For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ workers who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Alyssa Goodstein of the Illinois AFL-CIO.

Alyssa Goodstein joined the Illinois AFL-CIO in 2022 after serving as LGBTQIA+ caucus director for Young Democrats of Illinois. A former UAW member while earning her degree at the University of California, Los Angeles, she views organized labor as a powerful force for workplace equality and LGBTQIA+ rights. At the state labor federation, Goodstein co-founded Pride At Work Illinois and helped organize the state’s first LGBTQIA+ and workers’ rights symposium, bringing together labor and advocacy leaders to strengthen protections for LGBTQIA+ workers across Illinois.

Tags: Pride

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.

Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL) workers have voted to form a union with Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6360.

One of the largest public library systems in the United States, MCPL covers three counties across the Kansas City metropolitan area. The new bargaining unit includes nearly 700 part-time and full-time librarians, early literacy associates, information technology staff, delivery services staff and other critical workers.

“From everyone that was there in the beginning four years ago to those that started supporting this week, we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of us,” said Kelli Mulligan Lindsey, an early literacy associate at MCPL Green Hills and MCPL Workers United-CWA Local 6360 member. “Together we can do anything, and together we can continue to make the library a place for everyone in our community.”

Tags: Organizing

For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ workers who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Miranda Schubert of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

Miranda Schubert did what is asked of many unionists—she ran for office! And she won. She represents Ward 6 on the Tucson City Council  and continues to be a member of United Campus Workers of Arizona, CWA Local 7065. She never fails to be a voice for the working class and will continue to advocate for labor and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Tags: Pride

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 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73 who work at Downers Grove (Illinois) Community High School District 99 (CSD99) have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement.

Staff in the Custodial, Maintenance and Grounds (CMG) department first organized with SEIU last year, motivated by concerns around outsourcing. Highlights of the deal include raises, a guaranteed uniform allotment, a guarantee of no outsourcing for the duration of the contract and more.

“When we got the news about being outsourced, with a strong support from teachers and staff, a large group of CMG personnel from the three schools decided it was time to Unionize,” said custodian Steve Elmer. “SEIU Local 73 has lifted a great weight off our shoulders, being a union will make us stronger and better than ever for future CSD99 CMG employees.”

“I never [thought] highly of unions before, but after going through our first bargaining contract with our union representative Shea Marshall, it has changed my mind about unions,” said maintenance worker Jesse Eliasson.

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:

IT'S ELECTION DAY!

Did you know that California law protects your right to take time off of work to go vote?

Under the law, you may take up to two hours off to vote without losing any pay.

Don't miss your chance to exercise your right to vote! https://t.co/KAN6yjKNdg to find… pic.twitter.com/DYNDUpye6e

— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) June 2, 2026

Florida AFL-CIO:

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

More than 3,500 Nevada state employees in administrative and clerical roles voted to join AFSCME Local 4041.

The new bargaining unit covers administrative assistants in all state agencies, departments, state colleges and universities, as well as other assistants, clerks and clerical staff. Once the Employee Management Relations Board certifies the election results, the state will have up to 60 days to begin contract negotiations.

“I am proud of my co-workers for coming together to organize our union. As admin assistants, we are the backbone of our offices—nothing happens without us. And we deserve the dignity and respect that comes with having a unified voice on the job,” said Maria Behic, an administrative assistant in Las Vegas. “We look forward to joining our AFSCME family in building our power in the workplace.”

Tags: Organizing

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

REI San Diego Store Votes to Form Union: Workers at REI’s San Diego store voted last week to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 135, making it the largest union-represented location for the retailer in the country. This victory for REI Union’s growing organizing efforts comes just days after the conclusion of a nationwide boycott of the company’s Anniversary Sale. More than 70,000 co-op members pledged not to shop and stood in solidarity with workers calling for the company to bargain in good faith. “It’s been a long road, but we all want to make REI the best version of itself that it can be, and that is what brought us to this moment,” said staff member Jae Michael. “We are the ones stewarding the values of this co-op every single day, especially when we cannot rely on executive leadership to do the same. With our union, we’ll have a say in the decisions that affect our jobs and our lives. When we first started to organize, I knew we were joining a nationwide movement to hold REI accountable to its green vests and co-op members. I’m beyond proud to be a part of the REI Union so we can achieve that mission together.”

