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The Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82, Passes the House of Representatives

November 13, 2024On the evening of November 12, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 327 - 75. This bill seeks to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which are parts of Social Security law that unfairly reduce, or sometimes eliminate, hard-earned Social Security benefits for Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees On the evening of November 12, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 327 - 75. This bill seeks to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which are parts of Social Security law that unfairly reduce, or sometimes eliminate, hard-earned Social Security benefits for Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees. To hear how the WEP and GPO have negatively impacted APWU members, please click on their names below: ● Thomas Brown ● Dave Bernstein ● Joyce Debnam “In a polarized Congress and a time of political uncertainty for the country, House representatives set aside their differences and voted in favor of the people,” stated APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “We applaud the bipartisan leadership of Rep. Spanberger and Rep. Graves as we now shift our focus to the Senate." “Thank you to all of the APWU members and retirees for their tireless advocacy,” said APWU Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard. “Your dedication to fixing this injustice has been relentless throughout the many obstacles we have faced to enact this legislation over the years.” Our fight now is in the Senate, where the Social Security Fairness Act (S. 597) has yet to be scheduled for a vote. Please call the APWU Legislative Hotline at 1-844-402-1001 to be connected to your senators and urge them to support S. 597, and encourage leadership to schedule a floor vote before the end of this Congress! On the evening of November 12, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 327 - 75. This bill seeks to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which are parts of Social Security law that unfairly reduce, or sometimes eliminate, hard-earned Social Security benefits for Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees0Continue reading→

Winning a First Contract: In the States Roundup

Winning a First Contract: In the States Roundup It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on X (formerly Twitter). Alaska AFL-CIO:Honoring the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our veterans today and every day. Thank you for your service and the countless ways you’ve defended our freedom. #VeteransDay 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/lvOWEMafpW— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) November 11, 2024Arizona AFL-CIO:🎉 Historic Win for Arizona! The AZ AFL-CIO congratulates @reprubengallego to the US Senate! As a strong advocate for the PRO Act, Ruben has fought for: ✅Good-paying jobs ✅Access to healthcare ✅Lower costs for families pic.twitter.com/1BBj0CBfnX— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) November 12, 2024California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:Check us out on that OTHER platform. 😏https://t.co/lNyFHb0rht— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) November 12, 2024Colorado AFL-CIO:Labor Exchange - Tune In Tonight (11/11) at 6 PM on KGNU 88.5FM/1390AM! 📻On today’s epiode of the Labor Exchange we talk the 2024 election with political strategist and community leader Alvina Vasquez. @AlvinaVasquez https://t.co/fcnyFU2qAf— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) November 11, 2024Connecticut AFL-CIO:Presidential administrations change, but the labor movement's values do not. pic.twitter.com/EEOaOrttzW— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) November 7, 2024Florida AFL-CIO:🎉 https://t.co/efH7gdUTZf— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) November 6, 2024Illinois AFL-CIO:We can’t wait any longer. Equal pay for equal work. It’s time to #FixTierTwo. pic.twitter.com/mOLDTmhgaA— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) November 13, 2024Maine AFL-CIO:Congratulations to the Bangor Daily News staff on winning your first contract! https://t.co/rGlPx59rWS— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) November 12, 2024Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO:Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Pres. Lynch addressed 100s of female middle and high school students at the MA Girls in Trades Conference @IBEW103, encouraging young women to pursue careers in union construction trades. Programs like GIT provide new generations with access to high-paying, high-skilled careers pic.twitter.com/S1SRHUvcV3— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) November 13, 2024Michigan State AFL-CIO:Minnesota AFL-CIO:Help spread the word! Local unions have scheduled a Red Cross blood drive at the Saint Paul Labor Center, from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4. https://t.co/3AXeS6Ot6d #BetterInAUnion— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) November 12, 2024Mississippi AFL-CIO:Missouri AFL-CIO:Our thoughts are with Kevin's family and friends. Heartbroken. https://t.co/mc6yMCqPy8— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) November 13, 2024Nevada State AFL-CIO:Today we honor and thank those who have served our country🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/rjhuoTetvt— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) November 11, 2024New York State AFL-CIO:Congrats, @LauraAGillen! pic.twitter.com/JaGzb68mLv— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) November 7, 2024North Carolina State AFL-CIO:Congrats to @Elaine4NC in her victory in the race for NC Secretary of State 🎉 Your trailblazing service for the people of our state continues! #countmein pic.twitter.com/Zb8TpIuoo6— NC State AFL-CIO // #CountMeIn (@NCStateAFLCIO) November 6, 2024Ohio AFL-CIO:This @ClevelandAFLCIO @IBEW Local 38 family at the #WhiteHouse with @POTUS to highlight how an @AFLCIO #union can change the lives of workers is awesome! https://t.co/5UTioqDI2o— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) November 13, 2024Oregon AFL-CIO:It’s officially #SolidaritySeason: Starting tomorrow, 5 unions will be on strike at locations across Oregon. 💥@Oregon_AFSCME 💥@BCTGM💥@CGE6069💥@albany_teachers💥@TeamstersFind a picket line near you at https://t.co/bb7P96KEa4 #UnionStrong #OregonLabor pic.twitter.com/q8vl7A4OOH— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) November 12, 2024Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:To our brothers and sisters serving today and yesterday, we honor you every day. pic.twitter.com/etj3myjgvk— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) November 11, 2024Rhode Island AFL-CIO:Great story from @Kate_mwilkinson about how Offshore Wind is transforming our economy, and creating great paying union jobs.Inside Quonset: An ecosystem of companies working on RI's newest offshore wind farm https://t.co/n2x5N5DbDP— Rhode Island AFL-CIO (@riaflcio) November 13, 2024Texas AFL-CIO:Solidarity with striking @ZeniMaxWorkers ✊Texas labor has your back! #1u https://t.co/PT2VSpVncO— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) November 13, 2024Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:Congratulations to @UniteHereLocal8 members at the Seattle airport Doubletree and Hilton on this major contract win!Strikes work 💯 https://t.co/uMjYJoY4bL— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) November 12, 2024Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Students, Faculty Call on Marquette U to Recognize Union https://t.co/48YNy2y7W6— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) November 13, 2024 Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 11/13/2024 - 16:10Continue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: CVS Workers Ratify Powerful New Agreement

