Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Kaiser Health Care Professionals Ratify New Contracts, Winning Vital Patient Safety Protections

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.

Health care professionals, members of United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP, AFSCME), voted to ratify new contracts with Kaiser Permanente, winning critical protections that will directly improve patient care.

Approved by an overwhelming majority, the contracts are effective upon ratification and will expire on Sept. 30, 2029.

“This agreement reflects everything our members stood up and stood together for: safe staffing, improved access, and respect for the professionals who provide critical care every day,” said UNAC/UHCP President Charmaine Morales, RN. “This fight was always about our patients and the public good, and we’ve made meaningful progress to ensure caregivers have the time and resources necessary to deliver safe, high-quality care.”

When caregivers have a voice, patients are better off. Because of UNAC/UHCP, Kaiser patients will benefit from more time, better access, stronger communication and higher quality care.

The union also won the largest wage increases UNAC/UHCP has ever achieved. Many of the gains—such as enforcement of safe RN staffing ratios already in the contract—come after years of work on prior contracts and between contracts, including job actions, staffing objection forms, petitions and informational pickets

“This is an important step forward, but the work doesn’t stop here,” said Peter Sidhu, RN, executive vice president of UNAC/UHCP. “We’ll be vigilant—documenting ratio violations, escalating unsafe staffing gaps, and using every tool our new contracts provide to protect our patients.”

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 03/25/2026 - 10:02

Tags: Organizing

Women's History Month Profiles: Laurie Harris

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 Laurie Harris of the Bricklayers (BAC).

“After joining BAC in 1987 and becoming the first female certified instructor with the International Masonry Institute, I spent 29 years in the field as a bricklayer, PCC, and foreperson,” Laurie Harris said. “Throughout my career, I’ve been a passionate advocate for tradeswomen, mentoring the next generation through Tradeswomen Build Nations and the BAC [Sisters] RISE group. Now happily retired, I am incredibly proud to see my ‘sisters’ leading our industry as instructors, organizers, and union officers.”

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 03/25/2026 - 10:07

Tags: Women's History Month

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: New Jersey Health Care Workers Vote to Join HPAE

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.

New Jersey health care workers at Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice and Inspira Health have both voted to join the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), an affiliate of the AFT.

In two separate National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) elections, registered nurse case managers at Inspira Health medical centers and registered nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers and other staff at Samaritan both won their votes to form unions.

“These elections show tremendous solidarity and commitment,” HPAE President Debbie White said. “We congratulate them on the wins! Unions give workers a voice, and when healthcare workers have a greater voice in their workplace, patients always benefit.”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/24/2026 - 10:13

Tags: Organizing

Women's History Month Profiles: Alexandria Smith

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 Alexandria Smith of the Heat and Frost Insulators (HFIU).

Alexandria Smith has shown remarkable dedication and has made an impact on Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 90. Her commitment to her craft, her steady leadership and the pride she brings to the trade have strengthened the local’s membership in meaningful ways. Her accomplishments reflect both her talents and her heart.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/24/2026 - 10:19

Tags: Women's History Month

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: United Autoworkers

This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we've covered all 65 of our affiliates. Next up is the UAW.

Name of Union: The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America

Mission: To improve working conditions, create a uniform system of shorter hours, higher wages, health care and pensions; to maintain and protect the interests of workers under the jurisdiction of the international union. To unite in one organization, regardless of religion, race, creed, color, sex, political affiliation or nationality, age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, all employees under the jurisdiction of the international union. To improve the sanitary and working conditions of employment within the workplace and in the accomplishment of these necessary reforms. To educate the membership in the history of the labor movement and to develop and maintain an intelligent and dignified membership; to vote and work for the election of candidates and the passage of improved legislation in the interest of all labor. To enforce existing laws; to work for the repeal of those which are unjust to Labor; to work for legislation on a national scale, having as its object the establishment of real social and unemployment insurance, the expense of which to be borne by the employer and the government. To engage in legislative, political, educational, civic, welfare and other activities, which further, directly or indirectly, the joint interests of the membership of this organization in the improvement of general economic and social conditions in the United States, Canada and generally in the nations of the world.

Current Leadership of Union: Shawn Fain serves as president of the UAW. He has been a member of the union for 29 years. Hailing from a family of UAW members, Fain got his start with the union in 1994 as an electrician for Chrysler at Kokomo Casting Plant in his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana. He served his local at every level, from Education & Bylaws chair to CAP chair to being elected to five terms as a skilled trades committeeman, and plant shop chairman for UAW Local 1166. He was a UAW negotiator in 2009, during the Chrysler bankruptcy, and was elected again as negotiator in 2011. He became an international representative in 2012. In 2015, he chaired the International Skilled Trades Sub-committee. The membership elected Fain to the office of president in the first-ever direct election for the international executive board, and he was sworn in on March 26, 2023.

