CALL: Tell Your Representative to Pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act

It’s time to get it done for America’s workers.

Thanks to the hard work of working families, union members and our allies, our bipartisan bill to reverse President Trump’s union-busting executive order is getting a vote in Congress. 

That’s right: We’ve got the 218 signatures we need—Democrats AND Republicans—to force Congress to vote on the Protect America’s Workforce Act in the next few weeks. 

This is an all-hands-on-deck moment to help restore collective bargaining rights to the more than 1 million federal workers. Call your representative now and ask them to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act. Dial 855-493-4407 or fill out this form to receive a call.

Trump’s executive order to gut federal workers’ collective bargaining rights was the worst act of union-busting in American history. Since then, his administration has expanded the order to cover even more workers and canceled the union contracts of nearly half a million federal workers at agencies like the departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services. 

The American people didn’t sign up for this. Approximately 70% of Americans—people with different political positions—support the right to join a union. That’s why we have the support we need to get the Protect America’s Workforce Act across the finish line.

We need every representative—Republican or Democrat—who says they support America’s unions to vote for the Protect America’s Workforce Act and restore federal workers’ union rights. 

So let’s get to work—make a call to your representative today. 

Call 855-493-4407.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/20/2025 - 15:02

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Union Reaches Tentative Contract 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.

Members of AFSCME Council 31 and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry have reached a tentative agreement ahead of a looming strike date.

“After a long but productive bargaining session on Monday, Nov. 17, union and management representatives reached a tentative agreement on a first union contract at Griffin Museum of Science & Industry,” said the union and museum management in a joint statement. “In the coming days, union members will attend worksite meetings to review terms of the tentative agreement and vote on its ratification.”

A timeline for the contract ratification vote hasn't been set yet. The contract would cover more than 120 employees in the guest experience, guest operations and education departments. Workers had previously voted to authorize a strike that would start Nov. 29 if no agreement was reached.

The workers, members of Council 31, are seeking higher wages and better benefits, including holiday pay for part-time workers, premium pay for bilingual employees, and paid parental leave.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/20/2025 - 13:19

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Minneapolis Teachers Ratify Contract with School District

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.

Members of the Minneapolis Federation of Educators, an affiliate of both the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), approved a contract deal with the public school district, ending the threat of strike.

The two-year agreement, which covers three separate union contracts, follows seven months of talks. The deal now must be approved by the school board.

“We are [pleased] to announce that our members have voted to ratify our tentative agreements!” the Minneapolis Federation of Educators wrote in an online post.

The new contract will shrink class sizes, create manageable special education caseloads, and raise pay by 2% this year, followed by a 2% in the 2026–27 school year.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 11/18/2025 - 13:00

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: News Workers in Lancaster, Harrisburg Ratify First Union Contract; Secure Raises, More Affordable Health Care

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.

Nine months after voting to organize a union, journalists at LNP | LancasterOnline and public radio partner WITF in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, overwhelmingly ratified their first union contract.

“For an employer of this size to make these improvements and make their employees’ lives better says a lot about Pennon [LNP’s owner],” said Bill Ross, executive director of The NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia. “They didn’t talk about finances (during negotiations). They didn’t cry the blues. They listened and put money on the table, even severance pay.”

The contract includes a health plan that offers substantially lower deductibles and monthly premiums; a minimum salary of $50,700 for full-time employees; a 3% pay increase in July for all members; a $1,000 signing bonus; 12 weeks of parental leave at 75% pay; and one week of severance pay for every year of service, up to eight weeks.

“As a 40-year employee of the company, I never thought I’d see this happen,” said social media creator Claudia Esbenshade. “The staff works hard to bring the news of Lancaster to its readers, and this contract can make many of them feel more secure in their positions, pay and benefits.”

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 11/19/2025 - 10:36

‘This Is Everyone’s Win’: 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.

Starbucks Workers Strike at Dozens of U.S. Stores on ‘Red Cup Day’: “More than a thousand unionized Starbucks workers walked off the job across the country on Thursday, demanding concessions from the coffee chain in their contract negotiations. Starbucks Workers United, the union representing the baristas, said that the strike would affect 65 stores in over 40 cities, and that it was ‘prepared to continue escalating its protests if the company failed to deliver a fair new contract.’”

Breckenridge Ski Patrol Union Plans Tentative Picket Sunday Depending on Negotiations with Vail Resorts: “Breckenridge Ski Patrol Union president Ryan Dineen said his organization is planning a tentative picket at the bottom of the BreckConnect Gondola on Sunday, Nov. 16. The protest is dependent upon the outcome of a Thursday, Nov. 13, bargaining session with Vail Resorts.”

