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IAM Union International President Bryant Applauds USTR’s Proposed Actions to Strengthen U.S. Shipbuilding

Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member IAM Union, issued the following statement after testifying at the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) hearing on Section 301 regarding proposed remedies to China’s aggressive targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors: “The IAM applauds USTR’s proposed remedies in response to China’s unfair and discriminatory practices. For The post IAM Union International President Bryant Applauds USTR’s Proposed Actions to Strengthen U.S. Shipbuilding appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Air Transport Territory Continues to Strengthen Community Outreach Through Aviation High School Partnership

IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen and Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser recently addressed a group of high school seniors looking toward futures in the aviation industry. The three-day annual program at the IAM’s Winpisinger Center brought together 27 high school seniors from Aviation High School in Queens, N.Y. The post Air Transport Territory Continues to Strengthen Community Outreach Through Aviation High School Partnership appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: AFGE

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: AFGE 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 63 of our affiliates. Next up is AFGE. Name of Union: American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)Mission: For the purpose of promoting unity of action in all matters affecting the mutual interests of government civilian employees in general, all other persons providing their personal service indirectly to the U.S. government and for the improvement of government service.Current Leadership of Union: Everett Kelley is currently serving his third term as AFGE’s national president. He began his first term of service as national president in February 2020, was elected to another term during the 42nd National Convention in June 2022, and was re-elected during the 43rd National Convention in August 2024. He has been a member of AFGE since 1981. He worked at Anniston Army Depot and retired from there after 30 years of service. Eric Bunn Sr. serves as national secretary-treasurer and Kendrick Roberson serves as national vice president for women and fair practices.Current Number of Members: More than 820,000.Members Work as: Nurses, correctional officers, doctors, Social Security professionals, TSA agents, law enforcement officers, park rangers and much more. AFGE represents almost every type of federal employee, and the agencies with the highest memberships are the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security.Industries Represented: Members work for the federal government or the government of the District of Columbia.History: AFGE formed in 1932, during the depths of the Great Depression. Federal employees were refused most of the rights they have today. Politicians had crippled the civil service, and AFGE’s founding members came together in opposition to these attacks. In the decades leading up to World War II, new chapters of the union began to form across the country. In the 1940s and ’50s, AFGE fought for and won a pay raise of nearly 16%, the largest increase for the federal government workforce in the country’s history. The union also won within-grade pay increases, transportation allowances, and payment for accrued annual leave, overtime, and night and holiday work. Finally, in 1962, federal workers secured the right to collectively bargain when President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 10988. Since then, AFGE has continued to fight for government workers and has won real bargaining rights and extended the dignity of a union contract to hundreds of thousands of Americans. Check out AFGE’s Labor History Timeline to learn more.Current Campaigns: AFGE Strong works hard to keep members informed about the actions of the new presidential administration and to ensure our leaders have the resources to act. In related efforts, AFGE is working to Stop Project 2025. AFGE is fighting to protect the rights of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers; protect correctional officers; and protect official time for federal employees. AFGE offers members training and educational resources. It seeks to promote Health and Safety among members.Community Efforts: The Women’s and Fair Practices Department, through education and training, member organizing and mobilization, legislative and political action, and representation through litigation, works with the union’s National Human Rights Committee to advance issues that impact AFGE members, their families, and their communities, including: federal and D.C. government workers’ rights, women’s rights and gender equity, racial justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, disability rights, voting rights, mental health and wellness, supporting working parents and families, domestic violence, conflict resolution and sexual harassment. AFGE is part of AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council whose mission is to inform, organize and mobilize union veterans. AFGE Y.O.U.N.G. seeks to mobilize young union members to become leaders for social change. HISCO supports professional advancement, leadership development and educational opportunities for AFGE members of Latino and Hispanic origin. The AFGE Retirees program advocates for a productive, healthy and secure retirement. AFGE Stewards are working people who have volunteered to connect members with their union. AFGE Pride is a national program designed to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and others within the pride spectrum (LGBTQIA+) membership. AFGE B.L.A.C.K., or Black Leaders Advancing Change and Knowledge, exists to increase solidarity in AFGE by highlighting the issues specifically impacting our Black members. AFGE A.P.O.W.E.R., or Asian Pacific Organized Workers Empowering Representation, is here to advance the mission of diversity, equity and inclusion of all AFGE members, providing assistance and direct service to all AFGE members who identify as Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian, and their allies. AFGE publishes The Government Standard, The WFP Quarterly and AFGE News. AFGE sells merchandise in its online store.Learn More: Website, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/24/2025 - 12:09Continue reading→

