Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AFSCME and American Library Association Prevail in Fight to Protect Libraries and Museums Nationwide

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.

AFSCME and the American Library Association (ALA) have reached a settlement agreement with the Department of Justice that protects the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and ensures the agency will continue to support libraries and museums across the country.

IMLS has a congressional mandate to provide essential coordination, research and funding for the nation’s libraries, museums, public gardens, aquariums, zoos and other cultural institutions that enrich our lives and educate our communities. The lawsuit was filed last year amid the Trump administration’s attacks on the federal agency, including major staff reductions.

“Today is a victory for every community that depends on libraries and museums as gateways to opportunity, learning and connection,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “As the nation’s largest union of cultural workers, AFSCME members fought tirelessly to protect this essential institution, which supports the vital services we provide to communities across the country. Thanks to these efforts, this vital funding is protected in every state in the country, so our communities can continue to have access to these essential places of learning.”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/14/2026 - 09:37

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: ALPA Members Reach Tentative Contract Agreement with FedEx

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.

Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) members who work for FedEx have reached a new tentative five-year agreement with the company.

The new deal comes after five years of negotiations with the multinational conglomerate. Economic provisions had been a sticking point in bargaining; this contract includes hourly pay increases of nearly 40% in 2026 and 3% annual pay bumps starting in 2028.

“This tentative agreement was reached after lengthy and intensive mediation under the supervision of the National Mediation Board,” said Capt. Jose Nieves, chair of the FedEx ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC), in a press statement. “The next step is completing the MEC review and providing pilots with the information needed to evaluate the agreement.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/13/2026 - 09:25

Worker Wins: Local Elections Matter

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

Union Families Congratulate Chris Taylor on Wisconsin Supreme Court Victory: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale released the following statement on the election of Judge Chris Taylor to the Wisconsin Supreme Court: Congratulations to Judge Chris Taylor on her victory and election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and congratulations to our entire Wisconsin labor movement that proudly stood by her every step of the way. Working people came together and sent a clear message: we want a Supreme Court that protects the rights and freedoms of us all. We have confidence Justice Chris Taylor will bring independence and fair judicial review to the court. Congratulations are also in order to all of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO endorsed candidates who won in local races around the state [last night]. Local elections matter and working people are continuing to vote for a Wisconsin that advances the rights and well-being of hard working families. Momentum continues to build for November as Wisconsin voters call for an economy that works for working people.

IATSE and The Juilliard School Reach Tentative Agreement for Production Staff: Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) members who work in production roles at The Juilliard School have secured a tentative agreement. The new deal covers more than 100 theatrical production workers at the educational institution. Workers initially voted to join IATSE last year, with near unanimous support for the organizing effort. “This contract is setting a new standard for wage equity across production crafts,” said Meredith Prouty-Due, a costume design coordinator. “We are excited to be embarking on this new chapter with Juilliard and the IATSE.” “We came together as a collective of artisans and craftspeople across disciplines committed to lifting up our colleagues,” said A.J. Cote, the lead carpenter. “This contract further unifies our commitment to each other and our work. Every person working under the collective bargaining agreement now has representation and a path to benefits, and it guarantees future workers a voice in their workplace.”

Allina Health Clinicians Reach Historic First Tentative Agreement: Doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners—who are members of Doctors Council-Service Employees International Union (SEIU)—have reached a powerful first tentative agreement with management at Allina Health. The deal would cover over 600 members in Minnesota and Wisconsin and comes more than two years after they first voted to form the largest private sector health care provider union in the country. Highlights of the agreement include increased autonomy for providers, safety improvements, fair pay, protections around parental leave, medical leave and more. “This hard-fought tentative agreement gives us protections—in writing—we could only dream about when starting the process to unionize nearly four years ago,” said Dr. Katherine Oyster, a family practice obstetrician at Allina Cottage Grove. “This contract goes a long way to help us provide the care we know our patients need and provides sustainability to a career plagued with burnout. This agreement will keep quality providers at Allina and help our community.”

