Building Labor’s Political Power: 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.

Arizona AFL-CIO:

We stand with immigrant and Indigenous workers! The Arizona AFL-CIO condemns escalating ICE enforcement that puts our communities at risk. We demand an end to the violence created by ICE enforcement and leave our communities and workplaces immediately!https://t.co/l3EmPmyEbQ

— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) January 27, 2026

California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Oregon Unions Launch New Clean Energy Labor Coalition

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.

Labor leaders from across the building trades in Oregon gathered for a press conference on Wednesday to announce the launch of Climate Jobs Oregon. This new coalition advocates for policies to increase the number of union tradespeople to help meet the state’s clean energy targets and lower utility bills.

Labor partners in this campaign include the Oregon AFL-CIO; Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council; Electrical Workers (IBEW) Locals 48, 125 and 932; Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 701; Ironworkers Local 29; Laborers (LIUNA) Local 737; Oregon and Southern Idaho District Council of Laborers; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 16; and United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) Local 290. Labor leaders collaborated with the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations Climate Jobs Institute to produce a range of policy recommendations, including increasing investments in union apprenticeship programs, collaborating with labor unions to expedite site permitting for clean energy development and more.

“To meet our climate goals, Oregon needs a massive increase in workers, and those workers must be trained to the highest caliber, and safety standards, where they have a meaningful voice on the job, where they have career pathways for advancement and they have wages, benefits and a retirement plan to support their families and get them into the economy long term,” said Graham Trainor, president of the Oregon AFL-CIO. “Let’s be crystal clear: Those are union jobs.”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 01/27/2026 - 10:17