Together, We Won!: 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.

Union Leaders Cheer Election Wins—and Some Look Ahead: “AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said unions ‘would run an unprecedented ground game’ through next year’s voting to inform and educate their members and the wider public about what’s at stake for workers in the battle against corporate greed, multibillionaires, and their political handmaidens.”

Unions Sue Over ‘Loyalty Question’ for Federal Jobseekers: “In a statement, AFGE National President Everett Kelley tied the initiative to statements made by Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought last year about their desire to fire federal bureaucrats and ‘bring the deep state to heel.’ ‘Forcing job applicants to answer politically motivated questions comes straight from the Project 2025 playbook, which aims to replace dedicated, nonpartisan public servants with workers chosen for their political loyalty rather than their qualifications or their oath to uphold the Constitution,’ he said. ‘This isn’t just illegal, it also harms our members and all Americans by depriving them of opportunities to serve their country and by undermining a skilled, nonpartisan workforce.’”

Labor Unions Powered Prop 50 Win with Millions in Donations, Ground Support: “Labor unions are one of the biggest groups that contributed to Proposition 50’s overwhelming win on election night. Unions were some of the biggest contributors to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Prop 50 campaign committee, putting more than $25 million toward the effort—nearly a third of total contributions. Labor unions also dispatched thousands of union workers to canvass and phone bank in support of the measure. Service Employees International Union California members alone called more than 1 million voters and knocked on more than 150,000 doors in support of Prop 50.”

‘Obama-Era Numbers’: Labor Unions Say Voter Energy Surged in Virginia, New Jersey Races: “Federal furloughs, layoffs and rising health care costs galvanized union members to vote and volunteer in numbers labor organizers say they haven’t seen in more than a decade. ‘What I saw last week was Obama-era numbers,’ Herb Smith, a political organizer for the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents the federal workforce, said. Voter enthusiasm typically ramps up as Election Day nears, but this year’s calendar coincided with the increasingly dire fallout of the government shutdown: missed paychecks, reductions in force by President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget and uncertainty surrounding funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which will provide reduced benefits for 42 million Americans.”

Fred Redmond: Latino Families Cannot Afford the Trump Administration’s Health Care Cost Spike: “Today officially marks the longest federal government shutdown in American history. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers—about 10% of whom are Latino and 30% of whom are veterans—are missing their paychecks. Families across the country are being forced to choose between paying for groceries, rent and medical care. The truth is: President Trump and his allies in Congress are inflicting this pain because they would rather shut down the government than deal with the looming health care crisis that will explode costs for more than 170 million Americans.”

Air Traffic Controllers Union President Says It’ll Take Weeks to Recover from Shutdown Impact: “The head of the air traffic controllers’ union said Wednesday that it could take the industry ‘weeks to recover’ from the impacts of the government shutdown. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said on CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box’ that the holiday season will be especially affected by the shortage of air traffic controllers, who missed their first full paycheck last week. The Department of Transportation has reported increased delays and ground stops as a result of the shutdown, now in its fifth consecutive week. ‘To somehow fathom we could go into the holiday season still in a government shutdown, I can’t even begin to predict what the impacts will be across this country,’ Daniels said. ‘Three-hour TSA wait lines will be the least of our worries.’”

New Jersey AFL-CIO: Together, We Won!: “Tonight marks a key victory for our labor movement as Mikie Sherrill has been declared the governor-elect of New Jersey. Throughout her time in office as our congresswoman, Mikie Sherrill has stood with working people on the issues that impact their livelihoods, their communities, and their workplaces. As governor, through her steadfast leadership, she will continue to ensure that working people have a seat at the table and push to expand our hard-won rights that our predecessors have fought and died for. Although our labor movement may have weathered several attacks on our jobs, our right to collectively bargain, and our healthcare, Mikie Sherrill has proven herself to be a fierce advocate for all working people in our state and will fight to ensure that all working people are heard.”

