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Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Send a Letter and Tell Congress to Support Increased Federal Arts Funding Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Send a Letter and Tell Congress to Support Increased Federal Arts Funding Working people across the United States have stepped 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. American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) members' voices are critical in ensuring members of Congress support the funding of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) at $211 million for fiscal year 2025. It's easy to contact representatives and senators and tell them to support this funding increase. AGMA has co-sponsored a letter-writing campaign set up by the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO, through Action Network. The letter has been drafted, so all that senders need to do is insert a few details. Congress is already making decisions about next year’s funding for the NEA and NEH and needs to hear from union creative professionals about the need to increase federal arts funding. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/17/2024 - 08:07 — Apr 17
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Thank A Union: In the States Roundup Thank 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 on X (formerly Twitter). Alaska AFL-CIO:
The list goes on and on. #UnionStrong #1u pic.twitter.com/3G0nv8Vbrf — Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) April 12, 2024
Arizona AFL-CIO:Internet access is vital in today's world, and the Affordable Connectivity Program has helped millions get online. But it's running out of funding in TWO WEEKS. Call/email Congress to fund the ACP now to ensure access for all! #FundACP #InternetForAllhttps://t.co/CaIPbyl4Pw — Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) April 11, 2024
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:Thanks to the Biden administration’s new site https://t.co/5hRHAtcpOO Californians have more options than ever to file their federal taxes for FREE! Free CA state return filing and free tax prep help is also available — check out our video for more info! pic.twitter.com/A4BCsxzPCe — California Labor Federation (@CaliforniaLabor) April 10, 2024
Connecticut AFL-CIO:After 10 hours on strike, facilities workers at the University of New Haven won a new contract! #solidarity @217unitehere https://t.co/mPa9GlGOHf — Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) April 12, 2024
Florida AFL-CIO:Gov. DeSantis works for the bosses, not for you. https://t.co/3QgZNQ18jB — Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) April 12, 2024
Georgia State AFL-CIO:#sundayvibes https://t.co/uGKqDe3IEp — Georgia AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOGeorgia) April 14, 2024
Illinois AFL-CIO:A "commitment" to responsible supply chains + sustainability without signing onto the Accord is just lip-service when complacence is a matter of life + death. Tomorrow, 4/16, join @WorkersUnited to tell @LEVIS to #SignTheAccord.📍Levi's, 600 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago🕑 4PM pic.twitter.com/pHeCSo0bDA — Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) April 15, 2024
Maine AFL-CIO:Here's our latest on our progress on the state budget, Buy American legislation & support for Federal & State workers during government shutdowns https://t.co/v4zwOValM0 — Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) April 12, 2024
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Shoutout to @GBLCBoston for holding an informative legislative breakfast this morning pic.twitter.com/MAGyybfRJt — Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) April 11, 2024
Michigan State AFL-CIO:Eid Mubarak to our Muslim brothers and sisters as the Holy Month of Ramadan comes to a close. pic.twitter.com/QcGNpdm2J2 — Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) April 10, 2024
Minnesota AFL-CIO:We’re at the Capitol today rallying support of the #DebtFairness Act. This bill would end some of the worst practices that medical debt collectors use. #1u #mnleg pic.twitter.com/oxzgB7Ursp — Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) April 15, 2024
Missouri AFL-CIO:Orange cones ahead? Slow down and proceed with caution. Let’s protect our road workers and ensure everyone gets home safely. #WorkZoneAwarenessWeek #NWZAW pic.twitter.com/h8zaPWFnIq — Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) April 15, 2024
Nevada State AFL-CIO:Today, the delegates of the Nevada State AFL-CIO convened at IBEW 357 union hall and voted to endorse the following candidates for the 2024 election cycle. pic.twitter.com/YB4F8wMxYC — Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) April 13, 2024
New York State AFL-CIO:Union drip ❤️ https://t.co/B7pr5IZrPg — NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) April 11, 2024
North Carolina State AFL-CIO:"[W]e stand united with our @UAW family, and their families, like we do in our schools and communities every single day." @NCAE Op-Ed: In NC auto workers’ fight for better wages, public school teachers see themselves https://t.co/pvgJfq3Mym @cardinalandpine #StandUpDaimler #1u — NC State AFL-CIO // #CountMeIn (@NCStateAFLCIO) April 11, 2024
