AFL-CIO
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UAW Reaches Tentative Agreement with Volkswagen in Chattanooga
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UAW Reaches Tentative Agreement with Volkswagen in Chattanooga
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.
UAW members who work at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have officially reached a tentative agreement (TA) on their first union contract.These members first made history in 2024 when they became the first Southern autoworkers outside the Big Three to join the UAW. And now, after a credible strike threat, they’ve proven what’s possible when workers band together. Highlights of the TA include 20% across-the-board wage increases, grievance rights, improved health care, better job security protections and more.“For years, Chattanooga workers were told to settle for less while Volkswagen made record profits. So, the workers stood together and won their union—and now they’ve secured a life-changing first agreement,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “This deal proves what happens when autoworkers stand up and demand their fair share. People said Southern autoworkers could never form a union or win a union contract. Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga said, ‘Watch this.’”“This contract is proof that if you stand up and stick together, you can win a better life,” said Kelcey Smith, a worker in the paint department. “No matter where you live, or where you work, autoworkers deserve a union contract, whether at the Big Three or Volkswagen, from Detroit to Chattanooga. Volkswagen workers are showing the whole country what’s possible.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 02/06/2026 – 10:10
Worker Wins: Paving the Way For the Next Group
Worker Wins: Paving the Way For the Next Group
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
MedStar Nurses Secure Powerful New Contract: MedStar Washington Hospital Center registered nurses (RNs)—who are members of National Nurses United (NNU)—ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement on Saturday. The agreement contains major wins like new language around workplace violence prevention, guardrails around implementation of new technology, wage increases of up to 24%, among other gains. Separately, the union is also working with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia to investigate ongoing and widespread wage theft at the medical facility. “This contract will help MedStar nurses as we seek to provide the highest quality of care to our patients,” said Julia Truelove, RN. “I am so proud of the nurses who stood together as we fought so hard to get these improvements.”Research Assistants Vote Overwhelmingly to Form Union: Research assistants (RAs) at the University at Albany-State University of New York (SUNY) Research Foundation won a landslide election to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This victory puts the more than 200-member strong bargaining unit into a growing community of academic workers across the public college and university system who have already organized for a voice on the job. The majority of SUNY–Albany RAs are international students conducting the type of important scientific research that has been facing federal funding cuts, making this victory all the more critical given the current political threats they are facing.Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Nurses Vote to Form Union: Registered nurses at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, commonly known as CHOMP, have won their election to join the California Nurses Association (CNA), an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU). This victory means 800 nurses at the medical facility will soon begin negotiating their first-ever collective bargaining agreement. The organizing drive was heavily motivated by concerns around understaffing, which has impacted patient care and led to nurses being forced to skip breaks. “This is a great day for the Monterey Peninsula community and the patients we care for,” said registered nurse Kim Campbell in a press release. “I spent more than 30 years at CHOMP in the emergency department, and I recall when this was genuinely a community hospital and patient-focused institution. I am so pleased that by forming our union, we will now have a voice to advocate for our patients, create an environment that will help recruit and retain excellent nurses, and make improvements for our patients.”Blizzard Quality Assurance Workers Ratify Union Contract: Blizzard quality assurance workers in Albany, New York, and Austin, Texas—who are represented by Communications Workers of America (CWA) locals 1118 and 6215, respectively—have voted to ratify their first contract with Microsoft. This is the third video game worker contract victory at the company, following the ratification of their own deals last year by CWA members who work for ZeniMax and Raven Software. Highlights of the new agreement include guaranteed wage increases, artificial intelligence guardrails, disability accommodations, protections for immigrant workers and more. “After nearly two decades in the video game industry, it feels great to work with my fellow union members in ratifying a fair contract that makes it easier to see a real, long-term career in this work,” said Local 6215 member and senior quality analyst Matt Gant. “This agreement gives us a better working environment with increased pay, benefits, and layoff protections that include recall rights and ensures that quality assurance work remains a stable and respected role for the workers who will build games long after us.”Union Leader Taylor Rehmet Elected to Texas Senate: Taylor Rehmet—an IAM Union District 776 member and the president of IAM Union Local 776B and the Texas IAM Union State Council—has won the special election race for Texas Senate District 9 this weekend, flipping the seat and defeating a candidate backed by President Trump. “Taylor’s victory is a win for working people,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant in a press release. “Taylor understands the challenges workers face because he’s lived them. He brings the voice of the shop floor to the State Capitol, and we know he will fight every day for fair wages, strong labor protections, and opportunity for all Texans. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have an IAM Union member in the Texas Senate.” “This is a huge win for Texas workers. Taylor embodies what it means to be a union leader — working together to address the struggles of real, everyday Texans,” said Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar in a press release. “While state parties are trying to reconnect with the working class, we’re running union members up and down the ballot — and winning. Taylor’s historic win kicks off a slate of rank-and-file union members running for office to fight for all of us.”Poultry Workers in Mississippi Ratify First Contract: Members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1529 who work at the Peco Foods poultry processing plant in West Point, Mississippi, have successfully ratified their inaugural union contract. Despite having to participate in three separate union elections and endure anti-union interference from management throughout the yearlong process of negotiating, workers stood strong and displayed a powerful show of unity. Highlights of the deal include major hourly wage increases, extra vacation time, additional holiday pay and more. “I am very proud of the employees of Peco Foods for hanging together for three long years and reaching a first contract that was better than expected,” said UFCW Local 1529 President Lonnie Sheppard. “The organizing program was a journey, and the direction we chose to take was worth the miles we traveled to get our first collective bargaining agreement,” said UFCW Local 1529 Secretary-Treasurer Rose Turner.Navajo Nation Workers Secure New Agreement with Frontier: Frontier Communications staff working in the Navajo Nation—who are represented by Communications Workers of America (CWA)—have reached a new three-year contract, thanks in part to the support of Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona. In September 2025, Sen. Gallego penned a letter to Frontier Communications Chief Executive Officer Nick Jeffery calling on the telecommunications company to bargain in good faith and close the longstanding wage gap between Navajo workers and their counterparts elsewhere in Arizona. The new agreement ensures that these members are paid fairly for the essential services they provide on the largest Indigenous reservation in the United States. “Senator Gallego’s letter to CEO Nick Jeffery turned the tide on the company’s slow-walking of our wage parity proposal. This agreement takes an important step to close the wage gap our Native American employees faced, and we appreciate the senator’s continued partnership,” said Fernando Roman, CWA District 7 campaign lead.Production Workers at D.C. Concert Venues Win Union Elections: Production and box office workers across four major music venues around Washington, D.C., have voted overwhelmingly to join the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) locals 22 and 868. These newly minted IATSE members are a critical part of operations at the 9:30 Club, Anthem, Lincoln Theater and Atlantis. They join the ranks of their food, beverage and staffing co-workers who are part of UNITE HERE Local 25. Approximately 300 staff across departments at these venues first went public with an organizing campaign in October 2025. “With this vote for unionization, the backstage workers who bring the music and stage magic to thousands of showgoers at these I.M.P.-operated music halls will now be heard and can be treated with the dignity they deserve,” said Ryan Chavka, business agent for IATSE Local 22. “We will now reach out to I.M.P. management to schedule negotiations for a first contract. We look forward to giving these production workers a voice at the bargaining table.”More Nurses Join CWA at Cayuga Health: Nurses at the Cayuga Health Surgicare clinic and Cayuga Cancer Center in New York have secured voluntary union recognition as members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The newly minted members of Cayuga United-CWA are joining the ranks of their counterparts at the Cayuga Medical Center—which is also a member of the Centralus Health system—who won their union election earlier this month. Nurses began organizing to fix chronic understaffing issues that were compromising both the quality of patient care as well as worker safety. “When nurses join together, we can make a positive change for our patients and our profession,” said April Mendez, a registered nurse in hematology and oncology. “We have been inspired by our coworkers at CMC sticking together through a union-busting campaign and winning their election. And we are proud to win our union as well. Now, we’re paving the way for the next group of healthcare workers by building the power to win a union.”Slate Editorial Staff Ratify New Contract Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members who work at Slate Media have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement that contains critical protections around artificial intelligence (AI) in the newsroom. The bargaining unit voted unanimously to approve the tentative agreement reached in early January. Along with establishing guardrails on the use of generative AI, WGAE members secured salary floor increases, higher severance payouts, more parental leave and other major wins. “The Slate Union is proud to ratify a new contract with management,” the bargaining unit said in a joint statement. “We’re thrilled to have secured better parental leave and severance, raised salary minimums and annual increases, added new positions to the unit, and introduced a brand new A.I. article. This contact improves the livelihoods of all our members, and we hope it helps set even better standards for all of those in our industry.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/05/2026 – 11:34
Tags:
Organizing
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Rosa Serai
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Rosa Serai
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today’s profile is Rosa Serai of NATCA.
