News

Service & Solidarity Action: Join the Picket and Support Fired Dancers!

Service & Solidarity Action: Join the Picket and Support Fired Dancers! 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. Dancers at the Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) organized and unanimously voted for a union with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) back in May. Then, DBDT did the unthinkable: It fired the entire troupe and hired nonunion replacements. Join us on the picket lines to support the DBDT-fired dancers as we demand fairness. AGMA, the dancers, our affiliated unions and community allies will be on the line, sending a clear message to DBDT: Union-busting is disgusting, and it will not stand.When: Oct. 11–12, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. CTWhere: One Arts Plaza, 1722 Routh St., Dallas, TX 75201Register here. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 10/11/2024 - 09:38Continue reading→

Worker Wins: Collectively Our Voice is Powerful

Worker Wins: Collectively Our Voice is Powerful Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life. Airport Concession Workers Win $25 Minimum Wage: UNITE HERE Local 23-represented concessions workers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas announced last week that they have secured a $25 minimum wage during bargaining. This landmark victory comes after 100% of voting members elected to grant the union strike authorization power in August. Workers are employed by one of the largest hospitality companies in the world, Delaware North, which is owned by billionaire Jeremy Jacobs and reported $4 billion in revenues last year. “Local 23 members are often overlooked as cooks, servers, bartenders and retail workers, but without them, the airport and Delaware North would not be as successful as they are,” said UNITE HERE Local 23 Secretary-Treasurer Willy Gonzalez at a press conference Monday. “We work in the back of the house, and sometimes the back of the house doesn’t get seen...but collectively our voice is powerful.”Toledo Symphony Ratifies New Five-Year Contract: The Toledo Federation of Musicians (TFM)/American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 15-286 and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra (TSO) ratified a new five-year contract last month that will run until the end of the 2028–2029 season. Throughout the lifetime of the agreement, TFM members will see major victories like a pay increase of 39% and higher matching contributions to their 403(b) retirement plans. The deal also includes the establishment of two new core string positions and conversion of several previously part-time roles into full-time positions. Musicians additionally won more paid parental leave, standardization of the tenure evaluation process and more that will allow them to continue giving world-class performances. “We are proud of the collaborative spirit that defined these negotiations,” said Casey Gsell, TSO principal bassoon and chair of the Orchestra Committee. “This agreement not only provides significant financial improvements for our members but also enhances our role in the community, supports education, and ensures equitable treatment of our musicians. It is a true testament to what we can achieve when we work together.”PASS Ratifies New Contract with Federal Aviation Administration: Late last month, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) National President Dave Spero signed a new contract covering more than 4,000 workers in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) Aviation Safety Directorate. This victory comes after two years and eight months spent at the negotiating table with the federal government agency. The new agreement was ratified by an overwhelming 85% of members and is effective as of Oct. 6. PASS is still in negotiations for a new contract for the more than 7,000 FAA employees the union represents in the Air Traffic Organization. “I’m proud of the work our team did at the bargaining table,” Spero said. “It was challenging at times, but in the end, we achieved a strong collective bargaining agreement that stressed recruitment and retention, as well as fair work rules, for employees who are critical to carrying out the FAA’s mission. I want to thank our members for their support and patience during the process.”Indiana PetSmart Workers Win First Union for Chain in the U.S.: In a landslide 12–2 victory, PetSmart workers in Mishawaka, Indiana, have successfully won the first union election at a U.S. location of the pet superstore chain. With organizing help from the United Commercial and Food Workers (UFCW), PetSmart associates, trainers, groomers and other staff are coming together and forming unions across the country. Workers are fighting for higher pay, improved hours and better working conditions with the protections of a powerful union contract. With a collective bargaining agreement, PetSmart Union said they will be able to better serve the animals of all shapes and sizes that they care for. “With this victory, we’ve shown the company that we’re serious about coming together and unionizing for real change in our stores,” PetSmart Union wrote on their website. “Now, we’re focused on putting our collective voice into action and building strength throughout the country! We can’t wait to see which PetSmart store joins us next in our fight to make PetSmart the company we know it can be.”Kapiʻolani Nurses Weather Hospital Lockout and Win New Contract: On Wednesday, members of the Hawaiʻi Nurses’ Association (HNA)—an affiliate of the Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU)—who work at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children ratified a hard-fought new three-year contract. After a historic 18-day lockout, two strikes, three informational pickets, and one year and 18 days of contract negotiations, HNA members secured a monumental agreement that includes the first contractually enforceable nurse-to-patient ratios in Hawaii history. The contract also contains wage increases, double time for extra hours prior to a shift, increases to longevity differentials, improved protections against workplace violence and more. “This contract sets a new standard for what quality patient care will look like for our community,” said HNA in a social media post. “Hawaiʻi deserves the best health care, and Kapiʻolani nurses were willing to fight to make that a reality. Joined by our patients, families, union siblings and community supporters, we fought for what was right and refused to give in. Aloha and mahalo, Hawaiʻi. This one was for you.”Washington Teachers’ Union Reaches Tentative Agreement: The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU), a local of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), reached a tentative agreement (TA) Monday with the District of Columbia Public Schools for a new five-year contract. This TA comes a year after the expiration of WTU’s previous contract with the Washington, D.C., school district—the union credits the dedication and commitment of bargaining committee members for securing this win. The deal includes fair and competitive pay raises, more structured breaks to prevent burnout for both educators and their students, increased time for lesson planning and preparation, and provisions that ensure fair workloads for educators. “The bargaining team heard from members about the need for improved working conditions. We took that to heart and were able to secure many provisions that show respect to educators, such as breaks to prevent teacher and student burnout, time to prepare and plan lessons, and fair workloads,” said WTU President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons. “The team also pushed hard and obtained decent and fair pay raises over the course of the five-year contract, despite the district’s contention that it was working in a tight financial environment.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 10/10/2024 - 13:00Continue reading→

