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I'm A Union Voter: 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:🎥 What happens at the polls shows up in your paycheck, your benefits, and your working conditions. That's why unions show up in politics. The headlines say Alaska is deeply conservative. Look closer. https://t.co/T2tqh7NCEG— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) October 1, 2026California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:Los Angeles and San Diego are home to millions of working Californians, and this November they're going to vote to Clean Up the House, Take Out the Trash and hold Trump in check at long last.— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) October 6, 2026Illinois AFL-CIO:Early voting is expanding and mail ballots are being distributed across Illinois. It's time to make your plan to vote on or before November 3! https://t.co/PiXpgjxlJe— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) October 1, 2026Maine AFL-CIO:Hundreds of union members & volunteer canvassers all over Maine are knocking on doors for @TroyJackson207! Here’s why: https://t.co/eNOmntvDWN— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) October 6, 2026Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Join us Saturday! @NHAFLCIO @NASRCC_UBC Register at https://t.co/ZKoDn46Gel https://t.co/DLmj39mwM4— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) October 6, 2026Michigan State AFL-CIO:Our communities are supposed to have home rule powers, but Corporate Rule has taken over. Tomorrow, workers, advocates and lawmakers will gather to call to repeal Corporate Rule at 9:45am at the Michigan State Capitol. Enough is enough. Write your lawmaker and tell them to END CORPORATE RULE NOW: https://t.co/K0CHzJeMfU— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) September 30, 2026Minnesota AFL-CIO:Thank you to all our #Labor2026 union volunteers for hitting the doors with us today! #BetterInAUnion #mnvotes https://t.co/aqcMMSylOj— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) October 3, 2026Missouri AFL-CIO:Clock is ticking! Missourians must be registered to vote by THIS Wednesday, October 7th, to vote in the November 3 election. Voters may register in person at their County Clerk's office at the address listed at this link: https://t.co/AuLqD7NuQr— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) October 5, 2026Nevada State AFL-CIO:Record turn out for this mornings’ walk with two labor champions @repdinatitus & @Carter4nv engaging our canvassers before they hit the doors. We are ONE. MONTH. OUT! Get engaged, talk to your neighbors, HAVE A PLAN TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 3RD. https://t.co/8PirtB7Evz— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) October 3, 2026New York State AFL-CIO:Labor walks are happening all over NYS every weekend through Election Day! Get involved: https://t.co/IfP38SI3Qy https://t.co/WAdXcWD7op— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) October 2, 2026Oregon Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO:We're thrilled to speak with voters in Medford today about Denise Krause for State Senate! Thank you to everyone who volunteered today - learn more and sign up for your next volunteer shift at https://t.co/1I10aOuzmw! https://t.co/Ce2SXk0wuY— Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) October 3, 2026Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:The people we elect decide whether working families have a seat at the table. Know your candidates, make a plan, and show up on Election Day. ✊ Find our full list of endorsed candidates here ➡️ https://t.co/7YKY2uUuPq https://t.co/oD6o0smx1J— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) October 5, 2026Texas AFL-CIO:Imagine a Texas where we had elected officials that worked for us. It’s time for Greg Abbott’s 16-year reign to end. Our rights, families, and futures depend on it. Join the movement ➡️ https://t.co/DDcMioa97O https://t.co/gsFrFmDcyr— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) October 6, 2026Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:Congrats to SPEEA on winning the new four-year contract with Boeing! When we fight, WE WIN! ✊— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) October 2, 2026Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Congratulations to SEIU Wisconsin, recipients of the 2026 WI AFL-CIO Organizing Award! Over 850 nurses at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison won union rights in June. Union strong. https://t.co/dVStONDXJp— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) September 29, 2026 Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/06/2026 - 14:29Continue reading→

Don’t Miss Your Chance There are just four weeks until Election Day on Nov. 3, and we need all hands on deck to help elect candidates who will actually work for us, not for the billionaires and CEOs. If you’ve been waiting to get involved, now is the time! Here are a few things you can do right now:Sign up to be a poll worker, and help your community vote safely and easily! Our elections depend on ordinary people—people like you—who make sure voting runs smoothly and everyone’s vote is counted. You can make sure we have safe, fair and efficient elections for all. Step up today to become a poll worker for the next election in your community.Training will be provided, and some local jurisdictions may pay poll workers a stipend! Learn more: go.aflcio.org/ptpFind a volunteer event, either in person or virtual.Early and absentee voting is underway in many states, and union members are already on the ground knocking on doors, staffing community events, making phone calls and sending text messages. If you are not able to attend an event in person, you can join a national virtual event like a phone bank. Union members are a trusted part of our communities, so we need every union member and supporter talking to their neighbors about the importance of voting in 2026. Find an event: mobilize.us/aflcio/ Not sure how you want to help? Fill out the volunteer form.If you’re not sure what you want to do yet, but you still want to be involved, sign our volunteer form and someone will reach out to connect you with opportunities that work for you. Sign up here: go.aflcio.org/volunteerWe are so proud to stand with you in the tradition of those who fought to secure the right to vote; protect our democracy; and empower their neighbors, friends and union siblings. People are engaged and excited, and we’re seeing sky-high energy and optimism across the country as we fight for real change for working people. Please join us.Thank you for your activism!  Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/06/2026 - 12:18 Tags: Elections 2026Continue reading→

Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Alex Quintas Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Alex Quintas of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). After starting her career in visual effects (VFX) and witnessing how disposable artists were to studios without the protections provided by unions, Alex Quintas joined the Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839, in 2017. As part of the LGBTQIA+ community, Quintas has found herself helping locally and through the Queer Trans in Animation Discord. “Being part of IATSE has been amazing. It's more than just me, and it's awesome to see the surge that organizing is getting everywhere.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/06/2026 - 11:02 Tags: Hispanic Heritage MonthContinue reading→

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Plumbers and Pipefitters 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 65 of our affiliates. Next up is the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA). Name of Union: United Association of Union Plumbers and PipefittersMission: The UA is committed to quality, professionalism and integrity. The UA’s Standard for Excellence is a comprehensive commitment to quality, professionalism and integrity that guides every member and signatory contractor within the UA. This standard ensures that UA members consistently deliver the highest level of craftsmanship, safety and reliability across all projects. The UA’s Standard for Safety is a foundational commitment that ensures every member and signatory contractor upholds the highest levels of workplace safety across all projects. The UA empowers its members through rigorous training, strict adherence to industry codes and a culture of accountability. This enables members to identify and mitigate hazards, protect themselves and their teams, and deliver work that meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements. The UA’s core principle is to complete projects efficiently, on schedule and to the highest industry standards.Current Leadership of Union: Mark McManus serves as general president. In August 2026, he was unanimously re-elected to a third term as general president of the UA. McManus began his career with the UA in 1983 when he was initiated into Plumbers Local 24 in Newark, New Jersey. He was elected business agent in 1994 and business manager in 1997. His talents and leadership brought him to the UA General Office in 2007, where he has served as international representative and administrative assistant to the general president. He served five-year terms as general secretary-treasurer and as general president prior to being reelected to a second five-year term as general president. In addition, he serves as vice president of the executive council of the Metal Trades Department, is a member of the Building Trades governing board of presidents, and serves on the board of directors of Helmets to Hardhats.Derrick Kualapai serves as general secretary-treasurer. Michael Pleasant serves as assistant general president.Current Number of Members: 409,000Members Work As: Plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, sprinkler fitters, HVACR service technicians, welders, pipeliners, and related trades.Industries Represented: The piping industry.History: With a proud history dating back to 1889, the UA has set the standard for excellence in the piping industry for more than 137 years. Its members are the backbone of critical infrastructure work, helping to build, maintain and protect the systems that keep communities safe, healthy and thriving.Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: UA’s legislative and political affairs, apprenticeships, UA Canada, training, mental health training classes, Safety News, Training News, Plumbers 911 and HVAC 911, UA Charitable Trust, UA Pipe PALS (Peer Allies for Life Success), UA Project Showcase, “Pipe Up! Podcast,” UA Veterans in Piping (UAVIP) program.Learn More: Website, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 10/05/2026 - 14:09Continue reading→

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Plumbers and Pipefitters 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 65 of our affiliates. Next up is the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA). Name of Union: United Association of Union Plumbers and PipefittersMission: The UA is committed to quality, professionalism and integrity. The UA’s Standard for Excellence is a comprehensive commitment to quality, professionalism and integrity that guides every member and signatory contractor within the UA. This standard ensures that UA members consistently deliver the highest level of craftsmanship, safety and reliability across all projects. The UA’s Standard for Safety is a foundational commitment that ensures every member and signatory contractor upholds the highest levels of workplace safety across all projects. The UA empowers its members through rigorous training, strict adherence to industry codes and a culture of accountability. This enables members to identify and mitigate hazards, protect themselves and their teams, and deliver work that meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements. The UA’s core principle is to complete projects efficiently, on schedule and to the highest industry standards.Current Leadership of Union: Mark McManus serves as general president. In August 2026, he was unanimously re-elected to a third term as general president of the UA. McManus began his career with the UA in 1983 when he was initiated into Plumbers Local 24 in Newark, New Jersey. He was elected business agent in 1994 and business manager in 1997. His talents and leadership brought him to the UA General Office in 2007, where he has served as international representative and administrative assistant to the general president. He served five-year terms as general secretary-treasurer and as general president prior to being reelected to a second five-year term as general president. In addition, he serves as vice president of the executive council of the Metal Trades Department, is a member of the Building Trades governing board of presidents, and serves on the board of directors of Helmets to Hardhats.Derrick Kualapai serves as general secretary-treasurer. Michael Pleasant serves as assistant general president.Current Number of Members: 409,000Members Work As: Plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, sprinkler fitters, HVACR service technicians, welders, pipeliners, and related trades.Industries Represented: The piping industry.History: With a proud history dating back to 1889, the UA has set the standard for excellence in the piping industry for more than 137 years. Its members are the backbone of critical infrastructure work, helping to build, maintain and protect the systems that keep communities safe, healthy and thriving.Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: UA’s legislative and political affairs, apprenticeships, UA Canada, training, mental health training classes, Safety News, Training News, Plumbers 911 and HVAC 911, UA Charitable Trust, UA Pipe PALS (Peer Allies for Life Success), UA Project Showcase, “Pipe Up! Podcast,” UA Veterans in Piping (UAVIP) program.Learn More: Website, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 10/05/2026 - 14:09Continue reading→

