AFL-CIO Now Blog

Worker Wins: The Contract Will Immediately Change Lives

superuser — Fri, 15 May 2026 19:00:00 -0400

Worker Wins: The Contract Will Immediately Change Lives

Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.

AFSCME Corrections Officers in Connecticut Recognized for Making Workplaces Safer: Corrections officers from three AFSCME locals were honored for making their workplaces safer by the Connecticut AFL-CIO. Annually, as part of Workers Memorial Day, the Connecticut AFL-CIO holds an event in Hartford to honor workers who have died, been injured on the job or gotten sick due to work. The state federation’s Health and Safety Committee also honors those who are working to prevent workplace deaths and injuries. This year, AFSCME Locals 387, 391 and 1565—all part of Council 4—were recognized for their advocacy at the Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) to boost workplace safety. “Due to the coordinated advocacy of all three AFSCME DOC locals, the Department of Correction finally chose to begin the implementation of mail scanners and body scanners in select correctional institutions—critical technology that, when it is utilized in every facility within the [Connecticut DOC], will make correctional officers and staff, as well as inmates, exponentially safer,” said Jeremie St. Pierre, a correctional officer at the Cheshire Correctional Complex and president of Local 387.

United Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract with 31% Average Wage Increase: United Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), voted to ratify a new contract. The contract was ratified, with 82% voting for the agreement and 88.85% votes cast of all eligible. “The contract will immediately change the lives of United Flight Attendants, especially our thousands of new hires who have been hired since the pandemic,” said Ken Diaz, United Master Executive Council president. “Our solidarity delivered the goods.” The five-year contract includes a 31% base pay rate increase this summer; boarding pay (which averages an 7% to 8% increase to compensation); $741 million in retroactive pay; expanded job security; restrictions on red-eye flying; sit pay for scheduled and rescheduled sits over 2.5 hours; per diem and 401(k) contribution increases; 10 weeks’ paid maternity and two weeks’ paid parental and adoption leaves; elimination of 24 hour on-call reserve and more. “The United…Flight Attendants’ contract now leads the industry in total value for flight attendants, and it should,” said Sara Nelson, international president of AFA-CWA. “We will continue to press forward with all of our contracts and build power with our organizing to ensure flight attendants are respected with meaningful return for our work as aviation’s first responders.”

IATSE Members Announce Contract with ‘Beast Games’ Ahead of Season 3, Secure Back Pay and Benefits: Members of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) who work on “Beast Games” reached an agreement with the producers ahead of the series’ third season. The contract covers more than 500 crew members working on the production, which is based in Greenville, North Carolina. The workers will receive back pay and benefits for preproduction work that has already been completed and will remain covered by this agreement for this season and subsequent seasons. “Organizing Season 3 of ‘Beast Games’ boiled down to IATSE solidarity in this difficult production environment,” said Michael F. Miller Jr., international vice president and department director of IATSE’s Motion Picture & Television Production Department. “As employment in our industry continues to face challenges from predatory employers looking to take advantage of the industry contraction, our members and their local leaders are showing that they have the strength to stand together to maintain standards in the face of repeated attacks on their livelihoods by greedy employers.”

University of Missouri Librarians Vote to Join LIUNA 955: Librarians at the University of Missouri voted to join LIUNA Local 955. The unit includes librarians, archivists and library information specialists. The workers launched their union drive in December. “Some of our staff barely make above minimum wage and that harms our ability to deliver effective service to our users—the researchers, students, staff and faculty that keep this University running,” said Taira Meadowcroft, a health science librarian.

Workers at PCA Paper Products in Minnesota Ratify Strong Contract with Major Wage Gains, Protected Health Insurance: Members of IAM Union locals W33 and 760, Electrical Workers (IBEW), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Operating Engineers (IUOE), and the Teamsters working at Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) in International Falls, Minnesota, ratified a strong four-year contract. The contract includes 12.5% in general wage increases, a guarantee that current health benefits will not change, improvements to scheduling language, a better grievance procedure, better paid personal time language, and other improvements. The Joint Union Committee, representing members of each of the unions, was led by IAM District 5 Directing Business Representative Jeff Hoopman. “I’m very proud of the work and commitment put in by this committee,” Hoopman said. “Such a large committee representing so many unions can be a challenge, but this group really acted throughout with one purpose: to get a great contract for their members and they accomplished that.”

San Diego Musical Theatre Crew Join IATSE: Production workers at the San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) voted overwhelmingly to organize with the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 122. The unit includes wardrobe department staff, stitchers, dressers, audio technicians, spotlight operators, deck crew, stage managers and assistant stage managers. “Building the theatre community has always been a priority for our Local,” said Robert Morales, business representative for IATSE Local 122. “By organizing SDMT, we continue to build union density which in return helps us negotiate better contracts for everyone and uplift the industry.” The newly organized crew will now negotiate their first collective bargaining agreement with San Diego Musical Theatre. The company conducted an anti-union campaign, including unsuccessful attempts to hold a captive audience meeting and personal appeals from management to reject the union.

