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How to Use a PS Form 4707 to Enforce Workplace Safety

May 15, 2025The Industrial Relations Department shares information on when and how to use a PS Form 4707 - Out of Order notice, and why it is essential to red-tag damaged equipment: magazineSpeak Up for Safe Jobs The PS Form 4707 - Out of Order notice is a critical tool for enforcing workplace safety, operational efficiency, and equipment integrity. Many times, Postal Service management will allow damaged equipment, that should be taken out of service after an employee fills out and submits a PS Form 4707, to continue to be used on the workroom floor, creating safety hazards. Postal workers should use the PS Form 4707 to report and tag defective equipment as “Out of Order” when equipment is found to be defective. It should be removed from service immediately, tagged with PS Form 4707, and taken to be repaired or placed in an area designated for troubled equipment. This ensures that the equipment is fixed before it goes back into service, creating a safe workplace environment for postal workers. Below are some of the reasons why proper use of the PS Form 4707 is essential: Use PS Form 4707 to Report Damaged Equipment for: Safety Compliance – Reporting damaged equipment with a PS Form 4707 helps prevent accidents, injuries, or further damage by ensuring that employees are aware of malfunctioning or hazardous machinery and management can begin the work to fix or replace it. Operational Efficiency – Identifying and tagging broken equipment helps maintenance teams prioritize repairs, reducing downtime and improving work ow. If the damaged equipment cannot be repaired locally, it is sent to a regional facility for repair. For example, damaged equipment in the Southern Region must go to Atlanta, GA for repair. Regulatory and Policy Adherence – The USPS follows strict safety and maintenance regulations. Properly using a PS Form 4707 enforces compliance with internal policies and external safety regulations. Accountability and Documentation – This form provides a record of equipment issues, which helps track maintenance history, identify recurring problems, and support necessary repairs or replacements. Employees Should Not Remove a PS Form 4707 Red Tag. It is Necessary to: Prevent Unauthorized Use – The red tag indicates that equipment is unsafe or non-operational. Removing it without proper authorization can lead to injuries or further damage. Ensure Proper Repairs – The tag remains in place until the maintenance team has assessed and repaired the issue. Premature removal could result in equipment being used before it is safe. Comply with Policy – USPS policies require damaged equipment to be properly tagged and assessed before returning to service. Removing a PS Form 4707 red tag without proper clearance violates these policies. Prevent Legal and Liability Issues – If an accident occurs due to the unauthorized use of tagged equipment, it could lead to liability issues for both the worker and the USPS. By following proper procedures for reporting and tagging damaged equipment, postal workers can help maintain safe and efficient workplaces. If you or any of your coworkers become aware of anyone on the workroom floor condoning the use of red-tagged equipment, please alert a shop steward to address the situation immediately. The wellbeing or life that you may save could be a coworker or your very own! ■ How to Use a PS Form 4707 to Enforce Workplace Safety0Continue reading→