One Job Should Be Enough: The Working People Weekly List

One Job Should Be Enough: 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. ‘See You in Court’: Teachers Union Vows to Fight Trump's Education Department Order: “Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers, vowed to sue the administration if it moved forward with a mandate to obliterate the agency's limited federal role in the nation's schools.”Protests Demanding No Privatization of Post Office Sweep the Nation: “‘Privatization shifts workers’ dollars from the public good to the corporate sector investor class,’ APWU President Mark Dimondstein said on March 10, announcing the upcoming events. ‘It’s not just us, but there’s a fast and furious effort’ by Trump and his handler, Musk, ‘to hollow out the government for enriching billionaires and launching a coup.’”We Need to Protect Workers from Dangerous ‘Bossware’ Technology: “In an era where the lines between work and personal life are increasingly blurred, the rise of new worker surveillance and control technologies is creating a dystopian reality that demands urgent attention from policymakers. Legislation filed on Beacon Hill, An Act Fostering Artificial Intelligence Responsibility, known as the FAIR Act, would provide Massachusetts workers with much-needed protection against reckless and harmful uses of ‘bossware’ technologies. Employers use these electronic and algorithmic decision systems to automate managerial functions, including determining whether workers get a job, tracking workers’ locations and communications throughout—and sometimes even after—the workday, and deciding how much workers get paid and whether they get promoted, demoted, or fired.”Hollywood Actors Take the Fight Against AI to Sacramento: “The bill is sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and co-sponsored by the Creative Artists Agency and the National Association of Voice Actors. Joely Fisher, SAG-AFTRA secretary-treasurer and chair of its government affairs and public policy committee, said the fight over AI was at the heart of the union’s strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers that ran 118 days in 2023. The language about AI in the contract wasn’t approved until the 11th hour, she said, ‘always knowing that we needed legislation to enforce some of the things that we talked about and our studio partners agreed to.’”Everett Kelley: ‘As a Poor-Performing Probationary Employee, Elon Musk Must Go’: “Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been on the job for less than two months, but the early results are nothing short of disastrous. These include a series of airplane safety incidents, cancelled appointments at the VA, long lines outside national parks, and abandoned medical research. Through it all, there is an overriding sense that the world's richest man is using his power over President Donald Trump to steal from the public coffers and enrich himself.”Nevada’s Grad Student Workforce Pushes for Collective Bargaining Rights: “Graduate students employed within the Nevada System of Higher Education say they have little recourse when dealing with hostile work environments, low pay, demanding workloads, and financial instability. Riley Jones, a PhD student studying life sciences at UNLV, said the current system leaves graduate workers at the whims of ‘our advisers, departments, and graduate colleges to support us when one demand, one responsibility, one job conflicts with another.’”Washington Bill Aims to Extend Unemployment Benefits to Workers on Strike: “Sandee Flores had never been on strike before. But in October 2024, she and her co-workers at the DoubleTree Seattle Airport walked off the job, demanding better wages. Her father had been a union member too, and now she was the one holding the picket line. The strike lasted a week—short enough that Flores didn’t face serious financial hardship. But she saw the strain it put on many of her co-workers. Even a few days without pay meant tough choices: stretching every dollar, leaning on family, or turning to strike funds.”‘One Job Should Be Enough’: How 9,000 Grocery Workers Are Banding Together in Minnesota: “Monica Duque never knows how many hours she is going to get in a given week. She works at the Jerry’s Cub Foods on East Lake Street at the front of the store, helping customers, overseeing cashiering, and running online shopping. She finds out her hours, she explains, “when the schedule is posted on Friday, for the week after next.’ ‘There is no consistency,’ says the 24-year-old, which makes it hard to save money, or plan much for the future. She makes a little over $20 an hour, and even being cut 10 hours in a week can have a big impact on her finances. ‘I can do morning one day then night shift the next day. I go from eight-hour days to barely getting seven-hour days. I can never really rely on how much money I’m going to make.’”Colorado Would Become Second State to Limit When Workers Can Be Fired Under Union-Backed Ballot Measure: “Colorado would become the second ‘just-cause employment’ state in the U.S. should a measure proposed by state union leaders make the 2026 ballot and pass. Initiative 43 would prohibit companies with more than eight employees from firing or suspending a worker without just cause, which is defined in the measure as substandard performance, material neglect, repeated policy violation and gross insubordination. Conviction of a crime of ‘moral turpitude’—like murder, kidnapping and sexual assault—and an employer’s financial instability would also constitute just cause under the initiative. The proposal was filed by Dennis Dougherty, who leads the AFL-CIO in Colorado, and True Apodaca, political director at SEIU Local 105.”Hawaiian Airlines Reaches Tentative Agreement with Flight Attendants on Contract Extension: “Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants reached a major milestone recently. The carrier, which was just recently acquired by Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, reached a tentative agreement with its flight attendant union for a contract extension. This new agreement, which will last for several years, comes with a variety of improved benefits for Hawaiian cabin crew. While the airline's flight attendants have not yet voted on the contract, each side seems optimistic regarding the agreement.” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/24/2025 - 10:46Continue reading→

