Worker Wins: A Long Time Coming

Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.

Fast Food Workers at Connecticut Service Plazas Ratify First Union Contract; Secure Strong Wages, Other Benefits: Food service workers across Connecticut’s 23 service plazas on Route 15, I-95 and I-39 voted overwhelmingly in favor of their first-ever union contract, which will include strong wages, improved time off and scheduling, and other enhanced benefits. “This is a watershed moment for everyone involved—from the workers, to our staff, to Connecticut workers and the labor movement as a whole,” said Rochelle Palache, vice president and state director. “Over half a decade after starting this campaign, it feels so rewarding to finally see this through and achieve these guaranteed rights and benefits for the people who keep our highways serviced and fed. We couldn’t have accomplished this without the tenacity and hard work that our workers gave in keeping this campaign going for so long—this win, most of all, is from them and for them.” The contract with Applegreen USA Travel Plazas Central Services, the main service plaza employer in Connecticut, spans from April 1, 2026, to March 1, 2031. The contract includes: predictable schedules and consistent hours, just cause and grievance and arbitration process, strong vacation accruals, improved training opportunities, and strong wages under the Connecticut Standard Wage Law. Starting in 2019, service plaza workers brought forward complaints against several employers, including allegations of wages below the legal standard, unsafe working conditions and failure to provide adequate benefits. “It’s been a long time coming for food service workers to get the respect and the treatment we deserve,” said Nika Hyde, a bargaining committee member and employee at Auntie Anne’s at the Madison Southbound service plaza. “It is an honor to help my fellow Connecticut food service employees, who work so hard, have a dignified standard of living without constant struggle.”

Patagonia Workers in SoHo Unanimously Vote to Join the RWDSU-UFCW: Workers at the Patagonia store in SoHo in New York voted unanimously to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW), becoming the first unionized Patagonia location in the eastern United States. Workers at the store seek to address a growing disconnect between the company’s public values and the daily realities faced by its retail staff. They cited a desire to regain lost benefits, including the restoration of previous paid time off policies and health care coverage that have been previously rolled back. Workers are also seeking to secure guaranteed professional development opportunities and tuition reimbursement, benefits that have recently been eliminated. “We voted union yes because we believe in Patagonia’s mission, but a mission is only as strong as the people who carry it out every day on the floor,” said Morgan Skelton, customer experience guide at the SoHo Patagonia store. “For too long, the 'Patagonia family' felt like it stopped at the manager’s office. Today, we’ve secured our seat at the table to ensure our expertise is respected and our livelihoods are protected. We aren’t just selling gear; we’re providing a better experience for customers while building a sustainable future for retail workers in our industry.” RWDSU-UFCW will now represent workers in the bargaining unit, including full-time and regular part-time employees, including customer experience guides and team leaders. “The workers at Patagonia SoHo have proven that even at a company with a 'progressive' reputation, a union contract is the only way to guarantee a voice on the job,” said Stuart Appelbaum, president of RWDSU-UFCW. “These workers are part of a powerful movement of retail workers across New York City and the outdoor industry who are refusing to let their benefits and workplace culture be stripped away. We are proud to welcome them into the RWDSU.”

New Jersey Health Care Workers Vote to Join HPAE: New Jersey health care workers at Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice and Inspira Health have both voted to join the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), an affiliate of the AFT.  In two separate National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) elections, registered nurse case managers at Inspira Health medical centers and registered nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers and other staff at Samaritan both won their votes to form unions. “These elections show tremendous solidarity and commitment,” HPAE President Debbie White said. “We congratulate them on the wins! Unions give workers a voice, and when healthcare workers have a greater voice in their workplace, patients always benefit.”

Harris County Workers and Local Unions Win Campaign for Consultations Policy: After Harris County workers, commissioners and labor allies gathered for a press conference on Wednesday to call for the passage of a consultations policy that will give county workers a seat at the table to address workplace concerns, the policy was approved in a 3–1 vote. At the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation meeting hall, representatives from HOPE AFSCME Local 123, AFSCME Local 907, the Houston Federation of Teachers, the Culinary Union, and the Houston Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council stood together to urge commissioners to approve the policy. Texas law currently prohibits public workers from collective bargaining, but this local program will make it easier for county workers to file grievances related to pay, working conditions and terminations so they can continue to deliver essential services to residents. Similar policies are already in place in the Houston and Austin independent school districts and the City of Austin, but now that commissioners have adopted this program, Harris County is the first county in Texas to have such a policy in place.

