AFL-CIO
Worker Wins: Taking Their Destiny Into Their Hands
Worker Wins: Taking Their Destiny Into Their Hands
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
Massachusetts Rideshare Drivers Certify First Union: Massachusetts rideshare drivers in the App Drivers Union (ADU) have made history by becoming the first statewide union of its kind to win official recognition. This major milestone was made possible with support from Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ and IAM Union (IAM). The union was certified by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations last week, marking the largest private sector bargaining victory since the 1940s. “For too long, the gig economy was built on a fools’ bargain: the companies got rich and workers scraped by. The rules were rigged,” said April Verrett, international president of SEIU. “But Massachusetts rideshare drivers flipped the script….They are steering the future of the labor movement and taking their destiny into their hands.” “Massachusetts rideshare drivers just made labor history,” said Brian Bryant, IAM international president. “What started with the IAM Union organizing black car drivers in the 1990s has grown into a groundbreaking partnership with SEIU 32BJ that is now reshaping the future of work in America. This victory proves that no matter how powerful Big Tech becomes, workers still have the power to organize, demand fairness and win a real voice on the job.” “The Massachusetts AFL-CIO is proud to congratulate our siblings in the App Drivers Union on their historic victory as they become the exclusive bargaining representative of rideshare drivers across the Commonwealth,” said Chrissy Lynch, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. “We will proudly stand with our siblings in ADU as they fight for a first contract, and we are thankful to all of the workers, 32BJ SEIU, IAM, allies, elected leaders, and advocates who have joined with us in fighting Big Tech and proving that when we fight, we win.” ACLU of DC Staff Win Landmark First Union Contract: After almost three years of negotiations, staff at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of DC have ratified a first contract as members of Washington-Baltimore News Guild (WBNG), Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 32035. This landmark agreement establishes a number of major wins, including an average raise of 11.5%, additional annual wage increases, student debt support, fully employer-paid health insurance premiums, layoff protections and much more. “We spent nearly three years at the bargaining table fighting for a contract that reflects the value of the work we do every day to protect civil liberties in the District,” said Yvonne Slosarski, bargaining committee chair. “This agreement delivers for every member of our unit, and it sets a new standard for what nonprofit workers can and should win.”Starbucks Workers United Celebrates 700th Election Victory: Last week, Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) announced that baristas at more than 700 locations across the country have now voted to join the union. The workers responsible for this major milestone are based out of stores in Muscle Shoals, Alabama; Chicago and Bolingbrook, Illinois; and Houston, Texas. While Starbucks executives continue to drag their feet on reaching a deal, more and more workers at the massive coffee chain are joining the fight for a fair contract. “Baristas are leading the fastest-growing union movement in modern history because Starbucks SHOULD do better,” SBWU said in a social media post that featured a video of workers at the 700th union location. “We work at a company with the highest CEO-to-worker pay gap, and despite this, baristas nationwide are seeing working conditions at our stores get worse while we deal with low pay, inadequate hours, inaccessible benefits, and more. It’s time to do something, and that’s why we’re organizing!”Meatball Production Workers in New Jersey Ratify New Contract: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 152 members at Casa Di Bertacchi in Vineland, New Jersey, ratified a new five-year contract late last month. Highlights of the agreement include guaranteed across-the-board wage increases, reimbursement for work boots, increased contributions to the employer-sponsored 401(K), and additional language to comply with the state’s Earned Sick Leave law, which allows workers to carry over sick days from one year to the next. “The Casa Di Bertacchi negotiations showed that fair wages aren’t an abstract idea—they’re grounded in real household costs and economic reality. This contract moves employees closer to stability and reflects what happens when workers speak with a united voice and insist that their wages keep pace with the real cost of living,” said UFCW Local 152 Director of Collective Bargaining Louis Faiola.WildEarth Workers Ratify First Collective Bargaining Agreement: Staff members at WildEarth Guardians—who are represented by Denver Newspaper Guild, Local 37074 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA)—have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement (CBA). WildEarth Workers formed in 2023 and was quickly voluntarily recognized by WildEarth Guardians management. The bargaining unit covers members who perform a variety of work related to the preservation and restoration of the wildlife and ecological health of the American West. The contract includes wins such as annual cost of living and salary raise adjustments, increased paid time off, just cause protections, and more. “We