24 Graduate from Missouri Works Initiative’s Pre-Apprentice Programs in Dual Ceremony: “Twenty-four students graduated from the Missouri Works Initiative’s (MWI) Apprentice Ready in Construction (ARC) and Apprentice Ready in Manufacturing (ARM) programs in a dual ceremony on Nov. 1 at Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 union hall. The programs, supported by the Missouri AFL-CIO, are designed to address critical workforce shortages in the general supply chain, aerospace, manufacturing, transportation and construction sectors. It focuses on bridging the gap between underrepresented, underemployed and unemployed individuals and high-paying union jobs by providing resources, support and access to opportunities to build sustainable careers.”

Governor Pritzker Cuts Ribbon at IATSE Local 2’s New Training Center: “Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 2 Chicago Stagehands to celebrate the opening of their new training center, which was supported by a $5 million grant from the State of Illinois.”

Some Labor Unions Remain Committed to Recruiting Women Despite Policy Rollbacks: “Some labor unions say they're committed to growing the share of women in construction jobs, even as President Trump rolls back policies that opened doors for women.”

Staffers at 9:30 Club, Other Iconic D.C. Concert Venues Win Voluntary Union Recognition from IMP: “Workers at some of the most renown music venues in Washington, D.C., have won their unionization efforts. IMP notified some of its staffers at the 9:30 Club, The Anthem, The Atlantis and Lincoln Theatre Wednesday that the company would voluntarily recognize the employees’ desire to form a union with Unite Here Local 25, Deadline understands. Now, they will move to negotiate their first union contract with IMP.”

‘Workers First’? Don’t Make Us Laugh: “Donald Trump made 30,573 false or misleading statements during his first term, according to The Washington Post. One of the biggest Trump whoppers is his continuing claim that he’s pro-labor. Unions have taken Trump to court over his mass firings of federal employees and stripping away their collective bargaining rights, the latter a move AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler called ‘the single biggest act of union-busting in history.’”

‘This Is Everyone’s Win’: Striking Post-Gazette Workers Celebrate a Big Victory: “Four minutes before placing the call, Pass received notification that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit had denied the newspaper’s appeal of a National Labor Relations Board decision in favor of the strikers. This was a big win for the workers and likely just about the end of the line for the Post-Gazette’s attempts to overturn earlier decisions. The conversation ended quickly. Tanner had much to do in the next few minutes. The striking workers meet online every weekday at 10 a.m. to check in with each other and go over organizing tasks. It was a perfect time to share the good news. At 9:58, Tanner sent out a message to all strikers: ‘Everybody come to this morning’s meeting.’”

Air Traffic Controllers Are Resigning Due to Shutdown Stress, Union President Warns: “The head of the air traffic controllers union said Friday that some members were resigning from their jobs due to the stress inflicted by the government shutdown, worsening the already troubling staffing situation at airports. ‘We’re seeing air traffic controllers resign,’ Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, told CNN.”

Empire Technical Fabrication Voluntarily Recognizes Shop Workers’ Union: “Empire Technical Fabrication, a commercial scenic shop servicing Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional, and touring productions, has voluntarily recognized the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 632 as the collective bargaining representative for shop employees at its Wayne, New Jersey facility. The newly organized bargaining unit includes 30 workers across several classifications, including carpenters, mechanics, logistics specialists, integrators, CNC operators, and fabricators. Both parties worked in tandem to ensure a fair and transparent process, culminating in Empire Technical Fabrication’s voluntary recognition of IATSE Local 632.”

Oklahoma State Rep. Forrest Bennett to Resign as He Takes AFL-CIO Position: “Oklahoma State Representative Forrest Bennett announced he plans to resign from the Oklahoma legislature after being elected president of the Oklahoma State AFL-CIO on Friday. ‘It’s an immense honor, and I’m incredibly grateful to my Union family for the trust they’ve put in me. This is the start of a new chapter. I’ll be going to work full-time for Oklahoma’s unions—helping them grow, engage with policymakers, and build a better future for Oklahoma’s working families.’”

Pima Area Labor Federation Hosts Drive-Through Food Bank; Congresswoman-Elect Adelita Grijalva Assists: “As snap benefits stay paused for millions across the country...including right here in Tucson...local food banks have stepped up to help feed our communities. The Pima Area Labor Federation and AFL-CIO have joined in, hosting a drive-through food bank to support families through the longest government shutdown in U.S. History.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/17/2025 - 13:14

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Staffers at Iconic D.C. Concert Venues Win Voluntary Union Recognition

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.

