Pride Month Profiles: Houston Brass-Playing Couple Share a Life in Music
For Pride Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights.
When two of Houston’s busiest brass players, who also happen to be a couple, want to share some downtime together, it can sometimes require comparing calendars. It’s a scenario that will be familiar to just about every musician couple anywhere.
Nancy Goodearl, a horn player with the Houston Symphony since 1981, won the job after studying at the Eastman School of Music and Northwestern University. Goodearl’s wife, Theresa Hanebury, has played trumpet with the Houston Ballet for nearly the same number of years. After two decades together, they’ve settled on a routine that mostly works, despite the fact that their schedules are quite different.
Goodearl and Hanebury are members of Local 65-699 (Houston). Both grew up in New England, an hour away from each other—but they never met until landing in Houston. “I can’t even remember the exact time we met,” Hanebury said. “We of course knew of each other since we work in two different orchestras a block apart. But it wasn’t until the late ’90s that we actually got to know each other.”
Early Start
Both started music in elementary school. Goodearl ended up on her instrument as many horn players do, wanting to join her high school band because her older siblings played instruments and it looked like fun—and then the band director handed her a horn. “It stuck,” she said. “From that point, there was never really any question what I wanted to do with my life.”
Hanebury began on the trumpet in third grade. “They showed us all the band instruments, and I got really excited about one in particular,” she remembered. “My mom asked me to show it to her, so I ran to the encyclopedia and looked up the clarinet. After some confusion, I realized that wasn’t it,” she laughed. “So we looked up the cornet. That was it.”
Goodearl always knew she wanted to play in an orchestra and pursued performance degrees. Hanebury, perhaps a bit more pragmatic, got a degree in music education at the University of Hartford. “I figured I could always play the trumpet with a teaching degree,” she said. “The opposite is not always true.”
While Hanebury was playing in the Sarasota Music Festival, a colleague told her about a wealth of teaching opportunities in Houston. “Three weeks later, I moved there and had 50 students in my first year.” She also won several auditions for trumpet positions in the city and has been with the Houston Ballet since 1983.
Outside Activities
While their orchestra jobs keep them quite busy, both Goodearl and Hanebury stay active in other areas, together and independent of one another, which they say helps to balance their personal lives on and off the job. Outside of music, Goodearl is a skilled potter, with her own pottery wheel and kiln. “I also do some crafty things,” Hanebury added, not wanting to be left out. “We take any time we can find to go fishing and kayaking.”
Teaching has always figured prominently, and both understand the importance of music education and passing along what they’ve learned. Goodearl served on the faculty of the University of Houston for 20 years, while Hanebury has taken a break from teaching as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and health issues. “I had a bone marrow transplant last August, so I’m just waiting for things to be a bit safer before I go back to working with students,” she explained.
Goodearl and Hanebury each perform extensively in small ensembles across the Houston area and also play with the Monarch Brass Ensemble, an all-female brass group made up of women from across the country and affiliated with the International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC). Both women have served on the IWBC board. “An IWBC conference is actually where we got to know each other,” Hanebury added.
Since the ballet is not a full-time salaried job, Hanebury fills her time with freelancing. For the past decade, she has also been the Houston Ballet’s music librarian and pianist manager. “I wear many hats, but one of the things that keeps me busy these days is contracting,” she said. “I hire musicians for everything from local shows to churches and schools.”
Union Rules
The contracting has given the couple a greater understanding of how the union works and how it benefits its members. “I’ve been a member of the Houston local since I started working here, and as such, a beneficiary of the Houston Symphony’s contracts,” Goodearl said. “I’m grateful to have this as a direct result of being a union member.” One such benefit is the Music Performance Trust Fund’s Music Family Scholarship, which their daughter has received for two years.
Hanebury’s union dealings are a bit more hands-on. “I’ve learned a lot about writing union contracts during my years of hiring,” she said. “So much so that people now call me to learn how to do it, and I’ve taught a lot of the other contractors in town.”
