Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Medical School Residents at Western Michigan University Vote to Unionize

Working people across the United States have stepped 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.

Residents at Western Michigan University’s Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine voted to unionize with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Over 90% of residents voted for the union. The primary concerns the workers are seeking to address are safety conditions and compensation.

“We essentially sign a contract before we even know where we’re going just by entering the match system, saying we’re going to work at a place for 3 to 5 years. And we can’t leave our job once we get there if we’re not satisfied with the conditions or the pay. We don’t really have much of an ability to negotiate,” said resident physician in psychiatry Jamil Khondker.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 03/27/2024 - 10:17

Women's History Month Profiles: Jessica Ackler

This year, 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 Jessica Ackler of the Heat and Frost Insulators (HFIU).

Jessica Ackler, a 16-year member of HFIU Local 14, embodies the spirit of resilience and service as a U.S. Army veteran, a devoted mother of three and a trailblazer in her union. Both of her grandfathers and her father were insulators and Ackler carries on the family legacy with pride and dedication. Her marriage to a fellow insulator reflects a shared commitment to hard work and strong union ethics. Ackler's unwavering determination, coupled with her passion for empowering women in traditionally male-dominated industries, serves as a beacon of inspiration and advocacy not only for her fellow union members, but for women everywhere. 

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 03/27/2024 - 10:19

Tags: Women's History Month

Women's History Month Profiles: Addie Jewell Britt

For Women's History Month, BCTGM member Addie Britt talks about how joining the labor movement has improved her life.

Watch this video to hear her story:

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/26/2024 - 15:23

Tags: Women's History Month

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Florida Paramedics Win Never Quit Awards for Rescuing Tornado Victims

Working people across the United States have stepped 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.

From AFSCME:

AFSCME members Heath Schmidt and Paul Tucker were in the Florida Panhandle on Jan. 9. The two paramedics, who work for UF Health ShandsCair in Gainesville, were off-duty and had traveled to the Panama City area, some 200 miles away from home, on union business.

It was 5 o’clock in the morning when their cell phones went off announcing a tornado warning. Soon the electricity went out. Then Tucker’s cell phone rang—it was one of their co-workers back in Gainesville.

“He’d heard that we were in the Panhandle area, and he told us that his son was in a campsite where a tornado had gone through and now he was trapped under the roof of his cabin, and he couldn’t get help,” Tucker said. “It turned out his son was only five miles away. I told him we would head there.”

Tucker and Schmidt knew that what they were about to do was risky because the storms were still coming.

“We knew we could get ourselves into a bad situation,” Schmidt said. “When you’re working with your department and you need assistance, you always know there’s someone coming behind you. But in this case, we were on our own.”

As they drove out there, “There were power lines all over the ground, and we came across a washed-out bridge,” Tucker recalled. “What we walked into was mind-blowing: buildings collapsed, RVs flipped over. It looked like a war zone.”

They arrived at the campsite as their colleague’s son was being loaded for transport to a hospital—he had some pretty bad lacerations to his legs, Tucker said. Then he and Schmidt talked to the first responders who had done a primary search of the area.

“Paul and I decided to do a secondary search, and we ended up finding two people who were injured inside RVs that had rolled over from the tornado,” Schmidt said. “They were able to holler back and say they were injured. And we were able to assist them.”

For their service to their community, Schmidt and Tucker, who are vice president and president, respectively, of Local 260 (AFSCME Florida), are winners of our union’s Never Quit Service Award, which recognizes public service workers who go above and beyond the call of duty to make their communities better.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/26/2024 - 10:08

Women's History Month Profiles: Blayne Joseph

This year, 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 Blayne Joseph of the Laborers (LIUNA).

Balancing a Laborers apprenticeship with caring for her children, Blayne Joseph graduated top of her class in pipeline training and became the first female stringing foreman on the Alaska North Slope. She is a true trailblazer, breaking barriers and promoting gender equality in traditionally male-dominated professions.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/26/2024 - 10:28

Tags: Women's History Month

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Celebrating CLUW's 50th Anniversary

Working people across the United States have stepped 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.

It's CLUW's 50th anniversary! Founded March 24, 1974, the Coalition of Labor Union Women is America's only national organization for union women.

Watch this video to learn more:

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/25/2024 - 10:02

Women's History Month Profiles: Judy Beard

This year, 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 Judy Beard of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU).

Judy Beard is a founding member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) and she currently serves as the organization's treasurer. She is the director of the political department of APWU. She is also a founding member of APWU's women's committee, Post Office Women for Equal Rights (POWER). She teaches fiduciary responsibilities for both CLUW and women's programs around the country.

