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Women's History Month Profiles: Dominique Brooks
This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's 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 Dominique Brooks of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).
For NALC Branch 654 member Dominique Brooks, being a letter carrier means looking out for your community. One cold morning, she saw a boy in a parking lot on her route, wearing nothing but his pajamas and socks. When she didn’t see an adult with him, she jumped into action. Brooks put her coat around the boy to keep him warm and called the police. After the police arrived, the boy led them to his home where his parents were sleeping and unaware of his escape. All were grateful for Brooks' quick-thinking and compassion.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/14/2024 - 09:58Tags: Women's History Month
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AFSCME Members Reach Deal with City of Virginia; End Strike
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.
AFSCME members and the city of Virginia, Minnesota, reached a deal on a new contract that will end their strike. The contract was approved by the members of AFSCME Local 454. “We’re glad to be getting back to work for the citizens of Virginia,” said Scott DaRonco, president of Local 454. “This was a fair deal when they bait-and-switched us last week. It’s still a fair deal today, but it’s unfortunate that the City Council decided to screw around with 62 working families and the citizens of Virginia just to get back to that fair deal.”
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/14/2024 - 09:41Chemical operators in Ohio vote unanimously to join the USW
Sam Howard has been a chemical operator at Detrex Corporation in Ashtabula, Ohio, for nine years. He and his fellow 20 workers produce high-purity hydrochloric acid for the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, semiconductor, and other industries.
As of late February, they are also now all members of the USW after a years-long campaign that reveals the power of persistence.
Howard and several other workers first began exploring joining the USW in 2020. The group was forced to run a mail-in vote due to COVID restrictions and endured a heavy anti-union campaign by the employer. As a result, they lost their election by one vote.
While the months passed, working conditions worsened. “Everyone quickly realized we had to try again,” Howard said.
The workers had stayed in touch with their USW-appointed staff representative and organizer, and decided to hold another union election in February 2024. This time, the victory was unanimous.
“We’re going to teach management how to treat us,” Howard said, noting that accountability is what he’s looking forward to the most with a collective bargaining agreement. “No more chaotic schedules and extreme vacation policies.”
The new members are in the midst of bargaining committee elections and are enthusiastic about the opportunity to get involved with the union.
Women's History Month Profiles: Carlene Simmons
This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's 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 Carlene Simmons of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).
Army veteran Carlene Simmons, a NALC Branch 1259 member, is affectionately known as “mail lady” by one girl on her route who is a fan of everything about letter carriers—from the truck to the outfit to the mail itself. Simmons took it upon herself to make the girl her own uniform when she heard the customer was planning to be a letter carrier for Halloween. It was just one of many special memories Simmons has formed with the customers she sees every day on her route, and she hopes she is passing the love for her craft to a whole new generation.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 03/13/2024 - 09:12Tags: Women's History Month
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Atlantic Aviation Workers in Aspen Vote to Join IAM
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.
Atlantic Aviation workers at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport voted overwhelmingly to join the Machinists (IAM). Approximately 33 workers who handle ground operations voted in the election. The workers are focused on scheduling and hours worked issues.
“This decision reflects the dedication and determination of these experienced aviation workers to secure better working conditions and fair treatment,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “By joining the IAM, these workers have taken a bold step towards safeguarding their rights and ensuring a brighter future for themselves and their families. I want to thank District 141 for their leadership in this organizing victory.”
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 03/13/2024 - 09:04USW Files Section 301 Petition on Shipbuilding
Contact: Jess Kamm Broomell, 412-562-2444, jkamm@usw.org
(PITTSBURGH) – The United Steelworkers union (USW) today led a coalition of labor organizations in filing a Section 301 petition, calling on the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to initiate an investigation of Chinese commercial shipbuilding.
The People’s Republic of China (PRC), over the past two decades, enacted a comprehensive strategy to dominate global transportation and logistics networks, including employing an array of non-market policies. Meanwhile, U.S. shipbuilding capacity continues to diminish.
“The United States once had nearly 30 major shipyards; now we’re down to just a handful,” said USW International President David McCall. “That correlates with more than 70,000 lost shipbuilding jobs, not to mention all the secondary jobs the industry supports.”
A single commercial ship can require approximately 13,000 tons of structural steel, 60,000 gallons of paint, 130 miles of electrical cable, and many other products tens of thousands of USW members proudly produce.
