National Native American Heritage Month Profile: JoMarie 'Jojo' Archibald-begay

Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. Today's profile is JoMarie 'Jojo' Archibald-begay of AFGE.

JoMarie "Jojo" Archibald-Begay is a proud member of the Diné tribe from Toadlena/Two Grey Hills, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. Observing the significant underrepresentation of Indigenous tribes in the union, she was compelled to take action and assisted in the creation of AFGE's N.A.T.I.V.E., a workgroup in development within the union that stands for ‘Native Americans Together for Indigenous Voices Everywhere.’

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 11/05/2025 - 10:02

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: SMART-TD Members Win Big Wage Increase, Benefits In New Contract

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.

The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) announced on Thursday that members have voted to approve a new collective bargaining agreement with railroads represented by the National Carriers Conference Committee.

The deal covers workers at BNSF Railway, Norfolk Southern, CN, and multiple Class II and Class III railroads. Ratified by a margin of nearly 70% approval, the deal includes compounded wage increases of 18.77% over the contract lifetime, stronger benefits provisions, improved time off and more.

“This contract represents a solid victory for our members,” said SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson. “We secured real wage growth, protected our work rules and crew consist agreements, enhanced our benefits, and achieved these gains without giving up a single concession or protection. Our members stood together and recognized the value and importance of this agreement, and it paid off.”

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 11/05/2025 - 09:54