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.

Brooke Shields, Actors’ Equity Rally in Times Square Ahead of Broadway Contract Negotiations: “The rally came as part of AFL-CIO’s—the largest federation of unions in the U.S., which includes Equity—national bus tour to rally workers in the two months leading up to Labor Day. On Thursday, several union leaders, including Shuler, spoke to the idea of ‘attacks,’ on workers across the country. Speaking after the rally, Shuler pointed to the mass layoffs of government workers, as well as the struggles among many workers, including the rising cost of living, healthcare costs, retirement insecurity and more.”

SAG-AFTRA Members Overwhelmingly Approve 2025 Broadcast TV Code: “By an overwhelming margin, SAG-AFTRA members nationwide have approved the 2025 broadcast television code, which covers recorded and live programming throughout the broadcast day. The code was ratified by 96.48% of members who voted, with just 3.52% voting against.”

Airline Pilots Outraged Over One-Pilot Proposal: “A federal advisory committee of pro-corporate aviation ‘experts’ is telling the corporate-friendly Trump regime there should be only one pilot, not two, in an airplane’s cockpit. Citing safety reasons, the Air Line Pilots (ALPA) strongly oppose that scheme. And so do 43 senators, from both political parties. The plan came to light when ALPA disclosed the lawmakers’ July 24 letter to Trump Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, urging him to reject the scheme. They said having only one pilot in the cockpit while the other rests elsewhere on the plane is dangerous. Capt. Jason Ambrosi, the ALPA president, agrees vehemently.”

Local Labor Unions Join Together with Fundraiser for Homeless Families on Labor Day: “The Big Bend Central Labor Council is celebrating Labor Day on Sept. 1 by giving back to some of the most vulnerable members of the community. The group will be collecting donations from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the American Legion Hall to support homeless families in partnership with Capital City Youth Services, a local nonprofit that offers support to local youth and families in crisis.”

'It's Better in a Union' Bus Tour Comes to Hudson Valley: “‘Ripping away food from our children and our seniors, cutting funding from our schools...that our hospitals need...voting to give tax cuts to billionaires. Instead of working families who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads,’ said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO.”

Maine Trust for Local News Workers Rally to Expand Their Union: “About three dozen reporters, photographers, page designers and union activists gathered on a brown lawn adjacent to the Portland Press Herald offices and printing plant Tuesday morning to announce their drive to unionize news workers at all of the Maine Trust for Local News’ weekly and daily paper operations around the state. The News Guild of Maine, which is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America,  already represents about 150 workers at the Trust’s papers and aims to include the 50 or so remaining non-union jobs at the Sun Journal in Lewiston, The Times Record in Brunswick and the Trust’s 17 weekly publications. Workers at the daily Kennebec Journal are represented by a separate branch of the CWA and are in the process of merging with the guild.”

Labor Day 2025: More Protests Than Parades and Picnics: “Traditionally, parades, picnics, and barbeques happen on Labor Day, but this year will be significant for the more than 500 protests that will happen form one end of the country to the other. The AFL-CIO is backing events sponsored by labor federations in many cities and by coalitions like May Day Strong, Indivisible, the organizers of No Kings Day, and many other formations. Federation President Liz Shuler will be where the action is in Los Angeles and Teachers/AFT President Randi Weingarten will join Chicago Federation of Labor President Rob Reiter as headliners in the Windy City.”

Member-Organizers Drive a NewsGuild Surge: “The news industry has undergone a sea-change in the last two decades. Print readership of newspapers has declined sharply, while their digital readership has edged up slowly. Local newspapers have consolidated into ever larger chains controlled by private equity and vulture funds. Newer digital-only media sites have multiplied. Into this changing news landscape has come an influx of new journalists who bridle at the poor working conditions and low pay inflicted by media moguls building their empires on the cheap. Thousands of these media workers are finding a home in the NewsGuild.”

Groups Rally to Protect Social Security Benefits: “‘We’re here with the (American Federation of Government Employees) to really lift up how important it is to protect Social Security right now with so many other cuts being made to the social safety net,’ said Jessica Brittain, organizing director of Action Together NEPA. ‘It is more important than ever, especially after Medicaid now has been decimated. It’s not hard to see that Social Security is one of the next things on the chopping block.’ Groups attending the rally, which coincided with the 90th anniversary of the Social Security program, included Action Together NEPA, Affordable Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Policy Center, Pennsylvanians Together, the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and For Our Future Pennsylvania.”