Sage and Coombe Architects Workers Ratify Contact: Members of Architectural Workers United (AWU)—an affiliate of IAM Union—who work at New York-based firm Sage and Coombe Architects (SCA) have unanimously voted to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement. The SCA Union bargaining unit won voluntary recognition with AWU in 2023 and is the second U.S. studio in the private architecture industry to successfully form a union. In a field of work where long hours are common and union contracts are not, members are celebrating a deal that will give them a powerful voice on the job. “Today, after unanimous ratification by the union, the collective bargaining agreement at Sage and Coombe Architects takes effect,” AWU said in a social media post. “This is the culmination of countless hours of organizing, brainstorming, and collaboration. This contract, the second in the industry, sets a standard for workers at Sage and Coombe and beyond. A heartfelt thanks to everyone at Sage and Coombe for their work to raise the bar of this profession.”

TWU Celebrates Federal Judge Tossing Out Brightline’s Union-Busting Lawsuit: A federal judge has dismissed a Brightline railroad lawsuit that attempted to overturn the results of a National Mediation Board election where onboard staff voted to join the Transport Workers Union (TWU). Attendants at the high-speed passenger rail voted to form a union in January 2025 after an aggressive union-busting campaign from management. Brightline attempted to argue that the National Mediation Board lacked jurisdiction to conduct and certify the union election because the company isn’t a rail carrier. U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles of the U.S. District Court of Southern Florida rejected this complaint, citing the Railway Labor Act and federal grant conditions. “This is a huge victory for the workers and the TWU,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen in a press statement. “Brightline should finally realize it has reached the end of the line. The railroad’s multi-year attempt to silence its workers and deny them the right to negotiate for fair wages and benefits has been nothing short of shameful.” “Brightline can now stop wasting money on high-priced lawyers who tried to overturn our members’ right to join the TWU,” said TWU Rail Division Director John Feltz. “The company should now use its resources to provide our members a contract that provides a fair living wage and better benefits for them and their families.”

Court of Appeals Affirms First Amendment Protections in Excessive Form Lawsuit: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled last week that The NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America (TNG-CWA) and other co-plaintiffs are likely to succeed in a lawsuit filed against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over use of excessive force. In June 2025, The NewsGuild-CWA, Los Angeles Press Club, three journalists, two individual protesters and a legal observer sued DHS over retaliatory use of force during U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests in Southern California that punished and suppressed their exercise of First Amendment-protected rights. Judge Ronald M. Gould affirmed in the Wednesday opinion that there was ample evidence to support the claim that reporters, legal observers and protest attendees were subjected to excessive force by federal agents for documenting and speaking out about government abuses. “We applaud the decision by the Ninth Circuit in affirming everyone’s right to a free press and the right to peacefully protest,” said TNG-CWA President Jon Schleuss. “Federal agents attacked journalists, peaceful protesters and legal observers, and the union of journalists will not let that stand. We’re proud to stand with the ACLU, the Los Angeles Press Club and our own members in this lawsuit to protect the First Amendment rights of everyone on American soil.”

