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Your Seat at the Table: 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. Alaska AFL-CIO:Today, during a meeting of the Alaska AFL-CIO, Vice Presidents voted to endorse @MaryPeltola for U.S. Senate and @BillHillAK for U.S. House. Vice Presidents expressed their firm belief that Mary Peltola and Bill Hill will always put the priorities of working Alaskans first. pic.twitter.com/OZYFOXdw0m— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) June 18, 2026California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:Scabby the Rat made an appearance at the @USW_Local_5 Solidarity Monday protest outside the Marathon refinery, where workers have been fighting for a fair contract for two months! pic.twitter.com/yl9ulw7Ufj— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) June 23, 2026Illinois AFL-CIO:Congratulations to the nearly 20 graduates in @HIRE360Partners's Will County Cohort for Illinois Works! Thank you to Rep. Larry Walsh for speaking with our graduates and supporting legislation to improve key training programs like this. pic.twitter.com/J3fihqmjm8— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) June 22, 2026Maine AFL-CIO:Gov Paul LePage relentlessly waged a war on workers, eliminated collective bargaining rights, blocked min wage increases, demonized public workers & robbed workers' pensions to give the rich a tax break. We can’t let him do the same thing in Washington. pic.twitter.com/n8SG2bEOnz— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) June 23, 2026Massachusetts AFL-CIO:This week, MA AFL-CIO President @chrissylynch29 was sworn into the State Workforce Development Board and the Clean Energy Technology Board of Directors. The future of work is now, and President Lynch will ensure that union members have a voice at all levels of government. pic.twitter.com/Fvy20TcInk— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) June 17, 2026Michigan State AFL-CIO:Your reminder that unions give you a seat at the table, and the power to use it 💪 pic.twitter.com/DPcPNBTvs8— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) June 23, 2026Minnesota AFL-CIO:Happy #Juneteenth from Minnesota's Labor Movement. Today we commemorate our nation abolishing slavery and recommit ourselves to strive towards racial and economic justice. pic.twitter.com/ViixkaliP5— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) June 19, 2026Missouri AFL-CIO:In Missouri, 9.9% of rural Missourians lack health insurance, as do 6.9% of urban residents.Missouri needs leaders who will make healthcare more affordable for EVERYONE. https://t.co/4KaMe1WOrz— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) June 23, 2026Nevada State AFL-CIO:Today we celebrate Juneteenth, which marks the day the last enslaved people in the US learned they were free, more than 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. We honor the resilience of Black Americans, & recognize that the fight for equality & justice continues. pic.twitter.com/CqY24gEHVX— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) June 19, 2026New York State AFL-CIO:TODAY is the NYS Primary. If you haven't voted, make a plan to get to your poll site before 9pm. Elections impact the standard of living & quality of life for all working people, so make sure your voice is heard! Poll site search & labor's endorsements: https://t.co/3B0OPS3e3w pic.twitter.com/jKCd6ayVjr— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) June 23, 2026Oregon Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO:"A strong labor movement is the only way to tackle the challenges of a modern economy, technology, and AI in a way that centers workers" - Oregon Labor Federation President Graham Trainor pic.twitter.com/nYmOZ76P0U— Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) June 18, 2026Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:“We are the foundation of this district, and we’re not asking for the world here. We’re asking to not live in poverty, and we’re asking to help maintain our health insurance,” said Tim Finucan, 32BJ SEIU Pennsylvania state director.https://t.co/NnLZQeHIBg— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) June 17, 2026Texas AFL-CIO:✊ TEXAS UNION WIN: More than 200 DART paratransit workers - represented by @ATUComm - just won huge raises in a historic union contract!That’s the union difference! #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/33PUNEi2CK— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) June 22, 2026Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:Solidarity with our @UniteHereLocal8 siblings ‼️ON STRIKE‼️at Embassy Suites in Seattle! Join them on the line or donate to their strike fund to support their fight for fair wages and safety on the job. Details ⬇️ https://t.co/7kKWFZebEM— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) June 18, 2026Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Local childcare centers brace for state funding cuts. Study finds that many may close as a result. https://t.co/YOStlZ8Ud3— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) June 23, 2026 Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/23/2026 - 12:32Continue reading→