are immensely proud of our bargaining team and all the great provisions our first CBA includes. We are now entering a new era at WildEarth Guardians with enthusiasm and renewed drive to accomplish our critical work,” said Adam Rissien, spokesperson for WildEarth Workers. “The CBA lays a foundation for a resilient workplace prepared to fight for the wild places, wildlife, and health of the American West while ensuring the safety, security, and longevity of our workforce.” “The workers of WildEarth Guardians are the voice for the voiceless and I am thrilled their jobs are protected and supported with a collective agreement,” said NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss. “This contract is a strong foundation that will support the workers who protect our wildlife and our climate for generations to come.”Hotel and Gaming Trades Council Wins New Industry-Wide Tentative Agreement: Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council (HTC) has reached a new tentative agreement with the Hotel Association of New York City that secures the biggest wage increases in the union’s history. The new contract would be active for eight years, and by the end of its lifetime, room attendants and other nontipped workers would be earning six figures. Other highlights of the deal include fully paid parental leave, artificial intelligence guardrails, additional protections for immigrant members and more. “Our union’s team carried out sophisticated and effective legal and political strategies, engaged in thousands of conversations with employers, and executed numerous bargaining strategies to create the leverage we needed,” said HTC President Rich Maroko in an open letter to the union’s members. “But in the end, we would not have won this agreement without the dedication of our members and the very real threat that we would strike. The threat of a strike or a picket line is our union’s most powerful weapon. In every contract fight, we need management to understand that if they won’t agree to a fair contract at the bargaining table, we will take our fight to the streets.”University of California IT Workers Join UPTE-CWA, Form Largest Tech Union in U.S.: More than 2,100 tech workers at the University of California have voted to join University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE)-Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 9119. With the addition of these system analysts, database administrators and other information technology (IT) workers, UPTE-CWA has become the largest tech union in the United States. “Millions of Californians rely on the University of California for their healthcare and education,” said Max Belasco, business systems analyst at UCLA. “Until now, we haven’t had the opportunity, as the people who understand AI, to say: we want a seat at the table. If the workers who provide these critical services to the people of California don’t have the power to demand transparency and advocate for the safe deployment of AI tools, there will be no safeguards in place to ensure AI will be used as anything more than a poor cost saving measure. Unionized healthcare workers have set new quality standards across UC hospitals that save lives—tech workers can play the same role when it comes to AI.”School Food Service Workers in New York Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement: Members of Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-United Food and Commercial Workers (RWDSU-UFCW) Local 1102 who feed students in the Hampton Bays School District have ratified a new union contract. Highlights of the agreement include raises, longevity benefits and more paid time off, including improvements to holiday, sick and personal days. These major wins will help provide greater financial stability for members and reflect the important role they play in the local community. “Our Hampton Bays members should be proud of what they accomplished together through solidarity and unity,” said Local 1102 President Jack Caffey. “This agreement recognizes the essential work they do every day and delivers meaningful improvements that support them and their families.”Workers at Planned Parenthood’s Largest Health Care Affiliate Vote to Join SEIU: More than 400 front-line health care workers at Planned Parenthood Mar Monte have voted to join Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 521. Members of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Workers United (PPMMWU) perform essential roles at 30 clinics throughout mid-California and Nevada. This supermajority vote by staff of Planned Parenthood’s largest affiliated network comes in the midst of uncertainty around Medicaid funding and rollbacks on reproductive rights. “Securing our union secures decisions about our work like staffing, resources, and ensuring a sustainable level of care our patients depend on,” said Ryah Issa, a health services specialist at the Planned Parenthood San Jose clinic, in a press release. “While courts and politicians continue to police our work, our union gives us the power to defend clinical integrity and guarantees our patients receive the comprehensive care we all deserve. Many workers are patients in our clinics, too.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 05/28/2026 – 10:23
Tags:
Organizing
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Planned Parenthood’s Largest Health Care Affiliate Vote to Join SEIU
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Planned Parenthood’s Largest Health Care Affiliate Vote to Join SEIU
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.