“The PRC is using commercial shipbuilding to dominate the full spectrum of global trade, choking out all competitors,” McCall said. “If we do not act quickly, we will soon be dependent on China not only for the products their vessels bring into our ports but also for the ships themselves.”
McCall noted that in addition to the grave economic consequences of the PRC’s policies, the growing imbalance in shipbuilding also threatens U.S. national security.
“China has surpassed the United States and now operates the world’s largest navy,” said McCall. “Rebuilding our Merchant Marine is not only essential to increasing our nation’s sealift capability, it will help shore up the critical supply chains our military and commercial shipbuilding industries share, making us safer and more resilient.”
Other unions joining the USW in filing the trade petition include the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO.
U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Bob Casey today sent a letter to the Biden administration in support of the trade petition, representing a growing coalition of policymakers fighting to revitalize the shipbuilding industry.
“Labor unions and the Biden administration have worked together to establish a worker-centered trade policy and ramp up domestic manufacturing capacity through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act,” said McCall. “Reviving the commercial shipbuilding industry will enable America to expand those investments, ensure a steady supply of goods at home, and grow the middle class.”
USTR Katherine Tai has 45 days to determine whether she will pursue an investigation of Chinese shipbuilding.
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in health care, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.
For more information: www.usw.org.
We All Share the Same Fight: 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.
America’s Most Powerful Union Leaders Have a Message for Capital: “I sat down with four of America’s top union leaders—Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO (the federation of U.S. trade unions); Claude Cummings, president of the Communications Workers of America [CWA]; Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers [AFT]; and Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants [AFA-CWA], to talk about what’s happened and where they go from here. What follows is a lightly edited transcript of a conversation that took place on Feb. 21 in Washington, D.C….Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO: Seventy-one percent of the public supports unions generally, and 88% of young people under the age of 30 do.”
Vice President Harris Highlights Union Apprenticeships, Infrastructure Investment in Madison Visit: “Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale, also part of the entourage that accompanied Harris, called Biden ‘the most pro-union president in our history’ and applauded the executive order. ‘We in the labor movement are pleased to see President Biden and Vice President Harris are working to improve the lives of working people and especially young people seeking apprenticeships,’ Bloomingdale said in an interview after the visit.”
Costume Designers Guild Gains Nationwide Support from Hollywood Stars and Labor Unions for Pay Equity Demands: “As crew contract conversations get underway with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the Costume Designers Guild’s fight for pay equity has gained support from stars and labor groups. Earlier this year, the guild launched Pay Equity Now, a movement designed to spotlight the organization’s decadeslong fight for pay equity and gender equity.”
Fairfax Connector Service to Resume Friday After Successful Labor Negotiations End Strike: “Fairfax Connector service resumed on Friday, March 8, after successful labor negotiations between ATU [Amalgamated Transit Union] Local 689 and bus operator Transdev ended a 15-day strike, officials announced Wednesday evening. The bus service has been suspended since about 630 bus operators, mechanics and utility crews went on strike on Feb. 22 during contract negotiations. The union and Transdev had reportedly been in talks over a new contract since October 2023, but after 12 bargaining sessions, union leaders claimed the bus operator had been ‘slow-walking the talks’ and ignoring most of their key priorities.”
U.S. Rep. Pocan Announces He Invited AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler to State of the Union: “Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan [Wisconsin], co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Labor Caucus, announced he was bringing Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, as his guest to this year’s State of the Union. President Shuler represents more than 12 million workers nationwide, including thousands of Wisconsinites. ‘Congressman Pocan is a champion for working people, and I’m honored he invited me to view the State of the Union with him,’ said Shuler. ‘Too often in D.C., the State of the Union gets looked at through what boxes get checked or how many times a word is said—and those details matter, of course—but it’s also important to step back and realize that the sum of President Biden’s actions have resulted in launching another industrial revolution with transformational policies for workers and communities that will last for generations.’”
State Officials Hear from Industry, Labor on Embracing AI Without Leaving Workers Behind: “On Monday, the task force heard from Oshkosh Corporation [Senior Vice President and] Chief Information Officer Anupam Khare and AFL-CIO Technology Institute Director Amanda Ballantyne. Ballantyne, with the AFL-CIO, focused her comments on how government and industry can embrace AI [artificial intelligence] in a way that doesn’t harm workers. She said the labor movement sees AI as both a potential and a challenge. In general, she said, labor leaders like technology that makes work safer and more efficient, but they are concerned AI could degrade work or automate jobs away. She said the government and private industries need to work with organized labor to ensure AI is a net positive for working people. Ballantyne said including provisions related to artificial intelligence in collective bargaining contracts is one way to achieve that, pointing to AI provisions negotiated by the screenwriters’ and actors’ unions. She also said the AFL-CIO is advocating for more education and workforce development programs at the local level to help train workers on artificial intelligence, so they are not left behind in the transition.”
