AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Yusuf Al-Shabazz

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Yusuf Al-Shabazz

For Black History Month, we’re taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Yusuf Al-Shabazz of UNITE HERE.

Yusuf Al-Shabazz got his start with UNITE HERE Local 11 when he helped organize to bring the union into the American Airlines (AA) airport lounges at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. He was fired unfairly from the AA Lounges for organizing the union in 2023, and his case is still pending with the NLRB. He then got a job as a cook at the Hyatt Tempe Mission Palms and now serves as a chief shop steward of his co-workers. In the recent contract fight at Hyatt, 21-year-old Al-Shabazz helped lead his co-workers out on strike. They went on to win an incredible contract with life-changing raises and a pension. His sister is also a member of Local 11 with Starbucks at the Phoenix Airport.

Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 02/28/2025 – 10:03

Tags:
Black History Month

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at St. Anselm Secure Election Victory Despite Aggressive Union-Busting

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at St. Anselm Secure Election Victory Despite Aggressive Union-Busting

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.

In the midst of intense anti-union pressure from management, workers at popular Washington, D.C., restaurant St. Anselm successfully voted to form a union with UNITE HERE Local 25.The lucrative dining spot is operated by STARR Restaurant Group—which refused to voluntarily recognize the union earlier this month—and the new bargaining unit covers both the front- and back-of-house workers. This victory was the first of three STARR-operated restaurants in the city to hold elections to join Local 25 as part of a larger DC Restaurant Workers Rising organizing effort. Staff are celebrating this powerful victory, and are eager to sit down at the bargaining table and secure a contract with improvements to working conditions and wages.“I’m so proud of what we won today because I know it means real change is coming—in our paychecks, our benefits, and how workers at STARR restaurants are treated,” said Bridget Killburn, a baker at St. Anselm. “I’m excited for my colleagues at Pastis and Le Diplomate to join us in winning their union in the coming weeks.”

Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 02/28/2025 – 10:02

Tags:
Organizing

Hands off Medicaid: What Working People Are Doing This Week

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Hands off Medicaid: 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:We are pleased to announce that we have reached a deal on a new Development Agreement! Work on this agreement may resume immediately. Read our press release for details – https://t.co/OkO4ClwZll pic.twitter.com/a8405Cblcd— Actors’ Equity (@ActorsEquity) February 27, 2025AFGE:AFGE will challenge any unlawful terminations of our members and federal employees across the country.https://t.co/CM2zsuFe3W— AFGE (@AFGENational) February 22, 2025AFSCME:A big welcome to nearly 5K supervisors who work for the State of Maryland. They overwhelmingly chose @AFSCMEMaryland as their union. https://t.co/krF8jmds3V— AFSCME (@AFSCME) February 27, 2025Alliance for Retired Americans:BREAKING: Retirees affected by WEP/GPO repeal can expect to get retroactive payments backdated to January 2024 by the end of March, according to SSA officials. https://t.co/HdQIgj1wIf— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) February 27, 2025Amalgamated Transit Union:Tonight, International President John Costa hosted a virtual town hall for our Local President/Business Agents in the U.S. to acknowledge and strategize around the landscape of the first month of the Trump administration and the impact on our members and industry. The town hall… pic.twitter.com/rmODAH7Uch— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) February 27, 2025American Federation of Musicians:More than 1,000 musicians joined together to release this album, in protest to the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright law, which would allow artificial intelligence companies to use artists’ copyrighted work without permission. #isthiswhatwewant…— AFM (@The_AFM) February 26, 2025American Federation of Teachers:Hands off Medicaid: Send a letter here https://t.co/MWHtW0cJIw#DontCutMyMedicaid pic.twitter.com/y3Tb2sOmWZ— AFT (@AFTunion) February 21, 2025Boilermakers:“As data centers and AI-driven energy demands surge, the Boilermakers are positioned at the forefront of emerging energy technologies.” – Johnny Baca, Director, M.O.R.E. Work Investment Fund. Read more from IBB’s presence at PowerGen2025. ➡️ https://t.co/VXdP4pOoay pic.twitter.com/3qhEvLHbyp— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) February 27, 2025Bricklayers:We were thrilled to be a part of the 30th annual Bowling for Gold tournament hosted by the Community Services Agency!The BAC sent 5 teams to help in raising money for union members and their families in need!#BestHandsInTheBowlingLanes #SkilledTrades #Apprenticeships pic.twitter.com/7l6ltGgHSH— Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union (@IUBAC) February 27, 2025Communications Workers of America:Solidarity with @UPTECWA members on strike! https://t.co/8TlDRoQjbO— CWA (@CWAUnion) February 26, 2025Department for Professional Employees:Solidarity with @WGAEast/@MSNBCunion members! https://t.co/vyZo61vxGO— Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) February 26, 2025Electrical Workers:Good choice! https://t.co/435m1D5ze7— IBEW (@IBEW) February 26, 2025Fire Fighters:🚨 Big win for fair pay! After a hard-fought battle, Osceola, Fla., battalion chiefs will now receive the overtime pay they deserve. 👏 #UnionStrong #FairPay #IAFFhttps://t.co/zcHjNw9dQ5— International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) February 27, 2025Heat and Frost Insulators:Become a Union Member 💪Whether you have experience working in the Insulation industry or are new to the trade — now is the time to earn a higher wage & better benefits.➡️Learn more & become a member today: https://t.co/yjahHngRTW#InsulatorsUnion #Insulators #InsulatorPride… pic.twitter.com/QlXF7OlH6l— Insulators Union 🦎 (@InsulatorsUnion) February 26, 2025International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers:IFPTE stands in Solidarity with Postal Workers and denounces any efforts to privatize our Postal Service https://t.co/Os8dNlCb7t— IFPTE (@IFPTE) February 22, 2025Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:@AttorneyMartinez delivers an important message for the immigrant community from Capitol Hill during the reintroduction of The American Dream and Promise Act pic.twitter.com/kSc1TjAuHD— LCLAA (@LCLAA) February 27, 2025Labor Heritage Foundation:🔥 Powerful speeches & inspiring music at last night’s MLK “Gonna Take Us All” Ball! 🎶✊ A packed crowd at McGinty’s heard from Jamie Raskin, Sara Nelson & more, pushing back against attacks on workers. “By all means, keep moving.” #MLK #Solidarity #1uhttps://t.co/a7W04NGNud pic.twitter.com/mFCZ8DlkZa— Labor Heritage (@LaborHeritage1) February 26, 2025Laborers:#TBT to LIUNA apprenticeship back in the day! Our commitment to world-class training has never changed, but wow—our facilities sure have! From then to now, #LIUNA has been building stronger workers, safer job sites, and brighter futures.#ThrowbackThursday #apprenticeship pic.twitter.com/ub3IBwVeBi— LIUNA (@LIUNA) February 27, 2025Machinists:An overwhelming UNION YES from 60 Unifi Aviation (owned 49% by @Delta) ground handling workers based in San Jose, Calif., who last week voted to join our union!Get the deets on the severe union-busting campaign these workers faced to get their union 🔽👀https://t.co/t1S1RetmQa— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) February 26, 2025Mine Workers:The January/February issue of the journal proudly features Belinda Biafore as its Associate Membership Spotlight.Belinda Biafore is an Associate Member and long-time supporter of the United Mine Workers. Sister Biafore is the former West Virginia…https://t.co/5tMbj1wAGI— United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) February 27, 2025Musical Artists:AGMA Joins the Human Artistry Campaign to Advocate for the Rights of Artists in the Age of AI: https://t.co/c7MToluWjw @human_artistry pic.twitter.com/DfOcw6CSf6— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) February 26, 2025National Air Traffic Controllers Association:Here’s what NATCA members accomplished last week pic.twitter.com/erXC7jAdZW— NATCA (@NATCA) February 25, 2025National Association of Letter Carriers:ICYMI ➡️ The Social Security Administration announced that the agency will begin to pay retroactive benefits & will increase monthly benefit payments for those impacted by the WEP & GPO. For more info about this #SocialSecurityFairnessAct update, visit: https://t.co/icGoaW0Fdr— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) February 27, 2025National Domestic Workers Alliance:Domestic workers are the cornerstone of a healthy economy. Yet, they have been excluded from our federal labor protections for far too long.We must recognize their essential work and invest in a care infrastructure that genuinely supports the livelihoods of all Americans. pic.twitter.com/wuwZXN4hYI— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) February 26, 2025National Nurses United:Nurses condemn the senseless, unacceptable violence at UPMC Memorial in Pennsylvania and @HCAhealthcare Florida Palms West Hospital.Our employers must adopt nurse-led #WorkplaceViolencePrevention plans and safe staffing to protect staff and patients.https://t.co/L6Qv5G3ZRl— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) February 25, 2025NFL Players Association:The 3rd edition of the NFLPA Team Report Cards is here! 