More than 400 front-line health care workers at Planned Parenthood Mar Monte have voted to join Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 521.Members of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Workers United (PPMMWU) perform essential roles at 30 clinics throughout mid-California and Nevada. This supermajority vote by staff of Planned Parenthood’s largest affiliated network comes in the midst of uncertainty around Medicaid funding and rollbacks on reproductive rights.“Securing our union secures decisions about our work like staffing, resources, and ensuring a sustainable level of care our patients depend on,” said Ryah Issa, a health services specialist at the Planned Parenthood San Jose clinic, in a press release. “While courts and politicians continue to police our work, our union gives us the power to defend clinical integrity and guarantees our patients receive the comprehensive care we all deserve. Many workers are patients in our clinics, too.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 05/28/2026 – 10:10
Tags:
Organizing
Hope Will Never Be Silent: What Working People Are Doing This Week
Hope Will Never Be Silent: 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 excited to announce the League-Equity Audition Program (“LEAP”): a new kind of audition aimed at giving Equity members the chance to meet directors, choreographers, writers and casting directors who create new work so they can keep you in mind for future projects. https://bit.ly/4tRiNhP[image or embed]— Actors’ Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) May 26, 2026 at 3:13 PMAFGE:AFGE is grateful to @SenatorHassan and @SenatorLankford for reintroducing the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2026 which would take government shutdowns off the table and force Congress to stay in town until their work is done. Thank you for standing up for AFGE members ✊— AFGE (@AFGENational) May 21, 2026AFSCME:The workers at the Seattle Museum of Art are fighting for a voice on the job to improve their workplace. They’ve formed Seattle Art Museum Workers United, joining the wave of 50,000 cultural workers across the country who have formed unions through AFSCME. https://t.co/qYlQ7sVNVQ— AFSCME (@AFSCME) May 26, 2026Air Line Pilots Association:Speaking up for aviation safety and for pilots is core to our mission. That’s why we’re calling on Congress to include the ADS-B In language from the Senate-passed ROTOR Act in final law. pic.twitter.com/q1RCDNXi40— Air Line Pilots Association (@ALPAPilots) May 20, 2026Alliance for Retired Americans:🚨 Millions of people, including older adults who aren’t yet eligible for Medicare, are about to lose their health care due to stricter work requirements about to take effect.Here’s what you need to know: https://t.co/WwDX341NCv— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) May 27, 2026Amalgamated Transit Union:We wrap our celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month honoring Local 1756-Arcadia, CA, Member Phlli Hoo. #APIMonth pic.twitter.com/GTW0s1uVbu— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) May 27, 2026American Federation of Musicians:Thank you, Congresswoman Ross, for this commonsense approach to fixing a fundamentally broken system.The Protect Working Musicians Act is an essential part of any meaningful attempt to regulate streaming and machine learning.Multinational corporations must not be allowed to use… pic.twitter.com/Ru3Px1elwd— AFM (@The_AFM) May 21, 2026American Federation of Teachers:@rweingarten.bsky.social: The other side is trying to exploit the current crisis to destroy public education and pluralism as we know it. We have a different vision: revitalize and reimagine public schools so every one of our students can harness their future and build the country they dream of.[image or embed]— AFT (@aft.org) May 27, 2026 at 9:52 AMAmerican Postal Workers Union:Today APWU honors Memorial Day and honor all those who lost their lives in service to our country. pic.twitter.com/gkFLLEyu6f— The American Postal Workers Union – APWU (@APWUnational) May 25, 2026Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:47 years ago, on May 25, 1979, AA Flight 191 crashed shortly after takeoff from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. All 13 crew members & 258 passengers onboard were killed, as were two people on the ground. We pause to remember those lives lost. https://t.co/fLhbmzoJxO— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) May 26, 2026Boilermakers:🇺🇸 This Memorial Day and always, we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice serving our nation. To those who have served or are currently serving, thank you. pic.twitter.com/ap9A1s4jXt— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) May 25, 2026Bricklayers:On this #WorksiteWednesday, our skilled craftworkers of Local 5 PA are proud to put their skills to work preserving the historic Scranton Cultural Center @SCCatMT. #UnionProud #SkilledTrades #BestHandsInTheBusiness #BuildingTomorrowTogether pic.twitter.com/ThfqYZN4EC— Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union (@IUBAC) May 27, 2026Communications