Danny Donohue, 81, Led CSEA for a Quarter-Century: “The tough-talking labor leader rose from the ranks to lead one of New York's most powerful public sector unions. Donohue died on Aug. 10 at age 81, according to a family obituary. In a release, CSEA praised him as ‘a towering figure in the labor movement, a fearless advocate for working people and a beloved friend to so many people.’”

A new report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) finds that labor unions don’t just improve the economic security of workers covered by collective bargaining agreements, they also promote civic and political engagement that has long-term positive impacts on our communities and democracy.

EPI outlines a strong correlation between higher levels of union density and a range of economic, personal, and democratic well-being metrics. The authors argue that because unions give workers the ability to influence our direct working conditions, this empowerment also facilitates our ability to shape our broader communities, leading to more equitable economic, social and democratic structures.

“High union density is consistently associated with a much broader set of positive spillover effects across multiple dimensions: from higher wages and better benefits; to more equitable tax systems; safer workplaces; stronger public services; and healthier, more inclusive democracies,” the report concludes. “Unions don’t just improve workers’ paychecks—they shape the social and political fabric of the communities they operate in, lifting standards for union and nonunion workers alike, while their political advocacy helps to drive an array of strongly positive outcomes, especially in states where unions represent a sizeable share of the workforce.”

Read the full report here.

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 Operating Engineers (IUOE).

Name of Union: International Union of Operating Engineers

Mission: To serve the needs and develop the skills of a constantly expanding and varied group of construction and maintenance professionals through collective bargaining, legislative action and extensive skills training programs.

Current Leadership of Union: John L. Downey serves as general president of IUOE. He started as a member of Local 542 in eastern Pennsylvania. In 2005, he became a business representative for the local. In 2010, he took on the role of international representative for the Northeast Region. He was promoted to assistant construction director in 2014 and to director of the Construction Department in 2021. Downey was appointed as chief of staff by former General President James Callahan in 2023 and elected general president himself in January 2025.

James M. Sweeney serves as general secretary-treasurer. IUOE also has 14 vice presidents: Daren Konopaski, Michael Gallagher, Greg Lalevee, Terrance E. McGowan, Douglas W. Stockwell, Charlie Singletary, Dan Reding, William Lynn, Patrick J. Kelly, Thomas A. Callahan, Joshua VanDyke, James J. White, Edward J. Curly and David K. Sikorski.

Current Number of Members: 410,000

Members Work as: Members who are operating engineers work as heavy equipment operators, mechanics and surveyors in the construction industry. Stationary engineers work in operations and maintenance in building and industrial complexes, and in the service industries.

Industries Represented: Private industry and in various public projects, such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and government complexes.

History: In the late 1800s, working conditions were harsh for construction and stationary workers. Low wages, no benefits and 60- to 90-hour workweeks were the norm. In 1896, 11 individuals met in Chicago and formed the National Union of Steam Engineers of America, the first step in the creation of IUOE.

A year later, the first Canadian members joined and the union became the International Union of Steam Engineers. After the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, operating engineers flocked to the city for rebuilding jobs. They also were a key part of digging the Panama Canal.

In 1912, the union changed its name to the International Union of Steam and Operating Engineers. As technology advanced, steam became less a part of the industry, and steam was dropped.

During the era of the two world wars and beyond, IUOE members were a significant part of the defense effort, from the Navy Seabees, who created the bases, airfields and roads, to the federal Highway Trust Fund program, which created thousands of jobs for operating engineers. They also were part of many other important construction projects, including San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Chicago’s Sears Tower (renamed Willis Tower in 2009), Toronto’s CN Tower and SkyDome (renamed Rogers Centre), New York’s Empire State Building and Holland Tunnel, the Statue of Liberty, Vancouver’s Lions Gate Bridge, the Alaskan pipeline, the Hoover Dam and countless others.

Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: IUOE runs extensive training programs and maintains the International Training & Education Center. It also focuses on recruiting women workers into apprenticeship programs. The International Operating Engineer publication provides information and news for working people in the industry.

Learn More: Website, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn

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.

GoJet Airlines flight attendants, who are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), successfully ratified a new contract last week, with 90% of voting members approving the agreement.

The regional airline is operated under the United Express brand of United Airlines. AFA-CWA members won major victories, such as double-digit pay raises, increased per diem, minimum pay protections, greater schedule flexibility and more.

“While GoJet Flight Attendants continue to work flights branded as United Airlines, we deserve to solidify significant pay increases, boarding pay, and benefits that our mainline counterparts across the industry are seeing,” said Melissa Higgins, AFA GoJet president. “This new tentative agreement ensures aviation’s first responders at GoJet are receiving the benefits we deserve and lifting up standards for regional Flight Attendants.”

