10/23/2025 - 9:30pm
Take Action: Time is Running Out for Millions of Americans
The government shutdown has now dragged on for 23 days. Across the country, federal workers are struggling to pay bills without their paychecks. And President Trump and his allies in Congress still seem to have no interest in getting to work funding the government and fixing the health care crisis.
Meanwhile, time is running out for millions of working people and their families. Governors nationwide are sounding the alarm that SNAP, the federal food assistance program, will run out of funding in two weeks. That means more than 42 million Americans, including some 1.2 million veterans, are about to lose their food assistance.
Working people, seniors and kids across the country will go hungry because of the Trump shutdown.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and your senators and representative need to keep hearing from you. Tell them to fund the government, fix the health care crisis and put working people first NOW.
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Food assistance isn’t the only crisis we’re watching closely.
The Trump administration is about to allow out-of-pocket insurance premiums for some 22 million people with Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care to more than double before the open enrollment period starts on Nov. 1.
And as millions lose coverage because of the cuts to Medicaid and these obscene ACA price hikes, everyone will be forced to pay more for health care. No one can afford this—especially not working people who are already struggling to cover the rising costs of gas and groceries and to just keep the lights on.
Americans can’t wait any longer. Please take a minute to make a call to House Speaker Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Thune, and your senators and representative today. Make a call now: 844-896-5059 or click here to call. Tell them to fund the government, fix the health care crisis and put working people first.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 10/23/2025 - 15:12
10/23/2025 - 9:30pm
Worker Wins: ‘Because We Stood Strong, Organized, and United, We Won’
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
AFM Reaches Tentative Agreement with Broadway League: Powered by an overwhelmingly supportive strike authorization vote, American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 802 announced in the early hours of Thursday that its members have successfully secured a tentative agreement with the Broadway League. Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) members on Broadway won their new agreement last week, meaning all eyes were on the musicians who bring Broadway performances to life. AFM members have been without a contract since August and were prepared for a walkout if a deal wasn’t reached by Thursday morning. “United in solidarity, Local 802 Broadway musicians are thrilled to announce that we reached a tentative agreement at 4:30 am with the Broadway League that will avert a strike scheduled to begin later today,” AFM Local 802 President Bob Suttmann said in a press statement. “This three-year agreement provides meaningful wage and health benefit increases that will preserve crucial access to healthcare for our musicians while maintaining the strong contract protections that empower musicians to build a steady career on Broadway.”
Equity and Broadway League Reach Tentative Agreement: Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) announced on Saturday that the union has reached a tentative agreement on a new production contract with The Broadway League. The union represents stage actors and stage managers who were prepared to strike in order to secure the affordable health care and fair scheduling that they deserve. Their union brothers, sisters and siblings—represented by American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 802—who work as musicians on Broadway are still in negotiations for a deal that ensures higher wages, better insurance coverage and protections from layoffs. “After a marathon mediation session lasting until 6 a.m., Equity and The Broadway League have reached a tentative agreement on the Production Contract,” said Equity Executive Director Al Vincent Jr. in a press release. “This three-year agreement saves the Equity-League Health Fund while also making strides in our other priorities including scheduling and physical therapy access. Now we will bring the deal to our members for ratification, and in the meantime, we are putting our full support behind AFM Local 802 as they work with the League to reach a deal that averts a strike." “We are thankful that our brothers and sisters in labor at Actors’ Equity have reached an agreement. Local 802 is still in negotiation for a fair contract, and everything remains on the table, including a strike,” said Robert Suttmann, Local 802’s union president.
SEIU Members Overwhelmingly Ratify LA County Contract: Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721 who work for Los Angeles County successfully ratified the new contract they reached on Friday after a powerful two-day unfair labor practice (ULP) strike earlier this year. County workers walked off the job in late April in response to the county stalling negotiations and violating labor law by surveilling and retaliating against union members. This massive 50,000 person strong work stoppage showed the strength of their unity and helped secure a tentative agreement just two months later. The deal includes major wins like a 7% cost-of-living adjustment increase, new grievance language, a commitment to fill county vacancies and more. “From our historic ULP Strike, to our countless practice pickets and acts of civil disobedience at the Hall of Administration—LA County members never backed down,” Local 721 said in a social media post. “Because we stood strong, organized, and united, we won a Tentative Agreement that’s now officially ratified! This victory belongs to every worker who took a stand and demanded respect. Congratulations, LA County members!”
Staff at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Form Union: Staff at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) joined the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 70, last month after securing voluntary recognition. Workers at the government watchdog nonprofit, as well as management, are enthusiastic about beginning negotiations so they can establish a contract that will help continue CREW’s critical advocacy work. “CREW United is a testament to both our commitment to CREW’s work and our belief in its values. This effort is about building a stronger, fairer workplace where we can bring our best selves to CREW’s critical mission,” said Honora Overby, a member of the CREW United Organizing Committee. “We are grateful for management’s openness and excited to collaborate on building lasting structures that will support our staff and strengthen CREW’s impact.”
