Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. Today's profile is Sunnie Patterson of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).

“I have been a crane operator engineer apprentice for the past four years. I joined Operating Engineers Local 324 because I wanted to better my life, have benefits and gain valuable knowledge in the trades. My favorite part of being a member of IUOE is that I'm a part of something bigger than one can imagine, whether it's pile driving structural bridges or running heavy equipment. I come from a third-generation Six Nations (Haudenosaunee) Ironworker Local 25 family,” Patterson said.

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Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. Today's profile is Zuben Ornelas of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

Zuben Ornelas joined IATSE in 1993 and has served on Local One’s Social Justice, DEI and PAC committees. “Learning to contribute as part of a team and as a member of Local One has shaped my approach to everything I do and for that I'm eternally grateful.” Ornelas has also worked for the New York City Ballet and the New York City Opera. He was instrumental in creating a land acknowledgment for Local One that is read at every meeting.

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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.

Journalists at the New York Daily News reached a tentative agreement with the paper’s owner, Alden Global Capital, for a first contract. The union members still must vote to ratify the contract. The NewsGuild of New York, an affiliate of The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA), represents the tabloid’s print, digital and photo employees.

“I could not be prouder of everyone in the Daily News Union who made this possible,” said Michael Sheridan, unit chair of the Daily News Union. “Winning the first contract for the Daily News’ workers in more than 30 years was an uphill battle. From the historic walkout to distributing flyers and organizing rallies, it was a Herculean effort. But it never would have happened without the dedicated efforts of dozens of people, including those who have left the News for bigger and better things.”

The contract includes minimum salaries of $60,000 at ratification and $63,000 by May 2026; minimum salaries of $75,000 for senior reporters and senior content editors; annual raises at ratification of 3% across the board and another 3% across-the-board increase in May 2026; expanded benefits for part-timers, including health care coverage for the first time; protection of the current flexible time-off plan for those who currently have it and for any new hires in the sports department going forward; preservation of retirement benefits and enhanced paid leave; just cause protections that guarantee due process and representation should a worker face discipline or termination; performance reviews that take stock rather than presaging disciplinary action; stronger health and safety protections for reporters and photographers regarding harassment, assignment safety, trauma and other risks; training requirements for new programs, processes and protocols; creation of a Labor Management Committee to address workplace issues; the establishment of rights and legal protections for source confidentiality; and the creation of editorial integrity protocols and protections against advertiser and third-party interests.

“This tentative agreement is the direct result of our Daily News Union members’ perseverance and determination to fight for the worth of their work covering this great city of ours,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York. “Winning this contract means our journalists will be able to continue to report on the news that New Yorkers need to stay aware, safe and informed. New York needs its Hometown Paper and its Hometown Journalists more than ever.” 

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 21,000 members of the University Professional and Technical Employees-CWA (UPTE-CWA) and the University of California (UC) reached a contract agreement and averted a strike planned for Nov. 17 and 18 that was to be joined by more than 60,000 supporters from two additional UC unions, AFSCME Local 3299 and the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC). UPTE represents research and technical professionals across the UC system. The two sides had been bargaining for the last 17 months, and had been in mediation for three weeks.

Details of the tentative contract, which union members still must ratify, are forthcoming. Prior to the agreement UPTE was seeking significant pay increases, predictable and progressive caps on health care premium increases, and improvements in work-life balance, career progression and job security.

“The finalized agreement reflects the university’s enduring commitment and UPTE’s advocacy for our employees who play critical roles across the University,” a joint statement from UC and UPTE read. “Both parties acknowledge and appreciate the collaborative spirit that allowed us to move forward and reach a resolution that supports our valuable employees and the University of California’s mission of excellence.”

“Our tentative agreement is a hard-won victory for 21,000 healthcare, research, and technical professionals across UC—and one that will benefit millions of UC patients and students, as well as people across the world who benefit from UC’s cutting-edge research,” said Dan Russell, UPTE president and chief negotiator. “We continue to stand with AFSCME and CNA members as they fight and strike for a similar agreement for their members.”

Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. Today's profile is Alexsander C. Gladstone Bigwolf of the Bricklayers (BAC).

“Union trades can change the trajectory of yourself and people around you,” said Alexsander C. Gladstone Bigwolf. “Masonry has given a lot to my family.” Bigwolf’s grandfather Chester was the first Native American bricklayer apprentice who completed the apprenticeship program with BAC. With the apprenticeship training benefits, he was able to continue his education at South Seattle College and receive his degree, which has helped him get his dream jobs.

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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 Tuesday, a UPS cargo plane crashed at the Louisville International Airport, causing an explosion and a massive fire. At least 13 people were killed in the tragedy and multiple injured, with several people still missing. In the wake of this disaster and ongoing community-wide strain caused by the government shutdown, the Kentucky State AFL-CIO’s Disaster Relief Fund has stepped up in multiple ways this week to help support working families in this time of need.

