The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, Now Part of TCU/IAM, and Their Fight for Equality
In 1925, Pullman porters at the Pullman Company reached out to A. Philip Randolph, for his guidance and leadership in starting a new union. On Aug. 25, 1925, Randolph, a visionary civil rights leader and labor organizer, founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP). The Pullman Company, known for its luxurious sleeper cars, fiercely opposed
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Kroger Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Join Teamsters
(FOREST PARK, Ga.) – Kroger CDL drivers voted overwhelmingly by a 96 percent margin to join Teamsters Local 528. The drivers at Kroger’s Forest Park fulfilment facility organized with the Teamsters to secure a strong voice on the job, improve their wages, and guarantee retirement benefits. “Our wages, benefits, and working conditions have been eroding for too long and it […]
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Desert Water Agency Votes to Affiliate with Teamsters Local 1932
(PALM SPRINGS, Calif.) – Workers at the Desert Water Agency have voted in favor of joining Teamsters Local 1932, marking a significant victory for workers’ rights and solidarity within our community. The 82 new Teamsters are responsible for maintaining water systems throughout the region. “Our mission has always been to empower workers and ensure they […]
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17,000 AT&T Workers Strike Across Southeastern US
August 23, 2024More than 17,000 AT&T workers across nine southeastern states walked off their jobs on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. The workers, represented by Communications Workers of America (CWA), filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge against AT&T management’s bad faith bargaining during stalled contract negotiations. The APWU stands in solidarity with the brave union members in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee standing strong through their union and going on strike.
More than 17,000 AT&T workers across nine southeastern states walked off their jobs on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. The workers, represented by Communications Workers of America (CWA), filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge against AT&T management’s bad faith bargaining during stalled contract negotiations. The APWU stands in solidarity with the brave union members in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee standing strong through their union and going on strike.
CWA District 3 representatives have been in negotiations with AT&T since June, but management has refused to send representatives to the table with the authority to sign off on many of the mandatory subjects and backed out of agreements made throughout the bargaining process.
Now, according to the CWA, management has resorted to using unqualified subcontractors and undertrained managers during the strike to perform work as customer service representatives and for installation and maintenance roles. “Our members have seen them at work in their communities and documented unsafe practices, including failure to wear proper safety equipment, failure to secure ladders and other equipment, putting the worker and nearby vehicles and pedestrians at risk, and failure to mark work areas with safety cones,” said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt. “We are encouraging members of the public to use extra caution when encountering these worksites.”
“I encourage our members to sign the petition and if you are near an action, join the striking workers on the picket line at AT&T,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “Workers across all industries deserve the dignity and respect of good faith bargaining during negotiations and I hope and expect that AT&T takes the workers’ demands for a fair contract seriously.”
The workers have set up a petition for supporters to sign at: cwa.org/attse-support.
17,000 AT&T Workers Strike Across Southeastern US0
Read More....Statement from APWU President Mark Dimondstein on the Postal Service’s Proposal to Further Slow Mail Processing and Delivery
August 23, 2024The American Postal Workers Union is deeply concerned regarding the August 22nd announcement from postal management, with the support of the Postal Board of Governors, that they are once again planning to slow down much of the country’s mail.
The APWU understands that change is needed to address the profound and permanent changes that the internet and social media have caused in the way people communicate. Letters continue to significantly decline, and the Postal Service must gain more of the growing package market. While we remain open to change for the long run viability of the public postal service and our job security, we refuse to accept that a winning strategy includes further slowing first class mail and providing overall worse service to the people of the country.
Mark Dimondstein
The American Postal Workers Union is deeply concerned regarding the August 22nd announcement from postal management, with the support of the Postal Board of Governors, that they are once again planning to slow down much of the country’s mail.
The APWU understands that change is needed to address the profound and permanent changes that the internet and social media have caused in the way people communicate. Letters continue to significantly decline, and the Postal Service must gain more of the growing package market. While we remain open to change for the long run viability of the public postal service and our job security, we refuse to accept that a winning strategy includes further slowing first class mail and providing overall worse service to the people of the country.
Management is already failing to meet the current first-class mail service standards even after lowering delivery targets in 2021. Rather than fix the service delays and problems, these new management proposals are to simply “move the goalposts.”
The proposed service standard changes announced on August 22nd will be reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC.) As we saw in 2021, the Commission issues only an Advisory Opinion on the proposals and ultimately lacks the power to stop them outright. We urge the Commission to do a thorough analysis of the impacts of the proposed changes, and for the Postal Service to seriously consider the Commission’s views before it proceeds in further degrading service. But make no mistake: our union and postal workers across the country will join with the public, leaders in Congress, and others, in rejecting this proposal and instead favor plans to bring mail service back to the high standard the public deserves and is promised under the law.
We demand a solution from the Postmaster General and the Board of Governors that fixes service delays, rather than further slowing the service standards for delivery. Management has the tools to improve service while at the same time improve the Postal Service’s finances. In addition to the growing package market, they need to focus on new and expanded services. Management can improve staffing and retention by working with the postal unions to ensure every postal job is a good job – with fair pay, decent benefits, and career opportunities. Instead of slowing service standards and accepting bad performance, management needs to put every effort behind improving all forms of mail service and regaining the public’s confidence that the Postal Service is in fact “Delivering for America.” The people of the country deserve nothing less.
The American Postal Workers Union is deeply concerned regarding the August 22nd announcement from postal management, with the support of the Postal Board of Governors, that they are once again planning to slow down much of the country’s mail.
The APWU understands that change is needed to address the profound and permanent changes that the internet and social media have caused in the way people communicate. Letters continue to significantly decline, and the Postal Service must gain more of the growing package market. While we remain open to change for the long run viability of the public postal service and our job security, we refuse to accept that a winning strategy includes further slowing first class mail and providing overall worse service to the people of the country.0
Read More....Julian Electric Workers File for Union Election to Join UAW, Will Hold Mass Meeting Saturday in Chicago
WHAT: Press Conference and One-on-one Availability after Mass Meeting WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 24, Noon WHERE: UAW Local 551, 13550 S Torrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60633 Workers at a parts plant near Chicago have just filed for a union election and are holding a mass meeting on Saturday at a union hall on Chicago’s East Side. A […]
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Off-duty Prince George’s County fire fighter and paramedic saves lives after boat capsizes
An off-duty Local 1619 fire fighter and paramedic is being hailed a hero for helping five people get to safety.
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“Wherever the Fight Is” – IAFF gears up for 57th Convention in Boston
The IAFF’s 57th Convention will be held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center from Aug. 26-30, 2024.
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Rep. Bill Pascrell, longtime friend of the IAFF and U.S. fire fighters, dies at 87
The 14-term New Jersey Congressman championed the fire service and played a leading role in many of the IAFF’s legislative victories over the past two decades.
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Airgas Teamsters Forced on Strike
(HYATTSVILLE, Md.) – Airgas Teamsters from Teamsters Local 639 were forced onto the picket line Wednesday due to the company’s unfair labor practices and refusal to bargain in good faith. Over 40 drivers and plant workers who deliver critical gasses to hospitals, labs, and universities are on strike for a fair contract after months of […]
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