02/20/2026 - 12:30pm
Black History Month Profiles: Michelle Mattox
For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Michelle Mattox of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW).
With 30 years of experience, Michelle Mattox exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding steward at Case Farms in Canton, Ohio. As a bargaining committee member, she played a crucial role in negotiations and continues to enforce the contract. Her kind spirit, great sense of humor and unwavering commitment to looking out for her fellow workers make her invaluable to the UFCW Local 880 family.
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 02/20/2026 - 10:19
Tags:
Black History Month
02/20/2026 - 12:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Beneficial State Bank Workers Ratify Second Contract; 9% Raises
Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
Members of Communications Workers of America (CWA) locals 9412 and 7901 who work at Beneficial State Bank locations up and down the West Coast have ratified their new collective bargaining agreement.
The bargaining unit includes bankers, consumer loan servicing representatives, loan processors, underwriters, file clerks and custodial staff. Workers first organized in 2020 as part of CWA’s Committee for Better Banks. Their latest contract included wins like an average 9% general pay increase—and a wage differential for Spanish speakers—a higher employer 401(k) contribution match and more paid time off.
“Ratifying a second contract is a huge win for us. In a time when so many workers are facing uncertainty, we’re proud that we secured continued improvements to our wages and benefits with no givebacks,” said bargaining committee member and Beneficial State Bank Commercial Banking Associate Michele Hunt. “Our contract has helped us hold Beneficial State Bank accountable to the workers who keep this bank running.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 02/20/2026 - 10:13
02/19/2026 - 6:30pm
A Stronger Voice at Work: 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:
As we continue our celebration of BlackHistoryMonth, we highlight this story about Frederick O'Neal: actor, civil rights activist and Equity president from 1964 to 1973. Learn more about the triumphs and accomplishments of this true visionary on the member portal. https://bit.ly/3OiD8Oc
[image or embed]
— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) February 19, 2026 at 9:19 AM
AFSCME:
Alliance for Retired Americans:
Amalgamated Transit Union:
American Federation of Musicians:
American Federation of Teachers:
In response to thousands of members who took the AFT’s debt survey, we’ve launched a new campaign: Fight for Affordability. Watch @rweingarten.bsky.social and allies share the survey results and announce new tools to help AFT members navigate debt at a press conference in Orlando yesterday.
[image or embed]
— AFT (@aft.org) February 19, 2026 at 12:18 PM
American Postal Workers Union:
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:
02/19/2026 - 6:30pm
Black History Month Profiles: Amber Armour
For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Amber Armour of the Electrical Workers (IBEW).
Amber Armour exemplifies leadership, dedication and service in the labor movement and her community. As an organizer, chair of the IBEW Local 640 examining board, treasurer of the local’s women’s committee, recording secretary of the local Coalition of Labor Union Women chapter, an apprenticeship instructor and a member of the local’s minority caucus, she champions equity, education and empowerment. Armour shows tireless commitment to mentoring apprentices, advocating for women in the trades and strengthening union solidarity.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/19/2026 - 10:22
Tags:
Black History Month
02/19/2026 - 12:00pm
Black History Month Profiles: Colleen Carter
For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Colleen Carter of AFSCME.
Colleen Carter has worked for the State of Connecticut for almost 40 years. She is the vice president of AFSCME Local 704, an executive board member for the state AFL-CIO and a vice president for District Council 4, where she co-chairs the civil rights committee. She believes strongly in employees’ rights and human rights, and works tirelessly in support of them.
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/18/2026 - 09:37
Tags:
Black History Month
02/19/2026 - 12:00pm
Looking Back to Move Forward: 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.
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:
Connecticut AFL-CIO:
Florida AFL-CIO:
Illinois AFL-CIO:
Maine AFL-CIO:
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
Michigan State AFL-CIO:
Minnesota AFL-CIO:
Nevada State AFL-CIO:
Oregon AFL-CIO:
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:
Texas AFL-CIO:
Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/18/2026 - 11:31
02/19/2026 - 12:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Homeless Services Staff Vote to Join SEIU
Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
A majority of workers at Union Station Homeless Services (USHS) staff have signed union authorization cards to join the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721.
USHS is the largest agency in San Gabriel Valley, California, providing housing support and employment services to homeless and very low-income adults and families. Workers at the nonprofit secured voluntary recognition from management and will soon begin negotiating a contract with fair wages and quality benefits that will help retain staff so they can continue supporting communities in need.
“This is a huge step forward for workers at Union Station Homeless Services,” said Danielle Leal, a care coordinator at USHS. “We’re glad to now have a strong voice on the job to advocate for the resources we need to serve our clients and to gain the supportive working conditions we deserve. Our union will make our organization stronger and help ensure that we can provide the best services possible to the most vulnerable among us.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/18/2026 - 09:32
Tags:
Organizing
02/19/2026 - 12:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: New England UFCW Members Ratify New Agreements with Stop & Shop; Secure Raises and Other Benefits
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.