Register Now for Our 2027 MLK Conference in Washington, D.C. We’re excited to announce the theme for the 2027 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference: United by the Dream! Through this annual conference, we continue our legacy of civil rights and labor solidarity. We stand in our collective power to fight back against ongoing attacks and chart our course forward—along the long arc that bends toward justice. We’ll hold this historic conference in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., Jan. 14–17, 2027. It’s a pivotal time to gather and reflect on the past year’s battles, victories and learning opportunities, as well as the historic fights, marches, and rallies that shaped the labor and civil rights movements. We’ll think strategically about the road ahead and the continued fight for economic and racial justice with—and within—our movement. Register now and get an early-bird discount. The conference will focus on core movement priorities: accessing meaningful work, securing fair wages, accessing generational economic opportunity, organizing the future and communicating our story. Here’s what you can expect: Timely discussions on the most pressing issues facing our movement.Workshops and training sessions to equip you with tools to meet the challenges we face.Opportunities to share practices and sharpen the knowledge we need to drive change.For more information and updates, visit our website at TheMLKConference.org. And stay tuned for more on speakers, panels, events, training and other conference activities.Learn more and register now!Help us continue Dr. King’s legacy of civil rights and labor solidarity. Together, we will build an economy and a society that works for everyone—where all workers, no matter who they are, can live a life of dignity and respect. We are United by the Dream!  Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 10/05/2026 - 13:06 Tags: MLK conferenceContinue reading→

Register Now for Our 2027 MLK Conference in Washington, D.C. We’re excited to announce the theme for the 2027 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference: United by the Dream! Through this annual conference, we continue our legacy of civil rights and labor solidarity. We stand in our collective power to fight back against ongoing attacks and chart our course forward—along the long arc that bends toward justice. We’ll hold this historic conference in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., Jan. 14–17, 2027. It’s a pivotal time to gather and reflect on the past year’s battles, victories and learning opportunities, as well as the historic fights, marches, and rallies that shaped the labor and civil rights movements. We’ll think strategically about the road ahead and the continued fight for economic and racial justice with—and within—our movement. Register now and get an early-bird discount. The conference will focus on core movement priorities: accessing meaningful work, securing fair wages, accessing generational economic opportunity, organizing the future and communicating our story. Here’s what you can expect: Timely discussions on the most pressing issues facing our movement.Workshops and training sessions to equip you with tools to meet the challenges we face.Opportunities to share practices and sharpen the knowledge we need to drive change.For more information and updates, visit our website at TheMLKConference.org. And stay tuned for more on speakers, panels, events, training and other conference activities.Learn more and register now!Help us continue Dr. King’s legacy of civil rights and labor solidarity. Together, we will build an economy and a society that works for everyone—where all workers, no matter who they are, can live a life of dignity and respect. We are United by the Dream!  Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 10/05/2026 - 13:06 Tags: MLK conferenceContinue reading→

Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Yarrett Guadarrama Castro Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Yarrett Guadarrama Castro of the Laborers (LIUNA). Yarrett Guadarrama Castro is a fourth-term labor apprentice for LIUNA Local 737. Castro has worked for McDonald Excavation since joining the apprenticeship program in 2024. She is a fantastic civil works laborer, as the company has had nothing but positive things to say about Castro and her work ethic. Castro is well-versed with a grade rod and more. She also volunteers at union events and for the local's women's committee. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 10/05/2026 - 10:18 Tags: Hispanic Heritage MonthContinue reading→

Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Yarrett Guadarrama Castro Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Yarrett Guadarrama Castro of the Laborers (LIUNA). Yarrett Guadarrama Castro is a fourth-term labor apprentice for LIUNA Local 737. Castro has worked for McDonald Excavation since joining the apprenticeship program in 2024. She is a fantastic civil works laborer, as the company has had nothing but positive things to say about Castro and her work ethic. Castro is well-versed with a grade rod and more. She also volunteers at union events and for the local's women's committee. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 10/05/2026 - 10:18 Tags: Hispanic Heritage MonthContinue reading→