On Thursday, the Nevada State AFL-CIO, UNITE HERE Culinary Union and community allies rallied with the AFL-CIO’s “It’s Better In a Union” tour bus in Las Vegas to highlight their fight to protect hospitality workers and the state economy from the Trump administration’s policies. Later in the day, labor leaders also joined Rep. Dina Titus and other lawmakers to discuss how federal cuts are threatening the livelihoods of working people.

The Culinary Union, the Nevada affiliate of UNITE HERE, represents tens of thousands of workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including those at most casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and in downtown Las Vegas. These members are the lifeblood of the city’s tourism industry and they are fighting back against the Trump administration’s attacks on immigrant workers and disastrous cuts to essential programs like Medicaid.

“The ‘Trump Slump’ is real and it’s happening in Las Vegas,” said Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Union. “This administration promised it was going to take on costs of groceries, eggs, rent and now that's gone. They've completely forgotten about their promise to fight the cost of living. We're telling this administration we need a course correction because it's costing us jobs and hurting Las Vegas right now."

“The ‘It’s Better in a Union’ bus tour is in Las Vegas because we're hurting,” Susie Martinez, executive secretary-treasurer of the Nevada State AFL-CIO, said. “Our economy is losing jobs and putting working families at risk. Instead of tackling the cost of living, Trump is targeting immigrants, arresting hardworking gardners and dishwashers while big corporations continue to profit. It's a travesty....Nevada workers are standing together to demand an economy that works for everyone.”

Tags: Better in a Union Bus Tour

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler rode the AFL-CIO “It’s Better in a Union” bus into the Hudson Valley and New York City this week to rally local unions.

Shuler joined union members for an accountability rally on Tuesday to call out Rep. Mike Lawler for his vote to pass disastrous cuts to critical programs and investments. Hudson Valley union members and leaders gathered in Croton Point Park, in the heart of New York’s 17th Congressional District, to highlight how Lawler failed to advance the Protect America’s Workforce Act and thereby harmed the working people he represents. 

“Ripping away food from our children and our seniors, gutting funding from our schools, that our hospitals need, voting to give tax cuts to billionaires instead of working families who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads,” Shuler said. 

On Wednesday, the bus tour arrived at the iconic Times Square for a rally with Actors’ Equity Association President Brooke Shields as members face contract negotiations with the Broadway League beginning next week. Broadway actors and stage managers are gearing up to fight for the improved scheduling, better sick coverage and secure health care they deserve.

“Every working person deserves a fair deal at work. We need reasonable schedules, protection when we get hurt,” Shields said, adding that she had torn her meniscus and still danced on it for three months. “Our stage managers don’t have swings. They get sick, they have to still come to work. It’s too much. We need safer staffing practices. We need [a] fair share [of] money going into our health insurance.” 

Tags: Better in a Union Bus Tour

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.

After three months walking the picket line, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) District 1199NE members reached a tentative agreement on Monday and voted overwhelmingly to ratify their new contract with Butler Hospital and its owner, Care New England.

Staff at the Rhode Island psychiatric and substance abuse facility made history in their fight for a fair agreement, staging one of the longest walkouts in the state’s history. The previous contract, which covered nearly 800 front-line workers, expired in March. Throughout negotiations, the union’s core sticking point was securing higher wages to address the staffing shortages. The new agreement contains major victories, such as language that ensures no current employee will earn less than $20 an hour by the end of the contract, maintains health care benefits and includes improvements to workplace safety, retirement security and more.

“This resolution is a sign of true unity that brings the hospital and its mission forward,” said Brooke Huminski, a clinical social worker. “We are incredibly thankful for the support of so many in our community as well as elected leaders, especially House Speaker [Joseph] Shekarchi who helped us find a pathway forward toward resolution.”