IAM Union Ratifies New Agreement with Leidos: IAM Union (IAM) members who work as flight service workers in Virginia and Texas have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with their employer, Leidos. The new contract covering the Locals 2010 and 2011 bargaining units contains a number of major wins that reflect the essential work members perform. Highlights include structured annual pay increases through the lifetime of the deal, higher wage premiums for Sunday shifts, improved retirement fund contributions and more. “This agreement reflects the voices and priorities of our members,” said Chief Steward Clay Dawson. “By listening to our members and negotiating collectively, we were able to secure stronger wages, improved benefits, and protections that help guarantee job security for the next three years.” “This adjustment prevents management from using overly aggressive performance metrics as a justification to reduce staffing,” said IAM Local 2011 President David Villa. “It ensures our members can provide quality service while maintaining stable employment. This contract was built on solidarity. Our locals worked side by side to make sure the final agreement protects benefits, secures future raises, and strengthens the foundation for our members’ careers.”

Kaiser Health Care Professionals Ratify New Contracts, Winning Vital Patient Safety Protections: Health care professionals, members of United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP, AFSCME), voted to ratify new contracts with Kaiser Permanente, winning critical protections that will directly improve patient care. Approved by an overwhelming majority, the contracts are effective upon ratification and will expire on Sept. 30, 2029. “This agreement reflects everything our members stood up and stood together for: safe staffing, improved access, and respect for the professionals who provide critical care every day,” said UNAC/UHCP President Charmaine Morales, RN. “This fight was always about our patients and the public good, and we’ve made meaningful progress to ensure caregivers have the time and resources necessary to deliver safe, high-quality care.” When caregivers have a voice, patients are better off. Because of UNAC/UHCP, Kaiser patients will benefit from more time, better access, stronger communication and higher quality care. The union also won the largest wage increases UNAC/UHCP has ever achieved. Many of the gains—such as enforcement of safe RN staffing ratios already in the contract—come after years of work on prior contracts and between contracts, including job actions, staffing objection forms, petitions and informational pickets. “This is an important step forward, but the work doesn’t stop here,” said Peter Sidhu, RN, executive vice president of UNAC/UHCP. “We’ll be vigilant—documenting ratio violations, escalating unsafe staffing gaps, and using every tool our new contracts provide to protect our patients.”

WNBA Players Unanimously Vote Yes on New CBA: WNBPA members voted unanimously to ratify their new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), securing transformative landmark provisions for women’s sports. The seven-year contract establishes a historic revenue-sharing model, immediately quadrupling the salary cap for the 2026 season. It will be reviewed annually based on league and team revenue growth. Other bargaining wins include increases to maximum and minimum salaries, an expanded regular season starting in 2027 and more. “Over these past months, this group showed exactly who they are, prepared, relentless, and united when it mattered most, with a clear understanding that their value drives this business and when players win, the league wins,” said WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson. “This agreement delivers what players set out to do from the beginning, transforming the economics of this league. It marks a new era led by players who know their power and chose to use it.” “The players made huge gains with this historic contract, a testament to the excitement they deliver on the court and their courage and determination in fighting for women’s equality off it,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Everything we’ve ever won—every contract, organizing fight and strike—was won because we stuck together. America’s unions celebrate with our WNBPA sisters on this critical victory.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/26/2026 - 11:35

Tags: Organizing

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: WNBA Players Unanimously Vote Yes on New CBA

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.

WNBPA members voted unanimously to ratify their new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), securing transformative landmark provisions for women’s sports.

The seven-year contract establishes a historic revenue-sharing model, immediately quadrupling the salary cap for the 2026 season. It will be reviewed annually based on league and team revenue growth. Other bargaining wins include increases to maximum and minimum salaries, an expanded regular season starting in 2027 and more.

“Over these past months, this group showed exactly who they are, prepared, relentless, and united when it mattered most, with a clear understanding that their value drives this business and when players win, the league wins,” said WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson. “This agreement delivers what players set out to do from the beginning, transforming the economics of this league. It marks a new era led by players who know their power and chose to use it.”