Unions Helped Shape the Nation: 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. AFL-CIO Sets Goal: 2 Million More Union Members: “At this year’s convention, Liz Shuler and Fred Redmond ran unopposed for president and secretary-treasurer respectively, and so did the federation’s 55 vice presidents; all terms of office are four years. Shuler is an Oregon native and the daughter of a PGE electrical lineman. Her involvement with the union movement started with a failed campaign to organize PGE clerical workers. She was then hired as an organizer and lobbyist for IBEW Local 125 in Portland and later joined the staff of the IBEW international. In 2009 she won election to serve as AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer, the federation’s number two office, serving alongside then-president Richard Trumka. She became president after Trumka’s death in 2021, and ran unopposed for re-election in 2022, with Redmond as her running mate, also unopposed.”Nurses at Chicago’s St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital Vote to Form Union: “Nurses at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago voted in favor of forming a union weeks after six colleagues were fired just as the group prepared to unionize. About 96% of nurses eligible to cast a ballot Wednesday voted to be represented by the National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of the National Nurses United, according to the union. About 400 nurses at the hospital were eligible to be part of the union, according to the National Labor Relations Board’s website.”Seattle Art Museum Workers Vote to Unionize in Landslide Election: “Staff members at the Seattle Art Museum have officially unionized following a landslide National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election this week.  The new union, Seattle Art Museum Workers United (SAMWU), will represent over 130 full- and part-time employees across its three locations, including the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Olympic Sculpture Park. A spokesperson for the union, Gillian Fulford, told Hyperallergic that the new bargaining unit will encompass 21 of the institution’s departments, including its curation, conservation, facilities, and education divisions.”Employees of Ocean State Media, Rhode Island’s NPR and PBS Organization, Vote to Unionize: “A majority of employees at Ocean State Media, Rhode Island’s joint NPR and PBS organization, voted to form a union with SAG-AFTRA Wednesday. Jessica Maher, SAG-AFTRA’s executive director for New England’s local chapter, said ‘we won with more than 70% yes vote and we look forward to bargaining.’ In a petition to Ocean State Media leadership delivered on May 4, a group of the organization’s hosts, reporters and producers said ‘at a time of unprecedented challenges for public media and journalism in general, we seek a more active role in decision-making about the organization and the future of our work.’”UMWA Leader Cecil Roberts Gets a Legacy Spotlight in Charleston: “A sixth-generation coal miner from Cabin Creek who went on to lead one of the nation’s most recognizable labor unions is now being celebrated with a museum in his honor in Charleston. Cecil Roberts, who served as the international president of the United Mine Workers of America for the past 30 years before announcing his retirement last year, was honored during the grand opening of the Cecil E. Roberts Legacy Museum at the UMWA District 17 headquarters along Kanawha Boulevard.”More Than 16,000 Sign SAG-AFTRA Letter Demanding Congress Pass NO FAKES Act, Which Would Ban Unauthorized AI Images and Videos: “More than 16,000 people have signed SAG-AFTRA’s open letter demanding Congress pass the revived NO FAKES Act, an anti-deepfake bill that would give individuals control over how their name and likeness are used.”Signalmen’s Union, Rail Carriers Reach Tentative Contract Agreement: “The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen and National Carriers’ Conference Committee have reached a tentative five-year national contract agreement, the NCCC announced today (June 16). The deal follows the pattern of agreements ratified by 11 other unions, including a wage increase totaling 18.8% (compounded) over five years, improved health and welfare benefits with no increased employee contribution, and accelerated earning of vacation time. Ratification by the BRS would conclude the current round of national negotiations.”Trade Apprenticeship Applications Double at Madison’s IBEW Local 159: “Student apprenticeship numbers have started to spike in Madison. IBEW Local 159 has seen their trade apprenticeship applications double in the last five years. The post-graduation trade route has seen a spike since 2023, and students at IBEW Local 159 are the most recent example. Deciding to forgo the common four-year college route has given students who go through an apprenticeship a direct path to family-supporting careers, along with getting hands-on work experience right out of high school. A recent study from the Midwest Economic Policy Institute found that union trade workers in Wisconsin make 24% more than those who graduate with a bachelor’s degree and 5% more than those with a master’s.”America 250: Exploring How the UAW and Other Unions Helped Shape the Nation: “As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, the role of the labor movement is being celebrated by many of those in our workforce. Countless stories dating back to the beginning of unionization are taking center stage as we reflect back. From the Chrysler sit-down strike of 1937, this drum is just one of many labor artifacts preserved at Wayne State University, part of our nation’s story.”UAW Members at American Axle Ratify Pending Contract: “Members of UAW Local 2093 voted on Sunday to ratify a tentative agreement with American Axle in Three Rivers, Michigan, the union said. The tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers local was announced on June 10. Members went on strike after their contracts ended on May 31, less than a month after voting to authorize a strike. Members voted by 80% to ratify the new contract, the union said.”‘Historic’: Kansas City Public Schools Teachers Win 5% Raise: “Kansas City Public Schools teachers will receive a 5% base salary raise after the school board approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the Kansas City Federation of Teachers, the district’s teachers union. Superintendent Jennifer Collier called the raise ‘historic.’” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 06/22/2026 - 10:23Continue reading→