📊 With free agency ahead, these insights help players evaluate workplace conditions across all 32 teams. Progress is happening, but there’s more work to do.See the full list of team grades here: https://t.co/Dkn4WES7mn pic.twitter.com/WpgG218vVV— NFLPA (@NFLPA) February 26, 2025North America’s Building Trades Unions:“It makes all the sense in the world to work to recruit more women into the trades. Women want all the same Middle Class wages as men, and they want safety and a voice on the job. Women are good union members, and when unions are stronger, the Labor Movement is stronger.” -…— The Building Trades (@NABTU) February 27, 2025Office and Professional Employees:OPEIU Local 40 nurses at Rochester Henry Ford Hospital are currently facing a critical situation, fighting for a fair contract after TWO LONG YEARS of negotiations with two different administrations.Stand in solidarity with nurses → https://t.co/MtMMrdBSl2— OPEIU | #UnionStrong (@OPEIU) February 27, 2025Painters and Allied Trades:This Black History Month, we honor the relentless fight for justice that began with the Black Lives Matter movement. From breaking barriers within our union to standing shoulder to shoulder for equality, we push for a future where every life is valued and every voice heard. pic.twitter.com/O6Bevz9ul3— IUPAT (@GoIUPAT) February 20, 2025Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:On @CNN @PASSprezdc Spero talked safety critical jobs @FAANews represented by PASS & the PEOPLE! “It seems to be a pattern of cyberbullying—let’s call it that. Folks are rattled, they are shaken. Instead of concentrating on their jobs, it’s chaos & panic”https://t.co/7s8xsi5z5Y— PASS (@PASSNational) February 24, 2025Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:CONTRACT VICTORY: congrats to @RWDSU Mid South Council members at Fresh Mark in Salem, Ohio! These workers recently ratified a new contract that includes the largest wage increases of any prior union contract at their facility!Learn more: https://t.co/LFcmxkVAgj pic.twitter.com/BaAYHiHZln— RWDSU (@RWDSU) February 27, 2025Roofers and Waterproofers:Join a #union, and chances are you’ll live longer and happier! Makes sense…- higher wages,- quality benefits, like health insurance,- better workplace safety standards,- less stress knowing you’ll receive a pension in retirement.https://t.co/SckxkfKUA3— Roofers Union (@roofersunion) February 26, 2025SAG-AFTRA:We are deeply saddened by the death of Gene Hackman and his wife. The SAG Award- and five-time Oscar-winner was among the finest actors of his generation. His tremendous legacy of work will live on. May he #RIP. #SagAftraMember since 1959 https://t.co/hlBf038ieq— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) February 27, 2025Service Employees International Union (SEIU):💥Tariffs & deportations don’t protect workers—they divide us while corporations profit. The real solution? International solidarity. We must stand together across borders to fight exploitation and build power! pic.twitter.com/GGaD02L6rb— SEIU (@SEIU) February 27, 2025Theatrical Stage Employees:Revitalizing America’s arts, media, and entertainment industries starts with investing in the people who make it happen.These priorities would protect workers’ earnings, uphold safety and fair labor standards, and secure vital funding for cultural projects and productions. pic.twitter.com/TPb94CpKFA— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) February 27, 2025Transport Workers Union:TWU International Pres. Samuelsen greeting the hard-working members of Local 234 who operate & maintain the ⁦@SEPTA⁩ system in Philly. L234 secured a solid contract last year after a strategic & intense campaign with a strike authorization vote. ⁦⁦@TwuSamuelsen⁩ pic.twitter.com/hmzxlVY1N6— TWU (@transportworker) February 26, 2025Transportation Trades Department:Allies from across the labor movement joined @NALC_national in their rally yesterday to show this administration that we will fight to save the postal service. #FightLikeHell pic.twitter.com/kOn9K3Tx0d— TTD | America’s Transportation Unions (@TTDAFLCIO) February 25, 2025UAW:”Chants of ‘What’s disgusting? Union busting!’ could be heard all along Eastern Parkway. People from other institutions, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, were present to support their colleagues.” @UAWRegion9Ahttps://t.co/77xP3F9p2r— UAW (@UAW) February 27, 2025Union Veterans Council:Veterans feel ‘left behind’ and ‘disparaged’ after Trump’s government cuts: Iraq Veteran Once again, the Union Veterans Council is on the frontlines, fighting for those who fought for us. https://t.co/Jp6ROkU3Jw via @msnbc— Union Veterans Council🪖✊ (@unionveterans) February 27, 2025UNITE HERE:Black History Month Leader Spotlight ✨Pierre Whitaker, Lead Service Attendant & UNITE HERE Local 23 Amtrak Chapter President—”For over a century we have been at the forefront of the fight to have our work respected, and despite many challenges, today we are stronger than ever.” pic.twitter.com/WAHYgZkeN7— UNITE HERE Local 23 (@unitehere23) February 26, 2025United Food and Commercial Workers:Nearly 100 @UFCWLocal152 members at Berks Foods have ratified a strong new contract!The 3-year contract includes annual wage increases, a longevity bonus, affordable health benefits, improved vacation policies, & extended funeral leave.➡️ https://t.co/ULa0ImD45B pic.twitter.com/Oq9LpoefeI— UFCW (@UFCW) February 27, 2025United Steelworkers:Nellie Carabello, a former public sector worker and proud SOAR activist, shares how an eye-opening experience with harassment led her to embrace union activism. Hear her story in the latest Solidarity Works podcast—first in a series with SOAR activists! https://t.co/I6lC6EgKdt pic.twitter.com/OYnaGD85ni— United Steelworkers #EverybodysUnion (@steelworkers) February 27, 2025Utility Workers:🛬 ICYMI: Our well-trained union siblings from @afa_cwa were heroes when Delta flight overturned in Toronto. https://t.co/MgEmY15fgB— UWUA National (@The_UWUA) February 26, 2025Writers Guild of America East:Are you ok with the workers behind shows like Alone, The First 48, and Pawn Stars being disrespected by mgmt with substandard union contract proposals? Neither are we! The time for @WeAreITVA to agree to a fair contract is NOW.Sign the petition: https://t.co/TFWxB0PbSI #1u— Writers Guild of America East (@WGAEast) February 27, 2025

Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/27/2025 – 12:45

Black History Month Profiles: Willie Douglas

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Willie Douglas

Willie Douglas on what it meant to him to work on the Emmett Till house restoration project: “This project was an honor and a privilege to be a part of! It is a great feeling to know that, moving forward, my work and the work of our BAC apprentices will be mentioned in the same sentence as this historical landmark that is the home of one of the people that helped start the civil rights movement. The murder of Emmett Till was one the most horrendous things that has taken place in American history, but the result of what it sparked is truly amazing. I know that I would not have gotten this opportunity had it not been for the union and people like Hector Arellano trusting and believing in me. I am grateful and appreciative for his confidence in me to get this job done as well as every one of my union brothers and sisters that had a hand in this project.”

Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/27/2025 – 10:01

Tags:
Black History Month

Black History Month Profiles: Elizabeth Ward-Robertson

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Elizabeth Ward-Robertson

Since joining the Seattle Education Association (SEA), an affiliate of the Washington State Labor Council and the Martin Luther King Jr. Labor Council, Elizabeth Ward-Robertson has played a pivotal role in advancing educational support and equity. She began her union advocacy work serving as the treasurer of the Seattle Association of Educational Office Professionals before being elected as president. She now serves as the elected director of the SEA Center for Racial and Social Justice, emphasizing equity and inclusion within the education system, fighting for equity for SEA members and the students they serve. Ward-Robinson centers equity in her work, striving to uplift SEA members and support marginalized communities.

Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/27/2025 – 10:01

Tags:
Black History Month

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Reconsidered Goods Thrift Store Workers Unanimously Vote to Form Union

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Reconsidered Goods Thrift Store Workers Unanimously Vote to Form Union

On Monday, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW) announced that workers at Reconsidered Goods in Greensboro, North Carolina, voted unanimously to form a union.Staff at the thrift store have become the second retail location in the city to join RWDSU-UFCW this year after their union brothers, sisters and siblings at REI Greensboro won their election last month. But the path to get here wasn’t easy: management attempted to exclude two people from the proposed bargaining unit, forcing workers to go on strike until all eligible staff could vote. Members cited concerns like safety issues, working conditions, wages and scheduling as core focuses for when they enter bargaining.“There has been no doubt in my mind that we would win this election,” said fabric specialist Yvonne Rabel. “We’ve been working hard for over a year to build a sense of community and camaraderie with each other….Our community has been nothing but supportive of our goals to ensure a safer work environment, and we’re going to continue to work toward these goals during negotiations. I can’t say whether I expect our directors to be collaborative or not, but I’m hopeful we can work on a solution that includes the workers having a say in the decisions that affect them.”

Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/27/2025 – 09:59

Workers Deserve Better: In the States Roundup

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Workers Deserve Better: 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.

California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:No matter who we voted for, we all know cutting Medicaid (Medi-cal) will be a disaster! Call your Congressperson today! #HandsOffMyMedicaid #handsoffourmedicaid pic.twitter.com/Y8rN2F4lQk— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) February 25, 2025Colorado AFL-CIO:We are strongly opposed to HB25-1206 Local Governments Tip Offsets for Tipped Employees. This misguided and inequitable bill would cut tipped workers wages— $4/hr in Denver, more than $8000/year. #coleg #copolitics pic.twitter.com/lbczJ6PZAi— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) February 25, 2025Connecticut AFL-CIO:CT AFL-CIO President @EHawthorne3 notes the hypocrisy of a bill allowing the state to require staff to work in person: “Every member of the General Assembly has effectively participated in a hearing remotely”*This public hearing allowed for in-person & remote participation* pic.twitter.com/sBCaxsL1XY— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) February 20, 2025Illinois AFL-CIO:‼️ SAVE THE DATE‼️The annual USA BBQ Bash Competition & Fundraiser is coming up in June!June 14, 2025 | 12 – 5 pmTorstenson Youth ConservationEducation Center13735 Cook Rd., Pecatonica, IL 61063 pic.twitter.com/fKKMsnfMiB— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) February 24, 2025Kentucky State AFL-CIO:🚨Kentucky workers deserve better. Say NO to HB 398!🚨This bill puts profits over people, takes away local control, and puts workers’ safety at risk.Take action NOW—use this link to email your representative and demand they protect Kentucky workers: https://t.co/WHumShISv1— Kentucky AFL-CIO (@aflcioky) February 19, 2025Maine AFL-CIO:”They are recklessly cutting and gutting vital services to give tax cuts to billionaires.” – Matt Schlobohm, Maine AFL-CIO https://t.co/Qy6bdvCdJp— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) February 24, 2025Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Great morning demanding #CareNotCuts! https://t.co/BCbQsEcrEX pic.twitter.com/4ynF6Y8EKf— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) February 25, 2025Michigan State AFL-CIO:STATEMENT: Michigan Labor Movement Calls for Court to Uphold the Constitution, Rule Against Republican Speaker Matt Hall’s Unconstitutional Effort to Kill Pro-Worker Legislation https://t.co/xUYTmVavun— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) February 24, 2025Minnesota AFL-CIO:Lawmakers at the #mnleg need to know that working Minnesotans won’t have our #PaidLeave delayed, rolled back, or denied. Take Action Now. #BetterInAUnion https://t.co/Q1p9ugSE6x— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) February 25, 2025Missouri AFL-CIO:Are you ready to vote in the March 4th primary and April 8th general elections? Find a list of Labor-endorsed candidates here and be sure to cast your #vote! https://t.co/scFV9pVAVJ— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) February 24, 2025Nevada State AFL-CIO:For Black History Month we are highlighting @SEIU1107 President Michelle Maese! Michelle is a Supervisor for Clark County Child Protective Services and has been a SEIU Local 1107 member for over 15 years. pic.twitter.com/6wwN13DxVB— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) February 24, 2025New York State AFL-CIO:ACTION: Cuts to federal funding will have serious consequences for working people & their families. Call your representative in Congress and ask them to vote against any budget resolution that cuts funding for healthcare, infrastructure & public education: https://t.co/uzMOArI0Pi— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) February 25, 2025Ohio AFL-CIO:Making the rich and corporations pay their share of taxes will do way more than attacking veterans who work at the VA hospitals. https://t.co/Xy0ahhNzlw— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) February 23, 2025Oregon AFL-CIO:Today, hundreds of union members from across Oregon are meeting with legislators to advocate for #OregonLabor legislative priorities, including SB 916 which would extend unemployment benefits to striking workers.This is what #WorkerPower looks like when we stand arm-in-arm to… pic.twitter.com/vNFCC8apEN— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) February 25, 2025Texas AFL-CIO:No worker should go without pay.Watch Jeff Ormsby, Executive Director of @AFSCME Texas Corrections, testify to the Texas Senate Finance Committee on the urgency of ensuring our correctional officers are compensated for working overtime: pic.twitter.com/B7LFBwugJo— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) February 24, 2025Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:West Virginia AFL-CIO:Nothing more American like destroying a 250 year old institution.🚨🚨CALL TO SUPPORT🚨🚨OUR @NALC_National LETTER CARRIERS!!! pic.twitter.com/ieM2KER1xV— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) February 21, 2025Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Federal layoffs in Madison hit dairy research, VA hospital https://t.co/2shZ6A3gkr via @CapTimes— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) February 24, 2025

Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/26/2025 – 11:49

Black History Month Profiles: Bryant Preston

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Bryant Preston

Bryant Preston currently serves as president of the Colorado AFL-CIO, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his longstanding involvement with IATSE. Since joining the union in 2004, he has held numerous leadership roles, including his election as business representative in 2017—a position he held until 2023. That year, he transitioned to president of IATSE Local 7 and also took on a position within IATSE International’s trade show department. In addition to these responsibilities, Preston serves as secretary for IATSE’s district that encompasses Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/26/2025 – 10:10

Black History Month Profiles: Kirby Boyce

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Kirby Boyce

Kirby Boyce began his journey as a machinist in 1999 at Pratt & Whitney’s engine facility in Cheshire. In 2004, he was elected as an IAM union steward and later served as recording secretary. The Cheshire facility closed in 2011, and Boyce moved to the East Hartford branch of Pratt & Whitney, where he joined IAM Lodge 1746. His commitment to safety led to his role as health and safety representative. In 2017, Kirby was elected president of Lodge 1746 and became vice president of the Greater Hartford Central Labor Coalition. He also served as treasurer of the Connecticut State Council of Machinists for five years. Currently, Boyce is the president of the Eastern Connecticut Area Labor Federation.

Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/26/2025 – 09:56

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: NALC Rallies to Save the Postal Service from Attacks

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: NALC Rallies to Save the Postal Service from Attacks

On Monday, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) held a rally in Washington, D.C., to protest potential incoming efforts by the Trump administration to privatize the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).NALC members, labor leaders and community allies gathered to defend this essential government agency after reports of a planned executive order that would fire the Postal Service Board of Governors and place the agency under the control of the Department of Commerce.“The U.S. Post Office is a cornerstone of every community, in our largest cities and our smallest towns. It is cherished. It is trusted,” said AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond. “Letter carriers are the heart and soul of the U.S. Postal Service….We’re going to fight like hell for the Postal Service. We’re going to fight like hell for our unions.”NALC President Brian Renfroe told the crowd: “Let’s be very clear about what this is: a dedicated attack on the 640,000 dedicated people who work at the Postal Service, on the service we provide and on the hundreds of millions of Americans who rely on the service we provide every single day.”

Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/26/2025 – 09:56