The state federation is sending approximately $12,000 to a fund that helps union members who have lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP. Affiliates, like the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), UAW and IUE-CWA, have also donated to this fund to help families keep food on their tables. The Kentucky State AFL-CIO is also contributing $90,000 in support to federal workers who have missed paychecks. Additionally, in partnership with United Way of Kentucky, they have pledged to donate money to victims of the tragedy, those impacted and their families.

These powerful acts of community care truly embody the spirit of solidarity and serve as a reminder of how our movement mobilizes in times of crisis to uplift us all.

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.

Union Leaders Cheer Election Wins—and Some Look Ahead: “AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said unions ‘would run an unprecedented ground game’ through next year’s voting to inform and educate their members and the wider public about what’s at stake for workers in the battle against corporate greed, multibillionaires, and their political handmaidens.”

Unions Sue Over ‘Loyalty Question’ for Federal Jobseekers: “In a statement, AFGE National President Everett Kelley tied the initiative to statements made by Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought last year about their desire to fire federal bureaucrats and ‘bring the deep state to heel.’ ‘Forcing job applicants to answer politically motivated questions comes straight from the Project 2025 playbook, which aims to replace dedicated, nonpartisan public servants with workers chosen for their political loyalty rather than their qualifications or their oath to uphold the Constitution,’ he said. ‘This isn’t just illegal, it also harms our members and all Americans by depriving them of opportunities to serve their country and by undermining a skilled, nonpartisan workforce.’”

Labor Unions Powered Prop 50 Win with Millions in Donations, Ground Support: “Labor unions are one of the biggest groups that contributed to Proposition 50’s overwhelming win on election night. Unions were some of the biggest contributors to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Prop 50 campaign committee, putting more than $25 million toward the effort—nearly a third of total contributions. Labor unions also dispatched thousands of union workers to canvass and phone bank in support of the measure. Service Employees International Union California members alone called more than 1 million voters and knocked on more than 150,000 doors in support of Prop 50.”

‘Obama-Era Numbers’: Labor Unions Say Voter Energy Surged in Virginia, New Jersey Races: “Federal furloughs, layoffs and rising health care costs galvanized union members to vote and volunteer in numbers labor organizers say they haven’t seen in more than a decade. ‘What I saw last week was Obama-era numbers,’ Herb Smith, a political organizer for the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents the federal workforce, said. Voter enthusiasm typically ramps up as Election Day nears, but this year’s calendar coincided with the increasingly dire fallout of the government shutdown: missed paychecks, reductions in force by President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget and uncertainty surrounding funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which will provide reduced benefits for 42 million Americans.”

Fred Redmond: Latino Families Cannot Afford the Trump Administration’s Health Care Cost Spike: “Today officially marks the longest federal government shutdown in American history. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers—about 10% of whom are Latino and 30% of whom are veterans—are missing their paychecks. Families across the country are being forced to choose between paying for groceries, rent and medical care. The truth is: President Trump and his allies in Congress are inflicting this pain because they would rather shut down the government than deal with the looming health care crisis that will explode costs for more than 170 million Americans.”

Air Traffic Controllers Union President Says It’ll Take Weeks to Recover from Shutdown Impact: “The head of the air traffic controllers’ union said Wednesday that it could take the industry ‘weeks to recover’ from the impacts of the government shutdown. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said on CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box’ that the holiday season will be especially affected by the shortage of air traffic controllers, who missed their first full paycheck last week. The Department of Transportation has reported increased delays and ground stops as a result of the shutdown, now in its fifth consecutive week. ‘To somehow fathom we could go into the holiday season still in a government shutdown, I can’t even begin to predict what the impacts will be across this country,’ Daniels said. ‘Three-hour TSA wait lines will be the least of our worries.’”

New Jersey AFL-CIO: Together, We Won!: “Tonight marks a key victory for our labor movement as Mikie Sherrill has been declared the governor-elect of New Jersey. Throughout her time in office as our congresswoman, Mikie Sherrill has stood with working people on the issues that impact their livelihoods, their communities, and their workplaces. As governor, through her steadfast leadership, she will continue to ensure that working people have a seat at the table and push to expand our hard-won rights that our predecessors have fought and died for. Although our labor movement may have weathered several attacks on our jobs, our right to collectively bargain, and our healthcare, Mikie Sherrill has proven herself to be a fierce advocate for all working people in our state and will fight to ensure that all working people are heard.”

