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Pride Month Profiles
For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ members who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States.
Below are the profiles we've featured so far. Check back throughout June for more:
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 06/08/2023 - 10:58Pride Month Profiles: David Sytsma-Sherman
For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ union members who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is David Sytsma-Sherman of AFSCME.
David Sytsma-Sherman serves as an executive board member of AFSCME Local 2187 as well as a delegate from the local to the District Council 47 delegate assembly. He is the chief shop steward for the Philadelphia Parking Authority and serves as the vice chair of the District Council 47 PEOPLE Committee.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/07/2023 - 10:14Service & Solidarity Spotlight: 'Drunk Shakespeare' Workers Successfully Organize with Equity
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.
Actors, stage managers, bartenders and servers of Chicago’s "Drunk Shakespeare" have achieved their goal of organizing with Actors’ Equity Association. Within days of these workers filing their petition with the National Labor Relations Board, their employer Meme Juice Productions voluntarily recognized the new bargaining unit, known as Drunk Shakespeare United. Equity is currently in the process of filing the paperwork to certify this status.
"Good now, some excellent fortune! We appreciate that the employer moved so swiftly to recognize the union, and we look forward to productive bargaining once the ink is dry,” said Kate Shindle, president of Actors’ Equity Association. “These arts workers in Chicago took a bold step, knowing that bringing their voices to the table with management would make their workplace better. I also want to applaud Equity staff, especially the organizing department, for their collaboration and expertise. This is an awesome and inspiring victory.”
The Chicago production of "Drunk Shakespeare" is one of five productions of the show currently running around the country, but the only one unionized at present.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/07/2023 - 08:18These Brave Workers
Today we’re sharing the story of Barbara Westbrook, a worker in Chester, Virginia, who handles calls for the Affordable Care Act and Medicare. She walked off the job this week on her first strike.
Here’s why: “I’m striking because no one should have to be forced to choose between paying a bill and putting food on the table—especially those working for a multibillion-dollar federal contractor like Maximus.”
Barbara and her colleagues are fighting for a $25-an-hour living wage to be paid in line with what other federal call center workers make. They’re also asking for fair layoff policies. Recently, Maximus laid off 700 of Barbara’s colleagues with little notice.
Will you show your support for Barbara and the other courageous Maximus workers who are striking this week?
When these workers return to work, this is the letter they will walk back in with. The more people who sign, the stronger show of force they’ll have when they return.
Barbara reports that there is a serious atmosphere of fear and intimidation: “Now people are scared because they don’t know if they’ll be next. The layoffs have made people decide to come to work sick, or with their children in the car waiting to be picked up because they can’t afford a sitter and are afraid of being even a little late. The call center is like a morgue because people are afraid. Maximus treats us like we don’t matter, like we’re replaceable. It doesn’t care about anybody’s pockets but their own.”
“I’ll be honest that at first I was afraid of joining the strike. But I decided that it was something I had to do. We’re not just striking for ourselves, but for all of our co-workers. We have rights, we can speak up and we can take action together. And when we win the better working conditions we deserve, it won’t be just for us, but also for future Maximus workers, so parents won’t have to work a second job, so they can spend more time with their kids.”
Will you support the Maximus strike today? Add your name.
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/06/2023 - 16:11
Pride Month Profiles: April Gigetts
For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ union members who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is April Gigetts of AFSCME.
April Gigetts began her union career as a carpenter with Carpenters Local 158 in Philadelphia. She later was employed by the city of Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections starting in 2005 and took on many roles of leadership, rising from steward to president of her local, and now serves as the president of AFSCME District Council 47. Gigetts has also served as a former board member for the Coalition of Labor Union Women.
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/06/2023 - 10:14Service & Solidarity Spotlight: SAG-AFTRA Members Approve Strike Authorization with 97.91% Yes Vote
Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
In a powerful show of solidarity, nearly 65,000 members of SAG-AFTRA voted 97.91% in favor of a strike authorization ahead of negotiations of the television/theatrical contracts. The authorization vote does not mean the union is calling a strike. Negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers begin on June 7. The strike authorization vote empowers SAG-AFTRA’s national board to initiate a strike if the AMPTP won’t reach a fair deal with the union. The current SAG-AFTRA television/theatrical contracts expire at midnight on June 30.