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: CVS Workers Ratify Powerful New Agreement 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. Thousands of CVS pharmacists, clerks and technicians, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), in California voted on Friday to ratify a new three-year contract with the pharmacy.The more than 7,000 workers won the new agreement after months of negotiations and an unfair labor practice strike in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Members across eight different locals are celebrating victories like annual wage increases through the life of the contract, more secure staffing levels and a more affordable health care plan.“After countless hours at the bargaining table and a strategic strike in seven Southern California pharmacies protesting the company’s illegal actions, the hard-working members of UFCW stood together for their families and each other and secured a strong contract,” the UFCW locals said in a joint statement. “This contract is a concrete and direct result of the tireless work of the member-led bargaining committee.” Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 11/13/2024 - 11:01Continue reading→

Recognizing Native American Heritage Month: Honoring Contributions and Addressing Inequality

As we embark on Native American Heritage Month this November, the IAM emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the rich traditions, struggles, and significant contributions of Native American communities throughout history. This month serves as a vital opportunity for reflection and action toward equity and justice for Indigenous peoples across the nation. Unions have long been The post Recognizing Native American Heritage Month: Honoring Contributions and Addressing Inequality appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Massachusetts Rideshare Drivers Make History

On Election Day, voters in Massachusetts approved Question 3, a historic ballot initiative that gives more than 70,000 drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft the right to form a union and finally have a voice on the job. The passage of Question 3 establishes Massachusetts drivers’ right to organize a union across the state’s The post Massachusetts Rideshare Drivers Make History appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Protesting for Better Staffing Practices: The Working People Weekly List