Workers at Two Michigan Auto Supply Chains Join UAW: In the span of 24 hours, workers at Ground Effects and Webasto Detroit both voted in National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) elections to join the UAW. Ground Effects workers make spray-on truck bedliners, in addition to other aftermarket parts and customizations, while members who work for Webasto Detroit produce hard top roofs, primarily for the Ford Bronco. Both sets of auto supply workers came together in their respective facilities to organize for a fair voice on the job. “I’m thrilled we finally won our union. I’ve worked at Webasto for many years. We’re overworked and underpaid. We’re the ones who make money for the company. For too long, we’ve gotten nothing but disrespect from management. I’m ready for some mutual respect,” said Shara Bell, a quality technician for Webasto Detroit. “Ground Effects workers just showed what courage and determination can do,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “These workers stood together and stood strong against the underhanded anti-union tactics coming from the boss and their hired guns. Now, Ground Effects workers will have the right to sit with management as equals and negotiate a contract that gives them the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Harvard Club of Boston Workers Vote to Form Union with UFCW: Workers at the Harvard Club of Boston voted overwhelmingly to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1445 last month, fueled by concerns over the rising cost of living. The bargaining unit covers workers in the dining, wellness, athletics and lodging operations at the membership-based social club for Harvard University alumni. While the exclusive gathering space is filled with the connected and powerful, the staff who are central to the club’s experience have been struggling with low wages, subpar benefits and a lack of fair representation. “Harvard Club has been a good place to work, but recently many of us have been feeling the crunch with our pay not matching the increased cost of living,” said Susana Cabrera, a waitress of 25 years at the club’s Veritas restaurant. “We worked hard to engage our co-workers throughout this process, and we’re overjoyed now that we see the light at the end of the tunnel and a way to improve pay and benefits with the help of the union.” “We are thrilled to welcome these members to our UFCW family,” said Local 1445 President Fernando Lemus. “Harvard Club members pay a premium for the exclusive environment, and these workers make that experience worth their money. We look forward to bargaining a strong contract to ensure they are paid accordingly.”

University of Michigan Student Research Assistants Win Union Election: On Monday, graduate student research assistants (GSRAs) at the University of Michigan voted to join the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO), AFT Local 3550. In 1981, GSRAs were barred from organizing after the Michigan Employment Relations Commission ruled that they were not employees under the Public Employment Relations Act. However, that decision was reversed in 2023, restoring their collective bargaining rights. This victory was a product of decades of campus organizing and now adds more than 2,000 additional members to the GEO bargaining unit. “No matter what job title graduate students hold, we face the same pay, same healthcare, same advisors, and same workplace issues,” said Kevin Zheng, a Ph.D. student in the School of Information. “Furthermore, each of us switch between these positions each semester: I worked as a Fellow last year, as a Research Assistant this year, and will be working as a Graduate Student Instructor in the fall. It only makes sense for us to be represented and organized together under the same union.”

Air Transport International Pilots Ratify Tentative Agreement: Air Transport International (ATI) pilots—represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)—have overwhelmingly voted to ratify a tentative contract. This new collective bargaining agreement comes after nearly six years of negotiations with the global cargo and passenger charter airline. These ALPA members play a critical role in Amazon’s massive logistics network. Highlights of the deal include a 22% pay increase, retention of home-basing, a one-time ratification bonus, improved scheduling and more. “This is truly a quality-of-life contract, and we are glad to have reached the finish line after many years at the bargaining table,” said Capt. Mike Sterling, chair of ATI’s ALPA Master Executive Council. “I’d like to thank all the ATI pilots who have stood with us in solidarity throughout our lengthy negotiations. We are proud to be Amazon’s largest airline, and we hope this new contract will strengthen our relationship with them and our company for years to come.”

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Workers Ratify First Union Contract: Staff at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago—who are represented by AFSCME—have successfully ratified their first union contract. Workers first announced the formation of Museum of Contemporary Art Workers United/AFSCME in February 2024, which was organized with support from AFSCME’s Cultural Workers United campaign. Highlights of the contract include a 12% across-the-board wage increase, additional pay for members assigned bilingual duties, four weeks of paid parental leave, an improved retirement plan and more. “Chicago’s cultural workers are proving that when workers come together, they can win better wages, stronger protections and a voice on the job,” said AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch, who’s also an AFSCME vice president. “With the ratification of their union contract, Museum of Contemporary Art employees have won an agreement that reflects their dedication, rewards their hard work, and gives them a real seat at the table.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/09/2026 - 10:54

Tags: Organizing

A Worker’s First Agenda: 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.

JBS and Union Ratify New Agreement Following 3-week Strike: “On Sunday, the union said they ratified the tentative two-year collective bargaining agreement. According to the union, the new agreement secures wage increases, defends workers against increases in health care costs and protects workers from having to pay for personal protective equipment that should be paid for by JBS.”

