AFL-CIO Blog

  • ‘Stand with Grocery Workers Who Are Overworked, Understaffed and Underpaid’: The Working People Weekly List
    ‘Stand with Grocery Workers Who Are Overworked, Understaffed and Underpaid’: 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. Wells Fargo Faces Labor Board Complaint Over Union Vote: “The National Labor Relations Board has accused Wells Fargo of illegally threatening and retaliating against employees and coercing workers to prevent fair unionization votes at a California branch. Most employees of an Atwater, California, branch who signed cards supporting unionization in December 2023 voted against unionization the following month, a regional director of the NLRB alleged, in a complaint filed Tuesday and seen by Bloomberg, The NLRB claims Wells Fargo coerced workers to vote against unionization. Wells Fargo has denied that allegation.” Chicago History Museum Workers Want to Join an Arts Industry Unionization Wave: “About two dozen workers at the Chicago History Museum have signed a letter saying they plan to unionize. In the letter, issued Wednesday morning, the employees said they are seeking clear communication from management and competitive wages. The move is one in a wave of similar organizing efforts at other Chicago cultural institutions. The workers are organizing with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME Council 31. Workers from the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum and Newberry Library, among others, have joined that same union in recent years.” ‘Stand with Grocery Workers Who Are Overworked, Understaffed and Underpaid’: “For too long, the hardworking union grocery workers of Southern California have been overworked, understaffed, and underpaid. These essential workers, who showed up day in and day out during the pandemic to keep our communities fed, now find themselves struggling to make ends meet. With inflation driving up the cost of living at an alarming rate, it’s time for major grocery corporations—Kroger/Ralphs, Albertsons/Vons, Stater Bros., and Gelson’s—to step up and provide the fair wages and benefits that these workers have earned. Southern California UFCW Locals are gearing up for what will likely be the toughest round of negotiations in decades. Bargaining with Kroger/Ralphs and Albertsons/Vons kicks off on February 13, with Stater Bros. negotiations beginning on March 6. Dates with Gelson’s have yet to be scheduled, but our message to all these companies is the same: Grocery workers are rising for our futures, our families, and our communities.” How Teachers Union Leaders Are Gearing Up for the ‘Resistance’: “Sure. So, ‘Resistance Committee’ is pretty much shorthand for ‘Committee to Help Everyone Have a Better Life.” I know that sounds very general, but AFT represents not just public education but also health care professionals and nurses. Particularly in this moment, where—you know, it began with hospitals and places of worship and schools being removed as sensitive sites—we really had to think about how we protect our students, families and patients.” SEIU Hospital Workers Ratify Contract, Avert Possible Strike: “SEIU workers at UPMC Washington Hospital and UPMC have agreed to a new contract. According to a press release, the contract includes average raises of 12% over three years, with some workers getting as much as 19% raises over the life of the contract. The union said the new contract ‘is major progress from UPMC’s original proposal of a 1% raise per year.’ ‘Our new contract will help us support ourselves and our families with the increased cost of living. This proves that when health care workers unite and take action—even at a small community hospital—we can create concrete positive change,’ said Melissa Duran, the chapter president of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania at Washington Hospital, where she works as an EKG technician.” Federal Workers, Lawmakers to Rally at Capitol Hill to Protect Civil Service: “Hundreds of federal workers are expected to gather on Capitol Hill Tuesday afternoon for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) ‘Rally to Save the Civil Service.’ The event, part of AFGE’s annual legislative conference, aims to push back against efforts to politicize federal jobs.” Retail Unions Are Gaining Ground as Employee Dissatisfaction Grows: “Americans are increasingly taking the side of workers as public opinion has turned overwhelmingly pro-union in recent years. Fifteen years ago, only about half of Americans approved of unions. Last year, it rose to 70%, just one percentage point below the 71% hit in 2022. That was a historic high since 1972 when Gallup began tracking union approval ratings annually.” Union Leaders to Try Again on Rail Safety; Corporate Greed Sidetracked It: “Titus and Cassidy joined AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan, who organized the session, along with co-sponsoring Reps. Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, and Chris Deluzio, D-Pa. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, sent a short video. All but Nehls discussed the massive Norfolk Southern derailment and venting of toxic chemicals into the. air and water precisely two years before, on Feb. 3, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio. ‘The people of eastern Ohio have suffered so much from corporate greed,’ Sykes said. ‘Our greatest fear is a train derailment can become a mass casualty event. But we have yet to see meaningful reform out of Congress’ to force railroads to put safety and people over profits, said Regan.” As Off Broadway Crews Unionize, Workers See Hope, Producers Peril: “A unionization wave sweeping across Off Broadway is poised to reshape the economics of theater-making in New York—for workers as well as producers. Striking stage crews have idled the nonprofit Atlantic Theater Company—the birthplace of the musicals ‘Spring Awakening,’ ‘The Band’s Visit’ and ‘Kimberly Akimbo,’ which all transferred to Broadway and won Tonys. The strike, which began last month, comes amid a drive to unionize stage hands and crews at Off Broadway theaters. The drive is being spearheaded by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, or IATSE, which represents workers on Broadway and in Hollywood. It has won union contracts at two long-running commercial Off Broadway shows: The crew of ‘Titaníque,’ a musical that spoofs the film ‘Titanic’ and the pop star Celine Dion, approved a contract last October, and the crew at ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ a revival of the sci-fi musical comedy, did so in January.” First Labor Official Ousted from NLRB in 90 Years Is Now Suing Trump. Hear Why: “Former National Labor Relations Board member Gwynne Wilcox speaks to CNN’s Victor Blackwell after being fired by President Donald Trump, making her the first member of the board to be removed in 90 years. Wilcox called her firing “unprecedented” and has since filed a federal lawsuit.” Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 02/14/2025 - 11:16 — Feb 14
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AFT and NEA Rally to Protect Students and Public Education
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AFT and NEA Rally to Protect Students and Public Education 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. On Wednesday afternoon, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA) rallied in Washington, D.C., to protect students and our public schools. Educators, parents, lawmakers and community leaders gathered to stand up for our schools in the face of funding attacks and policies that put politics before students. This demonstration came after the AFT held a press conference in the morning calling for Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to be barred from accessing sensitive Department of Education data.  “Inside the Education Department, the world’s richest man and his minions have been rifling through 45 million people’s private student loan accounts and feeding the data into artificial intelligence in one of the biggest data hacks in U.S. history,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “That’s why this week, we sued the Education Department, [Office of Personnel Management] and Treasury for violating the Privacy Act by improperly disclosing the sensitive records of millions of Americans to DOGE staff.” Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 02/14/2025 - 10:09 — Feb 14
  • Black History Month Profiles: Chancelle Mulela
    Black History Month Profiles: Chancelle Mulela 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 Chancelle Mulela of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Chancelle Mulela has been an IATSE Local 634 member for two years, working as a make-up artist. She has been a guest speaker with Reel Canada, a nonprofit organization based in Toronto dedicated to the presentation of Canadian films in Canadian schools, and encourages students to consider a career in film. She actively serves on Local 634’s DEI Committee and is currently working on establishing a young workers committee for the local.  Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 02/13/2025 - 10:18 — Feb 13
  • Worker Wins: "Standing Together for the Future of Our Profession"
    Worker Wins: "Standing Together for the Future of Our Profession" Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life. First Avenue Workers Ratify Collective Bargaining Agreement: UNITE HERE Local 17 members who work at Minneapolis’ legendary music venue First Avenue and its six Twin Cities sister clubs have unanimously ratified their first-ever contract. The 230-person bargaining unit covers service and event staff across the seven different locations—a majority of whom are non-tipped workers. UNITE HERE reported that the new contract includes major victories for staff like wage increases, longevity pay, improvements to scheduling practices, better safety policies, protections for LGBTQIA+ workers and more. “I’ve watched a lot of my best friends leave the club because the job wasn’t sustainable or they didn’t feel respected, but this contract makes a lot of steps to change that,” said First Avenue event staffer Kyle Tappe. “I’ve been pinching money at the end of the month for as long as I can remember, and the raises will make things significantly easier for me.” New York Magazine Walkout Averted as Union Secures Tentative Deal: Editorial staff at New York magazine—who are part of The NewsGuild of New York, CWA Local 31003—have successfully averted a strike after reaching a tentative agreement (TA) Friday with parent company Vox Media. Members of the New York Magazine Union, which include writers, editors, copy editors, fact-checkers, photo editors, designers and producers, will be voting on the TA later this month. The deal includes double-digit wage increases over the life of the contract, a ratification bonus, safeguards against the usage of artificial intelligence and more. “Guild members fought for new contract terms that reflect their commitment to building a newsroom that recognizes the value they bring to New York Magazine and Vox Media,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York, in a press release. “Our New York Magazine Union members would not accept anything less than a fair contract that builds on the success of prior agreements and improves workplace terms and conditions. This contract more than achieves that goal.”  