Making Life a Little Easier: 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.

Bill Calling for Time and a Half Pay on Federal Holidays Gains Rail Union Support: “Several rail unions are among organizations that have announced support for the Holiday Pay Act, a bill introduced last week by U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) that would require employers to pay time and a half for working federal holidays. ‘Many Americans are working holidays because they need the money and giving up precious time with family and loved ones to do so,’ Gallego said in a press release. ‘They deserve to be fairly compensated for their sacrifice. The Holiday Pay Act ensures hardworking people are rewarded for the extra hours they put in—raising paychecks and making life a little easier for those who keep our country running.’”

New Jersey Unions Create a Coalition Focused on Decreasing Energy Costs and Creating Solar Jobs: “‘This is an opportunity for us to work together and tackle head-on one of the most pressing issues facing our state today,’ said Charlie Wowkanech, president of both the New Jersey AFL-CIO and Climate Jobs NJ. ‘We need to act quickly, and state generation is key to solving our problems.’”

AFL-CIO Remembers Legendary Civil Rights Leader, the Rev. Jesse Jackson: “America’s unions mourn the passing of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering moral force whose lifelong commitment to justice reshaped both the labor and civil rights movements and left a lasting mark on the nation. Jackson was a full-time organizer for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference before being appointed national director of Operation Breadbasket by his mentor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In this role, Jackson led boycotts and campaigns that secured thousands of new jobs for Black workers. His two presidential campaigns would break barriers and expand the political imagination of our country. Through Operation PUSH and the National Rainbow Coalition—later united as Rainbow PUSH Coalition—he brought communities together with a simple, powerful truth: economic justice and civil rights are inseparable.”

U.S. Union Membership Soared to 16-Year High in 2025 Despite Trump Assault: “The number of workers covered under union contracts increased to a 16-year high in 2025, despite ongoing attempts by the Trump administration to wipe out collective bargaining agreements for tens of thousands of federal workers, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 16.5 million workers were covered by a union contract in 2025, up from 16 million in 2024 and the highest level since 2009. The increase stems from workers joining unions as members—14.7 million U.S. workers were union members in 2025, up from 14.2 million workers in 2024. The percentage of all workers in the U.S. covered by a union contracts ticked up to 11.2% in 2025, compared with 11.1% in 2024. Union membership increased from 9.9% in 2024 to 10% in 2025.”

Graduate Student Workers at Penn Reach a Tentative Agreement, Avoiding a Strike: “Penn’s graduate student workers have reached a tentative agreement on a first union contract, averting a strike. The two-year tentative agreement includes increases to wages among other benefits. ‘I am so proud of what we were able to accomplish with this contract,’ Clara Abbott, a Ph.D. candidate in literary studies and member of the bargaining committee said in a statement. ‘We won a historic contract that enshrines gains for grad workers.’”

Florida Bill Targeting Unions Could Be Unconstitutional, Staff Analysis Warns: “A new proposal from Florida lawmakers that would make it harder for most public employees to form or retain a union poses several constitutionality concerns, according to a staff analysis from the Florida Senate. Namely, the analysis warns the bill (SB 1296) could infringe on Florida workers’ collective bargaining rights, which are enshrined in the state Constitution. It could also run afoul of the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause and free speech rights.”

Union Station Homeless Services Staff Vote to Unionize, Join SEIU Local 721: “Staff at Union Station Homeless Services, the Pasadena-based nonprofit that serves as the San Gabriel Valley’s largest agency for the unhoused, voted Thursday to unionize with the Service Employees International Union Local 721, according to both the union and the organization’s management. An independent arbitrator confirmed that a majority of the nonprofit’s nearly 200 employees had signed union authorization cards, the union said in a press release Thursday. CEO Katie Hill said the organization voluntarily recognized the union under a previously established neutrality agreement and would begin collective bargaining.”

Stop & Shop, Union Have Tentative Deal to 2030: “Stop & Shop supermarkets reached a tentative four-year agreement Thursday with five union locals representing a total of 28,500 workers in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Members meet Sunday for a ratification vote at locations across the three states. The local vote is in Chicopee. If approved, the contract will last until 2030.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 02/20/2026 - 13:19

Black History Month Profiles: Christon Jones

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 Christon Jones of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

Christon Jones has worked as a carpenter on “Get Us Home” and is an IATSE Local 873 health and safety instructor trainer. Since joining IATSE in 2017, he has worked with the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals outreach program and helped some of his mentees join IATSE. Jones says being an IATSE member means building his wildest dreams, which have brought great artistry into his life. “My proudest career moment was seeing my name on the credits reel, it was a big ‘I’ve arrived’ moment.”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 02/24/2026 - 09:18

Tags: Black History Month