11/07/2025 - 1:00am
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UNITE HERE Local 40 Members at Coast Victoria Hotel and Marina Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement
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.
After a historic 77 days on the picket line, UNITE HERE Local 40 members at Coast Victoria Hotel and Marina by APA in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, ratified a new collective bargaining agreement that delivers wage increases of up to 21%.
Nearly 90 workers—housekeepers, front-desk agents, cooks, servers and others—voted 88% in favor of a new three-year contract. The new deal provides living wages, a wage re-opener in the final contract year, a process for addressing outstanding respect issues and a new pension benefit.
“I’m so proud of our bargaining committee and what we accomplished together as a group,” said Melissa Irvine, a room attendant and member of the union bargaining committee. “We stood strong, and no one crossed the picket line. The strike and the lockout were both intense and difficult, but we didn’t give up. We fought to the end to win what we deserve.”
The British Columbia Federation of Labour backed the workers with a boycott of Coast Victoria Hotel and its Blue Crab Seafood House.
“We stood shoulder to shoulder for 77 days—and made history. I’m very proud that we fought back and pushed as far as we could,” said Julia Lissell, a front desk agent and another member of the union bargaining committee. “Through the ups and downs, we demonstrated what is possible when workers come together to stand up for fair pay and respect at work.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 11/06/2025 - 10:05
11/06/2025 - 6:30pm
National Native American Heritage Month Profile: Terris "T" Tree
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 Terris "T" Tree of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Terris “T” Tree, a lifelong resident of the Navajo Nation in Arizona’s Four Corners, is a devoted father, technology expert and tireless advocate for worker justice. With more than 24 years at the Navajo Communications Company, he became a driving force for change as a CWA Local 7019 steward, helping secure the first contract for Navajo Nation workers. Active in his local’s legislative committee and in public advocacy, Tree champions equality, human rights and community solidarity.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 11/06/2025 - 10:44
Tags:
Native American Heritage Month
11/06/2025 - 6:30pm
National Native American Heritage Month Profiles
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.
Here's who we've featured so far:
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 11/06/2025 - 11:12
Tags:
Native American Heritage Month
11/06/2025 - 6:30pm
TAKE ACTION: When Candidates Stand with Workers, They Win
Tuesday night, voters across the country sent a clear message: When candidates stand with workers, they win.
For too long, politicians have chased billionaire donors instead of listening to the workers who teach our children and care for our sick, build infrastructure and operate machines, harvest food and stock shelves, and keep us safe and power our essential services.
The candidates who earned voters’ trust focused on making life more affordable, creating good jobs and restoring the dignity of work. From city halls to statehouses across the country, workers elected leaders who will help us build an economy for the people, not the billionaire bosses.
For months leading up to Election Day, union volunteers worked tirelessly to drive big wins for pro-worker, pro-democracy leaders and initiatives across the country. In New York, California, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, union members rallied their communities to elect the candidates who will tackle the cost of living, raise wages, create good union jobs and protect our freedoms.
We don’t need to wait for lengthy post-mortems on this election to understand what happened last night. At the doors and on the phones, workers told us the same thing we hear at jobsites and in union halls across the country: People want leaders who will stand up for us, focus on the issues we care most about, deliver real solutions that support working people and protect our democracy.
And yesterday’s victories were just the beginning. We will continue to take back our country from the billionaire CEOs who control our economy and our lives.
Let’s keep up the energy and momentum from Election Day by making our voices even louder about the government shutdown and health care crisis.
Working people continue to stand together as many of us wake up to a new reality from the Trump administration and their allies in Congress: The nation has officially entered its longest period of shutdown ever. Federal food assistance has lapsed for the first time in U.S. history. Millions of working families are hurting today as they face empty bank accounts and long lines at food banks. And millions more, living paycheck to paycheck, have checked their Affordable Care Act premium prices and are discovering they simply can’t pay double or triple last year’s insurance costs.
