AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Charron Carter

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Charron Carter

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 Charron Carter of AFGE .

Charron Carter is the president of AFGE Local 727 and vice president of the Metropolitan D.C. Area Chapter of Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW). She works for the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency and was pivotal in starting a petition for her and her co-workers to join the bargaining unit and become AFGE members. She was appointed chief shop steward in 2017 and was elected to a second term in 2019. She has been the local president since December 2022.

Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/06/2025 – 10:20

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AFL-CIO Launches the Department of People Who Work for a Living

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AFL-CIO Launches the Department of People Who Work for a Living

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.

Today, the AFL-CIO has launched the Department of People Who Work for a Living (DPWL), a new campaign to hold Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, accountable and make sure the federal government is responsive to working people and not just to the whims of an unelected CEO like Musk.In today’s New York Times, reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan note that “The AFL-CIO campaign is one of the first organized efforts by unions to focus on the people affected by the work force cuts that the Trump administration is proposing. The labor group aims to highlight what Mr. Musk’s department is doing, arguing that its actions—which are opaque and accountable only to Mr. Trump—are potentially dangerous to the public depending on the jobs in question. The group is also seeking to highlight the chasm between Mr. Musk’s wealth and that of the people he has urged to move on from federal jobs.”“The government can work for billionaires or it can work for working people—but not both,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Elon is just getting started. And he has already tried to force workers doing essential services—including at the FAA and air traffic controllers even after the tragedy at Washington National Airport—to retire, gained access to the Treasury Department’s payment system with everyone’s private data, and is declaring entire government agencies like USAID shut down and blocking workers from accessing the building and their email. We will hold DOGE and Elon Musk accountable because we are certain that the people who keep our food and medicine safe know more about how to make government efficient than an outsider whose companies benefit from the very agencies he is infiltrating.”Read the full statement from the AFL-CIO here.

Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/06/2025 – 10:02

Committed to Protecting Your Rights: What Working People Are Doing This Week

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Committed to Protecting Your Rights: 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:Stand with the Chippendales Dancers and demand management stop their union-busting tactics! Show your support today: https://t.co/F2eC2GKE6w pic.twitter.com/1xibgyxnFL— Actors’ Equity (@ActorsEquity) February 4, 2025AFGE:We’re committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that your negotiated contracts are upheld. Stay strong, stay informed, and know that we will mobilize together to defend your workplace rights.https://t.co/VpxDRBrn0b— AFGE (@AFGENational) February 5, 2025AFSCME:Investing in our nation’s transportation is essential for maintaining strong communities and a vibrant economy. It is absurd to re-direct taxpayer dollars away from our communities because of arbitrary standards such as marriage and birth rates. https://t.co/ORQOfocl5Y— AFSCME (@AFSCME) February 5, 2025Alliance for Retired Americans:Having someone who doesn’t even know how Medicare and Medicaid operate “go wild” with seniors’ health care is not a good idea. https://t.co/vej1r26y41 https://t.co/K5jZcBFAnW— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) February 4, 2025Amalgamated Transit Union:Our Local 588-Regina, SK, members and all transit workers deserve to be safe on the job. #NotOneMore https://t.co/6QWNIFtK4Q— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) February 4, 2025American Federation of Teachers:You don’t have to be one of the thousands of AFT members on our town hall call to send a letter to your members of Congress. They must urge the president to reinstate the protection of schools, hospitals and churches against ICE. https://t.co/LNPzULsEj3#protectourchildren— AFT (@AFTunion) January 31, 2025American Postal Workers Union:The PRC opinion released on Friday warns that the USPS plan to change service standards would result in significant downgrades in service, particularly affecting rural America, and that any cost savings associated with the changes may not be worth the serious impacts to the…— The American Postal Workers Union – APWU (@APWUnational) February 4, 2025Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:Officials have declared the Flight 5342 and helicopter rescue operation in the Potomac has been moved to a recovery operation and that there are no survivors. This is gut wrenching for our entire flying family. pic.twitter.com/tgATVbFdzE— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) January 30, 2025Boilermakers:Our hearts go out to our union family and all families who lost loved ones yesterday evening. Read our full statement. https://t.co/YRySXpzFmx pic.twitter.com/9k6CNHgBfN— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) January 30, 2025Bricklayers:Happy #WorkSiteWednesday everyone!Members from @iubacnj_l4_l5 have been hard at work on a furnace rebuild at Durand Glass Manufacturing in Millville, New Jersey!Great work guys! These are some awesome pictures!#BestHandsInTheBusiness #SkilledTrades pic.twitter.com/mzZzIFDtqX— Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union (@IUBAC) February 5, 2025Communications Workers of America:This Black History Month, we honor the countless Black leaders, activists, and workers who shaped the labor movement and fought for justice. Together, we build on their legacy, standing united for equality and solidarity in every workplace. pic.twitter.com/waQNLdO92o— CWA (@CWAUnion) February 1, 2025Department for Professional Employees:Solidarity with @WeAreUAKU members demanding a fair contract! https://t.co/TzQ49BEQJq— Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) February 5, 2025Electrical Workers:🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶 https://t.co/FOkRc30ccg— IBEW (@IBEW) February 4, 2025Heat and Frost Insulators:Supporting Our Own. 💙The week after he graduated, Kaleb Buchanan made the trip up to the Union Hall with his mother & father. His mother, having worked in a Union before, was very excited at the prospect of her son being trained in our trade that would provide him with a… pic.twitter.com/mti7Ou8xar— Insulators Union 🦎 (@InsulatorsUnion) January 27, 2025International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers:Matt Biggs, President of the IFPTE, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss pressing issues facing federal workers following the start of President Trump’s second term in office. https://t.co/UUv14tDn9e— IFPTE (@IFPTE) February 3, 2025Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:📢 El Avance Newsletter is here!! 📢Stay informed with the latest edition of El Avance Newsletter that includes crucial Know Your Rights information. 📩 Read it now!English here: https://t.co/yPqMcAiqEz Spanish here: https://t.co/pSiyKHfVEQ pic.twitter.com/w1Xdam41Ue— LCLAA (@LCLAA) January 31, 2025Labor Heritage Foundation:LHF Labor Video & Labor Song playlists updatedEach week we feature a labor video and a labor song in the LHF newsletter; they’re all collected now on handy playlists here:https://t.co/kEk5gPb4CnGot a labor video and/or song we should share? Email us at info@laborheritage.org pic.twitter.com/k15ZBBl3bt— Labor Heritage (@LaborHeritage1) February 5, 2025Laborers:Building Bridges. Connecting Communities. #LIUNA is keeping North America moving, one project at a time! Check out our latest work on the Mount Hope Bridge, linking Bristol & Portsmouth, RI.From roads to bridges, our #union Laborers are the backbone of #infrastructure.… pic.twitter.com/9VdRhV18r5— LIUNA (@LIUNA) February 5, 2025Machinists:”As a union with deep ties in the aviation, aerospace and defense industries, as well as a significant presence in Wichita, we are heartbroken by the crash at Reagan Washington National Airport”– IAM International President Brian Bryanthttps://t.co/J9F1KcqaKq— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) January 30, 2025Maritime Trades Department:Potter Appointed MTD Secretary-Treasurerhttps://t.co/2d7I4OTLNK— Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO (@Maritime_Trades) January 30, 2025Metal Trades Department:Groton-based submarine maker Electric Boat announces plan to hire 3K in 2025. About 400 new employees would work at the company’s shipyard in Groton. https://t.co/Mcyxz02BIF— Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) February 4, 2025Mine Workers:United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:https://t.co/vtQAQ8kQk4— United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) January 31, 2025Musical Artists:AGMA’s 2025 Board of Governors Election Kicks Off Today: https://t.co/zlETn3Ag07 pic.twitter.com/WD5R0sTHWm— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) February 3, 2025National Air Traffic Controllers Association:Tomorrow is the LAST DAY to sign up to attend NATCA in Washington,which will be taking place March 24-26. We are contacting all 535 congressional offices to secure meetings where our NATCAvists will champion our Union’s cause. https://t.co/76IE4eukgY pic.twitter.com/Gxzxm2FsuK— NATCA (@NATCA) February 5, 2025National Association of Letter Carriers:National Domestic Workers Alliance:Domestic workers impacted by the L.A. fires have a challenging road to recovery