Enter The 2025 IAM Photo Contest
Attention all IAM members who enjoy taking photos. The 2025 IAM Photography contest is now open, so get out your cameras or smartphones and start snapping some pics of your Union sisters and brothers. The official call letter and entry forms can be found here. Submit your pictures of IAM members in their workplace, union
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Labor Demands and End to the Assault on the Right to Organize and Protest
April 28, 2025The labor movement holds one value above all others: solidarity. Labor demands an end to the Trump administration’s assaults on immigrant workers, freedom of speech, the right to organize and bargain, and federal government workers, their unions, and the services they provide.
The labor movement holds one value above all others: solidarity. Labor demands an end to the Trump administration’s assaults on immigrant workers, freedom of speech, the right to organize and bargain, and federal government workers, their unions, and the services they provide.
We will not stand by as President Donald Trump terrorizes immigrant workers with abduction, detention, and confinement without due process in unmarked facilities, far-flung detention centers, and a notorious prison in El Salvador.
The attacks are ramping up, and we need to act fast. In Washington state, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents smashed a car window and detained farmworker Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez, a leader in the berry-pickers union Familias Unidas por la Justicia, on his way to drop off his partner at work. They locked up SEIU Local 925 member Lewelyn Dixon, a lab tech at the University of Washington, when she returned from a family trip. They raided a roofing company where workers recently went on a safety strike, and arrested 37 people.
In Massachusetts, federal immigration agents snatched Rumeysa Ozturk, a graduate student at Tufts University on a student visa and an SEIU Local 509 member, on her way to break her Ramadan fast. She had written an op-ed in the student newspaper in support of Palestine.
In Baltimore, they arrested sheet metal worker Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a SMART Local 100 apprentice and father of a disabled child, and sent him to El Salvador’s nightmarish prison—then they called it an “administrative error” and said they could not get him back.
In New York, they abducted Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and United Auto Workers Local 2710 member, for protesting Israel’s assault on Gaza. They have also taken many others whose names aren’t public yet.
This administration attacked these members of our communities on their way to work, on their way to worship, on their way home. They locked them up after speaking their minds. And they did that on purpose.
They have also threatened and intimidated university administrations in an effort to enlist them in suppressing dissent. Sadly, many have acquiesced to these demands, making a mockery of the concept of “academic freedom” and the free exchange of ideas. Students have been suspended and expelled. Faculty members have been disciplined and discharged.
Further, the mass firings of federal workers and the attempt to abolish their collective bargaining rights are attacks also on the services they provide and the very function of our government. Trump wants a government that only serves the interests of corporations and oligarchs. Rather than a government of, by, and for the people, he would create one by and for the privileged rich. He wants to create a culture of fear.
We must not bow to any of it.
Labor Demands and End to the Assault on the Right to Organize and Protest0
Read More....The Fundamental Right to Come Home Safe: The Working People Weekly List
The Fundamental Right to Come Home Safe: 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.
Ahead of Workers Memorial Day, AFL-CIO Releases Death on the Job Report: “‘Every worker has the fundamental right to come home safe at the end of their workday,’ AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in an April 23 press release. ‘But for too many workers, that basic right is under attack. Workers fought and died for generations for the health and safety laws and protections we have today, and this year’s report shows we need to do even more.’”AFL-CIO, Unions Sue Trump Administration Over Cuts to Key Labor Relations Agency: “The AFL-CIO and unions representing workers across private and public sector industries filed suit against the Trump administration April 14 over its dismantling of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), including firing mediators and staff, and closing field offices across the country. FMCS is a small but important independent federal agency that is integral to the government’s Labor relations infrastructure. Among the critical services FMCS provides, it helps resolve contract negotiations between workers and employers to protect both the economy and workers’ rights, generating over $500 million in national economic savings each year, even by conservative estimates. But DOGE cuts have decimated the agency: 93% of FMCS staff have been placed on leave, the mediation workforce has been taken down from the 80-100 needed for the agency’s work to just five, and all of the field offices have been closed.”AFL-CIO Organizes New Free Federal Workers Legal Defense Network: “With federal workers across the country under attack, the AFL-CIO has organized a new legal defense network to help those workers who have been targeted. The free program is called Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network. Tens of thousands of hardworking people who run the programs and services that working families rely on have been mistreated or abruptly fired by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.”Chicago: Union Leaders Say Capitalism Doesn’t Like Worker Safety: “AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond opened the session by stressing the importance of putting ‘a human face’ to job cuts with these public discussions. ‘It’s workers who wake this country up every morning and tuck this country to sleep at night. And we run programs and services with dedication and pride,’ Redmond said.”The AFGE Union and Allies Rally in Support of Federal Environmental Workers: “The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) held a rally in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, calling for community support for federal environmental workers. Tuesday marked the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. Following its founding, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established. Tricia Paff is the AFGE Union President at Local 3907 for the EPA laboratory in Ann Arbor. She says if 20 million people successfully rallied for environmental reforms 55 years ago, then today’s citizens can organize local rallies, building on the momentum of AFGE’s recent rally to raise awareness about climate change.”Federal Workers Speak Out at North Carolina Labor Forum: “The signs made it easy for attendees to find a forum April 17 in support of federal workers and funding. ‘Nobody elected billionaires,’ read a navy blue poster taped to the door of Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech. ‘Stop the billionaire takeover’ was another, along with ‘Workers over billionaires’ and ‘Billionaires out, workers in.’ The event was part of a series of nationwide forums held by the labor union AFL-CIO as part of its Department of People Who Work for a Living campaign to fight threats to federal workers.”Field Hearing Held in Davenport Discusses Trump Administration’s Cuts to Federal Agencies: “‘What we’re doing is really getting interviews from people being affected,’ Fred Redmond, secretary treasurer with the national AFL-CIO, said. ‘People who’s being affected by the cuts and government service, the people that’s being affected by being released from their jobs for no apparent reason and we’re really trying to capture in the impact.’”Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Returns May 10: “The largest single day food collection event in the country is returning for its 33rd year. The National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association are again hosting the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. It’s easy to participate. Postal customers are asked to leave a bag of nonperishable food items near their mailbox on May 10th. Letter carriers will pick up the bags during regular mail delivery times. Every item collected stays local.”Punching In: A 1,000-Lawyer Battalion to Help Federal Workers: “With mass reductions in force across the federal government on the horizon, the AFL-CIO, federal workers’ unions, and advocacy groups have mobilized a network of more than 1,000 volunteer attorneys to provide legal services to laid off federal employees. Leaders behind the new Federal Workers Legal Defense Network launched last week say they saw a need for more federal-sector labor law resources based on the sheer number of federal workers being let go and the Trump administration’s response to lawsuits seeking to restore these jobs. More than 100,000 federal workers have left or been fired from the federal government so far. Craig Becker, general counsel at the AFL-CIO, said advocates recognized the need for more individual legal representation because ‘the administration is arguing that cases have to be brought before the agencies and therefore can’t proceed on a class action basis in federal court.’”Inside a Union’s Fight Against Trump’s Federal Job Cuts: “‘I can’t compare this to any other time in my career,’ the union’s national president, Everett Kelley, said in an interview. ‘We’ve seen some tough fights, but never have we seen any president’ try to ‘put the federal government into mission failure.’ Mr. Kelley said he saw the administration’s effort as a prelude to privatizing vast swaths of the federal work force. ‘At the same time, I think not only are federal workers realizing the urgency of our mission, I think the American people are realizing it,’ he said.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 04/28/2025 – 12:41
Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: American Federation of Musicians
Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: American Federation of Musicians
This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we’ve covered all 63 of our affiliates. Next up is the American Federation of Musicians (AFM).
Name of Union: American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada.Mission: The AFM brings together professional musicians across the United States and Canada, enabling them to live and work with dignity, receive fair compensation for their labor and have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect them. Members accomplish this by adhering to collective standards, participating democratically, organizing, bargaining collectively, building political power, encouraging member involvement, fostering mutual respect and developing diverse leadership. AFM uses their collective voice and power through a democratic and progressive union to promote social and economic justice and oppose the forces of exploitation through union solidarity.Current Leadership of Union: Tino Gagliardi was elected AFM international president in 2023. An accomplished trumpet player with a deep-rooted performance history in New York City’s clubs, recording studios and Broadway theater pits, his commitment to the musicians’ union is further exemplified by his multiple terms as president of AFM Local 802 (New York City), from 2010 to 2018 and again in 2022. He is a trustee and co-chair of the AFM-Employers’ Pension Fund, trustee and co-chair of the AFM and SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund, and executive committee member of the International Federation of Musicians, and serves on the executive board of SoundExchange.Other members of the AFM International Executive Board are International Vice President Dave Pomeroy; Vice President from Canada Allistair Elliott; International Secretary-Treasurer Ken Shirk; and Executive Officers Tina Morrison, John Acosta, Ed Malaga, Luc Fortin and Dusty Kelly.Current Number of Members: 70,000Members Work in: All fields and genres, including freelance gigging and session musicians, touring, recording artists, DJs and composers/arrangers—performing all styles of music from rock to classical to reggae to country and everything in between. Industries Represented: AFM’s agreements cover live performances, feature film scores, television programs, cable television, independent films, video games, streaming music, Broadway, theater, symphonic performances and more.History: AFM was formed in 1896 when musicians gathered in Indianapolis to create an organization to represent “any musician who receives pay” for musical services. Soon after, the American Federation of Labor granted a charter to AFM, which by then represented 3,000 members. Organizing efforts were pursued anywhere there were musicians, from theaters and restaurants to symphonies and operas. Within two years of the release of the first film that included sound in 1927, 20,000 musicians lost their jobs playing in the theater pits where the music to accompany silent films originated. But these and other technological advances wouldn’t deter the musicians. In the next few decades, they won minimum wage scales for recording and secured their first contract with the film companies. Technology continued to push organizing among AFM members, including a strike in 1942 that shut down the U.S. recording market for two