Margaret Mock serves as secretary-treasurer, and the UAW has three vice presidents: Laura Dickerson, Rich Boyer and Mike Booth. The UAW has nine regional directors, including Lashawn English, Mark Depaoli, Steve Dawes, David Green, Brandon Campbell, Mike Miller, Tim Smith, Jimmy Lakeman and Brandon Mancilla.

Current Number of Members: 1 million active and retired members.

Members Work As: Autoworkers and in other jobs.

Industries Represented: Multinational corporations, small manufacturers and state and local governments to colleges and universities, hospitals and private nonprofit organizations.

History: Founded in 1935, the UAW was initiated and led by autoworkers. In 1936, they launched the Flint Sit-Down strike, one that lasted 44 days. They refused to leave the GM plants until their working conditions were improved—good wages, pension, health care and more—igniting a new wave of industrial labor movements across the country. The UAW helped pass the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. To this day, its legacy continues.  

To learn more, watch the following video:

Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The UAW's Local Union Communication Association helps UAW locals produce top-quality, effective communications. The UAW publishes Solidarity magazine and SolidWeb,a free website-building tool designed specifically for UAW locals. UAW publishes Solidarity magazine. UAW supporters can take action by reviewing UAW members’ community service and lists of products manufactured by its members. The UAW has established ethical practices codes and resources for women workers, retirees, health and safety and veterans along with various standing committees.

Learn More: Website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, X, TikTok, Threads, Reddit, LinkedIn

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:40

‘We're Excited About What's Ahead’: 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.

About 200 South Jersey Healthcare Workers Vote to Unionize: “About two hundred workers at a pair of South Jersey health care firms voted to unionize in separate elections last week, New Jersey’s largest healthcare union announced. Health Professionals and Allied Employees, the state’s top healthcare labor union, said about 160 workers at Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice will unionize after a 95-27 vote. The group—which includes registered nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, and others—said they sought unionization due to unrealistic workloads.”

Harvard Custodians Ratify New Four-Year Contract After Months of Bargaining: “Harvard custodians overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract this week, capping nearly six months of contentious bargaining with the University. A majority of members of Service Employees International Union 32BJ participated in the vote, which was conducted by paper ballot at worksites across campus and hand-counted by union leaders. Custodians cast ballots at locations across the Harvard system—including Harvard Yard and graduate schools—with polling stations open from morning through evening on Monday and Tuesday.”

IBEW Plans New Union Hall in Mount Pleasant: “The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 430 plans to build a new 11,500-square-foot union hall building northwest of Washington Avenue (Highway 20) and West Road in Mount Pleasant, according to plans to be reviewed by the village Plan Commission. The building would serve as the new home for the local business office and meeting hall for IBEW Local 430. Its union hall is currently located at 1840 Sycamore Ave. in Racine. The building will be occupied by four to six business office staff during workdays. IBEW Local 430 holds membership meetings throughout the year with each meeting open to its approximately 150 union members.”

Judge Orders Restoration of Voice of America, Putting Hundreds of Journalists Back to Work: “A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to restore the government-run Voice of America’s operations after it had effectively been shut down a year ago, putting hundreds of employees who have been on administrative leave back to work. U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth gave the U.S. Agency for Global Media a week to put together a plan for putting Voice of America on the air. It has been operating with a skeleton staff since President Donald Trump issued an executive order to shut it down.”

Home Care Workers Unionized 10 Years Ago: Good for Workers, Good for Their Clients: “Among the greatest challenges in human services during the past decade has been attracting and retaining the workforce needed to support our growing population of seniors and people with disabilities. For home care positions, particularly in the less skilled jobs, there are simply not enough people. Personal care attendants, often referred to as home care workers, do the difficult work of supporting seniors and people with disabilities so they can remain in their own homes. This can include bathing and toileting and mobility, helping their clients run errands, light housekeeping and meal preparation. They are not medical professionals but may monitor health and behavior.”