A Transformative Training for Union Organizers: “The AFL-CIO Organizing Institute partnered with the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, last week to offer a three-day training for organizers to learn the skills they need to win and to move the labor movement forward. Nearly 40 organizers participated in this dynamic training, including representatives of the IBEW [Electrical Workers], IAM [Machinists], OPEIU [Office and Professional Employees], AFGE, UFCW [United Food and Commercial Workers], AFSCME, SPEEA [Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace], IFPTE [International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers], NALC [National Association of Letter Carriers], IUPAT [Painters and Allied Trades], MLK Labor, NEA [National Education Association] and SEIU.”
We All Share the Same Fight: “Recently, the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations released data that showed the number of striking workers in the United States climbed 141% from 2022 to 2023. That’s numbers-backed proof of the energy and hope that we feel every day, isn’t it? We are in a generation-defining moment—one in which workers are rightfully seizing our power and unrigging our economy so that it works for everyone, not just the ultra-wealthy. Researchers documented 470 work stoppages involving about 539,000 workers last year. These work stoppages resulted in a total of roughly 24,874,522 strike days.”
The Labor Movement Is Empowering Working Women: “Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on the paths paved by women before us while also recognizing the barriers that still exist today. This includes gender wage gaps that vary by race and ethnicity and lack of access to affordable childcare or paid maternity leave for working moms. However, my grandmother, my mother and I are living proof that women do not always have to compromise family life for career life—you can have both if you have a union job. My life story is a testament to how the labor movement empowers working women and why our movement must continue opening doors for women, young workers, immigrants and all working people who can benefit from a union job. The momentum we are seeing around the labor movement today is a result of people demanding what they deserve. A study by the Department of the Treasury in 2023 found that unions help to close the wealth inequality gap and grow the American middle class.”
Keystone Resort, Colorado, Ski Patrol Submits Petition to Unionize: “Today, after many weeks of worker-led organizing efforts, a majority of Keystone Resort, Colorado, ski patrollers have chosen to file for a union representation election at the National Labor Relations Board. They are organized as the Keystone Ski Patrol Union (KSPU) into CWA [Communications Workers of America] Local 7781, the United Professional Ski Patrols of America (UPSPA). 70% of eligible ski patrollers signed union cards. The patrol has also asked Keystone management for voluntary recognition of their union.”
Latest AFL-CIO Lawmaker Ratings Show Deep Partisan Split: “It should come as no great surprise, but the AFL-CIO’s annual study of lawmakers’ key votes showed a highly partisan split last year on issues workers really cared about: Democrats and the Senate’s three independents for; Republicans against—really against. ‘Working people fought to elect champions in Congress who together with President Biden have delivered on key priorities, including ensuring we have the freedom to organize and form unions,’ AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a statement about the voting study.”
IATSE and Teamsters Warn of Another Hollywood Strike at Massive Rally: ‘Put Your Helmets On’: “Negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are set to begin on Monday. The Theatrical Stage Employees [IATSE], Teamsters [IAM] and Hollywood Basic Crafts will jointly bargain health and pension benefits. Over the next few months, IATSE, IAM and Hollywood Basic Crafts will then bargain their separate agreements, with the hope of having the deals ratified by the deadline. At the rally, Matthew Loeb, international president of IATSE, struck a somewhat more moderate tone than O’Brien, repeatedly emphasizing, ‘There’s enough to go around.’”
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/12/2024 - 10:45Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Spotify’s Unionized Staff Reaches Tentative Deal, Including 5.7% Pay Raise
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.
One week after their previous contract expired, union members at The Ringer and Spotify Studios, represented by the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), both reached tentative agreements with Spotify on new collective bargaining agreements. The tentative deals call for pay increases that average 5.7%. They also made gains on severance, won new protections for employees who are on visas, and secured ground-breaking safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence.
“Our joint unit went into these negotiations battered by brutal rounds of layoffs,” said the joint unit. “So many of our talented colleagues were cast aside in a restructuring that was only necessary because of decisions made by Spotify leadership. Still, during negotiations, Spotify Studios Union members came together and found a unified voice to defend our rights as workers."
