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Stand Up and Fight Back to Save Our Service Standards

January 13, 2025Contact your elected officials, ask organizations to take actions to save the prompt delivery of our First-Class Mail service.” - Vice President Debby Szeredy informs members of planned postal consolidations and urges members to stand up and fight back to protect the public postal service. magazineVice PresidentDebby Szeredy Now is the time to become union activists and get involved in your community! Contact your elected officials, ask organizations to take actions to save the prompt delivery of our First-Class Mail service, to stop the Delivering for America (DFA) planned consolidations of processing and distribution centers (P&DCs), and to stop the “network modernization” plans that halt mail service, causing mail and packages to sit overnight in post offices with less security and slowing postal services for a majority of communities across this country. We have power, but we must do the work to reach out to our community and political allies, educating them about just how far the Postal Service is going down the rabbit hole, and how we can work together to block these plans. The Postal Service notified the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) on Nov. 22, 2024, that they would continue processing outgoing local operations in 16 of the 58 planned consolidation locations. These locations are Bismarck, ND PDC, Burlington, VT PDC, Charleston. WV PDC, Chattanooga, TN PDC, Eastern ME PDC, El Paso, TX PDC, Fayetteville, AR PDC, Fayetteville, NC PDC, Ft Myers, FL PDC, Greenville, SC PDC, Gulfport, MS PDC, Knoxville, TN PDC, McAllen, TX PDC, Reno, NV PDC, Tulsa, OK PDC, Waterloo, IA PDC. The Postal Service reversed course on these locations due to the pushbacks and pressure placed on the Postmaster General (PMG). One example is the Buffalo Local that had built their relationship with NY Senator Schumer for years, and through reaching out to him, their plant consolidation was stopped immediately. Establishing a relationship with your elected officials can make the difference in our union's battles. There are 42 other P&DCs that are on the hit list for their planned consolidation to local processing centers (LPCs) in 2024. Consolidation means the P&DC will have no ability to cancel and postmark their own sectional center facility (SCF) area mail or provide prompt services. Even worse is that there are facilities on that list that the Postal Service reneged on pausing, and within a brief period, took out P&DC mail-processing equipment, and refused to bring it back, hiding it from the public. Let us put the pressure back on the PMG and the PRC to reverse these actions, keeping the 2012 network that had worked for decades. Tell them to stop the path to privatization by selling our service to the highest private-sector bidder, putting the public Postal Service into the hands of billionaires to make more profits, and without any oversight to protect workers and the services that we all depend on. We need everyone to step up and fight this. For a list of locations where consolidations need to be stopped or reversed, visit apwu.org/vice-president. Everyone needs to get on board to stop the network modernization plan that causes mail service to sit overnight and delays services that we depend on. In some areas, mail will sit overnight instead of providing prompt services, while others will continue to process mail with no delay. We need the PRC to advise the Postal Service to halt all plans for consolidations and transportation optimizations. They should take a stand to protect our service by reverting to the 2012 service standards of 195 P&DCs processing mail and overnight service in most cities. The DFA plan downgrades services, adversely affects businesses and organizations, short staffs’ workers, and fails to provide prompt, timely service. Do you need ideas about how you can get involved? Contact me at dszeredy@apwu.org. ■ Stand Up and Fight Back to Save Our Service Standards0Continue reading→

