Women’s History Month Profiles: Sandra Parker-Murray
Women’s History Month Profiles: Sandra Parker-Murray
For Women’s History Month, we’re taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women’s history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today’s profile is Sandra Parker-Murray of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Sandra Parker-Murray is the secretary-treasurer for CWA Local 7777 in Denver. She is a fierce organizer and political advocate. She brings her years of experience as a front-line telecommunications worker and delivery driver into her work, ensuring that workers’ voices do not get lost. She is active in Colorado Independent Drivers United, part of CWA Local 7777 focused on building power for drivers in rideshare, delivery, taxi and limousine services. She can often be found advocating at the Colorado State Capitol.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/17/2025 – 10:01
Tags:
Women’s History Month
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Pushkin Industries Secure First Union Contract
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Pushkin Industries Secure First Union Contract
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.
The 12 Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members have secured their first collective bargaining agreement with podcast company Pushkin Industries. The contract was approved unanimously and establishes a minimum salary of $73,000, guaranteed raises, and guaranteed IP negotiation for shows where unit members write, research and host their own ideas; provides artificial intelligence protections; enshrines Quiet Weeks in August and December; provides 16 weeks fully paid parental leave, a minimum 12 weeks of severance, and a laptop; establishes protections for remote and hybrid employees; reports on the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion work; and establishes Just Cause among other provisions.“We’re proud of this contract, and we think it reflects the strength of the community we’ve built at Pushkin and is an essential part of the movement to build better standards across the industry,” the union said. “We’re grateful to leadership for working with us throughout this process and for investing in our future together. The unit is looking forward to it!”Pushkin was co-founded by Jacob Weisberg and Malcolm Gladwell and produces podcasts like “Revisionist History,” “Deep Cover,” “Broken Record,” “Against the Rules with Michael Lewis,” and “Where’s Dia?”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/17/2025 – 10:01
IAM District 98 Plant Hosts Pennsylvania Governor for Clean, Affordable Energy Initiative Roll-Out
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro recently announced his “Lightning Plan” at an IAM-represented facility in York, Pa., calling for tax incentives and regulation streamlining to keep Pennsylvania at the forefront of electrical production in North America. Using an “all of the above” approach to energy production, from fossil fuels, fracking, solar, wind, and hydro electric, the
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Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: American Guild of Musical Artists
Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: American Guild of Musical Artists
This is the first post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates again. The series will run weekly until we’ve covered all 63 of our affiliates. First up is the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA).
Mission: AGMA is committed to protecting and advancing the employment and artistic rights of its members. Through the negotiation and enforcement of approximately 70 collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) nationwide, AGMA ensures fair wages, safe working conditions and a higher quality of life for the artists who bring the performing arts to life. Current Leadership of Union: Ned Hanlon serves as president. The other officers are J Austin Bitner (secretary-treasurer), Brian August (staging staff vice president [VP]), Helena Brown (choristers, actors and staff performers VP), Antuan Byers (dancers VP), Andrew Stenson (soloists VP), Andres Garcia (Eastern and Southern Region VP), Katharine Goeldner (New York Region VP), Cameo Humes (Midwestern Region VP) and Jennifer Wallace (Western Region VP).Current Number of Members: More than 6,500.Members Work as: Singers; dancers; staging staff; and faculty, staff and instructors in opera, ballet/contemporary dance and choral performance across the United States. Industries Represented: Opera, ballet and contemporary dance, and concert choral performance.History: AGMA formed in 1936 as an organization of solo musical artists. In August 1937, the union was granted a charter from the Actors and Artistes (4As) to cover the fields of grand opera, concert and recital. AGMA pursued a campaign to organize artists throughout the country, and the first CBA that the union successfully negotiated that fall was with the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. Today, the union, led by the AGMA Board of Governors and supported by AGMA’s professional staff, negotiates and enforces more than 70 CBAs throughout the country and continues to set industry standards, even for nonunionized companies.Current Campaigns and Community Efforts: AGMA actively supports its members through a variety of initiatives and resources. The union maintains an up-to-date list of auditions relevant to members, provides visa consultation services and offers contract enforcement and negotiation support. AGMA runs several member-led caucuses, including the AGMA Black Caucus, Opera and Concert Choristers Caucus, and Staging Staff Caucus, fostering community and advocacy within the union. The AGMA Relief Fund provides critical financial assistance to members in need. The union also offers educational webinars and a monthly newsletter and enables access to Union Plus and the Entertainment Community Fund resources. Additionally, the union now sells union-branded merchandise to promote solidarity and awareness. AGMA continues to mobilize around key labor issues, including fair wages, arts funding, workplace protections and organizing efforts in the performing arts.Learn more: Website, Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, X.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/17/2025 – 09:40
District 19 Wins Restoration of Shift Breaks for CPKC Members in Minnesota
When IAM Local 112 (District 19) members suddenly lost their long-standing shift breaks, they knew they needed to get their union involved. Members at the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC) diesel maintenance shop in St. Paul, Minn., had for decades received a 20-minute shift break, in addition to their lunch break. Suddenly, management ended
The post District 19 Wins Restoration of Shift Breaks for CPKC Members in Minnesota appeared first on IAMAW.
Women’s History Month Profiles: Julie Stein
Women’s History Month Profiles: Julie Stein
For Women’s History Month, we’re taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women’s history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today’s profile is Julie Stein of the United Steelworkers (USW).
Julie Stein began her career in 1984 as a laborer at the Appleton Coated paper mill in Combined Locks, Wisconsin. As a member of USW Local 2-144, she served in various elected positions. In 2006, Stein came to work for the USW and was actively involved in the Women of Steel and political programs. Today, Stein serves as director of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) program, helping USW members engage in lifelong activism.
Kenneth Quinnell
Sun, 03/16/2025 – 09:44
Tags:
Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month Profiles: Michelle Christen
Women’s History Month Profiles: Michelle Christen
For Women’s History Month, we’re taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women’s history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today’s profile is Michelle Christen of the Utility Workers (UWUA).
Michelle Christen serves as the second vice president of UWUA Local 601, which represents approximately 1,200 customer service workers at Public Service Electric & Gas in New Jersey. She has been instrumental in negotiating labor contracts, including an agreement ratified in April 2023 that secured a 13.64% wage increase over four years and recognized a bilingual call center position with additional compensation. In 2022, she collaborated with Local 601 members to organize fundraisers for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, contributing to cancer research and support.
Kenneth Quinnell
Sat, 03/15/2025 – 09:46
Tags:
Women’s History Month
Hands Off Our Public Postal Service March 20 Digital Toolkit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rdrMpoUC_Ysjn1oVkEfM9KOljJMMMTQ0/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102640650339786554018&rtpof=true&sd=true&rtpof=true&sd=trueHands Off Our Public Postal Service March 20 Digital Toolkit
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