03/27/2025 - 1:00pm
Stand Together As A Union: 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:
AFGE:
AFSCME:
03/27/2025 - 1:00pm
Worker Wins: Real Progress for Working People
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
WGAE Members Ratify First Contract Under New Gizmodo Management: Nine months after the online tech news outlet was acquired by a European media company, Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members at Gizmodo have ratified their first contract with new management. The 14-person bargaining unit unanimously approved the new deal with Keleops Media that builds on victories secured in previous agreements. Highlights of the three-year contract include artificial intelligence safeguards, raises, a higher 401(k) match rate, maintenance of successorship language and more. “The Gizmodo USA Union is excited to have a new contract with Keleops,” said the bargaining unit in a press release. “We are looking forward to continuing to cover the tech industry with integrity. We’re excited to collaborate with management and grow in ways we were stifled before.”
Judge Orders Post-Gazette to Restore Striking Workers’ Health Care and Resume Bargaining: A U.S. Court of Appeals ruled on Monday that Pittsburgh Post-Gazette management must restore health care benefits to its striking journalists and resume bargaining with the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, The NewsGuild-CWA Local 38061. Members have been on strike since October of 2022 after management at the news outlet refused to bargain in good faith and illegally made unilateral changes to the workers’ health care plan. This ruling is a major win and massive development because it directly addresses the core demands of this work stoppage—which is now the longest ongoing strike in the United States. “Members of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh have stood and fought against the Post-Gazette’s illegal union busting since October 2022, and today we have been given the victory that we’ve held the picket line waiting for so long,” said Zack Tanner, president of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, in a press release. “Our win today is a major victory not just for us striking workers, but for all workers in Pittsburgh who want to stand up and fight.” “NewsGuild-CWA members have a saying: whatever it takes,” NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss added. “Guild members have struck for 29 months knowing we were right and the company broke federal law. Today the 3rd [U.S.] Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with us. We’re thrilled and will continue doing our job holding power to account, especially when it’s the boss.”
Oregon Senate Passes Bill Extending Unemployment to Striking Workers: Oregon state senators voted on Thursday to pass legislation that would level the playing field in contract negotiations by making striking workers eligible for unemployment benefits. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where it will be considered by the Labor and Workplace Standards Committee. If passed, Senate Bill 916 would make Oregon the first state in the country to extend unemployment benefits to striking workers in both the public and private sectors. Payments would kick in after two weeks on the picket line under this legislation—a reasonable timeline, given that 86% of strikes last less than 14 days. “The Oregon AFL-CIO applauds the Senate’s passage of SB 916, a critical step toward ensuring that every worker in Oregon has a fair shot at economic security,” said Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor in a press release. “This bill represents real progress for working people, those who’ve too often been left behind by policies that favor the wealthy and powerful. We’re proud to stand with the workers and community advocates who fought tirelessly to get us here, and we urge the House to move swiftly to send SB 916 to Governor [Tina] Kotek’s desk.”
CLC Support Was Key to Bloomington Workers’ Contract Victory: Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW) members at the Bloomington, Illinois, Barnes & Noble ratified their first-ever contract earlier this month. Workers at the storefront credit their huge victory in part to the outpouring of support from their union brothers, sisters and siblings at Bloomington-Normal Trades and Labor Assembly (BNTLA). BNTLA has 30 affiliated locals over a four-county, central Illinois area, with about 4,000 members. Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 197—which opened its union hall to Barnes & Noble Union members to use for bargaining—and other unions from around the area mobilized to support the bookstore staff at various actions and walkouts over the course of negotiations to show that the labor movement had their backs in this fight. “The support from other unions was absolutely crucial for our success,” said Zane Crockett, the lead bookseller at the Bloomington store. “Having support on the picket lines, and encouragement within the store raised our group’s morale. The company definitely took notice, and this assisted us in finalizing our contract. We are very grateful for the Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly and all the work they do.” BNTLA President Jason Pascal, a Laborers (LIUNA) Local 362 member, added: “The Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly is not a huge central labor council, but we strive to practice our union solidarity. Anytime there’s an organizing drive, we want to be there one hundred percent. Many of our affiliated locals are less than 100 members, so we know those unions depend upon solidarity to survive and build spirit.”