“The strike authorization votes have been tabulated and the membership joined their elected leadership and negotiating committee in favor of strength and solidarity. I’m proud of all of you who voted as well as those who were vocally supportive, even if unable to vote. Everyone played a part in this achievement,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “Together we lock elbows and in unity we build a new contract that honors our contributions in this remarkable industry, reflects the new digital and streaming business model and brings ALL our concerns for protections and benefits into the now! Bravo SAG-AFTRA, we are in it to win it.”
“I could not be more pleased with this response from the membership. This overwhelming yes vote is a clear statement that it’s time for an evolution in this contract,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “As we enter what may be one of the most consequential negotiations in the union’s history, inflation, dwindling residuals due to streaming and generative AI all threaten actors’ ability to earn a livelihood if our contracts are not adapted to reflect the new realities. This strike authorization means we enter our negotiations from a position of strength, so that we can deliver the deal our members want and deserve.”
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/06/2023 - 10:04Workers Will Not Be Deterred: 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.
AFL-CIO’s Shuler: Glacier NW Decision Will Not Deter Workers: “The following is a statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler released [June 1] regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling in Glacier Northwest Inc. v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Today, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with corporations over working people. But when the facts are revealed on remand, it will be clear the union acted properly and the truck drivers’ strike was protected by federal law.”
Orange County’s Hotel Workers Consider Striking Over Pay Raises: “Hotel workers throughout Orange County, and Southern California, might go on strike as they demand a $5 an hour increase to their wages. Unite Here Local 11, union representing 32,000 hotel workers in Southern California and Arizona, are calling on workers to authorize a strike on June 8, according to Ada Briceño, co-president of the union. Briceño said in a Wednesday phone interview workers are getting squeezed by housing costs and need higher pay. ‘They’re sleeping on other people’s couches, they’re living in their cars and they’re one paycheck away from homelessness,’ she said, adding that she is confident they will authorize a strike.”
United Steelworkers Seeking Vote to Unionize Thousands of Pitt Staff: “The United Steelworkers said it intends to file paperwork Monday calling for a state-supervised labor election that could unionize more than 5,000 workers at the University of Pittsburgh’s main campus and four branches. The USW already represents about 3,000 full- and part-time faculty on Pitt’s main campus in Oakland and branches in Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown and Titusville. Formed in 2021, that union is negotiating with Pitt on its first contract.”
Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea and Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney React to the 2023 Legislative Session: “Following the General Assembly’s adjournment, the Illinois AFL-CIO released the following statement: ‘Working Illinoisans celebrated numerous victories this legislative session, building on recent successes that have included the Workers’ Rights Amendment, Paid Leave for All, higher minimum wages, fairer workers' compensation laws, and a robust state construction program.”
Thousands of Local Hotel Workers on Verge of Striking: ‘Living in L.A. Is No Longer an Option’: “A union is asking 15,000 workers at hotels in Los Angeles and Orange counties to authorize a strike during the height of tourist season. Unite Here Local 11 said contracts are expiring June 30 at 62 Southern California hotels, including luxury stays such as the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles, the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica and the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. Union officials say they are asking for the strike authorization vote on June 8 to jump-start sluggish negotiations and convince hotel operators to seriously consider pay increases for their workers.”
'Pony Up:' UAW Leadership Details Priorities for Detroit Three Contract Talks: “The United Auto Workers' bargaining strategy for upcoming contract talks with the Detroit automakers came into sharper focus Wednesday as union leaders spelled out their top priorities. They are: ending tiered wage and benefit structures; reinstating cost-of-living adjustments; and securing stronger job protections. The UAW's top five leaders detailed those goals during a union-wide town hall Wednesday on Facebook Live. ‘These companies have been extraordinarily profitable, and our members have created incredible value for these companies during some really hard and dangerous years,’ said UAW President Shawn Fain. ‘They can afford our demands, and we expect them to pony up.’”
Burga Majority Rule Matters to Working People and We Will Preserve It: “In short, the sacred principle of one person, one vote and majority rule matter a lot to working people, and we will win this fight to preserve it.”
One Month: The Writers Guild of America Strike Enters its Fourth Week: “It's been nearly a month since the Writers Guild of America went on strike. The writers failed to reach an agreement with the studios and streaming platforms that make up the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. As the strike continues, it's becoming more likely that audiences will see an impact on their favorite movies and shows. If you were looking forward to catching new seasons of your favorite shows on streaming, you may have to wait a little longer. With the Writers Guild of America on strike for a fourth week, some shows and movies have already put production on hold. WGA East writer Brendan Fitzgibbons says when studios devalue writers, they're devaluing their content.”