Ohio AFL-CIO:The @GOP talks about being pro American worker, but almost never has the votes to help us! https://t.co/equt3lkWEW — Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) April 15, 2024
Oregon AFL-CIO:Huge thanks to the @GoIUPAT @DOLJobCorps painters for your work on our exterior walls! pic.twitter.com/UXUVW1xgXh — Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) April 15, 2024
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:"It shows that our union and our congressmen are behind us 100 percent," Rob Jones, an operating technician 1 for U.S. Steel on the Mon Valley said.https://t.co/qWo3mZdaVv — PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) April 15, 2024
Rhode Island AFL-CIO:Happy 121st Birthday 🎂🎂 to our union siblings at @LIUNA ! Here's to another 121 years and 1 million members. #Solidarity #HappyBirthday #Union @GPBrentBooker @GSTMFSabitoni @LIUNA @LIUNALocal271 @LIUNANewEngland https://t.co/ntZuQe14Lt — Rhode Island AFL-CIO (@riaflcio) April 13, 2024
Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council:With flow motion now in effect on the Hill, the proceedings will begin to move even faster and with less restrictions.Learn more about what that means for the bills that we're still tracking in our latest legislative update ⬇ #TNLeg #1uhttps://t.co/jCzJC9pPz7 — Tennessee AFL-CIO (@tnaflcio) April 15, 2024
Texas AFL-CIO:We stand in solidarity with United Steelworkers 13-227 and call on management to negotiate in good faith toward a fair contract. #1u https://t.co/KL4tf1Q2Dd — Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) April 15, 2024
Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:The sound of solidarity is ringing across downtown Bellevue as striking @ibewlocal46 Limited Energy electricians and supporters rally for a fair contract. Solidarity forever with these brave workers! #1u pic.twitter.com/DH2A6inTQI — Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) April 15, 2024
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Worker power. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced last week that the number of union election petitions rose 35% during the first six months of fiscal year 2024 compared to the same period last year. pic.twitter.com/rgc2nytLtg — WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) April 15, 2024
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/16/2024 - 09:14 — Apr 16 -
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Wichita Nurses Ratify First-Ever Union Contracts at Ascension Hospitals Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Wichita Nurses Ratify First-Ever Union Contracts at Ascension Hospitals Working people across the United States have stepped 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. Registered nurses (RNs) at two Ascension-owned hospitals in Wichita, Kansas, voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying new two-year contracts. The RNs, represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), voted 96% in favor of the contract at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, and 100% at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph. The RNs went on strike twice and threatened a third strike, if necessary. Highlights of the contract include safe staffing levels, improved safety guidelines for patients and nurses, and improved compensation and a transparent wage scale based on years of experience. “This is a historic day for our union, our patients, our hospitals, and the entire city of Wichita,” said Shelly Rader, RN in the emergency department at St. Francis. “We’ve shown Ascension that nurses won’t back down when it comes to fighting for better patient care and better working conditions. We organized to fight for and win a strong contract, and we’re very excited to announce we’ve done just that now that nurses have approved this contract.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/16/2024 - 07:35 — Apr 16
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We Need Shared Governance Back: The Working People Weekly List We Need Shared Governance Back: 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. New Rule Would Stop Civil Service from Turning into Spoils System: “‘One reason for the stability of our federal government is federal employees continue doing their jobs and serving the American public even as political administrations come and go,’ said AFGE President Everett Kelley after OPM formally published its new rule on April 8. ‘Turning positions that demand technical expertise into political appointments filled based on partisan loyalty would undermine this fundamental tenet of our government and lead to chaos and corruption. Such actions would undermine our democratic, nonpartisan government and take us back to the 19th century when civil servants were hired based on political loyalty rather than professional ability.’” Berea College Student Body, Administration Prepare for Vote on Potential Student Workers’ Labor Union: “Last month, student workers at Berea College announced their plans to organize a labor union—the first at any Work College in the country. Members of the United Student Workers of Berea are organizing for a number of reasons, including higher wages, negotiable job contracts and a formal grievance system. The group filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in