout this process. They braved the heat and the company’s tactics to try and divide us,’ said Local 689 President Raymond Jackson, in a statement announcing the tentative agreement. ‘This strike shows that our members are willing to lay it all on the line for justice.’”
IUOE Local 150 Wins Big After Seven Week Strike: “After walking the picket lines for seven weeks, 300 members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 voted unanimously to adopt their new contract. Among the contract improvements IUOE members won from their strike are a minimum wage increase of 16% throughout the life of the three year contract, stronger layoff language, stronger seniority language, and 100% employer paid healthcare. The contract victory was achieved through immense struggle and unwavering solidarity between IUOE members, the local labor movement and the broader Chicago community. On June 7, 300 IUOE members walked off the job to protest unresolved Unfair Labor Practices that the union filed against the three employers it was bargaining with—Lehigh Hanson, Vulcan Materials and Lafarge Holcim.”
Disney Unions Negotiate New Contract as Workers Share Financial Struggles: “Unite Here 737 held the event that was attended by Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero, a union-endorsed candidate running for re-election, who said she was there to listen and pledged to help. The local represents about 18,000 hospitality workers at Disney World, the Orange County Convention Center and a few other hotels and restaurants.”
Workers Strike at Medicare, ACA Call Centers: “Federally contracted call center workers who provide customer service for Medicare and Affordable Care Act health plans went on strike on Monday over poor working conditions, including insufficient sick leave and limited bathroom breaks. Employees of Maximus, the nation's largest federal call center contractor, held a two-hour picket and a day-long strike Monday at four locations: Bogalusa, Louisiana; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Chester, Virginia; and London, Kentucky. Workers partnered with the AFL-CIO and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to negotiate with Maximus.”
Knights, Queens and Strippers Are Helping Fuel the Spike in U.S. Unionizing Efforts: “Christian Sweeney, deputy director at the AFL-CIO, says it's notable that more white-collar professions—like the museum curators and video-game developers—are forming unions. And the Starbucks and Amazon efforts show employees aren't just organizing at workplaces that pay the least, but also at leading companies. ‘What a union does is give people an opportunity...to come together, to negotiate with management, to have some say over wages, benefits, working conditions,’ Sweeney said. ‘There's really nothing that can replace that.’”
SAG-AFTRA’s Board Overwhelmingly Approves New Netflix Contract, Which Fran Drescher Calls “A Darn Good Deal”: “SAG-AFTRA’s national board has voted overwhelmingly to approve a new three-year contract with Netflix. The contract now goes to the guild’s membership for ratification. ‘We got a darn good deal,’ said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, who chaired the guild’s negotiating committee. ‘We advanced significant improvements to exclusivity terms, allowing actors with short pickups to have more freedom to work other jobs and ensuring shorter hold periods between pickups.’”
Amtrak Rewarded Executives with Six-Figure Bonuses as Rail Service Struggled: “Amtrak’s top executives received six-figure incentive bonuses in 2021, their biggest payouts in years, despite the service’s lackluster financial performance and weak ridership caused by the pandemic, according to data obtained by the New York Times. John Samuelsen, the president of the Transport Workers Union, whose members include nearly 1,500 service workers, mechanics and inspectors at Amtrak, said he was disgusted by the payouts. ‘They gave themselves nice fat bonuses off the backs of workers that were exposed to harm’s way,’ he said. ‘It just underscores the reason why there should be worker representatives on the Amtrak board.’”
Despite a Strong Jobs Report, Unemployment Inched Higher for Black Workers in July: “The U.S. job market posted strong growth and a decline in unemployment in July, but unemployment ticked higher among Black workers, further underscoring the ongoing discrepancies within the job market. The continuation of strong job growth from last month among women indicates that the gain may be more than ‘just a blip,’ said William Spriggs, chief economist to the AFL-CIO.”