Worker Wins: To Affirm the Dignity and Value of Our Labor Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life. UFCW Celebrates Passage of First Statewide Self-Checkout Legislation in Rhode Island: Thanks to the tireless advocacy of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Rhode Island has become the first state to pass legislation mandating staffing ratios for grocery store self-checkout stations. The bill, which would require one grocery worker for every three self-checkout stations, now heads to Gov. Dan McKee’s desk for his signature. “This bill means better service for customers and stronger support for grocery workers,” said UFCW Local 328 Secretary-Treasurer Domenic Pontarelli. “UFCW Local 328 members in the grocery industry are often overburdened, having to monitor too many self-checkouts while shoppers face delays. Staffing ratios fix this issue for all parties. We thank Senate President Lawson and Representative Cotter for their tremendous leadership standing up for both consumers and workers across Rhode Island.” “Staffing ratios are common sense for self-checkouts,” said UFCW International Vice President Ademola Oyefeso. “This technology has always been a raw deal for shoppers and workers, shifting the labor onto customers while taking hours away from workers. We applaud the Rhode Island legislature for passing this bill, making it easier and faster for families to put food on the table, and we look forward to Governor McKee’s signature.”Catapult Workers Collective Staff Win Union Election: An overwhelming majority of workers at Catapult Book Group have voted to form a union with UAW Local 2110. Under the name Catapult Workers Collective, the bargaining unit covers editorial, design, marketing, publicity, production, operations and rights workers at the publishing company. Staff cited concerns around job security, wages and leadership transparency as core motivators for organizing. “The goal of our union is to protect the wages and benefits of our workplace, to affirm the dignity and value of our labor, and to advance just and sustainable practices in our industry,” Catapult Workers Collective said in a statement posted to social media. “We're immensely proud of what we do, but little is guaranteed for employees without a union. A fair contract will empower us to continue the meaningful work of supporting our beloved authors and engaging with the literary community for years to come.”AFSCME Members at SIU School of Medicine Secure Strong Raises and Longevity System: Members of AFSCME Local 370 (Council 31) ratified a new contract that includes strong raises and a first-ever longevity system that rewards employees for their years of service. The new contract doubles the amount of money in members’ pockets compared to management’s initial proposal. Some members will see wage increases as high as 14%. “We needed to show them that what makes the [Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU-SOM)] work is not just the six-figure doctors—it’s all of us,” said Local 370 President Gina Darden. “It’s the nurses, the front desk workers, the call center workers. We had to make them understand that keeping this place running as well as it does takes all of us.” They also won their first-ever paid parental leave policy, plus paid time off to vote. UAW Members Lock in $30 by 2030 with Tentative Agreement at American Axle: After 10 days on strike, UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle/Dauch Corp. reached a tentative agreement with the company that secures the workers’ topline demand of $30 per hour by 2030, among other historic gains, in a record contract at the Tier 1 parts supplier to General Motors. UAW members hired before May 31, 2012, will see an immediate $8 per hour increase upon ratification. Workers also secured more paid days off and no concessions on their current health care costs, something the company insisted could not be achieved during negotiations. “Tonight, after 10 days on strike, I am proud to announce that UAW Local 2093 has reached a tentative agreement at American Axle,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “And tonight, after 18 years of sacrifice, these workers are finally winning back a big chunk of what was taken from them.” Local 2093 members must still ratify the agreement.Smart City Networks Workers at the San Diego Convention Center Vote to Join IATSE : Information technology technicians and event coordinators who work at the San Diego Convention Center have voted to join the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 122, creating a fully union strong convention center floor. These staff are employed by Smart City Networks, which provides internet and event technology to trade shows and exhibitions. In the lead-up to the vote, Smart City Networks retained the union-busting law firm Littler Mendelson, spending an estimated $58,000 to pressure workers to stop organizing. But staff held strong and secured a decisive union election victory. “At the end of the day, everyone deserves to have a union,” said Greg