UAW Members at CNH Racine Reach Tentative Agreement; Secure Raises, Other Benefits: UAW members at CNH Industrial’s Racine facility reached a tentative agreement on a new five-year contract. The Racine plant manufactures Case IH Magnum high-horsepower tractors. The contract includes stronger job security language, 22% general wage increases for production employees, 29% general wage increases for skilled trades employees, significant health and safety language improvements, health care enhancements, and improvements to retirement benefits. “This tentative agreement reflects the strength and solidarity of our members in Racine,” said UAW Vice President Laura Dickerson. “Workers stood together to win meaningful wage increases, improvements in health and safety protections, stronger retirement benefits, and commitments that help secure the future of this plant and the jobs it supports.” The tentative agreement must still be ratified by the membership.

IAM Local 778 Members Ratify New Contract at Olin Winchester, Winning Raises, Mandatory Overtime Relief: IAM Union Local 778 members voted to ratify a new four-year contract with Olin Corp.’s Winchester division, ending their strike. The victory for more than 1,300 skilled workers at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant was approved by the membership on May 6. “This ratified agreement met the needs of our membership and they are ready to get back to work under these new terms,” said IAM Local 778 Directing Business Representative Scott Brown. “Our members fought for a contract that includes improvements to pay and relief to mandatory overtime scheduling.” “I am proud of these members for their courage and sacrifice,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “The members of IAM Local 778 took the necessary action to make their workplace better and make each other’s lives better. ”

NewsGuild of New York Journalists at Sports Illustrated Win New Contract, Guaranteed Pay Increases: Journalists at Sports Illustrated (SI)—who are members of The NewsGuild of New York, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 31003—won a new three-year contract that raises salaries, saves on health care costs, protects remote work as well as workers regarding artificial intelligence (AI). The SI Union represents 64 journalists at the sports media organization. The deal wraps up nearly a year and a half of bargaining with publisher Minute Media. Highlights of the new contract include a new $70,000 salary floor; an average raise of 5.22% upon ratification, with 3% guaranteed increases over the next two years; preservation of just-cause protections; AI guardrails and more. “This contract upholds the principles and protections we fought so hard for four years ago,” says Dan Falkenheim, a fact checker and the SI Union’s unit chair. “After our members have experienced more than their fair share of instability because of ownership changes beyond our control, we are thrilled to have a contract that values our work and provides a strong foundation for Sports Illustrated’s future at Minute Media.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/15/2026 - 14:59

Tags: Organizing

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: NewsGuild of New York Journalists at Sports Illustrated Win New Contract, Guaranteed Pay Increas

superuser — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:30:00 -0400

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: NewsGuild of New York Journalists at Sports Illustrated Win New Contract, Guaranteed Pay Increases

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 Sports Illustrated (SI)—who are members of The NewsGuild of New York, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 31003—won a new three-year contract that raises salaries, saves on health care costs, protects remote work as well as workers regarding artificial intelligence (AI).

The SI Union represents 64 journalists at the sports media organization. The deal wraps up nearly a year and a half of bargaining with publisher Minute Media. Highlights of the new contract include a new $70,000 salary floor; an average raise of 5.22% upon ratification, with 3% guaranteed increases over the next two years; preservation of just-cause protections; AI guardrails and more.

“This contract upholds the principles and protections we fought so hard for four years ago,” said Dan Falkenheim, a fact checker and the SI Union’s unit chair. “After our members have experienced more than their fair share of instability because of ownership changes beyond our control, we are thrilled to have a contract that values our work and provides a strong foundation for Sports Illustrated’s future at Minute Media.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/15/2026 - 10:07

Paid Family Leave Is Long Overdue: In the States Roundup

superuser — Thu, 14 May 2026 17:30:00 -0400

Paid Family Leave Is Long Overdue: 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.

California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:

Scabby the Rat made an appearance at Monday's solidarity action outside Marathon Refinery in Concord with United Steelworkers Local 5, who are demanding safer working conditions.

Join us here for solidarity actions every Monday until the strike is settled! Picket line is set up… pic.twitter.com/kRkGroR9td
— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) May 12, 2026

Colorado AFL-CIO:

From online shopping to apartment applications to health care, AI systems play a role in decisions that shape our lives.

We need transparency from Big Tech on how these systems work, and real accountability when those systems are used to discriminate or harm people. #coleg #1u pic.twitter.com/bHRjzj1EPS
— Colorado AFL-CIO ✊ (@AFLCIOCO) May 5, 2026

Maine AFL-CIO:

Congratulations to SPACE workers in Portland on forming their union with @UAW2110! https://t.co/QfRBO3jz6U
— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) May 5, 2026

Massachusetts AFL-CIO:

Today is about appreciating the care, sacrifices and support mothers provide their families every day.