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/12/2024 - 10:00Women's History Month Profiles: Bess Watts
This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's 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 Bess Watts of AFSCME.
Throughout her many years of service to the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), an affiliate of AFSCME, Bess Watts earned a reputation as a fighter and a strong voice for LGBTQ+ rights in Rochester, New York. She fought for two decades to advance women's rights and the rights of working people. Watts began her career as an interlibrary loan specialist and senior clerk at Monroe Community College before working her way up to several leadership positions, including president of the Monroe County local of CSEA and president of the Pride at Work Rochester Finger Lakes Chapter.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/11/2024 - 09:03Tags: Women's History Month
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Planned Parenthood Keystone Workers Join OPEIU
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.
Planned Parenthood Keystone’s non-professional employees have joined with Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 32 over issues of job security, fair wages and health care. The new union includes all non-managerial staff without advanced medical degrees, as well as medical center staff from Planned Parenthood Keystone’s eight centers, office staff, floating medical staff, gender affirming care specialists, telehealth staff, community health workers and educators.
Floating Medical Center Assistant Alice Wehner said that they want to continue to serve their community "without fear of being fired for no reason at all. Over the years, I’ve seen many valuable employees terminated without notice or good reason, and their absence is felt deeply."
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/11/2024 - 08:52Women's History Month Profiles: Linda Hunt
This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's 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 Linda Hunt of UNITE HERE.
“The Culinary Union opened doors for Black workers, which was a milestone for me,” Linda Hunt said. “And I see African Americans in leadership roles in my union. I've been on a journey in this union and I saw lives change. I was part of the change, which makes me feel good knowing I could help families thrive.”
Kenneth Quinnell Sun, 03/10/2024 - 09:03Tags: Women's History Month
Women's History Month Profiles: Rebecca Owens
This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's 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 Rebecca Owens of AFA-CWA.
Rebecca Owens is a proud flight attendant and active member of AFA-CWA Council 30. She has stepped up as her union is in contract negotiations by helping to organize informational pickets, volunteering to go on camera to share the stories of her union brothers, sisters and siblings, making sure her colleagues participated in their recent strike vote and working with the Alaska State AFL-CIO to get paid sick leave on Alaska's ballot to benefit her co-workers.
Kenneth Quinnell Sat, 03/09/2024 - 09:03Tags: Women's History Month
USW on International Women’s Day: Our diversity is our strength
Contact: Randie Pearson, rpearson@usw.org, (412) 562-2295
(Pittsburgh, PA) – The USW International Union released the following statement in honor of International Women’s Day, March 8:
“From our inception the USW valued inclusivity. Our union constitution begins: ‘To unite in one organization, regardless of creed, color or nationality, all workmen and working women eligible for membership.’ This was a key tenant of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC) founding principles that helped shape our union and still guides the work we do today.
“Through organizing, educating, and legislative and political engagement, the Women of Steel program continues to forge a path of inclusivity for women workers across the United States, Canada, and beyond. Our activists are everyday people who lead committees, serve in local office, raise their families, and fight for their communities.
“This diversity in background and experience gives us strength and empowers us to negotiate contracts that provide justice and fairness to workers.
“The USW’s Women of Steel program is committed to continuing to mentor, educate, and activate our members to empower women and female-identifying workers, and uplift their achievements.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in health care, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.
Economy Gains 275,000 Jobs in February; Unemployment Up to 3.9%
The U.S. economy gained 275,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate was up slightly, to 3.9%, according to figures released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
February's biggest job gains were in health care (+67,000), government (+52,000), food services and drinking places (+42,000), social assistance (+24,000), construction (+23,000), transportation and warehousing (+20,000) and retail trade (+19,000). Employment showed little change over the month in other major industries, including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; manufacturing; wholesale trade; information; financial activities; professional and business services; and other services.
Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for teenagers (12.5%) and adult women (3.5%) increased during the month. The jobless rates for Black Americans (5.6%), Hispanics (5.0%), adult men (3.5%), White Americans (3.4%) and Asian Americans (3.4%) showed little or no change in February.
The number of long-term unemployed workers (those jobless for 27 weeks or longer) was little changed in February and accounted for 18.7% of the total number of people unemployed.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 03/08/2024 - 10:01Ramadan Mubarak
The AFL-CIO, which represents 12.5 million working people in 60 affiliated national and international unions, sends greetings to our Muslim union members, their families and the Muslim community as Muslims begin their holy month of Ramadan.