Mechanics at NJ Transit Light Rail Operation Vote to Join Union: “Mechanics at NJ Transit’s Hudson-Bergen light rail operation have voted to join the Transport Workers Union, the labor organization announced. The mechanics work for North Central Transit Services, which holds the maintenance contract for the 17-mile, 24-station operation between West Bergen and Bayonne, N.J. The TWU already represents car cleaners employed by the company, as well as operators and maintenance-of-way workers employed by contract operator ACI-Herzog.”

City of Reno, IAFF Local 731 Reach Agreement on CBA: “The City of Reno and the Reno Firefighters Local 731 International Association of Firefighters have reached an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. The three-year agreement will last through June 30, 2028, and was approved by Local 731 members. The agreement includes annual cost of living raises of 3% in 2025 and 2026, and a 2% increase in 2027.”

South Jersey Postal Worker Honored Nationwide for Saving Family from Burning Home: “A Cherry Hill mail carrier was named a nationwide ‘Hero of the Year’ for his efforts that saved a baby, woman, and dog from a burning home. Kyle Quillen, of Camden, is among fewer than 10 of all mail carriers in the United States who were honored last month during a ceremony conducted by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). On April 23, 2025, Quillen was on his route in Cherry Hill when he smelled smoke and noticed ‘a plume’ coming from a home.”

Apprentices Learn to Be Electrians at Joint Apprenticeship Training Center: “Robert Cruz is devoted to his job as training director at the Joint Apprenticeship Training Center. ‘It's the best job. I change lives every day. I teach people how to fish,’ Cruz said. He had a rough childhood, spending part of it in foster care, and that's one reason he's committing his professional life to this. ‘My whole mission is to be the person I needed to find when I was a kid,’ Cruz said. Teaching apprentices to be electricians. Their education is funded by IBEW Local 99 and the National Electrical Contractors Association.”

NYU Professors Ratify Their First Union Contract After March Walkout: “NYU professors who went on strike last month formally announced on Wednesday that, after years of negotiating, they have finally reached their first union contract with the school’s administration. The contract for the nearly 1,000 professors, all of whom are members of Contract Faculty United–UAW (CFU-UAW), includes protections for academic freedom and job security, new benefits including a $200,000-per-year fund for immigration expenses and an optional retirement buyout, and ‘best-in-the-nation’ pay, including an average raise of 20%.”

Pediatricians File to Unionize: “More than 100 pediatricians who work for Packard Children's Health Alliance, part of Stanford Medicine Children's Health, have filed to unionize with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). The physicians, who practice at 27 clinic locations throughout the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and Monterey Bay region, according to UAPD, filed their petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Monday. Their move to unionize follows years of concern among the group that ‘corporate pressures on healthcare are steering administrative decisions further away from the patients and families they serve,’ UAPD said in a statement.”

Women of Steel Members Feeling Empowered After USW International Women’s Conference: “A group of women from the Iron Range who work for Minntac and Keetac enjoyed the USW International Women’s Conference in Toronto last week. They joined about 1000 others at the event. Tawnya Gustafson, the chair of USW Local 2660 Women of Steel, was part of a panel discussion about wins in the workplace and how to be a better leader. She told us a big part of the celebration was hearing from Roxanne Brown, the new USW International President. She’s the first woman to lead the organization.”

Punching In: Union Leaders Gear Up to Tackle AI in Future Talks: “The AFL-CIO hosted a Workers First AI summit in recent weeks where leaders from across the labor movement called on Congress and state legislatures to pass AI guardrails. They want ‘an agenda that says, no, you can’t surveil us in the bathroom. No, you can’t steal our data without our consent. No, you are not going to discriminate against us, fire us by app just because a machine told you to,’ AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said during a keynote address. Shuler said they are demanding ‘a worker’s first agenda that protects our civil rights and demands that we all be treated equally and fairly by these technologies.’”

United Airlines and Flight Attendants Reach a Tentative Deal with $740 Million in Bonuses: “United Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA reached a tentative five-year labor agreement on March 26 that would provide the carrier's 30,000 flight attendants their first pay increases since 2020, including a $740 million signing bonus pool and top wages of $100 per hour by the contract's end.”