“The players made huge gains with this historic contract, a testament to the excitement they deliver on the court and their courage and determination in fighting for women’s equality off it,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Everything we’ve ever won—every contract, organizing fight and strike—was won because we stuck together. America’s unions celebrate with our WNBPA sisters on this critical victory.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/26/2026 - 09:32

This Country Was Built By Unions, Not Kids: What Working People Are Doing This Week

Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.

Actors' Equity:

Join us for Equity 101, a Zoom class that to deepen your understanding of what being a union member is all about. Save the date: Monday, March 30 at 7 p.m. ET. / 6 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. MT / 4 p.m. PT. RSVP the portal - https://bit.ly/4bJq0tp

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— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) March 25, 2026 at 12:05 PM

AFGE:

Paying employees for their work is not a partisan issue. Congress needs to stop playing games with people's livelihoods and do their jobs! https://t.co/RoUhEc1knc

— AFGE (@AFGENational) March 25, 2026

AFSCME:

Workers at Connecticut’s Mystic Seaport Museum want a voice in the institution’s future. They’re fighting to form a union through @AFSCMECT4 — another victory for our union’s Cultural Workers United campaign https://t.co/gMj2Ydok8i

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) March 24, 2026

Alliance for Retired Americans:

We Fight for Workers: In the States Roundup

It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations.

California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:

In the streets and on the shop floor, in union halls and at the ballot box, working people are rising up. Join America’s unions @aflcio and working people across the country as we take back our power. Find a #NoKings event near you! pic.twitter.com/zmd3AK36ju

— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) March 25, 2026

Florida AFL-CIO:

Congratulations to Brother Brian Nathan for his remarkable victory in SD 14 and election to the Florida Senate! We applaud the hard working activists, campaigners, workers and more in Hillsborough County who labored to secure this big win! #UnionStrong

Women's History Month Profiles: Natasha Scott Lawson

For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Natasha Scott Lawson of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART).

Natasha Scott Lawson is a dedicated advocate for equity and diversity in the trades, with 28 years of experience as a Local 19 sheet metal worker. As the founder and chair of Local 19’s women’s committee, Sisters in Solidarity, she works to support and uplift women in the industry. She also serves on the women’s committee for SMART. Above all, she is a devoted wife and mother.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 03/26/2026 - 09:39

Tags: Women's History Month

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Kaiser Health Care Professionals Ratify New Contracts, Winning Vital Patient Safety Protections

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.

Health care professionals, members of United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP, AFSCME), voted to ratify new contracts with Kaiser Permanente, winning critical protections that will directly improve patient care.

Approved by an overwhelming majority, the contracts are effective upon ratification and will expire on Sept. 30, 2029.

“This agreement reflects everything our members stood up and stood together for: safe staffing, improved access, and respect for the professionals who provide critical care every day,” said UNAC/UHCP President Charmaine Morales, RN. “This fight was always about our patients and the public good, and we’ve made meaningful progress to ensure caregivers have the time and resources necessary to deliver safe, high-quality care.”

When caregivers have a voice, patients are better off. Because of UNAC/UHCP, Kaiser patients will benefit from more time, better access, stronger communication and higher quality care.

The union also won the largest wage increases UNAC/UHCP has ever achieved. Many of the gains—such as enforcement of safe RN staffing ratios already in the contract—come after years of work on prior contracts and between contracts, including job actions, staffing objection forms, petitions and informational pickets

“This is an important step forward, but the work doesn’t stop here,” said Peter Sidhu, RN, executive vice president of UNAC/UHCP. “We’ll be vigilant—documenting ratio violations, escalating unsafe staffing gaps, and using every tool our new contracts provide to protect our patients.”

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 03/25/2026 - 10:02

Tags: Organizing

Women's History Month Profiles: Laurie Harris

For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Laurie Harris of the Bricklayers (BAC).

“After joining BAC in 1987 and becoming the first female certified instructor with the International Masonry Institute, I spent 29 years in the field as a bricklayer, PCC, and foreperson,” Laurie Harris said. “Throughout my career, I’ve been a passionate advocate for tradeswomen, mentoring the next generation through Tradeswomen Build Nations and the BAC [Sisters] RISE group. Now happily retired, I am incredibly proud to see my ‘sisters’ leading our industry as instructors, organizers, and union officers.”