Women’s History Month Profiles: Angela Sheehan

Women's History Month Profiles: Angela Sheehan For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Angela Sheehan of the Heat and Frost Insulators (HFIU). Angela Sheehan made history as the first female business agent in HFIU Local 34, breaking barriers and paving the way for women in leadership roles. As a true trailblazer, she has shown that dedication and passion for her work can drive real change within the industry. Her unwavering commitment to her job is evident in the way she consistently goes above and beyond, never needing to be asked to volunteer for challenges. Sheehan’s leadership and enthusiasm inspire others to follow in her footsteps, shaping a more inclusive and dynamic future. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/24/2025 - 10:06 Tags: Women's History MonthContinue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: WGAE Announces Voluntary Recognition of Staff Union by Courier

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: WGAE Announces Voluntary Recognition of Staff Union by Courier 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. Members of the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement for the voluntary recognition of Courier’s staff union. The 50-member bargaining unit includes reporters, editors, designers and social media managers.“We are pleased that COURIER has opted to voluntarily recognize our union at this crucial time when media workers everywhere are fighting for stronger protections against layoffs and better pay,” said the Courier United Organizing Committee. “We look forward to negotiating a strong contract that empowers every worker at COURIER as we navigate the ongoing transformation of our industry.” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/24/2025 - 09:49 Tags: OrganizingContinue reading→

Protecting Our Rights During the Threats We Face!

March 24, 2025The threats to our collective bargaining rights are very real. There are new policies that some people in power want to implement, which could signi cantly impact our ability to negotiate for our wages, rights, and benefits. Organization Director Anna Smith provides ways postal workers can protect our rights.  magazineOrganizationAnna Smith Almost from the day we start working at the Postal Service, we hear negative comments such as, “the Post Office is going under,” or “automation will replace our jobs.” For those who have been around for any length of time, those predictions have fallen short. Despite the threats, we are still here today! We learn to adapt to changes and adjust how things are done, and we will continue to do so. One thing is for sure, the workplace as we know it today will not be the same in five years, or even a year from now. However, the threats to our collective bargaining rights are very real. There are new policies that some people in power want to implement, which could signi cantly impact our ability to negotiate for our wages, rights, and benefits. What can we do? We push back! We must strengthen our union’s power by increasing our membership, organizing, and taking action. Stay informed and know your rights. There is a wealth of information available at union meetings, in union publications, and by visiting www.apwu.org. Together we must build community support for the work we do as postal workers. We must stand up and take action to protect the rights we have. No action you take to protect our rights will be too small, such as having a conversation with your nonmember coworkers asking them to stand with you, making a phone call to a legislator, or even just sharing a post on social media about a collective APWU action. Make protecting your job and rights a priority. What does the Volunteer Early Retirement Incentive mean for the APWU? The Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) incentive may be beneficial and meet some members’ personal needs, but it will create challenges for our union as a whole and on the workroom floor. One of the positive effects of the VER is that junior employees might have the opportunity to bid into duty assignments that are typically held by senior coworkers. It also gives workers the ability to enjoy their retirement early. There are some challenging effects that we must adapt to and overcome. Our union membership will decline. Yes, we can build it back up, but any decline in membership means a decline in bargaining power. That isn’t a good position for us to be in during contract negotiations. We all know that management will test us on the workroom floor, demanding more work be done with less people. As a union, we must protect both those taking the VER and those who remain in the bargaining unit. As the Postal Service replaces those retiring, it is essential that we take every opportunity to bring new employees into the APWU. Have conversations with your non-member coworkers. If you see new employees, ask them to stand with you and join the APWU. If you hear new employees stating they didn’t see a union representative at orientation, let your local union leaders know. Helping nonmembers join is easier than ever with “online join,” it’s quick and can be done from either a mobile device or computer at www.apwu.org. Feel free to reach out to the department for any assistance with organizing. Remember, for those who are retiring, be sure to take advantage of the rights and benefits of being an APWU Retiree Member. ■ Are You a Newly-Employed Career Employee in Your Craft? Be sure to request the recently updated Career Employee fliers from your local for the Clerk, Maintenance, and Motor Vehicle Crafts. The newest version has a revision date of 1/2025. Please discard any previous versions, as they have information pertaining to Federal Employees Health Benefi ts (FEHB) rather than the new Postal Service Health Benefi ts (PSHB) program. You can also find them online by visiting: apwu.org/career-employees. Protecting Our Rights During the Threats We Face!0Continue reading→