mid-March to hold a unionization vote. More than 1,300 undergraduate students would be represented. If the vote passes, they will be able to start negotiations with the school’s administration. Maggie Neal is a junior at Berea College and union organizer.” UAOU Unites for Unionization Amid University’s Delays: “The United Academics of Ohio University, or UAOU, organized a solidarity event and discussion of the current state of unionizing at the Scripps Hall Amphitheater on Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. to show OU leadership that faculty are ready to vote for unionization. Around 50 faculty members attended the event, sporting red UAOU buttons and holding signs expressing their reasons for advocating for unionization. ‘I want a union at OU to stop admin bullying and to ensure a better learning environment,’ read one sign. Other signs featured on UAOU’s Instagram state reasons for unionization such as, ‘Our working conditions are student learning conditions’ and ‘We need shared governance back!’ The gathering highlighted unity among various union groups present, including the Association of People Supporting Employment First, or APSE, and the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers.” U.S. Senate Backs Repeal of NLRB 'Joint Employer' Rule, Teeing Up Biden Veto: “The U.S. Senate on Wednesday narrowly approved a proposal, which President Joe Biden has vowed to veto, to repeal a National Labor Relations Board rule that would treat companies as the employers of many of their contract and franchise workers and require them to bargain with those workers' unions. The Senate, which is controlled by Democrats, passed the resolution in a 50-48 vote.” Smith College Library Staff Unionizes: “On Tuesday, more than 40 Smith College library staffers did something that only 6% of private-sector workers in the United States can claim: joined a union. Locally, however, the workers who voted unanimously to join the Office and Professional Employees International Union are far from alone. So far, 2024 is already shaping up to be the biggest year in recent memory for union organizing in western Massachusetts. Federal data from the National Labor Relations Board show that at least 477 workers have unionized this year in the region—more than in any previous year since at least 2019. And it’s higher-ed workers who have driven that trend.” Partners Coffee Workers Holding Vote to Join UFCW: “Workers at Partners Coffee in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, will vote this week on whether to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500, nearly two years after workers first started organizing at the shop. If the 22 baristas, roasters, production workers and kitchen employees vote to unionize on Thursday, they’ll join a wave of young workers at other coffee shops like Starbucks and Blank Street Coffee that have unionized since the pandemic.” 8 Ways the Biden Administration Is Improving the Lives of Service Workers: “The Biden administration is raising pay, building power, and improving living standards for service workers across the economy—including fast-food cooks, call center workers, teachers, home care workers, and federal employees. The Biden administration has received ongoing attention for its actions to improve the lives of blue collar workers—from walking the picket line with striking autoworkers to ensuring that its signature investments in American industry create good jobs. Pundits and the press often point to actions to expand and raise standards in the construction and manufacturing sectors as central to the Biden administration’s economic agenda. Yet the administration has also taken numerous steps to boost the earnings and wealth of service sector workers, empower them to come together in unions, and hold accountable corporations that violate their rights.” Biden Promotes 'Care Economy' Spending in Speech to Care Workers: “President Joe Biden called for increased pay for care workers, and guaranteed paid leave for those who care for family members, in a speech Tuesday at Washington, D.C.'s Union Station. Biden highlighted his administration's investments in what he called the care economy, before a group of caregivers that included representatives from the AFL-CIO, AARP and National Domestic Workers Alliance.” Biden Announces Student Debt Relief for Millions in Swing-State Pitch: “President Biden on Monday announced a large-scale effort to help pay off federal student loans for tens of millions of American borrowers, seeking an election-year boost by returning to a 2020 campaign promise that was blocked by the Supreme Court last year. Biden’s new plan would reduce the amount that 25 million borrowers still owe on their undergraduate and graduate loans. It would wipe away the entire amount for more than 4 million Americans. Altogether, White House officials said, 10 million borrowers would see debt relief of $5,000 or more.” Rebuild the Key Bridge with Local Union Labor: “As the city of Baltimore and the wider region grapple with the aftermath of an unthinkable tragedy, we must mourn the six men who lost their lives in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse last month, and never forget how fragile life can be, especially on a job site—any job site. We also must recognize that we are at a