Five United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) locals in New England have ratified new four-year contracts with Stop & Shop.
The agreements reached by locals 328, 371, 919, 1445 and 1459 cover a total of 28,000 workers in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. The previous contracts at the regional supermarket chain were set to expire later this month.
“In addition to annual wage increases, this proposed agreement preserves the strength
and stability of our health insurance and pension benefits, maintaining the high
standards that our membership has worked hard to achieve,” said the UFCW Local 1459’s bargaining committee in the union’s tentative agreement announcement.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/19/2026 - 10:21
02/17/2026 - 11:00pm
‘We Might as Well Do It Ourselves’: 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.
‘Standing Up for Our Workers’: U.S. Unions Raise Thousands for Victims of ICE Crackdown: “Labor unions are fundraising for workers affected by the surge of immigration enforcement across the U.S., providing legal and financial support to members affected by the brutal crackdown. Nearly $20,000 was raised for a homecare worker, Maria, a member of Service Employees International Union Local 503 in Salem, Oregon, and a U.S. citizen who was attacked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on 29 January.”
DePaul University Labor Education Center Trains Union Leaders: “DePaul University’s Labor Education Center (LEC), led by Director Jessica Cook-Qurayshi, is strengthening the labor movement through practical training for union members, tailored workshops for local unions and a growing set of youth programs that introduce collective bargaining, workplace rights and organizing skills to high school and college students. In today’s conversation on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Cook-Qurayshi described how the LEC operates as a small, self-funded unit with an outsized footprint across Chicagoland and beyond, delivering leadership certificates, advanced bargaining education and intergenerational programming designed to build long-term worker power.”
AFGE Seeks Emergency Order to Block Further FEMA Cuts: “A group of unions and nonprofits is seeking an emergency court order to stop the Federal Emergency Management Agency from restarting staff layoffs. Lawyers for the American Federation of Government Employees and other plaintiffs requested a preliminary injunction today to prohibit FEMA from continuing cuts that had started in early 2026, but were temporarily paused due to a damaging winter storm that swept through the United States in late January. The latest court action comes after AFGE and the other plaintiffs in the case first challenged the FEMA cuts in court late last month as part of a broader lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s governmentwide workforce cuts. AFGE argues the FEMA cuts violate the law and inhibit the ability of the agency to respond to disasters.”
Kentucky Unions Push Lawmakers to Repeal Right-to-Work Law: “Kentucky labor unions are mobilizing their members as they prepare to lobby state lawmakers to repeal the state's right-to-work law, which they say has weakened unions and workers' rights. ‘It cut the legs out from under working families,’ Representative Adrielle Camuel said of Kentucky's right-to-work law.”
America Isn’t Ready for What AI Will Do to Jobs: “Shuler told me that the AFL-CIO will keep pressing national elected officials for a worker-focused AI agenda, but that ‘this game is not gonna be played at the federal level as much as it will be at the state level.’ More than 1,000 AI bills are bubbling up in statehouses. Of course, the AI money will be there, too; Leading the Future has already announced plans to focus its efforts on New York, California, Illinois, and Ohio.”
Taylor Rehmet Shows Working-Class Politics Can Win Everywhere: “‘No one is coming to save labor, so we might as well do it ourselves,’ said Taylor Rehmet in a video shared by the Texas AFL-CIO. This one sentence sums up Rehmet’s campaign for state senate in Texas’s Ninth District, which covers a large swath of Fort Worth and its northern suburbs. Rehmet, a union machinist and the president of his local, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 776B, ditched the Democratic Party’s typical political playbook to laser-focus on material issues affecting all working-class people.”
IAFF-Backed Railway Safety Act Aims to Expand HazMat Training: “General President Edward Kelly commented: ‘Millions of Americans live and work along HazMat railways. We need to protect them. And, ultimately, we need to protect every firefighter who responds to a derailment.’ The remarks came at a press conference marking the third anniversary of the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Speakers included bill co-leads Reps. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa.; John Garamendi, D-Calif.; and Mike Rulli, R-Ohio, along with co-sponsor Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.; House Rail Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev.; Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo; Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico. Alongside labor leaders, including Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen President Mike Baldwin and Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO President Greg Regan.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 02/13/2026 - 11:22
02/17/2026 - 5:00pm
Black History Month Profiles: Yasmine Lee
For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Yasmine Lee of the Bricklayers (BAC).
“Bricklayers and Allied Crafts Local 2 in Michigan represents everything Black History Month stands for—unity, resilience, and progress,” said member Yasmine Lee. “My union has supported me not only as a worker, but as a person, ensuring fair wages, respect, and opportunity. I am proud to be part of a legacy that continues to open doors and create change.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 02/17/2026 - 09:57
Tags:
Black History Month
