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Worker Wins: Good Union Jobs Strengthen Communities
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
New York Alamo Drafthouse Strike Ends After Workers Secure New Contract: After 58 days on strike, workers at two New York City Alamo Drafthouse locations will return to work. UAW Local 2179 reached a deal with management over layoffs that the union claimed violated labor law, and the union approved the agreement. The agreement will reinstate the 70-odd staffers who were cut at the theaters as well as restore their previously accrued paid time off, sick time, seniority and hire dates. The union will return to negotiating its first union contract. “Strike won! All jobs are back!” the union announced on social media. “We will be returning to work officially on April 18 but feel free to start patronizing the Alamos in [Brooklyn] and Manhattan as soon as today.”
Crew Members of Spiegelworld’s ‘Atomic Saloon Show’ Organize with IATSE and Ratify First Contract: Forty-six production crew members at Spiegelworld’s “Atomic Saloon Show” organized with Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 720 and ratified their first contract. The unit includes specialized roles across audio, lighting, wardrobe, wigs, props, rigging, automation and more, with members who work at both the “Atomic Saloon Show” at The Venetian hotel and the now-closed show “OPM” at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Spiegelworld is known for its eccentric and adult-oriented Las Vegas productions, including “Absinthe,” “DiscoShow,” and “Atomic Saloon Show.” The unionization effort began when several on-call workers were denied cost-of-living raises and the crew members were further subjected to anti-union “captive audience” meetings held by management. The contract includes significant wins, including full health care coverage, retirement savings access extended to all employees, wage parity across roles, minimum call guarantees and a structured process to resolve concerns collaboratively with management. “Now that these workers are union, on-call crewmembers can access additional jobs through our dispatch system, helping them get the hours they need to make a decent living,” said IATSE Local 720 Representative Cliff Paschall. “And as always, good union jobs strengthen communities by putting more money into the hands of working people, which supports local businesses and economic growth.”
SMART-TD Yardmasters Reach Tentative Contract Agreement with BNSF: The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) Yardmasters and BNSF Railway reached a tentative, five-year collective bargaining agreement. The agreement covers more than 320 yardmasters and provides a 3.5% average wage increase per year over the next five years, more vacation time earlier in yardmasters’ careers and improved health care benefits. “This tentative agreement provides paid sick leave, rest days for the extra board, improvements to healthcare, and a compensation package,” said Yardmasters General Chairman Matthew Burkart. “This is the first time the yardmaster craft has seen significant quality of life advancements since 1997.” This latest tentative agreement follows the recently announced national tentative agreement with the Machinists (IAM).
IAM Local Lodge 2003 Members Ratify Strong Tentative Agreement at Fort Novosel: Approximately 3,400 members of IAM Local Lodge 2003 ratified a robust new agreement with M1 Support Services and its subcontractors at Fort Novosel, Alabama. The five-year agreement covers workers performing aircraft maintenance and flight support. Highlights include annual general wage increases of 4%, 3.5%, 3.5% and 3%; improvements to overtime polling/scheduling; recognition of Juneteenth as an additional holiday; enhanced vacation scheduling; maintenance of leading medical coverage while managing costs; preservation of the current IAM pension along with increased contributions to 401(k) plans; and successful efforts to fend off several job descriptions that threatened to undermine seniority rights. “We are the heart of what keeps Fort Novosel running smoothly,” said Local Lodge 2003 Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Kelley. “Through hard work, unity, and a commitment to the process, we’ve negotiated a deal that reflects the value our members bring to the table, ensuring our voices were heard and concerns addressed.”
Equator Coffees Workers in California Join UFCW: Workers at Equator Coffees in Los Angeles voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 770. The workers are employed as baristas, shift leads and prep cooks. Workers organized because they were concerned about insufficient pay and scheduling and wanted a voice in the workplace. They look forward to negotiating their first union contract. “Upon the win of our union election, I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my co-workers as we come together to address our needs for steady hours, work meals, and a livable wage,” said UFCW member Nicole Territo. “This victory is a step toward a stronger, more supportive workplace, and I’m looking forward to working together to make meaningful changes for all of us. Let’s elevate the specialty coffee narrative from social justice buzzwords to bold actions that honor both coffee quality and the fight for justice.”
SEIU Members at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys Campus Secure Fair Contract Through Historic Arbitration Decision: Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa who work at the Mayo Clinic-Saint Marys Campus in Minnesota are celebrating the news of huge gains for 1,600 front-line health care workers following a long fight that ended with the process heading to a three-person arbitration board. The arbiters spent months hearing testimony before issuing the binding decision. Highlights of the contract include wage increases of between 16.5% and 41% over the term of the new contract; a new minimum wage of $20 per hour that will increase to $21.74 per hour minimum in Year 3 of the contract; retroactive pay of up to $10,000 for raises back to April 23, 2024; and a cap on mandatory overtime hours. “It has been a long time coming, but these amazing results showcase the power of our union and move us towards the pay and respect we deserve for our critical work,” said Kirsten Schultz, a patient care assistant and SEIU member at Mayo. “These wage increases are so amazing and I’m so proud we stood strong to win this contract. These wage increases are some of the biggest we’ve ever seen and the back pay is going to be amazing for so many people. We’re proud of the work we did and all the work we continue to do. We’re thankful for all of the public support we have and continue to receive to make sure the workers who make Mayo run are treated with the respect we deserve.”