We thank you and we’ll keep fighting for all working mothers so they have paid leave, equitable care and good union jobs.

Happy Mother’s Day! pic.twitter.com/XDbmZ57qsO
— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) May 10, 2026

Michigan State AFL-CIO:

Sign our petition to keep our bosses out of the damn bathroom: https://t.co/iKk9Wc4dkh pic.twitter.com/mYJbZndpgI
— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) May 14, 2026

Minnesota AFL-CIO:

More than 9 out of 10 workers expressed support for policies on AI that labor unions may fight for, including 95% supporting a requirement that a human be the final decision maker on issues affecting individual workers & their employment. #BetterInAUnion https://t.co/Ckcw5vX4IL
— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) May 12, 2026

Missouri AFL-CIO:

Without accountability, telecom corporations will not prioritize community interests. That’s why the CWA is leading the charge to ensure reliable service for all and protect good, union jobs.

Sign this petition to call on the FCC to update its oversight: https://t.co/lYGtxPTjQp
— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) May 11, 2026

Nevada State AFL-CIO:

Congratulations to the @culinaryacademylv on their new expansion!

Over 65,000 students have graduated from CAL - cheers to the many more that will have the opportunity to advance their careers with this new expansion. pic.twitter.com/mar1vofpgc
— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) May 13, 2026

New York State AFL-CIO:

NYS AFL-CIO announces endorsement of Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and endorsements in Congressional, State Senate, and Assembly races with primary elections: https://t.co/e7Trimh8UY
— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) May 12, 2026

Oregon Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO:

International workers’ day is more than a single day, and we’re calling on you to join us in committing to fight EVERY DAY for our rights. Showing up for international solidarity goes beyond rallies and festivals — it’s a lifelong commitment.

Sign on to PCUN’s Day Without An… pic.twitter.com/GNarQplugf
— Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) May 13, 2026

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:

Paid family leave for ALL workers is long overdue. @SEIUPA nurses are leading the charge — and we stand with them. ✊https://t.co/1DhyFuh7JI
— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) May 13, 2026

Texas AFL-CIO:

Our pro-worker endorsements in state races for the primary runoff: pic.twitter.com/Ury92EzlJF
— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) April 9, 2026

Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:

Congrats to all the paratransit workers now with @teamsters117! Solidarity! https://t.co/jUUBvVsHVr
— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) May 8, 2026

Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:

Thank you, Letter Carriers! https://t.co/uozyLmRNrx
— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) May 11, 2026

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/14/2026 - 13:09

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Rachele Smith

superuser — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Rachele Smith

For Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians 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 Rachele Smith of UNITE HERE.

Rachele Smith began as a front desk agent organizing the union at her hotel with her co-workers. She has been bringing the message of working people to the public and building power in Arizona through her work in communications over the last eight years. Her profound dedication and leadership to Worker Power continues to inspire new leaders and helps build the movement.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/14/2026 - 10:32

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: United Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract with 31% Average Wage Increase

superuser — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: United Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract with 31% Average Wage Increase

United Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), voted to ratify a new contract. The contract was ratified, with 82% voting for the agreement and 88.85% votes cast of all eligible.

“The contract will immediately change the lives of United Flight Attendants, especially our thousands of new hires who have been hired since the pandemic,” said Ken Diaz, United Master Executive Council president. “Our solidarity delivered the goods.”

The five-year contract includes a 31% base pay rate increase this summer; boarding pay (which averages an 7% to 8% increase to compensation); $741 million in retroactive pay; expanded job security; restrictions on red-eye flying; sit pay for scheduled and rescheduled sits over 2.5 hours; per diem and 401(k) contribution increases; 10 weeks’ paid maternity and two weeks’ paid parental and adoption leaves; elimination of 24 hour on-call reserve and more.

“The United…Flight Attendants’ contract now leads the industry in total value for flight attendants, and it should,” said Sara Nelson, international president of AFA-CWA. “We will continue to press forward with all of our contracts and build power with our organizing to ensure flight attendants are respected with meaningful return for our work as aviation’s first responders.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/14/2026 - 10:25

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Michael Fong

superuser — Wed, 13 May 2026 16:00:00 -0400

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Michael Fong

Michael Fong worked as a co-costume designer on two seasons of “Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.” for Disney+. In the future, Fong hopes to create a program that helps connect LGBTQ+ youth and educate them about what a career in Hawaii’s film and television industry is like. “I have learned a lot from my fellow union members about working in the entertainment industry,” he said. “Being in the union is like being a part of a family.”

