AFL-CIO
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Castlevania Studio Animation Workers Ratify First Union Contract
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Castlevania Studio Animation Workers Ratify First Union Contract
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.
Animation workers at Powerhouse Animation Studios in Texas overwhelmingly voted to ratify their first union contract, with 96% of members voting to approve the agreement. Details of the contract were not immediately available. The more than 100 workers produce games like Castlevania and include both production workers and artists at the studio, folding in roles such as animator, background designer and production assistant.“This is one of the strongest agreements we have been able to negotiate, and the crew’s resolve to their priority issues is the reason,” said Steve Kaplan, business representative of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 839. “I also want to acknowledge the work Powerhouse and its leadership team put in. We all had to be flexible to get to the finish line, and they showed their commitment to being a productive partner with the Union in the negotiations.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 09/23/2024 – 09:50
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Temple Faculty, Administration Reach Tentative Agreement
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Temple Faculty, Administration Reach Tentative Agreement
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.
The Temple Association of University Professionals (TAUP)—an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)—has secured a tentative agreement (TA) on a five-year contract with the administration of Temple University.This deal follows more than a year of negotiations and is subject to approval by both membership and Temple’s board of trustees. The TA features a $10,000 across-the-board raise for full-time employees upon ratification—amounting to a 10% raise for at least half the bargaining unit, which includes more than 2,300 faculty, librarians and other academic professionals. Over the life of the contract, a tenured professor on average will receive an 18% increase, while those who are nontenured will get about 23%. Other wins include expanded bereavement leave, improved parental leave, more protections for academic freedom, no increased health care costs and more.“This is the most complex and transformative agreement for our union since our 1990 strike, and contained in this agreement are historic wins on pay equity, job security, and numerous working conditions, benefits, and union power,” the union said in a statement posted to social media.
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 09/20/2024 – 09:54
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Alicia Castro Chicol
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Alicia Castro Chicol
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today’s profile features Alicia Castro Chicol of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
Since becoming a member of IATSE Local 480 in 2011, Alicia Castro Chicol has actively served as a volunteer and board member of Chainbreaker Collective, a membership-based economic and environmental justice organization that helps expand access to affordable transportation and sustainable communities for working people in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and surrounding areas. Having strong roots in both El Salvador and Guatemala, Chicol helps with community organizing through different grassroots and political entities within these countries.
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 09/20/2024 – 09:53
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement.
Here’s who we’ve featured so far:Omayra Sánchez, Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU)Amanda Filpo, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART)Roy Zuniga, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)Elizabeth Mercado, Communications Workers of America (CWA)
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 09/19/2024 – 13:41
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Elizabeth Mercado
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Elizabeth Mercado
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today’s profile features Elizabeth Mercado of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Elizabeth Mercado has been a CWA union activist and leader for more than 23 years. She has held many positions in both her union and her community—from serving on her local school board as the first Puerto Rican woman (and, eventually, president), to chairing the CWA National Women’s Committee from 2021 to 2023, working as a Labor Council for Latin American Advancement Trabajadoras Fellow and beyond, Mercado continuously demonstrates her commitment to the community, workers’ rights and human rights.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 09/19/2024 – 10:23
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Volkswagen Workers in Chattanooga Rally to Win Strong First Contract
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Volkswagen Workers in Chattanooga Rally to Win Strong First Contract
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.
After a historic union election victory earlier this year, UAW members who work for Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tennessee, are gearing up to begin negotiating a powerful first contract with the automotive giant later this week.More than 400 newly minted UAW members, their family members and community supporters rallied on Sunday to channel momentum from the vote to securing a contract that raises workplace standards, increases wages, improves benefits and codifies protections similar to those secured by autoworkers in other unionized plants. Other demands from Volkswagen workers include corporate accountability, workplace respect, retirement security and better paid time off. With representation across every department and shift at the facility, the 20-person elected bargaining committee has been meeting for weeks already to analyze survey data about members’ goals for the first agreement.“Our victory in April was just the beginning,” said Samuel Gallardo, an assembly line worker at Volkswagen. “Now we are focused on winning a contract that reflects the hard work and dedication of every worker here. We’ve shown that when we stand together, we win—first our union, and soon a contract that guarantees higher wages, better benefits, and a brighter future for all.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 09/19/2024 – 10:03
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Roy Zuniga
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Roy Zuniga
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today’s profile features Roy Zuniga of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).