The Struggle Always Continues

March 24, 2025As the dust settles on the start of the 119th Congress, your Legislative and Political Department is hard at work fostering relationships with the new and returning members of Congress. magazineLegislative and PoliticalJudy Beard As the dust settles on the start of the 119th Congress, your Legislative and Political Department is hard at work fostering relationships with the new and returning members of Congress. While there are many issues we track, and legislative priorities we advocate for, it is first important to note specific attacks on postal workers. Potential Attacks on Postal Workers There are several proposals for federal cost-savings that the APWU is firmly against, some of which were discussed during President Trump’s first term, including: Raising the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) contribution rate; Reducing or fully eliminating cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs); Eliminating FERS supplemental retirement payments; Reducing annuity calculations, basing it on the highest five years of pay (High-5) instead of the highest three (High-3); Increasing Federal Employees Health Bene ts (FEHB) contributions. We will continue to carefully watch for potential attacks on the hard-earned benefits of APWU members and retirees during the upcoming congressional budget process. Recent Executive Actions Two executive actions taken in January impact our fellow federal workers. First, a hiring freeze was placed on federal civilian employees, with limited exceptions. The executive action goes on to request a formal plan to reduce the size of the federal workforce. Second, President Trump reinstated Executive Order 13957 from Oct. 2020, which created Schedule F – now renamed Schedule Policy/Career. This is a reclassification of federal employees with “policy-influencing positions” as political appointees. In short, Schedule Policy/Career allows the president to appoint his supporters to key government positions, while removing qualified, merit-based hires. While these two actions do not directly impact postal workers, we must pay close attention to any changes to the federal workforce and be prepared, when called upon, to help our federal union siblings fight back. The Department of Government Efficiency The newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was created by an executive order signed on Jan. 20, 2025. Recently, lawmakers and news organizations have discussed how to make the Postal Service more “efficient.” Ideas include downsizing the entire Postal Service, embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with robots replacing employee work, revoking the $3 billion Congress granted to the Postal Service for the new electric vehicle fleet, and replacing the current retirement plan with a defined contribution plan for new hires – drastically reducing retirement bene ts and eliminating the retirement security we have all fought to preserve. Another idea attempts to reduce the total number of career employees and have postal workers cover multiple tasks in various crafts. Committees to Watch There are two committees of note with jurisdiction over the Postal Service. In the Senate, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) is tasked with, in part, the responsibility to, “study the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of all agencies and departments of the federal government.” In the House, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee maintains jurisdiction over the Postal Service and will soon be tasked by Republican House leadership with finding areas of government spending to cut. Please click here to see if your member of Congress is a member of either crucial committee. We encourage all APWU members to remain vigilant of these and any future attacks on postal workers, especially our hard-earned benefi ts. It is important that we, as postal workers and retirees, defend the work we do to serve the public. Please visit our website at apwu.org/legislative to view information about our current fi ghts and talking points for our legislative priorities.■  The Struggle Always Continues0Continue reading→

Postal Workers Say, ‘Hands Off’ Our USPS in National Day of Action to Defend the Public Postal Service

March 21, 2025In a resounding show of solidarity, thousands upon thousands of postal workers and members of the community took to the streets for a National Day of Action on March 20 to say, “Hands Off Our Public Postal Service – The U.S. Mail Is Not for Sale!” US Mail Not for SaleDay of ActionUS Mail Not For Sale - Day of Action In a resounding show of solidarity, thousands upon thousands of postal workers and members of the community took to the streets for a National Day of Action on March 20 to say, “Hands Off Our Public Postal Service – The U.S. Mail Is Not for Sale!” From Fairbanks, AK to Honolulu, HI, from San Juan, PR to Bangor, ME, and throughout the country – postal workers and allies took action at over 250 locations to fight for our jobs, our service, and our future. Spending the day holding informational pickets, handing out leaflets, speaking with customers, holding press conferences and talking with the media, postal workers underscored the importance of a vibrant, public Postal Service. Postal workers wanted to inform the public and speak about the serious and dangerous threat that postal privatization poses to our jobs and services. If the administration’s plan to sell off the USPS goes through, it will result in higher prices, reduced delivery days, and the end of universal delivery. Postal privatization wouldn’t just mean the end of reliable, affordable services, it would also destroy more than 600,000 good union jobs. Furthermore, postal workers operate under a universal service obligation, we affordably move the mail to all 169 million addresses every day. Private delivery companies would only go where they could make a profit. That is why we spent the day speaking one on one with customers and reaching out to local media to get the word out that the U.S. Mail Is Not for Sale! In February, the public Postal Service came under a serious and unprecedented threat by the billionaire “Wall Street” class when the Washington Post reported that the new presidential administration intended to fire the Postal Board of Governors and shift Postal Service operations to the Commerce Department, currently headed by the billionaire Howard Lutnick. They want to aggressively – and illegally - take over and dismantle the public Postal Service in a sell-off to the highest bidders for their own private gains and profits. “We’re trying to alert the public – the people of the country – that our postal services are truly in danger. This is not a one-off day, this is the beginning of an ongoing fight,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein, while addressing attendees at the Brentwood Post Office in Washington, DC. “This is really a fight between Wall Street and Main Street. They want their hands on this money,” he continued, in reference to the nearly $80 billion that the USPS generates in revenue each year, “…and we want to take care of the 169 million addresses that we move the mail to get delivered to every day. We’re not going to let them get the Post Office,” he concluded. But the fight doesn’t end today! A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives recently introduced House Resolution 70 (H. Res. 70), expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the United States Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the Federal Government and is not subject to privatization. Visit apwu.org/action to write to your House representative and urge them to cosponsor H. Res. 70 to stand with the Postal Service and its dedicated workforce against the threat of privatization. Our March 20 National Day of Action was a big success, showing the strength of our solidarity to defend a Postal Service that belongs to the people, and not the billionaires. To see all your photos from across the country, CLICK HERE. Postal Workers Say, ‘Hands Off’ Our USPS in National Day of Action to Defend the Public Postal Service0Continue reading→