Writers Guild Reaches Tentative Four-Year Deal with Studios: “The Writers Guild of America has reached a tentative four-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers group representing studios and streamers, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. On Saturday, Puck founding partner Matt Belloni reported on the agreement, saying it adds one more year to the WGA’s usual three-year deal and that it includes ‘Health plan/pension increases, SVOD bumps [and] protection to police licensing for AI training.’ THR understands from a source close to the discussions that those details are accurate.”

Toledo Factory Workers Vote to Unionize, Joining UAW Local 14: “Workers at a Toledo manufacturing facility have officially voted to unionize, marking a significant development as federal labor complaints tied to the organizing effort remain under investigation. According to UAW Local 14, employees at ValuePoint Material Solutions in Toledo overwhelmingly voted this week to join the union, bringing the facility under the representation of the United Auto Workers.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/13/2026 - 10:17

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: National Hockey League Players’ 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 65 of our affiliates. Next up is the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA).

Name of Union: National Hockey League Players’ Association

Mission: The NHLPA is the exclusive collective bargaining representative of National Hockey League (NHL) players, negotiating the terms and conditions of their employment and ensuring that those rights are protected. The union also provides players with programs and resources to protect their health and safety, enhance their lives off the ice and foster opportunities for them to drive the growth of the game.

Current Leadership of Union: The NHLPA is led by Executive Director Marty Walsh, who works closely with the union’s executive board.

Walsh is a lifelong advocate for workers with decades of experience, including serving as the U.S. secretary of labor under former President Joe Biden and as the mayor of Boston. He started in the labor movement by following in his father’s footsteps as a union construction worker, became president of Laborers (LIUNA) Local 223 in Boston and then served as head of the Greater Boston Building Trades Council, which represents roughly 35,000 blue-collar workers on major construction projects across the region. In 1997, Walsh was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he spent 16 years fighting for workers’ rights and good jobs.

The NHLPA executive board is made up of one player representative and one alternate from each of the 32 clubs. Elected by their teammates, these players shape policy, guide union strategy and protect the collective interests of NHL players across the league. See the full list of executive board members.

Current Number of Members: 700+

Members Work as: Professional hockey players

Industries Represented: Men’s professional hockey

History: The precursor to the NHLPA was established on February 11, 1957, when Ted Lindsay led a group of players in forming the original players’ association. While that initial step did not hold, it laid the groundwork for player representatives from the original six teams to reform the NHLPA as a labor organization in June 1967. Since that time, the NHLPA has continuously served as the exclusive collective bargaining representative of NHL players.

Over its more than five decades of service to its members, the NHLPA has supported players through numerous achievements. These included, among many others, the implementation of salary disclosure in January 1990, which became a key factor in creating a more competitive market and driving salary increases; the first ever NHLPA-organized strike in April 1992, which led to the players taking greater control over their name, image and likeness rights as well as increased playoff bonuses and improvements to free agency and arbitration; the creation of the inaugural World Cup of Hockey in 1996; the 1997 implementation of the Hockey Agent Certification Program, which requires that agents meet certain requirements and follow specified regulations.

Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The NHLPA supports several charitable and community programs on behalf of its members, including the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative and the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund. Hockey Fights Cancer, jointly launched by the NHLPA and NHL in 1998, raises money and awareness for cancer research and care through various fundraising efforts and community events. The initiative has raised more than $44 million since its inception to fund lifesaving research and support cancer patients and their families.

Launched in 1999, the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund provides hockey equipment to children in need, enabling them to participate in the sport and develop hockey and life skills. In 2024, the fund celebrated its 25th anniversary, having provided more than $27 million in equipment donations and supporting the hockey ambitions of thousands of children across 45 countries.

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

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/13/2026 - 12:56

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Workers Ratify First Union 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.

Staff at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago—who are represented by AFSCME—have successfully ratified their first union contract.

