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Fighting for a Fair Contract: 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. California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:Today @seiuusww airport workers are picketing at San Francisco International Airport demanding a living wage! We stand in solidarity with these vital workers, who make SFO run, as they fight for a fair contract! pic.twitter.com/CyXjrBCKPW— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) February 27, 2026Connecticut AFL-CIO:It's 2026, and bus drivers in Connecticut still don't have reliable access to a restroom.Some drivers are forced to wear DIAPERS just to get through their shift. This is not just inconvenient — it's inhumane.Enough is enough. The Transportation Committee must pass HB 5236! pic.twitter.com/ZZ2C7lT0ij— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) March 2, 2026Florida AFL-CIO:MUST WATCH: @CBSMiami investigative report gets to the truth behind SB 1296. This bill is not by or for Floridians, but out of state interests dead set on erasing working families constitutional rights to collectively bargain and speak for themselves! https://t.co/uwrfjg7ryg— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) March 1, 2026Illinois AFL-CIO:It's #WomenInConstructionWeek. From the work in pre-apprenticeship programs like Chicago Women in Trades to tradeswomen advocacy days, Illinois is leading when it comes to making sure we are growing and retaining women in the trades. #1u #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/0qS5kg5unW— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) March 3, 2026Maine AFL-CIO:Solidarity with members of the Bath Marine Draftsman's Association - @UAW Local 3999 who begin contract negotiations today! https://t.co/TKQu1DsszC pic.twitter.com/RCO4f4TxlR— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) March 2, 2026Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Working people don't buy Big Tech’s promise of a shiny AI future that will solve all of our problems.Here in MA, the FAIR Act prioritizes data privacy and human autonomy so we can capitalize on the beneficial aspects of this technology without compromising basic worker rights. https://t.co/ngeH6UNTGq— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) February 26, 2026Michigan State AFL-CIO:“Invasive, unnecessary and unethical” pretty much sums it upStand with us in the fight against AI: https://t.co/WAse9LbpDD pic.twitter.com/VoMwrMU6OD— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) March 3, 2026Minnesota AFL-CIO:Minnesota is moving in the right direction, and we made historic gains for workers in 2023 and 2024. It’s up to the Labor Movement to defend that progress and continue moving towards becoming the best state for working people. #mnleg #BetterInAUnion https://t.co/mpfNYAWi2V— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) February 26, 2026Nevada State AFL-CIO:Celebrating Women’s History Month with women who paved the way and the ones pushing it forward. Happy Women’s History Month! ♥️💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/Je0KsXTtQT— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) March 2, 2026New York State AFL-CIO:Join us at UBS Arena for the NY Islanders #UnionStrong Weekend! Union members and their families/friends save on tickets and get a free t-shirt. Plus, one lucky winner will walk away with a signed Islanders jersey. Get tickets: https://t.co/43rrwtvHhe pic.twitter.com/UTY0h1LSM3— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) March 2, 2026Oregon AFL-CIO:Yesterday, the Healthcare Without Fear Act (SB 1570) passed in the Oregon House of Representatives.The bill will now move on to a concurrence vote in the Senate.https://t.co/256u7LywCY pic.twitter.com/FDzGId261W— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) March 3, 2026Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:As prices continue to rise, working families across Pennsylvania and the country are struggling. We need solutions that put workers first and builds an economy that works for all of us.https://t.co/JuGRf3HOCx— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) February 28, 2026Texas AFL-CIO:Congratulations to Roxanne Brown, who was just sworn in as the new @steelworkers International President! She’s officially the first woman to lead the union.We’re ready to fight alongside President Brown to win for Texas workers! pic.twitter.com/i6tFwU12v6— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) March 2, 2026Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:This Women’s History Month, we celebrate the power of women’s leadership in our movement. From breaking barriers to building worker power, women across our unions continue to redefine what’s possible in the fight for dignity and justice on the job.#womenshistorymonth #WHM pic.twitter.com/T1VHsyWZRd— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) March 1, 2026 Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/03/2026 - 13:13Continue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: WGAE Members at HuffPost Ratify New Contract; Secure 3% Raises 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. Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members at HuffPost have unanimously ratified their new three-year contract, securing critical artificial intelligence guardrails among other meaningful wins.The 69-member strong HuffPost Union bargaining unit first secured voluntary recognition in 2016. This is their fourth collective bargaining agreement at the online news outlet. Other contract highlights include 3% annual wage increases, codified parental leave, unlimited sick time, protected severance language, increased budgets for professional development conferences and training and more.“We stood firm in protecting safeguards that support a diverse and representative newsroom,” said the union’s negotiations committee. “We did not let industry uncertainty around technology stop us from securing AI protections. We refused to sell out future workers for short-term promises. And we were able to do this because 100% of our members were unified about what the contract we deserved looked like, and what we were willing to do to secure it.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/03/2026 - 09:52Continue reading→