Post-Election Food for Thought

January 13, 2025“Every attack on the rights of workers, unions, veterans, children, democratic rights, and our planet should call forth powerful resistance of solidarity and unity around our common interests.” APWU President Dimondstein shares his observations and thoughts post-election. magazinePresidentMark Dimondstein The 2024 General Election is over. The companion article on page 5 is my statement following its outcome. I respect the many differing views held by our members and that every member undoubtedly voted for what they believed was in their best interests. What follows are some election observations and thoughts on the challenging road ahead under a new presidential administration: There is no sugarcoating that, buffeted by the high cost of living, corporate price gouging, the failure of either political party to address the fundamental needs of workers, and the success of divide-and-conquer tactics, millions of working people voted for a convicted felon and corrupt billionaire who opposes any minimum wage, union rights, women’s rights, a clean environment, public postal services, and who uses bigotry to divide us. Don’t take my word of the danger ahead. John Kelly, Trump’s longest serving chief of staff, recently said that Trump is a fascist and would govern as a dictator. Kelly, a retired Marine Corps General, was particularly concerned about Trump’s declarations regarding “the enemy within,” and Trump’s threats to unleash the U.S. military on his domestic political opponents. Project 2025, produced by the right-wing Heritage Foundation and drafted with the participation of 140 former Trump staffers, is the blueprint for a new Trump administration. It is loaded with attacks on veterans, workers, women, unions, children, and democratic rights. In a tight race where 10 million fewer people voted than in the 2020 presidential election, the low turnout is an indication that millions of voters are frustrated and disillusioned with the two main political parties. In Missouri, pro-worker ballot initiatives for paid sick leave, higher minimum wages, and defense of women’s reproductive rights overwhelmingly passed. Yet the very same working-class voters elected politicians who vehemently oppose every one of these issues. It is clearly the common issues that unite us, not party labels. In politically conservative Nebraska, factory worker and union leader Dan Osborn ran for Senate, exposing that Congress is “made up of millionaires doing the bidding of billionaires.” He fell just short of a major upset, but the voters reacted enthusiastically to an independent choice. We need more such campaigns in the future. Endless funds of the super wealthy and corporations have far too much influence in our elections. Yet, until now, billionaires like anti-worker, anti-union Elon Musk did not get directly involved on the campaign trail. They are now laughing all the way to the bank as the 10 richest individuals gained $64 billion in financial gains in the election aftermath; Musk alone gaining $26 billion. With no working-class based party in the U.S., we are faced with the lesser of two evils. Without a political home, we are lost in the political desert, thirsty and hungry. It is natural to seek the safe haven of an oasis. Oases are often a mirage, as this new administration will undoubtedly prove itself to be. We need to build an independent party that is controlled by, and accountable to, working people not Wall Street. The reality is that, whichever way this election came out, the working class and union movement have much work ahead to gain our fair share of the fruits of the wealth we create and to truly win justice for all. Through Democratic and Republican administrations, our struggle always continues. But with a Trump White House and control over the legislative and judicial branches of government, and his proclamations to rule as a dictator from “day one,” the seas ahead will be rocky and stormy. We cannot stick our heads in the sand just hoping the storm will blow over and all will be well. Every attack on the rights of workers, unions, veterans, children, democratic rights, and our planet should call forth powerful resistance of solidarity and unity around our common interests. See you on the front lines! ■ Post-Election Food for Thought0Continue reading→