IUPAT's Jimmy Williams Jr.: Labor Unions Need to Activate Their Members to Defeat Trump: “I'm a fourth-generation union glazier. I remember being a kid sitting around the dinner table when my dad was on strike, thanking God for the Painters union (IUPAT) even when times were hard. The history of our union’s struggle is in my blood, and I’ll never take the sacrifice members before me made for granted.”

AFL-CIO’s Shuler: Union Contracts Protect Workers from AI Threat: “A union contract can be a valuable protection for workers against corporate executives bent on replacing their brains and skills with responses generated by artificial intelligence, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler says. The catch, however, is to both contract for those protections and to erect strong guardrails—including massive legal penalties—for misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). And to turn AI to workers’ advantage. That would also be to the companies’ advantage, by making jobs easier for workers and to in turn, improving productivity for the firms.”

IBEW: Trump’s Anti-Union EOs Target Unions Expressly Protected by Law: “The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers last week sued the Trump administration over its executive orders aimed at stripping two-thirds of the federal workforce of their collective bargaining rights, arguing that its bargaining units at the Energy and Interior departments are expressly protected by law. Earlier this year, President Trump signed a pair of executive orders citing a seldom-utilized provision of the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act to declare wide swathes of the federal government as primarily engaged in national security work and banning most unions there. Federal employee unions have since been engaged in court battle across half a dozen legal challenges, contending the edicts constitute violations of employees’ First and Fifth Amendment rights, among other charges.”

CWA's Claude Cummings: Rural America Deserves Dependable Broadband, Not More Billionaire Handouts: “Nearly a century ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt led a campaign of bold investment to electrify rural America. Until recently, we were on track to do the same for broadband internet in this century. Before President Trump’s second term, our country was on the cusp of a breakthrough.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/10/2025 - 14:34

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Train Dispatchers

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 64 of our affiliates. Next up is the Train Dispatchers (ATDA).

Name of Union: American Train Dispatchers Association

Mission: To represent employees in the nation’s railroad industry who safely and efficiently operate and dispatch trains and supply the electric power for those railroads that use electricity for train propulsion and signaling. 

Current Leadership of Union: L. Ed Dowell serves as president of the ATDA. He began his railroad career in 1998, when he was hired as a CSX train dispatcher. He began his career as an ATDA representative when he was elected as first vice general chairman of the CSX System Committee in 2008. After CSX decentralized its Jacksonville, Florida, operations center, he was elected as vice general chairman/local chairman of the CSX Huntington Division. In 2011, Dowell became a national officer when he was elected as ATDA vice president. In 2015, he was elected to the position of national secretary-treasurer by the ATDA Joint Board. He served in the position for two additional terms. In 2023, Dowell was elected as ATDA president. Additionally, in January 2024, he was elected to serve as chairman of the Cooperating Railway Labor Organizations.

Bill Sikes serves as secretary-treasurer, and ATDA has four vice presidents: Brandon Denucci, Kevin Porter, Barry Cross Jr. and Colin Thurman.

Members Work As: Train dispatchers, power supervisors, power directors, load dispatchers, train and engine service employees, drawbridge operators, and maintenance of way employees.

Industries Represented: The U.S. railroad industry

History: While earlier efforts had been made to organize train dispatchers, the organization that would be successful, the ATDA, was founded in 1917, and its first meeting was held in Spokane, Washington. The craft union came together to organize and represent people working as train dispatchers in the nation’s railroad industry. Eventually, the organization expanded to include assistant and chief train dispatchers and power supervisors and directors who supervise and manage the power supply for electrically powered trains. In the 1990s, other crafts such as train and engine crews, maintenance of way workers, and yardmasters joined the organization.

Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: In addition to representing and negotiating contracts for its members, the officers and staff of the ATDA promote legislation and regulatory improvements that benefit the safety and well-being of its members, the rail industry and every community where the railroad provides a vital service. The ATDA also serves on committees that manage and improve health care benefits and partners with organizations such as Union Plus to provide additional benefits to its members. Members can report software errors and safety issues. Branded gear is available in the ATDA’s online store. ATDA Strong profiles members. The ATDA offers scholarships for members and their families. It also publishes The Train Dispatcher newsletter.