If you haven’t done so, please make a call or send an email to your representative in Congress—and the leaders on Capitol Hill—to fund the government, fix the health care crisis and put working people first. And if you’ve made a call already, will you make another one today—the day this becomes the longest government shutdown in history?
Today, there is real reason to feel hope. In the streets, in the halls of power and in the voting booth, we won’t stop fighting back for working people. From now until Election Day 2026, millions of union members will be having conversations with workers across the country about what’s at stake in next year’s elections and the path to a better future for our families.
Thank you for standing with us—for all you have done and continue to do to support working families each and every day.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 11/06/2025 - 11:55
11/06/2025 - 6:30pm
Worker Wins: A Better Future for Our Families
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
‘When Candidates Stand with Workers, They Win’: AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement on the 2025 election results: “Last night, voters across the country sent a clear message: When candidates stand with workers, they win. For too long, politicians have chased billionaire donors instead of listening to the workers who teach our children and care for our sick, build infrastructure and operate machines, harvest food and stock shelves, and keep us safe and power our essential services. The candidates who earned voters’ trust focused on making life more affordable, creating good jobs and restoring the dignity of work. From city halls to statehouses across the country, workers elected leaders who will help us build an economy for the people, not the billionaire bosses. For months leading up to Election Day, union volunteers worked tirelessly to drive big wins for pro-worker, pro-democracy leaders and initiatives across the country. In New York, California, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, union members rallied their communities to elect the candidates who will tackle the cost of living, raise wages, create good union jobs and protect our freedoms. We don’t need to wait for lengthy post-mortems on this election to understand what happened last night. At the doors and on the phones, workers told us the same thing we hear at jobsites and in union halls across the country: People want leaders who will stand up for us, focus on the issues we care most about, deliver real solutions that support working people and protect our democracy. And yesterday’s victories were just the beginning. We will continue to take back our country from the billionaire CEOs who control our economy and our lives. From now until Election Day 2026, the labor movement will run an unprecedented ground game to engage millions of workers about what’s at stake in next year’s elections and the path to a better future for our families.“
UNITE HERE Members in Philadelphia Ratify Contract with Hampton Inn: UNITE HERE Philadelphia members who work at the Hampton Inn in Center City have ratified a new contract after staging a four-day strike last month. The new agreement includes wage increases that will set a new union standard in the city by the end of the contract, union health care, significant workload reductions, protections against sexual harassment, new protections for immigrant workers and more. Before settling this contract, the Hampton Inn workers were among employees of eight Center City hotels working under expired contracts. “It took us going on strike for four days to show this company what we’re worth,” room attendant Ella Alexander said. “We deserve everything in this contract and more.”
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SMART-TD Members Win Big Wage Increase, Benefits In New Contract: 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.”
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NewsGuild of New York Reaches Tentative First Contract Agreement at the Daily News, Secures Raises: Journalists at the New York Daily News, members of The NewsGuild of New York, CWA Local 31003, reached a tentative agreement with the paper’s owner, Alden Global Capital. A ratification vote on the two-year contract deal will be held in the coming days. The contact covers the tabloid’s print, digital and photo employees. “I could not be prouder of everyone in the Daily News Union who made this possible,” said Michael Sheridan, unit chair of the Daily News Union. “Winning the first contract for the Daily News’ workers in more than 30 years was an uphill battle. From the historic walkout to distributing flyers and organizing rallies, it was a Herculean effort. But it never would have happened without the dedicated efforts of dozens of people, including those who have left the News for bigger and better things.” The contract includes new minimum salaries of $60,000 at ratification and $63,000 by May 2026, and $75,000 for senior reporters and senior content editors; annual raises at ratification of 3% across the board and another 3% across the board increase in May 2026; expanded benefits for part-timers, including health care coverage for the first-time ever; protection of current flexible time off plan; preserved retirement benefits; enhanced paid leave; just cause protections that guarantee due process and representation should a worker face discipline or termination; and other benefits. “This tentative agreement is the direct result of our Daily News Union members’ perseverance and determination to fight for the worth of their work covering this great city of ours,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York. “Winning this contract means our journalists will be able to continue to report on the news that New Yorkers need to stay aware, safe and informed. New York needs its Hometown Paper and its Hometown Journalists more than ever.”