Activision Blizzard’s Platform and Technology Workers Join CWA: In yet another win for video game workers, staff in Activision Blizzard’s Platform and Technology department voted last week to form a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The newly recognized union members perform a number of essential roles for the game developer and are represented by CWA locals 9510 and 6215. Their roles include software engineers, project and product managers, and graphic designers for Battle.net, the platform that houses all of Blizzard’s online products and services. Workers within the new bargaining units also work on localization, quality assurance testing and customer support for the company’s other products. “I’ve been at Blizzard for nearly 20 years, and I’ve seen so many incredible colleagues in the industry come and go for preventable reasons—either for better compensation or as a result of layoffs. Our culture is our people, and we can’t afford to lose that,” said organizing committee member and Principal Software Engineer Daniel Weltz in a press release. “We are forming a union to hold leadership accountable and to ensure that we can focus on building amazing experiences for the gaming community.”
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Sutter Health Workers Secure New Tentative Agreement: More than 4,700 SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) members at eight Sutter Health facilities across Northern California have successfully leveraged a major strike threat to reach a tentative agreement on their new contract. Nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, environmental services, food services, x-ray technicians, respiratory therapists and other essential staff voted overwhelmingly earlier this month to authorize a work stoppage in response to bad faith bargaining from Sutter executives. The power of their unity paid off, and members will now vote on a deal that includes wins like a 14% across-the-board raise, protections for health care and retirement benefits, and more. “This tentative agreement shows that when we stand united, we can win improvements that protect both healthcare workers and our patients,” said Dinora Garcia, a dietary clerk from Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport. “Reaching this agreement wasn’t easy but we stood together to advocate for worker and patient safety, improved staffing levels, and fair wages and benefits that reflect the vital work we do every day.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 10/23/2025 - 12:55
Tags:
Organizing
10/23/2025 - 3:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: SEIU Members Overwhelmingly Ratify LA County 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.
Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721 who work for Los Angeles County successfully ratified the new contract they reached on Friday after a powerful two-day unfair labor practice (ULP) strike earlier this year.
County workers walked off the job in late April in response to the county stalling negotiations and violating labor law by surveilling and retaliating against union members. This massive 50,000 person strong work stoppage showed the strength of their unity and helped secure a tentative agreement just two months later. The deal includes major wins like a 7% cost-of-living adjustment increase, new grievance language, a commitment to fill county vacancies and more.
“From our historic ULP Strike, to our countless practice pickets and acts of civil disobedience at the Hall of Administration—LA County members never backed down,” Local 721 said in a social media post. “Because we stood strong, organized, and united, we won a Tentative Agreement that’s now officially ratified! This victory belongs to every worker who took a stand and demanded respect. Congratulations, LA County members!”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 10/23/2025 - 10:03
10/22/2025 - 8:30pm
Federal Workers Provide Essential Public Services: 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:
Stage managers and actors are watching closely. We stand with the Local 802 musicians!
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— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) October 22, 2025 at 10:10 AM
AFSCME:
Alliance for Retired Americans:
10/22/2025 - 2:00pm
No Kings: 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.
Arizona AFL-CIO:
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:
Colorado AFL-CIO:
Florida AFL-CIO:
Illinois AFL-CIO:
Maine AFL-CIO:
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
Michigan State AFL-CIO:
10/22/2025 - 2:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Staff at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Form Union
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.
Staff at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) joined the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 70, last month after securing voluntary recognition.
Workers at the government watchdog nonprofit, as well as management, are enthusiastic about beginning negotiations so they can establish a contract that will help continue CREW’s critical advocacy work.
“CREW United is a testament to both our commitment to CREW’s work and our belief in its values. This effort is about building a stronger, fairer workplace where we can bring our best selves to CREW’s critical mission,” said Honora Overby, a member of the CREW United Organizing Committee. “We are grateful for management’s openness and excited to collaborate on building lasting structures that will support our staff and strengthen CREW’s impact.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 10/22/2025 - 09:36
10/21/2025 - 1:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Activision Blizzard’s Platform and Technology Workers Join CWA
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.
In yet another win for video game workers, staff in Activision Blizzard’s Platform and Technology department voted last week to form a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
The newly recognized union members perform a number of essential roles for the game developer and are represented by CWA locals 9510 and 6215. Their roles include software engineers, project and product managers, and graphic designers for Battle.net, the platform that houses all of Blizzard’s online products and services. Workers within the new bargaining units also work on localization, quality assurance testing and customer support for the company’s other products.
