05/07/2026 - 4:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Westchester County Airport Unifi Workers Join IAM Union
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.
Unifi customer service workers at the Westchester County Airport (HPN) have voted to join IAM Union (IAM) to secure a voice on the job.
New York-based staff at the country’s largest aviation service provider are essential to daily HPN operations, including at Delta Air Lines and Breeze Airways. With the support of IAM Air Transport Territory and IAM Union District 142, these newly minted members overcame an aggressive union-busting campaign and are now looking forward to bargaining a fair contract that reflects their contributions.
“Unifi workers fought hard for this, and we did it together,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Associate Rachel Arnold. “This is about having respect on the job and a real voice in our workplace. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished with Unifi workers and excited for what comes next.”
“Unifi workers at HPN stood strong in the face of anti-union propaganda and intimidation, and they never backed down,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “Their courage sends a powerful message to workers everywhere — when you stand together, you can win.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 05/07/2026 - 10:01
05/06/2026 - 3:30pm
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Tihda Vongkoth
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 Tihda Vongkoth of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM).
Tihda Vongkoth is president of AFM Local 427-721, representing musicians across Florida. They are also an organizer with the West Central Florida Labor Council’s Coalition of Manasota Unions, having organized annual Labor Day celebrations to show labor solidarity in Sarasota. They are a founder of Modern Marimba, a nonprofit that presents concerts, lectures and exhibitions with the explicit goal of combating racism and other forms of discrimination.
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 05/06/2026 - 09:56
05/06/2026 - 3:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AT&T Orange Mobility Workers Secure Tentative Agreement
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.
Communications Workers of America (CWA) members have reached a tentative agreement on a new AT&T Mobility Orange contract.
The bargaining unit includes thousands of AT&T technicians, customer service representatives and retail workers across 36 states and Washington, D.C., who have been organizing for months to secure a fair deal.
“This strong tentative agreement is a reflection of our members' dedication to holding AT&T accountable for their corporate greed,” said CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor. “Whether handing out flyers at AT&T-sponsored March Madness basketball games or holding informational picket signs at busy intersections, CWA members mobilized for higher wages, stronger benefits, job security, and more. This is a tentative agreement that reflects their fight and delivers for both AT&T workers and the customers they serve.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 05/06/2026 - 09:48
Tags:
Organizing
05/06/2026 - 3:30pm
Worker Solidarity is Our Power, Today and Every Day: 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:
Colorado AFL-CIO:
Florida AFL-CIO:
Illinois AFL-CIO:
Maine AFL-CIO:
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:
Michigan State AFL-CIO:
Minnesota AFL-CIO:
Missouri AFL-CIO:
Nevada State AFL-CIO:
New York State AFL-CIO:
North Carolina State AFL-CIO:
Oregon Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO:
05/05/2026 - 2:00pm
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles
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.
Here's who we've featured so far:
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/05/2026 - 10:37
05/05/2026 - 2:00pm
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Angie Nguyen
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 Angie Nguyen of AFSCME.
Angie Nguyen grew up in Vietnam, moving to California in 1993 when her family started a new life with help from the Humanitarian Operation Program. Nguyen has been a member of the United Domestic Workers (AFSCME Local 3930) since 2008, a member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance since 2021, and a delegate of the Orange County Labor Federation. Through the union’s activities, Nguyen believes that a stronger union and strong community can fight and bargain for home care providers, ensuring they have the same rights as other workers.
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/05/2026 - 10:30
05/05/2026 - 2:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: USL Players Association Reaches Tentative Agreement
![USLPA member wearing a shirt that reads, “Do you stand with the players, [United States Soccer Federation]?”](https://aflcio.org/sites/default/files/2026-05/unnamed.jpg)
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 United Soccer League (USL) and the USL Players Association (USLPA), a Communications Workers of America (CWA) affiliate, announced on Wednesday that they had reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
“The United Soccer League and the USL Players Association have reached a tentative agreement on key terms of a new collective bargaining agreement for the USL Championship and USL Premier, pending final ratification,” the union and league said in a joint statement. “This milestone represents a significant step forward for the league and its players, reflecting a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game and the advancement of professional standards. Both sides will now work through the remaining steps required to finalize the CBA, and additional updates will be shared at a later time.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/05/2026 - 10:24
05/04/2026 - 7:30pm
A Worker-Centered Vision of America: 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. Working Class Mobilizes Ahead of Nationwide ‘May Day Strong’ Rallies: “Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO—which represents nearly 15 million workers and 65 affiliated unions—said Wednesday that ‘for the labor movement, Workers Memorial Day and May Day aren’t just days of reflection—they are days of demand.’ ‘Amid attacks on our health and safety, our civil rights, and our very freedom to organize, we are standing up for a worker-centered vision of America,’ Shuler continued. ‘From now through November, the AFL-CIO, our state and local labor movements, and allies across the country will be in the streets and at worksites to peacefully engage our co-workers and neighbors on the issues at stake in the next election so we can ensure that everyone can vote and every vote is counted and unify working people around our economic demands.’ ‘This week and for the months to come, we will continue to fight for our vision of a worker-centered America,’ she added.”