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/25/2024 - 10:13

Tags: Women's History Month

Women's History Month Profiles: Teresa D'Asaro

This year, 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 Teresa D'Asaro of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW).

Teresa D’Asaro is a fourth-generation union member and recent retiree from UFCW Local 99. D'Asaro started in the labor movement in 1994, working at a Smith’s grocery store. After becoming a shop steward, D'Asaro was recruited to work for her union as a special project union representative signing up new members to join Local 99. In 1997, she was hired as a union representative and, over 27 years, she worked as a field coordinator, field director and community outreach director. Following her retirement in 2023, D'Asaro has continued to be a champion for working Arizonans through her role on the board of the UFCW Women’s Network and as co-chair of the Maricopa Area Labor Federation. 

Kenneth Quinnell Sun, 03/24/2024 - 09:57

Tags: Women's History Month

Women's History Month Profiles: Alana Schaeffer

This year, 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 Alana Schaeffer of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA).

In 2020, UA Local 788 member Alana Schaeffer of Kittery, Maine, became the first woman elected president of the Metal Trades Council, an association of a dozen unions representing 3,000 employees across 10 trades at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She and her members are currently working on passing state legislation to allow federal employees to qualify for state-backed, no-interest loans when they are furloughed or forced to work without pay during a federal government shutdown.

Kenneth Quinnell Sat, 03/23/2024 - 09:57

Tags: Women's History Month

When Workers Organize and Fight It Pays Off: 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.

Georgia Republicans Pass Bill Punishing Union-Friendly Employers: “Liz Shuler, the president of the AFL-CIO labor federation, took to X on Wednesday to call the bill ‘appalling,’ saying that it ‘attacks the fundamental freedoms’ of both workers and employers. She also said that it violates ‘long-held precedent’ under the National Labor Relations Act.”

Lawmakers Propose a New Federal Office to Regulate Workplace Surveillance Tech: “A pair of House Democrats have introduced legislation that would require employers to be more transparent about their use of surveillance technologies to monitor their workers. The bill, known as the Stop Spying Bosses Act, was introduced on March 15 by Reps. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., and Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., and would ‘prohibit, or require disclosure of, the surveillance, monitoring and collection of certain worker data by employers.’ The legislation has been endorsed by several worker advocacy organizations and unions, including the Communications Workers of America and the AFL-CIO.”

New Wage Data Shows When Workers Organize and Fight 'It Pays Off—Literally': “A new analysis shows that unionized workers across the United States secured historic wage increases under contracts negotiated last year, further demonstrating the power of collective bargaining. According to Bloomberg Law, 2023 union contracts ‘gave workers an average first-year wage increase of 6.6%’—the highest raise since at least 1988. ‘With signing bonuses and other lump-sum payments added to the calculations,’ the outlet added, ‘2023's average first-year wage increase was 7.3%, also a record high, according to Bloomberg Law's latest Quarterly Union Wage Data report.’ The AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the U.S., highlighted the findings on social media Thursday, writing, ‘When we fight together, it pays off—literally.’”

EPA Is Banning the Import and Use of Asbestos: “In a separate release, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said the rule ‘will undoubtedly save lives and prevent countless exposures that endanger working families.’ Shuler added: ‘This rule is a landmark protection for workers, banning and phasing out all current uses and imports of chrysotile asbestos, and eliminating these exposures in workplaces and throughout the supply chain.’ EPA published a proposed rule to ban the use of chrysotile asbestos in April 2022.”

Biden Wins United Steelworkers Union Endorsement After Opposing U.S. Steel Sale to Nippon: “Less than a week after President Joe Biden came out in opposition of the planned sale of U.S. Steel to Japanese-based Nippon Steel Corporation, the company’s union has endorsed his 2024 reelection bid. ‘With his track record of supporting working people, we're eager for his administration's continued progress on our core issues,’ the union announced in a Tweet Wednesday. The United Steelworkers union, which also backed Biden in 2020, represents 850,000 workers in steel mills, manufacturing plants, mines, rubber plants and railyards as well as nursing homes, legal clinics, social agencies, call centers and credit unions, among other sectors.”

There's a Big Wealth Gap Between Union and Nonunion Workers: “There's a massive wealth gap between workers in unions and nonunionized workers, across education levels, finds a new analysis from the liberal think tank Center for American Progress shared first with Axios. Why it matters: Typically, unionized workers earn about 10%-20% more than their nonunion peers, but these wealth gaps are far wider, an indication that the benefits of union membership accrue to workers over time.”