due to a lack of labor protections and access to relief funds.We won’t let them feel left behind.Join us: https://t.co/iYCkJyVYef— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) February 5, 2025National Federation of Federal Employees:President Erwin on Deferred Resignation, New National Chief of Staff, and more – https://t.co/6Uk8WOxWg5 pic.twitter.com/jV7LiqpeuY— NFFE (@NFFE_Union) January 31, 2025National Nurses United:🚨New Orleans #NurseStrike alert! Nurses at @UMCNO deserve and demand progress on a first union contract!We’re looking forward to seeing our co-workers and our community out on the strike line.” – Shonda Franklin, RNhttps://t.co/8mz1e5MOon— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) February 4, 2025NWSL Players Association:Welcoming two new members!! ✊ #1u https://t.co/h5oXb8o8DM— NWSLPA (@nwsl_players) February 3, 2025NFL Players Association:Big congrats to Darius Slayton for winning the Alan Page Community Award! Darius donated $50K this holiday season to support 24 families in need, partnering with NYPD officers for a celebration. In recognition, the NFLPA is donating $100K to the Left Hand Right Hand Foundation! pic.twitter.com/gk38hLG7ml— NFLPA (@NFLPA) February 5, 2025North America’s Building Trades Unions:.@GoIUPAT District Council 58 is making significant progress in narrowing the gender gap in the trades through grassroots efforts and strong union support. Read more about how they’re creating opportunities for more women in construction:https://t.co/fur9HmyqRB— The Building Trades (@NABTU) February 4, 2025Office and Professional Employees:Local 30 member Tamua Newton has worked at City of Hope—a cancer treatment and research center—for more than 20 years. She serves as a steward and is a member of Local 30’s executive board. #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/xcVBjkvGej— OPEIU | #UnionStrong (@OPEIU) February 1, 2025Painters and Allied Trades:We’d like to welcome our new apprentice commercial painter member out of DC 53, Lucas Haye, recently sworn in by his union brother Chris Hardman. We are proud to have you be a part of the IUPAT, brother! pic.twitter.com/ZLypxTUYSt— IUPAT (@GoIUPAT) February 5, 2025Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:Today @PASSprezdc sent message to PASS members regarding White House memo on CBAs: “factually speaking this memo has no impact on CBAs that have been approved through agency-head review process and are currently in effect for FAA employees in AVS and ATO.”https://t.co/YwwcX0kXVY— PASS (@PASSNational) February 3, 2025Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:The retail union movement is not backing down. Ashley Hamilton, a member of @reiunion Greensboro, just voted to unionize in January. Ashley had this to say about recent NLRB upheaval: “In my mind, it doesn’t slow me down, it doesn’t stop me. It makes me want it more.” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/57zh0xNbVY— RWDSU (@RWDSU) February 5, 2025Roofers and Waterproofers:Did you know? Roofers have 10 times the rate of fatal falls of all other construction occupations combined! https://t.co/BMNjhH7VCZ #roofersafety365 pic.twitter.com/5mof9ZP2jF— Roofers Union (@roofersunion) February 5, 2025SAG-AFTRA:Happy #NationalWeatherpersonsDay! 🌦️ Join us in celebrating #SagAftraMember broadcasters who keep us informed every day, rain or shine. Let your favorite weatherperson know how much you appreciate them today! 💛 pic.twitter.com/jIuMDQDTf9— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) February 5, 2025Service Employees International Union (SEIU):Short-staffing essential services means putting lives at risk. Kern County workers keep roads safe, protect kids, and support those in crisis—yet the Board of Supervisors refuses to invest in them. It’s time to #FixKern and fund the frontline workers our communities rely on! 🚨✊ https://t.co/MRjODdLhHQ— SEIU (@SEIU) February 5, 2025The NewsGuild-CWA:NEW: LANDSLIDE UNION VICTORY🚨Workers at one of Denver’s oldest nonprofits just crushed their union election 15-2, joining the @DenverGuild. Now, Metro Caring staff are ready to fight for the contract they deserve. ✊ #UnionStrong https://t.co/iKaAg6nLQ0— The NewsGuild-CWA (@newsguild) February 3, 2025Theatrical Stage Employees:The IATSE Sports Broadcast Community teamed up with @sagaftra to celebrate the incredible women shaping sports broadcasting for #NationalGirlsAndWomenInSportsDay.To check out our IA Sisters who are leading the way, click here: https://t.co/7Co1vxkcpk— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) February 5, 2025Transport Workers Union:COMPLETE VICTORY!PrimeFlight Fuelers at Orlando Intl. Airport @MCO voted UNANIMOUSLY to join The TWU. They are treated miserably by PrimeFlight Aviation Services. No more. We immediately commence the fight for the 1st contract w better wages & working conditions. @TwuSamuelsen— TWU (@transportworker) February 3, 2025Transportation Trades Department:From our capital city to Kansas and beyond, we are a nation in mourning. We are devastated by the loss of all 64 souls on board Flight 5342 and the three service members aboard the Black Hawk helicopter.Our statement: https://t.co/2nbuqhJZ8M pic.twitter.com/ceEtuMhWI6— TTD | America’s Transportation Unions (@TTDAFLCIO) January 30, 2025UAW:Workers at Volkswagen won their union last year. Now they’re bargaining a first contract, and winning higher wages is at the top of their list. “We should be making more than we make. We all know it’s corporate greed.” #StandUpVW pic.twitter.com/1m8zJmOqa5— UAW (@UAW) February 5, 2025UNITE HERE:BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHTS✨Devon Fitzhugh, A Cook at the Palms Las Vegas & Culinary Union member since 1989—”Culinary Union works to make our shops fair regardless of your race, gender, or country of origin. My union fights to create the same standards for all workers…” pic.twitter.com/FpXfJY3COx— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) February 4, 2025United Food and Commercial Workers:19 workers at the Story cannabis dispensary in Hyattsville, MD, have voted to unionize with @UFCW400, joining fellow dispensary workers across Maryland in the fight for fair wages, better benefits, and the respect they deserve!➡️ https://t.co/DRoT5GQCHD pic.twitter.com/NkNmEgJX3n— UFCW (@UFCW) February 5, 2025United Steelworkers:Congrats to 260 UP Health System Marquette workers for ratifying their 1st contract! They achieved historic wage increases, boosted on-call pay, and secured critical safety protections. 👉 Read their story here: https://t.co/bLps7M5by3 pic.twitter.com/DDKRn70kDi— United Steelworkers #EverybodysUnion (@steelworkers) February 4, 2025Utility Workers:🥳 Congratulations to all of the new officers and stewards of UWUA Local 104 who were recently sworn in by Michigan State Utility Council President Craig Wright.Active Local leaders are the foundation of our union! #solidarity pic.twitter.com/EFbRfzlxRo— UWUA National (@The_UWUA) February 5, 2025Writers Guild of America East:The WGAE is connecting members in NY, Chicago, or LA with the Hebrew Free Loan Society’s 0%-interest no fee loans programs to meet a wide array of financial needs due to layoffs, the impact of the LA wildfires & other financial emergencies. Visit https://t.co/X2PK3SbZep for more.— Writers Guild of America East (@WGAEast) February 4, 2025

Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/05/2025 – 12:31

Black History Month Profiles: Andrea Winzer

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Andrea Winzer

Andrea Winzer of USW Local 8599 is proud to educate students as a library specialist within the Fontana Unified School District in Southern California. Her goal is to make the library a fun place where students can immerse themselves around storytelling. One way she does this is by organizing bookmark design contests during each heritage month. She also loves to serve her community, including volunteering with her church to help the homeless and veterans in her neighborhood.

Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/05/2025 – 10:35

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IBEW Members in Alaska to Install High-Speed Internet for State’s Remote Population

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IBEW Members in Alaska to Install High-Speed Internet for State’s Remote Population

Members of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1547 in Anchorage, Alaska, are working to bridge infrastructure gaps in underserved communities by providing reliable internet to the state’s villages and rural Indigenous populations.Local 1547 members are employed through several contractors that will begin work on the Alaska Communications’ FiberOptic project later this year. This grant-funded effort aims to connect up to 21 communities along the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers to reliable, high-speed internet. Because of the unique environmental factors in Alaska, this project is a massive, complex undertaking. But the skilled IBEW members who will be performing this high-tech work are ready to help expand connectivity throughout the region.“It’s exciting to be on the cutting edge of telecommunications here in Alaska,” said Local 1547 Business Manager Doug Tansy, who is a member of the Native population and grew up in interior Alaska. “These are very much underserved communities, and they’re geographically very difficult to get to, as well as being extremely expensive on a per capita basis. What our telecommunications members are doing will bring change to our state’s landscape. I really think it’s going to change the ambition of those communities when they have a chance to get an education and grow their knowledge.”

Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/05/2025 – 10:27

Celebrating Black History Month: In the States Roundup

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Celebrating Black History Month: In the States Roundup

It’s time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on X (formerly Twitter).

Alaska AFL-CIO:It appears Trump has illegally fired a member of the National Labor Relations Board, halting their essential work. Make no mistake, this will impact working people everywhere. Project 2025 is becoming a reality before our very eyes. #1u https://t.co/XhfW0HOzaX— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) January 28, 2025California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:Our prayers are with all the families affected by this tragic crash, including our @afa_cwa siblings. https://t.co/uxrXruMC7f— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) January 30, 2025Colorado AFL-CIO:The labor movement owes a great debt to the contributions of Black union members and leaders. This #BlackHistoryMonth, we honor both those who paved the way and those today continuing the fight for racial justice in the workplace and beyond. pic.twitter.com/ROGz6BcCeY— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) February 3, 2025Connecticut AFL-CIO:.@AFLCIO President @LizShuler: “Whether our work is on the rink, in the classroom or on the factory floor, every worker deserves a voice on the job and the power that comes with union membership.” #1u https://t.co/d2au1ckZnb— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) February 3, 2025Illinois AFL-CIO:Paul was the first in his family to join the Laborers. When other family members saw the difference the union made in his life, they followed in his footsteps to pursue a career in construction. #BlackHistoryMonth #1u pic.twitter.com/OZltlLTLUv— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) February 3, 2025Maine AFL-CIO:From working at a Maytag plant in Iowa & an oil rig in Texas to Bath Iron Works, @MachinistsUnion member has been through plant closures & lockouts. He shares what he’s learned in this week’s “Steward Spotlight!” https://t.co/tJ3VIoSmZM— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) February 4, 2025Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Meet Jeff Plaistead from @Ibew223, one of the many union members building the clean energy future in Massachusetts and across America. #CleanEnergy https://t.co/e4XODdweUA— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) February 3, 2025Michigan State AFL-CIO:.@SenGaryPeters has been a steadfast advocate for Michigan’s working families and a true champion for unions. He’s stood shoulder to shoulder with workers, fighting for better wages, safer workplaces, and stronger protections for the right to organize. https://t.co/gXzZp4fUQ5— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) January 28, 2025Minnesota AFL-CIO:”Each additional year that a respondent spent as a union member associated with about 1.5% lower odds of mortality after the age of 40.” https://t.co/CCTKKbT6IE #BetterInAUnion— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) January 30, 2025Missouri AFL-CIO:The White House’s attack on diversity in the federal workforce is bad for all workers. Diversifying our federal workforce helps government agencies better serve their communities and working people across the country.More from Merri Berry ⬇️https://t.co/YoanSRH6Zj— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) February 3, 2025Nevada State AFL-CIO:Happy first day of session! We are excited to work with legislators, labor leaders, and affiliates to help ensure that pro-labor bills are passed during Nevada’s 83rd legislative session. pic.twitter.com/7VRtNpnwq6— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) February 4, 2025New Hampshire AFL-CIO:Our Brothers and Sisters are here today to tell their elected Representatives that “Right-to-Work” is STILL WRONG for NH! Please help us by following the link to send a letter to your legislator today: https://t.co/QP4RyjZZTsThank you for your #Solidarity! ✊#NHPolitics #1u pic.twitter.com/GahXnrrHj3— New Hampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) January 28, 2025New York State AFL-CIO:This morning President Mario Cilento spoke at the NYS Senate Labor Committee meeting about the legislative priorities of NY’s union movement. Thank you Chairwoman @NYSenatorRamos for the invitation! pic.twitter.com/TNyYFp6nES— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) February 4, 2025North Carolina State AFL-CIO:NC voters elected Justice Riggs to keep her seat on the NC Supreme Court, which was reaffirmed in two independent recounts. Instead of trying to steal her win, Griffin needs to concede! https://t.co/lQcUxFAlHu #1u #ncpol— NC State AFL-CIO // #CountMeIn (@NCStateAFLCIO) February 4, 2025Ohio AFL-CIO:They truly beleive we were put here to serve billionaires. Our true role in society is to put an honest days work in to be good family and community members with life fulfillments outside of making money off the backs of our neighbors. https://t.co/sw6R4rC2Gq— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) January 29, 2025Oregon AFL-CIO:Healthcare workers at Providence represented by the Oregon Nurses Association and Teamsters at Bigfoot Beverages are STILL walking the line for fair contracts.Join them today by finding a picket line near you at https://t.co/bb7P96KEa4 pic.twitter.com/XUHwEDhRRQ— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) February 4, 2025Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:Union apprenticeships build a stronger Pennsylvania. #PABudget https://t.co/y3P8XbcRzv— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) February 4, 2025Texas AFL-CIO:🚨 The Texas Senate will vote on the voucher scam THIS WEEK, putting our public schools’ funding & our retirees’ hard-earned pensions in jeopardy.Add your name TODAY to tell the #txlege: keep public dollars in public schools & protect our retirees! #SB2 https://t.co/5CDXEAFlOD— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) February 3, 2025Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:Throughout this month we will honor all those who came before us and those currently fighting for racial justice in the workplace and in the Pacific Northwest. We uplift Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, an independent voice of black workers within the trade union movement pic.twitter.com/XYxHmhGZCk— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) February 2, 2025Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Veteran flight attendant reacts to potential Air Wisconsin mass layoffs, unions await next steps https://t.co/DlwfstR8Z5— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) February 4, 2025

Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 02/04/2025 – 10:51

Black History Month Profiles: Latauna Bigelow

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Latauna Bigelow

Latauna Bigelow joined SMART Local 100 16 years ago after graduating from apprenticeship school and became a journeyman. In addition to working as a conductor warden, she has served as shop steward, an organizer and a RISE committee member. In order to create a more inclusive workspace, she is educating herself, getting more involved in the RISE committee and sharing her personal experiences. Over the years, Bigelow has won many awards, but finds it most rewarding when a member thanks her for her words of encouragement and for being a great listener.

Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 02/04/2025 – 10:35

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Hockey Players’ Unions Join the AFL-CIO

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Hockey Players’ Unions Join the AFL-CIO

Today, two of professional hockey’s North American players’ associations—the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA)—announced they are formally affiliating with the AFL-CIO and joining its Sports Council.“Whether our work is on the rink, in the classroom or on the factory floor, every worker deserves a voice on the job and the power that comes with union membership,” said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO. “We are thrilled to welcome the NHLPA and the PHPA into the federation and our Sports Council, and we look forward to supporting their work to ensure strong union contracts, fair wages, safe working conditions and professional development opportunities for professional hockey players. On the heels of SEIU’s affiliation last month, America’s labor movement is more unified than ever. We will continue to channel that strength and momentum into the fight for workers’ rights.”Read the full statement from the AFL-CIO here.

Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 02/04/2025 – 10:27

Black History Month Profiles: Raya Fagg

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Black History Month Profiles: Raya Fagg

Raya Fagg is the outreach coordinator for the Office of Cultural Affairs for Upper Darby Township in Pennsylvania. An OPEIU Local 153 member since 2019, she also serves as the secretary for her union’s executive board. “Systems can be changed,” she said, “but it has to start with an individual and end with a collective.”

Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 02/03/2025 – 13:50

Gaining A Seat at the Table: The Working People Weekly List

Posted in: AFL-CIO

Gaining A Seat at the Table: 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.

