United to Defend Our Rights Against Financial Abuse
February 13, 2025On Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, Donald Trump’s newly appointed head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Project 2025 co-author Russell Vought announced that he had shuttered the agency’s headquarters in Washington, DC. He instructed employees by email to not come into the office Monday and to cease work, bringing their efforts to protect consumers from fraud, scams, and financial abuse in the banking industry to a standstill. The announcements follow a Feb. 7 post by Elon Musk on his social media platform X, which stated “CFPB RIP.”
public servicesPostal Banking
On Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, Donald Trump’s newly appointed head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Project 2025 co-author Russell Vought announced that he had shuttered the agency’s headquarters in Washington, DC. He instructed employees by email to not come into the office Monday and to cease work, bringing their efforts to protect consumers from fraud, scams, and financial abuse in the banking industry to a standstill. The announcements follow a Feb. 7 post by Elon Musk on his social media platform X, which stated “CFPB RIP.”
The CFPB was created by Congress in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, which the banking industry caused, and is the latest target of Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that is working to eliminate oversight by federal agencies. The CFPB regulates mortgages, student loans, credit cards, payday lenders, and other financial instruments that are central to household finances.
“Vought is giving big banks and giant corporations the green light to scam families,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in a social media post over the weekend. “The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has returned over $21 billion to families cheated by Wall Street.”
DOGE representatives have already accessed internal systems and data at the CFPB. The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents nearly 2,000 workers at the CFPB, filed several lawsuits on Sunday in response to Vought and Musk’s actions. The first lawsuit seeks to block the agency’s shutdown so that it can continue its work to protect consumers, while a second suit aims to stop DOGE from accessing its members’ employee records and information, alleging the administration is violating the Privacy Act.
On Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, APWU representatives and staff attended a rally at CFPB headquarters to demonstrate against this hostile takeover of yet another government agency, and to keep the CFPB working for working people, not billionaires.
Effects of Killing off the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Eliminating the CFPB is a key commitment in Project 2025. Since its creation, the big banks and lenders on Wall Street have bristled against increased regulation and oversight brought on by the CFPB. In 2024, opponents of the CFPB brought a lawsuit to the Supreme Court, hoping to overturn the funding mechanism for the Bureau. While their lawsuit failed, the new Trump Administration could present their best chance yet to kill the CFPB.
Currently, the architects of Project 2025 are attempting to abolish the CFPB and in DOGE’s latest actions, hope to overturn many of the regulations that emerged after the 2008 financial crisis. Doing so would make everyone more vulnerable to predatory practices of banks, credit card companies, and other lenders.
There are a number of lawsuits the CFPB brought against some of the country’s biggest financial institutions in 2024, such as Capital One, Walmart, JP Morgan, Bank of America, among others, that are now in doubt, as the new Administration has overhauled the Bureau’s leadership and halted its operations.
Project 2025 also has proposals that would affect the way the Federal Reserve functions. While some of these would reduce compliance issues for banks – a gift to Wall Street – others would make it more difficult and expensive for banks to access funding. In turn, consumer borrowing could be more expensive, despite commitments from the authors to use the tools of government to drive down prices.
In this moment, we must stay united in our fight to defend our rights to be protected from financial abuse and keep building the movement to bring public options like postal banking to the world of finance.