Skidmore Faculty Ratifies First Union Contract: Faculty represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 200United at Skidmore College unanimously voted to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) last week. The new agreement between Skidmore Faculty Forward and the private liberal arts school covers full- and part-time faculty who are not on the tenure track. The core bargaining goal for members was longer renewable appointments—before the CBA, they worked on short contracts that lasted one to three years and then were terminated with no guarantee of being rehired. Fixing this serial job insecurity was a major highlight of the deal, in addition to increased salary minimums, full parental leave and more. “We are elated that our first collective bargaining agreement has been ratified,” the union said in a statement. “We are incredibly proud of the hard work and thankful for the contributions, big and small, from so many of our colleagues and fellow union members. This contract would not be the life-changing and uplifting document that it is without their support. Thank you to the entire campus community for your support over the years. Together, we won huge gains and improvements in our working conditions and ultimately in our students’ learning conditions.”
Courier Staff Secures Voluntary Recognition: The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and digital media company Courier announced Thursday that management has agreed to voluntarily recognize Courier’s staff union. The bargaining unit includes reporters, editors, designers and social media managers. Members of Courier United report productive conversations with the publication and are looking forward to negotiating a contract that ensures the company’s mission. “We are pleased that COURIER has opted to voluntarily recognize our union at this crucial time when media workers everywhere are fighting for stronger protections against layoffs and better pay,” the Courier United Organizing Committee said in a press release. Sara David, WGAE vice president of online media, added, “I’m so happy to welcome the COURIER staff to the Writers Guild of America East. We appreciate that management at COURIER upheld its progressive values by working quickly to recognize the union. Every newsroom benefits from a strong union contract.”
Federal Court Blocks DOGE Access to Social Security Data: On Thursday, a federal judge issued a temporary order preventing Elon Musk’s DOGE from accessing the sensitive Social Security data of millions of Americans. The ruling comes from a lawsuit filed by Democracy Forward on behalf of AFSCME, the Alliance for Retired Americans and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). “The court saw that Elon Musk and his unqualified lackeys present a grave danger to Social Security and have illegally accessed the data of millions of Americans,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders in a press release. “This decision will not only force them to delete any data they have currently saved, but it will also block them from further sharing, accessing or disclosing our Social Security information.” “We are grateful that the court took strong action to protect every American’s personal data,” said Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, in a press release. “Seniors must be able to trust the Social Security Administration will protect their personal information and keep it from falling into the wrong hands.”
Federal Court Blocks DOGE Access to Social Security Data: On Thursday, a federal judge issued a temporary order preventing Elon Musk’s DOGE from accessing the sensitive Social Security data of millions of Americans. The ruling comes from a lawsuit filed by Democracy Forward on behalf of AFSCME, the Alliance for Retired Americans and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). “The court saw that Elon Musk and his unqualified lackeys present a grave danger to Social Security and have illegally accessed the data of millions of Americans,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders in a press release. “This decision will not only force them to delete any data they have currently saved, but it will also block them from further sharing, accessing or disclosing our Social Security information.” “We are grateful that the court took strong action to protect every American’s personal data,” said Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, in a press release. “Seniors must be able to trust the Social Security Administration will protect their personal information and keep it from falling into the wrong hands.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 03/27/2025 - 11:38
Tags:
Organizing
03/26/2025 - 7:00pm
Take Action: No Cuts to Social Security Phone Bank
Social Security is a lifeline for America’s taxpayers, providing income and dignity after a lifetime of hard work.
Which is why it’s so mind-boggling that Elon Musk and DOGE would attack such a successful, cost-effective and popular program.
As of last week, Musk’s pseudo-government agency listed 47 Social Security offices across the country that it intends to close—at the same time that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been sending mixed messages about whether or not it will shut down Social Security’s toll-free phone support service. The website has crashed four times in 10 days this month. And according to reports over the past month, the SSA could be planning to fire 50% of its workforce, jeopardizing the timely delivery of checks that people depend on to pay their bills.
Â
That’s why we’re sharing this important virtual phone bank from our friends at the Alliance for Retired Americans. Founded by the AFL-CIO in 2001, the alliance now has 40 state alliances and members in every state.