WGA Urges Netflix and Comcast Shareholders to Reject Pay Hikes for Companies’ Top Executives in Light of Ongoing Strike: “WGA West President Meredith Stiehm is urging Netflix and Comcast stockholders to reject pay raises for the companies’ top executives at their upcoming shareholders meetings, saying that approving the proposed pay packages is ‘inappropriate in light of the ongoing WGA writers’ strike.’ The Netflix shareholders meeting will be held on Thursday and Comcast will hold its on June 7.”
Union Sportsmen's Alliance, Kentucky Union Volunteers Host Take Kids Fishing Day Events: “Young people from around Kentucky braved rainstorms to spend several hours honing their fishing skills on Saturday, May 20, during three separate Take Kids Fishing Day events hosted by the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 110 and the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Services. While the weather may have dampened the venues—Jacobson Park in Lexington, Waverly Park in Louisville and Bob Noble Park in Paducah—it didn’t lessen the kids’ spirit or excitement, according to event organizer Mark Adams, SMART 110 Business Manager. ‘Every child received a free rod-and-reel from the USA and got the chance to catch a few fish,’ he says. ‘Everyone had a fantastic time, despite the weather.’”
UAW Organizes Supplier of Jeep, Chevy Corvette, Ford Bronco and Mustang Roofs: “UAW President Shawn Fain commended the nearly 200 new members who fought to organize an automotive parts supplier that makes tops for the Ford Mustang, Ford Bronco, Chevrolet Corvette and Jeep. Webasto, a global company headquartered near Munich, Germany, has a presence in Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Plymouth Township, New Hudson and Fenton. The manufacturer makes roof, charging, heating and air conditioning and battery systems. Workers at Webasto Roof Systems in Plymouth Township, who began their organizing drive in November, voted earlier this month to join UAW Local 3000 in Woodhaven. ‘This election was a tough fight with heavy employer opposition. But these workers, as courageous as they were, they stuck together,’ Fain said Wednesday during live remarks to members streamed on the UAW Facebook page. ‘This win goes on to prove that we are continuing to get back to our roots and back in the fight.’”
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, Urging Members to Authorize a Strike, Says 'Acting Careers Are at Stake': “Saying that ‘acting careers are at stake,’ SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher has sent an audio message to the guild’s members urging them to vote ‘Yes’ for strike authorization. The guild’s often fractious national board voted unanimously last week to recommend that members authorize a strike in advance of the June 7 start of its negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The guild’s current contract expires June 30. ‘SAG-AFTRA is taking a big bold step as the union prepares for our upcoming TV, theatrical and streaming negotiations,’ Drescher said in a message posted on social media. ‘We’re asking you, one of our members, to vote ‘Yes’ for a strike authorization. This will give our negotiating team much needed leverage at the bargaining table. You know, acting careers are at stake. We must ensure that our employers don’t continue to devalue the performers who bring productions to life.’”
Industries Facing Worker Shortages Push to Roll Back Child Labor Protections: “The push to change the labor laws brought protesting Democrats and labor unions to the state capitol. Charlie Wishman is president of the Iowa Federation of Labor. He and others say the bill could allow businesses to take advantage of low-income and migrant children for cheap labor and jeopardize their education.”
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 06/05/2023 - 11:41Pride Month Profiles: Olivia "Liv" Yelton
For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ union members who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Olivia "Liv" Yelton of the Electrical Workers (IBEW).
Liv Yelton is a trans woman who is about to start her third year as an apprentice, and she is an active member of IBEW Local 191. She is the chair of her local's COPE Committee, vice chair of the SISTERS Committee, vice president of the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus chapter and a delegate to her county labor council. She is the founder and co-president of a nonprofit organization called the Advocacy Coalition for Transgender Siblings (ACTS), where she's built a safe and friendly community for IBEW trans and nonbinary siblings to connect and to advocate for their rights and inclusion in their union.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 06/05/2023 - 10:14Service & Solidarity Spotlight: National Institutes of Health Fellows File to Join UAW
Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Nearly 5,000 early-career researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) filed to form a union, NIH Fellows United, an affiliate of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). This is the first union within the U.S. federal government for research fellows.