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:

Equity's next memorial gathering will be held next Monday, August 25. Don't let theater landlords decide how we honor recently passed Equity members. Join us as we read their names, share our stories and memories with each other. RSVP via zoom - https://bit.ly/4lyT75m

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— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) August 20, 2025 at 9:45 AM

AFGE:

Secretary Collins’ decision to rip up the negotiated union contract for majority of its workforce, 1/3 of whom are vets, is another clear example of retaliation against AFGE members for speaking out against the illegal, anti-worker, & anti-veteran policies of this administration. https://t.co/boOnoQoxgr

— AFGE (@AFGENational) August 6, 2025

AFSCME:

HAPPENING NOW: We’re marching on Rep. Young Kim’s office in Anaheim, CA to ask a simple question: How dare you vote to cut services at local hospitals, nursing homes and schools to pay for more billionaire tax breaks? pic.twitter.com/BzbEXJgUFd

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) August 19, 2025

Alliance for Retired Americans:

Alright, let's be realistic: If we want to protect Social Security and make sure seniors can get their full earned benefits, then we need to make sure the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share. We can make this happen, but Congress must act.https://t.co/i7LMDpok6q

— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) August 18, 2025

Amalgamated Transit Union:

Solidarity and strength were in the convention hall for the second day of the ATU 61st International Convention in New York City, featuring powerful speakers and convention committee reports to set the vision for the future of our Union.
Before the convention proceedings began,… pic.twitter.com/uo5w2qw5NX

— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) August 19, 2025

American Federation of Musicians:

We are pleased to join the @Unite4Copyright at a time when it’s more critical than ever to protect the work and livelihoods of musicians. Working with the Copyright Alliance will enable us to achieve our goal of supporting professional musicians who comprise our membership. https://t.co/Vdnke5QmXw

— AFM (@The_AFM) August 6, 2025

American Federation of Teachers:

Private equity’s push into 401(k)s comes as the industry struggles to sell off old investments. With more than 30K companies stuck in portfolios, it could take nearly a decade just to clear the backlog, and working people’s retirement savings will suffer. https://t.co/sMvjnKcL3F

— AFT (@AFTunion) August 20, 2025

American Postal Workers Union:

Labor Day is just around the corner - but as workers' rights are under attack, this year we need to honor the day with more than a picnic. Thousands of union members and community organizations are poised to take action! pic.twitter.com/x3xdt1O1w8

— The American Postal Workers Union - APWU (@APWUnational) August 19, 2025

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:

.@PSAAirlinesInc, it’s time to pay up! AFA PSA is back at the table TODAY at the NMB in Washington, D.C. 

CLT. DAY. DCA. PHL. DFW. AFA PSA Flight Attendants’ Day of Action sent a clear message to management that it’s time for a living wage Contract NOW. pic.twitter.com/Qlmxa36gax

— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) August 20, 2025

Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers:

Workers on strike at Teasdale Latin Foods in Hoopeston, Ill. warn that any Teasdale bean products produced at their plant after 6/1/25 are no longer being produced by experienced, skilled workers, and the Union cannot guarantee their quality. https://t.co/cxjEyVW615

— BCTGM International (@BCTGM) August 7, 2025

Boilermakers:

ICYMI in the IBB Update, check out this recap of the 2025 #Boilermakers Industrial Sector Operations Conference https://t.co/4WlsN1V4hW Were you there? What was your favorite moment? pic.twitter.com/ofrn4fbiU4

— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) August 19, 2025

Bricklayers:

Congratulations to Sister Erin McNamara, the go-to #restoration specialist in #Chicago, on winning the Outstanding BAC Craftsmanship Award! https://t.co/yBLvoJWOQR#skilledtrades #masonry #unionproud #womeninconstruction pic.twitter.com/OSM3uFyB2I

— Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union (@IUBAC) August 20, 2025

Communications Workers of America:

Every Thursday we wear red to show our solidarity & honor Gerry Horgan’s memory. 

On this day in 1989, Gerry was killed on the NYNEX strike picket line. At his funeral, a line of CWAers wearing red stretched for a mile along the route to the church.

Solidarity Forever. pic.twitter.com/qn0cEhCcpP

— CWA (@CWAUnion) August 15, 2025

Department for Professional Employees:

Congratulations to the stage managers at Boston Ballet who have officially joined together in union with @weareagma.bsky.social! www.musicalartists.org/agma-and-bos...

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— Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (@dpeaflcio.bsky.social) August 19, 2025 at 9:45 AM

Electrical Workers:

When dark money campaigns started killing off union jobs in Ohio, the #IBEW found a powerful ally in the fight for a clean energy future. https://t.co/qYQFc0lFuf @NRDC

— IBEW (@IBEW) August 20, 2025

Fire Fighters:

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

NNU Members at Oneida Health Hospital in New York: Nurses at Oneida Health Hospital, members of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU), voted to ratify a new three-year contract. The new deal includes yearly 3-percent wage increases and incentives to help recruit and retain nurses, no concessions on benefits, and a bonus on ratification. “I’m so proud of what we were able to achieve,” Donna Maccarone, a registered nurse, said. “We fought because we care for this community and believe that patients and nurses deserve better. These improvements will ensure that we have enough nurses to provide the absolute best care possible.”