The alliance is holding a virtual phone bank on Thursday to call America’s seniors to let them know about the DOGE threats to Social Security and urge them to call their members of Congress. Can you join the Alliance for Retired Americans? Here are the details:Â
WHAT: Save Social Security Virtual Phone Bank
WHEN: Thursday, March 27, at 2 p.m. ET
REGISTER HERE
Can’t make it on Thursday afternoon? Call your own representative and senators here and urge them to protect Social Security.
Thank you for taking action to say, “Hands off our Social Security!”Â
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 03/26/2025 - 12:00
03/26/2025 - 12:30pm
Let Us 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 on X.
Alaska AFL-CIO:
Arizona AFL-CIO:
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:
Colorado AFL-CIO:
Connecticut AFL-CIO:
Illinois AFL-CIO:
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO:
Kentucky State AFL-CIO:
Maine AFL-CIO:
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
Michigan State AFL-CIO:
03/26/2025 - 12:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Machinists and NFFE-IAM Hold Event Celebrating Federal Workers
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.
Early Monday morning, the Machinists (IAM) and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) gathered to show support for federal workers alongside AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler (pictured above) and community allies. Rally attendees spoke with commuters and held signs thanking federal employees for their critical work keeping our essential services running.
“We often take federal employees for granted, yet they dedicate their lives to serving the American people, often under challenging circumstances,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “It's crucial that we take time to recognize their hard work and commitment, not just on special occasions, but every day. They are going through a difficult time, and we are proud to support them with a simple thank you.”
Randy Erwin, national president of the NFFE-IAM, added: “They deserve our respect, our support, and fair treatment. This event is a small way to show our appreciation for their dedication and service.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 03/26/2025 - 09:23
03/25/2025 - 5:30pm
One Job Should Be Enough: 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.
‘See You in Court’: Teachers Union Vows to Fight Trump's Education Department Order: “Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers, vowed to sue the administration if it moved forward with a mandate to obliterate the agency's limited federal role in the nation's schools.”
Protests Demanding No Privatization of Post Office Sweep the Nation: “‘Privatization shifts workers’ dollars from the public good to the corporate sector investor class,’ APWU President Mark Dimondstein said on March 10, announcing the upcoming events. ‘It’s not just us, but there’s a fast and furious effort’ by Trump and his handler, Musk, ‘to hollow out the government for enriching billionaires and launching a coup.’”
We Need to Protect Workers from Dangerous ‘Bossware’ Technology: “In an era where the lines between work and personal life are increasingly blurred, the rise of new worker surveillance and control technologies is creating a dystopian reality that demands urgent attention from policymakers. Legislation filed on Beacon Hill, An Act Fostering Artificial Intelligence Responsibility, known as the FAIR Act, would provide Massachusetts workers with much-needed protection against reckless and harmful uses of ‘bossware’ technologies. Employers use these electronic and algorithmic decision systems to automate managerial functions, including determining whether workers get a job, tracking workers’ locations and communications throughout—and sometimes even after—the workday, and deciding how much workers get paid and whether they get promoted, demoted, or fired.”
Hollywood Actors Take the Fight Against AI to Sacramento: “The bill is sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and co-sponsored by the Creative Artists Agency and the National Association of Voice Actors. Joely Fisher, SAG-AFTRA secretary-treasurer and chair of its government affairs and public policy committee, said the fight over AI was at the heart of the union’s strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers that ran 118 days in 2023. The language about AI in the contract wasn’t approved until the 11th hour, she said, ‘always knowing that we needed legislation to enforce some of the things that we talked about and our studio partners agreed to.’”
Everett Kelley: ‘As a Poor-Performing Probationary Employee, Elon Musk Must Go’: “Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been on the job for less than two months, but the early results are nothing short of disastrous. These include a series of airplane safety incidents, cancelled appointments at the VA, long lines outside national parks, and abandoned medical research. Through it all, there is an overriding sense that the world's richest man is using his power over President Donald Trump to steal from the public coffers and enrich himself.”
Nevada’s Grad Student Workforce Pushes for Collective Bargaining Rights: “Graduate students employed within the Nevada System of Higher Education say they have little recourse when dealing with hostile work environments, low pay, demanding workloads, and financial instability. Riley Jones, a PhD student studying life sciences at UNLV, said the current system leaves graduate workers at the whims of ‘our advisers, departments, and graduate colleges to support us when one demand, one responsibility, one job conflicts with another.’”