Worker Wins: Pay Workers A Living Wage

Worker Wins: Pay Workers A Living Wage Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life. AFSCME Members Add Worker Protections to City of Austin’s AI Policy: Members of AFSCME Local 1624 are celebrating the Austin City Council’s passage of Item 55, which institutes strong ethical guardrails and worker protections as Texas’ capital city adopts artificial intelligence (AI) into its work. Local 1624 represents public sector workers who are employed by the city of Austin and Travis County. Members worked closely with City Council members to shape the AI policy to ensure that working people won’t have their jobs displaced by this emergent new technology. The resolution also protects against AI-based productivity scoring, allows for workers to appeal decisions made by algorithmic tools and requires AFSCME members to be consulted as new technologies are introduced. “We support innovation—but it must come with safeguards,” said Local 1624 President Brydan Summers, who spoke at the city council meeting in support of the resolution. “This resolution ensures AI is used to support—not replace—public workers. By requiring human oversight, banning continuous surveillance, and protecting workers from AI-only decisions, Item 55 puts the safety and dignity of the workforce first.”Sunberry Beverages Union Members Ratify New Contract: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951 members who work at Sunberry Beverages in Paw Paw, Michigan, voted on Tuesday to overwhelmingly ratify a powerful new contract. Before ratification, the approximately 60 UFCW members at the plant had been working under an agreement that was signed before Sunberry bought the facility from previous owner Knouse Foods. The beverage manufacturer honored their existing contract, but as day-to-day production shifted, members needed new provisions to reflect changes to their work. Highlights of the new agreement include wage increases, expansion of full-time status and benefits eligibility to all workers, improvements to paid time off policy, increases to the 401(k) match, and more. “After the change in ownership, job duties and responsibilities at the plant changed significantly for the union members,” said John Cakmakci, Local 951 president and chief negotiator. “I am proud of the members who served on the bargaining committee and worked together to achieve contract gains that improve the lives of their fellow members. It’s important for the company to recognize how valuable the Sunberry workers are and reward their hard work and loyalty with a strong contract.”University of Minnesota Resident Physicians Union Certified by State Labor Board: The Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services officially certified on Friday that a majority of resident physicians at the University of Minnesota have signed cards to join the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR/SEIU). A supermajority of the nearly 1,000-person bargaining unit filed for union recognition late last month. Their exciting organizing campaign was made possible by the reform of Minnesota’s Public Employment Labor Relations Act, which was passed in 2024. “We went into medicine because we want to take care of people, but at the heart of it, we just don’t think that great patient care should have to come at the expense of our well-being,” said Dr. Sofia Haile, a family medicine resident, in a press release. “In fact, we believe our health and our patients’ health are actually intertwined. Creating a system where physicians can be our best for patients and be our best for ourselves is what we’re hoping to achieve as a union.”SEIU Member Abducted by ICE Released from Detention: After a federal judge issued an order for Rümeysa Öztürk’s release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 509 mem ber and Tufts University graduate student returned to Massachusetts on Saturday evening. Öztürk—a Turkish citizen on a student visa—was held in federal custody at a detention facility in Louisiana for six weeks after plainclothes officers arrested her in late March. The only evidence the Trump administration has cited as grounds for her arrest is an op-ed criticizing Tuft’s response to the war in Gaza that she co-authored in the student newspaper. Judge William K. Sessions III ordered Öztürk to be released with no travel restrictions and warned that her detention had the potential to cause a chilling effect on free speech. Union members and community allies rallied behind Öztürk after she was detained, holding nationwide protests decrying her arrest. “Rümeysa is free – and she is free because workers stood up and demanded justice,” said SEIU President April Verrett in a video statement posted to social media. “We are so excited for her, she gets to return home to her friends and her family and her studies at Tufts University. But our work is far from over. Rümeysa is free, but millions of other immigrants are not. They are still in the shadows. Our work is not done until everyone who calls this country home gets to live with freedom and dignity and respect.”Overwatch Developers Form Union with CWA: Game developers behind Activision Blizzard’s popular franchise Overwatch have become the latest video industry workers to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and have secured voluntary recognition from parent company Microsoft. The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild-CWA (OWGG-CWA) is a wall-to-wall union that covers a wide range of roles, including art, quality assurance, engineering, design and more. The nearly 200-person bargaining unit formed its union with the help of CWA’s tech industry organizing project, Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA), which has helped 6,000 workers in the United States and Canada form unions over the past five years. OWGG-CWA members cite concerns around job security, wages and layoff protections as core motivators for organizing. “After a long history of layoffs, crunch, and subpar working conditions in the global video game industry, my coworkers and I are thrilled to be joining the broader union effort to organize our industry for the better, which has been long overdue,” said Foster Elmendorf, senior test analyst II and organizing committee member. “Workers organizing themselves and striving for better conditions as a group allows us to present initiatives that would not only improve our workplace but video games overall.”Arizona Agricultural Workers Make Cannabis Industry History with New Contract: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 99 members who work at Trulieve’s production facility in central Phoenix ratified their first union contract this past Wednesday, becoming the first cannabis cultivators in state history to do so. While retail cannabis workers have been securing collective bargaining contracts around the country in recent years, this agreement is a landmark deal for agricultural workers in the industry. In January 2024 Trulieve Magnolia staff voted to join UFCW, in only the second union election ever administered by the Arizona Agricultural Employment Relations Board. “I’m telling you, if you ever read them bumper stickers on the street that say, ‘Work union, live better,’ that’s a true statement,” said Larry Terrell, a former union airline worker who is now a Trulieve cultivator. “It was an eye-opener coming to the cannabis industry from the airline industry. I just felt like the workers’ rights weren’t all there. I feel like they didn’t treat their employees very well….For what these companies make, they can afford to pay their workers a livable wage.”Striking University of Oregon Student Workers Reach Tentative Agreement: After more than a week on strike, the University of Oregon Student Workers (UOSW) union—an affiliate of the UAW—announced Thursday that their bargaining team has reached a tentative agreement with administrators. If ratified, this agreement would be the first contract covering a wall-to-wall undergraduate student worker unit at a public university. Members perform essential roles in dining halls, dormitories, academic departments, recruitment, cultural spaces, student life and research labs. Student workers initially walked off the job on April 28, after 11 months of negotiations with the university, to fight for better wages and improved protections against harassment in the workplace. “This is a historic and amazing contract whatever way you slice it,” said Ryan Campbell, a member of UOSW’s bargaining team. “[UO administration] can’t push some of this stuff out of the way now….Going through this experience, now we can help other people, so it’s a very very cool thing.”REI Union Blocks Corporate-Backed Co-Op Candidates in Board Election: Last week, REI confirmed that thousands of their Co-op members voted to reject corporate-backed candidates in their board of directors election after REI Union members launched a massive “Vote No” campaign in response to the retailer’s union-busting. The union is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU-UFCW). Since 2022, 11 storefronts have voted to organize and none have been able to reach a fair contract so far. After years of bad faith bargaining from the nominally progressive corporation, workers urged Co-op members to vote “withhold” on all three of REI’s proposed candidates, including two incumbent board members, to demand the corporation live up to its values. Now, REI members are demanding that pro-worker candidates Tefere Gebre—former executive vice president of the AFL-CIO and current chief program officer at Greenpeace USA—and Shemona Moreno—executive director of nonprofit 350 Seattle—fill the vacant seats on the board of directors. “This victory was only possible because REI members and REI workers stood together to send a resounding message that it is time for the co-op to return to its core values,” the union said in a press statement. “We are optimistic that Mary Beth Laughton will take this opportunity to listen to everyone who voted for workers and members to have a voice in the company’s future. Moving forward, REI should stop union busting, negotiate a fair contract with organized workers, and fill the vacancies on the board with the candidates that members backed initially.”NowThis Staff Ratify New Union Contract: Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members at short-form video news outlet NowThis have unanimously ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. The three-year deal increases the minimum salary floor for the nine current unit members to $80,000, as well as increases the overall contract minimum with an additional $1,000 increase in the second and third years of the contract. Other highlights include a longevity bonus on every four-year anniversary and strong guardrails against the use of generative artificial intelligence. “The Mighty 9 remaining members of the NowThis Union are thrilled to celebrate our successful contract negotiation,” the NowThis bargaining unit said. “We’re very thankful to those who supported us by writing letters to the CEOs of NowThis and Accelerate Change and encouraging them to help us reach a deal. We look forward to working with management and continuing to grow NowThis into the success we know it is.”  Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/15/2025 - 15:53 Tags: OrganizingContinue reading→

Layoffs – Worst Case Scenario?