Defending Workers’ Rights: The Working People Weekly List

Defending Workers' Rights: 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. 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. Union Leaders Talking with Workers at the Gordie Howe Bridge, Letting Them Know What’s at Stake in the Election: “The president of the AFL-CIO is here in Detroit, on a side street, really, Cavalry Street, off of Ford Street, right at the foot of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Liz Shuler—she’s talking to Teamsters, operating engineers, 13 different trades unions that are represented here working on the Gordie Howe International Bridge, and like the rest of us, she’s heard the reports that, you know, leadership obviously supports Harris. Some membership doesn’t. She’s not surprised: ‘Just like the country, the labor movement has people with very diverse political beliefs. But what we do is look at the issues. So if a candidate is supporting things like prevailing wage requirements and project labor agreements on a construction site, we want to make sure that those workers know which candidate is actually defending their rights.’”AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler from Union Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Talking Up Vice President Harris to Trades Workers: “Michigan remains a battleground state in the 2024 presidential election. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler from union headquarters in Washington, D.C., talking up Vice President Harris to trades workers before their shifts on the Gordie Howe bridge this morning: ‘We want to make sure that those workers know which candidate is actually defending their rights. Who will protect their contract, who will make it easier to join a union, not harder? And since these are unionized workers, we know their union contract means a lot to them, and so we want to make sure they’re aware of where these candidates stand when it comes to union issues.’ Shuler telling us that Harris’ record has earned union members’ support. It’s the first time in recent memory the president of the AFL-CIO has been here personally in Michigan to push for or against a presidential candidate.”In Support of the Harris–Walz Campaign, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler Meeting with Detroit-Area Union Members in Construction Trades: “Happening now in support of the Harris–Walz campaign: AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler meeting with Detroit-area union members in construction trades. This is happening at the Gordie Howe International Bridge. They’re talking about what’s at stake for workers this election. About 1 in 5 voters in Michigan will be union voters during this election, which is a key topic.”Project 2025 Would Erode Labor Rights and Roll Back Child Labor Laws: “On this edition of Your Call, we’re continuing our series on Project 2025 by discussing what the rightwing roadmap means for workers, labor rights, and the right to unionize. Donald Trump says he’s pro-worker, but during his first four years as president, he was anti-worker and anti-union. The National Labor [Relations Board] members he appointed ‘made it more difficult for unions to win representation at nonunion workplaces’ and the Trump Supreme Court ‘issued a devastating ruling against public sector unions’ that made it ‘easier for government employees nationwide to not pay union dues even if their workplace is unionized,’ according to CNN. A second Trump administration stands to be even worse. Project 2025 includes provisions to cut overtime pay for millions of workers and suggests that Congress should consider getting rid of public sector unions altogether. It would also roll back workplace safety laws, including those that protect children.”Hotel Workers Knock on a Million Doors, Targeting Latinos, to Keep Arizona Blue for Kamala Harris: “Maria Romero became a U.S. citizen in 2016 to vote against Donald Trump, offended by