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/13/2026 - 10:10

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Paul Snow

superuser — Tue, 12 May 2026 15:00:00 -0400

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Paul Snow

Paul Snow has been a Teamster since 2018 and is a guest service ambassador at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Snow fights for working people across Las Vegas and sits on the board of Teamsters of Nevada. Passionate about electing pro-labor candidates, he canvasses and phone banks during every election cycle to ensure Nevada’s working-class families prosper.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/12/2026 - 11:15

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: San Diego Musical Theatre Crew Join IATSE

superuser — Tue, 12 May 2026 15:00:00 -0400

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: San Diego Musical Theatre Crew Join IATSE

Production workers at the San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) voted overwhelmingly to organize with the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 122.

The unit includes wardrobe department staff, stitchers, dressers, audio technicians, spotlight operators, deck crew, stage managers and assistant stage managers.

“Building the theatre community has always been a priority for our Local,” said Robert Morales, business representative for IATSE Local 122. “By organizing SDMT, we continue to build union density which in return helps us negotiate better contracts for everyone and uplift the industry.”

The newly organized crew will now negotiate their first collective bargaining agreement with San Diego Musical Theatre. The company conducted an anti-union campaign, including unsuccessful attempts to hold a captive audience meeting and personal appeals from management to reject the union.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/12/2026 - 11:11

Tags: Organizing

A Long and Lasting Relationship: The Working People Weekly List

superuser — Tue, 12 May 2026 02:30:00 -0400

A Long and Lasting Relationship: 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.

MU Librarians Vote to Join LIUNA 955: “Librarians at the University of Missouri voted to join LiUNA Local 955, a union that represents a number of public employees in the Mid-Missouri area. LiUNA announced in a Thursday social media post that library workers voted to join the union. Workers had announced their intent to unionize in December. MU librarian Taira Meadowcroft said the preliminary results came in on Thursday and that it will take a few days to certify.”

Capital Times Agrees to Recognize Reporters Union: “The Capital Times Co. agreed Thursday to voluntarily recognize a union formed by its reporters. As a result of the company’s decision, the eight staff reporters agreed to withdraw a petition for an election submitted to the National Labor Relations Board. The reporters, organized as the Cap Times News Guild, presented the petition to their managers April 30. They had already filed the petition with the federal labor board at that point, but in a letter to managers the reporters wrote that they preferred to ‘build a long and lasting relationship with the company’ and would withdraw the document if recognized before an election would take place.”

Strip Casino Reaches New Deal with More Than 100 Union Workers: “More than 100 workers at a Strip megaresort secured a new, multi-year labor deal, the employees’ union announced Thursday. Members of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 501 working at The Cosmopolitan hotel-casino voted to ratify their second union contract with the property, according to a news release. The agreement, which covers engineers, support engineers and laborers, will expire in 2029. The union had been negotiating with The Cosmopolitan since January.”

Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562, Glaziers Local 513 Volunteers Partner with Rebuilding Together to Help Needy St. Louis Homeowners: “Volunteers with Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562 and Glaziers Local 513 spent their day April 25, repairing and updating plumbing, installing water heaters and repairing and replacing windows for those less fortunate, marking 31 years of partnership with Rebuilding Together-St. Louis. ‘This morning is about a lot of things, but it’s 100% about the homeowners we’re going to, the life they live, where they are in their life and how we’re going to change their life today,’ Local 562 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer John O’Mara told the huge group volunteers who turned out to help at Local 562’s offices and training center in Earth City, Mo.”

Dover Council Approves Firefighter Contract, TIF Changes: “Dover City Council suspended the rules to approve Emergency Ordinance 18-26 at its May 4 meeting, finalizing a contract with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 324, AFL-CIO, which represents Dover Fire Department personnel. The contract covers Feb. 16, 2026, through Feb. 16, 2029. Firefighters will receive a $2 raise in the first year, a 3% increase in the second year and a $1.10 raise in the third year.”

Bulletin, Union Agree on Labor Contract: “The Bulletin and its employees who are members of the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild agreed on a three-year labor contract Friday. The negotiation between the company and the union took nearly two years to complete. But reporters, photographers and news assistants at the Bulletin and Redmond Spokesman now have their first union contract. It became official on Friday. Like most union contracts, the biggest hurdle was finding a middle ground on the economic package, including wages, according to Bulletin management.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 05/11/2026 - 11:19

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Andy Misiluti

superuser — Mon, 11 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Andy Misiluti

Andy Misiluti, an 18-year member of Laborers Local 242, is a Pacific Islander who moved from American Samoa to Washington state in 2000 and built a remarkable career with Skanska USA. Starting as a laborer in 2007, he advanced from carpenter tender to concrete nozzleman and then to general foreman at Boeing Renton. Today he’s a LIUNA trainer, mentoring others. “Being a laborer gave me purpose, stability, and a path to become someone I never thought I could be,” he said.

Kenneth Quinnell Sun, 05/10/2026 - 10:41