Sowizdrzal, president of IATSE Local 122. “We’re proud that the workers at Smart City took their first step in having a voice on the job and having representation.” “To us, having a union means having a voice,” crew members said in a statement. “It means being united and being able to stand on equal footing with the company. It has shown us the importance of solidarity, and we look forward to taking an active role in the decisions that will impact our future.”Staff at Illinois School District Win Powerful First Contract: Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73 who work at Downers Grove (Illinois) Community High School District 99 (CSD99) have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement. Staff in the Custodial, Maintenance and Grounds (CMG) department first organized with SEIU last year, motivated by concerns around outsourcing. Highlights of the deal include raises, a guaranteed uniform allotment, a guarantee of no outsourcing for the duration of the contract and more. “When we got the news about being outsourced, with a strong support from teachers and staff, a large group of CMG personnel from the three schools decided it was time to Unionize,” said custodian Steve Elmer. “SEIU Local 73 has lifted a great weight off our shoulders, being a union will make us stronger and better than ever for future CSD99 CMG employees.” “I never [thought] highly of unions before, but after going through our first bargaining contract with our union representative Shea Marshall, it has changed my mind about unions,” said maintenance worker Jesse Eliasson.Mid-Continent Public Library Workers Vote to Form Union: Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL) workers have voted to form a union with Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6360. One of the largest public library systems in the United States, MCPL covers three counties across the Kansas City metropolitan area. The new bargaining unit includes nearly 700 part-time and full-time librarians, early literacy associates, information technology staff, delivery services staff and other critical workers. “From everyone that was there in the beginning four years ago to those that started supporting this week, we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of us,” said Kelli Mulligan Lindsey, an early literacy associate at MCPL Green Hills and MCPL Workers United-CWA Local 6360 member. “Together we can do anything, and together we can continue to make the library a place for everyone in our community.”A+E Factual Studios Workers Organize with the Writers Guild of America East: Workers at A+E Factual Studios, the nonfiction television production arm of A+E Global Media, voted overwhelmingly to form a union with the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE). A+E Factual Studios, co-owned by Disney and Hearst, produces popular series such as “Dance Moms: A New Era,” “The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard,” “History's Greatest Mysteries” and “Cold Case Files.” “We’re thrilled to welcome workers at A+E Factual Studios to the Writers Guild of America East,” said Michael Rauch, WGAE vice president of film/television/streaming. “We look forward to bargaining a fair first contract that reflects the value of their work, and continues to build on the momentum we’ve grown across nonfiction television production.”Denver Art Museum Workers Make State History with Contract Ratification: After two years of negotiations, members of Denver Art Museum Workers United (DAMWU)—who organized through AFSCME Colorado—have ratified their first contract, making them the first museum workers in state history to secure a collective bargaining agreement. As the first museum workers in Colorado to organize a union, DAMWU workers endured pushback from management, but they were undeterred. Their unity and solidarity allowed them to secure a deal with just cause rights, increased sick time, stronger parental leave policies and more. “Winning this contract feels like a huge celebration!,” said Rachel Brennan, a museum shop sales associate. “It took so much work to get to this point, and I’m so proud of us for fighting to have a voice in our workplace. I am beyond grateful to have such amazing coworkers who know their worth and show up for each other." “This has been a long time coming, and I think we are all feeling relieved to have finally ratified our first contract,” said Chase, a gallery host. “We're in a much better position as workers at the DAM than we were before and feel confident that we can achieve even more with our second contract. We are the ones who keep the museum running, and we must never forget that.”  Lambert Airport Security Officers Ratify First Union Contract: Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 members, who work as security officers at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport, have voted to ratify their first union contract. These members are directly employed by GardaWorld Security, which was awarded last year with a new three-year, $38 million contract at the airport. The deal includes seniority raises, improved paid time-off provisions and other wins that will help retain experienced workers. “This is a major step forward for Security Officers at Lambert Airport,” said John DeWeese, GardaWorld security officer. “My coworkers and I joined Local 1 because we wanted respect, stability, and a real voice on the job. This agreement proves that when workers stand together, we can win improvements that make a real difference.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 06/18/2026 - 10:54 Tags: OrganizingContinue reading→