his characterization of Mexicans as criminals and rapists. Adversity motivates her, she said. Now, the hotel housekeeper is pounding the scorching Phoenix pavement, pushing back against growing support among Latinos for Trump, who now leads polling in the key swing state Biden won in the last presidential election.”U.S. Unions Step Up Efforts to Make Case That Trump Is No Friend of Workers: “‘Trump has found ways to break through with working people,’ Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, the nation’s main labor federation, told the Guardian. ‘He has the rhetoric down, but he doesn’t have the results to back it up. That’s why it’s important that we, as messengers, combat that with facts.’ The AFL-CIO is urging the nation’s 14.4 million union members to look at its ‘candidate comparison’ website, which makes the case that Trump is anti-union. He crossed a union picket line, praised the idea of firing workers who are on strike, and often used non-union workers at his construction sites.”AFL-CIO Leads Union Women in Massive Mobilization for the Election: “Quoting Trump’s saying ‘I have the concepts for a plan’ to replace the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, Shuler deadpanned ‘That’s the equivalent of saying “The dog ate my homework.”’ Junking the ACA and turning health back over to rapacious insurers who reap workers’ dollars through high premiums and co-pays while denying care has been a longtime Republican goal.”Harris Vote Is a ‘No Brainer’ for Transport Workers: Transport Workers Union’s John Samuelsen: “John Samuelsen, international president of the Transport Workers Union, joins CNBC’s ‘The Exchange’ to discuss why the union is backing Kamala Harris in the election, the threat of automation in the transportation sector, and more.”Biden Announces 10-Year Deadline to Replace All Lead Pipes Throughout the U.S.: “President Biden on Tuesday announced $2.6 billion in funding to replace all lead pipes in the United States as part of a new EPA rule that will require lead pipes to be identified and replaced within 10 years using the new funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. The EPA estimates that nine million homes in the U.S. have lead pipes. The city of Milwaukee, where Mr. Biden is making the announcement, has 65,000 lead pipes, which the city says will cost an estimated $700 million to remove.”More Black and Latina Women Are Leading Unions—And Transforming How They Work: “Momentum for Black and Latina women rising into labor union leadership has picked up in the last five years. But the work began long before that by ‘our foremothers who laid this foundation and have been pushing and kicking those doors open for decades,’ according to Liz Shuler, who in June 2022 became the first woman in history to lead the AFL-CIO, a federation of 60 national and international labor unions.”Jobs Report Blows Past Expectations, Showing Hiring Surge: “U.S. hiring surged in September, blowing past economist expectations and rebuking concern about weakness in the labor market. The fresh report marks one of the last major pieces of economic data before the presidential election. Employers hired 254,000 workers last month, far exceeding economist expectations of 150,000 jobs added, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.1%.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 10/10/2024 - 12:56Continue reading→

IAM Brings ‘Be More Than a Bystander’ Training to Local 99 Finning Members in Canada

IAM Women’s and Young Workers Director Julie Frietchen recently traveled to Alberta, Canada to conduct a training on Ending Violence Association’s Be More Than Bystander program for IAM Local 99 members and management at Finning, a tool and machine rental company, in Fort McMurray. In January 2023, the IAM became the first labor group in The post IAM Brings ‘Be More Than a Bystander’ Training to Local 99 Finning Members in Canada appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

