05/20/2025 - 4:00pm
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Amy Chin-Lai
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Amy Chin-Lai of IFPTE.
Amy Chin-Lai is the president of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union, IFPTE Local 70, which represents thousands of nonprofit workers at more than 50 organizations in Washington, D.C., and nationwide. A fourth-generation Chinese-American, she carries forward her family's resilience through her work empowering other member leaders and advocating for dignity, equity and fair pay. Chin-Lai was recently honored by the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO,– winning their inaugural emerging leader award. She is proud to be part of a movement and union that amplifies the voices of marginalized people in the workplace.
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/20/2025 - 10:03
05/20/2025 - 4:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AFL-CIO, Labor Unions File Amicus Brief in Humanitarian Parole Supreme Court Case
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 Friday, the AFL-CIO and a coalition of unions representing workers in the manufacturing, hospitality, construction, food processing and service industries filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to deny the Trump administration’s attempt to end humanitarian parole and rescind work authorization for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
The brief is co-authored by the AFL-CIO, Service Employees International Union, UAW, UNITE HERE, United Food and Commercial Workers, Painters and Allied Trades, IUE-CWA, and Bricklayers.
“Our immigrant brothers, sisters and siblings from these nations came to the United States to flee danger at home, and while here have been legally working and contributing to our economy while supporting their families,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Ripping them away from their families and homes is a grave injustice that will have harmful ripple effects across our workplaces, our industries, and our economy. We are proud to file this amicus brief alongside our affiliated unions representing workers in key American industries, including those like food processing and manufacturing that cannot function without the work of these immigrants. We call on the Supreme Court to reject the Trump administration’s effort to deport these valued members of our workplaces and communities.”
Read the full press release here.
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/20/2025 - 09:57
05/20/2025 - 4:00pm
The First Line of Defense Against Wage Theft: 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.
Alaska AFL-CIO:
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:
Colorado AFL-CIO:
Illinois AFL-CIO:
Maine AFL-CIO:
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
Michigan State AFL-CIO:
05/19/2025 - 3:00pm
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Davlynn Racadio and Melia Johnson
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Davlynn Racadio and Melia Johnson of AFSCME.
With more than two decades of experience in emergency dispatch, Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA/AFSCME) members Davlynn Racadio and Melia Johnson were some of the first voices heard when victims of the 2023 Maui wildfires called 911 for help. They handled more than 4,000 calls in a 24-hour period, earning them national recognition for their extraordinary service.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 05/19/2025 - 09:40
05/19/2025 - 3:00pm
Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Boilermakers
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 63 of our affiliates. Next up are the Boilermakers (IBB).
Name of Union: International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers
Mission: Uniting members across multiple industries and occupations in the union’s common endeavor of improving each other’s lives and lifestyles through union representation.
Current Leadership of Union: Timothy Simmons serves as international president. He began his Boilermaker career on a boiler outage in 1999, working out of Boilermakers Local 108, in Birmingham, Alabama, at the Alabama Power Miller Steam Plant. He has served as a Local 108 business agent/secretary treasurer, District Lodge 3 officer, director of National Recruitment Services, director of Construction Division Services and assistant to the international president. In October 2022, the International Executive Council voted unanimously to elect Simmons to fill the international vice president Southeast vacancy, effective Feb. 1, 2023, upon the retirement of Warren Fairley. Fairley briefly came out of retirement to serve the union as international president during a time of transition. Upon his final retirement in August 2024, the International Executive Council elected Simmons to serve as international president.
Clinton Penny serves as international secretary-treasurer, and the Boilermakers have five international vice presidents: J. Tom Baca (Western States), John Fultz (Northeast), Arnie Stadnick (Canada), Dan Sulivan (Great Lakes) and Jeff Campbell (Southeast).
Current Number of Members: More than 60,000
Members Work in: Constructing and repairing electric power plants, refineries, and pulp, paper and steel mills; building naval ships and commercial tankers; repairing locomotives; making cement; mining coal, gypsum and talc; forging tools for industry; and making consumer goods.
Industries Represented: Heavy industry, shipbuilding, manufacturing, railroads, cement, mining and others.