May 15, 2025“You and your coworkers are the Union! No matter your political party, now is the time to protect America’s Postal Service!” – Western Regional Coordinator Omar Gonzalez explains steps we can take to defend the public Postal Service and preserve our jobs. magazineWestern RegionOmar M. Gonzalez Threats of privatization, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) snooping, and government upheaval raise alarms while big banks like Wells Fargo outline what postal workers face, which is a “buy out” followed by layoffs. More than 100,000 postal workers could face layoffs because of their tenure or employee status. Few APWU-represented postal workers have life-time protection against any involuntary layoff under the 1978 arbitrated collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The rest must earn their protection by completing six years of continuous service in pay status, with at least one hour or call-in guarantee for 20 of the 26 pay periods each year, per Article 6 of the CBA. Forewarned Is For Armed Per Article 6, management can “effect layoffs for lack of work or other legitimate reasons,” and the layoffs can be exercised in lieu of reassigning employees (excessing) under Article 12. Also, if Congress repeals or significantly relaxes the Private Express Statutes, which are a set of federal laws that prohibit private entities from carrying and delivering letter mail without paid U.S. postage, our current layoff protections expire. For decades we have successfully fought off privatization, but now the snarling wolves are ready to bite. Former Postmaster General DeJoy’s agreement with DOGE claims to be driven by efficiency, but the reality equates to cuts undermining a struggling service. How Layoff Occurs Management identifies which employees will be laid off based on job classification in competitive areas and levels, such as Veterans' Preference, seniority, tenure location, and more. The union is given a 90-day notice, while impacted employees only receive a 30-day notice. Preconditions include a reduction in postal support employees (PSEs) and a 20-day posting of vacancies in the installation, or commuting area, for possible selection and reassignment. Severance pay and allowances are described in the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) Chapter 435. Health and life insurance coverage is subject to the ELM (see Article 6 for specifics). The disruption that layoffs would inflict is real, but privatization or a merger into a federal department, like Commerce, is dastardly. Private companies do not have to retain our union contract. Current federal entities could void our contract and the rights of postal workers, like it did with TSA. What You Can Do About It You and your coworkers are the Union! No matter your political party, now is the time to protect America’s Postal Service! Helping to protect the Peoples’ Post Office and YOUR job security is E.A.S.Y.: Educate yourself and those around you about the threat of dismantling the USPS and how it would undermine service. Assemble and protest! Let’s get the public on our side to stop any efforts to privatize or dismantle our Postal Service. Handout flyers and make signs for events at your local post offices. Sell service, not postage when dealing with our public and their mail. Your job depends on it! Your congressional representatives need to hear from you, your family, and neighbors, to support House Resolution 70 and Senate Resolution 147! Dial 844-402-1001 and urge them to protect USPS from privatization. It will only take three minutes. For more ways to take action, visit apwu.org/action. America’s Cornerstone Our Post Office was established by the Continental Congress in 1775, enshrined into the Constitution by Congress in 1789, and signed into law in 1792. The history of the USPS is the history of the United States. My fellow Coordinators Tiffany Foster, Amy Puhalski, AJ Jones, Yared Wonde, and I urge you to help us save the People’s Postal Service. If you and every APWU member, with your coworkers, take action - the U.S. Postal Service will remain the Post Office of the People, By the People, and For the People. Will You stand up for our Post Office before it is too late? ■ Layoffs - Worst Case Scenario?0Continue reading→

Due Process, Your Union Right

May 15, 2025Industrial Relations Director Charlie Cash explains due process, “one of our most important union rights. In the simplest of terms, it means you have the right to your ‘day in court’ to tell your side of the story and defend yourself if management wants to discipline you.” magazineIndustrial RelationsCharlie Cash No employee may be disciplined or discharged except for just cause — Those words come from Article 16 of the APWU’s main Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Postal Service and is consistent across all the contracts we have with the Postal Service and our private sector contractors. This language gives every employee, covered under one of our contracts, their rights to Due Process. Due process is one of our most important union rights. In the simplest of terms, it means you have the right to your “day in court” to tell your side of the story and defend yourself if management wants to discipline you. There is much more to it than this, but in the end, you are able to have your chance to defend yourself before the Postal Service can take an adverse action against you. Many of us have worked in industries where there is not a union and where we were at-will employees, meaning that there wasn’t a union contract that required just cause and due process procedures. One could be fired or have adverse actions taken against them without a chance to defend themselves. How unfair is it that you do not even get a chance to tell your side of the story or see the evidence against you? I have represented hundreds of postal employees over the years in disciplinary proceedings from very minor issues to serious issues. As a union representative, I always ensure that the people I represent have their right to due process in the disciplinary process, no matter the violation. Every union-represented employee must be given these rights. It is a strongly held belief for me. If I am asked why I represent someone, I always make it clear that if I ever make the decision to turn my back on someone’s rights, that decision would render those provisions of our contract meaningless. Once a right is surrendered for one person, it starts the fall towards elimination of that right in its entirety for everyone. But due process isn’t just something we all are entitled to in the grievance process. Due process is a fundamental right every person in this country has. The United States Declaration of Independence names three unalienable rights – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution disallows the government from infringing on those rights without due process. Everyone in this country has the right to defend themselves when they face losing any of these unalienable rights and more. If you are charged with a crime, it is your right to defend yourself before a jury of your peers. If you were to have your driver’s license revoked, you have the right to a hearing. If your taxes are audited, you have a right to be heard and explain. If you are being evicted, a process must be followed before it happens. There are so many things where due process applies, that we probably take them for granted. Today, this country faces the threat of losing our right to due process. Some people are being detained without any real due process. No matter what one’s political leanings are, I do not believe anyone thinks that our rights to due process should be stripped away from us. Whether a person is accused of a crime, in the country illegally, protesting or saying things that are not popular, look different, or writes a news story that angers someone; that person must know that they will be granted their rights and have a chance to defend themselves in front of the appropriate authority before losing a single unalienable right. I will stand up for those rights for anyone in this country, even the people I disagree with. Will you stand with me? ■ Due Process, Your Union Right0Continue reading→

Stepping Up Our Work to Face a New Threat

May 15, 2025Amid threats of privatization by the current presidential administration, A Grand Alliance to Save Our Public Postal Service has revitalized our campaign, bringing together allied coalitions to strengthen ties between postal workers and our community. Read how we’re taking action:  magazineA Grand Alliance to Save Our Public Postal Service Our Alliance brings together hundreds of groups and individuals who are committed to preserving our public Postal Service. With the threat against the USPS greater than ever, we have been busy strengthening the ties between postal workers and our community. Coalition Meeting On March 19, we held a joint briefing with the Save the Post Office coalition to emphasize the threat to the USPS. About 120 people from the many organizations that make up the coalition attended, including MoveOn, Indivisible, the Alliance for Retired Americans, and Public Citizen. Melanie Campbell of the National Council on Black Civic Participation kicked off the event. APWU President Mark Dimondstein followed, laying out the threats and consequences of postal privatization. Monique Morrissey, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, explained the impact of a postal sell-off. Shawn Sebastian of Rural Organizing discussed the direct impacts privatization would have on rural communities, while APWU member Brittany Price (Cleveland Area Local) gave a postal workers’ perspective. Act Locally, Act Stronger A highlight of APWU’s March 20 Day of Action was how many local organizations held events – more than 300 in total. Several Alliance members organized actions, including the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Jobs with Justice, and Indivisible. Local events build stronger community support to oppose postal privatization. At a Globe-Miami Indivisible chapter event, an event organizer explained that having leaflets to give out to people in support of the rural Globe, AZ Post Office and having a toolkit with information was an excellent way to have great conversations with people regardless of who they voted for. Individual community members and informal groups also held events. The organizer of an event in Lincoln County, ME, described how uniting makes us stronger: “The most important thing is that I met a bunch of new friends who care about my rural town like I do, and who, like me, know that our postal team are hard-working, dedicated neighbors who provide CRITICAL services to our community.” APWU locals can continue building relationships by reaching out to local chapters of coalition members. Start with a phone call and identify your shared interests. Show how you can help them and ask for their help. If you need assistance reaching a local affiliate, please email us at: info@agrandalliance.org A New Response to Renewed Threats Considering the administration’s ongoing threats, our Alliance has updated its mission statement, warning that the U.S. Postal Service is: “…under extreme assault by the current administration’s illegal hostile takeover of the independent agency. These actions are a huge step toward dismantling and selling off the USPS, in whole or in part, to private corporations, for private profit.” […] “The public good must not be sacrificed for the sake of private investment and pro t. A strong public Postal Service is our democratic and constitutional right. Join us in the fight to improve, protect, and enhance vibrant public postal services now – and for many generations to come.” Read the full statement and see our list of supporters at: agrandalliance.org ■ The Post Offi ce Celebrates 250 Years of Service in JulyContinue reading→