IP Bryant, GVP Bennett Visit IAM Rail Division Local 2741 Members Building New Amtrak Trainsets

IAM Union International President Brian Bryant, Special Assistant to the International President for the Rail Division Josh Hartford, and Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett recently visited Alstom Transportation’s Hornell, N.Y., plant where IAM Local 2741 (District 19) members build and refurbish locomotives, commuter and passenger rail cars, and track equipment, including the next-generation Acela The post IP Bryant, GVP Bennett Visit IAM Rail Division Local 2741 Members Building New Amtrak Trainsets appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Seven IAM Locals Chosen as Inaugural Winners of Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant

Seven locals from across North America have been selected to receive the inaugural Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant. The grant was created by delegates to the 2024 IAM International Convention to honor the work and memory of the late Chris Wagoner, who served as Director of the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center before his The post Seven IAM Locals Chosen as Inaugural Winners of Chris Wagoner Memorial Leadership Grant appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Save The Date: TCU/IAM’s 2025 Kourpias K-9 Classic Motorcycle Ride

Join fellow riders and supporters of the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines (GDA|TLC), from July 11-13, 2025 for motorcycle rides across the beautiful and scenic Washington, DC area. This year’s ride is hosted by the Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM). The 6th annual Kourpias K9 Classic Ride will be held The post Save The Date: TCU/IAM’s 2025 Kourpias K-9 Classic Motorcycle Ride appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Protect Our Kids: What Working People Are Doing This Week

