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Nothing Is Over Until It's Over: 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:A median worker from @Abercrombie & Fitch would have to work starting in 4,053 B.C. in order to earn what the CEO made in 2023. For comparison, the Great Pyramid of Giza was built circa 2,560 B.C.View the 2024 @AFLCIO Executive Paywatch Report: https://t.co/JMkm20hjJT— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) August 8, 2024Arizona AFL-CIO:Today @ActSecJulieSu visited Arizona to discuss the dangers workers face from extreme heat, both indoor and outdoors. Heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in Arizona the U.S. A THREAD 🧵 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/pwKdMgKR3u— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) August 8, 2024California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:Labor Day is just around the corner. The California Labor Movement - organized by our Central Labor Councils - have events up and down the state. Make your plans to join your brothers & sisters on our state’s greatest holiday! https://t.co/hM8dz5ZSnB— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) August 14, 2024Colorado AFL-CIO:Tonight we talk to Sophie Mariam, a labor policy analyst for the Colorado Fiscal Institute, about a study called The Rise of the Union Curious. https://t.co/M8v456DrPsLabor Exchange tonight KGNU 6:00 PM 88.5 FM / 1390 AM Denver and online on the podcast. https://t.co/xu9gEqEhK3— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) August 5, 2024Connecticut AFL-CIO:The Connecticut AFL-CIO strongly condemns the anti-Semitic remarks made by Rep. Figueroa. @ehawthorne3 pic.twitter.com/Fwvi0lj7hy— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) August 13, 2024Florida AFL-CIO:We need more of this from our leaders...and less weird culture war nonsense. https://t.co/I1QIkPU7He— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) August 6, 2024Georgia State AFL-CIO:🎉 Get ready for a day filled with unity and fun! Join us this 🗓️ Saturday, August 17th, from 1 PM to 4 PM for Solidarity Saturday hosted by the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Metro Atlanta Chapter! #SolidaritySaturday #CBTU #UnionStrong #1u #AtlantaEvents #LaborRights pic.twitter.com/ixBiKlJ0Yu— Georgia AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOGeorgia) August 13, 2024Illinois AFL-CIO:Congratulations to our Equity Director, Chynna Hampton, on her graduation from the Edgar Fellows! pic.twitter.com/YlVTnFTIoT— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) August 14, 2024Indiana State AFL-CIO:Gov Walz knows a thing or two about our values, because he lived them for years a member himself. https://t.co/GSg1EFDrMu— Indiana AFL-CIO (@INAFLCIO) August 6, 2024Maine AFL-CIO:“This law will finally put some teeth in our labor laws to hold corporate lawbreakers accountable and ensure working Mainers are paid fully for an honest day’s work,” Maine AFL-CIO vice president and Ironworkers Local 7 member Grant Provost said. https://t.co/TOGodfRLXi— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) August 12, 2024Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Join the Labor Movement in Milton on Saturday, August 17 to knock doors for proud @IUPAT_DC35 member and candidate for State Rep. @tonyking4rep.We will be meeting at 9:30am at Heritage Hall, 114 Granite Ave. pic.twitter.com/as47NosQOV— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) August 14, 2024Minnesota AFL-CIO:Among MN’s publicly traded companies, Target, C.H. Robinson, Best Buy, UnitedHealth Group & General Mills had the largest pay disparities between CEOs & typical workers in 2023, according to the @AFLCIO's annual report on executive pay. https://t.co/5RffhBLCge #1u #Paywatch— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) August 12, 2024Missouri AFL-CIO:206%: The increase in public and private spending on building manufacturing plants in the U.S. since the start of the Biden-Harris administration. Don't take our word for it: https://t.co/JPg7ntt8E5 pic.twitter.com/dc572sGVZ1— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) August 14, 2024Nebraska State AFL-CIO:"Nothing is over until its over." Kenny Merritt, President BCTGM Local 50G. We stand with you! #ItsBetterInAUnion #UnionStrong #1union pic.twitter.com/EcdS3GdHIO— Nebraska State AFL-CIO (@NE_AFLCIO) August 7, 2024Nevada State AFL-CIO:82 days until Election Day! We need your help canvassing and phone banking THIS WEEKEND. Two locations, lots of food, all the solidarity✊🏻✊🏼✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/0yYBkKQYqD— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) August 14, 2024New Hampshire AFL-CIO:We are thrilled to announce the 2024 @NHAFLCIO Labor Day Breakfast Keynote Speaker, @JBPritzker!