“I’ve been at Blizzard for nearly 20 years, and I’ve seen so many incredible colleagues in the industry come and go for preventable reasons—either for better compensation or as a result of layoffs. Our culture is our people, and we can’t afford to lose that,” said organizing committee member and Principal Software Engineer Daniel Weltz in a press release. “We are forming a union to hold leadership accountable and to ensure that we can focus on building amazing experiences for the gaming community.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 10/21/2025 - 09:17
10/20/2025 - 7:00pm
People, Not Politicians: 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.
More Than 30,000 Kaiser Permanente Workers Strike for Better Pay and Staffing: “In the largest strike in its union’s 50-year history, more than 30,000 Kaiser Permanente nurses and health workers on the West Coast walked off the job for a five-day strike, demanding better pay and safer staffing levels.”
Labor Unions Sue U.S. Over Monitoring Social Media of Visa Holders: “Labor unions filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government on Thursday, alleging that the Trump administration violated the First Amendment rights of people who are legally in the United States by searching their social media for specific viewpoints, including criticism of Israel. The complaint is the latest legal challenge to the broad immigration crackdown initiated since President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January, which has seen unprecedented deportations of migrants, including some who had valid visas.”
Missouri AFL-CIO Helping Collect Signatures to Put Redistricting Changes on the Ballot: “The unions of the Missouri AFL-CIO are helping collect signatures to put the People Not Politicians referendum on the ballot. House Bill 1, the mid-decade gerrymandered congressional map passed during last month’s special session of the legislature. It targets, and essentially dismantles, Kansas City’s 5th District and redraws the lines of other districts to lock in a 7-1 Republican stranglehold on Missouri’s U.S. House delegation. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the bill into law Sept. 28, but it doesn’t take effect until Dec. 11—just in time for candidate filing in the 2026 elections.”
Major Federation of Unions Calls for ‘Worker-Centered AI’ Future: “‘We reject the false choice between American competitiveness on the world stage and respecting workers’ rights and dignity,’ AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler says in the press release. The AFL-CIO’s membership includes 63 unions and nearly 15 million workers, ranging from pro hockey players to nurses to merchant mariners.”
Build It All: Rhode Island Unions Champion ‘All-of-the-Above’ Energy Approach: “In the building trades, we don’t take sides in energy politics. We build it all—gas, nuclear, solar, wind—and we do it well. Our members have powered this country for generations, and we’ll keep doing it no matter how the technology evolves. If it’s a project that supports American jobs and keeps energy affordable, we’re all in. With work resuming on Revolution Wind, hundreds of skilled union tradesmen and women across Rhode Island are back at work, building energy infrastructure our region desperately needs. These are local workers, trained in the Ocean State, earning family-supporting wages and building an affordable energy future for our communities. For all our sakes, we hope Revolution Wind remains on track.”
Broadway Enters An Anxious Time As Labor Action Threatens To Roil Theaters: “Broadway is a tense place these days after two major labor unions authorized strike action amid ongoing contract negotiations with producers. Actors’ Equity Association—which represents over 51,000 members, including singers, actors, dancers and stage managers—and American Federation of Musicians Local 802—which represents 1,200 musicians—have voted in favor of a strike authorization, a strategic step ahead of any work stoppage. No strike has been called.”
Government Shutdown Is Having An Outsized Impact on Black Americans: “Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, noted that Black Americans make up a larger share of the federal government than their total U.S. population at more than 18%. ‘It’s going to disproportionately affect the Black community in so many ways…They’re going to be suffering from, ‘How do I pay my mortgage bill? How do I pay my medical bills if I don’t have a paycheck coming in?’’ Kelley told theGrio.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 10/17/2025 - 12:46
10/17/2025 - 4:30pm
It's Time for a Fair Contract: 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:
The members of @kickstarterunited.org have been on strike since October 2nd. Sign their letter and tell management to meet Kickstarter United's demands of codifying their schedule and raising the minimum salary. https://bit.ly/3LbV1MN
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— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) October 15, 2025 at 1:15 PM
AFGE:
AFSCME:
Alliance for Retired Americans:
10/17/2025 - 4:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Workers Ratify First 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 NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA) members who work for the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) are celebrating the ratification of their first-ever collective bargaining agreement.
Staff at the statewide nonprofit work to achieve a healthy and safe environment for vulnerable residents in the state. Their contract established a number of wins that will ensure they can continue this important work such as wage increases, remote work flexibility, retirement security and more.
“This contract was hard won. Every member of our unit (past and present) has their hands on these pages. I am elated for our shared success in securing protections and benefits for workers at MEJC,” said Aiko Fukuchi, operations associate at MEJC. “The severance language we were able to confirm was a priority for us in this contract. We wanted to ensure workers had some security they could rely on, especially in such unpredictable times as these. It must be noted that through this process, we benefited greatly from the past efforts and successes of other units in The NewsGuild.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 10/16/2025 - 10:40
