Black History Month Profiles: Joe Diggs
Black History Month Profiles: Joe Diggs
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 Joe Diggs of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and National Treasury Employees Union, AFGE.
Joe Diggs joined CWA Local 2300 in 1985 and went on to become a steward at Local 2300 and later CWA Local 2323. During his 12 years of working for the phone company, he earned his bachelor’s degree in labor relations from the University of Maryland. After 12 years, four strikes and two winning organizing campaigns, Diggs left to work for the National Treasury Employees Union. Then he joined AFGE, where he worked for 25 years. During that time, Diggs served CWA Local 2385 as a staff representative and contract negotiator. Diggs volunteered to start a chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute in Phoenix.
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/19/2025 – 09:34
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Labor Defeats Right to Work Legislation in New Hampshire
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Labor Defeats Right to Work Legislation in New Hampshire
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.
In a win for working people, the latest version of “right to work” legislation introduced in the New Hampshire Legislature last week has been indefinitely postponed, effectively killing the bill.Different iterations of House Bill 238-FN have been introduced dozens of times since the 1980s, all seeking to undermine union negotiating power and make New Hampshire the region’s only right to work state. “For the fortieth consecutive time, so-called ‘Right-to-Work’ is dead,” said New Hampshire AFL-CIO President Glenn Brackett in a joint statement with other labor leaders. “Once again, today, a bipartisan coalition of legislators did their job, listened to their constituents, and voted to kill House Bill 238-FN, this year’s version of the fraudulently titled ‘Right-to-Work.’ Every new legislature for the last 40 years has seen this attack on workers’ rights and every legislature, regardless of which party is in the majority, has rejected it.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/19/2025 – 09:28
Voluntary Early Retirement
VER Questions and Answers
2025 VER Question and Answers (Q&A)
2025 VER Q&A Addendums
voluntary early retirementver0
Read More....
TCU/IAM Lorton, Va. Amtrak Auto Train Workers Picket for a Living Wage
More than a year after voting to organize into the Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), the largest union on Amtrak, a group of Drummac employees who work on the Amtrak Auto Train Property in Lorton, Va., are holding an informational picket against Drummac management’s stall tactics during negotiations. “These employees work tirelessly outside, in all weather
The post TCU/IAM Lorton, Va. Amtrak Auto Train Workers Picket for a Living Wage appeared first on IAMAW.
IAFF members respond to fiery Toronto airport crash
The crash of a Delta Airlines passenger jet Monday at Pearson Airport in Toronto was a reminder that routine aircraft movements can become dangerous in an instant. IAFF members from Pearson Airport Local 4382 and Mississauga Local 1212 responded to the accident.
Read More....
Statement of APWU President Mark Dimondstein on Postmaster General DeJoy’s Announced Departure
February 18, 2025APWU President Mark Dimondstein provides a statement on the announced departure of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
Postmaster GeneralPresidentMark Dimondstein
Postmaster General (PMG) Louis DeJoy has informed the Postal Board of Governors that he will soon depart the Postal Service. The Board of Governors, who by law is solely responsible for hiring the PMG, will begin the process of identifying DeJoy’s successor and DeJoy has committed to working with the Board to ensure a smooth transition once the Board has chosen the next PMG.
The APWU calls on the Board to appoint a Postmaster General who values the important role the public Postal Service plays in communities across the country. At this critical moment for the Postal Service, we need a PMG who is committed to making the USPS a world-class delivery and service provider, able to meet the changing demands of our digital age with an unmatched physical and human network.
To do this, the next Postmaster General must recognize and respect the postal workers who make the USPS run, our health and safety, our union rights, and our commitment to serving the public.
Postal workers are proud to reach 167 million addresses six days a week, “binding the Nation together” as the law requires us to do. The Postal Service, enshrined in the Constitution, is older than the country itself. And as we saw during the pandemic, or following natural disasters, postal workers never stop working to serve our communities and provide the essential services they need.