A Good, Viable Option: What Working People Are Doing This Week

A Good, Viable Option: 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:Each month, Equity shares the names of recently deceased members in order to honor their passing and pay our respects. You may read about the losses in our community reported to Equity for December 2024 on the member portal. https://t.co/Thk13wPbgB pic.twitter.com/oUsOdXSCu9— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) January 3, 2025AFGE:The AFGE Council of Prison Locals has filed an unfair labor practice against the Bureau of Prisons for violating the labor-management agreement by closing 7 prisons without warning or consultation with our union.Here's what you need to know ⬇https://t.co/xLNUIh8cXL— AFGE (@AFGENational) January 6, 2025AFSCME:Congratulations to the staff at University of Pennsylvania Libraries, who this fall voted to join Local 590, Penn Libraries United. https://t.co/wAXjxWTjRB— AFSCME (@AFSCME) January 7, 2025Alliance for Retired Americans:ICYMI: The Social Security Fairness Act is now law and WEP/GPO is finally repealed! https://t.co/E4qqH6hoDB https://t.co/xX713mrYFR— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) January 6, 2025Amalgamated Transit Union:We welcome our newest members at Local 741-London, ON, to our ATU family. #ATUStrongerTogether https://t.co/Pq4w7QKNg8— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) January 7, 2025American Federation of Teachers:#Jan6 pic.twitter.com/RLPHKkPdpr— AFT (@AFTunion) January 7, 2025American Postal Workers Union:APWU members: USPS will observe the National Day of Remembrance for President Jimmy Carter. Many employees will receive administrative leave in addition to the normal pay provisions. Details: https://t.co/D90mhDYBXy— The American Postal Workers Union - APWU (@APWUnational) January 6, 2025Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:January is National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month. We can take a stand against human trafficking by recommitting ourselves to end it on our planes. As Flight Attendants, we are uniquely positioned to identify human traffickers and assist their victims. pic.twitter.com/ETfgLRc4Xl— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) January 6, 2025Boilermakers:Scholarship Season is here #Boilermakers 🎓 The 2025 Boilermaker International Scholarship application is now open! IBB awards up to $100,000 worth of scholarships to dependents of members in Canada and the U.S. Apply now! https://t.co/kNxYX1Qhou pic.twitter.com/JU2MmgY7x3— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) January 1, 2025Bricklayers:You get out what you put in! Make sure you are regularly attending union hall meetings or you could miss out on important information!Photo Creds: @BacLocal1Sk #ItsBetterInAUnion #UnionStrong #BestHandsInTheBusiness pic.twitter.com/eSeT4PfIl7— Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union (@IUBAC) January 7, 2025Communications Workers of America:Great news! https://t.co/sn9OvelUCR— CWA (@CWAUnion) January 6, 2025Department for Professional Employees:We stand with Temple RAs and urge the administration to recognize their union! https://t.co/uFAANnHtkp— Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) January 3, 2025Electrical Workers:“Women are seeing the trades, especially union trades, as a good, viable option. They have the opportunity to get paid the same as their male counterparts when performing the same work.” - Josh Sajtar, #IBEW https://t.co/5Capd42gdx— IBEW (@IBEW) January 3, 2025Heat and Frost Insulators:Senior Signing Day! ⭐️Local 19 celebrated two high school seniors who chose to pursue careers in the trades over college.🦎 Jase Whitford, Express Insulation Inc.🦎 Tyler Rogers, McDermaid Roofing and Insulating Co.Congratulations to Jase & Tyler, we look forward to your… pic.twitter.com/bwWRiX1tW3— Insulators Union 🦎 (@InsulatorsUnion) January 6, 2025Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:💼 Become a LCLAA Member in 2025! 💼Now’s the time to join the nation’s leading voice for Latino workers and their families. Memberships are open from January 1st to March 31st 2025—take action! 🔊🔥 #LCLAA #lclaamember #lclaafamily pic.twitter.com/P7t45iZ028— LCLAA (@LCLAA) January 3, 2025Labor Heritage Foundation:LHT Podcast (include Apple podcast link)Christmas in Mansfield: Joe Jencks tells us the story behind his song “Christmas in Mansfield,” where Armco locked out 620 steel workers on September 1, 1999.https://t.co/pYz6aIxP8m pic.twitter.com/6U0EgbYI8o— Labor Heritage (@LaborHeritage1) January 6, 2025Laborers:In communities across North America, Laborers are standing up to help their neighbors in need. #LaborersRising #LIUNACares #ICYM, watch our latest #ITK video on “Laborers Rising: Laborers Give Back” here: https://t.co/hCPc5OSdmU pic.twitter.com/fCXAW8P0dx— LIUNA (@LIUNA) January 7, 2025Machinists:Sending solidarity to @Culinary226 members staging strong against @VirginHotelsLV! ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾 https://t.co/yMORCMjEzy— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) January 6, 2025Mine Workers:Today we remember the Sago Mine Disaster of January 2, 2006, which killed 12 miners. This tragedy led to the passage of vital safety reforms, including the MINER Act. pic.twitter.com/pQqJ7QiPJD— United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) January 2, 2025Musical Artists:AGMA staging staff members are invited to connect directly w/ Jeffrey Boyd, AGMA's new national executive director, on Jan 13, at 9PM ETover Zoom: https://t.co/XMfFhjnDHA pic.twitter.com/1vVAhtwWWD— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) January 6, 2025National Air Traffic Controllers Association:The NATCA Reloaded Committee is excited to announce its first NATCA 101 class of 2025, which will take place on Jan. 15 at 1 p.m. EST. If you can’t make this class, there are more dates coming up in the following months. Visit https://t.co/3QJfz1orWG to sign up! pic.twitter.com/gdQkvtdfh6— NATCA (@NATCA) January 7, 2025National Association of Letter Carriers:Snow, ice, and frigid temps won't stop letter carriers from providing exceptional service. To all postal employees, first responders, utility workers, snowplow teams, transit workers, and