United to Defend Our Rights Against Financial AbuseConsumer Financial Protection Bureau Latest Federal Agency Under Attack0
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New I.A.M. C.R.E.S.T. Associate Instructors Complete Train-the-Trainer Program
Fifteen new I.A.M. C.R.E.S.T. Associate Instructors from District 19, Local S6, District FD1, and other Norfolk Southern Railroad representatives recently completed the Train-the-Trainer program. This comprehensive training is specifically designed to equip workers with the skills needed to educate their peers on the hazards associated with the storage, shipment, loading, and unloading of dangerous goods
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Black History Month Profiles: Chancelle Mulela
Black History Month Profiles: Chancelle Mulela
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 Chancelle Mulela of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).Chancelle Mulela has been an IATSE Local 634 member for two years, working as a make-up artist. She has been a guest speaker with Reel Canada, a nonprofit organization based in Toronto dedicated to the presentation of Canadian films in Canadian schools, and encourages students to consider a career in film. She actively serves on Local 634’s DEI Committee and is currently working on establishing a young workers committee for the local.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/13/2025 – 10:18
Illinois Teamsters Back United We Move Legislation to Fix State Transit Systems
(SPRINGFIELD, Ill.) – The following is a joint statement from Thomas W. Stiede, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25; Cory Martin, Illinois State Legislative Board Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), and Anthony Sessa, General Chairman of the United Passenger Rail Federation, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED): “The […]
Read More....APWU, Unions Rally with AFGE to ‘Save Our Civil Service’
February 12, 2025In a massive show of solidarity, AFL-CIO affiliated unions, Congressional allies, and federal workers gathered on Feb. 11 at Upper Senate Park in a rally to “Save Our Civil Service,” hosted by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) amid attacks by President Trump on federal workers through a series of Executive Orders.
Labor Solidarity
In a massive show of solidarity, a crowd of hundreds of federal workers, AFL-CIO affiliated union members, and Congressional allies gathered on Feb. 11 at Upper Senate Park to rally to “Save Our Civil Service.” Hosted by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) amid attacks by President Trump on federal workers through a series of Executive Orders, the event highlighted the solidarity of working people for the great career
Upon taking office, President Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, to modernize “Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and technology and productivity.” Since its creation, federal workers have seen their job security diminish. The reinstatement of Trump’s 2020 “Schedule F,” renamed Schedule Policy/Career, order allowed officials in his administration to reclassify many civil servants into at-will employees. President Trump could then install whomever he pleases based on favoritism and loyalty to his campaign.
The president also signed an order ending remote work and telework for federal employees, forcing them to choose between resuming work in-person at the office, or signing a memo to voluntarily resign by the end of the 2025 fiscal year.
These executive orders only hurt the American people who rely on federal services like social security and medicare, and allows Trump to replace dedicated civil servants with cronies based on political agendas and favoritism, not merit. Cronyism, or the appointment of friends and associates to positions of power without proper regard to their qualifications, is dangerous and undermines the nature of civil service. The civil service designation is to promote workers who expertly serve the communities they represent and keep services consistent despite the party in power.
As attacks continue towards federal workers, billionaires like Trump and Musk want to restructure the government for capitalistic gains, instead of uplifting workers and our communities. We must stand strong with our AFGE siblings – their fight is our fight. Let’s protect the integrity of the workforce, preserve the public’s trust and hold union strong to save America’s public services.
In a massive show of solidarity, AFL-CIO affiliated unions, Congressional allies, and federal workers gathered on Feb. 11 at Upper Senate Park in a rally to “Save Our Civil Service,” hosted by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) amid attacks by President Trump on federal workers through a series of Executive Orders.0
Read More....WestPac Function 4 Reviews 2-12-25
Wednesday, February 12, 2025Western AreaWestern westpac_function_4_reviews_2-12-25.pdfWestPac Function 4 Reviews 2-12-25
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IAM, NFFE-IAM Rally to Protect Civil Services from Billionaire Takeover
The IAM and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) joined unions and elected officials, like House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, to protest Elon Musk and the Trump Administration’s war on America’s civil services.