Workers of America:AI companies are trying to digitize and monetize what makes us human and replace workers, even in professions that require creativity, trust, and empathy.CWA & other unions are fighting back & winning real protections. https://t.co/XF78IQyCV0— CWA (@CWAUnion) May 26, 2026Department for Professional Employees:In April, more professionals joined unions. (1/10)[image or embed]— Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (@dpeaflcio.bsky.social) May 27, 2026 at 11:02 AMElectrical Workers:BREAKING: Workers at the largest cryptocurrency mining and power generation operation in the U.S. join the #IBEW https://t.co/EPFBslFXCC pic.twitter.com/PnNfJ3b5As— IBEW (@IBEW) May 26, 2026Fire Fighters:🎗️ Fire fighters face elevated cancer risks every day on the job.This #BrainCancerAwarenessMonth, early recognition, education, and support can make all the difference.Learn more: https://t.co/wsvAV3qvjM pic.twitter.com/BeRFxGhpgy— International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) May 27, 2026International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers:A federal judge dismissed the criminal case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, “ruling that the Trump administration had brought human trafficking charges against him as part of a vindictive effort to punish him for challenging his wrongful deportation to El Salvador last year.” (NYT) pic.twitter.com/cwt8YzkQq3— SMART Union (@smartunionworks) May 26, 2026International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers:“Hope will never be silent.”Harvey Milk was born on this day in 1930. Happy birthday, Harvey Milk! pic.twitter.com/94OOSkODMP— IFPTE Local 21 is on Bluesky🦋 (@IFPTE21) May 22, 2026International Union of Police Associations:Milwaukee Police Association, I.U.P.A. Local #21 Members celebrated Cinco de Mayo earlier this month with a very special pup, who like his friends at MADACC, is available for adoption. https://t.co/8OBaQt2vis pic.twitter.com/TB7m9niAGm— International Union Of Police Associations (@IUPA34233) May 27, 2026Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:LCLAA congratulates our former interns Ivonne Santiago, Jaylene Peralta, and all of Class of 2026 on their graduation, especially our first-gen Latino/a/x graduates!Read Ivonne’s blog here: https://t.co/yuKYIY5VsoSubmit student debt story @debtcrisisorg: https://t.co/FMl19YSHlF pic.twitter.com/GnJ2hiwV26— LCLAA (@LCLAA) May 26, 2026Laborers:Cutting concrete. Building careers. That’s #union work. That’s LIUNA! #LIUNABuilds #construction #hardwork pic.twitter.com/J7GYnE1A9i— LIUNA (@LIUNA) May 27, 2026Machinists:We are rallying with our leaders and members of @acoreunion, to protest the closing of the @Apple Towson store in Maryland and not allowing union employees to transfer 🗣️🪧📢✊ pic.twitter.com/W2fvKzsE2b— IAM Union (@IAM_Union) May 27, 2026Major League Baseball Players Association:Being in the bigs for 10 years is a milestone very few Players achieve. Over the years, Jameson Taillon has learned that to stay in the big leagues, it’s not just about the metrics and analytics, but how you treat people, that keeps you in the game.Congratulations, Jameson, on… pic.twitter.com/rUdt4qOszf— MLBPA (@MLBPA) May 25, 2026Major League Soccer Players Association:Remembering their courage, honor and bravery, today and every day. pic.twitter.com/xTeRUawCXO— MLSPA (@MLSPA) May 25, 2026National Air Traffic Controllers Association:The NATCA Communications Committee met in Washington, D.C. on May 7, 2026, to discuss best practices and strategies to keep NATCA members informed about both regional and national events. https://t.co/vBxFiyNgTV pic.twitter.com/jMjndfNyik— NATCA (@NATCA) May 27, 2026National Association of Letter Carriers:This Memorial Day, NALC honors and remembers those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. pic.twitter.com/PDsEbjganb— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) May 25, 2026National Nurses United:The numbers are clear: The U.S. has a nursing retention crisis, not a nurse shortage.1.15 million licensed RNs aren’t working at the bedside but not because they don’t want to care for patients. It’s because management makes it impossible. https://t.co/eTfsrD5uU6— National Nurses United (@NationalNurses) May 26, 2026National Taxi Workers Alliance:❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/tlqvgzCLSk— NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) May 24, 2026NFL Players Association:As we head into the last week of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month, @49ers defensive tackle, @osagoeshard shares how he approaches mental health conversations with a positive, non-judgmental mindset to create safe spaces for those in his life. pic.twitter.com/3XtW4yiKrT— NFLPA (@NFLPA) May 26, 2026North America’s Building Trades Unions:This Memorial Day, NABTU honors the brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We remember their courage, their dedication, and the families who carry their legacy forward.We also thank the veterans of the Building Trades who continue to serve our… pic.twitter.com/FOhhBuTZ1k— The Building Trades (@NABTU) May 25, 2026Professional Hockey Players’ Association:Mental wellness matters on and off the ice. 