Democracy in Action: 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:
The Independent Theatre Contract is still new, but it’s already effecting change, making the union more efficient and smoothing the on-ramp for theatres to work with us. Learn about how Equity conceived of, built and rolled out this agreement. https://bit.ly/4fxxRw5
— Actors’ Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) August 17, 2026 at 11:57 AM
AFSCME:
In her final Convention keynote speech, Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride applauded the power and organizing prowess of AFSCME members and urged them to continue organizing to give more workers a voice on the job.https://t.co/UCxS3mNat3
— AFSCME (@AFSCME) August 18, 2026
Air Line Pilots Association:
Safer skies shouldn’t be a partisan choice. It’s not ROTOR Act vs. ALERT Act — Congress should take the best of both and pass one strong aviation safety bill that closes critical gaps and honors the victims of PSA Flight 5342. pic.twitter.com/OdrpEN3WYW
— Air Line Pilots Association (@ALPAPilots) August 18, 2026
Alliance for Retired Americans:
The Ohio Alliance hosted a town hall on Social Security’s 91st anniversary. People of all ages showed up and they had a consistent message for Congress: Protect our earned benefits now and for generations to come! pic.twitter.com/KHvsl8bodZ
— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) August 18, 2026
Amalgamated Transit Union:
Make sure you are staying informed about the latest news, campaigns, politics, and all the issues impacting our Union, our members, and our industry by subscribing to our e-newsletter, the ATU Dispatch today at https://t.co/2zRvpNDZrE pic.twitter.com/AfWxIsiCwI
— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) August 19, 2026
American Federation of Teachers:
AFT is suing to block a rule limiting visas for international students. Discouraging students from studying here is a loss for students, campuses and our economy. @rweingarten.bsky.social said the govt is “breaking the law for its own political purposes… hurting Americans & American enterprise.”
— AFT (@aft.org) August 19, 2026 at 11:20 AM
American Postal Workers Union:
Democracy in Action: LIVE from the Convention Floor https://t.co/ogUj1DB5Hu
— The American Postal Workers Union – APWU (@APWUnational) August 18, 2026
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:
Flight Attendants save lives.
We are aviation’s first responders and the last line of defense in aviation security. We are the first impression and the smile of aviation connecting the people of our nations.
Happy National Aviation Day to Aviation’s First Responders! pic.twitter.com/wZMrftvVAd
— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) August 19, 2026
Boilermakers:
Watch the story about Local 549 (Pittsburg, California) #Boilermakers, who saw the rusting fixtures of the SS Red Oak Victory museum and brought tradeswomen together to restore it: https://t.co/29qylyPyHE
— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) August 18, 2026
Bricklayers:
Alex Jacobi, Director of our Member Assistance Program, shared a powerful reminder on the @ulanetwork: when someone is struggling, genuine care and sincerity matter more than having the right words. You do not need a perfect script to show up and make a difference.#UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/hdcPnAJPjf
— Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union (@IUBAC) August 18, 2026
Communications Workers of America:
Today, game workers and allies are taking action at Save Our Devs actions across the US and Canada to call out layoffs and corporate greed in the industry and to demand fair first contracts across Microsoft’s gaming studios. pic.twitter.com/ljqGaoPZgJ
— CWA (@CWAUnion) August 18, 2026
Electrical Workers:
Google funding means more jobs, training for #IBEW members. https://t.co/61WPdj8uGe
— IBEW (@IBEW) August 19, 2026
Fire Fighters:
🔥 WISCONSIN ORGANIZING VICTORY! 👏
Congrats to newly organized Lake Geneva, WI Local 5625 who received their official #IAFF Charter.
Welcome to our great union!#UnionStrong@PFFW pic.twitter.com/vCav7cnMHL
— International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) August 17, 2026
International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers:
“Your fight is America’s fight.”
Gov. @JBPritzker joined us at the 2026 SMART Leadership Conference with a powerful reminder: From keeping workers and communities safe to building our nation’s hospitals, factories and housing, SMART members are making progress possible every day. pic.twitter.com/lP33WA8YnK— SMART Union (@smartunionworks) August 19, 2026
International Union of Police Associations:
— International Union Of Police Associations (@IUPA34233) August 19, 2026
Laborers:
105 years ago today, the 19th Amendment was ratified, expanding the right to VOTE for women across America. At the ballot box. On the job. In our unions. Our voice is our POWER! Use it. #power #laborhistory #vote pic.twitter.com/tVTDw58xOx
— LIUNA (@LIUNA) August 18, 2026
Machinists:
Members of the @IAMW3Center’s Leadership I class toured our Headquarters today!
Great way to cap off a week of learning and solidarity. 💪🏽⚙️ pic.twitter.com/TuR6C8iMMD
— IAM Union (@IAM_Union) August 14, 2026
Major League Baseball Players Association:
In 2021, Trey Mancini’s peers selected him as AL Comeback Player in Players Choice Awards voting after he beat Stage 3 colon cancer to return to the Baltimore Orioles’ starting lineup. He retires with 129 career homers, a 2022 World Series ring, and a legion of friends and… pic.twitter.com/MMVtqNm993
— MLBPA (@MLBPA) August 18, 2026
Maritime Trades Department:
SIU Statement on Second Extension of Waiver@SeafarersUnion https://t.co/o2bVTLjFH7
— Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO (@Maritime_Trades) August 18, 2026
National Air Traffic Controllers Association:
NATCA President Nick Daniels, NATCA Executive President Mick Devine, Central Region Regional Vice President Aaron Merrick (NCE), and National Training Representative Jamaal Haltom (Las Vegas ATCT, LAS) led the largest meet and greet for FAA Academy students in OKC this year. pic.twitter.com/gTPTb5tziD
— NATCA (@NATCA) August 18, 2026
National Association of Letter Carriers:
Being there for our communities is part of the job. Ogden, UT Branch 68 letter carrier Joseph Baty shows us the importance of paying attention and stepping up when it matters most. #MemberMonday pic.twitter.com/l2Qjfws6zz
— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) August 17, 2026
National Lacrosse League Players Association:
The AFL-CIO Sports Council Stands in Solidarity with First Women’s College Sports Union As Members Fight for Official Recognition https://t.co/kPz4xCsl39
— NLLPA (@NLLPA) August 14, 2026
National Nurses United:
Nursing means we fight for our patients, our profession, and each other. Organizing a union is how we protect that.
Learn more here: https://t.co/YE0pATHX8v pic.twitter.com/wA3cW1IVsi
— National Nurses United (@NationalNurses) August 17, 2026
National Taxi Workers Alliance:
Gig bosses are the new leaders in poverty wages. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Grubhub, and Instacart together now have more workers that rely on food stamps than any other company in America — more than Walmart, Amazon, and McDonalds — and they’re among the top three whose workers…
— NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) August 18, 2026
NFL Players Association:
This week’s offseason #CMVP, @JEluemunor took his camp across the pond ✈️
The @giants offensive lineman brought his Main Show Football Camp back to the UK, giving a new generation of athletes the opportunity to learn and experience American football. The multi-day camp series… pic.twitter.com/Ve8k56vrdM
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) August 15, 2026
North America’s Building Trades Unions:
Congrats to our August 2026 Tradeswomen Hero Award winners!
Keep up the great work💪 pic.twitter.com/IuBd2EZvRP
— The Building Trades (@NABTU) August 18, 2026
Painters and Allied Trades:
Rest in peace to our brother from District Council 57, Kevin Johnston. Brother Johnston was a proud bridge painter and was considered by his co-workers to be the best of the best. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/khaZGVYqiy
— IUPAT (@GoIUPAT) August 19, 2026
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:
Labor rights are human rights. Today we recognize those who fight daily for justice in their communities. An injury to one is an injury to all. 🌍 #WorldHumanitarian Day #SolidarityForever #HumanRights pic.twitter.com/QhD8lZd0Vk
— RWDSU (@RWDSU) August 19, 2026
SAG-AFTRA:
A conversation between acclaimed recording artist #Finneas and SAG-AFTRA NED & Chief Negotiator @DuncanCI reveals that success might just be a result of an exceptional appetite for hard work. Read more in SAG-AFTRA magazine: https://t.co/kR9qC2fLZQ.