GST Cervantes Stands in Solidarity on Boeing Strike Lines

IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes recently visited the Puget Sound to meet with IAM members taking a bold stand for a fair contract at Boeing. Approximately 34,000 IAM District 751 and District W24 members have been on strike at the aerospace giant since Sept. 13. “Our membership is strong and energized, and they have the The post GST Cervantes Stands in Solidarity on Boeing Strike Lines appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

New Mexico State Council of Machinists Firms Up Political Action Plan Ahead of Election

The New Mexico State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers recently met in Ruidoso, N.M., to strengthen their Political Action Committee and prepare the political activists for upcoming state legislative priorities. The Council also completed necessary business to finetune its bylaws and operating procedures. “I continue to be extremely proud of the advances our New The post New Mexico State Council of Machinists Firms Up Political Action Plan Ahead of Election appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Together We are Unstoppable: IAM Leadership Gives Boost to Local 774 Textron Strike Lines

In a show of solidarity, IAM International President Brian Bryant visited the picket lines of Local 774, currently on strike against Textron. This demonstration of support highlights the union’s commitment to standing by its members during labor disputes.  Also joining the International President was Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin, General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes; The post Together We are Unstoppable: IAM Leadership Gives Boost to Local 774 Textron Strike Lines appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Mission Nurses Reach New Contract Agreement with HCA

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Mission Nurses Reach New Contract Agreement with HCA 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. A little over a month after Mission Health registered nurses (RNs) voted to authorize a strike, they announced that they had ratified a new three-year contract with HCA. The contract will improve patient safety and nurse retention. The 1,600 nurses, who are represented by the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), said the highlights of the contract include substantial wage increases, new measures that will ensure that nurses are “floated” (temporarily reassigned) to units similar to their normal specialty and the ability of nurses to use preferred names and add personal pronouns to name badges.“We are excited to have this new contract and ensure that our hospital is on a path to taking the best possible care of our patients and community,” said Huns Brown, an RN working in Mission Health’s pulmonary progressive care unit, in the release. “The devastation Hurricane Helene brought to our region underscores how Mission being the best possible version of itself is more important than ever.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 10/10/2024 - 10:02Continue reading→

Message to Our APWU Family Affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton Devastation

October 9, 2024Many of our North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida members and their families, as well as the communities we serve, are reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Helene to life and property, and are facing a long difficult road to recovery. Many of our North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida members and their families, as well as the communities we serve, are reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Helene to life and property, and are facing a long difficult road to recovery.  The national APWU leadership have been in frequent touch with the APWU state presidents and other union representatives in the affected areas, working with United States Postal Service headquarters management and the AFL-CIO to help account for the safety of our members and dealing with management regarding the issues of administrative leave for all employees. We have also promoted the process for disaster relief for impacted postal employees through the Postal Employee Relief Fund (PERF) as well as the APWU disaster relief fund that is available to impacted members. Please visit www.postalrelief.com to learn more and apply. With a long road of recovery ahead, our Florida APWU family is now facing the new catastrophic and life-threatening hurricane Milton that will make landfall sometime Wednesday evening and then move across the entire state over the following day or two. The message below has been sent from APWU Florida State President Joe Paul to our APWU family: “Please keep all our members and all postal workers across the entire State of Florida, along with their families, in your thoughts as hurricane Milton approaches. Virtually the entire state will be impacted to some degree, with coastal areas expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Let's stand together and keep everyone affected in our hearts during this challenging time.” The APWU will continue to monitor the impact of these hurricanes on our members and their families and will share needed information regarding disaster relief for impacted employees"Continue reading→

‘Never this bad’: Helene’s impact to be felt for months to come as Milton approaches 

Flooding caused by Hurricane Helene wreaked Havoc on much of the Southeast, resulting in a period of challenging emergency response. IAFF members spent the first few days on duty without a break while the IAFF Go Teams addressed membership issues from damaged property to financial relief. Now some of the same areas will be hit by another Hurricane, Milton.Continue reading→

