Worker Wins: ‘We Fought and Won’

Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.

Faculty at Portland Community College Reach Tentative Contract Agreement, Secure Wage Increases: Faculty at Portland Community College (PCC) reached a tentative agreement Monday night, effectively ending a strike that began March 11 and lasted nearly three weeks. “[T]onight we reached tentative agreement on a very strong contract with our members,” the PCC Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals (PCCFFAP) said in an email. “We're thrilled to get back to our students, and a PCC community with a revitalized sense of community.” The tentative agreement includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment this year and 3% for 2026–27; lump sum payments of $5,475 for full-time faculty, $5,000 for academic professionals and $1,400 for part-time faculty; doctoral pay for faculty and academic professionals; an increase in the pay scale for part-time faculty: 40 vacation hours that academic professionals can cash out; full health care coverage at the most common tier; a new option for college contributions to a health savings account; and additional insurance contributions for part-time faculty. PCC has roughly 1,600 faculty and academic professionals. The agreement is subject to ratification by union members. PCCFFAP is Local 2277 of the AFT.

Bangladesh’s Garment Workers Form First Union Under New Law: Garment workers at the Fashion Pulse factory in Bangladesh have formed the country’s first labor union under amended laws that make it easier for workers to organize. The 160 garment workers received legal recognition for the Fashion Pulse Limited Sramik Union in February after organizing with the Bangladesh Independent Garment Workers Union Federation (BIGUF), with legal and technical support from the Solidarity Center. “Despite recent amendments to the law, officials still appear reluctant to grant registration without unnecessary hurdles,” says Rashadul Alam Raju, BIGUF general secretary. “In this context, the Solidarity Center’s timely and precise legal support, together with the proper preparation of documentation under the new format, proved crucial and ultimately decisive.” The workers joined together to negotiate for better wages and safer conditions. “Our next priority is to organize more workers to join the union and strengthen it so that we can effectively engage with the employer and negotiate on behalf of the workers,” said Tanzila, general secretary of Fashion Pulse Limited Sramik Union. Improvements to the Bangladesh Labour Law were passed in November as a result of years of engagement by the Solidarity Center with the government’s Labour Reform Commission, its assistance for workers serving on reform councils and its long-standing involvement with its partner unions and federations.

UFCW Pharmacy and Other Workers Ratify 4-Year Contract with Kaiser; Secure 21.5% Wage Increases Over Life of the Contract: Workers at Kaiser Permanente locations across Southern and Central California ratified a new four-year contract Saturday. The contract lasts through March 2030 and includes 21.5% wage increases over the next four years, including 6.5% raises in March and October of this year. Additional wage grid and market adjustments bring the total increase to 25% to 30% for many members. The agreement also includes provisions to safeguard against the impact of artificial intelligence. “We came together with Kaiser Permanente workers across the country to achieve these strong successor contracts,” said the union in a statement. “It reflects the months of hard work that went into negotiations and the solidarity shown by all of us at the bargaining table and the Alliance of Healthcare Unions.” The union represents workers across Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura and Kern counties, including pharmacy assistants, pharmacy technicians, clinical lab scientists, medical lab technicians and clinical and administrative staff. In February, workers staged a three-day strike at Kaiser Permanente facilities across Southern California and Bakersfield.

AFA-CWA Reaches Tentative Agreement with United Airlines: Members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) have reached a new tentative agreement with United Airlines. The deal will now move to the AFA United Master Executive Council who will decide if it can progress to a general membership ratification vote. United crew have been in federal mediation since 2023. Highlights include improvements to base pay, guardrails around red-eye flying, higher retroactive payments, compensation for long wait times between flights and more.