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ATU Helps Secure $1.5 Billion Transportation Funding Bill in Illinois: An aggressive grassroots political campaign launched by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) locals across Illinois, the state's General Assembly passed $1.5 billion legislation, securing critical public transit funding. “We could not be prouder of our members, our Locals, and every front-line worker who leafleted, talked with riders, wrote the letter to legislators, and worked shoulder-to-shoulder with community and labor allies,” said ATU International President John Costa. “Because you showed up at the State Capitol, on the platforms, in the bus yards and train stations, we now have legislation that benefits riders, strengthens safety through a dedicated transit police force, and protects the jobs, wages, and benefits of our ATU members. We thank the Illinois Legislature for passing this bill and delivering for working families and transit riders alike.” The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act will be funded by revenue that currently feeds the state's Road Fund and other sources. This investment lays the groundwork to improve service, shorten travel times, and enhance rider safety. It also changes the region's transit governance to the NITA, creating new requirements to coordinate service, plan strategically, and better support riders. “On behalf of our members, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to IP Costa, the International, and every member that mobilized for this fight,” said President/Business Agent Keith Hill of Local 241 in Chicago. “We know this bill means that our members’ jobs are safer, our riders will see better service, and our region’s transit system will be stronger. This is a win for union members and a win for every community that relies on buses and trains to get to work, school, or home.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 11/06/2025 - 13:21
Tags:
Organizing
11/05/2025 - 5:30pm
‘The People, and Democracy, Won’: What Working People Are Doing This Week
Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.
Actors' Equity:
Every one of our endorsed candidates won last night! Join us in sending a congratulations to all.
[image or embed]
— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) November 5, 2025 at 10:25 AM
AFSCME:
Alliance for Retired Americans:
11/05/2025 - 11:30am
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
11/05/2025 - 11:30am
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
11/04/2025 - 10:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: NewsGuild of New York Reaches Tentative First Contract Agreement at the Daily News, Secures Raises
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.
Journalists at the New York Daily News, members of The NewsGuild of New York, CWA Local 31003, reached a tentative agreement with the paper’s owner, Alden Global Capital. A ratification vote on the two-year contract deal will be held in the coming days. The contact covers the tabloid’s print, digital and photo employees.
“I could not be prouder of everyone in the Daily News Union who made this possible,” said Michael Sheridan, unit chair of the Daily News Union. “Winning the first contract for the Daily News’ workers in more than 30 years was an uphill battle. From the historic walkout to distributing flyers and organizing rallies, it was a Herculean effort. But it never would have happened without the dedicated efforts of dozens of people, including those who have left the News for bigger and better things.”
The contract includes new minimum salaries of $60,000 at ratification and $63,000 by May 2026, and $75,000 for senior reporters and senior content editors; annual raises at ratification of 3% across the board and another 3% across the board increase in May 2026; expanded benefits for part-timers, including health care coverage for the first-time ever; protection of current flexible time off plan; preserved retirement benefits; enhanced paid leave; just cause protections that guarantee due process and representation should a worker face discipline or termination; and other benefits.
“This tentative agreement is the direct result of our Daily News Union members’ perseverance and determination to fight for the worth of their work covering this great city of ours,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York. “Winning this contract means our journalists will be able to continue to report on the news that New Yorkers need to stay aware, safe and informed. New York needs its Hometown Paper and its Hometown Journalists more than ever.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 11/04/2025 - 10:28
11/04/2025 - 10:30pm
Vote Today!: 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.
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:
Colorado AFL-CIO:
Florida AFL-CIO:
Illinois AFL-CIO:
Maine AFL-CIO:
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
Michigan State AFL-CIO:
Minnesota AFL-CIO:
Missouri AFL-CIO:
Nevada State AFL-CIO:
