News

Knocking Doors for Pro-Worker Candidates: In the States Roundup

Knocking Doors for Pro-Worker Candidates: 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). California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:Whether you work in the public sector, are a tradesperson, a service worker, a healthcare worker… any worker. Trump’s Project 2025 plan will wreck your job. Anti-worker, anti-union. https://t.co/Jes7Kgk0YZ— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) September 24, 2024Connecticut AFL-CIO:Huge turnout of union members in Danbury to knock doors for pro-worker candidates! Thanks to the members of the CT Building Trades, @AFTCT, @IAMDistrict26, @CEUI_SEIU_511 and @IBEW Local 420 for volunteering their time! #1u #LaborVotes pic.twitter.com/NmpQir6bHg— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) September 21, 2024Florida AFL-CIO:Florida brothers and sisters - now is the time to get prepared! https://t.co/JgWQruYHTK— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) September 24, 2024Georgia State AFL-CIO:👷‍♀️👷‍♂️ Happy National Tradesman Day! Today, we honor the skilled tradespeople who are the backbone of our communities. From fixing leaks to building skyscrapers, your work is invaluable. 🏗️🔨 #NationalTradesmanDay #Tradesmen #1u #SkilledTrades #ConstructionHeroes #ThankYou 🚧 pic.twitter.com/Kx7SYMzRxF— Georgia AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOGeorgia) September 20, 2024Illinois AFL-CIO:Matthew is an Engineer/Paramedic in Alton, IL. As a first responder, Matthew is committed to serving his community and ensuring that quality and emergency medical care is readily available for those in need. #1u #HispanicHeritageMonth pic.twitter.com/mf2E12JOFO— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) September 25, 2024Maine AFL-CIO:Maine @MachinistsUnion members came back from their recent International convention pumped up & energized to build power in their unions! https://t.co/zsjH2k6u4I— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) September 25, 2024Massachusetts AFL-CIO:We will be out hitting the doors for labor's endorsed champions throughout election day.Saturday, join us for a labor walk for SEIU Member Kostas Loukos for State Rep. & IBEW member Paul Feeney for State Senate. We will meet at 9:30am at IBEW Local 104 in Mansfield. #mapoli pic.twitter.com/J1dmfLLTFm— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) September 24, 2024Michigan State AFL-CIO:7 weeks until Election Day.Make sure you’re registered to vote. pic.twitter.com/E96G8Hk3pk— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) September 17, 2024Minnesota AFL-CIO:“10,073 cars were stolen in Minnesota in 2017 compared to 316,000 people who experienced wage theft.” @NSPolicyAction #BetterInAUnion #mnleg https://t.co/Kg50QVWNRm— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) September 24, 2024Nevada State AFL-CIO:Superwalk kickoff with U.S. Senator Rosen firing up the crowd this weekend! We are always glad to have our pro-labor champions in the house of labor 💪🏼.6 weekends left before the election and every single union door needs to be knocked on! pic.twitter.com/S0VLvWWQIU— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) September 21, 2024New Hampshire AFL-CIO:This is what #Solidarity looks like! Thank you to all of our Brothers & Sisters that came out, in the rain, to talk to fellow union members about the importance of electing @JoyceCraigNH & @KamalaHarris!#1u #OurChoiceisJoyce pic.twitter.com/yN7pyQiLFh— New Hampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) September 21, 2024New Jersey State AFL-CIO:At a a panel discussion at the Labor Department, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond emphasized what is at stake for union members in this year's election. Read the full article here: https://t.co/QmdLc2N5yh pic.twitter.com/KwjMLD75qc— New Jersey AFL-CIO (@NJAFLCIO) September 23, 2024New York State AFL-CIO:Attention WNY! Secure your spot on this weekend's bus to Erie, PA to support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Register here: https://t.co/u0Ru526nFw— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) September 24, 2024North Carolina State AFL-CIO:“...collective bargaining... doesn’t solve all the problems, but it provides the framework that when we get into conflicts, we can sit across the table and negotiate in good faith, with everybody protected.” https://t.co/iDXTzYg7fg via @NCNewsline #countmein #1u— NC State AFL-CIO // #CountMeIn (@NCStateAFLCIO) September 20, 2024Ohio AFL-CIO:Ken Casey of the #DropkickMurphys had the last word of our #Ohio @AFLCIO Convention today as he showed his support for @SherrodBrown over another anti-working class grifter like Bernie Moreno. pic.twitter.com/KUd0IwSFh9— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) September 25, 2024Oregon AFL-CIO:📢 Show your solidarity with striking workers 📢Join picket lines at Boeing and Bigfoot Beverages.Find out when and where by visiting our strike map. https://t.co/S3qR90RkDB@MachinistsUnion @Teamsters pic.twitter.com/VSWWE4k9dv— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) September 24, 2024Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:Everything unions have fought for is on the ballot this year—fair wages, better benefits, safer workplaces. It’s time to stand strong and vote to protect it all. #HarrisWalz #LaborVotes pic.twitter.com/njd2NU95yZ— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) September 24, 2024Texas AFL-CIO:And they’re off ⛳️More than 30 teams of Texas union siblings are hitting the course for a day of fun and solidarity for our 21st Annual Walter Umphrey Golf Tournament! pic.twitter.com/6hsqpFdwne— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) September 25, 2024Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:As Machinists continue to strike Boeing, labor and community support is essential. Here’s how you can stand with the workers.This page will be continuously updated until the workers' demands are met.https://t.co/725C1m1GE9 pic.twitter.com/vAUnY4t2k8— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) September 16, 2024Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:I spy some union members 👀What it looked like at the Kamala Harris rally in Madison https://t.co/beyQoOTtMV via @CapTimes— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) September 24, 2024 Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 09/25/2024 - 10:17Continue reading

Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Monica Martinez

Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Monica Martinez Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Monica Martinez of AFSCME. Monica Martinez is a clinical care partner at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles and serves as vice president of the patient care unit for AFSCME Local 3299. She takes great pride in making sure her neighbors have access to quality medical care. Martinez is always there for her patients and co-workers, showing up at the picket line and the bargaining table to strengthen her community and win respect and dignity for their essential work. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 09/25/2024 - 09:57Continue reading

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Apple Store Employees in Oklahoma City Ratify Their First Union Contract

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Apple Store Employees in Oklahoma City Ratify Their First Union Contract 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. Workers at the Apple Store in Oklahoma City's Penn Square Mall voted to ratify their first collective bargaining contract. The workers are members of Apple Retail Union-CWA Local 6016. They began organizing in early 2022, and the parties reached a tentative agreement in early September after a unanimous strike authorization vote in August and a store picket. This is the second group of Apple retail workers to secure a contract.The three-year contract includes wage increases of up to 11.5%, worker involvement in scheduling, guaranteed paid time off to vote, a safer and more democratic workplace, a grievance and arbitration process, the establishment of joint Safety and Health and Working Relations committees, job protection in the event of a store closure or relocation, severance pay, guaranteed paid time off, health and other benefits. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 09/25/2024 - 09:55Continue reading

IAM Union Celebrates Hawaiian History Month

This month, the IAM proudly commemorates Hawaiian History Month, an annual celebration that spotlights Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, Queen Lili’uokalani, and the invaluable cultural heritage of the Hawaiian people. IAM members have come forward to share their perspectives on the importance of this celebration, reflecting a collective understanding and appreciation for Hawaiian history and culture. The post IAM Union Celebrates Hawaiian History Month appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading

Volkswagen Workers Outline Their Demands in New UAW Video as First Contract Campaign Begins

Today, the UAW released a new video outlining the priority demands of Volkswagen workers as contract negotiations between the union and the German automaker begin for a first agreement at the Chattanooga plant.  The post Volkswagen Workers Outline Their Demands in New UAW Video as First Contract Campaign Begins appeared first on UAW | United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America.Continue reading

IAM Local 774 Members at Textron Aviation Remain On Strike; Ready to Bargain Fair Contract

WICHITA, Kan., Sept. 24, 2024 — Nearly 5,000 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 774 (District 70) members at Textron Aviation in Wichita remain on strike after the expiration of the current agreement on Monday, Sept. 23. IAM 774 members overwhelmingly rejected the company’s latest contract offer and voted to strike. IAM Local The post IAM Local 774 Members at Textron Aviation Remain On Strike; Ready to Bargain Fair Contract appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading

IAM CORE Apple Leader Meets International President Bryant, Tours IAM Headquarters

In August 2024, workers at the first U.S. unionized Apple Store, represented by the IAM, ratified a new contract after 18 months of bargaining. The union contract included a 10% raise, scheduling improvements, and protections for part-time and current members. It also includes a severance clause, limits on contracted employees, and a clear disciplinary process. The post IAM CORE Apple Leader Meets International President Bryant, Tours IAM Headquarters appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading

IAM Local 709 Partners with Lockheed Martin, Technical College on State-of-the-Art Training Facility

IAM Local 709 in Marietta, Ga., has announced a new partnership with Lockheed Martin and the Chattahoochee Technical College’s Aviation Training Academy. Local 709 leaders and representatives from Lockheed Martin attended a ceremony to celebrate the launch of a newly completed, state-of-the-art training facility. The first class of 10 students began their training on Aug. The post IAM Local 709 Partners with Lockheed Martin, Technical College on State-of-the-Art Training Facility appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading

9/21/2024 Bargaining Update

Negotiations aren't over yet - the APWU and USPS have agreed to "Stop the Clock" on the expiration of our current contract (set to expire at midnight on September 20). The APWU will continue to keep the members updated as we continue to bargain for a new union contract, including regular messages on the negotiation “hotline” at (202) 642-9049, our website (apwu.org), and on our social media channels. 7-NzhMk7jBk9/21/2024 Bargaining UpdateContract Negotiations00Continue reading

‘An Indispensable Weapon’: The Working People Weekly List

‘An Indispensable Weapon’: 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. U.S. Labor Secretary Helps Celebrate Union Contract at Venetian: “Standing in front of a sculpture spelling out the word ‘Love’ in the Palazzo-Venetian waterfall atrium, Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su compared the Culinary Union Local 226’s first contract with the Venetian and Palazzo to a marriage. ‘I’ve never known workers that are trying to organize a union because they don’t want to work with their employer,’ Su said Thursday at a contract celebration. ‘They want the employer to do well, and that shared success is the...future of the romance that you all solidified here today.’”Machinists’ Union President Rallies Striking Workers at Boeing’s Gresham Facility: “Around 33,000 of Boeing’s unionized workers on the West Coast have been on strike since early Friday. That includes over 1,000 workers in Gresham. The walkout comes as the machinists’ union continues to negotiate toward better wages and pensions.”Nevada Unions Rallying to Amplify Kamala Harris’ Campaign: “Every day, more and more people are signing up to help knock on doors and make phone calls for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, a Las Vegas union official said. ‘We were trained by (the Harry Reid) machine,’ said Susie Martinez, executive secretary for the Nevada AFL-CIO, referring to the late U.S. senator’s work organizing Democrats in Nevada. ‘You’ve got to get out there. You’ve got to pitch your story.’ While the Culinary Union’s ground game for Democrats dominates headlines, other labor organizations have kicked off their own—sometimes joint—efforts.”'An Indispensable Weapon': Harris Mobilizes Diverse Labor Force in the Sun Belt: “President Joe Biden has often proclaimed that he is the most pro-union president in history, a declaration that Democrats often tied to his appeal to white working-class voters in the Midwest. Now serving as the party’s standard-bearer, Vice President Kamala Harris is building her own coalition by mobilizing a more diverse and expansive labor force in a different part of the country. Harris is tapping into the organizational strength of a network of union groups that have a significant membership of women and people of color in the Sun Belt, a battleground region Democrats are aiming to keep out of former President Donald Trump’s column this fall.”Ten Ways Project 2025 Could Undermine Workers’ Rights: “But those public stances and declarations stand in stark contrast with the blueprint for what Republicans want to do if and when they retake the White House. Project 2025 is an almost 900-page document laying out an agenda for the next Republican president in detail, and it lists a multitude of priorities that would, if enacted, harm workers’ pay, safety and ability to organize. Taken as a whole, the priorities the authors describe are ‘so unbelievably anti-union, anti-worker, anti-anybody but corporate interests,’ said Sharon Block, executive director of the Center for Labor and a Just Economy at Harvard Law School.”AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler Speaks at Wisconsin Convention: “Liz Shuler speaks at the Wisconsin’s 33rd biennial AFL-CIO convention at the La Crosse Center on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.”Arapahoe County Facilities Workers Latest to Unionize Under 2022 State Law: “Workers with Arapahoe County’s Facilities and Fleet Management department voted to unionize Friday, acting on a new Colorado law that allows county workers to organize. Workers voted 30-15 in favor of forming a union with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Colorado local.”More Than 30,000 Boeing Unionized Machinist Aircraft Workers Out on Strike: “At midnight, Friday, September 13, workers stood on picket lines at every gate of Boeing’s giant aircraft plant on Logan Avenue in Renton, Wash., holding up their picket signs and chanting ‘Strike, Strike, Strike.’ Mostly youthful members of International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 751, they were among the 33,000 Boeing workers who voted a day earlier by a resounding 94.6% to reject the proposed contract and by 96% to go on strike—far more than the two-thirds majority needed to approve a walkout.”AT&T, Unions Reach Agreement to End Strike; Alabama Workers Back on the Job Monday: “AT&T Southeast and AT&T West and the Union of the Communications Workers of America have reached a tentative agreement that puts an end to the longest telecommunications strike in the south’s history. A release from the CWA said the union reached ‘strong tentative agreements’ with AT&T Southeast and AT&T West to end the 30-day strike in nine states, including Alabama. CWA members will return to work Monday.”GE Workers Hold Rally with Louisville Union Leaders Demanding Better Wages, Working Conditions: “General Electric Haier workers in Louisville are making their voices heard. Employees of the company met at the IUE-CWA Local 761 union hall on Poplar Level Road on Saturday. A rally was organized by the union and called for members to stand together and demand fair wages, better working conditions and affordable health care.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 09/24/2024 - 10:34Continue reading

Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Hilda G. Cortes

Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Hilda G. Cortes Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Hilda G. Cortes of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS). A 22-year Federal Aviation Administration veteran, Hilda G. Cortes manages environmental safety and health and technical training for the agency’s Houston district. She began her federal service as a college student. An active PASS member, she is also the national director of education for the National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 09/24/2024 - 10:00Continue reading

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Culinary Union Celebrates Las Vegas Strip Becoming 100% Union with Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Culinary Union Celebrates Las Vegas Strip Becoming 100% Union with Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su 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. After UNITE HERE’s Culinary Union and Bartenders Union reached a new contract with the owners of the Venetian late last month, workers and labor leaders are celebrating that every resort on the Las Vegas Strip now officially recognizes the union.The Culinary Union and the Department of Labor (DOL) acting Labor Secretary Julie Su held an event recognizing this historic victory on Thursday. This first-time union contract covering more than 4,000 of The Venetian Resort team members has been a fight 25 years in the making.“We are proud to celebrate a new day here at the Venetian,” said Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union. “The fight to unionize the Venetian has been one of the longest and most significant in Culinary Union’s 89-year history. From standing up to anti-union billionaire Sheldon Adelson in 1999, to winning the right at the U.S. Supreme Court to picket and protest on sidewalks in front of Las Vegas casinos, and now securing a historic first contract, workers never gave up….This victory today is also a testament to the leadership of the Biden–Harris administration, whose unwavering commitment to ensure workers can organize and win a union has been a source of great strength.”“This contract now brings the Las Vegas Strip to a 100% unionized workforce,” said Secretary Su. “When President Biden says the middle-class built America and unions built the middle class, he's talking about all of you….We want to make sure that a [good] job like that is available to every worker, to every family, in every community all across the country, and you are showing that that is possible here. So thank you for what you have done.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 09/24/2024 - 09:59Continue reading

APWU Maintenance Division Secures $15 Million Part-Time Regular Settlement Agreement

September 23, 2024In 2021, the APWU Maintenance Division filed a national dispute regarding the Postal Service's violation of Article 7 section 3 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), specifically concerning the 2.5 percent cap on the total number of Part-Time Regular employees in the Maintenance Division. According to the CBA, the total number of part-time employees who “may be hired” should not exceed 2.5 percent of the total number of Maintenance Craft employees covered by the agreement. Awards and SettlementsPart-Time RegularsMaintenance Division In 2021, the APWU Maintenance Division filed a national dispute (USPS # 6X 18T-6X-C 21354335) regarding the Postal Service's violation of Article 7 section 3 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), specifically concerning the 2.5 percent cap on the total number of Part-Time Regular employees in the Maintenance Division. According to the CBA, the total number of part-time employees who “may be hired” should not exceed 2.5 percent of the total number of Maintenance Craft employees covered by the agreement. On September 20, 2024, the APWU and the USPS reached the following agreements: Conversion Opportunities: The USPS will offer 50 Part-Time Regular employees conversion to full-time positions. Financial Compensation: The USPS will distribute a total of $15 million to Maintenance Craft Part-Time Regular employees, covering the Fiscal Years 2018-2024, which they will pay in two installments. The USPS will make the first payment no later than December 31, 2024. Future Conversions: Future Part-Time Regulars may be eligible for conversion to full-time positions around March of each year. Resolution of Grievances: This settlement resolves all outstanding local, regional, and national grievances and disputes from 2018 to 2023. “We extend our special thanks to the Maintenance Division Officers, the Office of Industrial Relations, and President Mark Dimondstein for their support in reaching this agreement,” said Maintenance Division Director Idowu Balogun. “Hats off to Maintenance Craft Director Idowu Balogun and his team for leading the way in securing justice for our part-time regular maintenance members,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. If you were a Part-Time Regular from 2018 to 2024, please provide your name, as well as start and end dates via email to Maintwebinar@apwu.org. We invite you to register and join us for a Zoom presentation on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 2 p.m. EST : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87033487244?pwd=t3O4nzPfCxfm7NEUVAjU5ydL4GBDPi.1   Step 4 Settlement Agreement Part-Time Regular (PTR) National Cap Violations in the Maintenance Craft_signed 9-20-2024 APWU Maintenance Division Secures $15 Million Part-Time Regular Settlement Agreement0Continue reading