Portland City Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Strike: “More than a thousand unionized city of Portland workers voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to strike following months of negotiations. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (Oregon AFSCME Local 189) said 87% of people voted in favor of a strike, with 89% of members who participated in the vote.”GE Appliances Union Workers Ratify New Contract. Here’s What We Know: “After months of contract negotiations and union workers striking down a tentative agreement, workers at GE Appliances have ratified a new labor contract. The roughly 5,000 union workers in Louisville at GE Appliances—a major manufacturer of dishwashers, refrigerators, and washers and dryers—voted in the new contract on Wednesday with 72.5% of voting workers in favor of the new deal. IUE-CWA Local 83761 President Dino Driskell said the contract is a roughly $142 million investment over its four years. ‘The IUE-CWA Local 83761 has informed us that the proposed four-year agreement has passed,’ GE Appliances spokesperson Julie Wood told the Courier Journal via email Wednesday evening. ‘We appreciate our employees’ ongoing commitment to our business and the work they do every day to support our customers.’”“No Cuts, No Compromise!”: Kansas Citians Mobilize to Defend Public Transit as Funding Crisis Looms: “Last week, over 100 low-wage workers, bus riders and drivers came together to protest major cuts to bus routes and union jobs that are being considered by the city government. Bus riders and community members with Stand Up KC joined Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1287 members and Sunrise Movement KC outside of the Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA) headquarters to protest a lack of funding from KCMO City Council.”GM Profit Sharing: Here’s the Record Amount UAW Members Will Get for 2024: “For every $1 billion GM makes in North America, the automaker’s hourly U.S. employees receive $1,000, according to the Detroit automaker’s agreement with the United Auto Workers. GM made about $14.258 billion in North America in 2024, up 18% year-over-year. ‘Our membership performed beyond all expectations,’ [UAW International Vice President Mike] Booth wrote. ‘It is our members’ skillfulness that made this profit possible, as they produce the finest products in the world, right here in the U.S.A.’”For Inspiration in 2025, Look to Labor’s 2024 Wins (Liz Shuler): “As we kick off 2025, there is no better source of inspiration than looking back at the extraordinary things workers accomplished this past year. I am struck by how stories of workers standing together and holding corporations accountable dominated headlines. Organizing stayed on the rise as the National Labor Relations Board reported that union election petitions were up 27% from fiscal year 2023. In a critical election year, 26,000 union volunteers across the country reached more than 10 million voters, and made the difference for pro-worker candidates. And all over the country, brave workers took to the streets and went on strikes that secured life-changing new contracts.”Whole Foods Workers Form First Union in Amazon’s Grocery Chain: “Workers at a Whole Foods Market in Philadelphia voted on Monday to become the first unionized store in Amazon’s grocery chain, opening a new front in the e-commerce giant’s efforts to fend off labor organizing in multiple segments of its business. Employees at the sprawling Whole Foods store, in the city’s Spring Garden neighborhood, voted 130 to 100 in favor of organizing with the United Food and Commercial Workers union, the National Labor Relations Board said.”Beth Israel Medical Center Residents and Fellows Vote to Unionize: “Residents and fellows at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center voted to unionize with 83 percent in favor on Wednesday, joining the Service Employees International Union’s Committee of Interns and Residents. Sixty-one percent of the 811-member bargaining unit—which includes interns, residents, chief residents, and physician fellows at BIDMC—participated in the mail-in election, which was run by the National Labor Relations board from Dec. 19 to Jan. 17. The vote passed by a margin of 407–85. CIR-SEIU organizers wrote in a press release that the BIDMC house staff unionized ‘to gain a seat at the table to advocate for themselves and their patients, especially immigrant and refugee patients, and other folks coming from working-class communities of color who often face the highest barriers to care.’”Union Leaders Critique Hotels’ Skipped Room Cleanings: “Is skipping hotel room cleanings saving the environment or a scam for hotels to save on labor costs? Union leaders are calling out hotels for their supposed concern for the environment, arguing that this is nothing more than a ruse to allow customers to expect less while paying the same price. Lizzy Tapia, president of Unite Here Local 2, a San Francisco-based hotel workers union, explained on a recent broadcast of America’s Workforce Union Podcast that ‘previous to the pandemic, [Marriott Hotels] used to have what they called ‘The Green Choice Program’ [that allowed guests to choose not to have their rooms cleaned every day but]…after 3 days or 5 days of not having your room cleaned, your room is sticky and dusty and dirty—[and] it requires double the amount of work, not to mention the chemicals and water, and all of that stuff. So, The Green Choice Program was a hoax.’”

Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 02/03/2025 – 14:37