Workers first announced the formation of Museum of Contemporary Art Workers United/AFSCME in February 2024, which was organized with support from AFSCME’s Cultural Workers United campaign. Highlights of the contract include a 12% across-the-board wage increase, additional pay for members assigned bilingual duties, four weeks of paid parental leave, an improved retirement plan and more.

“Chicago’s cultural workers are proving that when workers come together, they can win better wages, stronger protections and a voice on the job,” said AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch, who’s also an AFSCME vice president. “With the ratification of their union contract, Museum of Contemporary Art employees have won an agreement that reflects their dedication, rewards their hard work, and gives them a real seat at the table.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/09/2026 - 10:14

Tags: Organizing

AFL-CIO Congratulates Inaugural Class of Labor and Immigration Policy Fellows

The AFL-CIO is proud to introduce our first class of Labor and Immigration Policy fellows. While the fellows come from different parts of the country, different unions and different sectors, they all share one thing in common—they are all on the front lines of building the labor movement through organizing and defending immigrant workers. Each fellow was nominated by their home union, state federation or central labor council.

The fellowship supports these activists coming together, both virtually and in person, over a one-year period to build connections and support each other; strengthen their knowledge and skills through exchange and training; contribute to national and local pro-worker immigration policy advocacy; and amplify the critical work happening around the country.

In March 2026, the inaugural class of 27 fellows gathered in Washington, D.C., where they engaged with each other, as well as with union leaders, policymakers, advocates and organizers. Together, the fellows shared their experiences and strategized about how to defend our communities in a way that builds for a future in which all workers have full rights in this country. The fellows will continue to build together in 2026 and beyond.

The first class of fellows includes:

• Adrian Sauceda, director, inside construction organizing, Electrical Workers (IBEW)   
• Angel Castillo, organizing director, UNITE HERE Local 1 
• Anthony Samperio, political organizer, Oregon and Southern Idaho District Council of Laborers  
• Ashley Snider Hamilton, senior campaign lead, IUE-CWA; vice president, Kentucky State AFL-CIO 
• Belinda Lum, chief negotiator, Los Rios College Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 2279  
• Brandon Johnson, trustee and shop steward, IAM Union (IAM) Local 2022 
• Chris Lee Daniel, strategic organizer/trainer, Georgia AFL-CIO 
• Cindy Marquez, financial secretary-treasurer, business agent, organizer and political director, Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83  
• Danie Tarrow, collective bargaining representative, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW) 
• Darrin Howell, organizing director, Massachusetts AFL-CIO  
• Dulce Gutiérrez, union, community and naturalization organizer, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO  
• Emily Markwiese, senior organizer, Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 277 
• Israel Flores, lead organizer, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73 
• Jessica Márquez-Muñoz, office manager, Laborers (LIUNA) Local 386 
• Julissa Velazquez, community service liaison, Milwaukee Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO  
• Len Harris, young worker and community organizer, Colorado AFL-CIO 
• Maira Rivera, executive vice president, Orange County Classroom Teachers Association; secretary-treasurer, Florida AFL-CIO 
• Marcelle Vielot, political trainer and lead organizer, Charlotte-Metrolina Labor Council, AFL-CIO  
• Natalia Berthet Garcia, communications director, SEIU Local 509  
• Octavio Chung Bustamante, marketing representative, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, Great Lakes Region  
• Oscar Morales, organizer, Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 77 
• Pia Rivera-Jones, deputy executive director, People’s Organizing Center, MLK Labor  
• Raul Lopez Jr., assistant member program director, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW; president, Yakima South Central Counties Central Labor Council
• Rick Hernandez, president, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Louisville, Kentucky, chapter; organizer, Bricklayers (BAC) Local 4 
• Roxana Rodriguez-Torres, shop steward, Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, AFT Local 5017  
• William Martinez Perez, international organizer, Ironworkers   
• Zavier Myles, business representative, IAM District 776 

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/08/2026 - 11:08

Giving Back To Their Community: 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:

Equity publishes member-written letters reflecting on the lives of their fellow members who have passed away. Fill out the member commemoration form in the member portal to share your letters of remembrance. https://members.actorsequity.org/member-commemoration