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 03/25/2026 - 10:07

Tags: Women's History Month

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: New Jersey Health Care Workers Vote to Join HPAE

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.

New Jersey health care workers at Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice and Inspira Health have both voted to join the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), an affiliate of the AFT.

In two separate National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) elections, registered nurse case managers at Inspira Health medical centers and registered nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers and other staff at Samaritan both won their votes to form unions.

“These elections show tremendous solidarity and commitment,” HPAE President Debbie White said. “We congratulate them on the wins! Unions give workers a voice, and when healthcare workers have a greater voice in their workplace, patients always benefit.”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/24/2026 - 10:13

Tags: Organizing

Women's History Month Profiles: Alexandria Smith

For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Alexandria Smith of the Heat and Frost Insulators (HFIU).

Alexandria Smith has shown remarkable dedication and has made an impact on Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 90. Her commitment to her craft, her steady leadership and the pride she brings to the trade have strengthened the local’s membership in meaningful ways. Her accomplishments reflect both her talents and her heart.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/24/2026 - 10:19

Tags: Women's History Month

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: United Autoworkers

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 65 of our affiliates. Next up is the UAW.

Name of Union: The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America

Mission: To improve working conditions, create a uniform system of shorter hours, higher wages, health care and pensions; to maintain and protect the interests of workers under the jurisdiction of the international union. To unite in one organization, regardless of religion, race, creed, color, sex, political affiliation or nationality, age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, all employees under the jurisdiction of the international union. To improve the sanitary and working conditions of employment within the workplace and in the accomplishment of these necessary reforms. To educate the membership in the history of the labor movement and to develop and maintain an intelligent and dignified membership; to vote and work for the election of candidates and the passage of improved legislation in the interest of all labor. To enforce existing laws; to work for the repeal of those which are unjust to Labor; to work for legislation on a national scale, having as its object the establishment of real social and unemployment insurance, the expense of which to be borne by the employer and the government. To engage in legislative, political, educational, civic, welfare and other activities, which further, directly or indirectly, the joint interests of the membership of this organization in the improvement of general economic and social conditions in the United States, Canada and generally in the nations of the world.

Current Leadership of Union: Shawn Fain serves as president of the UAW. He has been a member of the union for 29 years. Hailing from a family of UAW members, Fain got his start with the union in 1994 as an electrician for Chrysler at Kokomo Casting Plant in his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana. He served his local at every level, from Education & Bylaws chair to CAP chair to being elected to five terms as a skilled trades committeeman, and plant shop chairman for UAW Local 1166. He was a UAW negotiator in 2009, during the Chrysler bankruptcy, and was elected again as negotiator in 2011. He became an international representative in 2012. In 2015, he chaired the International Skilled Trades Sub-committee. The membership elected Fain to the office of president in the first-ever direct election for the international executive board, and he was sworn in on March 26, 2023.

Margaret Mock serves as secretary-treasurer, and the UAW has three vice presidents: Laura Dickerson, Rich Boyer and Mike Booth. The UAW has nine regional directors, including Lashawn English, Mark Depaoli, Steve Dawes, David Green, Brandon Campbell, Mike Miller, Tim Smith, Jimmy Lakeman and Brandon Mancilla.

Current Number of Members: 1 million active and retired members.

Members Work As: Autoworkers and in other jobs.

Industries Represented: Multinational corporations, small manufacturers and state and local governments to colleges and universities, hospitals and private nonprofit organizations.

History: Founded in 1935, the UAW was initiated and led by autoworkers. In 1936, they launched the Flint Sit-Down strike, one that lasted 44 days. They refused to leave the GM plants until their working conditions were improved—good wages, pension, health care and more—igniting a new wave of industrial labor movements across the country. The UAW helped pass the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. To this day, its legacy continues.  

To learn more, watch the following video:

Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The UAW's Local Union Communication Association helps UAW locals produce top-quality, effective communications. The UAW publishes Solidarity magazine and SolidWeb,a free website-building tool designed specifically for UAW locals. UAW publishes Solidarity magazine. UAW supporters can take action by reviewing UAW members’ community service and lists of products manufactured by its members. The UAW has established ethical practices codes and resources for women workers, retirees, health and safety and veterans along with various standing committees.

Learn More: Website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, X, TikTok, Threads, Reddit, LinkedIn

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:40