Protect Our Kids: 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:ICYMI - Executive Director @avincentjr was recognized for his dedication to advocating for our members in @PoliticsNYnews 2025 Labor Power Players list. Check out the impressive list of labor leaders and advocates who made it this year. https://t.co/qzd9pbzl26 pic.twitter.com/VGlvvSRQTX— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) March 20, 2025AFGE:What was the only thing to improve TSA employee engagement and satisfaction on the job? Collective bargaining and the 30% pay raises our union won for TSOs. https://t.co/9BF39pS1dP— AFGE (@AFGENational) March 20, 2025AFSCME:We see these changes for what they are - a back door effort to undermine and cut Social Security.They're making it significantly harder for disabled and rural Americans to access Social Security. We won't stand for it. https://t.co/bYwrAMvY4s— AFSCME (@AFSCME) March 20, 2025Alliance for Retired Americans:Members in CT, MS, and FL are taking action to save Medicaid, support labor, and stop DOGE's Social Security attacks. We will never stop fighting for older and working Americans! #SaveMedicaid pic.twitter.com/bOws3hSxvG— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) March 19, 2025Amalgamated Transit Union:Our Local 1573-Brampton, ON, members are united in their fight for a better contract. #ATUStrongerTogether https://t.co/ERIM3wl6m5 #1u #canlab @OFLabour #UnionStrong #Brampton— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) March 20, 2025American Federation of Teachers:#ProtectOurKids pic.twitter.com/62Hmp8xwoP— AFT (@AFTunion) March 20, 2025American Postal Workers Union:The Postal Service belongs to the people, not the billionaires. ✊ Join us on March 20 as we make our voices heard nationwide, “Hands Off Our Public Postal Service! – U.S. Mail is Not For Sale!” Find an event near you ➡️ : https://t.co/SoZlz9HBsK pic.twitter.com/K3rlj8gYst— The American Postal Workers Union - APWU (@APWUnational) March 12, 2025Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:HAPPENING NOW: @AFAUnitedMEC Flight Attendants and allies are hitting the picket line at nearly 20 airports around the world to tell United management to get concessions off the table and deliver the industry-leading Contract we’ve earned! London & Guam kicking it off! #1u pic.twitter.com/eDOl1y9vaw— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) March 19, 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:Here's what L-83's Jess Mendenhall has to say about her #Boilermaker brotherhood experience.Jess is the second woman to complete the MOST Project Management course. Read the full story here: https://t.co/6UTASl0E9i pic.twitter.com/TM7ksyXcrs— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) March 19, 2025Bricklayers:Reminder - The deadline to apply for the U.S. Bates Scholarship are coming up next month!Full details can be accessed here: https://t.co/ZMyclV4ujx or through the link in our bio!#BestHandsInTheBusiness #Apprenticeship #ItsBetterInAUnion pic.twitter.com/knnhLcEbUi— Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union (@IUBAC) March 20, 2025Communications Workers of America:Work in the videogame industry and ready for a union? Learn more about United Videogame Workers-CWA (@vgworkers): https://t.co/z3hK1H2dXS pic.twitter.com/QlEpqwIt0E— CWA (@CWAUnion) March 19, 2025Department for Professional Employees:In uncertain times, a union provides professionals with stability, as they have a voice in workplace decisions and the support of their coworkers. Learn more about the benefits of joining together in union here: https://t.co/JoD99wOaoR pic.twitter.com/uKqCE9hiUX— Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) March 14, 2025Electrical Workers:This #WomensHistoryMonth we honor #IBEW women who have made history. Sisters like @AFLCIO President @LizShuler pic.twitter.com/yvWFlnXwHr— IBEW (@IBEW) March 19, 2025Fire Fighters:🖥️🔥🏢 For #firefighters, the growing presence of data centers requires specialized training, lots of planning, and close cooperation with on-site security and engineering teams. Learn more ⬇️https://t.co/H8BrtyKwDa— International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) March 19, 2025Heat and Frost Insulators:Did you know the journal is now available on our website & in the app?📲As leaders of sustainable practices, we believe how we produce our quarterly journal should reflect our commitment to a greener tomorrow.Want to go paperless? Update your settings in your membership… pic.twitter.com/5z63O4NZz8— Insulators Union 🦎 (@InsulatorsUnion) March 19, 2025International Labor Communications Association:MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: ILCA member organizations like @AFGENational are working hard to uplift the stories of their members!https://t.co/1fsIcD1omO— International Labor Communications Association (@ILCAonline) March 18, 2025Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:🎭 SAG-AFTRA STANDS STRONG FOR DIVERSITY & ACCESSIBILITY! 🎭As major studios quietly roll back their DEI commitments under pressure from the Trump administration, SAG-AFTRA’s national board just reaffirmed its commitment to equity, diversity, and accessibility. pic.twitter.com/Zy0USKifpA— LCLAA (@LCLAA) March 19, 2025Labor Heritage Foundation:On today’s Labor Radio Podcast Daily (7:15a on WPFW): American Steel playwright Alex Lin, on today’s Labor Heritage Power Hour; 40K UC employees Alex Lin quote@wpfwdc @AFLCIO #1u #UnionStrong #LaborRadioPod Proud founding member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network pic.twitter.com/ngqB6eYFG2— Labor Heritage (@LaborHeritage1) March 20, 2025Laborers:#TBT — 121+ years of fighting, organizing, and WINNING! From job site safety to fair wages, union and non-union—we, #LIUNA stand up for ALL workers. When our backs are against the wall, Laborers don’t back down—we FIGHT and we WIN! #WeFightWeWin #ORGANIZE & #FeelThePower… pic.twitter.com/rekaBCYMMI— LIUNA (@LIUNA) March 20, 2025Maritime Trades Department:https://t.co/173YlFsyPTMTD Backs New Pro-Maritime Legislation— Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO (@Maritime_Trades) March 12, 2025Metal Trades Department:Rumor has it Trump to Pick Union-Busting Attorney for Key Labor Law Position. Crystal Carey became a partner last year at Morgan Lewis, which has been one of the most powerful management-side law firms in the country since the 1950s. https://t.co/xn90hDlvHe— Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) March 17, 2025Mine Workers:"The UMWA represents hundreds of West Virginia state employees, and we are proud to do so. We believe they deserve the same rights and respect on the job that any other worker anywhere has a right to expect..." - Cecil E. Robertshttps://t.co/R90PlU9QRO— United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) March 18, 2025Musical Artists:AGMA Ratifies 3-Year Agreement with Cincinnati Opera: https://t.co/EkC4wcwIk0 pic.twitter.com/82OKKsEmVg— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) March 13, 2025National Air Traffic Controllers Association:President Nick Daniels served on a panel at the @NBAA Joint Board of Directors and Advisory Council meeting w/ panelists @AirlinesDotOrg SVP Sharon Pinkerton and former @FAANews Acting Administrator Billy Nolanhttps://t.co/3mTMO4fcPI pic.twitter.com/gtL4tvR7ry— NATCA (@NATCA) March 20, 2025National Association of Letter Carriers:On March 23, we’re putting this fight on the MAP! Join letter carriers across the nation as we #fightlikehell for the universal service Americans rely on. 