others keeping our communities safe and running this week, thank you for your dedication! pic.twitter.com/T0FbKHEGUN— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) January 6, 2025National Domestic Workers Alliance:Feel good about the new year by taking care of those who care for you and your loved ones.Use @HiHemployers' Bonus Guide to ensure you are fairly compensating domestic workers you employ, who are often excluded from yearly raises.https://t.co/fKSn0IYulK— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) January 6, 2025National Nurses United:Welcome news to start the year: @POTUS signed a bill to increase social security benefits for millions of workers, like nurses, teachers, and other public employees. https://t.co/NAzJPDgv7w— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) January 7, 2025NWSL Players Association:Sports jobs are Union jobs. https://t.co/QrDmMArjE5— NWSLPA (@nwsl_players) January 6, 2025NFL Players Association:Derek Carr passes the #CommunityMVP baton one final time this season to Raekwon Davis 🤝 pic.twitter.com/kZYULFU4kY— NFLPA (@NFLPA) January 7, 2025North America's Building Trades Unions:North America’s Building Trades Unions call for federal action to stop the misuse of visas for the construction of TSMC’s federally funded projects.Full statement: https://t.co/PHmYCQfbG6 pic.twitter.com/r1tRMYHPq7— The Building Trades (@NABTU) January 7, 2025Office and Professional Employees:“Where Texas workers are being given dedicated organizing resources, they are winning. Meeting this moment demands a movement-wide commitment to organize in Texas, and all Southern states, that matches the will of the workers here.” https://t.co/obNsLovc3z— OPEIU | #UnionStrong (@OPEIU) January 1, 2025Plasterers and Cement Masons:Check out this video from Building Wisconsin TV, where we meet the cement masons from OPCMIA Local 599, including Business Manager Kilah Engelke and foreman Josh Tyrrell. https://t.co/Nn4EPv4H2F— OPCMIA International (@opcmiaintl) January 7, 2025Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:The ski shop techs of @reiunionsoho have been on ULP strike since Dec 4, fighting for health and safety. Support the workers by sending an email to management uplifting their demands at https://t.co/ETl51PtTqY! pic.twitter.com/UAkuGzB7lO— RWDSU (@RWDSU) January 7, 2025Roofers and Waterproofers:Success is no accident. It’s the result of hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, and passion for what you do. Keep pushing forward!#HardWorkPaysOff #RoofersUnion #Dedication #SuccessMindset #UnionPride #Success pic.twitter.com/O4bBYQ1I5I— Roofers Union (@roofersunion) January 7, 2025SAG-AFTRA:Auntie Mame! Mama Rose! Our 13th SAG Life Achievement Award recipient, Rosalind Russell, had an illustrious career as an actor, comedian, screenwriter and singer. What is your favorite project of Rosalind's? Let us know below! #SAGLifeAchievement60 pic.twitter.com/ZFMJoRgNcI— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) January 7, 2025Solidarity Center:Every worker should be able to form or join a union & come together with their coworkers to bargain for better without fear of violence & harassment. We continue to stand in #solidarity with our partners @STAWU_ & their General Secretary Sticks Nkambule.#WorkerRights— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) January 6, 2025Theatrical Stage Employees:Thanks to all of our members who participated in our Fifth Annual IATSE Holiday Photo Contest.To check out our contest winners, crew shots and honorable mentions click here: https://t.co/KCYPBi7zub— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) January 6, 2025Transport Workers Union:Total BS. This @MTA fraudster ignores the fact that violent crime is soaring. Felony assaults were up 51.6% and murders were up233% last year compared to 2019 (January through 12/29). Such # are published in the MTA’s own committee books. Fire this GOBSHITE! @TWULocal100 https://t.co/2W2GKvIofz pic.twitter.com/d4p9LqSZu4— TWU (@transportworker) January 6, 2025Transportation Trades Department:Snow day in DC! ❄️ We’re grateful to the transportation workers and first responders who keep our cities moving in the winter weather. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/XbjuySl5yU— TTD | America's Transportation Unions (@TTDAFLCIO) January 7, 2025UAW:"The failure of hard work to pay off in America makes our communities wobbly, our faith weak, our lives lonely, our politics toxic and our relationship with work masochistic and unsustainable."https://t.co/YZx17kbaSv— UAW (@UAW) January 6, 2025UNITE HERE:In 2024, UNITE HERE organized more than 7,200 workers across 117 workplaces, the largest number of individual workplaces our union has ever organized in an election year. pic.twitter.com/2WwA1iZP2d— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) January 1, 2025United Food and Commercial Workers:About 1,200 members of @UFCW8 who work at 96 Rite Aid stores in Northern CA have ratified a STRONG new contract!The contract includes significant wage increases, reinstates a union-managed health care plan, & provides job protections. ➡️ https://t.co/Xm1MA2B2FD pic.twitter.com/GZZDgIX1b2— UFCW (@UFCW) January 6, 2025United Steelworkers:This year, the Solidarity Works podcast turns 5️⃣! Thank you for listening as we explore the history, challenges, and victories shaping our union. To celebrate, we’re spotlighting 5 top episodes. First up: Punching Above Our Weight.🎧Listen here: https://t.co/vpow8quTLT pic.twitter.com/gaYlQCKFzh— United Steelworkers #EverybodysUnion (@steelworkers) January 7, 2025Utility Workers:High school seniors who are the child of an active UWUA member are eligible to apply to our scholarship program. Don’t wait until the last minute! pic.twitter.com/NoOJaeQubR— UWUA National (@The_UWUA) January 7, 2025Writers Guild of America East:TODAY: Bundle up and join our @IATSE kin in solidarity as they fight for a fair contract at Atlantic Theater. #1u ⏰January 7th at 12:30pm📍NYC, 9th Ave between 19th and 20th Streets. Enter on the corner of 19th and 9th.More details and RSVP: https://t.co/yFcUfb7LXC— Writers Guild of America East (@WGAEast) January 7, 2025 Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 01/10/2025 - 10:57Continue reading→