IAM Union Joins Other Labor and Workplace Health and Safety Groups Sue to Restore Programs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

(Washington, D.C.)—Unions across nursing, education, mining and manufacturing industries, along with a manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE), today sued the Trump administration to reverse the illegal dismantling of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  The Trump administration and HHS Secretary The post IAM Union Joins Other Labor and Workplace Health and Safety Groups Sue to Restore Programs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) appeared first on IAM Union.Continue reading→

IAM Journal – Summer 2025

Attacks on the labor movement and working families are nothing new – and we have been fighting battles on all fronts on behalf of our members recently. But I am proud to report that we have also encountered opportunities and successes that highlight the importance of supporting one another. As we navigate a changing world The post IAM Journal – Summer 2025 appeared first on IAM Union.Continue reading→

IAM Union Continues Political Pressure for Rail Safety, Railroad Retirement

Back-to-back weeks of railroaders hitting Capitol Hill put pressure on Congress to act on Rail Safety  IAM Assistant to the International President for the Rail Division Josh Hartford and Assistant National Legislative Director Ty Richardson, together with TCU/IAM National Legislative Director David Arouca and National Legislative Representative Connor Vargo, participated in a mass lobbying effort The post IAM Union Continues Political Pressure for Rail Safety, Railroad Retirement appeared first on IAM Union.Continue reading→

Calling All ‘Leaders and Legends’ to Join Us at the 2025 IAM Retirees Conference

We’re proud to invite our IAM family to the upcoming IAM Retirees Conference, taking place Oct. 20-22, 2025, at the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront (1500 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL). This year’s theme, “Leaders and Legends,” will honor the contributions of our retirees while energizing and empowering us for the work ahead. Register today. The post Calling All ‘Leaders and Legends’ to Join Us at the 2025 IAM Retirees Conference appeared first on IAM Union.Continue reading→

IP Bryant Visits IAM Union Strike Lines at Pratt & Whitney as Public Pressure Mounts on Company

Amidst soaking rains in Connecticut, IAM Union International President Brian Bryant delivered strong messages of solidarity to 3,000 IAM Local 1746 and Local 700 (District 26) members on strike for a fair contract at Pratt & Whitney. “You are absolutely right on the reasons you are on strike,” Bryant told striking workers on picket lines The post IP Bryant Visits IAM Union Strike Lines at Pratt & Whitney as Public Pressure Mounts on Company appeared first on IAM Union.Continue reading→

Maintaining Adequate Financial Controls, Policies, and Procedures

May 15, 2025Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell shares the importance of maintaining adequate financial controls, policies and procedures as a local Trustee. magazineSecretary-TreasurerElizabeth Powell Whether local trustees are elected or appointed, the responsibilities of the position should not be a customary rubber stamp of local practices that conflict with the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), Department of Labor (DOL), or IRS provisions. The Trustee position should not be a member of the local executive board, as it would cause a conflict of interest for the trustee and the financial oversight that is required of the position. The Trustee’s primary task is to ensure that all union resources (money and assets) are used for legitimate union purposes, as authorized by the membership, in accordance with your local constitution and bylaws. In addition, trustees should ensure that the local is complying with all legal requirements for financial reporting, recordkeeping, and bonding. Each local affiliate should have provisions establishing set frequencies for trustees to conduct an audit. Local audits should be conducted annually, at a minimum. If there is no constitutional language, a motion is needed to establish set time frames. However, the constitution should be amended to provide for periodic internal audits. During the audit, trustees should review the disbursements, receipts, DOL and IRS compliance, and conduct an inventory of local assets. LMRDA provisions require officers and employees of the union to ensure that union funds and other assets are used solely for the benefit of the union and its members. Trustees are the first line of financial controls that a local should have in addition to various policies to ensure financial oversight is maintained. Having policies and procedures in place defines acceptable and unacceptable practices. Written policies and procedures are clear and reflect the values and principles of your local. They ensure uniformity and consistency in decision making and operational procedures. They can clarify functions, responsibilities, and establish accountability. Policies and procedures assist with the day-to-day management of your local and can be invaluable in ensuring the local is running in an efficient and business-like manner. Problems can be managed quickly and effectively through existing policies. When implementing policies, consider involving officers and stewards. This will promote awareness, understanding, and ownership when the policy is implemented. Present and explain the policy to your local membership and move to adopt the policy. Local union officers should consider implementing the following policies: Travel and Expense Leave Without Pay (LWOP) and Other Compensation Credit Card Use Additional policies could include a Computer Access and Internet policy, and a Local Grievance Handling policy. If you currently have policies in place, review them regularly to ensure that they are current and in line with changes within the local. Finally, local officers should have computer back-up procedures in place for computer financial files, password access for QuickBooks, and other financial banking requirements. These and other important directives should be stored in a locked fireproof safe. ■ Maintaining Adequate Financial Controls, Policies, and Procedures0Continue reading→

Are You Reaching Out with Best Practices for Member and Community Mobilizing?