Learn More: Website

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/10/2025 - 12:21

National Native American Heritage Month Profile: Sue Parton

Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. Today's profile is Sue Parton of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Sue Parton is a proud member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. She rose from classroom teacher at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to president of the Federation of Indian Service Employees, representing thousands of federal workers across 24 states. From fighting unjust layoffs to negotiating national labor agreements, she has championed fairness, respect and dignity for employees serving Native communities.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 11/07/2025 - 09:54

Tags: Native American Heritage Month

National Native American Heritage Month Profile: Teresa Ford

Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. Today's profile is Teresa Ford of AFSCME.

Teresa Ford is a senior family assistant analyst with the New Mexico Health Care Authority, where she has spent almost a decade getting families access to affordable health care so they don't have to choose between doctor visits and groceries. Of Navajo ancestry and a proud advocate for her community, Ford also organizes through AFSCME Local 2777 to strengthen public services and protect every worker’s freedom to access and provide them.

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/10/2025 - 09:20

Tags: Native American Heritage Month

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: National Lacrosse League Players’ Association Joins the AFL-CIO

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, the National Lacrosse League Players’ Association (NLLPA) announced it is formally affiliating with the AFL-CIO, becoming the ninth professional sports union in the AFL-CIO Sports Council.

he AFL-CIO Sports Council was formed in 2022 to build power across unions in professional sports, amplify the voices of athletes and shine a light on the challenges they face as workers.

“Lacrosse players are incredible athletes who put their bodies, their passion and their expertise into a sport that is skyrocketing in popularity, and they deserve a union that has their backs every step of the way,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “By joining the AFL-CIO and our Sports Council, NLLPA members are helping grow a powerful movement of athlete-workers who are standing up for fairness, respect and a safe workplace. The future of professional sports is union strong, and lacrosse players are stepping onto the field leading that charge.”

“Joining the AFL-CIO and its Sports Council is an exciting step forward for our players and our union,” said NLLPA Vice President and Executive Director Reid Reinholdt. “This affiliation connects us with a powerful network of athlete-workers who share our commitment to fairness, respect and progress across professional sports. Together, we’ll learn from one another, strengthen our collective voice, and ensure our members have the knowledge and support to meet the evolving challenges of sports. It’s an honor to stand alongside unions that are setting the standard for what representation in sports can and should be.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/10/2025 - 09:16

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at House of Blues Houston Vote to Join IATSE Local 51

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 the House of Blues in Houston have voted to join Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 51. An overwhelming 95% of votes were cast in favor of union representation.

The unit covers 42 workers across lighting, sound, video, carpentry, props, stage management, hospitality, freight and backstage coordination.

The workers want to build a safer, fairer and more respectful workplace together. “We came together to form a union because every worker deserves a safe, fair, and respectful workplace,” said stagehand David Allen. “Our goal is simple: to ensure that all employees have adequate working conditions free from favoritism, intimidation, and hostility. We believe that no one should have to choose between their safety and their livelihood.”

“This is a historic moment for the Houston live music industry, and we’re proud to welcome these House of Blues workers into IATSE Local 51,” said Local 51 President Barry Thomas. Local 51 Business Agent Mark Grady added, “This election is another win for working people in the City of Houston, which—along with the recent successful hospitality worker strike—shows that Houston is quickly establishing itself as a leader in a new wave of worker-driven organizing.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 11/07/2025 - 09:53

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UNITE HERE Local 40 Members at Coast Victoria Hotel and Marina Ratify New Collective Bargaining 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.

After a historic 77 days on the picket line, UNITE HERE Local 40 members at Coast Victoria Hotel and Marina by APA in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, ratified a new collective bargaining agreement that delivers wage increases of up to 21%. 

Nearly 90 workers—housekeepers, front-desk agents, cooks, servers and others—voted 88% in favor of a new three-year contract. The new deal provides living wages, a wage re-opener in the final contract year, a process for addressing outstanding respect issues and a new pension benefit.

