Pressure Comes from the People: 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.
U.S. Labor Unions Demand ‘Brother’ Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Return from El Salvador: “The letter was signed by Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO labor federation; James Williams, Jr., president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, or IUPAT; Gwen Mills, president of the hospitality union Unite Here; and Michael Coleman, president of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, or SMART, which is Abrego Garcia’s union.”
Writers Guild Voluntarily Recognizes Staff Union: “The Writers Guild of America West has voluntarily recognized its staff’s intent to unionize with the Pacific Northwest Staff Union, allowing the bargaining unit to move forward on its first labor contract. ‘We have an agreement on our first demand, and we’re excited to take this important step towards having a voice in improving our workplace and organizing without fear of retaliation,’ WGAW Operations Coordinator II and Writers Guild Staff Union leader Doug MacIsaac said. ‘We’re happy to be able to advocate for ourselves and look forward to negotiating our first collective bargaining agreement.’”
AFL-CIO President Visits Maine to Highlight Potential Impacts of Veterans Administration Cuts: “Union officials are warning that potential cuts to the veterans’ administration will result in longer wait times for services and benefits. Last month, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs announced a reorganization plan that calls for reducing the VA workforce by 83,000 employees this year, one of many federal cost cutting measures. In response, members of the AFL-CIO gathered in Augusta Wednesday to share their stories as part of a roundtable discussion with National President Liz Shuler. She’s been traveling the country to meet with workers in places like Maine, that ‘aren’t strongholds for either political party,’ she said. ‘This is about capturing workers’ voices and bringing their stories to life because often they are left out of the conversation,’ she said.”
Wichita Symphony Orchestra and Musicians Agree on New Contract: “Established in Kansas in 1944, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra has recently come to an agreement with its musicians to increase their salaries, among other deals. In all, 45 members of the Wichita Musicians’ Association, local union No. 297 of the American Federation of Musicians, unanimously approved the contract, which will run through June 2028 and cover around 80 orchestra musicians.”
Coalition of Nonprofits, Unions Launch Challenge to Trump’s ‘Unlawful’ Attack on Government: “‘The Trump administration’s reckless attempt to dismantle our government without congressional approval threatens vital services Americans depend on every day—from caring for veterans and safeguarding public health, to protecting our environment and maintaining national security,’ said AFGE national president Everett Kelley. ‘This illegal power grab would gut federal agencies, disrupt communities nationwide, and put critical public services at risk. AFGE is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with this coalition to protect not just the patriotic public servants we represent, but the integrity of American government and the essential services that our nation deserves.’”
Too Many Workers Die on the Job Every Year. Trump’s Attacks on OSHA Will Kill More: “This Monday marked Workers Memorial Day, an annual international day of remembrance of workers who have died on the job, as well as a day of action to continue the fight for workplace safety. An estimated 140,587 U.S. workers died from hazardous working conditions in 2023, according to a new AFL-CIO report. This amounts to roughly 385 workplace-related deaths a day. While mourning these lives lost, there is also reason to fear this death toll will only rise due to aggressive Trump administration attacks on basic health and safety protections long taken for granted in most U.S. workplaces.”
Referendum to Repeal Anti-Union Law Meets Threshold to Qualify for 2026 Ballot: “Labor groups have met the requirements to put a measure on the 2026 ballot to repeal a law banning police, firefighters and teachers unions from representing their members in contract negotiations. As of Monday morning, the referendum backers had reached their target in the required 15 senate districts, in addition to the 146,480 verified signatures statewide, according to the lieutenant governor’s office.”
SAG-AFTRA National Board Overwhelmingly Approves Commercials Contracts Deal: “SAG-AFTRA’s National Board overwhelmingly approved 2025’s Commercials Contracts tentative agreements reached with the Joint Policy Committee April 12, meaning the agreements will now move on to the membership for ratification. The decision, made at the regularly scheduled, two-day, in-person assembly, yielded a deal valued at an increase of $218.4 million in new earnings and benefit plan contributions over three years. If ratified, the agreements would provide compounded increases in performer compensation at a rate of 5% in year one, 4% in year two and 3% in year three.”
AFL-CIO President on Mass Protests: ‘Pressure Comes from the People’: “AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler joins The Weekend to discuss how to keep the momentum going following massive anti-Trump protests this month.”
Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Its Attack on Union Rights: “Trump’s executive order, which AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler called ‘the most significant attack on workers’ rights in history,’ applied to workers at a wide swath of agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Treasury Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Shuler applauded Friedman’s injunction. ‘We commend the court for recognizing the Trump administration’s executive order stripping collective bargaining rights for what it was: illegal, retaliatory union-busting,’ Shuler said in a statement. ‘This was the most significant attack on workers’ rights in history, and if Trump was allowed to do it to federal workers, he would be able to do it to every worker in America, in every workplace and every industry.’”
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/06/2025 – 11:11