May 15, 2025“To create a better world, we must have faith in each other and how our diverse beliefs, backgrounds, and perspectives unite in solidarity for justice.” - Vice President Debby Szeredy urges members to mobilize within our communities and spread our message to preserve the public Postal Service. magazineVice PresidentDebby Szeredy The work we do as postal workers to provide public services is a calling. Those who work for justice often make it their lifetime devotion. We become empowered through inspiring moments and teachings based on the principles of non-violence: helping workers in need, sacrificing for others, and having respect for others and for oneself. It is that work that ends up deepening our daily lives. We embrace compassion and peace to uplift our workers and our community. It is all about embracing a life of tolerance and equality, and that is why we have government, independent, and non-profit workers to unify all people. Many activists from different generations are coming together to engage in collective strategies that create a sustainable movement to fight for the issues that matter the most to us. To create a better world, we must have faith in each other and how our diverse beliefs, backgrounds, and perspectives unite in solidarity for justice. Relationship- building creates a strong community. We must take the government out of the hands of the oligarchy and put it back in the hands of our beloved community. One recent example of community coming together for the collective good occurred when Jalyna West, a union representative and the secretary-treasurer of the Mid- Hudson Area Local in New York, contacted the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Region 3 to request permission to set up a table at their conference highlighting our fight against postal privatization. She and her husband, who is a CSEA member, worked to mobilize support to stop privatization of the Postal Service! They handed out flyers and collected 132 signatures in support of our public Postal Service, after just four hours of tabling at the CSEA Conference. Speaking about the experience, Jalyna said, “I always look for opportunities to get the word out about the attack on the Postal Service. My husband has been a member of CSEA for 23 years and second VP of Local 550. [On] April 3rd, we set up our table after I had mentioned the attack on postal workers, and members asked about how they could help, and I mentioned I had a petition they could sign and fact sheets to hand out. A table was given to us to educate CSEA members. We were also able to get support from Jessica Ladlee of CSEA; Dutchess County Legislator Terracina Brown; Daniel Atonna, candidate for City of Poughkeepsie; Alyssa from MHA; Lisa Kaul, Veterans Programs; Aymar Blair, Dutchess Comptroller; Brenda Lawlor, Dutchess County Legislator; and Pat Ryan, our House Representative for New York.” That’s what I call stepping out and mobilizing our community! We can win; we just need to step out to get the support! ■ Are You Reaching Out with Best Practices for Member and Community Mobilizing?0Continue reading→

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Pono Kodani

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Pono Kodani For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Pono Kodani of AFSCME. Deeply connected to the ocean and his Hawaii Island community, Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA/AFSCME) member and lifeguard Pono Kodani says the most rewarding part of his job is saving a life, especially with drowning being the No. 1 cause of death among children in the islands. Born and raised on the east side of Hawaii Island, Kodani grew up going to the beaches that he now patrols. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/15/2025 - 10:00Continue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: University of Minnesota Resident Physicians Union Certified by State Labor Board

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: University of Minnesota Resident Physicians Union Certified by State Labor Board 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. The Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services officially certified on Friday that a majority of resident physicians at the University of Minnesota have signed cards to join the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR/SEIU).A supermajority of the nearly 1,000-person bargaining unit filed for union recognition late last month. Their exciting organizing campaign was made possible by the reform of Minnesota’s Public Employment Labor Relations Act, which was passed in 2024.“We went into medicine because we want to take care of people, but at the heart of it, we just don’t think that great patient care should have to come at the expense of our well-being,” said Dr. Sofia Haile, a family medicine resident, in a press release. “In fact, we believe our health and our patients’ health are actually intertwined. Creating a system where physicians can be our best for patients and be our best for ourselves is what we’re hoping to achieve as a union.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/15/2025 - 09:53Continue reading→

Dangerous and Unprecedented Times

May 15, 2025“No matter our political beliefs or how we vote, we can and should find common ground in meeting the rising tide of fascism with an even greater tide of resistance of workers’ unity and solidarity.” APWU President Dimondstein shares his observations and thoughts about recent attacks on workers’ rights. magazinePresidentMark Dimondstein These are certainly dangerous and unprecedented times for all workers. Many have heard the saying – if we don’t learn from history, we are bound to repeat it. But to learn from it, we must know it. In January, the world commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Red Army’s liberation of the Nazi Auschwitz concentration camp toward the end of World War II. Yet a recent survey shockingly revealed that two-thirds of the U.S. population under the age of 42 knew nothing of this notorious fascist death camp where over one million people, mostly Jewish, were murdered in gas chambers. How does a society turn to such barbarism, where human beings exterminate other human beings, justifying their heinous crimes behind the “big lie” that the white, blond-haired, blue-eyed, “Aryan race” is superior to “inferior” peoples? History shows it never starts with death camps. It starts with actions like those that are happening again today: demeaning and degrading others based on who they are, where they were born, or the color of their skin; labeling those with differing views as enemies of the state; calling immigrants trash; mocking disabled people; eliminating women’s fundamental rights; criminalizing protests; placing a president above the law; chilling free speech; bullying universities and lawyers; pardoning convicted insurrectionists; banning books; declaring the teaching of true history as unpatriotic; defying court orders; and attacking unions and workers’ rights. Retired conservative Marine General John Kelly, Donald Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff during his first term, warned us during the 2024 election that Trump is essentially a fascist and prefers ruling as a dictator. The start of Trump’s second term confirms his warning. Workers should be deeply concerned. History teaches us that fascism is a bitter enemy of working people. One of Hitler’s first acts was banning trade unions, seizing union assets, and arresting, imprisoning, and executing union leaders and activists. Millions of workers were forced into slave labor. Behind the Nazi call to “Make Germany Great Again,” and their military onslaught to rule the world and eliminate “inferior” peoples, over 85 million people were killed before world fascism was defeated. History also provides a lesson on the importance of solidarity. Reverend Niemoller, a German Lutheran pastor who initially supported the rise of Hitler, resisted when the Nazis sought control over his church. He survived imprisonment and left us with this powerful message: “First, they came for the Communists, and I did not speak up because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak up because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak up because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak up because I was not a Jew. And then when they came for me, there was no one left to speak for me.” At the 2018 APWU National Convention, delegates wisely passed a resolution calling on members to “engage in the struggle to defend union rights and all democratic rights in opposition to rising fascism…” Such democratic rights include defense of the public Postal Service, the rights of federal workers to join unions and bargain for a better life, voting rights – including Vote-by-Mail, of refugees seeking asylum, to protest and dissent, to due process, to public education, and to free speech. Despite these challenging times, workers certainly are not helpless. No matter our political beliefs or how we vote, we can and should nd common ground in meeting the rising tide of fascism with an even greater tide of resistance of workers’ unity and solidarity. Fighting back and winning against growing tyranny can help ensure that the devastating history of German-led world fascism will not be repeated on our watch! ■ Dangerous and Unprecedented Times0Continue reading→