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— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) April 8, 2026 at 11:29 AM

AFSCME:

Rising costs are burdening working families, but Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden sides with billionaires, AFSCME members say. https://t.co/eAfSvtdSr5

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) April 7, 2026

Air Line Pilots Association:

In March 2020, the skies went silent. Airlines were on the brink. ALPA didn't wait — and secured the most worker-forward federal relief package in U.S. history. Swipe for the highlights and read more ➡️ https://t.co/exRRHqPZcI pic.twitter.com/0NQA0sOIjZ

— Air Line Pilots Association (@ALPAPilots) April 7, 2026

Alliance for Retired Americans:

⏰ We've been waiting awhile to hear back from the people who support the #BigUglyBill — what DO they expect us to do when nursing homes or hospitals shut down because of Medicaid cuts? It's a pretty important question!

— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) April 7, 2026

Amalgamated Transit Union:

Local 256-Sacramento, CA, applauds hiring of more transit safety ambassadors to improve safety but calls for better pay to address high turnover rate. #1u #UnionStrong https://t.co/3wxID89b5D

— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) April 8, 2026

American Federation of Musicians:

To all who celebrate, may your Passover be filled with joy, freedom, and peace. pic.twitter.com/fcTbkbsx2v

— AFM (@The_AFM) April 2, 2026

American Federation of Teachers:

Student loan borrowers are being removed from Biden’s repayment plan that many depended on. Many are now scrambling to figure out their next steps. Is this what borrowers deserve after investing in their futures? www.businessinsider.com/student-loan...

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— AFT (@aft.org) April 8, 2026 at 12:20 PM

American Postal Workers Union:

The APWU has launched an interactive website designed to expand access to the APWU History Center, which opened in 2023 at the APWU Headquarters Building. Explore the union’s history, learn how our struggles of the past shaped today: visit https://t.co/B0fhhKve8b today!

— The American Postal Workers Union - APWU (@APWUnational) April 7, 2026

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:

Happy Easter! pic.twitter.com/0Zqwudchrw

— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) April 5, 2026

Boilermakers:

Get handouts and register for a webinar. This year’s Stand-Down takes place during National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 20-24, 2026.https://t.co/O2e0AqwFPd pic.twitter.com/oI13O7d7tH

— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) April 8, 2026

Bricklayers:

.@Local1BAC was proud to sponsor the Skills Competition in Delaware! Congrats to the 12 talented students from Polytech & Hodgson Vo-Tech. Our top 3 winners are heading to the National @SkillsUSA Competition:

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Sage and Coombe Architects Workers Ratify Contact

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 Architectural Workers United (AWU)—an affiliate of IAM Union—who work at New York-based firm Sage and Coombe Architects (SCA) have unanimously voted to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement.

The SCA Union bargaining unit won voluntary recognition with AWU in 2023 and is the second U.S. studio in the private architecture industry to successfully form a union. In a field of work where long hours are common and union contracts are not, members are celebrating a deal that will give them a powerful voice on the job.

“Today, after unanimous ratification by the union, the collective bargaining agreement at Sage and Coombe Architects takes effect,” AWU said in a social media post. “This is the culmination of countless hours of organizing, brainstorming, and collaboration. This contract, the second in the industry, sets a standard for workers at Sage and Coombe and beyond. A heartfelt thanks to everyone at Sage and Coombe for their work to raise the bar of this profession.”

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/08/2026 - 10:00

Strikes Work: 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:

Today, we're in Lakewood for our Organizing Institute training, where union members are learning how to organize an effective strike! #UnionStrong #StrikesWork #UnionizeCalifornia pic.twitter.com/9Ub4LVOxEM

— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) April 3, 2026

Colorado AFL-CIO:

In true solidarity fashion, @dropkickmurphys brought our Denver Area Labor Federation president on stage to sing to the iconic ‘Worker’s Song’ during their performance in Denver this Sunday! 

An excellent, union approved, worker powered way to enter the month of March