🧠This Mental Health Awareness Month, see how the PHPA is helping players build insight, reduce stigma, and support one another through the FIRST LINE Mental Health Training program.Story by @TonyAndrock: https://t.co/fv0PCjleNj pic.twitter.com/G8jpYsMjs1— PHPA (@thephpa) May 19, 2026Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:AAPI Labor Spotlight: Today we honor the organizers who fought against exclusion and for a seat at the table. Their legacy lives on in us. ✊✨ pic.twitter.com/jgmGaeJQPg— RWDSU (@RWDSU) May 27, 2026Roofers and Waterproofers:Please join tonight 8pm ET for an important discussion addressing mental health/suicide within the construction industry, featuring Roofers Local 11 BA Travis Gorman.Register at https://t.co/lZkyYDOCCu pic.twitter.com/z0IjI01F41— Roofers Union (@roofersunion) May 26, 2026SAG-AFTRA:TAKE 5 🎬 This is crucial information that every recording artist #SagAftraMember needs to know! SAG-AFTRA’s Fletcher Sheridan and Kristina Gorbacsov explain how being signed to a record label could impact your access to healthcare. #Take5SagAftra pic.twitter.com/vWiWylUHmI— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) May 27, 2026Service Employees International Union:WTF?? Nearly 40% of America has less than $500 in the bank or no emergency savings at all. Too many of us are just a paycheck away from not being able to cover rent and our bills in the best of times. This type of rhetoric regarding our savings and pensions is unacceptable! https://t.co/hrJd9jOwq0— SEIU (@SEIU) May 27, 2026Solidarity Center:The right to speak up on behalf of our communities is a freedom our movement will never stop fighting for 🗣️✊🏾 https://t.co/RmWmO2BhHY— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) May 23, 2026The NewsGuild-CWA:This is a major win for the entire labor movement. “We refused to back down, and POLITICO heard us loud and clear that these tools do not belong in our newsroom,” said Ariel Wittenberg, PEN Guild chair. #NewsNotSlop https://t.co/1IAxznfp9x— The NewsGuild-CWA (@newsguild) May 22, 2026Theatrical Stage Employees:This #MemorialDay, we honor the heroes who gave their lives in service to our country and our freedoms. As union members, we proudly carry forward the values of unity, sacrifice, and solidarity by continuing the fight for fairness, dignity, and a stronger future for all workers. pic.twitter.com/wZCOSC0DAT— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) May 25, 2026Transport Workers Union:Akron Metro transit workers in TWU Local 1 took their anger at going nearly three years without a raise to the Akron Metro Board at its meeting this morning at the Pfaf Transit Center, and to @yourmetrobus riders via media interviews. TWU International has provided strike… pic.twitter.com/BMqi0UcrQ6— TWU (@transportworker) May 26, 2026Transportation Trades Department:Today, @TTDAFLCIO is proud to recognize #NationalMaritimeDay on behalf of the thousands of dedicated maritime sector workers we represent. They are essential for the movement of goods & national security, & we thank them for their service & sacrifice pic.twitter.com/8yDuXtwcXr— TTD | America’s Transportation Unions (@TTDAFLCIO) May 22, 2026UAW:Employers spend roughly $1.7 billion a year on union avoidance consultants and law firms, to dissuade and weaken workers’ unionization efforts. Read the latest report from Economic Policy Institute: https://t.co/ANiLbfk5wY Union busting is disgusting. pic.twitter.com/bZYI6njrDO— UAW (@UAW) May 27, 2026Union Veterans Council:The House is voting this week on #HR6047. We support the $10K raise for injured vets Congress shouldn’t fund it by nearly TRIPLING VA refinance fees on veteran homeowners from 0.5% to 1.42%.Stop this hidden tax on vet home equity.@AFLCIO #stoptheveterantax pic.twitter.com/AC4uikhhBz— Union Veterans Council🪖✊ (@unionveterans) May 21, 2026UNITE HERE:Boston is a Union Town!A #throwbacktuesday video from #MayDay2026, just a few weeks ago when we gathered in East Boston with the Coalition of Logan Airport Workers. 🦞🦀#1u #UnionStrong #favoritenumber26 pic.twitter.com/IIO1KTUUvS— UNITE HERE Local 26 (@UNITEHERE26) May 26, 2026United Food and Commercial Workers:Corporations want to make it easier to raise your grocery prices in real time. We want to stop them.Don’t believe us? Listen to industry leaders describe, in their own words, what electronic shelf labels can really do.TAKE ACTION TODAY: https://t.co/ZKCMx0df7j pic.twitter.com/b8V7r3HlaO— UFCW (@UFCW) May 26, 2026United Steelworkers:During World War II, over 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly incarcerated—most U.S. citizens. History shows: when fear divides us, workers lose. This AANHPI Heritage Month, we remember and recommit to solidarity for all. pic.twitter.com/WWuuIq3D7i— United Steelworkers Union (@steelworkers) May 27, 2026Writers Guild of America East:AI safety regulations are an urgent need. As the use of AI in the news runs rampant, the public deserves common-sense protections like transparency and disclosure. Pass the #NYFAIRNewsAct![image or embed]— Writers Guild of America East (@wgaeast.bsky.social) May 26, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 05/27/2026 – 10:20