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IAM Reaches Historic Milestone for Veterans, Becomes First Labor Union Recognized as VSO
For the past two years, the IAM Veterans Services team has been traveling across the country, assisting and advocating on behalf of our veteran members. On Jan. 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) notified the IAM that the Veterans Services Program had reached their long and hard-fought goal. IAM is officially the
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Worker Wins: “Standing Together for the Future of Our Profession”
Worker Wins: “Standing Together for the Future of Our Profession”
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
First Avenue Workers Ratify Collective Bargaining Agreement: UNITE HERE Local 17 members who work at Minneapolis’ legendary music venue First Avenue and its six Twin Cities sister clubs have unanimously ratified their first-ever contract. The 230-person bargaining unit covers service and event staff across the seven different locations—a majority of whom are non-tipped workers. UNITE HERE reported that the new contract includes major victories for staff like wage increases, longevity pay, improvements to scheduling practices, better safety policies, protections for LGBTQIA+ workers and more. “I’ve watched a lot of my best friends leave the club because the job wasn’t sustainable or they didn’t feel respected, but this contract makes a lot of steps to change that,” said First Avenue event staffer Kyle Tappe. “I’ve been pinching money at the end of the month for as long as I can remember, and the raises will make things significantly easier for me.”New York Magazine Walkout Averted as Union Secures Tentative Deal: Editorial staff at New York magazine—who are part of The NewsGuild of New York, CWA Local 31003—have successfully averted a strike after reaching a tentative agreement (TA) Friday with parent company Vox Media. Members of the New York Magazine Union, which include writers, editors, copy editors, fact-checkers, photo editors, designers and producers, will be voting on the TA later this month. The deal includes double-digit wage increases over the life of the contract, a ratification bonus, safeguards against the usage of artificial intelligence and more. “Guild members fought for new contract terms that reflect their commitment to building a newsroom that recognizes the value they bring to New York Magazine and Vox Media,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York, in a press release. “Our New York Magazine Union members would not accept anything less than a fair contract that builds on the success of prior agreements and improves workplace terms and conditions. This contract more than achieves that goal.” PS Workers Win Recognition as Part of Vox Media Union: Editorial staff at PS (formerly Popsugar) have successfully won voluntary recognition from parent company Vox Media and are now members of the Vox Media Union, part of the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE). The 20-person newsroom stood together with the larger Vox Media Union bargaining unit on the first day of negotiations to demand that they too be covered under the contract. The union, which now includes PS workers, are fighting for fair wages that keep up with the rising cost of living, a commitment to diversity initiatives, artificial intelligence safeguards and enhanced protections in the event of layoffs. PS workers said in a press release: “This marks a significant step forward in our efforts. We are encouraged that the company has listened to our concerns and made the right decision by voluntarily recognizing PS as part of the Vox Media Union. We look forward to joining our colleagues across the organization and are optimistic about a productive bargaining season ahead.” UFCW Local 400 Secures Settlements Over Wage Theft and Discrimination: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 has successfully won financial settlements from Union Kitchen and Mom’s Organic Market on behalf of members who have been victims of wage theft and discrimination, respectively. At the ironically named Union Kitchen, Local 400 filed a lawsuit in March 2023 against the boutique convenience store chain and its owner for withholding tips left by customers in its Washington, D.C., stores that were intended for staff. The settlement included $133,333.34 for 79 impacted members and a requirement for Union Kitchen to pay the union’s attorneys’ fees. After staff at the Mom’s College Park, Maryland, location voted to join the UFCW, management sent an email announcing pay raises and other workplace improvements for all employees except those at the newly organized store. This was a violation of federal law, prompting Local 400 to file an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge, which resulted in a settlement of $17,302.67 to compensate 74 workers. “Our union is committed to protecting workers from unscrupulous bosses who are willing to violate their employees’ rights and break the law instead of properly compensating them for their hard work,” said Mark Federici, president of Local 400. “We’d like to thank the workers who took a stand and participated in this lawsuit for holding Union Kitchen accountable for its unlawful practices.” President Federici also said: “Given its reputation and purported values, we expected much better from MOM’s Organic Market, so we were especially disappointed that the company chose to violate the law and discriminate against its own employees. But no matter the employer, our union will always fight to protect our members’ rights and hold bosses accountable for breaking the law.”Nurses at 3 Portland Legacy Hospitals Win Union Election: Nearly 2,300 nurses across three Legacy Health facilities in Portland, Oregon, have voted to join the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The decisive