Hanebury added that she knows everyone at the Houston local and on the local board, and has served on negotiating committees at the Houston Ballet, which has given her a deeper understanding of how to work with a lawyer—another benefit of being a union member.
Asked if they have opportunities to work together, Hanebury laughed heartily. “Our schedules are just so different, so there’s not much overlap. But I do try to hire Nancy when I contract. Not because we’re married, but because, you know, she’s pretty good.”
Family Life
The couple got married in 2015 in Massachusetts, “just a few months after same-sex marriage became legal,” Goodearl said. Even back then, finding time together was a challenge. “We would try to do a date night with rules that stipulated we couldn’t talk about work.” As if life hadn’t been busy enough, they adopted two children. “After that, date night morphed into no talking about work or the kids.”
Angela, now 21, was adopted from China and is now in college. John, 18, is Guatemalan and about to graduate from high school. “I always wanted kids but never thought it was possible,” Goodearl said. “But we met some gay couples that had successfully adopted children from China, and they helped us realize it was possible.”
“Having kids definitely changed some of the goals we may have had, professionally,” added Hanebury, who says she was still taking auditions at the time. But she is quick to add that she wouldn’t change a thing. “After the second kid goes off to college, everything will change again. It’s going to be a big adjustment.”
Both concede, however, that finding time to spend together might become just a bit easier. “For starters, we hope to play together more after the kids are gone,” Hanebury continued. “It was tough when they were little, coordinating babysitters. The kids got used to us not being home. Holidays were especially challenging, because we typically play at church services, so they grew up having holidays with friends. They understood and got used to quick Christmas presents in the morning, and then we went off to work!”
Pride—and Acceptance
Goodearl and Hanebury are gratified to share their story during Pride Month. “We feel that Pride is about acceptance,” Goodearl said. “We know we have an unusual family, but we are, in the end, a family, with all that includes. We appreciate the freedom to be who we are.”
She added that both children included the family’s story of diversity in their college entrance essays. “They’ve had to go through some challenges in their lives. When they were younger, for instance, we couldn’t both drop them off at school. But they embraced the diversity, and they understand that it made them stronger.”
“I swear we’re always working when the Houston Pride Parade is going on,” Hanebury laughed. “But we are who we are, we live our lives and we have our family. We’re very grateful.” She said they have obviously met people over the years who are against who they are and how they live their lives. “For the most part, though, anyone we’ve encountered has been wonderful and accepting. And Pride Month is, in the end, a celebration of acceptance and of honoring those who came before us and made it easier for us all.
This post originally appeared at International Musician, the official journal of the American Federation of Musicians.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 06/27/2022 - 12:47Pride Month Profiles: Sandie Carner-Shafran
For Pride Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's Pride Month profile is Sandie Carner-Shafran of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Sandie Carner-Shafran is a member of the New York State United Teachers' (NYSUT) board of directors and NYSUT's LGBTQ+ Committee. She is a trainer for a NYSUT Education and Learning Trust workshop on the harassment of LGBTQ+ people. The program allowed Carner-Shafran to provide free books for the educators to take back to their classrooms. When she served as president of the Saratoga Labor Council, they offered implicit bias training to council members and are updating the pronouns in the organization's constitution and by-laws.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 06/27/2022 - 10:23Tags: Pride
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IBEW Members Build One of the World’s Largest Solar-Storage Projects
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 world’s largest expected combined solar and energy storage project is under construction by members of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 428 in Southern California. There are 425 IBEW members on the job, installing more than 110,000 lithium-ion battery modules, which is enough to displace more than 307,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. “Those batteries are a different beast,” Local 428 Business Manager Brian Holt said. “They are big, heavy and require extensive knowledge and safety procedures.” When finished, the power station will produce enough energy to power 260,000 homes. Click here to read more about how this clean energy project is producing good union jobs.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 06/27/2022 - 09:30Pride Month Profiles: Anthony McKeever
For Pride Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's Pride Month profile is Anthony McKeever of UNITE HERE.