Avelo Flight Dispatchers Vote to Join the TWU: On Wednesday, flight dispatchers at Avelo Airlines voted to join the Transport Workers Union (TWU). With their successful vote, workers at the ultra-low-cost airline based out of Houston, Texas, are joining the ranks of their peers at Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines and other airlines who are already represented by TWU. The newly minted union members are looking forward to negotiating a contract that will address quality-of-life issues and correct pay imbalances. “Our immediate next step is to win that all-important first contract that will significantly improve the quality of life for Avelo Flight Dispatchers and their families,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “The TWU’s strength in organizing new work groups and bargaining game-changing contracts continues to pay off as more workers vote to join the TWU.”
Illinois State University Faculty Union Secures Tentative Agreement: On Friday, members of the United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU), which is affiliated with University Professionals of Illinois (UPI) Local 4100 and the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), reached a tentative agreement and averted a strike. The union represents tenured and tenure-track faculty at the institution, and this is their first collective bargaining agreement since securing recognition. Members held nearly 50 negotiation sessions with administrators to reach this deal, with details around pay being one of the remaining sticking points ahead of the final round of discussions on Friday. “This agreement is going to be transformative for the way that our members take on their jobs,” said Keith Pluymers, an associate professor of history at Illinois State University (ISU) and a member of the bargaining team. “We have clarified and solidified a lot of the conditions of work that we have. In places where there was uncertainty, this contract is gonna provide certainty. We’ve worked to address a number of really longstanding issues at ISU. And we think this contract—it’s not gonna take care of everything, but we think this is a great start that’s gonna do a lot to ensure ISU is a great place to work moving forward.”
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/17/2025 - 10:13Service & Solidarity Spotlight: SMART-TD Yardmasters Reach Tentative Contract Agreement with BNSF
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.
The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) Yardmasters and BNSF Railway reached a tentative, five-year collective bargaining agreement. The agreement covers more than 320 yardmasters and provides a 3.5% average wage increase per year over the next five years, more vacation time earlier in yardmasters’ careers and improved health care benefits.
“This tentative agreement provides paid sick leave, rest days for the extra board, improvements to healthcare, and a compensation package,” said Yardmasters General Chairman Matthew Burkart. “This is the first time the yardmaster craft has seen significant quality of life advancements since 1997.”
This latest tentative agreement follows the recently announced national tentative agreement with the Machinists (IAM).
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/17/2025 - 09:52Introducing Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network
Federal workers all across the country are under attack.
Tens of thousands of hardworking people who run the programs and services that working families rely on have been mistreated or abruptly fired by Elon Musk and the DOGE.
People are rising up—but the federal workers who are being targeted need help. That’s why we’re proud to announce Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network.
We’ve organized this new network with federal worker unions and groups like We the Action and Democracy Forward, among others, to connect federal workers to a network of thousands of lawyers helping to get workers the free legal support they need.
Here’s how you can help:
- Are you a current or former federal worker who needs legal help? Fill out our confidential form to get connected with our network of lawyers.
- Are you a lawyer who can help our federal workers? Get trained and join the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network to provide free legal support to federal workers and help them understand their rights. (Our first webinar explaining how you can help is tonight—RSVP here.)
- Can you tell your friends, family and networks about this new resource? Share this email so as many people as possible can find out about our work.
- Can you chip in $25—or anything you can afford—to support the network’s work? Your donation will help federal workers across the country get connected to the free legal help they need.
Federal workers power critical programs like Medicare and Social Security, run our national parks, inspect our food and medicine, and keep us safe from accidents and disasters.
As taxpayers and Americans, we must demand justice for these workers. Thank you for helping us rise up.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/16/2025 - 15:54Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IAM Local Lodge 2003 Members Ratify Strong Tentative Agreement at Fort Novosel
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.
Approximately 3,400 members of IAM Local Lodge 2003 ratified a robust new agreement with M1 Support Services and its subcontractors at Fort Novosel, Alabama.
The five-year agreement covers workers performing aircraft maintenance and flight support. Highlights include annual general wage increases of 4%, 3.5%, 3.5% and 3%; improvements to overtime polling/scheduling; recognition of Juneteenth as an additional holiday; enhanced vacation scheduling; maintenance of leading medical coverage while managing costs; preservation of the current IAM pension along with increased contributions to 401(k) plans; and successful efforts to fend off several job descriptions that threatened to undermine seniority rights.
“We are the heart of what keeps Fort Novosel running smoothly,” said Local Lodge 2003 Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Kelley. “Through hard work, unity, and a commitment to the process, we’ve negotiated a deal that reflects the value our members bring to the table, ensuring our voices were heard and concerns addressed.”
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/16/2025 - 10:22Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Equator Coffees Workers in California Join UFCW
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.
Workers at Equator Coffees in Los Angeles voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 770. The workers are employed as baristas, shift leads and prep cooks.