History:Â The Boilermakers are one of the oldest unions in the country, rising out of the Industrial Revolution’s demand for steam power in 1880. The Boilermakers have been a part of many major events in American history, helping to build structural sections of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis; the machinery to make the Panama Canal; the world’s first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus; the USS New York amphibious transport dock (which includes steel from the Twin Towers); military ships and various submarines; nuclear, gas-fired and advanced coal-fired power plants; and the aluminum-based fuel for the space shuttle’s solid rocket boosters. The Boilermakers had been headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, since 1893, and moved to Kansas City, Missouri, in 2024. There are now more than 200 Boilermaker local lodges across North America.
Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The Boilermaker Reporter provides news and information useful to workers in the industry. The Boilermakers have established national funds for pensions, health and welfare, and an annuity trust. They also provide education and training, including one of the best apprentice programs in the country, and are partners in an award-winning alliance with construction industry contractors and owners, resulting in innovations for improved safety, manpower availability, training and cost savings.
Learn More: Website, Facebook, X, YouTube
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 05/19/2025 - 14:33
05/19/2025 - 3:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Norse Atlantic Airways Flight Attendants Ratify 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.
U.S.-based Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) members who work for Norse Atlantic Airways voted overwhelmingly in support of ratifying a new contract.
The Norwegian low-cost, long-haul airline was founded in 2021 and has a flight attendant base in John F. Kennedy International Airport. Highlights of the deal include provisions that ensure job security, raise total compensation with the highest per diem in the industry, increase the number of sick days and more.
“This contract provides Norse Flight Attendants with certainty and guaranteed economic and work rule improvements. The contract provides much-needed quality of life as Norse charts the path forward,” said Norse AFA President Katarzyna Mroczek.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 05/19/2025 - 09:35
05/19/2025 - 3:00pm
This Is Progress: 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.
Labor Unions File Lawsuit Against HHS to Restore NIOSH: “The coalition, which includes the AFL-CIO, the United Mine Workers of America and Dentec Safety, filed a petition May 14 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The unions call on Kennedy to ‘resume immediately all activities that NIOSH performed before’ recent cuts to the agency workforce—some of which have recently been reversed.”
Kennedy Center Employees Announce Plans to Unionize: “The union, which they’re calling the ‘Kennedy Center United Arts Workers,’ would be in partnership with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, commonly known as the UAW. It would consist of nonsupervisory employees from artistic programming, education, marketing and development departments, along with administrators of the Washington National Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra. Performers are covered by several different unions.”
Divers at Orlando's Discovery Cove Theme Park Unanimously Vote to Unionize: “A group of divers at SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove theme park in Orlando unanimously voted to unionize last week, forming the first union at the aquatic-themed resort. According to the National Labor Relations Board, which conducts union elections in the private sector, the group of divers and dive technicians unanimously voted (15-0) in favor of unionizing with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 30, in an election that featured 100% voter turnout.”
SAG-AFTRA and Nickelodeon Reach Tentative Agreement on Animation Contract: “Nickelodeon has agreed to ‘commonsense’ AI protections for voice actors on animated shows like The Patrick Star Show and Dora the Explorer, according to performers’ union SAG-AFTRA. The union announced on Wednesday that it had reached a tentative deal with Nickelodeon over voice acting on animated programs for basic cable and Paramount+. With covered projects including ‘Rugrats,’ ‘The Loud House,’ ‘Kamp Koral’ and ‘Rock Paper Scissors,’ the three-year provisional contract also brings some rate increases, a new premium and faster payment due dates.”
SAG-AFTRA’s New Audio Commercials Contract Revamps Structure, Expands AI Protections: “The audio advertising business is posted to get a significant overhaul for union voiceover talent. Under the tentative 2025 SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contracts deal, a new structure for audio commercials has been introduced—one that simplifies compensation, reflects current media consumption habits, and includes the union’s strongest protections yet against the misuse of artificial intelligence. The agreement covers April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028. The three-year deal nets out to $218.4 million in new earnings and benefit contributions. It currently awaits ratification by SAG-AFTRA members ahead of a May 21 voting deadline. If adopted, the audio contract will cover about 2,200 union voice talent members.”
Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Set Minimum Nurse-to-Patient Ratios: “Two Democratic senators and a representative reintroduced a bill May 12 that would create minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios at hospitals across the country. Sens. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Rep. Jan Shakowsky, D-Ill., reintroduced the Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act on International Nurses Day. The bill would require hospitals to develop annual staffing plans that meet the minimum staffing ratios set forth in the legislation. Hospitals would also be required to maintain records of RN staffing and post notices of minimum ratios. Additionally, the legislation would provide whistleblower protections for nurses who speak out against unsafe staffing practices. HHS would be tasked with enforcing minimum ratios through civil penalties and administrative complaints.”
Protect Federal Incentives for Clean Energy Projects: “Energy demand is rising, and with it, utility bills are getting harder to afford. But we can’t just wring our hands and maintain the status quo. There are good reasons why electricity demand is going up. We’re building 21st-century technologies like AI and data centers. We’re electrifying things like cars and heating systems that have pumped dirty pollutants into our air for too long. This is progress. We need to meet the moment by building affordable clean energy and doing so in a way that creates high-quality union jobs for Washingtonians. Luckily, we have a powerful tool to help us do that: federal tax incentives for clean energy development.”
Union for Nearly 1,000 University of Minnesota Resident Physicians Certified by State: “Nearly 1,000 resident physicians at the University of Minnesota are officially unionized with SEIU Committee of Interns and Residents after a state labor board certified on Friday that a majority of residents signed union cards. The certification comes on the heels of more than 200 resident physicians at Hennepin Healthcare achieving certification last month as the first union of resident physicians in Minnesota. ‘We work very hard to take care of people all over the Twin Cities and beyond, and burnout is a real problem,’ said Dr. Kaitlin McLean in a statement released by the union. ‘It’s essential that we have a seat at the table so we can care for ourselves and our patients, and so that we can stay here in Minnesota doing that critical work.’”
Tufts Student Released from U.S. Immigration Custody After Judge's Order: “U.S. District Judge William Sessions during a hearing in Burlington, Vermont, ordered the immediate release of Rumeysa Ozturk, who is at the center of one of the highest-profile cases to emerge from Republican President Donald Trump's campaign to deport pro-Palestinian activists on American campuses.”
Blizzard's Overwatch Team Just Unionized: 'What I Want to Protect Most Here Is the People': “‘Game developers behind Activision Blizzard’s hit franchise Overwatch have joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA), becoming the latest group of video game workers at Microsoft-owned studios to form a wall-to-wall union,’ the CWA announced in a press release shared with Kotaku on Friday. ‘A neutral arbitrator confirmed today that an overwhelming majority of workers have either signed a union authorization card or indicated that they wanted union representation via an online portal.’”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 05/19/2025 - 13:00
05/18/2025 - 7:30pm
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Betty Chow
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Betty Chow of IATSE.
Betty Chow has worked as an "A" Second Assistant Camera on the third season of "All American: Homecoming.” She serves on the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG) Local 600 National Executive Board, and is co-chair of the inclusion committee. Chow has been a Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) member for 25 years and enjoys serving as a resource for her fellow IATSE members. "I am part of an organization of skilled workers who have each other's backs through the hard times, and we share the joy in the good times. Being an IATSE member has enabled me to master my craft and be respected as a worker."
Kenneth Quinnell
Sun, 05/18/2025 - 13:44
05/17/2025 - 6:30pm
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Chan Chi Chiu
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Chan Chi Chiu of UWUA.
Chan Chi Chiu is deeply grateful to the Utility Workers (UWUA) for the stability and security it has provided for his family. He credits the job security, safe work environment and comprehensive benefits for allowing his family to thrive and paving the path to success and the realization of the American dream. Chan has always been an active and supportive UWUA member, always engaging in team building in his organization by providing snacks to help his brothers and sisters stay energized during the day.
Kenneth Quinnell
Sat, 05/17/2025 - 13:03
05/16/2025 - 12:30pm
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Greta Jianjia Cheng
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Greta Jianjia Cheng of USW.
Greta Jianjia Cheng, a graduate student researcher at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, was a driving force during last year’s campaign for graduate workers at the university to join the United Steelworkers (USW). About 2,100 graduate workers voted by 98% in November to become USW members—one of the most lopsided margins in the union’s history. Cheng came to the United States in 2017 to pursue graduate studies, and saw firsthand the challenges that come with being an international graduate student. Now, as a member of the USW bargaining committee, she hopes to address those issues.Â
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 05/16/2025 - 09:17