Ramadan Mubarak…Blessed RamadanMuslims will observe Ramadan beginning Sunday, March 10, at sunset and ending Tuesday, April 9, at sunset. During this time, Muslims all over the world who are able to fast will abstain from eating and drinking…not even a sip of water…from sunset to sunup. This month of fasting ends with the joyous celebration of Eid.
Muslims believe that through fasting during Ramadan they can gain insights and strength by separating themselves from the material in order to focus on the spiritual in their lives. We recognize that the fast can be especially challenging for our members at work, and we honor their devotion to practicing the teachings of their faith. It is our hope that Ramadan will be a time of spiritual blessing for them, their family and their community.
During Ramadan, Muslims pray and offer support for the most vulnerable members of our society, the unemployed and those facing job loss, and those suffering the impacts of income inequality, wage theft and discrimination in their workplaces.
The AFL-CIO stands in strong support of our Muslim union members, their families and the Muslim community in the practice of their faith, free from prejudice or discrimination, and reaffirms our unwavering commitment as a labor movement to freedom of religion as a basic human right to be strengthened and preserved.
Eid Mubarak…Happy Eid Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 03/08/2024 - 09:18Women's History Month Profiles: Pamela Blackmore
This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's 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 Pamela Blackmore of SMART.
Kansas City tradeswoman Pamela Blackmore is a journeyperson, a night shift foreman, a conductor at SMART Local 2 union meetings and the recording secretary for the Local 2 Women’s Committee. And after 29 years in the trade, she said she will, “talk about or answer any questions about sheet metal, and just maybe inspire a young person into the trade when they hear how long and successful my career has been.”
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 03/08/2024 - 08:54Tags: Women's History Month
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Tempus AI Workers in Chicago Vote to Join IAM Union
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.
A majority of 400 lab workers at a downtown Chicago artificial intelligence (AI) biotech lab, Tempus AI, voted overwhelmingly to join the Machinists (IAM). The Tempus AI lab workers are seeking stronger safety standards, a better work-life balance, more competitive pay and benefits compared to industry colleagues, and equity and transparency from their employer.
“Our victory to join the IAM union shows our commitment to the future of cancer care and making Tempus AI the best employer possible,” said a statement from the IAM Tempus Worker Organizing Committee. “We look forward to negotiating a first contract that includes rigorous safety protocols, pay and benefits that align with the rest of our industry, a voice on the job and better outcomes for the patients that Tempus serves.”
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 03/08/2024 - 08:42Women's History Month Profiles
This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's 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.
Here are the members we've profiled so far:
- Claudia Rodriguez
- Jillian Arnold
- Lori Ulrich
- Ann Flener-Gittlen
- Christine Cambizaca
- Tyra McClelland
- Christina Sydenstricker-Brown
- Pamela Blackmore
Tags: Women's History Month
USW Applauds Biden’s Agenda on Jobs, Economy
Contact: Joe Smydo, jsmydo@usw.org, 412-562-2281
(Pittsburgh) – United Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall released the following statement in advance of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address tonight:
“President Biden delivered win after win for working people during his first three years in office, and USW members look forward to working with him as he continues his fight to grow the middle class and an economy for all.
“Under President Biden’s leadership, America’s historic investments in infrastructure and manufacturing created a record 15 million jobs so far while also modernizing the nation and enhancing national security.
“Hundreds of thousands of USW members across the country know the power of these investments firsthand. We’re negotiating stronger contracts, bargaining higher wages, producing more goods, and upgrading manufacturing facilities because of the Build America, Buy America provisions that President Biden inserted into legislation like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“Many more Americans will be empowered to build better lives in the coming years as President Biden continues to combine his focus on the economy with his commitment to labor rights, particularly workers’ right to organize for a voice on the job. President Biden has proven to be the most pro-worker president in history, and we’re confident he’s just getting started.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, mining, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service, public and health care sectors and higher education. For more information: www.usw.org.
Women's History Month Profiles: Christina Sydenstricker-Brown
This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's 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 Christina Sydenstricker-Brown of AFSCME.
Christina Sydenstricker-Brown is a direct support crisis specialist for the Oregon Department of Human Services and the president of AFSCME Local 1246. While working 80-hour weeks and taking care of her family, Sydenstricker-Brown supports a 650-member unit. She has led multiple safety campaigns over the past few years to ensure her members are taken care of and workplace safety concerns are addressed.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/07/2024 - 10:08Tags: Women's History Month