La Jornada: To Mexican Autoworkers

By UAW President Shawn Fain I am an autoworker. My grandparents were autoworkers. I grew up in an autoworker town called Kokomo, Indiana. As a young father, I got a job as an electrician at Chrysler. I joined the UAW – the United Auto Workers – and it changed my life. Through the union, I learned that no matter where you’re from, if you work for a living, the working class is your family. So today, on International Workers Day, May Day, I want to say loud and clear: Mexican autoworkers are not our enemy. You are our family. The post La Jornada: To Mexican Autoworkers appeared first on UAW | United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America.Continue reading→

Get Organized and Fight Back: What Working People Are Doing This Week

Get Organized and Fight Back: What Working People Are Doing This Week Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week. Actors' Equity:Read the Spring edition of The Organizing Voice, a quarterly newsletter focused on all things organizing, in the member portal today! Find updates on some ongoing campaigns as well as contract wins from around the country. https://t.co/4uDGJ2xFyM pic.twitter.com/nmjnyOWKl8— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) May 13, 2025AFGE:🚨🚨MAJOR VICTORY ALERT🚨🚨AFGE and allies have won a major victory in our case to stop the unlawful firing of huge numbers of federal employees. And we aren’t done yet — not by a long shot. https://t.co/1uKKCiCevo— AFGE (@AFGENational) May 10, 2025AFSCME:Congress is preparing to push people off Medicaid and SNAP. Get Organized and fight back. https://t.co/CdMoYg8L9i— AFSCME (@AFSCME) May 14, 2025Alliance for Retired Americans:SHAME. House Republicans want to implement the largest Medicaid and food assistance cuts in history so they can give even more tax cuts to the wealthy. https://t.co/aGvYfNfJIk— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) May 13, 2025Amalgamated Transit Union:Another brutal attack on one of our members. We wish our Local 583-Calgary, AB, member a quick recovery. It’s long overdue for our transit agencies to better protect our members and our riders. #NotOneMore #canlab https://t.co/Tq5Zy5kENV— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) May 14, 2025American Federation of Musicians:Statement on the reported Firing of Register of Copyrights Perlmutter: Shira Perlmutter has served the American people with unrivaled expertise for decades. Her unlawful firing will gravely harm the entire copyright community. She understood what we all know to be true: human… pic.twitter.com/ZLSiUfZ2Kf— AFM (@The_AFM) May 11, 2025American Federation of Teachers:WATCH & SHARE: In an interview with Alicia Menendez on MSNBC, @rweingarten and @vinguptamd discussed the importance of #Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act in providing care for millions of Americans and providing funding for hospitals across the country. https://t.co/wvRWqbL3Z1— AFT (@AFTunion) May 14, 2025American Postal Workers Union:☎️Call your House Representative at 844-402-1001 and urge them to vote 'NO" on proposed cuts to postal and federal pensions! pic.twitter.com/bXiccgepUj— The American Postal Workers Union - APWU (@APWUnational) May 6, 2025Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:United Airlines management today announced new premium cabins while continuing to demand concessions from Flight Attendants in negotiations this week.“Service doesn’t happen without us,” said @FlyingWithSara & @AFAUnitedMEC Pres. Ken Diaz. https://t.co/9KfxdbMy4h #ContractNow https://t.co/vjAvgHHIuH— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) May 13, 2025Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers:ON STRIKE 🪧 24 members of BCTGM Local 3G (Battle Creek, Mich.) who make Knappen Baking Flour in Augusta, Mich. Support them by sharing!#knappenmilling #knappenmillingstrike #ulpstrike #bctgmpower #onstrike pic.twitter.com/LKMTNh82iy— BCTGM International (@BCTGM) March 13, 2025Boilermakers:It is with deep sorrow that the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers must inform members of the tragic death of Brother Steve E. Chambers, Local 667, of Cameron, West Virginia, after a jobsite incident. Read: https://t.co/M0BmmvmWSA— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) May 13, 2025Bricklayers:BAC Local 4 CA members Jesse Martinez, Yjuan Bocage and his son apprentice Yuan Jr. are working on the #SanDiego Airport!#WorksiteWednesday #BestHandsintheBusiness #skilledtrades #1u pic.twitter.com/6S19IAAtlx— Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union (@IUBAC) May 14, 2025Communications Workers of America:CWA members are taking action across the country to ensure that public infrastructure dollars are spent on high-quality, fiber-first broadband networks built by trained, experienced union workers!https://t.co/QYoDPOIjIM— CWA (@CWAUnion) May 10, 2025Department for Professional Employees:Congrats to @ActorsEquity members at Second City on their new five-year union contract that will raise wages by 40.5%! https://t.co/9N77EEwD5Q— Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) May 13, 2025Electrical Workers:#IBEW sisters from across Illinois were out in full force for a tradeswomen lobby day, calling on elected officials to support policies that will bring more women into the trades. https://t.co/Jer0Dmy2IC— IBEW (@IBEW) May 13, 2025Fire Fighters:🔥The #IAFF demands a federal antitrust investigation into fire truck manufacturers, saying industry consolidation has led to skyrocketing costs and years-long delays. "It's really a critical hazard in public safety." - @iaffpresident From @Reuters:https://t.co/8T2cwRbEpK— International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) May 13, 2025Heat and Frost Insulators:FREE 24/7 mental health & well-being benefits are available to every member & their family. 📲 For support, visit our website or call/text 1-800-456-6327 #InsulatorsUnion #Insulators #InsulatorPride #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MentalHealth pic.twitter.com/C1qebiwnZR— Insulators Union 🦎 (@InsulatorsUnion) May 9, 2025International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers:"Due Process Is a Right, Not a Privilege You Get for Being Good"https://t.co/mtyxAmOTFF— SMART Union (@smartunionworks) May 13, 2025International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers:Matt Biggs, President of the IFPTE, joined radio legend Ed Ferenc on the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential impact of proposed federal workforce cuts and more. https://t.co/SlkWKeltHj— IFPTE (@IFPTE) May 13, 2025International Labor Communications Association:We want YOU to submit to the 2025 Labor Media Awards!Submit by May 30 and pay $60/entry, or submit by July 1 and pay $80/entry.Learn more about the contest and submit here: https://t.co/9YGKIYAudh pic.twitter.com/0xnlDbGthw— International Labor Communications Association (@ILCAonline) May 5, 2025Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:🎉 Central Florida LCLAA showing up and standing strong! 💪🏽 Shoutout to members Art Franco and Maria Revelles for representing at the UAW Local 788 Rally. Solidarity with our union siblings fighting for justice and dignity on the job! ✊🏽 #LCLAA #UnionPower #UAW788 pic.twitter.com/IhnxDLVn9B— LCLAA (@LCLAA) May 8, 2025Laborers:Poor, neglected #infrastructure costs us all—slower commutes, lost productivity, rising bills.This #InfrastructureWeek, let’s rebuild it the right way with: UNION hands. #UNION pay. UNION power.America deserves nothing less. #LIUNABuilds pic.twitter.com/pNqPv6Z8by— LIUNA (@LIUNA) May 14, 2025Major League Baseball Players Association:Congratulations, Aaron Nola, on being named the next Players Trust Most Valuable Philanthropist! During the @Phillies 2024 season, Nola donated $1,000 per strikeout to @TeamRWB, contributing a total of $197,000 for his 197 Ks. Nola has also helped raise $250,000 for ALS… pic.twitter.com/DcPAoZ6ABV— MLBPA (@MLBPA) May 14, 2025Major League Soccer Players Association:As we step into may, the MLSPA recognizes #AAPIMonth and celebrates the significant contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities to both soccer, the labor movement, and well beyond 💙 pic.twitter.com/0qxv97Ibcr— MLSPA (@MLSPA) May 2, 2025Maritime Trades Department:AMP President Sees Great Promise for Maritime@AMPmaritime https://t.co/ReQjoVvrW1— Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO (@Maritime_Trades) May 9, 2025Metal Trades Department:Some creative ideas from IFPTE 777 President Colin Smalley—How Federal Workers Without a Union Can Still Act Like a Union https://t.co/PHfUjLOw3Y— Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) May 8, 2025Musical Artists:🔥 650+ AGMA Artists at the Met signed this Statement of Intent, uniting for a fair contract with better pay, job security, and stability. This is solidarity. Together we will: https://t.co/KLsVhPS7iE pic.twitter.com/3e506BigcY— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) May 12, 2025National Air Traffic Controllers Association:Our Convention photo album on Flickr is the best place to relive all the highlights of the week, from powerful moments on the Convention floor to the energy and camaraderie at evening events. https://t.co/FBuOh9h3Ho pic.twitter.com/iRfglDLJNr— NATCA (@NATCA) May 12, 2025National Association of Letter Carriers:Thank you for supporting our dedicated members and their hard work in this important annual effort to fight hunger in communities across the country! 