@JBPritzker is a true ally to union members everywhere!Get your tickets today using this link: https://t.co/iLbOzbwMbq#NHPolitics #1u #LaborVotes pic.twitter.com/ppCGbVZNe9— New Hampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) August 13, 2024New Jersey State AFL-CIO:At the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, we stand in solidarity with Governor Walz on key issues for working families. pic.twitter.com/Hn8mW1uFSq— New Jersey AFL-CIO (@NJAFLCIO) August 7, 2024New York State AFL-CIO:Solidarity with our UAW family at Cornell University fighting for a fair contract! #StandUpCornell #UnionStrong https://t.co/BQwQQa6d7u— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) August 12, 2024North Carolina State AFL-CIO:We're with @votebraxton! "Despite running to represent millions of our state's workers, Luke Farley is anti-worker, anti-union, anti-minimum wage, and is even opposed to federal heat safety regulations for workers." https://t.co/NdESnoIFYl #1u #ncpol— NC State AFL-CIO // #CountMeIn (@NCStateAFLCIO) August 12, 2024Ohio AFL-CIO:To be clear, the biggest organization pushing to pass right to work laws, end public @AFLCIO unions and attack increasing the minimum wage is all in for Mr. #WageTheft @berniemoreno. Meanwhile, @SherrodBrown restored pensions to millions of Americans and pushes for the #ProAct. https://t.co/nYWP5dX9dM— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) August 11, 2024Oregon AFL-CIO:Stand with @OFNHP technical employees at St Charles Medical Center. They’re picketing on 8/15 to demand that management agree to common sense proposals that will help secure safe staffing and living wages for healthcare workers. #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/PSWlGL1nST— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) August 10, 2024Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:“I believe there are blue-collar voters who are willing to listen. They want to hear facts. They want to hear about achieving real results. I do believe that Walz can reach those voters.” — President Angela Ferritto#Labor2024 #UnionVotershttps://t.co/sYyHALfhLT— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) August 13, 2024Texas AFL-CIO:We stand in complete solidarity with these incredibly talented performers who spoke up together through @AGMusicalArtist for better livelihoods. Nothing short of reinstatement and a fair contract is acceptable. https://t.co/19dRSD5HGT— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) August 14, 2024Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:Congratulations to the workers at Woodland Park Zoo on reaching a TA on a new contract!@teamsters117 @Laborers242 @IATSELocal15 @IbewLocal46 @IUPAT_DC5 https://t.co/CGpapBB5xF— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) August 14, 2024Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Voters reject constitutional amendments seeking to give Legislature power over federal funds https://t.co/uVCV8nTBv9 via @madisondotcom— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) August 14, 2024 Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 08/14/2024 - 09:52Continue reading→

Fighting Every Day to Improve the Lives of Workers: The Working People Weekly List Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List. Project 2025 Exposed: Child Labor and Decimated Unions Promised with Trump’s Election: “Donald Trump took a private flight with the head of Project 2025, Kevin Roberts, The Washington Post reports. Jody Calemine, director of advocacy for the AFL-CIO, joins Joy Reid to discuss the potential, destructive impact of Project 2025 on labor unions and the American worker.” (Learn more about how Project 2025 affects you.)What Is Tim Walz's Record on the Economy? Look at Minnesota: “The AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor organization, praised the selection of Walz as vice presidential nominee. ‘We know that Gov. Walz will be a strong partner in the Harris White House, fighting every day to improve the lives of workers in communities across America,’ AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a statement on Tuesday.”AFL-CIO Warns of CEO Payflation Crisis Fueled by Stock Buybacks, Trump Tax Cuts: “The largest federation of labor unions in the U.S. published a report Thursday warning that the country is facing a crisis of ‘CEO payflation’ as executive compensation at leading companies surges, a trend fueled by former President Donald Trump's regressive tax cuts and record stock buybacks. The AFL-CIO's annual report on executive pay shows that the CEO-to-median-worker-pay ratio at S&P 500 companies was 268 to 1 last year, meaning that ‘it would take more than five career lifetimes for workers to earn what CEOs receive in just one year.’ ‘This level of inequality is not sustainable,’ Fred Redmond, the AFL-CIO's secretary-treasurer, said during a press call on Thursday. ‘Working people are sick and tired of politicians like Donald Trump pushing massive tax breaks for CEOs.’”Harris and Walz Are Showing Their Support for Organized Labor with Appearance at Detroit Union Hall: “Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are set to play up their support for organized labor during an appearance at a Detroit-area union hall as the new Democratic ticket lavishes attention on a crucial base of support. Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and Walz, who joined the ticket on Tuesday, plan to speak on Thursday to several dozen United Auto Workers members. After President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign last month and endorsed his vice president, organized labor quickly rallied around Harris. The AFL-CIO endorsed her after having first backed Biden. The UAW formally backed her last week.”Apple Store Workers Get First U.S. Contract: “Workers at the first unionized Apple Store in the country ratified a labor contract with the tech giant on Tuesday, after a year and a half in which bargaining appeared to stall for long stretches and union campaigns at other stores fell short. After the union announced the outcome, Apple said it did not dispute the result and was pleased to have an agreement. The contract, covering about 85 workers at a Towson, Md., store who voted to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in June 2022, will provide a typical worker with a raise of roughly 10% over the next three years.”Storm King Workers Approve First Union Contracts: “Unionized workers at Storm King Art Center, in New York’s Hudson Valley, have approved their first labor union contract, ending months of negotiations over benefits and better wages. Approximately 75 workers at the beloved sculpture park, home to large-scale works by artists such as Richard Serra and Alexander Calder, voted in June 2023 to join two units of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 1000, an affiliate of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).”Iron Workers, Operating Engineers Locals Celebrate Topping Out of Eastbound Span of I-270 Chain of Rocks Bridge: “Talented union members from Iron Workers Locals 396 and 392 and Operating Engineers Locals 513 and 520 recently ‘topped out’ on the Interstate 270 Chain of Rocks Bridge project. The July 21 ceremony, marking the setting of the eastbound brdge, took place on a barge in the middle of the Mississippi River between St. Louis and Madison County, Ill. The new structure is being built directly south of the existing Chain of Rocks Bridge, and is the first of the project’s twin bridges to be built. Work on the westbound span is expected to begin in 2025.”UAW Local 282 Members End Strike at Lear with Tentative Agreement: “After a three day strike, UAW Local 282 members at Lear are back to work with a tentative four-year agreement that includes a 30% wage increase for production workers and a 35% increase for maintenance employees. The 460 employees, who make seats for GM vehicles, went on strike early July 22 for better health and safety protections on the job, higher wages and improved health and retirement benefits. The action halted production at the nearby GM Wentzville Assembly plant, which ran out of Lear-made seats.”UAW Leader Says Trump Would Send the Labor Movement into Reverse If He's Elected Again: “Putting Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the Democratic ticket increases the Democrats’ chance of winning Michigan and keeping the White House in November, the head of the United Auto Workers union says. In an interview Friday with The Associated Press, Shawn Fain said former President Donald Trump is beholden to billionaires, knows nothing about the auto industry and would send the labor movement into reverse if he's elected again.”Workers at 4 Café Ceres Locations Vote to Unionize: “Baristas at Café Ceres have voted to unionize with Unite Here 17. The union, which represents service industry workers in Minnesota, announced the results of the election on Saturday, Aug. 3. Workers at four Café Ceres locations, as well as Colita, informed Chef Daniel Del Prado's DDP Restaurant Group of their intention to unionize in June. The company did not voluntarily recognize either union, forcing a vote overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 08/12/2024 - 10:55Continue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: U.S. Rep. from Rhode Island Introduces Federal Bill to Crack Down on Wage Theft 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. U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island held a press conference last week to announce that he will introduce a bill to make wage theft a felony nationwide when Congress reconvenes in September.The Don’t Stand for Taking Employed American’s Livings (Don’t STEAL) Act updates the legal framework for wage theft violations to be comparable with other forms of criminal theft under federal law. Currently, employers who steal worker tips, pay them less than promised or deny them overtime, at most, face a misdemeanor or a fine under $10,000. Wage theft is already a felony in Rhode Island—thanks to legislation passed by the General Assembly last year—and the local labor movement is applauding Magaziner for building on this success by taking the fight to the federal level. The legislation has been endorsed by multiple unions and pro-worker organizations, both around the state and nationally.“This legislation is a critical step forward in protecting workers rights and our entire economy,” said George Nee, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO. “Wage theft is insidious, pervasive and comes in many forms—from failing to pay for overtime to distributing pooled tips to an employer or supervisor. This is a rampant problem that needs to be fixed at the federal level, and I applaud Representative Magaziner’s proposed legislation. It will provide a deterrence to unscrupulous employers exploiting workers so that law-abiding businesses can fairly compete and that workers can get the wages that they have duly earned.” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 08/12/2024 - 10:18Continue reading→