Rosa Serai began a remarkable 32½-year career as an air traffic controller in Honolulu. As a dedicated member of NATCA, she became pivotal in the organization—helping to plan the construction of a new facility, training new controllers, serving as a subject matter expert, contributing to labor relations and designing simulation problems. She also served as the safety representative for the Honolulu Control Facility. Today, Serai continues to serve the labor movement as a retiree.
Kenneth Quinnell
Sun, 05/25/2025 – 15:22
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Annawa Naing
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Annawa Naing
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today’s profile is Annawa Naing of AFT.
Annawa Naing is a United Federation of Teachers (UFT) chapter leader and member of the New York State United Teachers, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Education Association (NEA) and the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA). As a teacher and a unionist, Naing believes in advocacy work—such as fighting for special education services for the students at her school and advocating for fellow members to make sure their union rights are not being violated.
Kenneth Quinnell
Sat, 05/24/2025 – 10:03
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Jacob Kaleikini
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Jacob Kaleikini
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today’s profile is Jacob Kaleikini of AFSCME.
United Public Workers (UPW/AFSCME) Hawaii member Jacob Kaleikini is a lead pipefitter at the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, where he has worked for more than 30 years. Kaleikini’s passion for his job and colleagues motivated him to get more involved, and he was elected chief steward of his unit. He then took on the role of chair of UPW’s election committee.
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 05/23/2025 – 10:03
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: ‘Another Massive Giveaway to Billionaires and Big Corporations’: AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler Slams House Budget Passed in the Dead of Night
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: ‘Another Massive Giveaway to Billionaires and Big Corporations’: AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler Slams House Budget Passed in the Dead of Night
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.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement on the budget reconciliation bill passed overnight in the House of Representatives:“House Republican leaders passed this shameful bill in the middle of the night for one reason: They didn’t want the American people to see the deep and harmful cuts they’re imposing in the light of day. This budget gave Congress a choice: stand with the working people, seniors and kids, or deliver another massive giveaway to billionaires and big corporations. Every single member of Congress who voted for this bill chose to write the richest 10% a fat check on the backs of working-class families already struggling to pay their bills.“They voted to throw millions off their health care, put millions of American jobs on the chopping block, gut investments in energy jobs, raid federal workers’ pensions, and reverse years of progress to protect workers’ privacy, health, and safety. Even policies that should help keep money in workers’ pockets, like no tax on tips or overtime, are temporary—and will only help people pay the much higher costs of health care and energy bills resulting from this deal if they are fortunate to keep their coverage and jobs at all. The fight to beat this is now in the Senate, but working people won’t give up on tough fights. Our jobs, our health care and our families are on the line.”Read the full press statement here.