years. Musicians won that strike and forced the recording industry to pay musicians who performed at live shows when recordings of those shows were sold. Out of that strike came the creation of the first residual payments and the Music Performance Trust Fund, which continues to sponsor free live performances throughout the United States and Canada today.Since its inception more than 129 years ago, the AFM has had one goal: to elevate, protect and advance the interests of all musicians who receive payment for their musical services. While technology and the music industry have evolved, the AFM’s mission has remained constant. It continues to focus on safeguarding musicians’ rights in the face of artificial intelligence and declining revenue from recording and streaming services. Along the way, there have been many challenges and even some setbacks, but the AFM has been unwavering in its dedication to working musicians everywhere.Current Campaigns: The AFM is currently focused on expanding agreements with major production companies, increasing AFM representation among employees at chain music schools, and organizing musicians involved in video game scoring. By partnering with local officers, the organizing department empowers bargaining units to achieve majority membership, paving the way for stronger collective bargaining agreements. Other key initiatives include lobbying for copyright protections that safeguard musicians’ intellectual property, the Fair Trade Music campaign to assist gigging musicians, the Venuology website that helps musicians share information about music venues, along with outreach efforts for artists performing at music festivals, and educating aspiring professional musicians through presentations at music schools and conservatories. The AFM International Unfair List informs members about employers engaged in primary labor disputes. AFM supports the American Music Fairness Act and the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.Community Efforts: AFM provides members with resources for traveling with instruments and visa assistance. AFM offers assistance to members impacted by hurricanes and other emergencies. AFM provides the following member-exclusive benefits: AFM Entertainment, an online booking and referral service for AFM members that accepts solo artists, bands and ensembles from all music genres; GoPro Hosting, affordable website hosting services that enable musicians to build an online presence without needing technical expertise; GoPro Tunes, a digital music store that offers music from AFM members, allowing artists to set their own prices and retain 100% of sales revenue (minus credit card fees); equipment and business insurance, with policies tailored for musicians, including coverage for musical instruments and equipment, general liability, business owner’s policy, errors and omissions, cyber insurance and additional options.Learn More: Website, Facebook, X, Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 04/28/2025 – 12:52
Teamsters at Finley Distributing Vote Unanimously to Authorize Strike
(PHOENIX) – Members of Teamsters Local 104 at Finley Distributing, a major beer and beverage distributor in Southern Arizona, have voted unanimously to authorize a strike. The vote comes after the company’s continued failure to offer a fair contract that reflects workers’ critical contributions to its success. “Our members have sent a loud and clear […]
Read More....Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Road Crew for ‘Chicago: The Musical’ Win Voluntary Recognition
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Road Crew for ‘Chicago: The Musical’ Win Voluntary Recognition
Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Ten stage and wardrobe professionals, members of the Theatrical Stage Employees’ (IATSE) Associated Crafts and Technicians (ACT) Local, who work on Chicago Razzle Dazzle II LLC’s production of “Chicago: The Musical,” won voluntary recognition of their union.The voluntary recognition is part of a growing trend within North America’s live‑events sector. In recent years, the owners of concert tours, festivals and theatrical productions have recognized the tangible benefits of a unionized workforce. “We are elated to be joining the IATSE after longing for representation and a voice on the job,” the crew members said in a statement. “We are proud to finally be a part of this organization that stands for fair labor practices [and] worker representation and provides community in an ever-growing profession. We hope to be an example of the strength that comes from a united front in the fight for workers’ rights and are excited to return to the ‘Chicago’ tour with a union contract.” “Chicago: The Musical” debuted on Broadway in 1975 and remains one of the longest-running musicals in history, and these IATSE ACT members are part of the revival that first opened in 1996. “It’s an honor to welcome these workers into the IATSE family and provide a path for collective representation,” said IATSE Assistant Director of Stagecraft Stasia Savage. “While the workers on this production are overall quite happy, we standby to provide training, advocacy and protections.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 04/28/2025 – 10:12
IAM Union Members at United Launch Alliance Vote to Accept Strong New Labor Agreement
Approximately 600 IAM Union members in Alabama, Florida and California voted on Sunday, April 27 to ratify a strong, four-year labor agreement with United Launch Alliance (ULA). The new four-year agreement includes improvements throughout the contract, including: An equity adjustment plus general wage increases of 4% in year one, 3.5% in year two, 3.5% in
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Teamsters at Dairy Farmers of America Hold Practice Pickets Nationwide
(WASHINGTON) – Teamsters held practice pickets at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) facilities in Englewood, Colo.; Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, and throughout Southern California to demand that the employer come to terms on 19 collective bargaining agreements set to expire May 5. DFA is the largest dairy co-operative in North America. “We demand a fair […]
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DFA National Practice Pickets – April 24, 2025
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IAM Local 1957 Members Fighting Against Union Busting Campaign from Norwalk, Calif. City Management
The City of Norwalk, Calif., is a “connected community,” according to its city slogan. City management appears to have a major connection problem with its own workforce represented by the IAM Union. More than 500 city employees in this incorporated town within Los Angeles County find themselves in a precarious situation as the end of
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