Now, in a moment when public servants are under severe attack, postal workers and the people we serve in every state and every Congressional district, are prepared to defend our critical public service and ensure the continued success of a vibrant, public Postal Service for generations to come.
Postal workers are deeply dedicated to the long-term success of the Postal Service and our union calls on the Board to select a Postmaster General who shares our goals of improving and expanding service and investing in the public servants who make the Postal Service a true national treasure.
Statement of APWU President Mark Dimondstein on Postmaster General DeJoy’s Announced Departure0
Read More....
Workers at Hard Rock Casino Join Teamsters
(ROCKFORD, Ill.) – Slot attendants at Hard Rock Casino Rockford have voted by an overwhelming 98 percent margin to join Teamsters Local 325. “I congratulate these workers for showing resilience and voting to join our Teamsters family,” said Erick Calvert, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 325. “Despite an aggressive anti-union campaign, they sent a clear message to […]
Read More....
Groundbreaking prehospital blood transfusion programs roll out in Minnesota and Texas
IAFF members in Minnesota and Texas are joining the IAFF’s broader push to implement prehospital blood transfusion initiatives.
Read More....
3 tips to get heart healthy this month
Fire fighters are at elevated risk for heart disease due to on-the-job stress and exposures. But they can reduce risk by maintaining three healthy habits.
Read More....
I Stand With Workers, Not Billionaires: In the States Roundup
I Stand With Workers, Not Billionaires: 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 (formerly Twitter).
Alaska AFL-CIO:This Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate the love and solidarity we share as a union family. Together, we fight for fair wages, better working conditions, and dignity for all workers. Let’s continue to show the love by standing up for one another. Happy Valentine’s Day! pic.twitter.com/KtViEdM5yc— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) February 14, 2025California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:Huge thanks to Sacramento Assemblymember @maggykrell for showing up today to join @CaliforniaLabor in standing in solidarity with #SiemensWorkersUnited in their fight for a union and better future for their families! @ibbunion @IBEWlocal1245 @sacramentolabor https://t.co/xCLCUoYQJh pic.twitter.com/sGaL5gXPyF— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) February 11, 2025Colorado AFL-CIO:Five Secretaries Of Labor Champion SB-5, the Worker Protection Act, Urge Governor, legislators to expand worker freedom to negotiate for better pay and safety. #coleg #copolitics https://t.co/SK1YLh7kDa— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) February 18, 2025Connecticut AFL-CIO:”Occupational cancer over the last 10 years has become the number one killer of firefighters and it currently accounts for nearly 75% of all line of duty deaths.” –@UPFFA President Peter Brown on the need to create a dedicated funding source for the Firefighter Cancer Relief Fund pic.twitter.com/SvIGKYf9ME— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) February 18, 2025Florida AFL-CIO:The Florida AFL-CIO and everyone in Florida’s Labor community mourns the passing of Senator Geraldine Thompson. She was a true champion for Florida’s working families and a defender of justice. pic.twitter.com/EPVybATDBS— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) February 14, 2025Illinois AFL-CIO:Markeisha is an up and coming organizer with @UFCW Local 881. In her eyes, #BlackHistoryMonth is a time to educate, agitate, organize and have the hard conversations that remind us why we’re in the labor movement: to create an economy that works for all.#1u pic.twitter.com/vxSQz0Dfim— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) February 18, 2025Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO:Thank you to all the union workers who are out in the elements keeping us safe! You keep Iowa running! #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/c7hgRWmBg6— Iowa AFL-CIO ✊ (@IowaAFLCIO) February 12, 2025Maine AFL-CIO:Maine Republicans have submitted right-to-freeload bills every legislative session since 1948. Not a single Maine worker testified in support of this bill. Time for these national corporate lobbyists to pack it in & go home! pic.twitter.com/lI6DHSLGAT— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) February 14, 2025Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Join us Tuesday, Feb. 