Washington Bill Aims to Extend Unemployment Benefits to Workers on Strike: “Sandee Flores had never been on strike before. But in October 2024, she and her co-workers at the DoubleTree Seattle Airport walked off the job, demanding better wages. Her father had been a union member too, and now she was the one holding the picket line. The strike lasted a week—short enough that Flores didn’t face serious financial hardship. But she saw the strain it put on many of her co-workers. Even a few days without pay meant tough choices: stretching every dollar, leaning on family, or turning to strike funds.”
‘One Job Should Be Enough’: How 9,000 Grocery Workers Are Banding Together in Minnesota: “Monica Duque never knows how many hours she is going to get in a given week. She works at the Jerry’s Cub Foods on East Lake Street at the front of the store, helping customers, overseeing cashiering, and running online shopping. She finds out her hours, she explains, “when the schedule is posted on Friday, for the week after next.’ ‘There is no consistency,’ says the 24-year-old, which makes it hard to save money, or plan much for the future. She makes a little over $20 an hour, and even being cut 10 hours in a week can have a big impact on her finances. ‘I can do morning one day then night shift the next day. I go from eight-hour days to barely getting seven-hour days. I can never really rely on how much money I’m going to make.’”
Colorado Would Become Second State to Limit When Workers Can Be Fired Under Union-Backed Ballot Measure: “Colorado would become the second ‘just-cause employment’ state in the U.S. should a measure proposed by state union leaders make the 2026 ballot and pass. Initiative 43 would prohibit companies with more than eight employees from firing or suspending a worker without just cause, which is defined in the measure as substandard performance, material neglect, repeated policy violation and gross insubordination. Conviction of a crime of ‘moral turpitude’—like murder, kidnapping and sexual assault—and an employer’s financial instability would also constitute just cause under the initiative. The proposal was filed by Dennis Dougherty, who leads the AFL-CIO in Colorado, and True Apodaca, political director at SEIU Local 105.”
Hawaiian Airlines Reaches Tentative Agreement with Flight Attendants on Contract Extension: “Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants reached a major milestone recently. The carrier, which was just recently acquired by Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, reached a tentative agreement with its flight attendant union for a contract extension. This new agreement, which will last for several years, comes with a variety of improved benefits for Hawaiian cabin crew. While the airline's flight attendants have not yet voted on the contract, each side seems optimistic regarding the agreement.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/24/2025 - 10:46
03/25/2025 - 11:00am
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Skidmore Faculty Ratifies 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.
Faculty represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 200United at Skidmore College unanimously voted to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement (CBA) last week.
The new agreement between Skidmore Faculty Forward and the private liberal arts school covers full- and part-time faculty who are not on the tenure track. The core bargaining goal for members was longer renewable appointments—before the CBA, they worked on short contracts that lasted one to three years and then were terminated with no guarantee of being rehired. Fixing this serial job insecurity was a major highlight of the deal, in addition to increased salary minimums, full parental leave and more.
“We are elated that our first collective bargaining agreement has been ratified,” the union said in a statement. “We are incredibly proud of the hard work and thankful for the contributions, big and small, from so many of our colleagues and fellow union members. This contract would not be the life-changing and uplifting document that it is without their support. Thank you to the entire campus community for your support over the years. Together, we won huge gains and improvements in our working conditions and ultimately in our students’ learning conditions.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 03/25/2025 - 09:58
03/25/2025 - 11:00am
Women's History Month Profiles: Deborah Toussant
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 Deborah Toussant of AFGE.
Deborah Toussant is the secretary-treasurer of AFGE Local 2094, the national women’s advisory coordinator of AFGE District 2 and the vice chair of AFGE’s National Human Rights Committee. She worked for the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in New York City for more than 34 years until she retired in 2019. She has continued her service and activism with AFGE and in her Harlem community. Toussant is a proud union woman who is willing to speak up for the voiceless and fight for civil, human, women’s and workers’ rights.
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 03/25/2025 - 09:59
Tags:
Women's History Month
03/24/2025 - 10:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: WGAE Announces Voluntary Recognition of Staff Union by Courier
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 Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement for the voluntary recognition of Courier’s staff union. The 50-member bargaining unit includes reporters, editors, designers and social media managers.
