05/07/2025 - 9:30pm
Tell Congress: No Cuts to Medicaid
Right now, Congress is considering a reckless budget package that would make the 2017 tax giveaway to billionaires and giant corporations permanent, and expand the tax cuts for the rich by cutting $1.5 trillion from essential programs like Medicaid. Â
Medicaid is the single largest source of health care coverage in the United States, and a major source of funding for hospitals, community health centers and nursing homes.
It’s Medicaid—not Medicare—that is the primary payer for 63% of nursing home residents. It’s Medicaid that pays for 42% of births in the United States each year. And it’s Medicaid that provides health care for nearly half of all children in our country. Â
The proposed cuts would tear health care away from millions of people, including kids and our most vulnerable Americans. It would raise health care and insurance costs for everyone else. And massive cuts to Medicaid would cause hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and home-health agencies to close or downsize, especially in rural and lower-income communities—causing 477,000 health care jobs to be lost in 2026 alone.
We would all suffer the consequences if Medicaid is harmed.Â
Call your representative at 231-400-0602 to tell them, “no cuts to Medicaid,” or click here and fill out the form to be connected.Â
The domino effects of these cuts would be severe and wide-reaching. If you spoke out to protect the Affordable Care Act, we need you to speak out even louder to protect Medicaid.Â
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 05/07/2025 - 16:34
05/07/2025 - 3:00pm
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Kristy Pham
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Kristy Pham of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Kristy Pham is a member of Communications Workers (CWA) Local 9510. Currently, she serves as the District 9 representative of the CWA National Minority Caucus, the secretary-treasurer of Local 9510 and the chair of the Women's Committee. Her union experience includes roles as a shop steward and executive board member. In 2022, Pham was honored as the Orange County Labor Federation Delegate of the Year. Pham is a passionate advocate for equity, fair wages and social justice.Â
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 05/07/2025 - 08:55
05/07/2025 - 3:00pm
Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: 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:
AFGE:
AFSCME:
Alliance for Retired Americans:
Amalgamated Transit Union:
American Federation of Musicians:
American Federation of Teachers:
American Postal Workers Union:
05/07/2025 - 3:00pm
RSVP TODAY: Airport Workers Virtual Roundtable
Join workers, advocates, and community partners at the Airport Workers United's Virtual Roundtable on May 7th at 12 pm ET featuring SEIU International President April Verrett, airport worker leaders from across the country, elected champions and other partners for an important conversation about the intersecting crisis of poverty and safety at our nation's airports.Â
Special guests will share their experiences within the aviation system and highlight a new report Flight Path to Safe, Secure and Accessible Airports: The Case for centering fair workplaces, community needs, and passenger choice over airline's soaring profits. This comprehensive report highlights workers' experiences and conditions at PHX, DFW, and CLT airports and illustrates how lifting standards and enforcing protections for this workforce advances the safety, security, and needs of the entire airport ecosystem -- workers, passengers, and surrounding communities all benefit.
 Special Guests confirmed to participate in the virtual roundtable:
Airport Service Worker Leaders from each featured airports in white paper PHX, DFW, CLT
April Verrett, SEIU International President
US Representative Yassamin Ansari, (AZ 3)
Enrique Lopezlira, Ph.D., Director, Low-Wage Work Program, UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education
Colleen Flanagan, Disability Rights Advocate
RSVP today HERE!
For more information about the roundtable or SEIU's Airport Workers United please contact Isaiah Wilson at isaiah.wilson@seiu.org.Â
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 05/07/2025 - 07:06
05/07/2025 - 3:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: NLRB Sides with Whole Foods Workers in Amazon’s Union Election Challenge
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 week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) overruled every objection filed by Whole Foods regarding a landmark January election where workers at a Philadelphia location voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1776.
After a majority of workers at the Amazon-owned grocer’s flagship storefront cast ballots in support of organizing a union, the corporate giant filed numerous objections with the NLRB to challenge the election results. Amazon argued that UFCW unfairly offered workers transportation to the polling site, that the NLRB could not certify the union because it lacked quorum and more. Following a two-day hearing that included testimony from 10 witnesses, Philadelphia-region Hearing Officer Deena Kobel rejected those arguments.