IAM Union Files Injunction to Protect Right of Striking Maryland IKEA Workers to Peacefully Assemble

The IAM Union has filed suit to protect the rights of approximately 320 striking IAM Local I460 members to peacefully assemble outside a Perryville, Md. IKEA distribution center.  The suit alleges that the town’s police department, joined by town officials, issued an unconstitutional order prohibiting IAM members from intermittently crossing a public road, effectively the The post IAM Union Files Injunction to Protect Right of Striking Maryland IKEA Workers to Peacefully Assemble appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

IAM Organizing Department Secures Victory at GE Healthcare in Ohio

The IAM Organizing Department recently achieved a hard-earned victory, successfully organizing 130 workers at GE Healthcare’s facility in Aurora, Ohio, an important player in the global medical technology industry. The workers at this facility, who create coils for MRI machines that transmit critical imaging signals, wanted to join a union that would allow them to The post IAM Organizing Department Secures Victory at GE Healthcare in Ohio appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

IAM Organizing Department Secures Victory at GE Healthcare in Ohio

The IAM Organizing Department recently achieved a hard-earned victory, successfully organizing 130 workers at GE Healthcare’s facility in Aurora, Ohio, an important player in the global medical technology industry. The workers at this facility, who create coils for MRI machines that transmit critical imaging signals, wanted to join a union that would allow them to The post IAM Organizing Department Secures Victory at GE Healthcare in Ohio appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: 500 Duluth City Workers Reach Union Contract, Avert Strike