NFLPA Elects Former Browns Offensive Lineman J.C. Tretter as Union's Next Executive Director: “The NFL Players Association announced on Tuesday that former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman J.C. Tretter has been elected by the Board of Player Representatives to be the union's next executive director. Tretter ascends to the role after serving as NFLPA president from 2020 to 2024, along with his nine-year career in the league. ‘On behalf of the Board of Player Representatives, we are proud to welcome J.C. Tretter as our new executive director and confident in the leadership that he will bring to our union,’ the NFLPA said in a statement. ‘This decision reflects the responsibility our Board of Player Representatives carries on behalf of every player. We conducted a thorough, deliberate search to identify the right long-term leader to deliver sustained, meaningful progress for our members. J.C. earned the trust of our Board and demonstrated a clear commitment to serving this membership. We're excited about what's ahead.’”

Postal Workers Union Launches Safety Campaign in Nevada, Across U.S.: “The American Postal Workers Union is calling for major safety reform at the U.S. Postal Service after a series of troubling events. Last fall in Michigan, a postal worker was crushed to death next to a machine, and his body wasn’t discovered for hours. The union says the Postal Service consistently reports more workplace injuries than nearly all other federal agencies. Workers contend with industrial accidents, vehicle crashes, severe weather, exposure to toxic substances, and even explosives sent through the mail.”

Virginia Lawmakers Pass Bill to End Collective Bargaining Ban for Public Workers: “Virginia lawmakers on Saturday passed legislation to lift a state ban on public sector collective bargaining for about half a million public sector workers. The bill would apply to public teachers, firefighters, maintenance workers, and other employees employed by local governments and school boards, along with people who work at state agencies. Virginia labor advocates and policy watchers say this is a historic moment given how long the ban was in place and the number of workers it would impact. ‘This is probably one of the most significant pieces of legislation that will advance worker rights, specifically for public sector workers, in a very long time,’ said Rodrigo Soto, legislative and campaigns director at The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis.”

IAFF Shares Cancer Presumption Win for New Mexico’s Firefighters: “The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has spotlighted how after years of fighting for stronger presumptive coverage, New Mexico firefighters have secured a legislative win that expands occupational cancer protections. The victory followed coordinated advocacy by the New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters and the IAFF, culminating in the passage of House Bill 128. Signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the measure strengthens the state’s cancer presumption statute and enhances workers’ compensation protections for firefighters diagnosed with occupational cancers.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:08

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Harris County Workers and Local Unions Win Campaign for Consultations Policy

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 Harris County workers, commissioners and labor allies gathered for a press conference on Wednesday to call for the passage of a consultations policy that will give county workers a seat at the table to address workplace concerns, the policy was approved in a 3–1 vote.

At the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation meeting hall, representatives from HOPE AFSCME Local 123, AFSCME Local 907, the Houston Federation of Teachers, the Culinary Union, and the Houston Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council stood together to urge commissioners to approve the policy. Texas law currently prohibits public workers from collective bargaining, but this local program will make it easier for county workers to file grievances related to pay, working conditions and terminations so they can continue to deliver essential services to residents. Similar policies are already in place in the Houston and Austin independent school districts and the City of Austin, but now that commissioners have adopted this program, Harris County is the first county in Texas to have such a policy in place.

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/23/2026 - 09:48

Women's History Month Profiles: Tracy Miller

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 Tracy Miller of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE).

Tracy Miller is a longtime labor activist and unit director with the Hydro One Local of the Society of United Professionals, IFPTE Local 160. With more than 25 years of union leadership, she has advanced equity through delegate training, women’s organizing and national advocacy. She co-chairs the IFPTE Women’s Solidarity Network and continues to provide steady, principled leadership at both the local and international levels of her union.

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/23/2026 - 09:53

Tags: Women's History Month

Women's History Month Profiles: Mika Brown

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 Mika Brown of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

A camera operator for 20 years, Mika Brown has worked in sports broadcasting for 16 of those and has been a proud member of IATSE Local 317 for eight. Brown said being an IATSE member means having the support of a skilled, dedicated community that ensures fair wages, benefits and protections, allowing her to focus on her craft. “I’m proud to advocate for more representation and opportunities for women in sports broadcasting.”

Kenneth Quinnell Sat, 03/21/2026 - 10:01

Tags: Women's History Month

Women's History Month Profiles: Mildred Womble

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 Mildred Womble of AFSCME.

All day long, Mildred Womble solves problems. A dedicated customer service agent at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration for more than 30 years, she’s seen it all—and handled it with heart. Recently, she’s taken on a new mission: strengthening safety measures to protect front-line staff by working with management to develop clear, practical workplace safety materials and guidelines that keep colleagues informed, prepared and protected.

Kenneth Quinnell Sun, 03/22/2026 - 10:01

Tags: Women's History Month