11/20/2025 - 7:00pm
CALL: Tell Your Representative to Pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act
It’s time to get it done for America’s workers.
Thanks to the hard work of working families, union members and our allies, our bipartisan bill to reverse President Trump’s union-busting executive order is getting a vote in Congress.
That’s right: We’ve got the 218 signatures we need—Democrats AND Republicans—to force Congress to vote on the Protect America’s Workforce Act in the next few weeks.
This is an all-hands-on-deck moment to help restore collective bargaining rights to the more than 1 million federal workers. Call your representative now and ask them to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act. Dial 855-493-4407 or fill out this form to receive a call.
Trump’s executive order to gut federal workers’ collective bargaining rights was the worst act of union-busting in American history. Since then, his administration has expanded the order to cover even more workers and canceled the union contracts of nearly half a million federal workers at agencies like the departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services.
The American people didn’t sign up for this. Approximately 70% of Americans—people with different political positions—support the right to join a union. That’s why we have the support we need to get the Protect America’s Workforce Act across the finish line.
We need every representative—Republican or Democrat—who says they support America’s unions to vote for the Protect America’s Workforce Act and restore federal workers’ union rights.
So let’s get to work—make a call to your representative today.
Call 855-493-4407.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 11/20/2025 - 15:02
11/20/2025 - 7:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Union Reaches Tentative Contract 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.
Members of AFSCME Council 31 and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry have reached a tentative agreement ahead of a looming strike date.
“After a long but productive bargaining session on Monday, Nov. 17, union and management representatives reached a tentative agreement on a first union contract at Griffin Museum of Science & Industry,” said the union and museum management in a joint statement. “In the coming days, union members will attend worksite meetings to review terms of the tentative agreement and vote on its ratification.”
A timeline for the contract ratification vote hasn't been set yet. The contract would cover more than 120 employees in the guest experience, guest operations and education departments. Workers had previously voted to authorize a strike that would start Nov. 29 if no agreement was reached.
The workers, members of Council 31, are seeking higher wages and better benefits, including holiday pay for part-time workers, premium pay for bilingual employees, and paid parental leave.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 11/20/2025 - 13:19
11/20/2025 - 7:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Minneapolis Teachers Ratify Contract with School District
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 the Minneapolis Federation of Educators, an affiliate of both the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), approved a contract deal with the public school district, ending the threat of strike.
The two-year agreement, which covers three separate union contracts, follows seven months of talks. The deal now must be approved by the school board.
“We are [pleased] to announce that our members have voted to ratify our tentative agreements!” the Minneapolis Federation of Educators wrote in an online post.
The new contract will shrink class sizes, create manageable special education caseloads, and raise pay by 2% this year, followed by a 2% in the 2026–27 school year.
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 11/18/2025 - 13:00
11/20/2025 - 7:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: News Workers in Lancaster, Harrisburg Ratify First Union Contract; Secure Raises, More Affordable Health Care
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.
Nine months after voting to organize a union, journalists at LNP | LancasterOnline and public radio partner WITF in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, overwhelmingly ratified their first union contract.
“For an employer of this size to make these improvements and make their employees’ lives better says a lot about Pennon [LNP’s owner],” said Bill Ross, executive director of The NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia. “They didn’t talk about finances (during negotiations). They didn’t cry the blues. They listened and put money on the table, even severance pay.”
The contract includes a health plan that offers substantially lower deductibles and monthly premiums; a minimum salary of $50,700 for full-time employees; a 3% pay increase in July for all members; a $1,000 signing bonus; 12 weeks of parental leave at 75% pay; and one week of severance pay for every year of service, up to eight weeks.
“As a 40-year employee of the company, I never thought I’d see this happen,” said social media creator Claudia Esbenshade. “The staff works hard to bring the news of Lancaster to its readers, and this contract can make many of them feel more secure in their positions, pay and benefits.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 11/19/2025 - 10:36
11/17/2025 - 10:30pm
‘This Is Everyone’s Win’: 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.
Starbucks Workers Strike at Dozens of U.S. Stores on ‘Red Cup Day’: “More than a thousand unionized Starbucks workers walked off the job across the country on Thursday, demanding concessions from the coffee chain in their contract negotiations. Starbucks Workers United, the union representing the baristas, said that the strike would affect 65 stores in over 40 cities, and that it was ‘prepared to continue escalating its protests if the company failed to deliver a fair new contract.’”
Breckenridge Ski Patrol Union Plans Tentative Picket Sunday Depending on Negotiations with Vail Resorts: “Breckenridge Ski Patrol Union president Ryan Dineen said his organization is planning a tentative picket at the bottom of the BreckConnect Gondola on Sunday, Nov. 16. The protest is dependent upon the outcome of a Thursday, Nov. 13, bargaining session with Vail Resorts.”
