10/14/2025 - 8:30pm
An Immediate End to the Shutdown: 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.
Rail Union Asks FAA to Ban Drone Flights Over Rail Infrastructure: “A rail union has asked the Federal Aviation Administration to ban the use of unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, above rail yards and main lines. The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division, or SMART-TD, submitted comments earlier this week on a proposed FAA rule that would allow expanded drone use of beyond visual line of sight. Such a proposal was a condition of the FAA Authorization Act of 2024.”
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, St. Louis Labor Movement Rally Around Striking Machinists Members at Boeing: “AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler urged striking Machinists District 837 members at Boeing to continue standing in solidarity and hold the line last week during a rally here at the union’s hall. Hundreds attended the Oct. 1 event, which featured several speakers from the international Machinists union as well as state and local Labor leaders, including Missouri AFL-CIO President Jake Hummel and St. Louis Labor Council President Patrick Kellett.”
Federal Workers’ Unions Call for Compromise on a Shutdown Deal: “‘Do your damn job, and pass a budget that’s going to require a little compromise,' Randy Erwin, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees-IAM, said. His union represents more than 110,000 federal employees across the country who work at agencies including the National Park Service, the Defense Department and Health and Human Services.”
‘Dangerous Game’: Unions Warn Shutdown Risks Aviation Safety: “‘This is a dangerous game,’ Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), said during a news briefing Wednesday outside the headquarters of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) in Washington, D.C. Nelson joined representatives from AFGE, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), and other public and private unions to urge Congress to reopen the federal government, warning that a prolonged shutdown could endanger aviation safety. Nelson said air traffic controllers (ATCs)—nearly 11,000 of whom are directing traffic without pay, per the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)—are working under ‘increasingly unsafe’ conditions.”
AFL-CIO Opposes Major Crypto Legislation: “The AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor federation, addressed a letter to members of the Senate Banking Committee Monday night opposing the Senate's draft legislation to create a regulatory framework for the trading of digital assets. The big picture: Citing the ‘volatility of the assets class,’ the labor giant says it worries about the retirement funds of its millions of members if cryptocurrency were to become more common in portfolios. What they're saying: The group argues that the bill, the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, ‘provides the facade of regulation’ that could cause cryptocurrency to become more mainstream in investment funds. ‘Passing this legislation will allow the proliferation of assets that investors will wrongly perceive as safe,’ Jody Calemine, AFL-CIO's director of government affairs, writes in the organization's legislative alert.”
AAUP, Other Unions Sue Trump Admin Over H-1B Fee: “A slew of unions, including three that represent university faculty and staff, are suing the Trump administration over its proposed $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas, The New York Times reported. The plaintiffs, which include the American Association of University Professors, UAW International and UAW Local 481, allege in the lawsuit that numerous researchers and academics will lose their jobs as a result of their institutions not being able to afford the new fee. (An H-1B visa previously cost $2,000 to $5,000.) Universities, along with national labs and nonprofit research institutions, were also exempt from the annual cap on the number of new visas, and it’s unclear whether the new fee will apply to higher ed.”
Rhode Island AFL-CIO Sues Trump’s EPA Over Termination of $7 Billion Solar for All Program: “The Rhode Island AFL-CIO and the Rhode Island Center for Justice on Monday sued the US Environmental Protection Agency, challenging the Trump administration’s decision to kill the $7 billion Solar for All program. The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Rhode Island, aims to reverse the termination of a program launched during President Joe Biden’s administration to help pay for residential solar projects for more than 900,000 lower-income US households. Massachusetts had been one of the biggest intended recipients of the program: More than $156 million had been obligated to the state, and Rhode Island expected to receive $49 million. ‘Solar energy is key to Rhode Island’s march towards a carbon-free economy,’ Rhode Island AFL-CIO President Patrick Crowley said in a statement. ‘The Solar for All program is critical to meeting the mandates of the Act on Climate and could lead to hundreds of good paying union jobs, that is why the Rhode Island AFL-CIO is happy to join this court action.’”
Federal Unions Sue White House, Demand Immediate End to Shutdown: “Federal unions say the current government shutdown is like no other. The National Treasury Employees Union said poor communication around agencies’ shutdown contingency plans caused ‘upheaval’ for federal employees. And after the new threat of reductions in force, the American Federation of Government Employees is now suing the Trump administration, calling the White House’s directive illegal, and raising concerns that it will ‘inflict further pain’ on government workers. Both federal unions are demanding an immediate end to the shutdown.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 10/10/2025 - 13:33
10/14/2025 - 8:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IAM Members Support Homeless Veterans in Des Moines, Iowa
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.