📢 We’re delivering our message, loud & clear: #HELLNO to dismantling USPS!Find your local rally ➡️… pic.twitter.com/nYQvUjxCgA— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) March 11, 2025National Domestic Workers Alliance:Sharon, an NDWA member and Medicaid recipient in North Carolina, shares how Medicaid cuts would impact her family and community:"We need [Medicaid] to send our families, our loved ones, to the doctor—because no one can afford a doctor bill."Watch: pic.twitter.com/csLSz9rYwx— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) March 19, 2025National Nurses United:RNs at VA facilities across the country send a clear message to our trans patients in response to attacks on their care: You will not be erased and we will continue to fight for you. https://t.co/VX3rrYsisp— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) March 20, 2025NFL Players Association:This past week, members got down to business at our annual Board of Player Representatives meeting to shape the future of our union while soaking up paradise. Here's to leadership, building on our gains and solidarity! 🌴 pic.twitter.com/L5hOr4M5oI— NFLPA (@NFLPA) March 19, 2025North America's Building Trades Unions:“Girl jobs” and “boy jobs”? Nah, just union jobs. These young women are gearing up to build the future.https://t.co/HOHR3EJ0ot— The Building Trades (@NABTU) March 20, 2025Office and Professional Employees:A critical care transport nurse at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children, 32-year union member Rose Agas-Yuu has committed her career to her patients. As president of HNA/OPEIU Local 50, she works every day to better the lives of nurses and patients across Hawai’i. pic.twitter.com/fhuKeP49Id— OPEIU | #UnionStrong (@OPEIU) March 17, 2025Painters and Allied Trades:The fight for workers' rights has always been about more than just wages—it's about our fundamental right to speak out and organize for a better future. Let’s continue to stand strong, speak up, and protect the rights that make our democracy stronger. pic.twitter.com/aVYajNr705— IUPAT (@GoIUPAT) March 19, 2025Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:.@PASSprezdc on probationary workers reinstated: "Although termination emails indicated they were being let go for performance reasons, we learned from supervisors this could not be further from the truth." Let them continue their service to flying public. https://t.co/rAvUtTery3— PASS (@PASSNational) March 17, 2025Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:Hey @RWDSU members: the RWDSU Record has officially gone digital! Stay up to date on news from around the union!Check out the first edition that hit inboxes this morning: https://t.co/tMPfKOIA0SSubscribe to ensure you receive the next edition: https://t.co/pH9Q6jLAHF pic.twitter.com/FCRKvTrxjY— RWDSU (@RWDSU) March 20, 2025Roofers and Waterproofers:As temperatures rise and roofing projects pick up, it's crucial to stay ahead of seasonal safety risks. Spring weather can be unpredictable. Now’s the time to double-check your gear.✅ Inspect your harness.✅ Check your ladder.#UnionRoofers#RoofingSafety#RoofersUnion pic.twitter.com/PmAiJggZTk— Roofers Union (@roofersunion) March 19, 2025SAG-AFTRA:On this episode of the SAG-AFTRA podcast, check out a conversation between labor leaders where they explore what unions are doing about A.I., from crucial provisions to ethical A.I. frameworks. Listen now! https://t.co/cjoqTYJBba pic.twitter.com/SxB54p1qKq— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) March 20, 2025Service Employees International Union (SEIU):Yolanda, a special ed assistant, is on the frontlines of Trump’s attack on public education. His latest move to eliminate the Department of Education threatens her job & the students she supports—along with school aides, bus drivers, custodians & educators who keep our schools… pic.twitter.com/rTiCULim8A— SEIU (@SEIU) March 20, 2025The NewsGuild-CWA:NEW: Trump’s cuts to the U.S. Agency for Global Media threaten press freedom worldwide.Journalists at Radio Free Asia are speaking out—these cuts gut independent reporting where it’s needed most.https://t.co/ej0Eu658Cs— The NewsGuild-CWA (@newsguild) March 18, 2025Theatrical Stage Employees:Today's #WomensHistoryMonth spotlight is Cat Hutchinson! An IATSE member for 17 years & Local B-192’s Secretary/Treasurer for nearly 4, Cat says being in the union has shaped her as a working mom—showing her daughter the power of a forward-facing labor movement! Cat, you rock! pic.twitter.com/xTU25f79LK— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) March 18, 2025Transport Workers Union:. @TWULocal100 showing TWU’s 💪🏾💪 in Albany, #NY. President John “We will take no crap from management” Chiarello, and more than 2,000 members of #AmericasFightbackUnion, are promoting L100’s legislative agenda in the state capital. @TwuSamuelsen pic.twitter.com/9gadtOEqhP— TWU (@transportworker) March 19, 2025Transportation Trades Department:We salute the gains that Amtrak has made under its current leadership, including record ridership in 2024.We remain committed to working with the next leader to build on this progress and support a 21st century passenger rail network that connects communities across America. https://t.co/BJF2DknXHu— TTD | America's Transportation Unions (@TTDAFLCIO) March 19, 2025UAW:"One, two, three, four — no temps in the door!" Cummins has never had temporary workers at its OshKosh facility, but that's exactly what the company is pushing for now in hopes of dividing the workforce. Local 291 members aren't falling for it! pic.twitter.com/BTLCxB98Nz— UAW (@UAW) March 20, 2025Union Veterans Council:The @unionveterans strongly opposes the dismantling of the Dept. of Education. Such actions are an affront to our democracy and threaten the educational opportunities of the most vulnerable among us, including minorities, those in poverty, and individuals with disabilities.— Union Veterans Council🪖✊ (@unionveterans) March 12, 2025UNITE HERE:Celebrating Women's History Month ✊🏽✊🏻✊🏿 Karlene Daynes, Local 261—"For me, being a woman in this labor movement means not being silenced and raising your voice for power and equality for all women." pic.twitter.com/Y2Dnoq3MqP— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) March 19, 2025United Food and Commercial Workers:UFCW stands with postal workers & members of the community nationwide as we fight against the threat of an illegal & hostile takeover of the USPS.‼️Events are happening all over the country tomorrow, March 20.‼️Visit https://t.co/sVbvqVYfMC to find an event near you! pic.twitter.com/DNwbuIyx3r— UFCW (@UFCW) March 19, 2025United Steelworkers:DYK? Siblings at Local 5429 in Olean, N.Y. are the skilled hands behind the high-quality @cutcocutlery found in kitchens across the country. These union-made blades aren’t just sharp—they’re built to last a lifetime. Strong, reliable, and crafted with care by union members. pic.twitter.com/VBtjLgNcFg— United Steelworkers #EverybodysUnion (@steelworkers) March 20, 2025Utility Workers:🎒Students are eligible for entry into the UWUA Scholarship Program during the scholarship year that coincides with their graduation from high school. 2025 grads can apply today! https://t.co/URsD5SYgfD pic.twitter.com/Oxux6sz7lm— UWUA National (@The_UWUA) March 20, 2025Writers Guild of America East:Welcome to the WGAE, @CourierNewsroom! The 50-member bargaining unit, which includes reporters, editors, designers, and social media managers represents the core creative and editorial staff who contribute to COURIER’s work and mission. pic.twitter.com/ACRS5NJsoV— Writers Guild of America East (@WGAEast) March 20, 2025 Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/20/2025 - 10:05Continue reading→

