02/22/2025 - 2:00pm
Black History Month Profiles: Clint Walker
For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Clint Walker of the Heat and Frost Insulators (HFIU).
Clint Walker has been a dedicated member of the insulation industry for more than 40 years, bringing a wealth of experience and craftsmanship to the trade. Before entering the field, he served five years in the U.S. Air Force, learning a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence. Walker remains an active tradesman, continuing to contribute his skills and knowledge to the industry. His family holds a proud legacy in the trade, as his brother was the first African American member of the local. With decades of experience and a deep-rooted passion for the craft, Walker continues to set a high standard in his field.
Kenneth Quinnell
Sat, 02/22/2025 - 09:38
02/22/2025 - 2:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: ATU Workers Finalize New Labor Agreement with Lane Transit District; Secure Raises
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 Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757 secured a new labor contract this week with the Lane Transit District (LTD) in Oregon. ATU and LTD both approved the contract unanimously. The agreement covers LTD's Facilities Department, which helps maintain LTD’s transportation infrastructure. The new contract includes immediate wage increases, annual wage increases on a step-based progression system, and a comprehensive benefits package for LTD Facilities Department workers and their dependents.
"Securing this first union contract is a significant victory for our new members,” said Bill Bradley, ATU Local 757’s executive board officer. “Over the next three years, this agreement will provide improved wages and the job security that comes with a strong ATU union contract. When labor and management work together in good faith, we create a stronger, more sustainable workforce for the future."
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 02/21/2025 - 09:20
02/21/2025 - 1:00pm
Black History Month Profiles: Lesa Terry
For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Lesa Terry of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM).
Straddling genres has given Lesa Terry a deeper appreciation of her own culture, as a woman of color. “When I was learning the violin, there was something of my heritage that I was leaving behind,” she said. “Focusing on what was missing made me a much stronger player, and it made me a better teacher.” Terry joined AFM when she was in her 20s. She served on AFM Local 47's board in the early 2000s. “It was an opportunity to have a voice in my own way, and to develop an ability to express myself with a strong conviction of what I believed in and how I could help.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 02/21/2025 - 09:21
02/21/2025 - 1:00pm
I Stand With Workers, Not Billionaires: 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 (formerly Twitter).
Alaska AFL-CIO:
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:
Colorado AFL-CIO:
Connecticut AFL-CIO:
Florida AFL-CIO:
Illinois AFL-CIO:
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO:
Maine AFL-CIO:
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
Michigan State AFL-CIO:
02/21/2025 - 1:00pm
Making Their Voices Heard Loud and Clear: 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:
Alliance for Retired Americans:
Amalgamated Transit Union:
American Federation of Teachers:
American Postal Workers Union:
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:
Boilermakers:
02/20/2025 - 12:00pm
Black History Month Profiles: Ralphe Armstrong
For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Ralphe Armstrong of American Federation of Musicians (AFM).
Ralphe Armstrong started playing in Detroit clubs at the age of 13. One of his first gigs was at a now-demolished jazz club called the Latin Quarter Theater. “I had no idea it was a union house,” he said. And that was when his mom stepped in. “Detroit is and always was a union town. My dad was in the UAW. I come from the era when if you wanted to be in the big time, you had to join the AFM....I’ve had so many good things happen to me because I was a union member, especially doing so much TV work and recordings. But the federation looks after my interests just as much as it looks after those who have other jobs and maybe just play music for fun, or gig to make some extra money.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/20/2025 - 09:35
Tags:
Black History Month
02/20/2025 - 12:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Ski Patrol Union Reaches Tentative Agreement with Keystone Ski Resort
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 United Professional Ski Patrols of America (UPSPA), Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7781, who work at Keystone Resort have reached a tentative agreement (TA) on their first contract with Vail Resorts.
Organized under the name Keystone Ski Patrol (KSP) Union, workers have been in negotiations with the largest resort operator in North America since September 2024. Over the course of bargaining, patrollers have staged a protest and filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board.
“Keystone Resort and the Keystone Ski Patrol Union are pleased to announce that they have reached a new tentative agreement through May 31, 2027,” the union and management said in a joint statement. “Together, the resort and union are looking forward to a great rest of the season.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/20/2025 - 09:27
02/19/2025 - 6:00pm
We Proudly Celebrate Black History Month
February is Black History Month. And while we celebrate Black labor leaders and union members, both past and present, who have advanced real change, we won’t ignore the moment we find ourselves in right now.
It already has been an extraordinarily difficult year for people of color, as the White House rolls back critical initiatives to protect diversity and inclusion, erases hard-fought civil rights protections, and fires Black federal workers who keep our country running. These attacks on our families and communities place an even heavier weight on the ongoing fight to end systemic racism and achieve economic justice.
But there is a reason that the civil rights movement and labor movement rose together at the same time a generation ago. Together, we will not despair—we will stand in our power and our agency.
As the renowned labor leader Bayard Rustin once said, “To be afraid is to behave as if the truth were not true.” And we know our truth.
This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the founding of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), the first Black labor union in America to become part of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). We recall BSCP members’ courage, and use it as we work to build a country that ensures dignity for all working people.
We’re proudly highlighting Black workers this month who continue to stand in the tradition of activism in the labor movement. See our Black History Month profiles we’ve featured on our blog so far.
Together, we will advance the march toward progress.
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/19/2025 - 11:04
Tags:
Black History Month
02/19/2025 - 12:00pm
Black History Month Profiles: Joe Diggs
For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Joe Diggs of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and National Treasury Employees Union, AFGE.
Joe Diggs joined CWA Local 2300 in 1985 and went on to become a steward at Local 2300 and later CWA Local 2323. During his 12 years of working for the phone company, he earned his bachelor’s degree in labor relations from the University of Maryland. After 12 years, four strikes and two winning organizing campaigns, Diggs left to work for the National Treasury Employees Union. Then he joined AFGE, where he worked for 25 years. During that time, Diggs served CWA Local 2385 as a staff representative and contract negotiator. Diggs volunteered to start a chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute in Phoenix.
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/19/2025 - 09:34
02/19/2025 - 12:00pm
Fighting Back Against DOGE Firings
Federal workers are the heart of our government, ensuring that critical services like Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits run smoothly. And with 85% of federal workers living outside the Washington, D.C., metro area, they’re also our friends, family members, and neighbors all across the country.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has put thousands of good, hardworking federal workers out of a job this week—jeopardizing the programs we all depend on.
The most powerful thing you can do right now is to put a face to the DOGE’s reckless cuts. If you are a worker, or the friend or family member of a worker affected by the DOGE, we want to hear more about who you are, how you’ve helped our country, and how the DOGE is impacting you.
You can share your story anonymously or connect with us to help get your story out for everyone to hear. Get started now: go.aflcio.org/worker-story.
Unions will fight for working people every step of the way, with every tool in our toolbox. But you have power, too. Thank you for standing shoulder to shoulder with the hardworking Americans who make our country run.
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 02/18/2025 - 11:36
Tags:
Federal workers