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 08/16/2022 - 15:06Freight Railroad Worker Stories: Mike Gage of IBEW
At a recent virtual U.S. Freight Railroad Worker Town Hall, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, (TTD) President Greg Regan introduced a group of workers who explained the challenges they've faced in their three-year fight for a new contract with U.S. freight railroad companies:
Since 2015, seven major railroad companies made $146 billion in net profits off the backs of these workers. That’s the most money they’ve ever made in the history of railroading—even more than the Gilded Era railroad robber barons. During this same time period, the companies eliminated 45,000 jobs from the industry. Instead of recognizing the value of these workers, the companies have enacted massive job cuts and offered the remaining workers a net pay cut and worse health care benefits than they have now. This is unacceptable.In the coming days, the AFL-CIO will share the stories of those workers. Check back here every day for more.
Today's story comes from Mike Gage, a diesel electrician who works for Union Pacific. He is a member of the Electrical Workers (IBEW) and serves as president of Local 1920 in North Platte, Nebraska. Gage said:
“I have been a diesel electrician for 17 years. In 2016, we had 309 workers on the roster at my location and now we’re down to 191. Those of us who were lucky enough to avoid being furloughed by the companies are still dealing with the fallout from being short-staffed. There’s always an excess of work for those of us who are left.
“In my location, there were 60 people furloughed by December 2020, so it’s not pandemic related. It’s related to the precision scheduled railroading business model. Because of a certain agreement in one of our contracts in 1987, if someone worked for the railroad for less than three years and they were furloughed more than one year, then the railroad isn’t obligated to call those workers back. Of the 60 who were furloughed, only four came back. Given the way they’re being treated by the companies, a lot of them don't want to come back.
“Seniority matters in this job; the longer you work, the more your seniority earns you better shifts, days off, and holidays. The companies told most of us when we were hired onto the railroad that after 10 years we would have 'paid our dues' and would get part of the weekend off, get to be on day shift, and wouldn’t have to worry about holidays. But now there are workers with 15 years or more seniority who are still working third shift or second shift, if they’re lucky. It’s the same with holidays. There are workers with over 20 years of experience who are working holidays because of the worker shortage created by the companies. After 17 years on the job, my days off are on Monday and Tuesday, and thankfully I work the day shift.
“The companies don’t seem to think we sacrifice anything by working this way, but we really do.”
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 08/16/2022 - 13:01Service + Solidarity Spotlight: New Jersey State AFL-CIO Hosts 26th Annual Labor Candidates School
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 New Jersey State AFL-CIO hosted its 26th annual Labor Candidates School over the weekend, featuring a graduating class of 24 union members running for office as first-time candidates. Many alumni also chose to attend for a refresher course, as the Labor Candidates School provides training in the most up-to-date campaign techniques, which continue to evolve at a rapid pace.
“The Labor Candidates Program is the cornerstone of our labor movement’s political power in New Jersey,” said New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech (IUOE). “The Labor Candidates School is a critical element of the program because it gives our candidates the skills they need to win. By electing union members to office, we elevate leaders that share the values of solidarity and deliver results for all working families.”
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 08/16/2022 - 10:06Freight Railroad Worker Stories: Reece Murtagh of IAM
At a recent virtual U.S. Freight Railroad Worker Town Hall, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, (TTD) President Greg Regan introduced a group of workers who explained the challenges they've faced in their three-year fight for a new contract with U.S. freight railroad companies:
Since 2015, seven major railroad companies made $146 billion in net profits off the backs of these workers. That’s the most money they’ve ever made in the history of railroading—even more than the Gilded Era railroad robber barons. During this same time period, the companies eliminated 45,000 jobs from the industry. Instead of recognizing the value of these workers, the companies have enacted massive job cuts and offered the remaining workers a net pay cut and worse health care benefits than they have now. This is unacceptable.In the coming days, the AFL-CIO will share the stories of those workers. Check back here every day for more.
Today's story is about Reece Murtagh, a roadway mechanic who works for CSX. He's a member of the Machinists (IAM) and lives in Richmond, Virginia. Roadway mechanics repair and rebuild heavy equipment used to maintain and rebuild the tracks.
Murtagh has a wife and two daughters, ages 5 and 9, and currently serves as a representative of his peers at IAM Local 696. Additionally, he serves his community on the executive board of the Parent-Teacher Association at his daughters’ elementary school, where he recently initiated a community garden project in which he built several raised-bed vegetable gardens for schoolwide use.