OPM’s Labor-Management Forum Guidance Charts New Ground for Union Policies: “The Office of Personnel Management last week issued new guidance aimed at helping federal agencies reinstitute forums for management and federal employee unions to work collaboratively to solve problems and, for the first time, measure how the initiative affects employee engagement and agency mission fulfillment. Earlier this month, President Biden signed an executive order restoring labor-management partnerships at federal agencies, rescinding a Trump-era edict banning the practice, as well as encouraging agencies to expand the use of registered apprenticeship programs to boost recruitment of young jobseekers into public service.”

Man of Steel: “You’d think it would be hard for Biden to top his full-on embrace of the UAW and their stunningly successful strike against the Big Three automakers. But Biden has just done it by declaring that he opposes the takeover by Japan’s Nippon Steel of U.S. Steel. The U.S. needs to ‘maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers,’ Biden declared, adding: ‘U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated.’”

Boeing Labor Contract Is Opportunity for Overdue Culture Change: “You know a company is in deep trouble when comedians and stock analysts take similar jabs. With almost every day bringing more negative headlines about the quality and airworthiness of its products, Boeing is both a punchline and a cautionary tale. In response, the company has made a series of moves to reassure nervous airline customers, investors and the flying public. Much of it has been deemed too little, too late.”

VW Workers Seek Union Vote at Tennessee Plant for Third Time: “Volkswagen employees in Tennessee who are hoping to join the United Automobile Workers asked a federal agency on Monday to hold an election, a key step toward the union’s longtime goal of organizing nonunion factories across the South. With the union’s backing, Volkswagen workers filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board asking for a vote on UAW representation, saying that more than 70% of the 4,000 eligible workers at the plant had signed cards supporting the union. ‘Today, we are one step closer to making a good job at Volkswagen into a great career,’ Isaac Meadows, an assembly worker at the plant, said in a statement.”

Auto Workers Are Unionizing at Harvard University: “The United Auto Workers are unionizing at Harvard, or, to be precise, among the prestigious and influential university’s non-tenure-track research and teaching employees. ‘In a miraculous come from behind win we @HAWorkers have our elections in early April!! Totally thrilled to be able to VOTE YES and get to bargaining the first historic contract for HLS clinical workers,’ tweeted law school worker Rebecca Greening, one of the lead organizers of the drive.”

Regional Labor, Energy Leaders Call for Union-Powered Offshore Wind Advancements: “In just over 10 days, this coalition ‘will be closing bids on a massive, 6-gigawatt offshore wind proposal,’ said Patrick Crowley, secretary-treasurer for the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, calling this action ‘a massive step forward’ in a national initiative to create 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030. ‘In southern New England, we were the home of the nation’s first Industrial Revolution,’ Crowley said—a movement that gave rise to rapid mechanical and manufacturing advancements, but at the cost of ‘massive exploitation of workers and the environment.’ With offshore wind, Crowley continued, the northeast now has an opportunity to once again lead the nation, but without these past failures. ‘This time, we’re going to get it right,’ Crowley continued. ‘It’s going to be worker-led and committed to healing the environment.’ Crowley was joined by Michael Sabitoni, general secretary treasurer of the Laborers’ International Union of North America and president of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council; Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO; and other Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut officials and workers. The industry has endured some announcements over the past year, with Shuler calling last year ‘challenging…for offshore wind.’”

Kansas City Nurses Kick Off Contract Talks Saying They’re Prepared to Strike: “About 1,000 nurses at the two hospitals are working under a contract that will expire May 31. Their union, National Nurses United (NNU), said 150 nurses left jobs at Research last year, while 89 left Menorah. The union wants HCA to improve nurse retention and schedule more nurses to work each shift. The union said nurses are ‘prepared to make demands for their new agreements that will improve patient care by addressing critical issues with staffing and safety, and services at their hospitals.’”

Hormel Workers Picket Central Iowa Plant After Union Unanimously Rejects First Offer: “Hormel workers in Knoxville displayed their frustration with ongoing contract talks by picketing the plant there Thursday, carrying signs with slogans such as ‘We Keep Hormel Running.’ Negotiations between United Food and Commercial Workers Local 431 and the company will resume next week, said Mark McRoberts, a business agent with the union. If a deal isn’t reached then, McRoberts said, the union is prepared for a strike at the Marion County facility, one of Knoxville's largest employers.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 03/22/2024 - 10:14