Last year, union members partnered with the Des Moines chapter of Homeless Veterans Stand Down to fill backpacks with winter clothing and other essentials to distribute to those in need. District 6 expanded their commitment to this cause in 2025 by holding another event with the national organization where members donated $1,150 that went to feeding and getting critical resources to former service members in the area who are experiencing homelessness.
“Our veterans deserve more than gratitude, they deserve action,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “I’m proud of the IAM members in District 6 who stepped up to honor their service by ensuring they and their families receive the support they need.”
As part of the IAM Union Midwest Territory Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing (HELPS) initiative, members of IAM District 6 gathered donations and distributed resources to homeless veterans in Des Moines, Iowa.
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 10/10/2025 - 11:31
10/14/2025 - 8:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Michigan Home Care Workers Win Election to Join SEIU
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 Thursday, 32,000 home care workers voted to form a union with SEIU Healthcare Michigan, 13 years after former Gov. Rick Snyder ripped away their collective bargaining rights by reclassifying them.
The current governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, reversed her predecessor’s attack on these workers last year, paving the way for them to fight for the wages and benefits they deserve.
“This is a proud day for Michigan. If anyone needs a union, it’s home care workers. When the union was stolen from us, I was devastated. But I didn’t lose hope. I knew we would reclaim our union one day—and that day has finally come.” said Phyllis Pride, a home care worker from Ecorse. “This all happened because we took a stand: home care workers and the people we care for deserve better. We deserve respect and dignity. That starts with a union. Together, in SEIU Healthcare Michigan, we can now build the long-term care system Michigan deserves.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 10/14/2025 - 13:58
10/14/2025 - 8:30pm
Stand Strong and Stick Together: 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:
10/14/2025 - 2:00pm
Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Seafarers
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 is the Seafarers International Union (SIU).
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 is the Seafarers International Union (SIU).
Name of Union: Seafarers International Union
Mission: To represent the best-trained, most efficient crews in the world as a dynamic, politically active organization dedicated to protecting the membership’s job security in the face of the ever-changing needs of the industry.
Current Leadership of Union: David W. Heindel has served as the president of the Seafarers International Union since February 2023. Prior to that, he had served as the secretary-treasurer of the SIU, Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters starting in February 1997. Augustin “Augie” Tellez has been the executive vice president of SIU since 2005. Tom Orzechowski is the secretary-treasurer of the SIU.
SIU also has eight vice presidents: George Tricker (Contracts), Dean Corgey (Gulf Coast), Joseph T. Soresi (Atlantic Coast), Bryan Powell (Lakes and Inland Waters), Joe Vincenzo (West Coast), Sam Spain (Government Services), Hazel Galbiso and Pat Vandegrift.
Number of Members: 80,000
Members Work As: Professional merchant mariners sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels in the deep sea, Great Lakes and inland trades.
Industries Represented: Members work on a wide variety of vessels, including commercial container ships and tankers, military support ships, tugboats and barges, passenger ships, gaming vessels and many more.
History: Before the Seafarers International Union was formed in 1938, there were several other unions that organized maritime workers, including the International Seamen's Union (ISU), which formed in 1892 and was chartered by the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Pressures from the Great Depression and internal division led to the downfall of the ISU, despite some successes, including securing the passage of the Jones Act in 1920.
The SIU was formally given a charter in 1938 with nearly 7,000 members. World War II had a major impact on the maritime trades. SIU members were a huge part of the war effort, providing military support to the Allies and serving as the underpinning of the Allied supply lines. The casualty rate for merchant seamen was higher than any other branch of the armed services. The union managed to secure increases in hazard pay for those sailing into war zones. After the war, the SIU made tremendous gains with organizing drives, a general maritime strike and the creation of the AFL's Maritime Trades Department.
Paul Hall was a charter member of the SIU and, by the late 1940s, he was in charge of daily operations of the union, and he took the union in a more militant direction. Hall stressed civic engagement and negotiation and took SIU to the streets in solidarity with other AFL unions. Reform and expansion were key among Hall’s achievements, including securing the first hospital and death benefits for members, creating the Seafarers Vacation Plan and strengthening seniority provisions in hiring.
In the 1950s, the SIU continued to expand by merging with other smaller maritime unions. The union also opened up several training facilities to help Seafarers hone their professional skills. The union was successful in the 1960s in calls to modernize the U.S.-flag-bearing fleet. The 1970s would see the union successfully fight for the passage of the Merchant Marine Act, which lifted up the maritime industry, including boosting jobs.