NIH fellows’ work is integral to the development of technologies and treatments to enhance public health. The fellows cited ongoing issues around low pay, a lack of support for early-career researchers and the need for a voice at work as reasons for joining the UAW.
“Fellows don’t have any voice or power in this institution, so it feels like we’re cheap labor rather than equal members of a team,” said Travis Kinder, a research fellow at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). “The changes we need at the NIH and in the world cannot be done alone and require us to work collectively.”
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 06/05/2023 - 08:31Pride Month Profiles: Alicia Mijares
For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ union members who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Alicia Mijares of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART).
After being a hardworking journeyperson at SMART (formerly Sheet Metal Workers) Local 104 for nearly two decades, Alicia Mijares was the first female organizer on staff, and later she was elected as the first female full-time officer. She's been breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings her whole life in a male-dominated industry, and her passion for workers' rights and the labor movement is unmatched.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 06/02/2023 - 15:20Economy Gains 339,000 Jobs in May; Unemployment Up Slightly 3.7%
The U.S. economy gained 339,000 jobs in May, and the unemployment rate was up slightly to 3.7%, according to figures released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This strong jobs report shows there is still room to expand job opportunities for Americans. Wage growth continues at levels that are consistent with low levels of inflation.
May's biggest job gains were in professional and business services (+64,000), government (+56,000), health care (+52,000), leisure and hospitality (+48,000), construction (+25,000), transportation and warehousing (+24,000), and social assistance (+22,000). Employment was little changed over the month in other major industries, including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; manufacturing; wholesale trade; retail trade; information; financial activities; and other services.
Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for Black Americans (5.6%) and adult women (3.3%) rose in May. The jobless rates for teenagers (10.3%), Hispanics (4.0%), adult men (3.5%), White Americans (3.3%), and Asian Americans (2.9%) showed little change over the month.
The number of long-term unemployed workers (those jobless for 27 weeks or longer) was little changed in May and accounted for 19.8% of the total people unemployed.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 06/02/2023 - 11:32Pride at Work
The labor movement is intersectional. This means we fight for all working people—no matter the gender, race, ethnicity or any other identity. Those identities intersect with your own identity as a worker, as a parent, as a sibling.
In America, we believe all people should be able to work without fear of discrimination or violence. You should be able to work without hiding your light and without hiding your true, authentic self.
LGBTQ+ people still lack basic federal legal protections in the workplace, which make them vulnerable to recent appalling and shameful actions by state legislatures. We have no tolerance for hate in our movement.
The labor movement is fighting back with everything we have. And the best tool we have is a union contract. Union contracts are legally enforceable in every state. They protect LGBTQ+ workers from harassment, and can mean real progress for workers and our families to gain health care, savings, a future, and so much more. Check out some model contract language from our constituency group, Pride at Work.
LGBTQ+ workers face retaliation and fear getting fired for standing with their co-workers. It’s hard for workers to see the very same corporations that celebrate pride turn around and hire anti-union-busting consultants and deny their workers the promise of a union contract.
That’s why, this Pride Month, we want you to share what your union means to you.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 06/01/2023 - 10:00Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AFT Offers Free Resources for Pride Month
Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Today begins Pride Month, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is offering free resources for educators. The AFT resources are particularly important in the face of a recent trend of state legislatures attacking LGBTQ+ rights. The Share My Lesson website offers lesson plans, webinars, LGBTQ+ history lessons and blog posts on a variety of topics, such as how teachers can support LGBTQ+ students.
Visit Share My Lesson for more.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: James Ikehara
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans 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 James Ikehara of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.
James Ikehara has been an AFA-CWA flight attendant based in San Francisco since 2011, when he started his career with Virgin America. Having triple heritage from a Filipina/Chinese mother born in Manila and an Okinawan father born on the island of Molokai. Ikehara is proud of his Asian American Pacific Islander heritage and the diversity he brings as secretary of AFA-CWA Local 29011 in San Francisco. He currently lives on the Big Island of Hawaii and was one of many volunteers at a recent “Malama Mauna Kea” event to protect the resources of the sacred mountain.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/31/2023 - 11:29Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AFGE Wins Union Election at EPA Facility in Michigan
Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Tricia Paff, president of AFGE Local 37, discovered that remote workers at a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan, were about to lose their union protections. Paff was on the AFGE-EPA contract negotiations team when she learned that remote workers at multiple EPA facilities were going to be removed from the bargaining unit after their duty station was changed.