Workers organized because they were concerned about insufficient pay and scheduling and wanted a voice in the workplace. They look forward to negotiating their first union contract.
“Upon the win of our union election, I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my co-workers as we come together to address our needs for steady hours, work meals, and a livable wage,” said UFCW member Nicole Territo. “This victory is a step toward a stronger, more supportive workplace, and I’m looking forward to working together to make meaningful changes for all of us. Let’s elevate the specialty coffee narrative from social justice buzzwords to bold actions that honor both coffee quality and the fight for justice.”
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/15/2025 - 10:15MAKE A CALL: Tell Congress to Stop the Cuts to NIOSH in Washington and beyond!
You’ve probably never heard of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, or NIOSH—but this federal agency plays a critical role in keeping America’s workers safe.
And last week, Elon Musk and the DOGE gutted it.
More than one thousand workers in six states and Washington, D.C.—including Washington—have lost their jobs at the federal job safety research agency. Every single NIOSH research center is being closed, and the few staff remaining no longer have the resources to do their jobs.
Congress created NIOSH on a broad, bipartisan basis during the Nixon administration, and workers and employers throughout the world rely on NIOSH’s research and recommendations.
NIOSH conducted key research for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) so that we could have regulations on asbestos, cotton dust, lead, bloodborne pathogens, silica and black lung, which have saved hundreds of thousands of workers’ lives.
The agency researches worker exposures to heat and wildfire smoke, workplace violence, back injuries and other chronic diseases, and state-of-the-art technologies that keep workers safe in mines. It also approves all respirators and combats fraud from imported counterfeit products.
This agency even oversees the World Trade Center Health Program to provide 9/11 responders and survivors with medical monitoring and treatment, and a program to compensate energy workers exposed to deadly hazards from manufacturing, testing and cleaning up nuclear weapons.
The DOGE cuts to NIOSH are making workplaces more dangerous. MSHA announced this week it is pausing the implementation of a new rule to protect mineworkers from deadly silica dust exposure because of “the unforeseen NIOSH restructuring.” Make no mistake: the DOGE’s actions will jeopardize the safety of all American workers.
Our message to Congress is simple: Stop the cuts to NIOSH and reinstate the workers.
Right now each year, more than 5,000 workers die from job injuries and 135,000 workers die from chronic occupational diseases. Millions more workers are injured. America’s working families need NIOSH to make jobs safer and keep workers healthier.
Thank you for speaking out for worker safety.
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/14/2025 - 13:04Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: AFT
This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we've covered all 63 of our affiliates. Next up is the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Name of Union: American Federation of Teachers.
Mission: “The AFT is a union of professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, health care and public services for our students, their families and our communities. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism, and especially through the work our members do.”
Current Leadership of Union: President Randi Weingarten has led the AFT through some of the most critical fights in its history—from the COVID-19 pandemic response to resisting political attacks on educators and championing real solutions for kids and communities. She is joined by Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick Ingram and Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus, both of whom bring powerful experience in the classroom, advocacy and organizing. Together, they lead a union of 1.8 million members united in purpose.
Current Number of Members: 1.8 million
Members Work as: Teachers from prekindergarten through 12th grade; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; faculty and professional staff in higher education; nurses, doctors and other health care professionals; early childhood educators; and federal, state and local government employees.
Industries Represented: Public schools, higher education, health care, and federal, state and local government.
History: Founded in Chicago in 1916 with eight local unions, the AFT rapidly expanded, chartering 174 locals within its first four years. Despite facing membership declines during the post-World War I era due to external pressures, the AFT remained steadfast in advocating for academic freedom and tenure protections. In the 1930s, the union played a pivotal role in supporting civil rights initiatives, including early efforts toward school desegregation.
The 1960s marked a period of significant activism for the AFT, with numerous teacher strikes aimed at securing improved compensation and working conditions, leading to a substantial increase in membership. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the union emerged as a leader in education reform and the professionalization of teaching. By the 2000s, AFT membership surpassed 1 million, reflecting its growing influence. Under the leadership of President Weingarten, the AFT launched initiatives such as the AFT Innovation Fund and Share My Lesson, underscoring its commitment to innovation and collaboration in education.
AFT members have been at the forefront of collective actions across the United States, achieving significant victories for educators, students and communities nationwide. In recent years, the AFT has led the charge on resisting political extremism in schools, standing up to book bans, defending teaching truth and fighting against the defunding of public services. The union helped win major education funding increases at the federal and state levels, and has grown its member engagement through campaigns like Reading Opens the World, Real Solutions for Kids and Communities, and Protect Our Kids.
Current Campaigns: Protect Our Kids, a national organizing and advocacy campaign, aims to stop right-wing efforts to defund and dismantle public education, health care and support for kids. The campaign includes town halls, storytelling, paid and earned media, and grassroots mobilization leading up to the 2026 elections. Real Solutions for Kids and Communities is a proactive agenda focused on what students and families really need: safe, welcoming public schools, qualified teachers, mental health supports and strong community partnerships. Code Red mobilizes nurses and health professionals to fight for safe staffing, patient protections and funding for care—not cuts. Reading Opens the World is a literacy and equity campaign distributing free books to kids and families—10 million free books and counting—alongside book events, parent engagement and support for educators. AFTvotes is the AFT’s voter engagement, member mobilization and civic participation initiative for 2024–26, focused on defending democracy, expanding rights and electing leaders who support public education and workers.