IUPAT's Jimmy Williams Jr.: Labor Unions Need to Activate Their Members to Defeat Trump: “I'm a fourth-generation union glazier. I remember being a kid sitting around the dinner table when my dad was on strike, thanking God for the Painters union (IUPAT) even when times were hard. The history of our union’s struggle is in my blood, and I’ll never take the sacrifice members before me made for granted.”

AFL-CIO’s Shuler: Union Contracts Protect Workers from AI Threat: “A union contract can be a valuable protection for workers against corporate executives bent on replacing their brains and skills with responses generated by artificial intelligence, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler says. The catch, however, is to both contract for those protections and to erect strong guardrails—including massive legal penalties—for misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). And to turn AI to workers’ advantage. That would also be to the companies’ advantage, by making jobs easier for workers and to in turn, improving productivity for the firms.”

IBEW: Trump’s Anti-Union EOs Target Unions Expressly Protected by Law: “The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers last week sued the Trump administration over its executive orders aimed at stripping two-thirds of the federal workforce of their collective bargaining rights, arguing that its bargaining units at the Energy and Interior departments are expressly protected by law. Earlier this year, President Trump signed a pair of executive orders citing a seldom-utilized provision of the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act to declare wide swathes of the federal government as primarily engaged in national security work and banning most unions there. Federal employee unions have since been engaged in court battle across half a dozen legal challenges, contending the edicts constitute violations of employees’ First and Fifth Amendment rights, among other charges.”

CWA's Claude Cummings: Rural America Deserves Dependable Broadband, Not More Billionaire Handouts: “Nearly a century ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt led a campaign of bold investment to electrify rural America. Until recently, we were on track to do the same for broadband internet in this century. Before President Trump’s second term, our country was on the cusp of a breakthrough.”

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 64 of our affiliates. Next up is the Train Dispatchers (ATDA).

Name of Union: American Train Dispatchers Association

Mission: To represent employees in the nation’s railroad industry who safely and efficiently operate and dispatch trains and supply the electric power for those railroads that use electricity for train propulsion and signaling. 

Current Leadership of Union: L. Ed Dowell serves as president of the ATDA. He began his railroad career in 1998, when he was hired as a CSX train dispatcher. He began his career as an ATDA representative when he was elected as first vice general chairman of the CSX System Committee in 2008. After CSX decentralized its Jacksonville, Florida, operations center, he was elected as vice general chairman/local chairman of the CSX Huntington Division. In 2011, Dowell became a national officer when he was elected as ATDA vice president. In 2015, he was elected to the position of national secretary-treasurer by the ATDA Joint Board. He served in the position for two additional terms. In 2023, Dowell was elected as ATDA president. Additionally, in January 2024, he was elected to serve as chairman of the Cooperating Railway Labor Organizations.

Bill Sikes serves as secretary-treasurer, and ATDA has four vice presidents: Brandon Denucci, Kevin Porter, Barry Cross Jr. and Colin Thurman.

Members Work As: Train dispatchers, power supervisors, power directors, load dispatchers, train and engine service employees, drawbridge operators, and maintenance of way employees.

Industries Represented: The U.S. railroad industry

History: While earlier efforts had been made to organize train dispatchers, the organization that would be successful, the ATDA, was founded in 1917, and its first meeting was held in Spokane, Washington. The craft union came together to organize and represent people working as train dispatchers in the nation’s railroad industry. Eventually, the organization expanded to include assistant and chief train dispatchers and power supervisors and directors who supervise and manage the power supply for electrically powered trains. In the 1990s, other crafts such as train and engine crews, maintenance of way workers, and yardmasters joined the organization.

Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: In addition to representing and negotiating contracts for its members, the officers and staff of the ATDA promote legislation and regulatory improvements that benefit the safety and well-being of its members, the rail industry and every community where the railroad provides a vital service. The ATDA also serves on committees that manage and improve health care benefits and partners with organizations such as Union Plus to provide additional benefits to its members. Members can report software errors and safety issues. Branded gear is available in the ATDA’s online store. ATDA Strong profiles members. The ATDA offers scholarships for members and their families. It also publishes The Train Dispatcher newsletter.

Learn More: Website

Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. Today's profile is Sue Parton of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Sue Parton is a proud member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. She rose from classroom teacher at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to president of the Federation of Indian Service Employees, representing thousands of federal workers across 24 states. From fighting unjust layoffs to negotiating national labor agreements, she has championed fairness, respect and dignity for employees serving Native communities.

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Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. Today's profile is Teresa Ford of AFSCME.

Teresa Ford is a senior family assistant analyst with the New Mexico Health Care Authority, where she has spent almost a decade getting families access to affordable health care so they don't have to choose between doctor visits and groceries. Of Navajo ancestry and a proud advocate for her community, Ford also organizes through AFSCME Local 2777 to strengthen public services and protect every worker’s freedom to access and provide them.

Tags: Native American Heritage Month