From 2018 to 2021, Murtagh worked as a system production traveling mechanic, traveling throughout the entire CSX rail network in all 26 states east of the Mississippi River. Murtagh said:
“System production traveling mechanics are gone all week. We're only home on the weekends. And depending on how far you have to travel, that might mean you're only home one day a week. You travel on your personal time, and you do not get paid an hourly rate. Instead, there's a travel allowance that caps out at $300 for each trip. So if you have a long drive, say 13 or 14 hours, that means you're paid almost a minimum wage to travel on your personal time.
“The $300 travel allowance has not changed since 1992. While the travel allowance is not on the table right now in our current negotiations for a new national contract, CSX could come to the table at any time and fix this unethical policy.
“The conditions we work in also affect us a great deal. We work 14- to 16-hour days. We're out in all weather conditions. We have tool bags on our backs while we're walking up and down the tracks. We're fixing stuff all day long. It's hard on our bodies, and we're just never home. It's a hard life for a bunch of hard workers.”
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 08/15/2022 - 10:00Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Enter the Unions Power America Sweepstakes; $75,000 in Prizes
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 Union Plus Labor Day campaign has launched its second phase, the Unions Power America Sweepstakes! The sweepstakes will run through Aug. 29 and award a total of $75,000.
Members can enter the sweepstakes at UnionPlus.org/LaborDay to be eligible to win either the $50,000 Grand Prize or one of 25 $1,000 prizes. Once entered, they will get the chance to immediately earn bonus entries by completing fun online activities.
Share promotional materials with members about the sweepstakes, available in the Union Plus Digital Toolkit, and the sweepstakes video: Unions Power America Sweepstakes Launch.
We’re excited to honor more hardworking union members and to announce the winners on Labor Day.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 08/15/2022 - 09:38Railroad Industry Worker Stories: Justin Ratcliffe of BRS
At a recent Virtual Freight Railroad Worker Town Hall, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, (TTD) President Greg Regan introduced a group of workers who explained the challenges they've faced in their three-year fight for a new contract with U.S. freight railroad companies:
Since 2015, seven major railroad companies made $146 billion in net profits off the backs of these workers. That’s the most money they’ve ever made in the history of railroading—even more than the Gilded Era railroad robber barons. During this same time period, the companies eliminated 45,000 jobs from the industry. Instead of recognizing the value of these workers, the companies have enacted massive job cuts and offered the remaining workers a net pay cut and worse health care benefits than they have now. This is unacceptable.In the coming days, the AFL-CIO will share the stories of those workers. Check back here every day for more.
Today's story comes from Justin Ratcliffe, a signal maintainer and member of the Railroad Signalmen (BRS) in Decatur, Alabama. Signal maintainers are responsible for the inspection, testing and troubleshooting of wayside signal systems, positive train control systems, and highway grade crossing systems, and sometimes the construction and installation as well. Ratcliffe said:
“I've been on the job for 24 years. I’m a fourth generation railroader. My dad retired as a general supervisor for the signal department. It's sickening to me what the company has done to the employees.
“The railroad line that I work on goes from Memphis, Tennessee to Stevenson, Alabama. Due to the job cuts, all maintainers' territories have gotten bigger. That means more equipment and miles for signal employees to have to cover. Bigger territories and less people have led to traveling further and more frequent interruptions outside regular working hours.
I live in Alabama, which is the Eastern part of this railroad line segment. My first 17 or 18 years, I never had to take a work call in Mississippi or Tennessee. Since the job cuts, I've been several times. I'm an early riser, so usually on a Saturday morning I'm awake at 4 or 5 a.m. I've had work calls come in at 7 p.m. and had to travel to Memphis, Tennessee. That's a four-hour minimum drive in a company truck. I can work eight hours when I get there and drive four hours back home. That's 30 hours without sleep.
"Over a 20-year career of not having a regular sleep cycle, I'm sure you can imagine the constant state of fatigue that goes with it."
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 08/12/2022 - 12:27