Higher Safety Standards: 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. Fred Redmond: One Hundred Years of Black Workers Telling the Truth: “In 1917, A. Philip Randolph and Chandler Owen launched The Messenger, a pro-labor, anti-war magazine that connected racism to exploitation and demanded justice for Black workers. Two years later, the federal government responded with tactics of targeted censorship—surveillance, harassment and threats of prosecution—and branded a small Black labor magazine ‘the most dangerous’ publication in the country simply for encouraging Black workers to organize.”How We Organized a Union at Whole Foods: “There were six of us at the first meeting to form a union at Whole Foods in Philadelphia: too many to fit around the coffee shop table, a good sign, so we moved to a restaurant around the corner. We talked about disrespectful managers, low pay, and the loss of paid breaks and health care for part-timers. ‘I’ve seen many wonderful people come and go’ in a decade at the store, said produce worker Ed Dupree. ‘So many of them worked hard and weren’t always treated well, especially after the Amazon acquisition.’”Randi Weingarten: How to Measure Real Progress in Education: “Re: ‘Hope for American Schooling, From Three Red States,’ by Nicholas Kristof (column, Feb. 15): Mr. Kristof is right that the literacy gains in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana deserve attention. Students are being taught to read in effective ways, and it shows. It’s not red or blue; it’s a commitment to good curriculums, knowledgeable educators and leadership that gives teachers the time, tools, feedback and investment to make this happen.”Roxanne Brown Breaks Steel Ceiling as New USW Leader in Pittsburgh: “Roxanne Brown is set to take the helm of the United Steelworkers this Sunday, stepping into the union’s top job after a months-long leadership handoff. When she is sworn in, she will become both the first woman and the first person of color to lead the USW, which represents roughly 850,000 members across North America. Her arrival at the top job comes with instant pressure tests in contract talks, political work, and the energy transition that will shape the union’s next four years.”Senators Introduce New Version of Railway Safety Act: “A bipartisan group of U.S. senators led by Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Jon Husted (R-Ohio) introduced a new version of the Railway Safety Act today (Feb. 24). The new legislation includes a mandate for wayside defect detectors, an expanded list of hazardous materials subject to higher safety standards, and a two-person crew requirement. The Railway Safety Act of 2026 is the third version of the bill introduced following the Norfolk Southern derailment and hazardous material release in East Palestine, Ohio, in 2023. The prior versions failed to reach a vote on the Senate floor.”N.J. Union Leaders: Our Energy Crisis Demands Homegrown Solutions, Not Imported Power: “New Jersey is in an energy crisis. Electricity prices have been rising in states across the country, but in New Jersey, which was already home to some of the highest electricity prices, we’ve seen bills go up faster than just about anywhere else. Working families are feeling this crisis month after month when choosing between keeping the lights on or buying groceries.” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/02/2026 - 10:36Continue reading→

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: SEIU This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we've covered all 64 of our affiliates. Next up is the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Name of Union: Service Employees International UnionMission: SEIU’s work is about power—helping members come together to raise wages, improve working conditions, and have a real say over their jobs and their lives. The union organizes across industries and communities to win strong contracts and to push for policies that support working people, including access to health care, fair immigration systems, racial equity and climate solutions.Current Leadership of Union: SEIU is led by President April Verrett, a longtime union leader who has spent her career organizing care workers and holding corporations accountable. Under her leadership, SEIU is focused on growing the union and winning new organizing victories, particularly in parts of the country where workers have historically faced the greatest barriers to organizing.Current Number of Members: 2 millionMembers Work As: Jobs that keep communities functioning every day—health care workers, senior and disability caregivers, educators, airline workers and those who maintain the places where Americans live and work.History: SEIU traces its roots to 1921, when building service workers first organized for dignity and respect on the job. From early on, the union brought together members across race and background—something that set it apart at the time and continues to shape its work today.Over the decades, SEIU members have led campaigns that reshaped entire industries. In 1990, janitors in Los Angeles—mostly immigrant workers—launched what became the Justice for Janitors movement, drawing national attention to poverty wages and unsafe working conditions. In 2012, fast-food workers helped ignite the Fight for $15 and a Union, pushing cities and states across the country to raise wages and confront economic inequality.Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: SEIU publishes a blog. On its website, SEIU spotlights member stories. SEIU's constituency groups include: the People Working with Disabilities Caucus, the Latino Caucus, SEIU Rise, the African American Caucus, the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, the Lavender Caucus and the Retiree Council.Learn More: Website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, Threads, X, Substack (President Verrett) Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/02/2026 - 13:46Continue reading→

Women's History Month Profiles: Elizabeth Rian For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's 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 Elizabeth Rian of SAG-AFTRA. Elizabeth Rian is an actor, writer and award-winning filmmaker originally from Honolulu. Her network credits include “Jane the Virgin,” “Magnum, P.I.,” the Lifetime Channel, the Hallmark Channel and more. She is classically trained, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre performance from Chapman University. She has written, produced and starred in three short films, all of which have screened internationally, from Hawaii to New York to London. Her first feature film, “’Opala,” is in preproduction. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/02/2026 - 10:03 Tags: Women's History MonthContinue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Berkeley Teachers Win Tentative Contract with Increased Employer Contribution to Health Care 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 10 months of negotiations, the Berkeley (California) Federation of Teachers (BFT), AFT Local 1078, reached a tentative agreement on a new contract that increases the school district’s health care contribution to 70% beginning in 2027. The teachers still must vote on contract ratification.The BFT represents more than 900 teachers, counselors and librarians. The contract is for one year. “Our educators are excited that the district is making this important investment to ensure stable and consistent school communities,” said BFT President Matt Meyer in a press release. “We love our work and our students. This agreement makes it more possible to establish careers in Berkeley.”The new contract includes a 3% increase in compensation for the current academic year and a one-time $1,000 bonus for all full-time employees.“We must also not forget that we are in this position because our state does not fully fund the education every student deserves,” Meyer said in the statement. “We call on the state to raise the revenues necessary for a thriving public education system throughout California.” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/02/2026 - 09:50 Tags: OrganizingContinue reading→