Netflix Production Workers Ratify First Contract: Members of The Animation Guild (TAG), Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 839, who work at Netflix Animation Studios (NAS) have voted to ratify their first union contract. Feature production workers at the streaming platform approved the new deal with an overwhelming 89% casting ballots in favor. The agreement contains provisions establishing wage minimums, dismissal pay and critical workplace protections. “Since I started at NAS in 2019, production workers had undergone constant change, and the shifts in the industry made it clear that we needed to unionize,” production coordinator Thalia Nalapraya said. “It was a heartbreaking experience to see my colleagues laid off from projects without any safety net. Now that we have ratified our contract, I feel so proud and grateful—to the organizing committee who guided us through the Union vote, the Negotiations Committee for taking the seat at the table and setting the foundations for future negotiations, and the production workers at DreamWorks, Disney, Nickelodeon and others who unionized before us. We wouldn’t have gotten here without learning from their experiences.”

Seattle Hospitalists Vote to Join AFT, Make State History: Swedish Medical Group hospitalists have voted to join Northwest Medicine United, AFT Local 6552, making history as the first physicians in the Providence system to unionize in Washington. Swedish Medical Group is part of Providence Swedish, Providence’s health system in the western part of the state. Approximately 115 medical professionals across five campuses in the Seattle area participated in the union election. “Physicians at Swedish Medical Group are organizing because they want a stronger voice in the decisions that affect patient care, physician autonomy and the future of healthcare,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten in a social media post. “I'm proud to stand with these hospitalists as they work to protect quality care and physician autonomy.”

Nevada Administrative and Clerical Workers Join AFSCME: More than 3,500 Nevada state employees in administrative and clerical roles have voted to join AFSCME Local 4041. The new bargaining unit covers administrative assistants in all state agencies, departments, state colleges and universities, as well as other assistants, clerks and clerical staff. Once the Employee Management Relations Board certifies the election results, the state will have up to 60 days to begin contract negotiations. "I am proud of my co-workers for coming together to organize our union. As admin assistants, we are the backbone of our offices — nothing happens without us. And we deserve the dignity and respect that comes with having a unified voice on the job,” said Maria Behic, an administrative assistant in Las Vegas. “We look forward to joining our AFSCME family in building our power in the workplace.”

Weyerhaeuser Workers in Pacific Northwest Ratify Historic Four-Year Agreement: IAM Union (IAM) District W24 members who work for Weyerhaeuser have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement. The bargaining unit covers 1,160 workers at the timber company’s sawmills, trucking operations, export yards and logging camps across Washington and Oregon. Highlights of the deal include an 11% total wage increase over the life of the contract, stronger pension and retirement benefits, expanded bereavement leave and more. “Weyerhaeuser IAM members wanted key family and financial issues addressed in the contract,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “With a clear voice they achieved those goals with help from District W24, the Western Territory and the International. We’re proud of our entire Weyerhaeuser membership at District W24.” “Strength and power were with this negotiating committee during the whole process,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez. “The Committee told the company they needed to listen to the membership, and the ratified contract speaks clearly that those issues were heard.”

Tags: Organizing

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:

Applications are now open for Rialto West in New York, NY. This new affordable housing opportunity in Hell's Kitchen with 157 permanently affordable housing units will serve low- to moderate-income households. Sign up for a webinar on how to apply today: https://bit.ly/4396WB1

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— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) June 3, 2026 at 11:30 AM

AFSCME:

A new paid parental leave program for county workers in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, shows how the hard work of AFSCME Local 543 members pays off. They keep the local jail running and say the new policy will help alleviate chronic staffing shortages. https://t.co/yXmPalVjt7

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) June 2, 2026

Air Line Pilots Association:

"We cannot change what happened...but we have the opportunity to make changes from the lessons learned." Tim and Sheri Lilley give a heartfelt keynote in memory of their son, Honorary Capt. Sam Lilley. @famofflight5342 deserve action. #ALPA2026Summit pic.twitter.com/L28hxLjClB

— Air Line Pilots Association (@ALPAPilots) June 1, 2026

Alliance for Retired Americans:

For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ workers who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Mariela Duran of the Bricklayers (BAC).

“Being part of the BAC has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” Mariela Duran said. “From day one, I have always been treated with respect, professionalism, and equality. I’ve never felt excluded or judged for being myself; instead, I’ve been given opportunities to grow, learn, and succeed in every aspect of my journey. The BAC has shown me that inclusion is not just something we talk about—it’s something we truly practice every day.”

Tags: Pride

For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ workers who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States.

Here's who we've featured so far:

• Ashley Page of AFGE
• Eliana Holgate of AFSCME

Tags: Pride