PS Workers Win Recognition as Part of Vox Media Union: Editorial staff at PS (formerly Popsugar) have successfully won voluntary recognition from parent company Vox Media and are now members of the Vox Media Union, part of the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE). The 20-person newsroom stood together with the larger Vox Media Union bargaining unit on the first day of negotiations to demand that they too be covered under the contract. The union, which now includes PS workers, are fighting for fair wages that keep up with the rising cost of living, a commitment to diversity initiatives, artificial intelligence safeguards and enhanced protections in the event of layoffs. PS workers said in a press release: “This marks a significant step forward in our efforts. We are encouraged that the company has listened to our concerns and made the right decision by voluntarily recognizing PS as part of the Vox Media Union. We look forward to joining our colleagues across the organization and are optimistic about a productive bargaining season ahead.”  UFCW Local 400 Secures Settlements Over Wage Theft and Discrimination: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 has successfully won financial settlements from Union Kitchen and Mom's Organic Market on behalf of members who have been victims of wage theft and discrimination, respectively. At the ironically named Union Kitchen, Local 400 filed a lawsuit in March 2023 against the boutique convenience store chain and its owner for withholding tips left by customers in its Washington, D.C., stores that were intended for staff. The settlement included $133,333.34 for 79 impacted members and a requirement for Union Kitchen to pay the union’s attorneys’ fees. After staff at the Mom’s College Park, Maryland, location voted to join the UFCW, management sent an email announcing pay raises and other workplace improvements for all employees except those at the newly organized store. This was a violation of federal law, prompting Local 400 to file an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge, which resulted in a settlement of $17,302.67 to compensate 74 workers. “Our union is committed to protecting workers from unscrupulous bosses who are willing to violate their employees’ rights and break the law instead of properly compensating them for their hard work,” said Mark Federici, president of Local 400. “We’d like to thank the workers who took a stand and participated in this lawsuit for holding Union Kitchen accountable for its unlawful practices.” President Federici also said: “Given its reputation and purported values, we expected much better from MOM’s Organic Market, so we were especially disappointed that the company chose to violate the law and discriminate against its own employees. But no matter the employer, our union will always fight to protect our members’ rights and hold bosses accountable for breaking the law.” Nurses at 3 Portland Legacy Hospitals Win Union Election: Nearly 2,300 nurses across three Legacy Health facilities in Portland, Oregon, have voted to join the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The decisive victories at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Randall Children's Hospital and Good Samaritan Medical Center mean that workers are one step closer to being able to bargain over critical issues like patient care and safe staffing. This win comes as their fellow ONA members at Providence hospitals and medical centers across Oregon continue to fight for fair contracts that provide fair compensation and sustainable working conditions. “This victory is about nurses standing together for the future of our profession, our patients, and our hospitals,” said Sarah Zavala, an Emanuel nurse leader, in a press release. “We’re ready to build a strong contract that protects and empowers nurses so we can continue to provide the best care possible.” Denver Anti-Hunger Nonprofit Votes to Join Union: Workers at the nonprofit Metro Caring are celebrating their near-unanimous election to join the Denver Newspaper Guild, CWA Local 37074. Now organized under the name Metro Caring Workers United, a supermajority of the staff signed union authorization cards and requested voluntary recognition back in December 2024. The nonprofit was founded to help address food insecurity in the Denver-metro area and the staff who work there hope that by forming a union, they can better preserve the organization’s mission and sustain their critical work. “I’m incredibly proud to have been part of the Metro Caring Workers United team as we worked toward certification of our union with the NewsGuild-CWA,” said Lucor Jordan, a