As Paff and the AFGE EPA Council were investigating the issue, the Ann Arbor human resource director confirmed that her facility was indeed one of the locations that would be affected. Paff was able to get the action postponed, and 19 remote workers were able to vote and retain their union protections.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/31/2023 - 08:50Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Rena Zacarias Youngblood
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans 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 Rena Zacarias Youngblood of AFGE.
Rena Youngblood is a U.S. Air Force veteran and executive vice president of AFGE Local 3511. She works in Inpatient Behavioral Health-Nursing Services at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, where she represents more than 6,000 Veterans Administration (VA) workers. She was recognized as a top organizer through the AFGE National VA Council and received the Augusta Y. Thomas Civil Rights Award for organizing. Youngblood currently serves as the co-chair of AFGE A.P.O.W.E.R., the union’s Asian American constituency group, and is an active member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA).
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/30/2023 - 11:29Trade Policy Should Center Workers: 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.
UAW, AFL-CIO Leaders Say Workers Need to Be at Center of Trade Policy: “UAW President Shawn Fain and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond called for trade policies Thursday that improve the lives of workers and benefit their communities rather than force a ‘race to the bottom’ through deals that boost the fortunes of wealthy people at the expense of others. ‘Here in America, free trade deals, they had a disproportionately negative impact on communities and particularly workers of color. These trade deals, they gutted communities, and they really deepened inequality in this country amongst workers,” said Redmond, whose union represents 12.5 million members. ‘We have the opportunity to reverse the damage through trade policies with workers at the center.’”
The Labor Movement Just Scored One of Its Biggest Victories in the South This Century: “After a bruising three-year fight, workers at school bus manufacturer Blue Bird in Fort Valley, Georgia, voted May 12 to join United Steelworkers (USW) Local 697. ‘It’s been a long time since a manufacturing site with 1,400 people has been organized, let alone organized in the South, let alone organized with predominantly African American workers, and let alone in the auto industry,’ said Maria Somma, organizing director with the USW.”
NLRB Sues Colleges, Says Athletes Are Workers: “The big business of college sports is back in federal court again. And this time it’s over the right of the athletes to organize. That’s because the National Labor Relations Board’s top enforcement official, General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, sued the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the PAC12 conference, and several colleges to court in federal court in Los Angeles, seeking approval of its stand that college athletes are ‘employees’ and have the right to organize under labor law.”
Palms, Culinary Union Reach Agreement on New Contract: “Union leaders reached an agreement early Friday with The Palms for a new three-year contract. The agreement affects about 900 employees and on Tuesday 95% of Palms workers voted to ratify the new contract, according to a statement from Culinary Local 226. ‘We celebrate this historic agreement with Palms, which protects workers with the best health care in Nevada, strong job security, and fair wage increases,’ Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for Culinary Local 226, said in the statement. ‘The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority and Palms Casino Resort have done the right thing by respecting their employees and recalling workers back to work with their seniority intact.’”
The New York Times Reaches a Contract Deal with Its Newsroom Union: “The New York Times reached a deal on Tuesday for a new contract with the union representing the majority of its newsroom employees, ending more than two years of contentious negotiations that included a 24-hour strike. The agreement, if ratified, will give union members immediate salary increases of up to 12.5% to cover the last two years and 2023, and will raise the required minimum salary to $65,000, up from about $37,500. The previous contract expired in March 2021, and union members have not received contractual raises since 2020. The union negotiating the deal, which is part of the NewsGuild of New York, represents nearly 1,500 employees in the newsroom, advertising and other areas of the company. More than 1,800 people work in the Times’s newsroom.”
‘Your Fight Is Our Fight’: John Leguizamo, Busy Philipps, Tony Kushner and Unions Show Solidarity with WGA: “John Leguizamo, Busy Philipps, Tony Kushner, Neil Gaiman, Al Franken and Wanda Sykes were among those who took to the stage during WGA East’s Rally at 30 Rockefeller Center on Tuesday, appearing alongside union leaders from SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, Actor’s Equity and more pledging that ‘all of labor stands behind the writers.’ Cynthia Nixon, Ilana Glazer, Warren Leight and labor leaders Rebecca Damon from SAG-AFTRA, Kate Shindle of Actors Equity and Matt Loeb of IATSE were also among those who spoke, with Mark Ruffalo and Susan Sarandon making crowd appearances.”