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Sandy Kim
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Sandy Kim
For Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians 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 Sandy Kim of SAG-AFTRA.
Sandy Kim is vice president of the SAG-AFTRA Arizona-Utah local. She is also chair of the local’s agent/professional representatives committee, having previously served as vice chair. She is a fierce advocate for educating and organizing. Detailed and thorough, she has been a fantastic asset to the local’s leadership team. She is also a working actor whose recent bookings include “Law and Order” and “Best Medicine.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 05/27/2026 – 10:14
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: School Food Service Workers in New York Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: School Food Service Workers in New York Ratify New Collective Bargaining 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.
Members of Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-United Food and Commercial Workers (RWDSU-UFCW) Local 1102 who feed students in the Hampton Bays School District have ratified a new union contract.Highlights of the agreement include raises, longevity benefits and more paid time off, including improvements to holiday, sick and personal days. These major wins will help provide greater financial stability for members and reflect the important role they play in the local community.“Our Hampton Bays members should be proud of what they accomplished together through solidarity and unity,” said Local 1102 President Jack Caffey. “This agreement recognizes the essential work they do every day and delivers meaningful improvements that support them and their families.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 05/27/2026 – 10:09
There Is Solidarity In A Union: In the States Roundup
There Is Solidarity In A Union: 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.
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:Working people should choose who represents us in office, not Big Tech billionaires and their super PACs. Exercise your right to vote and help elect pro-worker, pro-union candidates endorsed by @CaliforniaLabor! pic.twitter.com/6ZcIFpgTBS— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) May 24, 2026Illinois AFL-CIO:Earlier this month, the IAM Mechanics Local 701 Technician Training Center concluded Apprenticeship Week 2026 by graduating 29 technicians who successfully completed the program. These individuals will go on to become mechanics on our aircrafts, cars, trains and more. #1u pic.twitter.com/IFdz1Lm8IM— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) May 24, 2026Maine AFL-CIO:APRI-Maine Chapter has launched some exciting new programs to tutor immigrant workers in English & support union members of color in the workplace! https://t.co/L1PXTVWyIZ— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) May 22, 2026Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Last night, @ClimateJobsMA was honored by @EnviroLeagueMA, our President @chrissylynch29 was on hand to acceptWorking people don’t want much, just union jobs, affordable and reliable energy, and flood resilient communities where they can drink clean waterand breathe clean air pic.twitter.com/hHVI7lN2Pk— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) May 22, 2026Michigan State AFL-CIO:A word you should know (and live by) pic.twitter.com/vgN5TsbMat— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) May 23, 2026Missouri AFL-CIO:“A computer-generated image doesn’t have a mortgage to pay or groceries to buy, but our members do. To use our symbols to promote a policy that hurts working families is a moral insult & a desperate attempt to manufacture support for a dangerous proposal” – Brandon Flinn, MKLDC pic.twitter.com/BA5sxpdi3q— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) May 26, 2026Nevada State AFL-CIO:Happy Memorial Day from the Nevada State AFL-CIO. We thank and honor those who fought for our freedom 🇺🇸. pic.twitter.com/83jcy1tZsF— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) May 25, 2026New York State AFL-CIO:Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is a true advocate for working people. Join us in supporting him on the virtual phone bank this week! https://t.co/L4VtyJ12Oz— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) May 19, 2026North Carolina State AFL-CIO:Priorities matter! We condemn the NC Senate for advancing a “Right to work” amendment and call on the NC House to reject this attempt to shift even more income and influence toward corporations and away from workers. @BraxtonWinston #ncga #ncpol pic.twitter.com/vWbhyBEmom— NC State AFL-CIO (@ncstateaflcio.bsky.social) (@NCStateAFLCIO) May 20, 2026Oregon Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO:Over 1,000 workers took official steps toward unionizing last month, thousands more are taking