In addition to delivering mail to the customers on his route, Roy Zuniga goes the extra mile to serve his fellow letter carriers as a shop steward, on-the-job instructor and NALC activist. Reflecting on why being involved in his union is important to him, Zuniga shared the following: “What I enjoy most is passing on to the new members what was passed on to me and more. When you see new brothers and sisters at a meeting or they call you because they have a question, it makes it all worth it.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 09/18/2024 – 10:02
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: CWA Wins Tentative Agreement at AT&T Southeast
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: CWA Wins Tentative Agreement at AT&T Southeast
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.
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) announced on Sunday that the union has reached a tentative agreement (TA) with AT&T Southeast, ending the longest telecommunications strike in the region.The new contract covers technicians, customer service representatives, and other workers who install, maintain, and support residential and commercial services in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Wages and health care costs were key issues for members. The deal includes across-the-board wage increases of 19.33%, with additional 3% increases for wire technicians and utility operations, and provisions that hold health care premiums steady in the first year and then lowers them in the second and third years.“I believe in the power of unity, and the unity our members and retirees have shown during these contract negotiations has been outstanding and gave our bargaining teams the backing they needed to deliver strong contracts,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “CWA members and retirees from every region and sector of our union mobilized in support of our bargaining teams, including by distributing flyers with information about the strike at AT&T Wireless stores.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 09/18/2024 – 10:02
Don’t Forget to Register to Vote: In the States Roundup
Don’t Forget to Register to Vote: 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:If Project 2025 is implemented, roughly 15 million workers could be forced to pay taxes on their healthcare benefits. This is another prime example of how Project 2025 only aims to hurt working families. #LaborMonth2024 #1u pic.twitter.com/zr7AZISCFy— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) September 18, 2024California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:So… what are you doing Saturday? pic.twitter.com/nmwl3sbjDL— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) September 16, 2024Connecticut AFL-CIO:New Haven is a UNION TOWN! Working people are rallying with striking hotel workers at the Omni as they fight for fair wages, job security & respect for all hotel workers. #1u #strike @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/TGtzhyAekX— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) September 14, 2024Florida AFL-CIO:💪💪💪 https://t.co/2EbReTd9LE— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) September 18, 2024Georgia State AFL-CIO:🎉 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and the power of unity! 🎉Labor unions have always been a pillar of strength for workers. Let’s honor our Hispanic brothers and sisters who have fought for workers’ rights. ✊🏽#1u #SpanishExcellenance pic.twitter.com/9mwfAHLjyK— Georgia AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOGeorgia) September 15, 2024Illinois AFL-CIO:#WaybackWednesday to 1973 when a group of trade unionists found @LCLAA, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. Today the organization is the leading advocacy group for Latino/a working rights in the country. #1u pic.twitter.com/wzrZ3SnEMS— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) September 18, 2024Maine AFL-CIO:We’re super excited to begin reading @GrimKim’s book “Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor” for our next Labor Group Selection. All are welcome to join us!https://t.co/gKnJJmLzqe— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) September 17, 2024Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Join the MA Labor Movement this Saturday as we head north to knock doors with the @NHAFLCIO in support of endorsed labor champions! pic.twitter.com/cgoM5xUBCP— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) September 17, 2024Michigan State AFL-CIO:7 weeks until Election Day.Make sure you’re registered to vote. pic.twitter.com/E96G8Hk3pk— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) September 17, 2024Minnesota AFL-CIO:A collective union action pushing for better ventilation at work, for example, has a much higher impact than a single disabled worker asking for this accommodation. https://t.co/W0YoVyHNF4 #BetterInAUnion— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) September 17, 2024Missouri AFL-CIO:David Gregory is out of touch with St. Louis voters. He hasn’t won in his election but he is moving forward with a plan to build a literal CASTLE in Jefferson City. Let’s not send him to the #moleg! Follow @perelesforMO and get involved in his campaign!https://t.co/rBqZ0WXsqT— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) September 16, 2024Nevada State AFL-CIO:“We were trained by the Reid machine.” – @LVSusanNV 💪🏼😎https://t.co/dPIaqWwZ3k— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) September 18, 2024New York State AFL-CIO:It’s a beautiful day to REGISTER TO VOTE! Here’s everything you need to know about voter registration in New York State: https://t.co/Rjq24pbBJZ #NationalVoterRegistrationDay pic.twitter.com/FLuGRyOfqS— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) September 17, 2024North Carolina State AFL-CIO:”NC should be the #1 state for both workers and businesses. These two ideas are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are interconnected.” @votebraxton #ncpol #1u Read more at: https://t.co/pAJwADk1Ce— NC State AFL-CIO // #CountMeIn (@NCStateAFLCIO) September 9, 2024Ohio AFL-CIO:On the one-year anniversary of the historic Big Three strike, @UAW President Shawn Fain was at a @UAPipeTrades Local 50 hall near #Toledo leading a @SherrodBrown chant! pic.twitter.com/G7WnhMzdOB— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) September 15, 2024Oregon AFL-CIO:Join #OregonLabor and @MachinistsUnion President @IAMBrianBryanton Thursday 9/19 at 11AM for a solidarity rally in support of Striking Boeing Workers.For details go to: https://t.co/qVIO73URup pic.twitter.com/RSkBAaQzMy— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) September 18, 2024Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:Don’t be counted out on Election Day. Make sure your voice is heard – get registered to vote! #LaborVotes https://t.co/e9vlnW6ApL pic.twitter.com/8bgJCbisbR— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) September 17, 2024Texas AFL-CIO:🚨A Trump-appointed judge right here in Texas just sided with a company claiming the NLRB is unconstitutional.We can’t afford four years of judges, like this one, who will enable corporations to exploit workers.We need Kamala Harris & Tim Walz in the White House.— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) September 17, 2024Virginia AFL-CIO:Today is National Voter Registration Day! 🚨🗳️ As workers, our collective voice shapes our future. Make sure you’re registered to vote and have a say in policies that impact us all. Visit https://t.co/t5LQe0pkAT to register or check your status today!#UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/UbtXVKdScl— Virginia AFL-CIO (@Virginia_AFLCIO) September 17, 2024Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:As Machinists continue to strike Boeing, labor and community support is essential. Here’s how you can stand with the workers.This page will be continuously updated until the workers’ demands are met.https://t.co/725C1m1GE9 pic.twitter.com/vAUnY4t2k8— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) September 16, 2024Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Ben Wikler chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin addresses delegates: “Trump’s Project 2025 is Scott Walker’s 2011” playbook super-charged. #upup24— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) September 17, 2024
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 09/18/2024 – 03:14
Happy National Voter Registration Day
Happy National Voter Registration Day
The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy. It’s the beating heart of our country’s civil rights—and our labor movement.
That’s why we’re celebrating National Voter Registration Day—the single largest voter registration day in the country. We’re reaching out to make sure you, your family, co-workers, neighbors and friends are ready to exercise our democratic rights.The voter registration deadline is approaching in many states over the next few weeks. Some states have deadlines during the first week of October.So we have two important questions for you.1. Will you take a moment to review the voter registration deadlines in your state?Find information about your state’s voting laws and deadlines through our partner Ballot Ready.2. Will you make sure your voter registration is correct and up to date? Or, register to vote for the first time. We have all the tools you need on our website:betterinaunion.org/registerIt’s important to check your voter status early, so you don’t miss any registration deadlines and are ready when Election Day rolls around.Thank you for getting ready to vote in November! Our vote is our voice, and we’ll need every voice during this election to make sure we protect our contract, our jobs, and our freedoms.
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 09/17/2024 – 12:54