Hispanic Society Museum Workers Approved a New Union Contract, Ending a Grueling Two-Month Strike: “After eight long weeks, workers at New York’s Hispanic Society Museum and Library have ended their strike and voted to approve their first union contract. The fraught labor battle recently led to a demonstration outside the home of Philippe de Montebello, the institution’s chairman and former director of the Met Museum. ‘We are elated about the new contract,’ Patrick Lenaghan, the museum’s curator of prints, photographs, and sculptures, said in a statement. ‘It provides the security we never had before. With this, we can concentrate on the work we love and dedicated so many years to.’ The Hispanic Society first organized in May 2021 amid a groundswell of unionization at museums across the U.S. Workers petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to join Local 2110, part of the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union. A few months earlier, the museum had ended its pension plan for staff members, and staff sought improved benefits and salaries.”
Epic Games' Bandcamp Has Unionized: “Fortnite and Unreal developer Epic Games now has a union. Bandcamp, the music distribution platform aimed at bringing artists to the world, has formed Epic's first union after holding a successful union vote. ‘Today, a majority of eligible Bandcamp workers voted 31-7 in favor of forming Bandcamp United, a union represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU),’ the new union wrote in a statement. ‘The vote results now await certification by the National Labor Relations Board, with a collective bargaining process to follow.’”
Wisconsin AFL-CIO Stands in Solidarity with OPEIU Local 39 Members on Strike at CUNA Mutual in Madison: “Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, released the following statement of solidarity as members of OPEIU Local 39 take strike action: ‘OPEIU Local 39 members at CUNA Mutual in Madison are on strike for good union jobs to remain in Wisconsin, for quality and affordable healthcare for all, for fair wages, and for the ability to retire with dignity after a lifetime of work. As union men and women, we do not take the decision to strike lightly. The history of our union movement has clearly demonstrated that only by standing shoulder to shoulder have working people gained the family-supporting wages, pay equity and other benefits which we are rightly due. The Wisconsin labor movement proudly stands in solidarity with our sisters and brothers of OPEIU Local 39 on strike at CUNA Mutual as they take brave action to secure a fair contract. We urge CUNA Mutual to come to the table and negotiate in good faith.’”
Carnegie Museums Workers Approve First Union Contract, Including Pay Raises: “The United Museum Workers union announced Thursday its members had ratified their first contract with the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. The more than 500 union members voted to approve the four-year pact, which raises base pay at the museums from $12 an hour to $16 an hour. Most workers will see immediate raises ranging from 15% to 35%, according to the union. Union members already earning more than $16 an hour will also receive raises, according to the museum.”
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/30/2023 - 09:36Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Veterans Affairs Registered Nurses Sign 3-Year Contract with NNOC/NNU
Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Registered nurses with National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU) at the Department of Veterans Affairs signed a three-year contract, which covers more than 14,000 RNs at 23 hospitals.
“We are pleased that this protracted process is finally over and this agreement is signed,” said NNOC/NNU-VA Chair Irma Westmoreland, RN. “We are proud to have a new contract in place, but our work as registered nurses is never done. We must now keep our sleeves rolled up to tackle the understaffing conditions our nurses are facing across the country. We look forward to working with Secretary [Denis] McDonough to implement alternative work schedule flexibilities that will retain nurses and improve staffing levels for veterans.
“Throughout the pandemic, VA nurses have worked tirelessly in extremely difficult conditions to provide care for the sickest of the sick. While providing this care, we have had to fight for optimal personal protection equipment, appropriate training and staffing, notification and testing following exposures, and proper infection controls. This has put us, our families, and our patients unnecessarily at risk. We hope the signing of this contract marks the beginning of a new era of renewed respect for the rights and lives of the nurses who advocate and care for our nation’s heroes.”
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/30/2023 - 09:16Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Aina Iglesias
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans 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 Aina Iglesias of the Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU).
Aina is a labor relations specialist with Hawaii Nurses' Association (OPEIU Local 50) and serves as OPEIU's representative on the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) board. "APALA gives a space to talk about issues that are important to AAPI members," she said.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 05/29/2023 - 11:29Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Douglas K. Correia
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans 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 Douglas K. Correia of AFSCME.
Doug Correia, a proud member of United Public Workers in Hawaii, knows the meaning of solidarity. When UPW members went on strike this year, Correia was up early every day to help set up, serve food and stand with his co-workers. Whether taking care of his community or helping people understand their rights on the job, he is always there for his union family.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/26/2023 - 11:29