Bob Romanowski Appointed to Fill New Clerk Division Assistant “C” Position

October 9, 2024On October 8, 2024, Robert “Bob” Romanowski was named by APWU Clerk Division Director Lamont Brooks to fill the newly created position of Assistant Director “C”, Clerk Division. APWU National OfficersClerk Division On October 8, 2024, Robert “Bob” Romanowski was named by APWU Clerk Division Director Lamont Brooks to fill the newly created position of Assistant Director “C”, Clerk Division. This position was approved at the recent 2024 APWU National Convention, held in Detroit, Michigan, by an overwhelming margin among the delegates. In accordance with the APWU Constitution & By-Laws, the Clerk Division Executive Committee, consisting of headquarters officers and National Business Agents (NBAs) representing the craft, a vote was taken to accept Director Brooks’ recommendation and was passed unanimously. Romanowski begin his postal career at the Toms River, New Jersey Post Office in 1997 as a Mail Processing Clerk. He served as a steward, Clerk Craft Director, and Vice President for his Local until he was elected to the position of National Business Agent (NBA), Clerk Division, for the Philadelphia Region in 2007, where he has served in that capacity since then. Bob also participated in three national-level contract negotiations alongside the headquarters craft officers and other selected NBAs. Romanowski has always believed strongly in the education of the union’s stewards, officers and members and has been an instructor at the West Virginia summer school for over twenty years. In addition, as an NBA, he was assigned by APWU Research & Education Director Joyce Robinson to assist as an instructor on numerous issues for training purposes over the years. Bob is married to Amy and they have a total of six children - Erica, Sam, Frank, Tony, Bobby, and Ryan, along with three grandchildren - Vincent, Ruby, and Amber. Director Brooks cited Romanowski’s experience, ability, and strong commitment to the union as the primary reasons for his appointment to the Assistant Director position. Please join us in congratulating Bob Romanowski on his appointment to this vital position in the Clerk Division of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO. Bob Romanowski Appointed to Fill New Clerk Division Assistant “C” Position 0Continue reading→

Robert Romanowski Appointed to Fill New Clerk Division Assistant Director “C” Position

October 9, 2024On October 8, 2024, Robert “Bob” Romanowski was named by APWU Clerk Division Director Lamont Brooks to fill the newly created position of Assistant Director “C”, Clerk Division. APWU National OfficersClerk Division On October 8, 2024, Robert “Bob” Romanowski was named by APWU Clerk Division Director Lamont Brooks to fill the newly created position of Assistant Director “C”, Clerk Division. This position was approved at the recent 2024 APWU National Convention, held in Detroit, Michigan, by an overwhelming margin among the delegates. In accordance with the APWU Constitution & By-Laws, the Clerk Division Executive Committee, consisting of headquarters officers and National Business Agents (NBAs) representing the craft, a vote was taken to accept Director Brooks’ recommendation and was passed unanimously. Romanowski begin his postal career at the Toms River, New Jersey Post Office in 1997 as a Mail Processing Clerk. He served as a steward, Clerk Craft Director, and Vice President for his Local until he was elected to the position of National Business Agent (NBA), Clerk Division, for the Philadelphia Region in 2007, where he has served in that capacity since then. Bob also participated in three national-level contract negotiations alongside the headquarters craft officers and other selected NBAs. Romanowski has always believed strongly in the education of the union’s stewards, officers and members and has been an instructor at the West Virginia summer school for over twenty years. In addition, as an NBA, he was assigned by APWU Research & Education Director Joyce Robinson to assist as an instructor on numerous issues for training purposes over the years. Bob is married to Amy and they have a total of six children - Erica, Sam, Frank, Tony, Bobby, and Ryan, along with three grandchildren - Vincent, Ruby, and Amber. Director Brooks cited Romanowski’s experience, ability, and strong commitment to the union as the primary reasons for his appointment to the Assistant Director position. Please join us in congratulating Bob Romanowski on his appointment to this vital position in the Clerk Division of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO. Bob Romanowski Appointed to Fill New Clerk Division Assistant “C” Position 0Continue reading→

UAW Goes to Washington with Campaign to Keep the Promise at Stellantis

The campaign to Keep The Promise at Stellantis is coming to Washington. UAW members, lawmakers and allies are rallying on Thursday to demand that Stellantis keep its promise to invest in good American jobs. The post UAW Goes to Washington with Campaign to Keep the Promise at Stellantis appeared first on UAW | United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America.Continue reading→