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 05/23/2025 – 09:58
Worker Wins: As American as Apple Pie
Worker Wins: As American as Apple Pie
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
Northwestern University Food Service Workers Ratify New Contract: After a 12-day strike this year, members of UNITE HERE Local 1 who staff dining facilities at Northwestern University have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. Cooks, cashiers, dishwashers and catering staff on campus are employed by food service contractor Compass Group. Highlights of the new agreement include wage increases of $8 per hour over the lifetime of the contract, a 250% increase in employer pension contributions and more. “Thank you to all the students and community leaders for their support throughout the fight,” the union said in a social media post. “Congratulations, Compass Northwestern workers—when we fight, we win.”VFX Workers Ratify First Three Contracts with Major U.S. Studios: Visual effects (VFX) workers for Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Pictures and movie franchise Avatar voted overwhelmingly to ratify their first contracts as Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) members. The agreements are a major step forward for the VFX industry, establishing important standard union protections such as overtime pay, a pension and health plan, enforceable rest periods and more. Marvel workers voted unanimously to join IATSE in 2023, and their counterparts at Disney secured a similar election victory one month later. Avatar VFX workers joined the union in January of last year. “I am so proud of my fellow union members for all their hard work through which we have achieved this contract,” said Patrick DeVaney, a postvis coordinator, in a press release. “While we are used to pouring our blood and sweat into our work, unionizing requires something more: our courage. It takes an incredible amount of courage to stand up to management who will always seek to devalue labor in the pursuit of profit margins and your own coworkers who have labored for so long as a part of a non-unionized workforce that they were convinced unionizing would be impossible.”UAW Members Reach TA with General Dynamics Electric Boat: UAW Local 571 reached a tentative agreement (TA) with submarine manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat on Sunday ahead of the union’s midnight strike deadline. More than 2,400 members who build nuclear submarines at the Groton, Connecticut, shipyard would be covered by the new five-year contract. The deal includes major wins such as a 30% wage increase over the lifetime of the agreement and improved wage progression provisions. UAW credits last month’s unified strike authorization vote and strong member mobilization as a major determining factor in securing this TA. “This contract is going to change the lives of our members,” said Bill Louis, president of Local 571. “After years of sky-high housing costs and record inflation, our members are finally seeing the recognition they deserve for their hard work.” U Is for Union: Sesame Workshop Staff Win Union Election: Workers at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind the beloved children’s educational program “Sesame Street,” voted 55–19 to join the Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 153. Despite management attempting to cancel the National Labor Relations Board election twice and trying to turn away eligible staff on the day of the vote, members of Sesame Workers Union (SWU) stood strong and secured a powerful victory. “With a history of unions at Sesame Workshop like WGA and SAG-AFTRA, SWU was founded on the basis of inclusion of the most Sesame workers as possible. The union is the people in your neighborhood, friends, colleagues, coworkers,” said member Kristen Sandmeier. “Our union shows how we can come together in community and collectively negotiate working conditions that are truly responsive to the needs of all of our workers. We are so excited to certify the union and to begin working in harmony with Sesame leadership to ensure a timely first contract.”Divers at Orlando’s Discovery Cove Theme Park Vote to Join IUOE: Divers at SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove theme park unanimously voted to join the Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 30 last week, forming the first union at the Orlando, Florida, resort. With a 100% turnout rate for the election, divers and dive technicians are celebrating this milestone victory. These workers perform essential underwater maintenance duties at the aquatic-themed resort, and cite concerns around wages and lack of a voice on the job as core motivators for joining IUOE. During the organizing drive, parent company United Parks & Resorts retained union-busting legal counsel and tried to exclude some workers from union eligibility. But workers persisted through these delay tactics, and the National Labor Relations Board ultimately dismissed the eligibility complaint, ordering an election. “Workers, once they find out they have rights and they can get their fair piece to get a fair wage for their skill, they want that,” said Jonathan Ellingwood, an organizer with IUOE Local 30. “They were just tired of not getting raises, constantly being underpaid [compared] to what the other parks are paying.…The second you get together with the union and file, your voice is immediately heard.”Norse Atlantic Airways Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract: U.S.-based Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) members who work for Norse Atlantic Airways voted overwhelmingly in support of ratifying a new contract. The Norwegian low-cost, long-haul airline was founded in 2021 and has a flight attendant base in John F. Kennedy International Airport. Highlights of the deal include provisions that ensure job security, raise total compensation with the highest per diem in the industry, increase the number of sick days and more. “This contract provides Norse Flight Attendants with certainty and guaranteed economic and work rule improvements. The contract provides much-needed quality of life as Norse charts the path forward,” said Norse AFA President Katarzyna Mroczek.Washington State Governor Signs Striking Worker UI Benefits Bill into Law: Washington State Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill into law Monday that will extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to striking workers. Senate Bill 504, which goes into effect Jan. 1, provides up to six weeks of benefits to workers starting 15 to 21 days after a strike or lockout begins. Having access to this financial resource levels the playing field for union members walking the picket line, giving them more time to settle the fair contract they are owed. “Workers joining together in union and collectively bargaining to improve working conditions is as American as apple pie,” said April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council. “But with stagnant wages and a rising cost of living, many workers don’t have a safety net if they are pushed to strike. Providing UI for striking workers will level the playing field by encouraging employers to bargain in good faith and making it harder for bad bosses to starve workers out. UI benefits will help striking workers survive while they fight for the union contract that will help them thrive. We’re grateful to Sen. Riccelli for his leadership on this bill, and to all the legislators who listened to working people and supported its passage.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 05/22/2025 – 11:45
Tags:
Organizing
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Greta Ladrillono
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Greta Ladrillono
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today’s profile is Greta Ladrillono of PASS.