Community Efforts: AFT’s Health Hub provides a wealth of information on health and safety topics for members. The AFT publishes American Educator, a journal of educational equity, research and ideas for early childhood through higher education; AFT Health Care, a journal on the health care system and the social, economic and environmental factors that affect individuals’ and communities’ health and well-being; and AFT Voices, a blog on Medium. President Weingarten speaks directly to AFT members with her blog, Randi’s Corner. The AFT discusses current issues in education on the Union Talk podcast.
Learn More: Website, Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, X, YouTube
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/14/2025 - 12:19Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Avelo Flight Dispatchers Vote to Join the TWU
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, flight dispatchers at Avelo Airlines voted to join the Transport Workers Union (TWU).
With their successful vote, workers at the ultra-low-cost airline based out of Houston, Texas, are joining the ranks of their peers at Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines and other airlines who are already represented by TWU. The newly minted union members are looking forward to negotiating a contract that will address quality-of-life issues and correct pay imbalances.
“Our immediate next step is to win that all-important first contract that will significantly improve the quality of life for Avelo Flight Dispatchers and their families,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “The TWU’s strength in organizing new work groups and bargaining game-changing contracts continues to pay off as more workers vote to join the TWU.”
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/14/2025 - 09:30Worker Wins: We Want Our Coworkers to Thrive
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
Juilliard Production Crew Workers Vote to Join IATSE: Production crew members at The Juilliard School voted overwhelmingly on Friday to form a union with the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Workers at the private New York City performing arts conservatory perform essential production roles such as scenic shop crew, stagehands, costumers, and hair and makeup artists. The newly minted IATSE members took inspiration from exciting organizing efforts being championed by crew in the city’s off-Broadway community. The Juilliard Production Workers United logo includes a nod to the school’s beloved penguin mascot. “We know our work, and we know the demands of our shops,” said Lead Carpenter A.J. Coté. “We want our coworkers to thrive. I truly believe collectively we can represent ourselves better as a union. This is our livelihood; we deserve an equal part shaping it.”
Nurses at San Leandro and Alameda Hospitals Ratify New Contract: Members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) who work at San Leandro and Alameda hospitals voted overwhelmingly last week to ratify a new five-year contract. This new deal brings over 380 registered nurses (RNs) across the two facilities under the same collective bargaining agreement. Major highlights of the contract include provisions that establish economic parity between nurses at each hospital, changes to scheduling practices that prioritize nurses who live and work in the community over nonunion travel nurses, meal break protections, and more. “Every single article of our contracts was up for negotiation and nurses upheld the high standards of care we’ve historically fought for,” said Linda Strack, RN, who works in the operating room at Alameda Hospital. “Because we remained united in our goal to improve nurse and patient health and safety, this landmark agreement raises the bar for the recruitment and retention of Bay Area nurses.”
Austin-Based Bookstore Staff Win Powerful AI Protections: Staff at an independent bookstore in Austin, Texas, represented by Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 277, are celebrating new critical artificial intelligence (AI) safeguards in their collective bargaining agreement. A powerful 100% of voting BookPeople United members cast ballots to approve their new contract earlier this month. The deal included several important provisions, including the prohibition of replacing any worker or position at the storefront with AI. Workers said they fought to secure these protections after realizing that emergent technology like ChatGPT could potentially be used to destroy jobs at the storefront. “Making sure that we’re protecting jobs through this transition into this new tech world is the most important thing we can do,” said Texas AFL-CIO Communications Director Tara Pohlmeyer. “It’s setting a standard for a lot of other unions that workers at BookPeople were able to get this into their contract.”
Norse Atlantic Airways Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Agreement: U.S.-based flight attendants for Norse Atlantic Airways, who are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), have reached a tentative agreement (TA) on their second-ever contract. The low-cost trans-Atlantic airline was founded in February 2021, and a few months later, AFA-CWA negotiated a pre-hire agreement with management ahead of the company’s launch that ensured industry-leading compensation and union membership once flight attendants demonstrated majority support. The Norse crew will begin voting on the new TA next week. “While our Flight Attendants continue to deliver critical services for Norse Atlantic, this tentative agreement builds on our historic pre-hire agreement and job security, the highest per diem in the industry, regular wage increases, and more benefits,” said Norse AFA President Katarzyna Mroczek.
Center for International Environmental Law Staff Secure Voluntary Recognition: Staff members at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) are celebrating that management has voluntarily recognized the Washington-Baltimore News Guild (WBNG), The NewsGuild-CWA Local 32035 as their bargaining representative. The CIEL Unite bargaining unit covers workers across the United States and Switzerland. A supermajority of staff went public with their efforts to form a unit with WBNG back in February. With their attention now turned to beginning the negotiation process, members aim to win an agreement that protects staff and advances CIEL’s mission to protect the environment. “For over 35 years, CIEL has been at the forefront of advocating to ensure that human rights are at the cornerstone of environmental law,” said the CIEL Unite organizing committee. “CIEL’s staff are immensely proud of our work to defend our right to a healthy planet. We know our strength comes from a diverse, dynamic, international staff that believe in building long-term power, advancing justice, and ensuring representation for affected communities. Our union is grounded in these same principles. We look forward to working with CIEL leadership at the bargaining table and to finding creative solutions to advance core values of equity and justice, compassion, empathy, and respect.”