📬 #StampOutHunger https://t.co/DKXU6TPmDC— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) May 13, 2025National Domestic Workers Alliance:We stood vigil for 24 hours at the Capitol with @caringacrossgen, lifting up stories of caregivers, disabled people & families who rely on Medicaid. Thanks to every partner, caretaker, & congressperson like @RepSuhas that showed their support. pic.twitter.com/qFFR77HwP5— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) May 14, 2025National Hockey League Players’ Association:Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell are just current linemates now raising future linemates 🐧🥹📸: @penguins pic.twitter.com/Jx4CyewDCs— NHLPA (@NHLPA) May 5, 2025National Nurses United:Nurses know exactly what would help solve our global nurse staffing crisis: #SafeStaffing with mandated nurse-to-patient ratio laws.Read the full report from @GlobalNursesU: https://t.co/cWCQ5qbRFy pic.twitter.com/jhqdOVduiS— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) May 14, 2025NFL Players Association:Super Bowl champ ✅Commencement speaker ✅Keep living the dream, A.J. https://t.co/V0MPKsvltE— NFLPA (@NFLPA) May 10, 2025North America's Building Trades Unions:When I-95 collapsed, @LIUNA was on the scene and on the job, rebuilding vital infrastructure used by millions in only 12 days.Skilled labor keeps America moving.#InfrastructureWeekhttps://t.co/C7lLucBwZM— The Building Trades (@NABTU) May 13, 2025NWSL Players Association:Please respect her privacy during this time. https://t.co/AYOjs1y9Oj— NWSLPA (@nwsl_players) May 10, 2025Painters and Allied Trades:Taxpayer-funded projects should not support contractors who break the law and exploit workers. Yet at the Oak Grove development in Norwalk, CT, subcontractors with egregious labor violations are still being used by AP Construction We’re calling on Norwalk Housing Authority to… pic.twitter.com/9zk4pDJglt— IUPAT (@GoIUPAT) May 5, 2025Professional Hockey Players’ Association:The PHPA is saddened to learn of the sudden passing of ECHL Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Utah Grizzlies, Kevin Bruder. Our thoughts are with Kevin’s friends and family, as well as the entire Utah hockey club and the larger ECHL family during this difficult time. https://t.co/WkLYsVa6xj— PHPA (@thephpa) May 14, 2025Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:At every opportunity, @PASSprezdc Spero advocates for increased funding & staffing on behalf of the employees we represent at the FAA. These workers are critical to modernizing air traffic control system. #aviationsafety #publicservice #federalemployees #unionsolidarity https://t.co/OuCRzPTygL— PASS (@PASSNational) May 13, 2025Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:With the New Jersey Democratic primary just around the corner, union members across the state are stepping up to make sure their voices are heard at the ballot box. Learn more about @RWDSU Local 108's voter registration work: https://t.co/Uc2WGRJZUy pic.twitter.com/5WGHfBjyTm— RWDSU (@RWDSU) May 13, 2025Roofers and Waterproofers:Become an effective safety leader! Foundations for Safety Leadership for Residential Construction (FSL4Res) teaches critical leadership skills to foremen, supervisors and other frontline leaders on jobsites in the residential sector. Visit https://t.co/ynYyi5AYKQ #roofersafety365 pic.twitter.com/X443zETWR8— Roofers Union (@roofersunion) May 14, 2025SAG-AFTRA:Congratulations to #SagAftraMember @clydekusatsu for receiving the L.A. Local's Ralph Morgan Award! 🎉🏆 This honor recognizes a member's dedication and contributions to their union. Thank you for everything you've done, Clyde! #SagAftraStrong pic.twitter.com/J718EQpMt3— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) May 14, 2025Service Employees International Union:We stand with @RepRashida: Kids shouldn’t have to live in fear of losing their parents.Family separation is cruelty—plain and simple.Trump’s immigration policies are breaking families and breaking hearts.We’re fighting back. pic.twitter.com/HNG4Y37eVD— SEIU (@SEIU) May 14, 2025Solidarity Center:Believe in fair pay, safe jobs & economic justice across borders? Join us➡️https://t.co/7BqDXeZ3dTWorkers in #Malaysia's electronics supply chain who make semiconductors, a part of nearly all electronics, are using collective bargaining to address & prevent hazards on the job pic.twitter.com/3DtO4v6kUY— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) May 13, 2025The NewsGuild-CWA:We love seeing this type of solidarity across Guild newsrooms. This is what being in a union is all about!✊Good luck to the Post Tech Guild as tech workers receive ballots this week for their union election!@NYTGuildTech @wapotechguild https://t.co/y6fzzss7sP— The NewsGuild-CWA (@newsguild) May 8, 2025Theatrical Stage Employees:Statement on Three US Policy Developments Regarding Artificial Intelligence for Behind-the-Scenes Entertainment Workers:1. Regarding the U.S. Copyright Office’s “Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, Part 3: Generative AI Training” Report:“We commend the U.S. Copyright… pic.twitter.com/DSYYSlEtAo— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) May 14, 2025Transport Workers Union:TWU Local 106 and the NJ/NY State Conference lobbied lawmakers in Albany today on critical legislation re- bus lanes, pensions, and the protection of school bus drivers. pic.twitter.com/o4wmZPpqgo— TWU (@transportworker) May 13, 2025Transportation Trades Department:During #InfrastructureWeek 2025, @TTDAFLCIO is proud to announce that @opcmiaintl became our 38th affiliated union! By placing & finishing concrete and applying plaster products, these workers have an essential role in building U.S. infrastructure, transportation projects & more. pic.twitter.com/IaA14EuoyU— TTD | America's Transportation Unions (@TTDAFLCIO) May 14, 2025UAW:"Where We Stand."Book of resolutions adopted at the 26th UAW Constitutional Convention in Anaheim, CA, 1980. From the archives at the @ReutherLibrary. pic.twitter.com/cmlkMWBeBZ— UAW (@UAW) May 14, 2025Union Label and Service Trades Department:For those of us who were paying attention, there was nothing quiet about it. Federal workers deserve better! https://t.co/asYGBPwgzh— Union Label Dept. (@ULSTD_AFLCIO) May 1, 2025Union Veterans Council:We attending a @theactionnet event: Unite for Veterans Rally, June 6, 2025 Washington DC. RSVP here: https://t.co/Lli0a3nnj6— Union Veterans Council🪖✊ (@unionveterans) May 7, 2025UNITE HERE:Right now, Congress is considering a budget package that would cut $1.5 trillion from essential programs like Medicaid. So many of our community members rely on Medicaid, and cutting it would tear healthcare away from millions. Call your reps! 📞📞📞https://t.co/5EJpUavjga— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) May 14, 2025United Food and Commercial Workers:Don't miss your chance to apply for this year’s UFCW Charity Foundation scholarship!UFCW members or their immediate family are eligible. Learn more: https://t.co/3eeNJxOMix pic.twitter.com/2PhmhxHDLw— UFCW (@UFCW) May 12, 2025United Steelworkers:Now that you’ve secured your copy of A History of America in Ten Strikes, it’s time to read the introduction. The first virtual book club meeting is on May 20! Learn more and sign up: https://t.co/piMwYP243R pic.twitter.com/6RYM5wPSZt— United Steelworkers Union (@steelworkers) May 14, 2025Writers Guild of America East:Solidarity with our Vox Media Union members fighting for a fair contract. Vox mgmt has refused to even give meaningful counters to our proposals. Stay tuned for ways to support as the 30-day countdown to contract expiration begins. ⏰ @voxmedia Full statement from the unit: pic.twitter.com/pUPVVA4fSY— Writers Guild of America East (@WGAEast) May 14, 2025 Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/14/2025 - 11:46Continue reading→