“I’m so proud of our bargaining committee and what we accomplished together as a group,” said Melissa Irvine, a room attendant and member of the union bargaining committee. “We stood strong, and no one crossed the picket line. The strike and the lockout were both intense and difficult, but we didn’t give up. We fought to the end to win what we deserve.”

The British Columbia Federation of Labour backed the workers with a boycott of Coast Victoria Hotel and its Blue Crab Seafood House.

“We stood shoulder to shoulder for 77 days—and made history. I’m very proud that we fought back and pushed as far as we could,” said Julia Lissell, a front desk agent and another member of the union bargaining committee. “Through the ups and downs, we demonstrated what is possible when workers come together to stand up for fair pay and respect at work.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/06/2025 - 10:05

National Native American Heritage Month Profile: Terris "T" Tree

Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. Today's profile is Terris "T" Tree of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

Terris “T” Tree, a lifelong resident of the Navajo Nation in Arizona’s Four Corners, is a devoted father, technology expert and tireless advocate for worker justice. With more than 24 years at the Navajo Communications Company, he became a driving force for change as a CWA Local 7019 steward, helping secure the first contract for Navajo Nation workers. Active in his local’s legislative committee and in public advocacy, Tree champions equality, human rights and community solidarity.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/06/2025 - 10:44

Tags: Native American Heritage Month

National Native American Heritage Month Profiles

Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. 

Here's who we've featured so far:

• Martin Olvera
• JoMarie 'Jojo' Archibald-begay
• Terris "T" Tree

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/06/2025 - 11:12

Tags: Native American Heritage Month

TAKE ACTION: When Candidates Stand with Workers, They Win

Tuesday night, voters across the country sent a clear message: When candidates stand with workers, they win.

For too long, politicians have chased billionaire donors instead of listening to the workers who teach our children and care for our sick, build infrastructure and operate machines, harvest food and stock shelves, and keep us safe and power our essential services. 

The candidates who earned voters’ trust focused on making life more affordable, creating good jobs and restoring the dignity of work. From city halls to statehouses across the country, workers elected leaders who will help us build an economy for the people, not the billionaire bosses.

For months leading up to Election Day, union volunteers worked tirelessly to drive big wins for pro-worker, pro-democracy leaders and initiatives across the country. In New York, California, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, union members rallied their communities to elect the candidates who will tackle the cost of living, raise wages, create good union jobs and protect our freedoms.

We don’t need to wait for lengthy post-mortems on this election to understand what happened last night. At the doors and on the phones, workers told us the same thing we hear at jobsites and in union halls across the country: People want leaders who will stand up for us, focus on the issues we care most about, deliver real solutions that support working people and protect our democracy. 

And yesterday’s victories were just the beginning. We will continue to take back our country from the billionaire CEOs who control our economy and our lives. 

Let’s keep up the energy and momentum from Election Day by making our voices even louder about the government shutdown and health care crisis.     

Working people continue to stand together as many of us wake up to a new reality from the Trump administration and their allies in Congress: The nation has officially entered its longest period of shutdown ever. Federal food assistance has lapsed for the first time in U.S. history. Millions of working families are hurting today as they face empty bank accounts and long lines at food banks. And millions more, living paycheck to paycheck, have checked their Affordable Care Act premium prices and are discovering they simply can’t pay double or triple last year’s insurance costs.   

If you haven’t done so, please make a call or send an email to your representative in Congress—and the leaders on Capitol Hill—to fund the government, fix the health care crisis and put working people first. And if you’ve made a call already, will you make another one today—the day this becomes the longest government shutdown in history? 

Today, there is real reason to feel hope. In the streets, in the halls of power and in the voting booth, we won’t stop fighting back for working people. From now until Election Day 2026, millions of union members will be having conversations with workers across the country about what’s at stake in next year’s elections and the path to a better future for our families.

Thank you for standing with us—for all you have done and continue to do to support working families each and every day.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/06/2025 - 11:55