New Jersey State AFL-CIO Celebrates New Laws Protecting Immigrant Workers: The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is applauding Gov. Mikie Sherrill for signing into law three pieces of legislation that will protect the rights and safety of immigrant workers in the state. In response to unidentified federal agents swarming neighborhoods around the country to conduct immigration raids, the Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act will ban all law enforcement officers from wearing masks when conducting official duties and require them to provide identification prior to arresting or detaining a civilian. The Privacy Protection Act limits data sharing by government and health care facilities to ensure residents are not discouraged from seeking necessary services out of fear that their documentation status would be disclosed. Similarly, the third bill—the Immigrant Trust Directive—codifies the attorney general’s 2018 directive that limits the voluntary assistance New Jersey law enforcement may provide to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to prevent immigrant residents from feeling unable to seek out help from local law enforcement. “New Jersey has one of the highest populations of immigrants in the nation and we were proud to support these important pieces of legislation,” the New Jersey State AFL-CIO said. “[We] will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity with immigrant workers to ensure they are treated with respect and dignity and are not fearful to reside in our communities.”

NYU Faculty Reach a Tentative Agreement to End Work Stoppage: Contract Faculty United-UAW (CFU-UAW) members reached a tentative agreement with New York University (NYU) administrators on Wednesday after two days on strike. The union represents approximately 950 full-time, nontenure track faculty at the institution. While the agreement is still pending ratification, it includes wins like substantial salary increases, 3.5% annual raises starting next year, a new family care benefit fund, professional development resources, comprehensive health and welfare benefits, and more. “We fought, and won,” said Brendan Hogan, an NYU philosophy professor. “Everyone in our union will get a minimum raise of $14,000 by the start of the next academic year.”

Mystic Seaport Museum Workers File to Join AFSCME: Staff at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut went public last week with their effort to form a union with AFSCME Council 4. As part of the AFSCME’s Cultural Workers United (CWU) organizing campaign, the union filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on behalf of workers at the country’s most prominent maritime museum. Staff cite concerns around transparency, job security, health care and wages as core motivators for organizing for a voice on the job. “Mystic Seaport Museum is a great place to work, but it could be an incredible place to work,” said Ashley Giordano, a docent at the museum, in a press release. “We need more protections for our staff and a voice to ensure the museum continues to be a place that visitors want to go to! The thing that makes the museum so special is the people who work here. Time and time again, that is what visitors say they value the most.” “We hope that the Mystic Seaport Museum will [stay neutral] to recognize the right of these workers to organize rather than pursue a divisive campaign,” Council 4 said. “But make no mistake: we are ready to fight to ensure these workers are heard, respected, and empowered to protect the programs and staff that make the museum what it is.” 

New York Transit Museum Workers Vote Unanimously to Join AFSCME: Workers at the New York Transit Museum in downtown Brooklyn voted unanimously to form a union last week as the Transit Museum Collective, part of AFSCME District Council 37. The members of the new unit include 30 full- and part-time museum employees who work in its education, collections, and visitor experience departments. They are seeking to bargain for higher wages and better job security. “While we celebrate this victory, we also have our eyes firmly set on bargaining our first contract, which will codify the rights and protections we have fought so hard for and know we deserve,” the Collective said on Instagram. “We want to thank everyone who has been supportive of us throughout this process. Without the wider community our union wouldn’t be as strong as it is.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/02/2026 - 13:39

Tags: Organizing

Democracy Is Not a Spectator Sport: 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.

Alaska AFL-CIO:

Union members are hitting the doors and getting out the #UnionVote. Last Saturday, we were joined by pro-worker candidate Sydney Scout! 

Together, we can elect assembly members who will support Alaska's working families! #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/WkeNosmt38

— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) March 25, 2026

California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:

It's not enough to make Farmworkers' Day a state holiday! Farmworkers feed America, the least we can do is make sure they receive a fair wage! We stand in solidarity with @UFWupdates as they continue to fight on behalf of these vital workers. pic.twitter.com/rZVHSyEsUV

— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) April 1, 2026

Connecticut AFL-CIO:

Join the unions of the AFL-CIO as we honor those who have been hurt or lost their lives on the job.