“This ruling is definitive—Whole Foods lost, the workers won, and it’s time for the company to respect the results,” said Local 1776 President Wendell Young IV. “Amazon’s tired playbook of delay and obstruction has failed. We call on Whole Foods to stop wasting time and taxpayer resources with baseless legal challenges and sit down at the bargaining table to negotiate a fair contract.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 05/07/2025 - 08:50
05/06/2025 - 8:30pm
Pressure Comes from the People: 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.
U.S. Labor Unions Demand 'Brother' Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Return from El Salvador: “The letter was signed by Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO labor federation; James Williams, Jr., president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, or IUPAT; Gwen Mills, president of the hospitality union Unite Here; and Michael Coleman, president of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, or SMART, which is Abrego Garcia’s union.”
Writers Guild Voluntarily Recognizes Staff Union: “The Writers Guild of America West has voluntarily recognized its staff’s intent to unionize with the Pacific Northwest Staff Union, allowing the bargaining unit to move forward on its first labor contract. ‘We have an agreement on our first demand, and we’re excited to take this important step towards having a voice in improving our workplace and organizing without fear of retaliation,’ WGAW Operations Coordinator II and Writers Guild Staff Union leader Doug MacIsaac said. ‘We’re happy to be able to advocate for ourselves and look forward to negotiating our first collective bargaining agreement.’”
AFL-CIO President Visits Maine to Highlight Potential Impacts of Veterans Administration Cuts: “Union officials are warning that potential cuts to the veterans’ administration will result in longer wait times for services and benefits. Last month, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs announced a reorganization plan that calls for reducing the VA workforce by 83,000 employees this year, one of many federal cost cutting measures. In response, members of the AFL-CIO gathered in Augusta Wednesday to share their stories as part of a roundtable discussion with National President Liz Shuler. She’s been traveling the country to meet with workers in places like Maine, that ‘aren’t strongholds for either political party,’ she said. ‘This is about capturing workers’ voices and bringing their stories to life because often they are left out of the conversation,’ she said.”
Wichita Symphony Orchestra and Musicians Agree on New Contract: “Established in Kansas in 1944, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra has recently come to an agreement with its musicians to increase their salaries, among other deals. In all, 45 members of the Wichita Musicians’ Association, local union No. 297 of the American Federation of Musicians, unanimously approved the contract, which will run through June 2028 and cover around 80 orchestra musicians.”
Coalition of Nonprofits, Unions Launch Challenge to Trump's 'Unlawful' Attack on Government: “‘The Trump administration's reckless attempt to dismantle our government without congressional approval threatens vital services Americans depend on every day—from caring for veterans and safeguarding public health, to protecting our environment and maintaining national security,’ said AFGE national president Everett Kelley. ‘This illegal power grab would gut federal agencies, disrupt communities nationwide, and put critical public services at risk. AFGE is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with this coalition to protect not just the patriotic public servants we represent, but the integrity of American government and the essential services that our nation deserves.’”
Too Many Workers Die on the Job Every Year. Trump’s Attacks on OSHA Will Kill More: “This Monday marked Workers Memorial Day, an annual international day of remembrance of workers who have died on the job, as well as a day of action to continue the fight for workplace safety. An estimated 140,587 U.S. workers died from hazardous working conditions in 2023, according to a new AFL-CIO report. This amounts to roughly 385 workplace-related deaths a day. While mourning these lives lost, there is also reason to fear this death toll will only rise due to aggressive Trump administration attacks on basic health and safety protections long taken for granted in most U.S. workplaces.”
Referendum to Repeal Anti-Union Law Meets Threshold to Qualify for 2026 Ballot: “Labor groups have met the requirements to put a measure on the 2026 ballot to repeal a law banning police, firefighters and teachers unions from representing their members in contract negotiations. As of Monday morning, the referendum backers had reached their target in the required 15 senate districts, in addition to the 146,480 verified signatures statewide, according to the lieutenant governor’s office.”