Faculty at Nevada State University Win Union Election: This week, faculty members at Nevada State University voted to join the Nevada Faculty Alliance, an affiliate of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT). This is the fourth collective bargaining chapter of the Nevada Faculty Alliance, and academic workers voted to organize with a landslide vote of 104–8. Having prevailed through the election process, faculty are now eagerly turning their attention toward bargaining a fair and empowering contract with administrators. “This work could not have been done without the countless hours of organizing, research and outreach executed by faculty on our Collective Bargaining Organizing Committee,” said Andrew Lavengood-Ryan, lecturer of mathematics in the Department of Data, Media and Design. “I have had the distinct pleasure of working with and leading some of the most incredible people at Nevada State over the past year and half, and it is so fulfilling to see all of that work come together. We look forward to negotiating with NSU administration directly for a fair, collaborative contract that protects faculty needs.”
Minnesota Science Museum Workers Ratify Historic First Contract: After over 550 days of dedicated organizing efforts, members of AFSCME Council 5 who work at the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) are celebrating their first-ever union contract. Staff voted in January 2023 to form SMM Workers Union, a wall-to-wall bargaining unit that includes scientists, researchers, lab technicians, educators, customer service and more. Victories in the deal include substantial wage increases, new parental leave benefits, clear and enforceable job security protections, and longevity pay that rewards years of service. Despite leadership at the St. Paul museum instituting retaliatory layoffs directly after workers voted to join AFSCME and slow-walking bargaining, SMM Workers Union members stood strong and emerged victorious. “Management fought us at every turn,” said Jennings Mergenthal, a community engagement specialist. “But after 550 days, we won. Not just any contract—we won a fair contract. A contract that ensures a better future for museum workers and raises the standard for cultural institutions across the country.”
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/11/2025 - 12:25Tags: Organizing
Every Worker Deserves a Union: 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.
Labor Leaders Fear Elon Musk and DOGE Could Gain Access to Whistleblower Files: “Liz Shuler, the president of AFL-CIO, claims that a number of Tesla workers have repeatedly alleged to the federation that safety isn’t prioritized at the car company. The AFL-CIO works with the United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), but it does not represent employees at Tesla or SpaceX.”
Supreme Court Upholds Order Directing Trump Officials to Return Wrongly Deported Man: “The Supreme Court on Thursday backed a lower-court order requiring the Trump administration to ‘facilitate’ the release from custody of a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to a mega-prison in El Salvador last month. Trump officials suspended a veteran Justice Department lawyer last weekend after he confirmed in court that Abrego García’s deportation was an oversight and said he had trouble getting answers himself about why the sheet metal apprentice and father of three was sent overseas. In an unusual filing on Monday, the government disavowed the in court comments of Erez Reuveni saying they ‘did not and do not reflect the position of the United States.’”
Hirono Reintroduces Bill to Protect Union Rights for Federal Workers: “‘Passing this legislation has never been more urgent—especially now, as federal workers face unprecedented attacks on their collective bargaining rights,’ said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. ‘We believe, as most Americans do, that every worker deserves a union—no matter who they work for. This bill is about something fundamental: respect. Respect for the public service workers who’ve devoted their careers to serving their communities. And respect means the freedom to negotiate.’”
'We Keep the Country Running': Federal Workers Rally in Pittsburgh for Union Rights: “The rally comes as unions representing federal workers have sued the Trump administration over a March executive order that seeks to end collective bargaining with federal unions in agencies with national security missions. The order impacts a litany of government agencies, including the Departments of State, Defense, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Health and Human Services and Homeland Security, as well as the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, among others.”
Steelworkers Open Convention with Call for Action Against Trump Cuts: “AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, the Steelworkers’ former vice president gave a rousing speech to the 3,000 USW delegates assembled here for their convention in which he called for labor to step up and play a leading role in the battle against Trump’s attempt to dismantle so much of what is important to U.S. workers. He said that the battle must involve solidarity across national lines, saying workers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico ‘must unite against corporate greed. Attacks on everything that we stand for have been relentless,’ Redmond said of the GOP Trump regime’s anti-worker anti-union actions. He particularly singled out Musk’s chainsaw attacks, with Trump as his puppet, on federal workers and programs. ‘We are the voice of those who, today, feel hopeless,’ said Redmond.”
Democrats Unveil Legislation Raising Federal Minimum Wage to $17 an Hour: “Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 on Tuesday in both chambers with hopes of increasing the federal minimum wage. The bill would raise the minimum wage to $17 by 2030 according to the Economic Policy Institute. The current federally mandated hourly wage is $7.25 and has not increased since 2009.”