The situation is dire: every single day, more than 380 workers die and over 8,600 are injured or fall ill due to preventable hazards.

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: New York Transit Museum Workers Vote Unanimously to Join AFSCME

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 the New York Transit Museum in downtown Brooklyn voted unanimously to form a union last week as the Transit Museum Collective, part of AFSCME District Council 37.

The members of the new unit include 30 full- and part-time museum employees who work in its education, collections, and visitor experience departments. They are seeking to bargain for higher wages and better job security.

“While we celebrate this victory, we also have our eyes firmly set on bargaining our first contract, which will codify the rights and protections we have fought so hard for and know we deserve,” the Collective said on Instagram. “We want to thank everyone who has been supportive of us throughout this process. Without the wider community our union wouldn’t be as strong as it is.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/02/2026 - 10:14

Solidarity and Generosity Can Make a Real Difference: 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:

April is National Arab American Heritage Month! Arab American and MENA (Middle Eastern North African) workers have played a critical part in advancing the Labor Movement, and their continued advocacy strives towards better working conditions and workers' rights for all. 

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— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) April 1, 2026 at 2:06 PM

AFGE:

Do your thing @TMZ . https://t.co/JQW1R1uyOv

— AFGE (@AFGENational) March 28, 2026

AFSCME:

A federal judge rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to withhold critical child care funding. This is a victory for AFSCME members and working families. https://t.co/4ZXL5auj9t

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) April 2, 2026

Air Line Pilots Association:

By a margin of 87%, @AtiPilots voted to ratify a new 4-year tentative agreement that brings $114M of additional value to the group. 

With contract improvements to retirement contributions, scheduling and PTO, ATI pilots are advancing the profession. 

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UFCW Pharmacy and Other Workers Ratify 4-Year Contract with Kaiser; Secure 21.5% Wage Increases Over Life of the 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.

Workers at Kaiser Permanente locations across Southern and Central California ratified a new four-year contract Saturday.

The contract lasts through March 2030 and includes 21.5% wage increases over the next four years, including 6.5% raises in March and October of this year. Additional wage grid and market adjustments bring the total increase to 25% to 30% for many members. The agreement also includes provisions to safeguard against the impact of artificial intelligence.

“We came together with Kaiser Permanente workers across the country to achieve these strong successor contracts,” said the union in a statement. “It reflects the months of hard work that went into negotiations and the solidarity shown by all of us at the bargaining table and the Alliance of Healthcare Unions.”

The union represents workers across Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura and Kern counties, including pharmacy assistants, pharmacy technicians, clinical lab scientists, medical lab technicians and clinical and administrative staff. In February, workers staged a three-day strike at Kaiser Permanente facilities across Southern California and Bakersfield.

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/01/2026 - 10:21

Tags: Organizing

‘The Goal Is to Spread the Joy of Reading’: 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.

Teachers Union Leader Blasts Melania Trump's Robot Pitch: 'Every Parent's Nightmare': “Randi Weingarten, president of one of America’s most powerful teachers unions, strongly pushed back Thursday against first lady Melania Trump’s comments that humanoid robot teachers could soon become central to children’s education. Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, delivered the sharp rebuke at Thursday’s inaugural Workers First AI Summit. Hosted by the AFL-CIO, the meeting of labor representatives and civil society organizations aimed to bring workers across industries together to build a unified front against AI’s unchecked growth and its growing impact on American workers. ‘What she did yesterday was every parent’s nightmare,’ Weingarten said at a session exploring the policies that should protect workers’ rights in the midst of fast-moving AI development.”