crossroads. How we choose to rebuild will shape the physical landscape of our city and define our commitment to our workers, our communities and our children. We must seize this moment as an opportunity to rebuild responsibly, safely. We must rebuild with a highly trained local workforce that is paid prevailing wages. And we must rebuild around responsible union contractors who partner with minority-owned businesses.” The Rize Event Center Joins UNITE HERE Local 74: “The Rize Event Center, a new full-service catering and restaurant facility, has joined UNITE HERE Local 74....The restaurant is open two nights a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. ‘Our goal is to connect families, people and community at a price they can afford,’ said owner Betsey Mitchell. ‘We decided to open the restaurant two days a week to make ends meet, and it’s been a big hit.’ Mitchell, who’s owned restaurants with her mother in the past, said she was delighted to learn there was a union for hospitality workers in the St. Louis area. She’s a former teacher at St. Louis Public Schools and was a member of AFT Local 420, and her husband was a 25-year member of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562.” Absent Radical Labor Law Reform the Nation Could Be In Trouble: “Unions and labor activists have been warning that unless labor law is updated corporations will take advantage of the current law and its loopholes to set back progress on countless issues important to Americans. Current labor law, for example, allows bosses to drag their feet for years, at times, in negotiations with workers. Bill Samuel says, that when it comes to a top issue such as comprehensive pro-worker labor law reform, you have to take the long view about accomplishing it. Make that the very long view, as in decades. Which is what Samuel has done as the AFL-CIO Government Affairs Director for almost 24 years. He’ll retire soon.” Autoworkers at Alabama’s Mercedes-Benz Plant File for a Union Election: “Mercedes-Benz workers in Vance, Alabama, will vote on whether to join the United Auto Workers (UAW). On Friday, the UAW filed for an election to represent all 5,200 of the plant’s hourly employees, after the union said a supermajority of workers at the company’s mammoth plant signed union cards in three months. Jeremy Kimbrell, a measurement machine operator at the plant, said as part of the UAW’s announcement: ‘At Mercedes, at Hyundai and at hundreds of other companies, Alabama workers have made billions of dollars for executives and shareholders, but we haven’t gotten our fair share. We’re going to turn things around with this vote. We’re going to end the Alabama discount.’” UVM Graduate Students Form a Union to Bargain for Better Pay and Benefits: “Last week, University of Vermont graduate students voted 373-9 to form a union in an election involving nearly two-thirds of the students in the bargaining unit. Among the top priorities for the students will be better pay and health care benefits, which currently don't cover vision or dental. ‘I'm personally excited not just about increased pay but the health benefits,’ said Neil Traft, a second-year doctoral student in the complex systems and data science program. ‘A huge thing for me is dental and vision. I need work done on my wisdom teeth. I wear glasses and contacts. It will affect me directly.’” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/15/2024 - 10:34 — Apr 15
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Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Machinists Local 811 Gives Back to Houston Shelter Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Machinists Local 811 Gives Back to Houston Shelter Working people across the United States have stepped 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. Every year, the Machinists (IAM) Local 811 Women’s Committee does a community service event in Houston. This year, the committee chose the Mission of Yahweh, which is a sanctuary for homeless women and children. “We contacted the shelter to find out what their needs were,” said Local 811 Women’s Committee Chair Sarah Monderoy Garcia. “When we held our membership appreciation day, we asked every member to bring three items, and from there, we kept it going as long as we could.” They delivered hundreds of dollars worth of canned goods, baby food, diapers, wipes and women’s clothing. “My thanks go out to our membership, the Chair of the Community Services Committee, Roderick Lightfoot, and Women’s Committee member Evelita Iveritt,” Garcia said. “We’re always looking for a way to give back, and their efforts helped make this all come together, from collecting goods to delivering them. Without their assistance and contributions, this wouldn’t have been a successful outcome.” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/15/2024 - 09:52 — Apr 15
AFL-CIO Blog
- Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Send a Letter and Tell Congress to Support Increased Federal Arts Funding
- Thank A Union: In the States Roundup
- Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Wichita Nurses Ratify First-Ever Union Contracts at Ascension Hospitals
- We Need Shared Governance Back: The Working People Weekly List
- Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Machinists Local 811 Gives Back to Houston Shelter