The rapid changes in technology, trade and world politics in the 1980s and 1990s provided both opportunities and challenges for the SIU. The expansion of global trade and the growth in military conflict around the world directly affected SIU’s membership. SIU members were among the first responders after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, transporting evacuees from affected areas and serving as crew on the USNS Comfort, a ship that was the center for medical care for first responders and survivors. SIU members also would be key in stories in more recent years, such as the “Miracle on the Hudson” aircraft incident in 2009 and when the Maersk Alabama ship was hijacked by Somali pirates.
Whether it be in times of war, times of peace or in reaction to a tragedy, Seafarers are part of the solution; and they continue to do what they always do: "turning to and delivering the goods."
Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The Seafarers provide training and apprenticeships through the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education and the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship. The Seafarers Disaster Aid Fund helps members and retirees who are hurt by hurricanes and other disasters. The Seafarers also assist members with pensions. SIU shares news and information through the Seafarer’s Log, CIVMAR News and the Mobile News Network.
Learn More: Website, Facebook, YouTube, X, Instagram
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 10/14/2025 - 13:43
10/09/2025 - 5:30pm
It's Time for Change: 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.
AFGE:
AFSCME:
Alliance for Retired Americans:
10/09/2025 - 5:30pm
Returning Power to the Workers: 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:
10/09/2025 - 5:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: RWDSU Helps Fights Addiction in Appalachia with Resources and Working-Class Solidarity
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 Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW) Local 21 participated in the Healing Appalachia music festival to connect attendees with information about the union and organizing resources.
The annual event brings community members together to enjoy music and provides those affected by opioid addiction with much-needed resources. The union partnered with the festival because it recognizes that the stability of a good union job with quality benefits can be especially life-changing for workers in addiction recovery. Local 21 even hosts regular Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at its union hall, embodying the true spirit of solidarity.
Alex Ware, president of RWDSU-UFCW Local 21, said, “Addiction has touched so many families in our communities, including our union family. At Local 21, we believe in new beginnings and in the power of good union jobs to change lives. Many of our members have overcome struggles with addiction and found stability, community, and dignity through union work and in the connections made through our union. That’s why we’re proud to support Healing Appalachia and to be here helping people see that recovery can lead to real opportunity.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 10/08/2025 - 09:51
10/09/2025 - 5:30pm
Take Action: It’s Time to Stop Hurting Working People
As the shutdown enters its ninth day, the rent, mortgage and bills keep coming for America’s workers.
The bills keep coming for the workers who provide health care for veterans, help Americans with their Social Security benefits, inspect our food and medicines, and keep our airports safe.
The bills keep coming for contract workers—including custodians and cafeteria workers—who don’t have the assurance of back pay. Instead of chatting with their kids about Halloween costumes, parents will be forced to explain why the lights aren’t on. People who need medication like insulin may choose to ration it so they can afford to keep the water running.
And all of this pain is happening because the Trump administration is threatening to double or triple people’s health care premiums by refusing to extend the Affordable Care Act’s tax credits.
Congress needs to hear from working people right now: Fund the government. Fix the health care crisis. Put working people first. Make a call right now.
If you’ve already made a call, click here to send an email too.
This week, the Trump administration decided that because of the shutdown, they were going to pause billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure and energy projects across the country. These projects employ hundreds of thousands of workers in construction, manufacturing and operations, and are supposed to help lower electricity prices.
It’s clear what the administration is doing: squeezing working people any way they can until they cry uncle and abandon demands to fix the administration’s Affordable Care Act crisis.
We can all agree on this basic principle: These workers, and all workers in America, just want to be able to do their job and get paid a decent paycheck for their work. The last thing that working families and our economy need is another hit when these paychecks don’t arrive on time and workers start having to make impossible decisions.
Working people should not be used as pawns or bargaining chips, whether it is threatening one set of workers after another, canceling construction projects, or jacking up electricity prices on top of higher health insurance premiums.