Protesting for Better Staffing Practices: 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. How Julie Su Negotiated the End of the Boeing Strike: “While the world braced for the election earlier this week, acting labor secretary Julie Su was busy solving another crisis—helping to end the Boeing strike.”Coastal Bend Nurses Ratify New Union Contract at CCMC: “Nurses at Corpus Christi Medical Center (CCMC) are seeing changes that will help improve workplace practices and all-around patient care. That's thanks to a new three-year contract that was ratified by HCA Management for nurses represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU). More than 700 nurses across Texas will be impacted by the changes. KRIS 6 News previously reported in June that nurses at CCMC protested for better staffing practices.”Staff at Alaska’s Largest Newspaper Approve New Union, Election Results Show: “Newsroom staff at the Anchorage Daily News, the state’s largest newspaper, have voted to unionize, according to election results published Tuesday by the National Labor Relations Board. The vote was 13–4 in favor of unionization, with two eligible voters not participating. The Anchorage News Guild, which will represent newsroom staff, had requested that management voluntarily recognize the union, but the newspaper’s ownership declined and requested the federally managed election.”JT Newsroom Employees' Union is Recognized: “Newsroom employees at the Racine Journal Times are praising their employer for not blocking their attempts to unionize. Less than three weeks after the paper’s editorial staff announced a plan to organize, the Racine NewsGuild was voluntarily recognized by Lee Enterprises as part of the Kenosha Newspaper Guild bargaining unit. The Iowa-based company owns both papers.  The next step is for the Racine NewsGuild to negotiate a contract.”Boeing Strike Ends as Workers Accept New Contract: “Boeing's U.S. West Coast factory workers accepted a new contract offer on Monday, ending a bitter seven-week strike that halted most jet production and deepened a financial crisis at the troubled planemaker. The union said members voted 59% in favor of the new contract, which includes a 38% pay rise over four years, easing pressure on new CEO Kelly Ortberg after two previous offers were voted down in recent weeks.”Pennsylvania Faculty Union Joins National AFT: “The union representing more than 5,000 faculty and coaches across Pennsylvania’s 10 state-owned universities is the latest to affiliate with AFT, a nationwide union of education and other workers. Members of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties approved the affiliation in a three-day election last week. It begins Jan. 1.”Dow Machinists End Strike After Agreeing to New Deal: “The strike involving 77 union machinists at Dow Chemical/Union Carbide in South Charleston is over. Members of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 598 accepted the deal Thursday evening. The new contract ends a 10-day strike. ‘Congratulations to the membership of IAM Local 598 for standing strong for the contract they deserve,’ IAM District 54 President T. Dean Wright Jr. said in a news release. ‘Thanks to their solidarity, we have won a victory for our members, their families and the entire community. I would like to thank the District 54 staff, Local 598 officers, our members and their families, the South Charleston community, and International President Brian Bryant for all of their support.’” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 11/12/2024 - 13:30Continue reading→

Maryland State and DC Convention and Seminar

Maryland State and DC Convention and Seminar Room rates:  Wed. May 14, 2025 $99.00  Thur. May 15, 2025 $114.00  Fri. May 16, 2025 $129.00  Sat. May 17, 2024 $129.00  Checkout is 11am  Rates are based on 1-4 people per room plus $39 resort fee, plus tax.  Reservations can be made by calling 844-473-9653.  RESERVATION BLOCK CODE: 0525APWU May 15, 2025 - 9:00AMGreat Wolf Lodge1240 Chesapeake Overlook Pkwy Perryville, MD 21904   LocalNoYes2025-04-10 00:00:00This event is now closed for registration.  2025 Maryland State and DC Convention and Seminar10Continue reading→

IAM Local 254 Launches Annual Initiative to Support Homeless Des Moines Veterans

In September and October, members of IAM Local 254 and  IAM District 6 organized an event under the IAM Midwest Territory H.E.L.P.S. initiative to support homeless veterans in the Des Moines area. Their efforts address the urgent needs of these veterans by collecting winter clothing and hygiene essentials. IAM District 6 had 70 backpacks in The post IAM Local 254 Launches Annual Initiative to Support Homeless Des Moines Veterans appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Nonfiction Production Company McGee Media Ratify First Contract

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Nonfiction Production Company McGee Media Ratify First Contract 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. Workers at McGee Media, the nonfiction production company behind PBS’ "Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.," agreed to their first union contract. The contract covers 25 staffers who work as producers, researchers and archivists, and are now represented by the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE). They unanimously voted to ratify the contract last week.The contract establishes 3% annual wage increases for union members and health care contributions through the Entertainment Industry Flex Plan. The three-year deal also requires 10 vacation days and a minimum of three sick days after two weeks of employment. The deal also includes language covering the use of AI in the workplace: It necessitates advanced notice and “discussion” if AI tools are used by the company.Members of the bargaining committee stated that the contract “sets a new standard for the documentary television industry and reflects the progressive values of McGee Media.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 11/12/2024 - 09:51Continue reading→

IAM Local 498 Rebuilds Locomotive to Honor Veterans

U.S. Marine Corps veteran and IAM Local 498 Machinist Sheldon Webster, alongside other IAM members at Metra, recently completed an ambitious project. Metra is the primary commuter rail system in the Chicago metropolitan area, serving the city of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs via the Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railway, and other railroads. Webster and The post IAM Local 498 Rebuilds Locomotive to Honor Veterans appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Honoring Our Heroes: A Reflection on Veterans Day and Remembrance Day

Dear IAM family, As we observe Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Canada, it’s essential to take a moment to honor the brave individuals who have selflessly served our countries. Today and every day, we celebrate their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to protecting our freedoms. These commemorative days serve as The post Honoring Our Heroes: A Reflection on Veterans Day and Remembrance Day appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→