SAG-AFTRA Launches ‘I Am An Actor’ Podcast; First Guests Include Quinta Brunson, Kate Hudson, Mariska Hargitay, Kerry Washington: “At the beginning of every Actor Awards (the kudocast formerly known as the SAG Awards), actors give a speech from their chairs in the room, sharing their origin stories. It’s usually about their big break, or how they first got their SAG-AFTRA card. The anecdotes can be amusing, serious or emotional, but they always end the same way: With the performer sharing their name, then proudly declaring, ‘I am an actor.’ That’s the inspiration behind ‘I Am An Actor,’ a new podcast from SAG-AFTRA that launches on May 7. The show, available on all podcast platforms, will be hosted by Actor Awards showrunner Jon Brockett and actor Jamie Chung (‘Dexter: New Blood,’ ‘Lovecraft Country’).”
Philadelphia’s Union Movement Gains Momentum with New Organizing Drives Across the City: “Philadelphia’s reputation as a union stronghold is being reinforced by a wave of new organizing efforts spanning from the University of Pennsylvania to local coffee shops. Labor activity has intensified across the city over the past five years, with six new unions forming at the University of Pennsylvania. Workers at businesses like Starbucks, World Cafe Live and Whole Foods have also launched their own unionization campaigns.”
Six Local Schools Compete in Annual Welding Contest at Wheeling Ironworkers Local 549: “Sparks flew at the Wheeling Ironworkers 549 as students from six local schools put their welding skills to the test in the second annual welding competition. The welders were judged on their skills and how their techniques would translate in a real-world environment. ‘It’s not just welding that we do, but this gives them an eyeopener of al the different aspects of ironworking,’ said Stephen Sipos, an apprenticeship coordinator. ‘It allows them to see our shop, see what they can do with their hands, the kind of pay and benefits we offer because we’re also upstairs explaining different things to them.’”
‘Death on the Job’ Report Details Workplace Safety Decline Under Trump: “‘Every worker should be able to go home safe and healthy at the end of their shift—but 55 years after the founding of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, that fundamental right is in danger,’ warned AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler.”
AFL-CIO President Calls AI 'Single Biggest Threat to Working People of Our Lifetime': “The head of the AFL-CIO said Tuesday that artificial intelligence threatens worker safety, privacy and job security if left unregulated, and called for immediate legislative guardrails. Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, the national federation of 65 unions representing nearly 15 million workers, said that employers are deploying AI across industries without sufficient oversight.”
Alabama Labor Groups Host Workers’ Week of Action Kickoff: “During a kickoff event for the Alabama Workers’ Week of Action, labor and community organization advocates discussed labor campaigns and events planned across the state. The livestream, hosted by the Valley Labor Report, highlighted events and labor campaigns put together by organizations participating in the week of action, scheduled around Workers Memorial Day on April 28 and May Day, or International Workers Day, on May 1. The event’s panel was hosted by Jacob Morrison, president of the North Alabama Area Labor Council, a regional council of labor unions and body of the AFL-CIO, and featured representatives of the United Campus Workers of Jacksonville, Jobs to Move America, Alabama Arise, the Southern Workers Assembly, United Auto Workers and Communication Workers of America.”
Screenwriters Overwhelmingly Approve a 4-Year Contract with Hollywood Studios: “Members of the screenwriters union overwhelmingly ratified a four-year agreement with Hollywood studios and streamers on Friday, bringing an end to a surprisingly smooth and quick process that brought a prolonged strike the last time around. Union leaders said 90% voted to approve the deal struck between the Writers Guild of America West, Writers Guild of America East and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Studios will now shift to negotiations with actors and directors.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 05/04/2026 - 12:12
05/04/2026 - 1:00pm
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Saia ‘Ahau
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 Saia ‘Ahau of AFGE.
Saia ‘Ahau is a transportation security officer and serves as assistant chief steward for AFGE Local 1260 in Northern California. “At the heart of my Tongan culture sits family and community,” ‘Ahau said. “When I joined AFGE and the federal service in 2022, I dedicated myself to bringing those values into my work as a public servant, a local steward and an advocate for labor.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 05/04/2026 - 10:06
05/01/2026 - 4:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Penn Live Arts’ Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Join IATSE
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.
Eight production employees at the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Live Arts’ Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts have voted unanimously to join IATSE Local 8.
The group includes full-time and part-time audio engineers, digital production supervisors, house electricians, production coordinators, and theatre technicians who operate the venue’s technical and production systems.
“There are a lot of great aspects of working here at Penn Live Arts,” said Tait Adams, theatre technician. “There is also a lot of room for improvement. As the organization continues to grow, the workers deserve to have a say in our conditions. Being represented by IATSE Local 8 means that we have the necessary support and resources to make sure our voices are heard.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 05/01/2026 - 09:55
Tags:
Organizing