25th to tell our elected officials that we oppose closing Pappas Rehab Hospital for Children & Pocasset Mental Health Center, reducing DMH Case Managers by 50%, & raising healthcare costs for state workers & retirees RSVP here: https://t.co/4XUaEgvA2c pic.twitter.com/xkaNkbCdCX— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) February 18, 2025Michigan State AFL-CIO:Elon Musk is putting hard-working people out of work, calling them parasites, and laughing while he does it. Interested in learning how you can fight back? Check it out 👇 pic.twitter.com/mVWrPr1L6i— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) February 15, 2025Minnesota AFL-CIO:HealthPartners is dragging their feet in bargaining & has committed several Unfair Labor Practices. Tell executives & the board that it’s time to bargain in good faith with @OPEIULocal12 workers. #BetterInAUnion https://t.co/5kOOeWaCxY— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) February 18, 2025Missouri AFL-CIO:Unelected and out-of-touch billionaires are threatening American Federal Workers. It’s time to stand up and say NO to the corporate greed that is trying to intimidate our #Union brothers and sisters. #Solidarity pic.twitter.com/JihlVl1UWo— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) February 18, 2025Nevada State AFL-CIO:Happy Presidents’ Day to our President Liz Sorenson!Liz has served as president of the Nevada State AFL-CIO since 2017. She began her career over 40 years ago and in 1990 transferred to Nevada Bell, where she served as a steward, organizer, lobbyist & officer for CWA Local 9413 pic.twitter.com/OOxO9bbq5C— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) February 17, 2025New Hampshire AFL-CIO:’Right-to-work’ bill voted down once again #NHPolitics https://t.co/5Am3FNR6PK— New Hampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) February 14, 2025New York State AFL-CIO:Thank you @RepNicole for your concerns, these vast proposed Medicaid cuts will have real world consequences. https://t.co/kVwdPuysDH— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) February 18, 2025North Carolina State AFL-CIO:#FMLA turned 32 this week—used 500M times—but the U.S. is still one of only 6 countries without a national paid family leave program. Workers in NC lose $914M every year due to lack of #PaidLeave. Time to demand what we deserve! #WorkersRights #PaidLeaveForAll #Unionize pic.twitter.com/K7u8zLSowg— NC State AFL-CIO // #CountMeIn (@NCStateAFLCIO) February 7, 2025North Dakota AFL-CIO:Take action for ND Kids: Universal Free School Meals for All ND Students. Write your Rep. here: https://t.co/BYu7A9emvu— North Dakota AFL-CIO (@NDAFLCIO) February 6, 2025Ohio AFL-CIO:Let them know, @RepEmiliaSykes https://t.co/szi0U0Jay5— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) February 11, 2025Oregon AFL-CIO:In response to Elon Musk’s anti-worker actions from the Department of Government Efficiency (DODGE), the AFL-CIO has created the Department of People Who Work for a Living (DPWL).Ahead of DODGE’s first subcommittee, DPWL submitted testimony to chair Marjorie Taylor Green:…— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) February 13, 2025Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:Geisinger nurses are standing up for fair wages, safe staffing, and the respect they deserve. When nurses win, we all win! 💪🏥https://t.co/YncQqkSQOq— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) February 8, 2025Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council:🚨 REGISTRATION OPEN🚨Now in its 13th year, the Tennessee Shoot for a Cure Charity Sporting Clay Shoot is set for April 28th at Lone Oaks Farm. Once again, this always-popular event benefits both the March of Dimes and the Tennessee Members’ Assistance Program – pic.twitter.com/Ale1sFBNR0— Tennessee AFL-CIO (@tnaflcio) February 18, 2025 < >Texas AFL-CIO:🗣️ “It is one of the characteristics of a free and democratic modern nation that it have free and independent labor unions.” This Presidents’ Day, we’re thinking of Texas workers, not out-of-touch oligarchs. #PresidentsDay pic.twitter.com/7fDQoBnHAk— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) February 17, 2025Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:Congrats to our VP Dean Shelton! ✊ https://t.co/dUqF2XkFbk— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) February 14, 2025Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Governor Evers prepares to deliver biennial budget address https://t.co/7Z6bO69eBR— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) February 18, 2025
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 02/18/2025 – 12:17