Photo credit: Dennis Leupold pic.twitter.com/vI1G9jwuGl
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) August 19, 2026
Service Employees International Union:
Congrats to thousands of Minnesota nursing home workers who secured new hourly wage floors, despite fierce resistance, across four job categories: $22.50 for Certified Nursing Assistants, $23.50 for trained medication aides, $27 for licensed practical nurses, and $19 for all…
— SEIU (@SEIU) August 19, 2026
Solidarity Center:
At the Solidarity Center’s Global Labor Leadership Initiative, young worker leaders don’t just gain the skills to build a stronger global labor movement, they also create a new union family 💙 pic.twitter.com/NmNfjXSwHp
— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) August 19, 2026
The NewsGuild-CWA:
NEW: Today, we joined a lawsuit challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to end a longstanding visa framework that will affect foreign journalists working in the U.S, along with international students and scholars. pic.twitter.com/kxvPSfywxS
— The NewsGuild-CWA (@newsguild) August 18, 2026
Transport Workers Union:
The TWU Air Division is gathered together for a safety summit on National Aviation Day, with Flight Attendants, AMTs, Dispatchers, Ramp Workers and more uniting to discuss critical safety issues and how to make our workplaces safer! pic.twitter.com/pvzhuzGB3m
— TWU (@transportworker) August 19, 2026
Transportation Trades Department:
In 1932, civil servants were up against wage cuts, furloughs & nonexistent benefits. 94 years ago on August 18th, these conditions inspired them to form @AFGENational. Despite the challenges, both old & new, AFGE has never stopped fighting for federal workers. Happy Founding Day! pic.twitter.com/0OJw0IjmQ2
— TTD | America’s Transportation Unions (@TTDAFLCIO) August 18, 2026
UAW:
“We have to reassert the sovereignty of people above profits in America.”
— UAW President Walter Reuther pic.twitter.com/SerfRlrse6
— UAW (@UAW) August 17, 2026
UNITE HERE:
The math is clear and AJ Capital Partners and Graduate by Hilton Hotels are failing an open book test.
Graduate by Hilton Hotels are themed around nearby colleges and universities, embracing the nearby community. BUT, as a community themed brand, they need improvement! pic.twitter.com/wRuU5FQD1H
— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) August 18, 2026
United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters:
📸 From the 41st General Convention #UASolidarity2026 pic.twitter.com/FkbMqtEdaE
— United Association (@UAPipeTrades) August 19, 2026
United Food and Commercial Workers:
Oak Harbor Safeway pharmacy techs have officially voted to join @UFCW_3000!
Despite an intimidation campaign from management, the pharmacy tech crew stood together for their right to bargain for the wages, benefits, & protections they know they deserve.https://t.co/IEBpoUtULO pic.twitter.com/Sa5icsgLKK
— UFCW (@UFCW) August 17, 2026
United Steelworkers:
Yesterday, USW siblings, labor leaders and supporters came together at our headquarters to launch our campaign to elect pro-worker candidates and vote union strong. pic.twitter.com/6QXJrRo4Ef
— United Steelworkers Union (@steelworkers) August 19, 2026
Writers Guild of America East:
The WGA is proud to represent workers across scripted Film/TV, nonfiction production, podcasts, online media, news, and more! Get updates directly from our members by following our union Starter Pack: go.bsky.app/HXsRu2w
— Writers Guild of America East (@wgaeast.bsky.social) August 18, 2026 at 11:23 AM