Will you make a call to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and your senators and representative to tell them to get to work and fund the government, fix the health care crisis and put working people first? Make a call now: 844-896-5059 or click here to call.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 10/09/2025 - 12:32
10/09/2025 - 5:30pm
Worker Wins: Solidarity, Resolve, and Resourcefulness
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
Temple University Resident Assistants, Peer Mentors Vote to Join OPEIU: Temple University’s resident assistants (RAs) and peer mentors (PMs) voted unanimously on Tuesday to form a union with Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 153. Members of Temple Union of Resident Assistants (TURA) have made history as the first group of undergraduate workers to organize at a public university in Pennsylvania. “Too often, the efforts we make as student workers in ResLife go unnoticed by the university,” said Erin, an RA, in a press release. “We shoulder significant responsibilities in our residence halls, caring for residents while managing our own full-time studies. This balancing act can take a mental toll, especially when our work is neither recognized nor fairly compensated. As we prepare to bargain, we will advocate for higher compensation for our Resident Assistants and Peer Mentors and improved working conditions. The value of our work far exceeds the compensation we currently receive.”
Polly’s Country Market Workers Secure New Contract: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951 members who work at Polly’s Country Market locations voted this week to ratify a new two-year contract. The 150-person bargaining unit at the grocery chain locations in Jackson, Michigan, won a deal that includes higher wages and improvements to paid time off. “Family-owned grocery chains are rare and unique in this day and age,” said John Cakmakci, president of Local 951, in a press release. “These Polly’s stores were unionized decades ago, and I’ve personally known members who have worked there for nearly 40 years. We have a great group of members at Polly’s with people who really care about serving their community as store employees and as union members. We last ratified the Polly’s contract four years ago and a lot has changed with the economy since then. With this new contract, we wanted wages reflecting those changes and ultimately succeeded by putting more money into the pockets of Polly’s workers.”
SEIU Members at Las Vegas Hospital Celebrate First Contract: Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1107 who work at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas have successfully secured their first union contract. Professional staff in the bargaining unit work in laboratory technology, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology, and other essential departments. Highlights of the agreement include wage increases of more than 12% over the lifetime of the deal, establishment of a committee on safe staffing, health care wins and more. “In order to provide the best care and meet all of our community’s complex needs, we must have the very best professionals working here,” said Cristina Hooper, a medical social worker at Sunrise. “Our first union contract is the foundation that will empower us to attract and keep professionals, and give us a seat at the table to represent our patients and ourselves.”
TV Commercial Production Department Workers Secure First CBA: In a first-of-its-kind victory, the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) announced the ratification of a new contract with the Association of Independent Commercial Producers Inc. (AICP) on Wednesday. The historic agreement covers television commercial production workers—including roles like production assistants, production supervisors, bidding producers and more—for the first time across hundreds of companies. Members of the Production Workers Guild (PWG), IATSE Local 111, won stronger workplace protections, better health care access, improved reimbursement procedures and other provisions that ensure parity with fellow crew members. “This ratified agreement is the culmination of four years of activism and organizing born out of the grassroots ‘Stand With Production’ movement which saw commercial production workers first stand up in the face of deteriorating conditions, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb. “It is a testament to the solidarity, resolve, and resourcefulness of production department workers. This first agreement sets a foundation that we will look to build upon for the future, with talks for a successor agreement just three years away.”
Maine Workers Grow Union Ranks at Statewide News Network: Nearly 50 workers at the Maine Trust for Local News won their election this week to join News Guild of Maine, The NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America (TNG-CWA) Local 31128. The statewide nonprofit was created in 2023 when the National Trust for Local News purchased the largest network of daily and weekly newspapers in Maine. While some newsroom staff were already members of the NewsGuild of Maine—like those at the Portland Press Herald—other workers still lacked the basic workplace protections and fair pay that a union contract provides. Newly minted members include reporters, photographers, copy editors, advertising representatives and other staff at the Sun Journal, the Times Record and weekly newspapers and newsletters in southern and western Maine. “Those of us who are not represented have little influence over the environment in which we work. That changes today,” said Kendra Caruso, a staff writer at the Sun Journal. “Today we demand equal pay, equal respect and the same job securities that our represented colleagues have. As one company, one union and under one contract, we will hold the company accountable to its stated mission.”
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Sunrise Hospital Workers in Las Vegas Secure First Contract, 12% Raises: Medical professionals at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas, members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1107, are celebrating their first contract. The new contract will improve staff recruitment and retention and provides average raises of more than 12% over three years. The contract covers nearly 300 employees working in laboratory technology, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology, among other fields. The contract also provides union representation and a neutral arbitrator available for workplace problems, a Patient Care Committee and other committees to improve staffing, and protected benefits like 100% employer-paid health care premiums. “In order to provide the best care and meet all of our community’s complex needs, we must have the very best professionals working here,” said Cristina Hooper, a medical social worker at Sunrise. “Our first union contract is the foundation that will empower us to attract and keep professionals, and give us a seat at the table to represent our patients and ourselves.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 10/09/2025 - 16:01
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