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: 500 Duluth City Workers Reach Union Contract, Avert Strike 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. Duluth city workers reached a tentative agreement late Monday night, averting a potential strike after months of negotiations. The workers, members of AFSCME Local 66, and include snowplow drivers, inspectors and workers for utilities, libraries, parks, and gas and waterline maintenance. They voted to authorize a strike in December.“This tentative agreement is a step in the right direction for the workers who keep Duluth running,” said AFSCME Local 66 President Wendy Wohlwend. “It should not have taken months of incredibly difficult negotiations and mediation with the city — or the need for our union members to overwhelmingly reject the city’s last offer and authorize a strike — to secure a fair contract from city leadership that has proclaimed itself to be pro-union.”Terms of the agreement weren’t yet available, and will be released after the union votes whether or not to approve the contract on January 14. Union officials said the contract includes meaningful market adjustments, improvements to scheduling and workload expectations and commitments to address staffing shortages. Workers described crushing workloads with unfilled positions and mandatory overtime, including 12-hour, six-days-a-week shifts at the city’s water plant, which is undergoing repairs. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 01/10/2025 - 09:15Continue reading→

Passage of IAM-Championed REEF Act Restores Full Railroad Unemployment, Sickness Benefits

IAM railroad members who rely on unemployment and sickness benefits are seeing a restoration of full benefits, as well as backpay to make up for previous cuts. Following a long campaign by the IAM, TCU/IAM and rail labor, Congress passed the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act in December. President Biden signed the REEF The post Passage of IAM-Championed REEF Act Restores Full Railroad Unemployment, Sickness Benefits appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

IAM Disaster Relief Program is Here to Help Members Affected by California Wildfires

With the wildfires in Southern California displacing people and destroying homes, the IAM is committed to providing immediate assistance and resources to help its affected members. If you’re an IAM member and suffered property damage from the fires, you can apply for assistance from the IAM Disaster Relief Fund here. To address urgent needs, the The post IAM Disaster Relief Program is Here to Help Members Affected by California Wildfires appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

IP Bryant: Unions are Best Defense for Workers as New Technology Emerges

IAM International President Brian Bryant recently led an IAM delegation to the sixth annual Labor Innovation & Technology Summit in Las Vegas. The conference, co-founded by SAG-AFTRA and AFL-CIO, delivered critical strategies for addressing workers’ issues amongst the new policy landscape created by technological advancements. The IAM was one of several sponsoring unions for this The post IP Bryant: Unions are Best Defense for Workers as New Technology Emerges appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

James ‘Jimbo’ Watson Appointed IAM Western Territory Chief of Staff

IAM International President Brian Bryant has announced the appointment of International Representative James “Jimbo” Watson as Chief of Staff to Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez. The appointment was effective Jan. 1, 2025. “Jimbo Watson brings decades of experience and a lifelong passion for our union and membership to his new role as The post James ‘Jimbo’ Watson Appointed IAM Western Territory Chief of Staff appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Join IAM CREST for Upcoming OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training

IAM CREST is collaborating with the ICWUC Center for Worker Safety and Health to conduct a OSHA 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) program in Riverside County, Calif., from Feb. 3 to 7, 2025. This program is designed for individuals within driving distance of the training location. We have limited rooms available for The post Join IAM CREST for Upcoming OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Power in Unity

Power in Unity Union members know better than anyone that there is power in unity. So we are thrilled to share breaking news: The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a powerful union of 2 million members, has joined our AFL-CIO union family. At a critical moment when everything is on the line for the nation’s working people, the labor movement is uniting to challenge the status quo and build a movement of workers who will fight—on the job, in the streets, at the ballot box, in our communities—for higher pay, expanded benefits and new rules that empower us to join together in unions and organize across industries.United, we’ll take on corporate greed and union-busting millionaires and billionaires.United, we’ll build on our wins and on our record of support and keep up the momentum in this critical moment for the labor movement. And united, we’ll have the power to make change, to hold elected leaders accountable and to demand stronger, more inclusive labor laws that guarantee every worker in America has the basic right to organize on the job. We know what it looks like when we organize together, when we rally together, when we mobilize together. And together with SEIU service and care workers, we will take our fight for good jobs to the next level. There’s no stopping us. P.S. Tune in at 2:30 p.m. ET to, Thursday, Jan. 9, at AFLCIO.tv as the AFL-CIO and SEIU come together for this historic announcement with workers from various unions—including our SEIU members—to talk about why we’re powerful together.  Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 01/09/2025 - 09:51 Tags: OrganizingContinue reading→