unseen steps every day.We’re organizing because our wages are too low and our working conditions are unacceptable. We’re organizing to make our jobs more equitable. Join the… pic.twitter.com/ABf2Nwoj6O— Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) May 22, 2026Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:Imagine if that money went toward better wages, safer workplaces, and healthcare instead. https://t.co/DkL8zs8xki— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) May 23, 2026Texas AFL-CIO:🤠 TEXAS: It’s Election Day across the state & polls are open ‘til 7pm! Have you voted yet?Our pro-worker endorsements for this primary runoff include:➡️ @VelezforTexas for Lt. Governor➡️ @NathanForTexas for AGFind your local ballot guide at https://t.co/B2Q5ZYPxvw pic.twitter.com/3D42KFmXOG— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) May 26, 2026Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Hundreds of nurses at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison working to unionize https://t.co/MgwbkmGiwv— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) May 18, 2026
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/26/2026 – 11:03
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Karen Cross
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Karen Cross
For Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians 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 Karen Cross of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Karen Cross is currently the secretary-treasurer of the Boston Teachers Union and has been a math teacher for the past 24 years. She is also treasurer of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Massachusetts chapter and a trustee of the Boston Retirement Board. In addition, she has been part of a cohort of the Trustee Leadership Forum at Harvard Law School’s Center for Labor and a Just Economy for the past two years.
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/26/2026 – 10:11
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: University of California IT Workers Join UPTE-CWA, Form Largest Tech Union in U.S.
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: University of California IT Workers Join UPTE-CWA, Form Largest Tech Union in U.S.
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.
More than 2,100 tech workers at the University of California have voted to join University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE)-Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 9119. With the addition of these system analysts, database administrators and other information technology (IT) workers, UPTE-CWA has become the largest tech union in the United States.“Millions of Californians rely on the University of California for their healthcare and education,” said Max Belasco, business systems analyst at UCLA. “Until now, we haven’t had the opportunity, as the people who understand AI, to say: we want a seat at the table. If the workers who provide these critical services to the people of California don’t have the power to demand transparency and advocate for the safe deployment of AI tools, there will be no safeguards in place to ensure AI will be used as anything more than a poor cost saving measure. Unionized healthcare workers have set new quality standards across UC hospitals that save lives—tech workers can play the same role when it comes to AI.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/26/2026 – 10:02
Tags:
Organizing
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Seung Lee
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Seung Lee
For Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians 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 Seung Lee of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Seung Lee was born in Seoul, Korea, and raised in New York City. He has served as a special education and science teacher for 20 years. Lee is an executive board member with the United Federation of Teachers (UFT, AFT Local 2) and a board member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) New York chapter. He is chair of the UFT Asian American Heritage Committee and the AFT Asian Caucus. He is currently APALA’s national treasurer.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 05/25/2026 – 08:22
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Sharon Sugiyama
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Sharon Sugiyama
For Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians 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 Sharon Sugiyama of the IAM Union (IAM).
Sharon Sugiyama has dedicated her life to service, leadership and advocacy for others. She began her career in the airline industry in 1992 when she joined Continental Micronesia as an airport sales agent. In 2013, she became a member of IAM and was elected president of Local 2339G. She became District 141 vice president in 2015. Her peers elected her as a delegate to the 2026 AFL-CIO national convention, a testament to the trust she has built through years of principled advocacy, mentorship and service.
Kenneth Quinnell
Sun, 05/24/2026 – 08:22