Anthony McKeever has been a union shop steward for more than 15 years and has helped to negotiate every contract at his workplace during that time. He believes that when workers unite as a team, it makes them stronger and helps them win better pay and benefits. McKeever's union pride enables him to open up and be himself without fear of harassment or bullying.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 06/24/2022 - 10:10Tags: Pride
Pride Month Profiles: Salvador Perez
For Pride Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's Pride Month profile is Salvador Perez of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
Salvador Perez is an accomplished costume designer working in the entertainment industry who earned an Emmy nomination for his work on "The Mindy Project." He currently serves as Costume Designers Guild/Theatrical Stage Employees Local 892’s president, where he continues his long-standing advocacy for costume design and unionism.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 06/23/2022 - 10:10Tags: Pride
President Roach Tells Senate Committee Social Security Must Be Expanded
Robert Roach Jr., president of the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), testified on June 9 at a Senate Budget Committee (SBC) hearing focused on expanding Social Security for all beneficiaries. Entitled “Saving Social Security: Expanding Benefits and Demanding the Wealthy Pay Their Fair Share or Cutting Benefits and Increasing Retirement Anxiety,” the hearing laid out the case for increasing benefits as millions of seniors struggle to make ends meet. Watch the video of the hearing.
The testimony came on the same day that Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vermont), the SBC chair and other Democratic legislators put forward new Social Security legislation that would increase benefits by $200 per month and extend the system’s solvency past the year 2096 by ensuring that the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share of Social Security taxes.
Sen. Sanders’ legislation, the Social Security Expansion Act, which the ARA strongly supports and has formally endorsed, addresses the challenges seniors face by:
- Expanding Social Security benefits across the board for current and new beneficiaries by $200 per month, or $2,400 per year
- Increasing cost-of-living adjustments by adopting the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly
- Updating the special minimum benefit for Social Security recipients by making it easier to qualify, which will help low-income workers stay out of poverty
“We need improvements because older Americans today are hurting,” said President Roach at the hearing. “And I have seen examples for myself firsthand. I have observed on many occasions seniors at the supermarket checkout who had to put food back because the grocery bill was more than they had. Seniors are having to make decisions between food and medicine on a daily basis.”
In addition, the ARA has endorsed Rep. John Larson’s (Conn.) legislation in the House of Representatives: H.R. 5723, Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust. It also strengthens Social Security and repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, both of which unfairly claw back the Social Security benefits of workers or their spouses or survivors if they worked for a period of time in jobs not covered by Social Security.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/22/2022 - 13:53Pride Month Profiles: Elizabeth Rockett
For Pride Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's Pride Month profile is Elizabeth Rockett of the Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT).
Elizabeth Rockett is chair of the newly formed LGBTQ+ core committee for the Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) and director of government affairs for IUPAT District Council 5. She identifies as queer and believes that social issues are labor issues and building solidarity within union structures for the LGBTQ+ community is critical in creating diverse labor unions.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/22/2022 - 10:10Tags: Pride
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Secretary-Treasurer Redmond Rallies Poor People’s Campaign
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.
Thousands of people gathered on the National Mall last Saturday for the Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington and to the Polls. The demonstration, led by the Rev. William Barber II, was a moral declaration of purpose to transform America’s economy for the betterment of all people, especially those left out and left behind.
AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond spoke at the rally: “Poverty is a failure—a failure of the system, not on the people. Being poor is not the failure. Being poor is not a crime. The crime is accepting a system that allows for poverty.”
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/22/2022 - 09:30A More Compassionate America: 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.
AFL-CIO Support for AMFA: “‘We applaud the AFL-CIO for standing by artists and music creators and lending the strength of its 12.5 million members to the fight for passage of the American Music Fairness Act,’ said Congressman Joe Crowley, Chairman of the musicFIRST Coalition. ‘This legislation will benefit artists across the country—including the tens of thousands who are members of SAG-AFTRA, the American Federation of Musicians and other AFL-CIO unions—by correcting a decades-long injustice fueled by corporate greed that has left artists uncompensated for the use of their songs on AM/FM radio.’”