United Airlines, Flight Attendants Reach Labor Deal for First Raises Since Pandemic: “United Airlines and its flight attendant union have reached a tentative labor deal that will include their first raises in roughly six years. If ratified by flight attendants, it would make United the last of the major carriers to secure a labor deal with cabin crew members since the COVID-19 pandemic ended. United said the agreement will include immediate raises and top pay of $100 an hour at the end of the contract, as well as pay for flight attendants during boarding and ‘a signing bonus for every flight attendant worth a total of $740 million.’ The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the flight attendants union, didn’t provide specific details about the deal but said that in addition to higher base pay, it includes additional compensation for flight disruptions and new restrictions on overnight flight assignments.”

New York University Professors Reach a Deal on a Contract to End Strike After 2 Days: “Faculty members at New York University reached a tentative agreement on Wednesday to end a two-day strike at the private school, winning substantial salary increases after hundreds walked off the job over a contract dispute. The union, the Contract Faculty United-UAW, represents about 950 full-time faculty members who teach roughly a quarter of classes at New York University. and are not on track for tenure. Many complained that their salaries were falling far behind their tenure-track colleagues, and failing to keep up with the steep costs of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities.”

New Group of Alexandria City Workers Vote to Unionize: “A group of Alexandria city workers voted to unionize this month in Virginia as a bill to lift the ban on public-sector collective bargaining awaits the signature of Gov. Abigail Spanberger. On March 3, Alexandria professional employees voted 155-1 in favor of unionizing with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 20. The Alexandria professional employees union includes urban planners, therapists in the city’s Department of Community & Human Services, and accountants like Tia Littlejohn-Adams.”

Nearly 200 New Jersey Health Care Workers Vote to Unionize, Citing Unrealistic Workloads: “Nearly 200 employees who work at Inspira Health and Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice voted to unionize earlier this month, according to labor officials. The workers cited increasing workloads and critically low staffing among their reasons for choosing to organize and join the Health Professionals and Allied Employees union, New Jersey’s largest health care union.”

More Than 10,000 Free Books Are Distributed to Hundreds of Philadelphia Students: “More than 10,000 free books were distributed on Tuesday to hundreds of Philadelphia students. The giveaway was hosted by Murrell Dobbins CTE High School in North Philadelphia. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers delivered the books during the ‘It's a Lit Day’ book fair. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade were invited to pick out a book, and take it home to enjoy. The giveaway was part of AFT's ‘Reading Around the World.’ It is the union's national literacy partnership with First Book. The goal is to spread the joy of reading by providing millions of free books to students and families.”

Oregon Nurses Union Reaches 'Historic' Agreement with Kaiser Permanente After Year of Bargaining: “The Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP) and Kaiser Permanente reached the final tentative agreement after a year-long bargaining process, the union announced on Monday. Now, all that remains in the negotiation process is for the six OFNHP employee groups to ratify the agreement in a vote. Union representatives said that vote is likely to succeed.”

Braxton Winston: Stop Giving Free Lunches to North Carolina Tech Manufacturer Corning: “Corning, which has more than 3,000 employees in North Carolina, recently announced a $6 billion agreement to supply fiber optic cables to tech giant Meta to fuel the company’s rapid expansion of data centers. Corning’s fiber optic manufacturing is headquartered in North Carolina and they continue to build out fiber optic manufacturing plants across the state, including in Catawba County. This new agreement should be an economic boon for all of North Carolina, but that won’t happen automatically.”

The Largest Federal Workers Union Says 'Untrained, Armed' ICE Agents Should Not Replace TSA: “‘ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security. TSA officers spend months learning to detect explosives, weapons, and threats specifically designed to evade detection at checkpoints—skills that require specialized instruction, hands-on practice, and ongoing recertification,’ Everett Kelley, president of AFGE, said on Sunday in a statement posted online.”

New AFSCME 189 Contract at Portland Auditor’s Office: “Members of AFSCME Local 189 who work in the City of Portland Auditor’s Office ratified a new collective bargaining agreement March 16—after 11 months of bargaining. The contract covers 30 auditors and administrative support staff. They conduct performance audits of city services, manage the city’s Fraud Hotline, oversee city elections, and manage city records.”

