Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Malia Aperto

For Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Malia Aperto of the Laborers (LIUNA).

“After a few minimum wage jobs, working with the Laborers was a dream come true. I didn’t know all the work my father had me doing would land me here,” Malia Aperto said. “This is fulfilling work. I started as a general laborer, moved to abatement, and now work in traffic control. I’ve been granted opportunities I probably wouldn’t have anywhere else. I’m enjoying the security and loving the benefits of being a Laborer.”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/19/2026 - 10:39

Investments Into Good Jobs in the South: 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.

We Have the Power to Turn Manufacturing Investments Into Good Jobs in the South: “During the Biden administration, new manufacturing investments—particularly in clean energy sectors—began to pour into the South. Although money has slowed under President Trump, new projects continue to be announced. In January, Meta and Corning announced a $6 billion agreement to expand manufacturing across North Carolina to support the rapid buildout of data centers. In March, Create Energy, which is focused on renewable energy infrastructure, announced an expansion in Middle Tennessee.”

St. Louis ‘Post-Harvest’ Cannabis Workers Win Right to Unionize, NLRB Rules: “The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled that St. Louis ‘post-harvest’ cannabis workers at BeLeaf Medical’s Sinse cultivation facility here have the right to unionize, setting a national precedent. Workers at the facility tried to organize with UFCW Local 655 two years ago, and the owners have been fighting it ever since, arguing that the employees who process the marijuana don’t have the right to unionize because they’re considered agricultural workers.”

Philz Coffee United Joins UFCW 5: “Philz Coffee United, the union representing some workers at Philz, announced Tuesday that they’re now affiliating with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5, the region’s largest private sector union. In a post on Instagram, Philz Coffee United cited improved wages, scheduling, benefits, and working conditions as focuses of their negotiations with Philz management. UFCW Local 5 also represents workers at Highwire, Verve, Peerless, and Cat and Cloud, as well as employees of large grocers, including Safeway and Vons.”

Chico's Firefighters to Host 3rd Annual Golf Tournament for Charity: “Golf enthusiasts in Chico will have a chance to support future firefighters this summer as Chico Firefighters IAFF Local 2734 hosts its third annual golf tournament. The tournament is scheduled for Monday, June 1, at Canyon Oaks Country Club. The event is a four-person scramble and costs around $700 per team, including green fees, lunch, dinner and prizes. All proceeds will benefit the Captain Andrews Scholarship Endowment Fund, established in 2021 to continue his legacy. The scholarship supports newly graduated cadets of the Butte College Fire Academy.”

U.S. Workers Overwhelmingly Support Union-Backed Policies on AI, Poll Says: “‘These results make it clear: our Workers First Initiative on AI is not just a set of principles, but a mandate to deliver,’ said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, in a statement on the poll results. ‘The vast majority of America’s workers agree on how to move forward on AI and who they trust to do it, and it’s not Democrats, Republicans, Big Tech, or their employers—it’s the labor movement.’”

AFL-CIO to FIFA: ‘Keep ICE Out of World Cup Host Cities’ to Protect Workers: “AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler on Monday urged leaders of world soccer’s governing body to protect workers by keeping federal immigration enforcement agents away from cities and venues hosting the upcoming International Federation of Association Football Men’s World Cup tournament. ‘As we approach the final preparations for the World Cup and workers begin readying stadiums and communities for an influx of visitors, several of our affiliate unions have raised grave concerns over FIFA’s engagement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),’ Shuler wrote in a letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and 2026 World Cup chief strategy and planning officer Amy Hopfinger.”

Graduate Student Union at University of Rochester Joins Forces with Other Workers: “Unions and workers are teaming up at the region’s biggest employer. Workers, including members of the University of Rochester’s graduate student labor union, announced the formation of the ‘UR Labor Coalition’ Monday. The coalition is made up of multiple unions representing UR workers. They’ll support each other as they work toward collective bargaining contracts with the university. The Graduate Labor Union in particular says it needs support to achieve recognition from the university. ‘Graduate workers are an essential part of what the university does. They’re here as students to get master’s and doctoral degrees but they’re also essential to our research and our teaching and they deserve a voice in their working conditions,’ said Michael Scott, a professor at URochester.”

OPB, KMHD Content Staff Union Reaches First Contract with Management: “The unit comprises more than 90 members represented by the Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, making OPB the largest public media organization on the West Coast with SAG-AFTRA representation. It includes hosts, reporters, on-air staff and audio, digital and video producers, eight of whom are KMHD employees. The contract was adopted following ratification by the unit of unionized staff, the local SAG-AFTRA chapter and the National Labor Relations Board.”

Mayor Dickens Signs Historic Collective Bargaining Agreement with Atlanta Firefighters: “It was a historic moment for Atlanta firefighters Monday as Mayor Andre Dickens signed the union’s first Collective Bargaining Agreement. The union agreement focuses on firefighter pay, overall safety, equipment and gear. Mayor Andre Dickens sent Atlanta Fire and Rescue employees a letter last week stating he would sign the contract this week and that the city will continue to invest in their safety and long-term success. Atlanta News First previously reported there was a delay in this signing because of questions from some firefighters surrounding the union’s then-leadership. In March, under that leadership, the union filed a lawsuit against the city of Atlanta because the contract hadn’t been signed.”

WGAE, SAG-AFTRA, DGA and NewsGuild Rally Albany to Pass the NY FAIR News Act: “Journalists and leadership from the Writers Guild of America East, SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America and the NewsGuild of New York joined Senator Patricia Fahy (D-Albany) and Assemblymember Nily Rozic (D-NYC) on Wednesday, May 6, for a press conference to urge the State Legislature to pass the New York Fundamental Artificial Intelligence Requirements in News Act (The NY FAIR News Act), bipartisan legislation that establishes critical protections for journalists, media professionals and the broader public to ensure that the integrity of the news and its workforce are safeguarded against artificial intelligence.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 05/18/2026 - 10:29