Workers at renowned Washington, D.C., music venues have secured voluntary recognition of their efforts to organize with UNITE HERE Local 25. The workers will next move on to negotiate their first union contract with IMP.

The workers include production, food service, box office and door staff at IMP venues: the 9:30 Club, The Anthem, The Atlantis and Lincoln Theatre. They first petitioned IMP last month and their efforts were assisted by IATSE locals 22 and 868.

“IMP venues are world-class venues, but some workers are scheduled inconsistently, juggle multiple jobs, and earn wages as low as $18.25 per hour, which is just 30 cents above D.C.’s minimum wage,” the workers said in an online statement. “The work can be sometimes dangerous or stressful, with workers lifting heavy materials, supporting patrons who have serious emergencies, and catching crowd surfers. For production workers, especially the riggers who work high above the stage, the work carries other risks from high voltage, items falling, and the uncertainties that come from always dealing with concert tours bringing with them different equipment in varying states of repair.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/17/2025 - 10:02

National Native American Heritage Month Profile: Sunnie Patterson

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 Sunnie Patterson of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).

“I have been a crane operator engineer apprentice for the past four years. I joined Operating Engineers Local 324 because I wanted to better my life, have benefits and gain valuable knowledge in the trades. My favorite part of being a member of IUOE is that I'm a part of something bigger than one can imagine, whether it's pile driving structural bridges or running heavy equipment. I come from a third-generation Six Nations (Haudenosaunee) Ironworker Local 25 family,” Patterson said.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/13/2025 - 11:12

Tags: Native American Heritage Month

National Native American Heritage Month Profile: Zuben Ornelas

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 Zuben Ornelas of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

Zuben Ornelas joined IATSE in 1993 and has served on Local One’s Social Justice, DEI and PAC committees. “Learning to contribute as part of a team and as a member of Local One has shaped my approach to everything I do and for that I'm eternally grateful.” Ornelas has also worked for the New York City Ballet and the New York City Opera. He was instrumental in creating a land acknowledgment for Local One that is read at every meeting.

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 11/14/2025 - 10:11

Tags: Native American Heritage Month

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: The NewsGuild of New York Reaches Tentative First Contract Agreement for Journalists at the Daily News

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 reached a tentative agreement with the paper’s owner, Alden Global Capital, for a first contract. The union members still must vote to ratify the contract. The NewsGuild of New York, an affiliate of The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA), represents 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 minimum salaries of $60,000 at ratification and $63,000 by May 2026; minimum salaries of $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; protection of the current flexible time-off plan for those who currently have it and for any new hires in the sports department going forward; preservation of retirement benefits and enhanced paid leave; just cause protections that guarantee due process and representation should a worker face discipline or termination; performance reviews that take stock rather than presaging disciplinary action; stronger health and safety protections for reporters and photographers regarding harassment, assignment safety, trauma and other risks; training requirements for new programs, processes and protocols; creation of a Labor Management Committee to address workplace issues; the establishment of rights and legal protections for source confidentiality; and the creation of editorial integrity protocols and protections against advertiser and third-party interests.

“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 Fri, 11/14/2025 - 10:09

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UPTE and the University of California Reach Tentative Contract Agreement for 21,000 Workers

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 21,000 members of the University Professional and Technical Employees-CWA (UPTE-CWA) and the University of California (UC) reached a contract agreement and averted a strike planned for Nov. 17 and 18 that was to be joined by more than 60,000 supporters from two additional UC unions, AFSCME Local 3299 and the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC). UPTE represents research and technical professionals across the UC system. The two sides had been bargaining for the last 17 months, and had been in mediation for three weeks.

Details of the tentative contract, which union members still must ratify, are forthcoming. Prior to the agreement UPTE was seeking significant pay increases, predictable and progressive caps on health care premium increases, and improvements in work-life balance, career progression and job security.

“The finalized agreement reflects the university’s enduring commitment and UPTE’s advocacy for our employees who play critical roles across the University,” a joint statement from UC and UPTE read. “Both parties acknowledge and appreciate the collaborative spirit that allowed us to move forward and reach a resolution that supports our valuable employees and the University of California’s mission of excellence.”

“Our tentative agreement is a hard-won victory for 21,000 healthcare, research, and technical professionals across UC—and one that will benefit millions of UC patients and students, as well as people across the world who benefit from UC’s cutting-edge research,” said Dan Russell, UPTE president and chief negotiator. “We continue to stand with AFSCME and CNA members as they fight and strike for a similar agreement for their members.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/13/2025 - 10:58