Biden’s Rousing Speech Before the AFL-CIO Is Exactly the Message Democrats Need: “At a rousing speech before the AFL-CIO in Philadelphia on Tuesday, he sounded like he used to as vice president and on the campaign trail when he inhabited the persona of ‘Joe from Scranton.’ His delivery was punchier and at times angrier than usual. He mocked and knocked Republicans’ plutocratic economics. And he made a stronger-than-usual case that Republicans are blocking economic progress. He was rewarded with multiple ovations. Biden took his time reminding the audience what a mess the country was when he took office, including Americans waiting in line for an hour for a box of food. ‘That’s what we inherited,’ he said.”
President Biden Addresses Economy During Speech at Pennsylvania Convention Center In Philadelphia: “President Joe Biden is on his way back to Washington D.C. after visiting Philadelphia on Tuesday morning. He spoke at the AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention in Center City at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Before the president took the stage, he was introduced as the most ‘pro-union president ever.’ Biden addressed the economy, saying his administration is working to make ‘buy American’ a reality, not just a slogan. The president also admitted gas prices are high, but he says he’s working to ‘Block Putin’s gas hike.’ Although, he didn’t say how.”
Labor’s 2022 Election Work to Be Driven from the Bottom Up: “Organized labor’s political campaign this year will be driven from the bottom up, emphasizing issues, as state federations and central labor councils make the key political decisions and then fit candidates into the issue matrix for endorsement decisions. So says Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten, chair of the federation’s committee on relations with and responsibilities of the state feds and the CLCs. Weingarten and AFSCME President Lee Saunders are jointly working out that political plan, she told a small group of reporters at a June 13 Q&A during the AFL-CIO Convention in Philadelphia. Saunders chairs the federation’s Political Committee.”
Alabama Amazon Union Organizers Get Standing Ovation at AFL-CIO Convention: “Workers organizing for a union at Amazon’s Bessemer fulfillment center received a standing ovation this morning before the AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. In a five-minute segment before the convention, workers Isaiah Thomas, Clint Shiflett, Kenneth Carter and organizer Adam Obernauer appeared, talking about efforts to organize for the Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union (RWDSU).”
Biden Courts Labor Ahead of Tough Midterms: “President Biden is heading to Philadelphia today to address the AFL-CIO convention—his latest show of solidarity with the labor movement as Democrats confront a tough midterm election forecast. He's expected to talk about building an economy around working people, according to a White House official, with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and Stacey Abrams in attendance.”
Axios Interview: Inside the Plans of the Country's Top Union Leader: “The new leader of the AFL-CIO is zeroing in on the tech sector as one of organized labor's top targets and plans to shift more of the powerful union's resources to organizing and growing its members, she and her deputy told Axios in a joint interview.”
New AFL-CIO Leader Eyeing Tech Sector for Organizing: “Liz Shuler, the new leader of the nation’s largest federation of labor unions, the AFL-CIO, said in an interview published Sunday that she is eyeing the tech sector for organizing efforts amid shifts in the U.S. workforce. Shuler spoke to Axios along with Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO’s first Black secretary-treasurer, ahead of her confirmation as president at the group’s constitutional convention. She has been running the organization since longtime leader Richard Trumka’s death last summer. ‘It’s our moment to write the next chapter of the labor movement,’ she added. ‘We are looking to seize on this moment to show that the labor movement is wide open—that we are open to transformational change.’ Both leaders said targeting workers in the tech field was part of broader efforts to build more diversity within the labor movement.”
Shuler Wins AFL-CIO Presidency, First Woman Elected to Role: “AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler won election to a four-year term at the federation’s national convention Sunday, solidifying her spot at the helm of the U.S. labor movement. Delegates from the federation’s member unions selected Shuler, who was elevated to the job after Richard Trumka died unexpectedly last year. She ran unopposed. Shuler is now the first woman formally elected AFL-CIO president at a time when labor is becoming less male and White. But she also faces steep challenges, including a steady decline in union membership rates despite a surge in new organizing at major companies such as Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. Delegates also elected Fred Redmond secretary-treasurer, the first Black person to hold the federation’s No. 2 spot.”
The Time Is Now to Build a More Compassionate America…: “America’s workers, especially poor and low-wage workers, are stretched thin. They have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and after risking their health and safety to work in frontline positions during the pandemic, they are now treated as expendable. They are struggling to make ends meet and don’t know whether they’ll be able to put enough food on the table, care for themselves and their families or retire with dignity. Invidious and systemic racism and poverty continue to plague our country, pushing more and more people to the margins while the rich keep getting richer. There are 140 million poor and low wealth people in this country, and the pandemic has only exacerbated the inequities they face. Corporations have experienced record profits, but working people have been denied a living wage, paid leave, quality health care and other basic rights.”
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/21/2022 - 11:48Pride Month Profiles: Lisa Ohta
For Pride Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's Pride Month profile is Lisa Ohta of UAW.
Lisa Ohta is president of the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA), UAW Local 2325, representing more than 2,700 public interest attorneys and advocates in New York.
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/21/2022 - 10:10Tags: Pride
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Shuler and Redmond Chat With NPR's Gonyea
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.
After being elected at AFL-CIO's convention last week, President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond spoke with NPR's Don Gonyea. An excerpt:
Gonyea: In your acceptance speech at the convention you announced the creation of something called the "CTO"...
Shuler: Yes, the Center for Transformational Organizing.
Gonyea: Is that something real or just another call to action?
Shuler: That's our first 100-day plan. We are committing to organizing a million new members over 10 years so that we can hold each other accountable—year after year after year—with goals that we've identified for each union. And that we're laser-focused on coming together to achieve those goals. And like I said, it'll be cross-union collaboration, resourcing and investment. And real metrics that are associated with it, because I'm with you, I want results. I don't want to have broad plans that just get announced and nobody follows up on them. So we have a real commitment with our largest unions.
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/21/2022 - 09:27Pride Month Profiles: Meg Jansen
For Pride Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's Pride Month profile is Meg Jansen of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW).
Meg Jansen is an active member who works as a barista at Giant Eagle. She submitted the winning design for UFCW OUTreach’s Pride T-shirt design contest.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 06/17/2022 - 10:00Tags: Pride
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: AFL-CIO Sports Council to Be the Voice of Union Athletes
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 more and more professional athletes joining together in unions, our labor movement is founding the AFL-CIO Sports Council. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler announced the formation of the new council, which will strengthen union athletes across the sports industry.
Founding members of the Sports Council include NFL Players Association (NFLPA), United Football Players Association-USW, NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA), USWNT Players Association (USWNTPA) and USL Players Association-CWA (USLPA-CWA).
“We love the sport that we play, but the issues that our members face are universal ones,” said NWSLPA Executive Director Meghann Burke. “As we come together to form the new AFL-CIO Sports Council, our capacity to win justice on the field for players, and to act in solidarity with workers off the field, will only increase.”
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 06/17/2022 - 09:32Pride Month Profiles: Brian Gambino
For Pride Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's Pride Month profile is Brian Gambino of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) member and First Officer Brian Gambino developed his passion for aviation at a young age, growing up under the final approach path for runway 22L at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. His interest became what is now a 16-year career at three ALPA carriers, and his passion is just as strong now as it was at the start. Outside of flying, Brian spends his time advocating for change through the work of the NGPA, the worldwide LGBTQ aviation community. As the organization's president, he leads the charge on diversity, equity and inclusion issues facing the LGBTQ+ community in aviation. Whether he's traveling in a JetBlue Airbus crossing the Atlantic or leading a seminar on inclusion, you’re sure to see Brian living out his passion with a smile on his face.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 06/16/2022 - 09:42Tags: Pride
Organize & Rise: 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.
Alaska AFL-CIO:
The Alaska AFL-CIO could not be more excited to welcome @LizShuler as the first ever woman to be elected President of the @AFLCIO #1u pic.twitter.com/Qgwm1ZRGaH
— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) June 13, 2022Arizona AFL-CIO:
Apple employees "struggled with COVID, rude customers, mental health, unhappiness with wages, and lack of advancement." Listen in about Apple unionization: https://t.co/5NwyblGKIa
— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) June 13, 2022California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:
"Wall St didn't build this country. The middle class built this country. And UNIONS BUILT THE MIDDLE CLASS!" -- @POTUS speaking to #AFLCIOConv https://t.co/kgFcuk4ytu
— California Labor Federation (@CaliforniaLabor) June 14, 2022Colorado AFL-CIO:
LISTEN TONIGHT Labor Exchange 6:00 PM MDT -KGNU 88.5 FM 1390 Denver/Boulder https://t.co/fuXuspt1UV
Join the conversation with Hilary Glasgow, leader of Colorado WINS Local 1876, the state employees union in a special live taped episode!https://t.co/HN5UOU23Lo pic.twitter.com/KcVv7QR77w
Connecticut AFL-CIO:
Thank you to TEDxNewHaven for standing against worker retaliation and union busting! https://t.co/82R7IQIXwt
— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) June 13, 2022Georgia State AFL-CIO:
The @USDOL under the leadership of our brother, @SecMartyWalsh, is collecting #UnionStrong stories from across the country. Let’s tell them the stories of the Georgia Labor Movement! #1u https://t.co/sEOCMnqk6i
— Georgia AFL-CIO // Pass The #ProAct (@AFLCIOGeorgia) June 14, 2022Indiana State AFL-CIO:
Our Secretary Treasurer Shawn Christ is representing Hoosiers at the @AFLCIO Convention in Philadelphia! #aflcioconv
Always proud to stand beside President @LizShuler. ✊🏽✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/yQYSrCripa
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO:
Labor Energy Partnership Publishes White Papers on Building a Domestic Union-Made Offshore Wind Supply Chain https://t.co/FEV68xU0cO
— Iowa AFL-CIO (@IowaAFLCIO) June 14, 2022Maine AFL-CIO:
Great interview with IBEW member Kilton Webb about his union's work on labor climate policies!
“You can’t make things better if you don’t train the next generation of workers. And you can’t just hire any company to do this work, we need union training."
https://t.co/3MSBNnpMFF
Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO:
And congratulations to @STRedmond as Secretary-Treasurer of the @AFLCIO! #1u
— Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO (@MDDCStateFed) June 12, 2022Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
We applaud the court's ruling and are proud to have done our part within a broad coalition of consumer, civil rights, labor, and other advocates who united to resist and oppose this cynical ballot initiative scheme. Full statement by President Steven A. Tolman below. #1u #mapoli https://t.co/8cKeRmxUPd pic.twitter.com/THihFyokHk
— Massachusetts AFL-CIO // Build Back Better (@massaflcio) June 14, 2022Michigan State AFL-CIO:
#HeckWoodWill #Labor2022 https://t.co/Uwa1EV5MmK
— Michigan AFL-CIO 💉💪 (@MIAFLCIO) June 7, 2022Minnesota AFL-CIO:
Frontline workers: You went above and beyond to protect our communities and save lives during the pandemic. Now, it's time to get the support you deserve. Visit: https://t.co/fDUcsaTCFa #FrontlineWorkerPay #1u https://t.co/IbB2YlO27p
— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) June 8, 2022Missouri AFL-CIO:
Join President Hummel and Secretary-Treasurer Berry in helping children of need of back-to-school supplies on June 22! pic.twitter.com/63PNEbye5n
— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) June 13, 2022Nevada State AFL-CIO:
Thank you to the @MineWorkers for inviting our Executive Secretary Treasurer Susie Martinez to speak at their 56th Constitutional Convention! #UnionStrong (1/5) pic.twitter.com/pXabEYyo3D
— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) June 6, 2022New Hampshire AFL-CIO:
House Education's Interim Study Comm. on HB 1229 has a considered discussion about how to assure schoolchildren have healthy meals at school. @AFTNewHampshire @AFSCME93 @SEIU1984 @NHNEAPrez @UAW2322 @PFFNH @Local_789 @NTULocal1044 @AFTunion #NHpolitics pic.twitter.com/LLKgnveo4u
— NewHampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) June 13, 2022New York State AFL-CIO:
Our nurses show up for us every day, and this week the NYS Senate and Assembly showed up for them. THANK YOU for passing these bills to protect our nurses from mandatory overtime! Full statement from NY's union movement: https://t.co/DTouJcb6pE pic.twitter.com/iuiczteKRQ
— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) June 3, 2022North Carolina State AFL-CIO:
Our 65th Annual Convention at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills in our dynamic state capital! We hope you will say “Count me in!” to join us there on Thursday and Friday, September 29th and 30th. Learn more at https://t.co/SyGkkNUiBC #1u #ncpol pic.twitter.com/zI4nEQYo8h
— NC State AFL-CIO // #OrganizeTheSouth (@NCStateAFLCIO) June 10, 2022North Dakota AFL-CIO:
Powerful workers speaking up at our Fargo Union Organizing event with @Shut_downAmazon ALU Pres Chris Smalls, David Gutsche with @HPBWorkersUnite, Lola Rubens and Marshall Steele with @starbucksunion and @MNAFLCIO Pres @bernieburnham4! #1u pic.twitter.com/ryOYYVr6t8
— North Dakota AFL-CIO (@NDAFLCIO) June 8, 2022Ohio AFL-CIO:
Thanks @TimothyDSnyder for joining the #AFLCIOConv to remind us how fragile our Democracy is and that as a labor movement, we should care about #Ukraine because it’s the working people fighting, suffering and dying on the front lines. pic.twitter.com/sOV1cFEN6X
— 🇺🇦 Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) June 14, 2022Oregon AFL-CIO:
Any statement issued by corporate or management that says you can’t discuss your compensation is ILLEGAL. #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/M6cF6mtud1
— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) June 14, 2022Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:
Our President Angela Ferritto opened Day 2 of the 29th @AFLCIO Constitutional Convention! #AFLCIOConv #UnionStrong #UnionProud
Watch here: https://t.co/UIX8hNcgDm
Rhode Island AFL-CIO:
Join us and the @ri_trades Women's Council for a Juneteenth Freedom Celebration!
✊✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻
#juneteenth2022 #1u #BLM pic.twitter.com/t2Ek1Novi1
Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council:
Enjoying the chance to spend time with fellow Southern Region leaders at the @AFLCIO Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia! #AFLCIOConv #1u pic.twitter.com/4qdAPT9AGf
— Tennessee AFL-CIO (@tnaflcio) June 14, 2022Texas AFL-CIO:
Did you know that you can stream the Lone Star Labor Pod on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, or anywhere you listen to podcasts?
Tune in to our latest episode with partners from the first unionized Starbucks in Texas! @sbwuatx45lamar @SBWorkersUnited #1u #TXUnionStrong https://t.co/aQVmwUoiBg pic.twitter.com/dwEBM7ED0C
Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:
Pres. Larry Brown (@lebrown1one) and ST @aprilr_sims repping Washington State labor at #AFLCIOConv! pic.twitter.com/TQZtJFEGgG
— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) June 12, 2022Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:
Alabama Amazon union organizers get standing ovation at @AFLCIOconv https://t.co/Lf8CaYtMkl
— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) June 14, 2022 Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/15/2022 - 11:38Biden Declares Unyielding Support for the Labor Movement as We Fight to Build an ‘Economy That Works for Working People’
“It’s good to be home,” President Biden began, as he took the stage at the AFL-CIO Convention.
He heralded labor’s fight to transform our economy, including winning passage of the American Rescue Plan and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. “The infrastructure law is about more than rebuilding our infrastructure, it’s about rebuilding the middle class,” Biden said. Delegates rose in applause as he called on Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which will allow more workers to have a voice on the job.
Biden also spoke about what his administration is doing to blunt the economic impact of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which has caused gas and food prices to skyrocket in recent months. “When we work to bring down gas and food prices, we can save families’ money on other items,” he explained. “We can change the dynamic for working-class families” by expanding affordable child care and capping the price of insulin.
“We can do all this. All I’m asking is the largest corporations and wealthiest Americans to begin to pay their fair share of taxes,” he said. Biden pointed out that the tax rate on America’s workers is much higher than the effective tax rate on greedy corporations and billionaires.
And while anti-union senators propose to sunset Social Security and Medicare, and undermine the Affordable Care Act’s protection for people with pre-existing conditions, Biden made clear that he and the labor movement will always stand in their way. “We’re not going back to the false promise of trickle-down economics. We’re going forward.”
“We’re counting on you again to build this country for all of us,” the president told the assembled delegates. “I promise you, I’m going to keep fighting for you. Are you prepared to fight with me?”
The answer from workers in the hall was unanimous and in one collective voice: “Yes!”
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/15/2022 - 11:04Tags: AFL-CIO Convention
Pride Month Profiles: Maureen Rooney
For Pride Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's Pride Month profile is Maureen Rooney of the Utility Workers (UWUA).
Maureen Rooney is currently the only female distribution field worker in her workplace. She’s a strong, independent woman who is up to the challenge of the important job of operating and maintaining water infrastructure systems. It is a physical job that involves working on fire hydrants, driving a truck and fixing water mains, and Rooney performs the duties as well as any of her coworkers.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/15/2022 - 10:00Tags: Pride
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: CWA Secures Groundbreaking Labor Neutrality Agreement with Microsoft
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 Communications Workers of America (CWA) and Microsoft announced on Monday they have entered into a labor neutrality agreement. The landmark agreement will apply at video game company Activision Blizzard after Microsoft’s acquisition closes, and it reflects a fundamental belief by both organizations that enabling workers to freely and fairly make a choice about union representation will benefit Microsoft and its employees, and create opportunities for innovation in the gaming sector.
“This agreement provides a pathway for Activision Blizzard workers to exercise their democratic rights to organize and collectively bargain,” said CWA President Chris Shelton. “Microsoft’s binding commitments will give employees a seat at the table and ensure that the acquisition of Activision Blizzard benefits the company’s workers and the broader video game labor market.
Quality assurance workers at Activision Blizzard subsidiary Raven Software recently voted to form a union with CWA, and the agreement with Microsoft opens the door for many more video game workers to join them.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/15/2022 - 09:30Pride Month Profiles: Reginald Small
For Pride Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Today's Pride Month profile is Reginald Small of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Reginald Small is a proud 28-year member of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and currently serves as secretary for CWA Local 6215 in Dallas. In addition, he directs the local’s Community Services Committee and serves on the National Committee on Civil Rights and Equity. Small is passionate about his work and advocacy for marginalized communities. Most notably, he has been actively engaged in combating homelessness in his community and beyond.
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/14/2022 - 10:00Tags: Pride
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Another Hurricane Season Starts Without Enough Utility 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.
All utilities—electric, gas and water services—have slashed their workforces in recent decades. Coupled with a disproportionately older utility workforce reaching retirement, there are fewer highly skilled line workers and transmission and distribution technicians doing those much-needed jobs. This has put communities at risk, particularly as we head into another dangerous hurricane season.
“With all these utilities cutting back on their workforce, and a lot of maintenance not getting done, it’s a recipe for the disasters we are seeing now,” said Utility Workers (UWUA) Local 1-2 Executive Board member Chris Katzmann, who was among scores of UWUA members who responded after Hurricane Ida struck Louisiana last year. Sign the UWUA’s petition to ensure we invest in the next generation of utility workers.
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/14/2022 - 09:30