IAM Provides Free Rides for Holiday Travel to Future U.S. Navy Leaders

  A ride from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., to nearby BWI/Thurgood Marshall Airport costs roughly $40 via most rideshare apps. Academy alumni and parents of midshipmen at the academy have been trying to save midshipmen a few dollars during the holidays on the airport trips by volunteering to pick up and drop The post IAM Provides Free Rides for Holiday Travel to Future U.S. Navy Leaders appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

IAM District 66 H.E.L.P.S. Wisconsin Food Pantry

On Dec. 17, 2024, members of IAM District 66 volunteered at the WAFER Food Pantry in La Crosse, Wisc. This essential community resource plays a critical role in fighting hunger by providing a grocery store-like environment where individuals can select the items they need most. “Our team contributed from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., working The post IAM District 66 H.E.L.P.S. Wisconsin Food Pantry appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

The Mail is Not for Sale!

January 8, 2025The fast and furious online reaction to The [Washington] Post’s Dec. 19 editorial underscores how strongly the people support and trust the U.S. Postal Service. US Mail Not for SalePresidentMark Dimondstein The fast and furious online reaction to The [Washington] Post’s Dec. 19 editorial underscores how strongly the people support and trust the U.S. Postal Service. Though the Editorial Board claims to be “agnostic” on postal privatization, the board suggests it’s been successful elsewhere. This couldn’t be further from the truth; postal privatization has proved deeply unpopular in other countries, where it has led to higher postage rates and cuts in service. Privatization would jeopardize the Postal Service’s universal obligation to provide postal services for all people, no matter who we are or where we live. What’s to stop a Wild West of price gouging and profit-taking? Where profit cannot be made — especially in rural America — service would probably cease. The bleak picture of the Postal Service’s financials presented in the editorial ignores some obvious fixes: Allow the Postal Service to provide expanded products, such as financial services and licensing; invest Postal Service pension and health funds in something other than low-yield Treasury bonds; end presorting discounts, which amount to corporate welfare for big mailers and deprive the Postal Service of needed revenue; update the 1970 business model to address the reality of growing package volume and declining letter volume in the internet age. In addition, The Post’s editorial devalues what the public Postal Service does. Whether through providing tens of millions of people secure access to the ballot box, sorting and delivering medicines, packages, personal correspondence and advertising, enabling customer access for small businesses, bringing normalcy after natural disasters, or giving the exchanging of ideas and information a presence in every community, the Postal Service remains vital to binding the country together. Omissions such as the Postal Service’s role in ensuring access to e-commerce are striking. Yes, the Postal Service is facing financial and service challenges. But we should not use these fixable challenges as reason to side with private business oligarchs. The unionized, dedicated postal workers side with the people as, together, we say: “The U.S. mail is not for sale!” Read President Dimondstein's response and other responses to the Dec. 19 Washington Post Editorial by clicking here! The Mail is Not for Sale! APWU President Mark Dimondstein's Response to The Washington Post's Dec. 19, 2024 Editorial About Postal Privatization0Continue reading→

Battery Workers at BlueOval SK in Kentucky File for First Major Union Election in the South in 2025

A supermajority of workers at battery maker BlueOval SK filed a petition Tuesday with the National Labor Relations Board for a vote to form their union with the UAW. The post Battery Workers at BlueOval SK in Kentucky File for First Major Union Election in the South in 2025 appeared first on UAW | United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America.Continue reading→