Updates to USPS Eagle Clean (e4776) Pilot Program in the Maintenance Craft

October 9, 2024The Postal Service formally notified the APWU on June 20, 2024, that they believed the Eagle Clean (e4776) pilot program was a success and they would begin implementing Eagle Clean across the country. Maintenance Division leadership has been meeting with the Postal Service to discuss the program and any violations and unintended consequences that might result from its implementation. USPS Policies & ProgramsMaintenance Division The Postal Service formally notified the APWU on June 20, 2024, that they believed the Eagle Clean (e4776) pilot program was a success and they would begin implementing Eagle Clean across the country. Maintenance Division leadership has been meeting with the Postal Service to discuss the program and any violations and unintended consequences that might result from its implementation. As reported during the recent Maintenance Division Conference in Detroit, MI and the previous Conference in National Harbor, MD, the Postal Service notified the APWU of its intent to pilot the Eagle Clean (e4776) program on May 30, 2023. The Postal Service’s reasoning behind the pilot program was to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of completing and submitting the PS Form 4776 using a Mobile Delivery Device scanner (MDD). Custodians would utilize the MDD scanner daily to record the time spent working on various custodial tasks. Once completed, the data would be reviewed by the supervisor and uploaded to be stored on the Retail and Delivery Application Recording platform (RADAR). The pilot program officially began on July 1, 2023, in five facilities in Maryland, and expanded shortly thereafter to facilities in Lexington, KY and Tampa, FL As a brief recap, the APWU and the Postal Service have always had existing Step-4 agreements and national Questions and Answers that required the use of the PS Form 4776. The Postal Service claimed that the e4776 would contain the same information as the hard copy PS Form 4776, and that custodians would complete the e4776 in the same manner as the hard copy – the only thing that would change is that instead of using a pen and paper, custodians would now use a scanner with text input. PS Form 4776, also known as Preventive Custodial Maintenance Route, contains information detailing what, when, where, and how custodians should perform their work in different areas of each facility. Historically, management has failed to use these forms, but it now appears they are attempting to come into compliance, and then some. Using the MDD, it appears custodians have several options after logging in, such as: begin tour, in and out to lunch, end tour, move to different operation numbers, move to travel operation, and track training. In addition, custodians can select daily routes (routine tasks) and track the time spent performing those routes. They can also select work orders (periodic tasks) for tasks required to be done on a monthly, quarterly, annually, etc. basis. Lastly, they can select odd-and-end tasks (Ad-Hoc) to track time spent performing work that is not necessarily contained within the custodial staffing package. As always, we must reinforce the importance of the individual employee and the way they complete their paperwork (or, in this case, data). If custodians get pulled away from their daily tasks to perform something unanticipated and never get the opportunity to return and complete the original task, the original task should not be submitted as completed. If custodians find themselves in a situation where local management instructs them to falsify data, they should quickly request a steward. To be clear, the APWU has not agreed to the Eagle Clean program, and we are still having meetings and discussions on this matter. There are several pieces of the Eagle Clean program that the APWU is concerned about and that we hope to resolve in a timely manner. Local and state unions should advise their custodians to keep a notebook and track all time they spend performing work not contained in the custodial staffing package (this includes time spent performing tasks above and beyond the estimated times and frequencies). Custodians should also be advised to keep track of all the work that, for a variety of reasons, they are unable to complete or even begin. Contact us with your questions or comments via email at MaintStaffing@apwu.org Updates to USPS Eagle Clean (e4776) Pilot Program in the Maintenance Craft0Continue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Cleveland Institute of Music Joins AFM

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Cleveland Institute of Music Joins AFM 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. Faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Ohio joined the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 4. The workers voted 56-25 vote in favor of the union. The faculty organized to improve how the administration communicates with faculty about issues affecting them and to give faculty more input in financial decisions.“We’re handstands and pogo sticks about representing these world-class artists,” said Local 4 President Leonard DiCosimo. “So many CIM faculty are also Cleveland Orchestra members, who are already part of our union. This will only heighten the connection between the union and the CIM rank and file.”  Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:03Continue reading→