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Sandra Engle

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Sandra Engle For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Sandra Engle of UAW. Sandra Engle had a long career in the labor movement before becoming the executive director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA). While working as a criminal appeals lawyer at the Legal Aid Society of New York, she was active in UAW Local 2325, and was elected vice president. After taking a leave of absence, she began organizing with multiple unions across the United States, including AFGE, the Machinists (IAM), the Steelworkers (USW) and UAW. She eventually came home to the UAW when she was put on staff in the Organizing Department and became assistant director. In addition, she has served as UAW assistant director in the national CAP Department as well as Education Department. Most recently she was director of UAW's Communications and Strategic Campaigns departments before retiring. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/14/2025 - 09:59Continue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Overwatch Developers Form Union with CWA

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Overwatch Developers Form Union with CWA 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. Game developers behind Activision Blizzard’s popular franchise Overwatch have become the latest video industry workers to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and have secured voluntary recognition from parent company Microsoft.The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild-CWA (OWGG-CWA) is a wall-to-wall union that covers a wide range of roles, including art, quality assurance, engineering, design and more. The nearly 200-person bargaining unit formed its union with the help of CWA’s tech industry organizing project, Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA), which has helped 6,000 workers in the United States and Canada form unions over the past five years. OWGG-CWA members cite concerns around job security, wages and layoff protections as core motivators for organizing.“After a long history of layoffs, crunch, and subpar working conditions in the global video game industry, my coworkers and I are thrilled to be joining the broader union effort to organize our industry for the better, which has been long overdue,” said Foster Elmendorf, senior test analyst II and organizing committee member. “Workers organizing themselves and striving for better conditions as a group allows us to present initiatives that would not only improve our workplace but video games overall.” Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/14/2025 - 09:55Continue reading→

Gearing Up: Las Vegas IAM Local SC-711 Sets Stage for Contract Negotiations at Nellis Air Force Base

IAM Local SC-711 negotiating committee recently gathered at the IAM William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, Md., to prepare for upcoming contract negotiations with M1 Support Services and its subcontractors, for the Nellis Aircraft Maintenance and Support Services Program at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. The contract covers more than The post Gearing Up: Las Vegas IAM Local SC-711 Sets Stage for Contract Negotiations at Nellis Air Force Base appeared first on IAM Union.Continue reading→