Breakthrough First Contract at Labcorp: “Several years after the Legacy and Providence hospital chains outsourced their jobs, about 500 medical testing lab workers have a first union contract. Ratified March 9-15 by 86% of members voting, the contract between Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP) and Laboratory Corporation of America (Labcorp) provides wage increases and a $800 signing bonus. Minimum starting pay will now be $20 an hour, up from just over $18.”

HarperCollins Union Wins New Contract: “Workers in the Association of HarperCollins Employees, members of Local 2110 of the UAW, voted to ratify their most recent union contract last week after several months of bargaining. It is the first contract negotiated between the company and the union since the historic strike at HarperCollins that ended with a contract agreement in February 2023. Under the new contract, HarperCollins employees now have one of the highest base pays in the publishing industry.”

ASTTU and Georgia AFL-CIO Launch Workforce Stability Initiative to Protect Skilled Labor: “The Association of Skilled Trade and Transportation Unions (ASTTU) today announced a formal partnership with the Georgia AFL-CIO, whose affiliated unions represent more than 60,000 workers across the state, to implement a coordinated workforce stability initiative designed to protect and retain skilled labor at a critical time for Georgia's economy.”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/31/2026 - 09:58

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Tens of Thousands of Union Members Participate in Nationwide No Kings Rallies

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.

On Saturday, tens of thousands of union members participated in No Kings rallies across the nation. Americans rallied in opposition to the radical pages of Project 2025 and the fever dreams of America’s corporate billionaires, which have come to life with a relentless assault on America’s workers.

“No Kings is about standing up to the guy in the White House,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, who attended the event in Minnesota with labor leaders and thousands of union members. “But No Kings also means tearing down an economy by and for the billionaires—and instead, building it for working people. More money in our pockets—because no one in the richest country on Earth should struggle to get by. More time off—to spend with our friends and family and kids and loved ones. Equal pay for Black and Latina women—who make 58 cents on the dollar—because opportunity in this country should not depend on the color of your skin. And you know where it all starts? With a good union job for every worker in this country—because we all know, it's better in a union!”

Many labor leaders and members spoke at events across the country. AFT President Randi Weingarten and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President April Verrett joined President Shuler to speak at the Minnesota rally, which also featured Bruce Springsteen, Sen. Bernie Sanders and others. AFSCME President Lee Saunders spoke at the event in Washington, D.C., while IAM Union International President Brian Bryant addressed the rally in Savannah, Georgia.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/31/2026 - 09:59

Women's History Month Profiles: Amber Glennon

For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Amber Glennon of the Laborers (LIUNA).

Amber Glennon has risen through the ranks at LIUNA, first working in the field as a construction laborer, becoming a journey worker in 2021 and most recently being brought on as a staff member at her regional office. She has served as a leader on Local 252’s women’s committee, where she helped to create an inclusive and supportive environment for other women in the construction industry.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/31/2026 - 10:12

Tags: Women's History Month

Women's History Month Profiles: Martina Taite

For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Martina Taite of the Boilermakers (IBB).

Martina Taite is the first African American and first woman to be elected as president of the Pascagoula Metal Trades Council, and she is president of IBB Local 693, which represents 1,700 boilermakers at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She is a shrewd negotiator and keen advocate for shipyard workers, her local lodge and her union sisters across the labor movement. Taite commands a room when she stands up for working people.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/31/2026 - 10:12

Tags: Women's History Month

Women's History Month Profiles: Teesha Foreman

For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Teesha Foreman of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

Teesha Foreman has been a civil servant with the New York City Housing Authority since 2000. From shop steward to staff representative, supervisor, executive board member and now second vice president, Foreman’s journey has been rooted in ensuring that women—especially women of color—have a strong voice at every decision-making table. She serves on the CWA National Human Rights/Civil Rights and Equity Committee and as a trustee for Local 1180’s benefit funds.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/31/2026 - 10:12

Tags: Women's History Month