SAG-AFTRA National Board Overwhelmingly Approves Commercials Contracts Deal: “SAG-AFTRA’s National Board overwhelmingly approved 2025’s Commercials Contracts tentative agreements reached with the Joint Policy Committee April 12, meaning the agreements will now move on to the membership for ratification. The decision, made at the regularly scheduled, two-day, in-person assembly, yielded a deal valued at an increase of $218.4 million in new earnings and benefit plan contributions over three years. If ratified, the agreements would provide compounded increases in performer compensation at a rate of 5% in year one, 4% in year two and 3% in year three.”
AFL-CIO President on Mass Protests: ‘Pressure Comes from the People’: “AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler joins The Weekend to discuss how to keep the momentum going following massive anti-Trump protests this month.”
Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Its Attack on Union Rights: “Trump’s executive order, which AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler called ‘the most significant attack on workers’ rights in history,’ applied to workers at a wide swath of agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Treasury Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Shuler applauded Friedman’s injunction. ‘We commend the court for recognizing the Trump administration’s executive order stripping collective bargaining rights for what it was: illegal, retaliatory union-busting,’ Shuler said in a statement. ‘This was the most significant attack on workers’ rights in history, and if Trump was allowed to do it to federal workers, he would be able to do it to every worker in America, in every workplace and every industry.’”
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/06/2025 - 11:11
05/06/2025 - 2:30pm
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Ili Meaole
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Ili Meaole of AFGE.
Ili Meaole has dedicated more than 21 years of her life to the labor movement, fighting tirelessly for the rights of workers. Her journey began in 2002 when she joined the union and became a steward, driven by a desire to advocate for her colleagues. In 2008, she was elected as local secretary, working relentlessly to ensure equality in the workplace. Meaole continues to lead with determination as AFGE District 11's elected National Fair Practice and Affirmative Action Coordinator. She is also a proud member of the AFGE Council of Prison Locals.Â
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/06/2025 - 09:42
05/06/2025 - 2:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IAM Members at Pratt & Whitney Go on Strike
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.
Approximately 3,000 members of Machinists (IAM) locals 700 and 1746 in Connecticut rejected the latest proposal from their employer, Pratt & Whitney, and launched a work stoppage early Monday morning to secure a fair contract.
Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of defense company RTX, produces engines for both commercial and military jets. Workers at the aerospace manufacturer voted with about 77% in support of a strike after management failed to provide a deal that sufficiently addressed concerns over wages, retirement and job security.
“Pratt and Whitney is a powerhouse in military and commercial aerospace products because our membership makes it so,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “This offer does not address the membership concerns, and the membership made their decision—we will continue to fight for a fair contract.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/06/2025 - 09:32
05/06/2025 - 2:30pm
Solidarity Forever: 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:
Arizona AFL-CIO:
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:
Colorado AFL-CIO:
Connecticut AFL-CIO:
Illinois AFL-CIO:
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO:
Maine AFL-CIO:
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
Michigan State AFL-CIO:
Minnesota AFL-CIO:
Missouri AFL-CIO:
Nebraska State AFL-CIO:
Nevada State AFL-CIO:
New York State AFL-CIO:
North Carolina State AFL-CIO:
Oregon AFL-CIO:
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:
Texas AFL-CIO:
Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/06/2025 - 11:15
05/05/2025 - 1:00pm
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Angie Nguyen
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Angie Nguyen of AFSCME.
Angie Nguyen is a home care provider in California, caring for her mother and aunt, both in their 80s. Originally from Vietnam, she moved to California in 1993 through help from the Humanitarian Operation Program. Nguyen has been a proud United Domestic Workers (UDW/AFSCME) member since 2008 and currently serves as a board member, committed to lifting up home care and family child care providers, clients and communities through collective action. She has helped grow the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance's (APALA’s) membership in Orange County, organized activists for community actions and local elections, and worked with the Orange County Labor Federation to advance APALA’s mission.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 05/05/2025 - 10:24