‘Hands Off’: Protesters Deliver a Sweeping Message to Trump and Musk at a D.C. Rally: “The crowd in Washington, D.C.—more than 100,000, per organizers’ estimates—was peaceful and orderly. On a stage behind the Washington Monument, lawmakers like Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Maxwell Frost (D-FL) and organizers including AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler spoke. Attendees around them quietly listened, save for the occasional call-and-response chant, cheers, or boos for the Trump administration. Farther away, a group of protesters marched around the Monument chanting, ‘Hands Off! Dump Trump!’”
Massive Crowds, Estimated at Two Million, Take to Streets vs. MAGA: “AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler led several union presidents to the speaking stage just south of D.C.’s Washington Monument. Other union leaders spoke up at other marches elsewhere. ‘Stripping collective bargaining and union rights from workers across the federal government is the very definition of union busting—and a blatant attempt to silence us. We will fight this outrageous attack on our members with every fiber of our collective being,’ Shuler said.”
‘Everyone Is Angry, Frustrated’: AFL-CIO President Praises ‘Community’ and Energy of ‘Hands Off’ Protests: “In the largest rebuke of the second Trump administration so far, people in cities across the U.S. marched to voice their grievances against President Trump and Elon Musk. American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations President Liz Shuler shares her perspective on the rallies and how the Trump administration has inadvertently created new communities.”
Federal Worker Unions Sue to Block Trump from Stripping Bargaining Rights: “Officials at the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal union, which filed the countersuit on Friday, said the president’s move was among the most aggressive they had seen out of the White House so far, one that threatened collective bargaining rights across the work force. The AFGE alone represents 800,000 workers. The lawsuit called the order an act of retaliation against the union for pushing back against ‘both his agenda to decimate the federal work force and his broader agenda to fundamentally restructure the federal government through expansive and unprecedented exercises of executive authority.’”
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/11/2025 - 12:13Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Illinois State University Faculty Union Secures Tentative Agreement
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 Friday, members of the United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU), which is affiliated with University Professionals of Illinois (UPI) Local 4100 and the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), reached a tentative agreement and averted a strike.
The union represents tenured and tenure-track faculty at the institution, and this is their first collective bargaining agreement since securing recognition. Members held nearly 50 negotiation sessions with administrators to reach this deal, with details around pay being one of the remaining sticking points ahead of the final round of discussions on Friday.
“This agreement is going to be transformative for the way that our members take on their jobs,” said Keith Pluymers, an associate professor of history at Illinois State University (ISU) and a member of the bargaining team. “We have clarified and solidified a lot of the conditions of work that we have. In places where there was uncertainty, this contract is gonna provide certainty. We’ve worked to address a number of really longstanding issues at ISU. And we think this contract—it’s not gonna take care of everything, but we think this is a great start that’s gonna do a lot to ensure ISU is a great place to work moving forward.”
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/11/2025 - 10:03Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Nurses at San Leandro and Alameda Hospitals Ratify New Contract
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.
Members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) who work at San Leandro and Alameda hospitals voted overwhelmingly last week to ratify a new five-year contract.
This new deal brings over 380 registered nurses (RNs) across the two facilities under the same collective bargaining agreement. Major highlights of the contract include provisions that establish economic parity between nurses at each hospital, changes to scheduling practices that prioritize nurses who live and work in the community over nonunion travel nurses, meal break protections, and more.
“Every single article of our contracts was up for negotiation and nurses upheld the high standards of care we’ve historically fought for,” said Linda Strack, RN, who works in the operating room at Alameda Hospital. “Because we remained united in our goal to improve nurse and patient health and safety, this landmark agreement raises the bar for the recruitment and retention of Bay Area nurses.”
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/09/2025 - 08:58Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers Around the Country Attend Hands Off Rallies
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.
Tens of thousands of people mobilized in cities across the country on Saturday for a nationwide protest against Donald Trump’s and Elon Musk’s attacks on federal workers and important social services. Union members and labor leaders participated in powerful marches and rallies to fight back against the billionaire takeover of our government.
“So, to every working person here, and everyone watching—I don’t care if you’re Democrat, Republican or Independent—do you want common sense from your government? Are you sick and tired of a government that is of and by and for billionaires? Are you ready to do something about it,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler to attendees at the Washington, D.C., rally. “Our votes are not for sale! Our values are not for sale! Our rights and our freedoms are not for sale!”
Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/08/2025 - 09:18Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates
This is our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we've covered all 63 of our affiliates.
Here's who we've featured so far:
- Actors' Equity (Equity)
- AFGE
- Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)
- Musical Artists (AGMA)
Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Air Line Pilots Association
This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we've covered all 63 of our affiliates. Next up is the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
Name of Union: Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).
Mission: The mission of ALPA is to promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety throughout all segments of the aviation community; to represent, in both specific and general respects, the collective interests of all pilots in commercial aviation; to assist in collective bargaining activities on behalf of all pilots represented by the association; to promote the health and welfare of the members of the association before all governmental agencies; to be a strong, forceful advocate of the airline piloting profession, through all forms of media, and with the public at large; and to be the ultimate guardian and defender of the rights and privileges of the professional pilots who are members of the association.