SEIU Members at Butler Hospital Ratify New Contract, End Historic Strike: After three months walking the picket line, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) District 1199NE members reached a tentative agreement on Monday and voted overwhelmingly to ratify their new contract with Butler Hospital and its owner, Care New England. Staff at the Rhode Island psychiatric and substance abuse facility made history in their fight for a fair agreement, staging one of the longest walkouts in the state’s history. The previous contract, which covered nearly 800 front-line workers, expired in March. Throughout negotiations, the union’s core sticking point was securing higher wages to address the staffing shortages. The new agreement contains major victories, such as language that ensures no current employee will earn less than $20 an hour by the end of the contract, maintains health care benefits and includes improvements to workplace safety, retirement security and more. “This resolution is a sign of true unity that brings the hospital and its mission forward,” said Brooke Huminski, a clinical social worker. “We are incredibly thankful for the support of so many in our community as well as elected leaders, especially House Speaker [Joseph] Shekarchi who helped us find a pathway forward toward resolution.”

Howard Community College Faculty Reach Tentative Agreement: Members of the United Academics of Maryland-Howard Community College (UAMD-HCC)—an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT-Maryland and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP)—have secured a tentative agreement for their first union contract. The bargaining unit covers full-time faculty at HCC, who will vote on whether to ratify the deal later this month. In addition to a 4% cost-of-living adjustment and a $3,500 bonus for all full-time faculty, members also won a clear disciplinary process, greater job security, defined workload guardrails, increased shared governance with the college and more. “This agreement is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our faculty,” said United Academics of Maryland-HCC Chair and Associate Professor Nadene Vevea. “After tough negotiations, we have secured vital advancements that not only recognize the contributions of our educators but also lay a foundation for a stronger academic environment at Howard Community College.” “This tentative agreement is a monumental leap forward in improving faculty working conditions at Howard Community College and for the broader movement to strengthen higher education in Maryland,” said AFT-Maryland President Kenya Campbell. “Faculty at Howard Community College stood together to demand better, and this tentative agreement delivers not only for them but also builds momentum for the fight for all community college faculty statewide.”

Blizzard’s Story and Franchise Development Workers Join CWA: Blizzard’s Story and Franchise Development (SFD) team became the latest group of video game workers to organize after they voted to form a union with Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 9510 on Tuesday. After a majority of the video game company’s in-house cinematic, animation and narrative team endorsed union authorization, parent corporation Microsoft recognized CWA as the workers’ bargaining representative. Nearly 3,000 workers at Microsoft-owned studios have organized as part of the union’s Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) project to build better standards across the industry since 2023. “After more than a decade working at Blizzard, I’ve seen all the highs and lows. For years, Blizzard has been a place where people could build their careers and stay for decades, but that stability’s been fading,” said Bucky Fisk, a principal editor and member of the organizing committee. “With a union, we’re able to preserve what makes this place special, secure real transparency in how decisions are made, and make sure policies are applied fairly to everyone.” “These workers are setting the standard for animation, cinematics, and storytelling across the video game industry, creating the breathtaking cutscenes, trailers, and other narrative content that fans have come to love across all Blizzard franchises. We are excited to have them join our union family,” said Local 9510 President Jason Justice. “Their decision to organize is another powerful step toward ensuring that every worker at Blizzard and Microsoft has a seat at the table to shape the conditions under which their art is made.”

Tags: Organizing

On Tuesday, as part of the AFL-CIO “It’s Better in a Union” bus tour, AFSCME President Lee Saunders and more than 100 union members in Anaheim, California, called for Rep. Young Kim to be held accountable for her vote to cut services at local hospitals, nursing homes and schools to pay for billionaire tax breaks.

Workers gathered for a press conference to speak out against the disastrous funding cuts in the Trump administration’s budget and then marched to Rep. Kim’s office to deliver a letter detailing how the bill will hurt their communities.

“Rep. Young Kim voted for the largest cuts to Medicaid and affordable health care in our nation’s history,” said Saunders. “She voted to increase health care premiums and rip coverage away from [more than] 15 million people across America—including as many as 31,000 people right here in California’s 40th district. She voted to kill thousands of jobs funded by Medicaid—nurses, home care workers, paramedics, special education aides and more….So, today, we’re here to send a message to Congresswoman Kim: With this vote, it’s clear we can’t count on you.”

Tags: Better in a Union Bus Tour