Mike Schulte, Author at Unions News

Workers Deserve Better: In the States Roundup

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Workers Deserve Better: 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 X.

California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:No matter who we voted for, we all know cutting Medicaid (Medi-cal) will be a disaster! Call your Congressperson today! #HandsOffMyMedicaid #handsoffourmedicaid pic.twitter.com/Y8rN2F4lQk— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) February 25, 2025Colorado AFL-CIO:We are strongly opposed to HB25-1206 Local Governments Tip Offsets for Tipped Employees. This misguided and inequitable bill would cut tipped workers wages— $4/hr in Denver, more than $8000/year. #coleg #copolitics pic.twitter.com/lbczJ6PZAi— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) February 25, 2025Connecticut AFL-CIO:CT AFL-CIO President @EHawthorne3 notes the hypocrisy of a bill allowing the state to require staff to work in person: “Every member of the General Assembly has effectively participated in a hearing remotely”*This public hearing allowed for in-person & remote participation* pic.twitter.com/sBCaxsL1XY— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) February 20, 2025Illinois AFL-CIO:‼️ SAVE THE DATE‼️The annual USA BBQ Bash Competition & Fundraiser is coming up in June!June 14, 2025 | 12 – 5 pmTorstenson Youth ConservationEducation Center13735 Cook Rd., Pecatonica, IL 61063 pic.twitter.com/fKKMsnfMiB— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) February 24, 2025Kentucky State AFL-CIO:🚨Kentucky workers deserve better. Say NO to HB 398!🚨This bill puts profits over people, takes away local control, and puts workers’ safety at risk.Take action NOW—use this link to email your representative and demand they protect Kentucky workers: https://t.co/WHumShISv1— Kentucky AFL-CIO (@aflcioky) February 19, 2025Maine AFL-CIO:”They are recklessly cutting and gutting vital services to give tax cuts to billionaires.” – Matt Schlobohm, Maine AFL-CIO https://t.co/Qy6bdvCdJp— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) February 24, 2025Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Great morning demanding #CareNotCuts! https://t.co/BCbQsEcrEX pic.twitter.com/4ynF6Y8EKf— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) February 25, 2025Michigan State AFL-CIO:STATEMENT: Michigan Labor Movement Calls for Court to Uphold the Constitution, Rule Against Republican Speaker Matt Hall’s Unconstitutional Effort to Kill Pro-Worker Legislation https://t.co/xUYTmVavun— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) February 24, 2025Minnesota AFL-CIO:Lawmakers at the #mnleg need to know that working Minnesotans won’t have our #PaidLeave delayed, rolled back, or denied. Take Action Now. #BetterInAUnion https://t.co/Q1p9ugSE6x— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) February 25, 2025Missouri AFL-CIO:Are you ready to vote in the March 4th primary and April 8th general elections? Find a list of Labor-endorsed candidates here and be sure to cast your #vote! https://t.co/scFV9pVAVJ— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) February 24, 2025Nevada State AFL-CIO:For Black History Month we are highlighting @SEIU1107 President Michelle Maese! Michelle is a Supervisor for Clark County Child Protective Services and has been a SEIU Local 1107 member for over 15 years. pic.twitter.com/6wwN13DxVB— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) February 24, 2025New York State AFL-CIO:ACTION: Cuts to federal funding will have serious consequences for working people & their families. Call your representative in Congress and ask them to vote against any budget resolution that cuts funding for healthcare, infrastructure & public education: https://t.co/uzMOArI0Pi— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) February 25, 2025Ohio AFL-CIO:Making the rich and corporations pay their share of taxes will do way more than attacking veterans who work at the VA hospitals. https://t.co/Xy0ahhNzlw— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) February 23, 2025Oregon AFL-CIO:Today, hundreds of union members from across Oregon are meeting with legislators to advocate for #OregonLabor legislative priorities, including SB 916 which would extend unemployment benefits to striking workers.This is what #WorkerPower looks like when we stand arm-in-arm to… pic.twitter.com/vNFCC8apEN— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) February 25, 2025Texas AFL-CIO:No worker should go without pay.Watch Jeff Ormsby, Executive Director of @AFSCME Texas Corrections, testify to the Texas Senate Finance Committee on the urgency of ensuring our correctional officers are compensated for working overtime: pic.twitter.com/B7LFBwugJo— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) February 24, 2025Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:West Virginia AFL-CIO:Nothing more American like destroying a 250 year old institution.🚨🚨CALL TO SUPPORT🚨🚨OUR @NALC_National LETTER CARRIERS!!! pic.twitter.com/ieM2KER1xV— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) February 21, 2025Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Federal layoffs in Madison hit dairy research, VA hospital https://t.co/2shZ6A3gkr via @CapTimes— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) February 24, 2025

Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/26/2025 – 11:49

Black History Month Profiles: Bryant Preston

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Bryant Preston

For Black History Month, we’re taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Bryant Preston of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

Bryant Preston currently serves as president of the Colorado AFL-CIO, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his longstanding involvement with IATSE. Since joining the union in 2004, he has held numerous leadership roles, including his election as business representative in 2017—a position he held until 2023. That year, he transitioned to president of IATSE Local 7 and also took on a position within IATSE International’s trade show department. In addition to these responsibilities, Preston serves as secretary for IATSE’s district that encompasses Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/26/2025 – 10:10

Illinois ProTech Teamsters Win $4.5 Million Settlement

Posted in: Teamsters

(SPRINGFIELD, Ill.) – Teamsters Local 916 has won a $4.5 million grievance settlement against the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) for failing to pay workers in the ProTech bargaining unit their legally owed wages negotiated in their collective bargaining agreement. For more than 11 months, ProTech Teamsters at the Illinois Department of Transportation […]

Black History Month Profiles: Kirby Boyce

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Kirby Boyce

Kirby Boyce began his journey as a machinist in 1999 at Pratt & Whitney’s engine facility in Cheshire. In 2004, he was elected as an IAM union steward and later served as recording secretary. The Cheshire facility closed in 2011, and Boyce moved to the East Hartford branch of Pratt & Whitney, where he joined IAM Lodge 1746. His commitment to safety led to his role as health and safety representative. In 2017, Kirby was elected president of Lodge 1746 and became vice president of the Greater Hartford Central Labor Coalition. He also served as treasurer of the Connecticut State Council of Machinists for five years. Currently, Boyce is the president of the Eastern Connecticut Area Labor Federation.

Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/26/2025 – 09:56

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: NALC Rallies to Save the Postal Service from Attacks

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: NALC Rallies to Save the Postal Service from Attacks

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.

On Monday, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) held a rally in Washington, D.C., to protest potential incoming efforts by the Trump administration to privatize the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).NALC members, labor leaders and community allies gathered to defend this essential government agency after reports of a planned executive order that would fire the Postal Service Board of Governors and place the agency under the control of the Department of Commerce.“The U.S. Post Office is a cornerstone of every community, in our largest cities and our smallest towns. It is cherished. It is trusted,” said AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond. “Letter carriers are the heart and soul of the U.S. Postal Service….We’re going to fight like hell for the Postal Service. We’re going to fight like hell for our unions.”NALC President Brian Renfroe told the crowd: “Let’s be very clear about what this is: a dedicated attack on the 640,000 dedicated people who work at the Postal Service, on the service we provide and on the hundreds of millions of Americans who rely on the service we provide every single day.”

Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/26/2025 – 09:56

Workers at Delta Air Lines Ground Handling Subsidiary Vote to Join IAM Union

Posted in: IMAW

Approximately 60 Unifi Aviation ground handling workers based in San Jose, Calif., last week voted nearly 70 percent to join the IAM Union. Unifi Aviation is 49% owned by Delta Air Lines Inc. and waged a scorched-Earth union-busting campaign, led by the anti-worker law firm Jones Day. The workers cited low and stagnant wage rates,
The post Workers at Delta Air Lines Ground Handling Subsidiary Vote to Join IAM Union appeared first on IAMAW.

Zum Transportation Workers in Jessup Join Teamsters

Posted in: Teamsters

(JESSUP, Md.) – Bus drivers, van drivers, trainers, and attendants at Zum Transportation in Jessup have voted by a four-to-one margin to join Teamsters Local 570. “I voted to join the Teamsters because management has made false promises to employees for far too long,” said Karl Fernandez, a driver at Zum in Jessup. “We asked […]