member of the MCWU Bargaining Committee and founding member of the union. “While I’ve never been part of a union before, throughout my working life I’ve received the benefit of the work that unions put in over past generations protecting workers and helping to provide a safe, dignified work environment. I’m now proud to be part of a new chapter in the non-profit sector.” UP Health System–Marquette Workers Ratify First Contract: After months of negotiations, United Steelworkers (USW) members who work for UP Health System–Marquette recently ratified their first union contract. The unit includes staff who work as licensed practical nurses (LPNs), care aides, lab assistants, payroll, IT, maintenance, office staff, and in other critical roles at the specialty care facility. Workers started organizing in 2023, with many expressing frustration with a decline in workplace satisfaction dating back to when the hospital was acquired by Duke LifePoint Healthcare in 2014. Contract wins include historic wage increases, higher on-call pay, capped annual health insurance premiums, improved safety protections and more. “UPHS Marquette is five blocks from my house,” said USW District 1 staff representative Bryan Fisher. “It’s the only Level 2 trauma center in the [Upper Peninsula] of Michigan. Our goal was always to attract and retain the best employees for Marquette residents. If I get taken to this hospital, these workers will care for me. I want a team of talented, fully-trained, well-compensated medical professionals administering care to our community.” UNITE HERE Fights to Pass Ordinance to Protect Job Security: UNITE HERE Local 1 members are celebrating a proposal that is advancing to the Evanston City Council that will give more job security to hospitality and food service contract workers at Northwestern University. The Worker Retention Ordinance would ensure that the essential workers who cook, clean and maintain the private research university will not be fired if their contractor is replaced. Just a few years ago, in 2018, hundreds of staff found their jobs in jeopardy when Northwestern replaced its food service operators with its current contractor, Compass Group. The city’s Human Services Committee unanimously approved moving the ordinance to council members on Wednesday after hearing testimony from several UNITE HERE members. “I’m proud to serve the Northwestern community. No matter who the contractor is, I deserve to continue working at the campus I have called home for so many years,” said Rosa Villaseñor, who has been a hospitality worker at Northwestern for 15 years. Lancaster Journalists Win Union Election: Journalists at LancasterOnline and the WITF public radio station voted to form a union this past Monday with The NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia, Local 38010 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA). In 2023, the Steinman family, who owned LancasterOnline (LNP), gifted the news organization to the Harrisburg-based NPR affiliate, WITF. Workers planned to form a union after management laid off 10% of its staff one month after the new management took over. CEO Ron Hetrick had previously told news staff that the company wouldn’t reduce its workforce for five years. “When we approached the Guild in November, a lot of people were unhappy with recent changes in our leadership and in our newsroom,” said LNP investigative reporter Brett Sholtis. “But this quickly became about so much more than that. We want to make sure we’re able to keep serving the community. We all brought different things to the table, but we have been united in our belief that joining The NewsGuild is the very best way to ensure the future of news in Lancaster and central Pennsylvania for years to come.” Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 02/12/2025 - 13:01 Tags: Organizing — Feb 12
  • The Time to Stand: What Working People Are Doing This Week
    The Time to Stand: 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: AFGE: AFSCME: Alliance for Retired Americans: Amalgamated Transit Union: American Federation of Musicians: American Federation of Teachers: American Postal Workers Union: Association of Flight Attendants-CWA: Boilermakers: Bricklayers: Communications Workers of America: Department for Professional Employees: Electrical Workers: Heat and Frost Insulators: International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers: Labor Council for Latin American Advancement: Labor Heritage Foundation: Laborers: Machinists: Maritime Trades Department: Metal Trades Department: Musical Artists: National Air Traffic Controllers Association: National Association of Letter Carriers: National Domestic Workers Alliance: National Federation of Federal Employees: National Nurses United: NWSL Players Association: NFL Players Association: North America's Building Trades Unions: Office and Professional Employees: Painters and Allied Trades: Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union: Roofers and Waterproofers: SAG-AFTRA: Service Employees International Union (SEIU): The NewsGuild-CWA: Theatrical Stage Employees: Transport Workers Union: Transportation Trades Department: UAW: UNITE HERE: United Food and Commercial Workers: United Steelworkers: Utility Workers: Writers Guild of America East: Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 02/12/2025 - 11:33 — Feb 12