24 Graduate from Missouri Works Initiative’s Pre-Apprentice Programs in Dual Ceremony: “Twenty-four students graduated from the Missouri Works Initiative’s (MWI) Apprentice Ready in Construction (ARC) and Apprentice Ready in Manufacturing (ARM) programs in a dual ceremony on Nov. 1 at Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 union hall. The programs, supported by the Missouri AFL-CIO, are designed to address critical workforce shortages in the general supply chain, aerospace, manufacturing, transportation and construction sectors. It focuses on bridging the gap between underrepresented, underemployed and unemployed individuals and high-paying union jobs by providing resources, support and access to opportunities to build sustainable careers.”
Governor Pritzker Cuts Ribbon at IATSE Local 2’s New Training Center: “Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 2 Chicago Stagehands to celebrate the opening of their new training center, which was supported by a $5 million grant from the State of Illinois.”
Some Labor Unions Remain Committed to Recruiting Women Despite Policy Rollbacks: “Some labor unions say they're committed to growing the share of women in construction jobs, even as President Trump rolls back policies that opened doors for women.”
Staffers at 9:30 Club, Other Iconic D.C. Concert Venues Win Voluntary Union Recognition from IMP: “Workers at some of the most renown music venues in Washington, D.C., have won their unionization efforts. IMP notified some of its staffers at the 9:30 Club, The Anthem, The Atlantis and Lincoln Theatre Wednesday that the company would voluntarily recognize the employees’ desire to form a union with Unite Here Local 25, Deadline understands. Now, they will move to negotiate their first union contract with IMP.”
‘Workers First’? Don’t Make Us Laugh: “Donald Trump made 30,573 false or misleading statements during his first term, according to The Washington Post. One of the biggest Trump whoppers is his continuing claim that he’s pro-labor. Unions have taken Trump to court over his mass firings of federal employees and stripping away their collective bargaining rights, the latter a move AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler called ‘the single biggest act of union-busting in history.’”
‘This Is Everyone’s Win’: Striking Post-Gazette Workers Celebrate a Big Victory: “Four minutes before placing the call, Pass received notification that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit had denied the newspaper’s appeal of a National Labor Relations Board decision in favor of the strikers. This was a big win for the workers and likely just about the end of the line for the Post-Gazette’s attempts to overturn earlier decisions. The conversation ended quickly. Tanner had much to do in the next few minutes. The striking workers meet online every weekday at 10 a.m. to check in with each other and go over organizing tasks. It was a perfect time to share the good news. At 9:58, Tanner sent out a message to all strikers: ‘Everybody come to this morning’s meeting.’”
Air Traffic Controllers Are Resigning Due to Shutdown Stress, Union President Warns: “The head of the air traffic controllers union said Friday that some members were resigning from their jobs due to the stress inflicted by the government shutdown, worsening the already troubling staffing situation at airports. ‘We’re seeing air traffic controllers resign,’ Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, told CNN.”
Empire Technical Fabrication Voluntarily Recognizes Shop Workers’ Union: “Empire Technical Fabrication, a commercial scenic shop servicing Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional, and touring productions, has voluntarily recognized the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 632 as the collective bargaining representative for shop employees at its Wayne, New Jersey facility. The newly organized bargaining unit includes 30 workers across several classifications, including carpenters, mechanics, logistics specialists, integrators, CNC operators, and fabricators. Both parties worked in tandem to ensure a fair and transparent process, culminating in Empire Technical Fabrication’s voluntary recognition of IATSE Local 632.”
Oklahoma State Rep. Forrest Bennett to Resign as He Takes AFL-CIO Position: “Oklahoma State Representative Forrest Bennett announced he plans to resign from the Oklahoma legislature after being elected president of the Oklahoma State AFL-CIO on Friday. ‘It’s an immense honor, and I’m incredibly grateful to my Union family for the trust they’ve put in me. This is the start of a new chapter. I’ll be going to work full-time for Oklahoma’s unions—helping them grow, engage with policymakers, and build a better future for Oklahoma’s working families.’”
Pima Area Labor Federation Hosts Drive-Through Food Bank; Congresswoman-Elect Adelita Grijalva Assists: “As snap benefits stay paused for millions across the country...including right here in Tucson...local food banks have stepped up to help feed our communities. The Pima Area Labor Federation and AFL-CIO have joined in, hosting a drive-through food bank to support families through the longest government shutdown in U.S. History.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 11/17/2025 - 13:14