Current Leadership of Union: Capt. Jason Ambrosi was elected as ALPA’s 12th president on Oct. 19, 2022. He brings 25 years of ALPA experience to the job. He flies the Boeing 767 ER at Delta Air Lines. He began his airline flying career at Atlantic Southeast Airlines, a former Delta Connection carrier and regional airline. Delta hired him in 2000, just 18 months prior to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and he was among the many pilots furloughed after the attacks. While on furlough, Ambrosi worked for a charter airline, where he advocated for labor representation and helped build a strong safety culture. He has a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and lives in Griffin, Georgia, with his wife, Heather, and their two children.
Capt. Wendy Morse serves as ALPA’s first vice president. Capt. Sean Creed is the organization’s vice president—administration/secretary. Capt. Wes Clapper is the vice president—finance/treasurer. Capt. Steve Mayer serves as executive administrator.
Current Number of Members: 79,000.
Members Work As: Airline pilots.
Industries Represented: The airline industry in the United States and Canada. ALPA serves as the bargaining agent for pilot groups from 42 commercial airlines, including both passenger and cargo operations.
History: As the 1920s concluded, life for airline pilots was difficult and dangerous, with many companies treating this employee group like an expendable commodity. Many airline pilots died in aircraft accidents during this period.
In 1931, pilots in the United States came together to form the first professional union of pilots, ALPA, to promote aviation safety and give these flyers a greater voice in their workplace. During World War II, the union began advocating for the creation of an independent safety board, which finally took shape in the 1960s, after decades of work.
After the war, ALPA banded together with pilot unions from around the world to form the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) to influence international travel and safety standards.
With new technological advances in air transportation, ALPA created an air safety structure to fight for crew fatigue rules and rest requirements, along with other safety priorities. The association began working with aircraft manufacturers to improve cockpit features. In addition, the rise of terrorist attacks on aircraft represented a new safety concern for ALPA, identifying the need for greater security measures.
The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 also changed the landscape for the airline industry, reinventing the way airlines conducted business but also introducing a new wave of safety concerns. ALPA continued to fight to make the skies safer and achieved numerous victories (including securing mandated “fasten seatbelt” signs in aircraft cabins and policies such as a nationwide anti-skyjacking strategy, which was adopted by federal regulators).
The 9/11 terrorist attacks revitalized the need to revisit security, and ALPA responded, successfully pushing for programs to provide more thorough screening of passengers and cargo.
Decades of hard work on air safety concerns also paid off, as the total number of airline accidents in the United States and Canada dropped by more than 70% in the decade ending in 2007.
These and other accomplishments in recent years have not diminished the union’s focus on safety and security, with top priorities including science-based fatigue rules for all airline pilots, improved pilot training and professionalism, and the safe integration of commercial space vehicles and remotely piloted aircraft (such as drones) into civil airspace.
On the collective bargaining front, ALPA continues to promote a system of pattern bargaining to ensure that its members receive fair pay and benefits for the services they perform, safe and reasonable working conditions, and a better quality of life.
Current Campaigns: Safety Starts with Two is a global pilot initiative, co-led by ALPA, that is working to prevent airlines and manufacturers from pushing ahead with plans to remove pilots from the flight deck—a profit-driven scheme that poses a significant safety risk. Jumpseat works to establish guidelines and fairness in the use of airplane jump seats. Cleared to Dream recruits new pilots into the industry. Trained for Life focuses on training and expertise in order to reduce airline-related death and injury. ALPA fights to maintain pilot staffing levels, prevent airlines from taking advantage of regulatory loopholes, protect U.S. airlines from unfair business practices, mitigate fatigue among cargo pilots, improve security through mandated flight deck barriers and modernize the national airspace for new entrants.
Community Efforts: Pilots for Pilots helps ALPA members and their families who have been harmed by natural disasters. ALPA publishes Air Line Pilot magazine.
Learn More: Website, Facebook, YouTube
You can also check out this video to learn more about ALPA’s history:
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/07/2025 - 10:30Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Faculty at Nevada State University Win Union Election
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.
This week, faculty members at Nevada State University voted to join the Nevada Faculty Alliance, an affiliate of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
This is the fourth collective bargaining chapter of the Nevada Faculty Alliance, and academic workers voted to organize with a landslide vote of 104–8. Having prevailed through the election process, faculty are now eagerly turning their attention toward bargaining a fair and empowering contract with administrators.
“This work could not have been done without the countless hours of organizing, research and outreach executed by faculty on our Collective Bargaining Organizing Committee,” said Andrew Lavengood-Ryan, lecturer of mathematics in the Department of Data, Media and Design. “I have had the distinct pleasure of working with and leading some of the most incredible people at Nevada State over the past year and half, and it is so fulfilling to see all of that work come together. We look forward to negotiating with NSU administration directly for a fair, collaborative contract that protects faculty needs.”
Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/07/2025 - 09:18AFL-CIO on March Jobs Report
In response to the March jobs report showing that unemployment is rising, Candace Archer, AFL-CIO Policy Director, released the following statement released the following statement:
The March numbers released today don’t tell the whole story of the state of jobs in our country. The Trump administration’s attacks on the federal workforce and reckless economic policies are causing unemployment to continue to rise and threaten to destroy the strong economy that this administration inherited
While there has been strong growth in health care jobs, this could all be undone by Congress cutting Medicaid to pay for another tax giveaway to billionaires. Medicaid cuts would devastate our health care system and workers across the sector are holding their breath, waiting for their jobs to disappear. The still strong job numbers don’t reflect how uncertain things actually are for the working people of this country. The March jobs report doesn’t include the tens of thousands of federal workers DOGE has put out of work but remain in limbo on administrative leave or may get reinstated and refired, as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. indicated just this week. And some estimates suggest as many as 275,240 workers were laid off last month, 60% more than February and 205% more than this time last year.
For working people who are just trying to get through their shifts, feed their families, and get their kids to school, this chaos is the last thing they need. It’s not too late to reverse course and stop unemployment from continuing to rise. We call on members of Congress and all those who stand with working people to join us in the fight and stop these attacks.
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/04/2025 - 17:43Victory in Wisconsin: 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 Raises Concerns over Cuts to NIOSH Workforce: “AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler condemned the Trump administration's decision to eliminate nearly 900 jobs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), calling the move ‘devastating’ for worker safety. ‘Every worker should be able to go home safe and healthy at the end of their shift—but the Trump administration is gutting NIOSH,’ Shuler said in a statement.”
New Museum in Pullman to Recognize Women’s Role in Labor Movement: “A. Philip Randolph set the stage for the Civil Rights Movement by forming and leading the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1925, which 10 years later became the first African American labor union to be affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. The contributions of Randolph and those he represented are highlighted in a museum in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood, the historic home of the country’s largest sleeping car company. Now a new effort is afoot to recognize an often-overlooked element of that effort. Randolph’s success at organizing a union that would represent thousands of workers all over the United States rested squarely upon the efforts of women such as Rosina Corrothers Tucker.”
‘Hands Off’ Protest: April 5 Could See Massive Turnout for Rallies Against Trump and Musk in All 50 States. Here’s What to Know: “The protests are organized by Indivisible, a grassroots movement aimed at rebuilding democracy and defeating Trump, which is partnering with a broad coalition of groups including: the Women’s March, the United Federation of Teachers, Public Citizen, the Progressive Democrats of America, Common Cause, the Human Rights Campaign, MoveOn, the League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood and some unions, including AFL-CIO, UAW and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).”
AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond Talks About Attacks on Organized Labor and Why Union Members Voted for Trump: “Fred Redmond, national secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO, was in town Saturday, March 29, for a rally at the Gateway Arch, hosted by AFGE and the AFL-CIO, protesting President Donald Trump’s attacks on the federal workforce and recent executive order stripping federal workers of their collective bargaining rights. Before the rally began, Redmond sat down for an interview with the Labor Tribune, discussing the administration’s actions, fighting back and why some union members voted for Trump. Following is an edited version of the interview.”
2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race; Susan Crawford Defeats Brad Schimel: “Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale: ‘Congratulations to Judge Susan Crawford for her victory and congratulations to the entire Wisconsin labor movement that proudly stood by her every step of the way.’”
SAG-AFTRA’s Duncan Crabtree-Ireland on How Consumers Can Support Video Game Actors Strike as It Nears 250-Day Mark: “The SAG-AFTRA strike against major video game companies has nearly reached the 250-day mark, and there’s no deal yet. And while nothing seems to have changed from the outside, real progress is being made behind the scenes.”
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/04/2025 - 11:45Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Minnesota Science Museum Workers Ratify Historic First Contract
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.
After over 550 days of dedicated organizing efforts, members of AFSCME Council 5 who work at the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) are celebrating their first-ever union contract.
Staff voted in January 2023 to form SMM Workers Union, a wall-to-wall bargaining unit that includes scientists, researchers, lab technicians, educators, customer service and more. Victories in the deal include substantial wage increases, new parental leave benefits, clear and enforceable job security protections, and longevity pay that rewards years of service. Despite leadership at the St. Paul museum instituting retaliatory layoffs directly after workers voted to join AFSCME and slow-walking bargaining, SMM Workers Union members stood strong and emerged victorious.
“Management fought us at every turn,” said Jennings Mergenthal, a community engagement specialist. “But after 550 days, we won. Not just any contract—we won a fair contract. A contract that ensures a better future for museum workers and raises the standard for cultural institutions across the country.”
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/04/2025 - 09:42Tags: Organizing
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: ATU Members Reach 3-Year Deal with Denver Regional Transportation District
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.
Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1001 members and the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) reached a tentative labor deal that will mean significant raises for the transit agency’s bus drivers, mechanics and other front-line workers. A bulletin posted to the ATU Local 1001’s website said the 15.5% raise over three years is 1.5% higher than what RTD had offered.
“Thanks to the ATU 1001 Membership standing up, showing up, and letting RTD hear from them, there was movement,” the bulletin said.
The members of ATU Local 1001 still need to vote to approve the contract.
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/03/2025 - 09:52