“We are pleased that COURIER has opted to voluntarily recognize our union at this crucial time when media workers everywhere are fighting for stronger protections against layoffs and better pay,” said the Courier United Organizing Committee. “We look forward to negotiating a strong contract that empowers every worker at COURIER as we navigate the ongoing transformation of our industry.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/24/2025 - 09:49
Tags:
Organizing
03/24/2025 - 3:30pm
Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: AFGE
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 AFGE.
Name of Union: American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
Mission:Â For the purpose of promoting unity of action in all matters affecting the mutual interests of government civilian employees in general, all other persons providing their personal service indirectly to the U.S. government and for the improvement of government service.
Current Leadership of Union: Everett Kelley is currently serving his third term as AFGE’s national president. He began his first term of service as national president in February 2020, was elected to another term during the 42nd National Convention in June 2022, and was re-elected during the 43rd National Convention in August 2024. He has been a member of AFGE since 1981. He worked at Anniston Army Depot and retired from there after 30 years of service. Eric Bunn Sr. serves as national secretary-treasurer and Kendrick Roberson serves as national vice president for women and fair practices.
Current Number of Members:Â More than 820,000.
Members Work as: Nurses, correctional officers, doctors, Social Security professionals, TSA agents, law enforcement officers, park rangers and much more. AFGE represents almost every type of federal employee, and the agencies with the highest memberships are the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Industries Represented: Members work for the federal government or the government of the District of Columbia.
History: AFGE formed in 1932, during the depths of the Great Depression. Federal employees were refused most of the rights they have today. Politicians had crippled the civil service, and AFGE’s founding members came together in opposition to these attacks. In the decades leading up to World War II, new chapters of the union began to form across the country. In the 1940s and ’50s, AFGE fought for and won a pay raise of nearly 16%, the largest increase for the federal government workforce in the country’s history. The union also won within-grade pay increases, transportation allowances, and payment for accrued annual leave, overtime, and night and holiday work. Finally, in 1962, federal workers secured the right to collectively bargain when President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 10988. Since then, AFGE has continued to fight for government workers and has won real bargaining rights and extended the dignity of a union contract to hundreds of thousands of Americans. Check out AFGE’s Labor History Timeline to learn more.
Current Campaigns: AFGE Strong works hard to keep members informed about the actions of the new presidential administration and to ensure our leaders have the resources to act. In related efforts, AFGE is working to Stop Project 2025. AFGE is fighting to protect the rights of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers; protect correctional officers; and protect official time for federal employees. AFGE offers members training and educational resources. It seeks to promote Health and Safety among members.
Community Efforts: The Women’s and Fair Practices Department, through education and training, member organizing and mobilization, legislative and political action, and representation through litigation, works with the union’s National Human Rights Committee to advance issues that impact AFGE members, their families, and their communities, including: federal and D.C. government workers’ rights, women’s rights and gender equity, racial justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, disability rights, voting rights, mental health and wellness, supporting working parents and families, domestic violence, conflict resolution and sexual harassment. AFGE is part of AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council whose mission is to inform, organize and mobilize union veterans. AFGE Y.O.U.N.G. seeks to mobilize young union members to become leaders for social change. HISCO supports professional advancement, leadership development and educational opportunities for AFGE members of Latino and Hispanic origin. The AFGE Retirees program advocates for a productive, healthy and secure retirement. AFGE Stewards are working people who have volunteered to connect members with their union. AFGE Pride is a national program designed to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and others within the pride spectrum (LGBTQIA+) membership. AFGE B.L.A.C.K., or Black Leaders Advancing Change and Knowledge, exists to increase solidarity in AFGE by highlighting the issues specifically impacting our Black members. AFGE A.P.O.W.E.R., or Asian Pacific Organized Workers Empowering Representation, is here to advance the mission of diversity, equity and inclusion of all AFGE members, providing assistance and direct service to all AFGE members who identify as Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian, and their allies. AFGE publishes The Government Standard, The WFP Quarterly and AFGE News. AFGE sells merchandise in its online store.
Learn More: Website, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/24/2025 - 12:09