Women’s History Month Profiles: Maxine Lachnite-Pelker

Women's History Month Profiles: Maxine Lachnite-Pelker For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Maxine Lachnite-Pelker of the Heat and Frost Insulators (HFIU). Maxine Lachnite-Pelker began her insulator career in 1988, working first as a helper and then starting her apprenticeship in early 1989. She worked hard for many years as an insulator and a mother, retiring in September 2021. She is now a project engineer with a signatory insulating contractor. Lachnite-Pelker is a trailblazer in her industry and an inspiration to all women in her local, showing what can be accomplished by working hard and working together.  Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/20/2025 - 08:41 Tags: Women's History MonthContinue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Labor Leaders File Ballot Proposal That Would Make Colorado a Just-Cause Employment State

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Labor Leaders File Ballot Proposal That Would Make Colorado a Just-Cause Employment State 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. Leaders at the Colorado AFL-CIO and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105 have proposed a ballot measure that would make Colorado the second state in the country to have just-cause employment.In 49 U.S. states, employers can fire a worker at any point, for any reason (or no reason at all). Initiative 43 would prohibit companies with more than eight staff from terminating or suspending a worker without performance reason—including things like repeated policy violations and gross insubordination. If the measure makes it on to the 2026 ballot and Colorado voters pass it, workers also would be able to sue for wrongful dismissal and employers could be required to reinstate workers, pay them back pay and cover the fees incurred by workers’ attorneys.“Colorado workers should expect common-sense workplace protections that prevent them from being unfairly fired,” said Dennis Dougherty, executive director of the Colorado AFL-CIO. “Bad-faith employers arbitrarily fire workers to undermine worker rights, derail union organizing and take in record profits.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/20/2025 - 08:39Continue reading→

UAW Local 291 Members at Cummins Walk Out on Strike in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

More than 90 members of UAW Local 291 who proudly make essential components for military and heavy construction equipment at Cummins Inc. in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, walked out on strike after the company failed to offer a fair contract agreement that respects workers and their families. The post UAW Local 291 Members at Cummins Walk Out on Strike in Oshkosh, Wisconsin appeared first on UAW | United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America.Continue reading→