A near 20-year member of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), Greta Ladrillono was born in the Philippines, raised in California and now lives in Florida, where she has worked in different positions for the Federal Aviation Administration. She’s active in her local chapter and is not only a proud union member, but joined PASS as soon as she was eligible.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 05/22/2025 – 10:03
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Washington State Governor Signs Striking Worker UI Benefits Bill into Law
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Washington State Governor Signs Striking Worker UI Benefits Bill into Law
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.
Washington State Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill into law Monday that will extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to striking workers.Senate Bill 504, which goes into effect Jan. 1, provides up to six weeks of benefits to workers starting 15 to 21 days after a strike or lockout begins. Having access to this financial resource levels the playing field for union members walking the picket line, giving them more time to settle the fair contract they are owed.“Workers joining together in union and collectively bargaining to improve working conditions is as American as apple pie,” said April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council. “But with stagnant wages and a rising cost of living, many workers don’t have a safety net if they are pushed to strike. Providing UI for striking workers will level the playing field by encouraging employers to bargain in good faith and making it harder for bad bosses to starve workers out. UI benefits will help striking workers survive while they fight for the union contract that will help them thrive. We’re grateful to Sen. Riccelli for his leadership on this bill, and to all the legislators who listened to working people and supported its passage.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 05/22/2025 – 09:52
REPORT: Project 2025 and DOGE Effects
REPORT: Project 2025 and DOGE Effects
This week, we delivered an AFL-CIO Department of People Who Work for a Living report to lawmakers on Capitol Hill, detailing in workers’ own voices how Elon Musk’s DOGE is gutting essential services, putting lives at risk and triggering mass firings that threaten local economies.
DOGE is Project 2025 on steroids. From delayed veterans’ care to missing Social Security checks, the consequences of DOGE’s illegal mass firings go far beyond Washington. Read the Report. After holding field hearings across the country, here’s just a few of the things we heard from working people: Since January, thousands of federal workers who we rely on for key services—such as processing Social Security checks, ensuring food gets inspected and providing veterans’ health care—have been illegally fired or pushed out.They’ve attacked workers’ rights to stand up to big corporations and organize and collectively bargain, shutting down the National Labor Relations Board and destroying its independence, and crushing the federal mediation agency.DOGE has attacked workers’ health and safety, including gutting the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, closing worker safety offices and gutting regulations that protect workers.DOGE has attacked health care, eliminating jobs at the VA, repealing programs to lower drug prices, directing Congress to gut Medicaid and ending health coverage for millions of people to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.They’ve dismantled the Department of Education, tearing down public education and attacking our universities.DOGE has undermined investment and jobs in the next generation of American energy innovation and manufacturing, and undermined workers’ rights across the world.With budget negotiations ongoing in Congress, this report puts a spotlight on what’s really at stake: the people who make government work and the communities that depend on them. Read it now. The people who work for a living want an agenda that works for them—not big corporations and billionaires. We are calling on lawmakers to fully restore the programs that make our country run. Make a call to say, “no cuts that hurt working families.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 05/21/2025 – 13:12