victories at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Randall Children’s Hospital and Good Samaritan Medical Center mean that workers are one step closer to being able to bargain over critical issues like patient care and safe staffing. This win comes as their fellow ONA members at Providence hospitals and medical centers across Oregon continue to fight for fair contracts that provide fair compensation and sustainable working conditions. “This victory is about nurses standing together for the future of our profession, our patients, and our hospitals,” said Sarah Zavala, an Emanuel nurse leader, in a press release. “We’re ready to build a strong contract that protects and empowers nurses so we can continue to provide the best care possible.”Denver Anti-Hunger Nonprofit Votes to Join Union: Workers at the nonprofit Metro Caring are celebrating their near-unanimous election to join the Denver Newspaper Guild, CWA Local 37074. Now organized under the name Metro Caring Workers United, a supermajority of the staff signed union authorization cards and requested voluntary recognition back in December 2024. The nonprofit was founded to help address food insecurity in the Denver-metro area and the staff who work there hope that by forming a union, they can better preserve the organization’s mission and sustain their critical work. “I’m incredibly proud to have been part of the Metro Caring Workers United team as we worked toward certification of our union with the NewsGuild-CWA,” said Lucor Jordan, a member of the MCWU Bargaining Committee and founding member of the union. “While I’ve never been part of a union before, throughout my working life I’ve received the benefit of the work that unions put in over past generations protecting workers and helping to provide a safe, dignified work environment. I’m now proud to be part of a new chapter in the non-profit sector.”UP Health System–Marquette Workers Ratify First Contract: After months of negotiations, United Steelworkers (USW) members who work for UP Health System–Marquette recently ratified their first union contract. The unit includes staff who work as licensed practical nurses (LPNs), care aides, lab assistants, payroll, IT, maintenance, office staff, and in other critical roles at the specialty care facility. Workers started organizing in 2023, with many expressing frustration with a decline in workplace satisfaction dating back to when the hospital was acquired by Duke LifePoint Healthcare in 2014. Contract wins include historic wage increases, higher on-call pay, capped annual health insurance premiums, improved safety protections and more. “UPHS Marquette is five blocks from my house,” said USW District 1 staff representative Bryan Fisher. “It’s the only Level 2 trauma center in the [Upper Peninsula] of Michigan. Our goal was always to attract and retain the best employees for Marquette residents. If I get taken to this hospital, these workers will care for me. I want a team of talented, fully-trained, well-compensated medical professionals administering care to our community.”UNITE HERE Fights to Pass Ordinance to Protect Job Security: UNITE HERE Local 1 members are celebrating a proposal that is advancing to the Evanston City Council that will give more job security to hospitality and food service contract workers at Northwestern University. The Worker Retention Ordinance would ensure that the essential workers who cook, clean and maintain the private research university will not be fired if their contractor is replaced. Just a few years ago, in 2018, hundreds of staff found their jobs in jeopardy when Northwestern replaced its food service operators with its current contractor, Compass Group. The city’s Human Services Committee unanimously approved moving the ordinance to council members on Wednesday after hearing testimony from several UNITE HERE members. “I’m proud to serve the Northwestern community. No matter who the contractor is, I deserve to continue working at the campus I have called home for so many years,” said Rosa Villaseñor, who has been a hospitality worker at Northwestern for 15 years.Lancaster Journalists Win Union Election: Journalists at LancasterOnline and the WITF public radio station voted to form a union this past Monday with The NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia, Local 38010 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA). In 2023, the Steinman family, who owned LancasterOnline (LNP), gifted the news organization to the Harrisburg-based NPR affiliate, WITF. Workers planned to form a union after management laid off 10% of its staff one month after the new management took over. CEO Ron Hetrick had previously told news staff that the company wouldn’t reduce its workforce for five years. “When we approached the Guild in November, a lot of people were unhappy with recent changes in our leadership and in our newsroom,” said LNP investigative reporter Brett Sholtis. “But this quickly became about so much more than that. We want to make sure we’re able to keep serving the community. We all brought different things to the table, but we have been united in our belief that joining The NewsGuild is the very best way to ensure the future of news in Lancaster and central Pennsylvania for years to come.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/12/2025 – 13:01
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Organizing
Hockey, Community, and Generosity: IAM Midwest Territory Raises Over $12,800 for GDA|TLC
IAM District 6, along with Local 388, Local 1010, and Local 1728, proudly sponsored a Quad City Storm minor-league hockey game in Moline, Ill., raising an impressive $12,800 for Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines (GDA|TLC). The sponsored game, held in November 2024, was an important occasion to honor military service members and veterans and show
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