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 four-day strike has ended at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale in Connecticut, where 122 workers walked out seeking better pay, better working conditions and fair treatment. They overwhelmingly voted to ratify the contract that includes first-year wage increases of up to 14.5%, maintains current health care and pension benefits.

“We are thrilled that our members at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale stood together and secured a contract that respects their hard work and dedication,” said Josh Stanley, secretary-treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 217. 

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 Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU), a local of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), reached a tentative agreement (TA) Monday with the District of Columbia Public Schools for a new five-year contract.

This TA comes a year after the expiration of WTU’s previous contract with the Washington, D.C., school district—the union credits the dedication and commitment of bargaining committee members for securing this win. The deal includes fair and competitive pay raises, more structured breaks to prevent burnout for both educators and their students, increased time for lesson planning and preparation, and provisions that ensure fair workloads for educators.

“The bargaining team heard from members about the need for improved working conditions. We took that to heart and were able to secure many provisions that show respect to educators, such as breaks to prevent teacher and student burnout, time to prepare and plan lessons, and fair workloads,” said WTU President Jacqueline Pogue Lyons. “The team also pushed hard and obtained decent and fair pay raises over the course of the five-year contract, despite the district’s contention that it was working in a tight financial environment.”

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Erica Cervantes of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU).

“I’m very grateful to be a member of ATU Local 416 because they make sure our company provides equal opportunities for all employees. ATU also gives me security to be myself, to show my personality and who I am as a person.”

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.

Omni Providence Workers Ratify New Union Contract: “UNITE HERE Local 26 said workers at the Omni Providence Hotel ratified a new union contract on Sept. 24. The union said that negotiations on a new contract began after the previous expired on Jan. 31, and that workers voted to authorize a strike on Aug. 7. The new contract includes wage increases and more affordable healthcare.”

Apple Store Workers in Oklahoma City Ratify First Union Contract: “U.S. retail workers at the Oklahoma City Apple store in Penn Square Mall have successfully ratified their first collectively bargained contract. The union workers are part of Communications Workers of America (CWA), operating as Apple Retail Union-CWA Local 6016. The ratified three-year contract promises up to an 11.5% wage increase up to 2027, alongside provisions for worker involvement in scheduling and guaranteed paid time off for voting.”

Project 2025’s Plan to Gut Civil Service with Mass Firings: ‘It’s Like the Bad Old Days of King Henry VIII’: “Even as Donald Trump seeks to disavow Project 2025, he and the rightwing effort’s authors have voiced similarly hostile plans for the U.S.’s 2 million-plus federal employees—to replace many of them with political appointees. These plans are stirring alarm among federal employees, with many warning that ‘politicizing’ the civil service will hurt not just them, but also millions of Americans across the US by undermining how well the U.S. government provides services and enforces regulations that protect the public.”

Congress Passes Bill to Avert a Shutdown Before the Election, Sending It to Biden: “Congress overwhelmingly passed a funding bill Wednesday to avert a government shutdown next week after House Republicans removed a proposal demanded by Donald Trump that would require Americans nationwide to show proof of citizenship to register to vote. The Senate voted 78-18 Wednesday evening, shortly after the House passed the same measure on a 341-82, with all opposition in both chambers coming from Republicans.”

Labor Wants—and Gets—A Say Over the Future: “The AFL-CIO’s Technology Institute will announce today an ongoing collaboration with the NSF, in which the two groups will explore how labor can consult on the foundation’s cutting-edge research projects.”

Wesleyan Graduate Students Vote for Union Membership: “Graduate student workers and Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTA) at the University will cast their ballot in a vote to join the Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153 on Thursday, Sept. 26. The vote comes after months of organizing and internal discussions within the Wesleyan Graduate Labor Union (WesGLU). WesGLU first announced their intention to unionize last April, and subsequently entered into negotiations with the University. Those negotiations ended earlier this semester, when the administration refused to voluntarily recognize the union. WesGLU leadership determined that the University’s decision was a departure from the status quo, and that it was not in line with the good faith labor relations expected by some organizers.”

Federal Funds, Clean Energy Projects Boost Maine Union Workforce: “Union workers in Maine say federal funds are helping fuel the state’s clean energy transition and offering incentives for young people to stick around. Skilled trade workers are in high demand as the state aims to install 275,000 heating pumps by 2027 and construct numerous offshore wind projects. Kim Tobias, an electrician and member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1253, said learning a trade nearly tripled her income and she is encouraging her own daughters to do the same. ‘With apprenticeships and with the union jobs that are going to be here, it’s a good way for people to be able to afford to stay here,’ Tobias pointed out. Tobias noted young people are motivated to help fight climate change and the Inflation Reduction Act is helping create not just jobs, but well-paying careers. The state aims to double its clean energy workforce to 30,000 by 2030.”

Guitar Center Workers in Six Locations, Including Illinois, Ratify New Contract: “Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU-UFCW) members at six Guitar Center locations in Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada and New York have ratified a new three-year contract. The agreement includes multiple meaningful wins for staff, like an increased minimum wage rate for every position—which will continue to go up every year throughout the life of the contract—and an additional seniority wage adjustment for more tenured workers.”

Redmond: Labor Has ‘the Responsibility to Lead’ the Fight for Democracy: “AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond is repeating a somber warning to workers, union and non-union alike: This November’s election is not just about the presidency, but about democracy. Redmond told a panel discussion at the Labor Department on September 17, the anniversary of the founders’ signing the Constitution, that organized labor must lead the fight to preserve the republic. ‘Unions thrive in democratic countries and in countries where you have democratic principles. They don’t survive in autocracies and dictatorships,’ Redmond declared. ‘So we have the responsibility to fight for democracy and it should be the responsibility of the entire labor movement to lead that fight.’”

Culinary Union Celebrates the End of Its Longest Campaign: “Culinary Union secretary-treasurer Ted Pappageorge said at an event Thursday to mark the signing of the contract that he had faith that the Venetian would one day be a union property. ‘I can tell you that I knew one day we would be doing that, but honestly, we didn't know when,’ he said. ‘We have a fighting spirit at the Culinary and Bartenders union here in Las Vegas, and we look at time maybe a little differently than some organizations do.’”

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 (formerly Twitter).

Alaska AFL-CIO:

Labor walks are the #1 tool we use to communicate with union members. They play a vital role in electing pro-worker candidates to public office.

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Aleta Chavez of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA).

In addition to being active in her local union, Aleta Chavez has been very active in her community. She participated in mission work in Guatemala and volunteered with the Dallas Police Department and Habitat for Humanity. She has been a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens and numerous student organizations while enrolled in Cedar Valley College’s veterinary technology program.

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.

UNITE HERE Local 26 members who work at the Omni Providence in Rhode Island ratified a new four-year contract last week that secures higher wages and better benefits.

This victory came seven weeks after workers at the downtown Providence hotel voted to authorize a strike over management’s refusal to bargain a fair contract. Their previous agreement expired last January, and members were laser-focused on winning a deal that would address rising costs of living. To show the Omni Providence they meant business, members began wearing lanyards to work to signal that they’d signed up for strike benefits and were ready and willing to walk out.

“My co-workers and I put a lot of work into this fight,” said George Cook, a banquet attendant at the Omni. “We were ready to do whatever it took to win. I’m happy that we’re able to get the best contract we ever had, with wage increases that will help us pay our rent and take care of our families.”

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Odalis Betances of the Heat and Frost Insulators (HFIU).

Odalis Betances is a hardworking, 13-year member of HFIU Local 3. Betances always steps up when needed for the union, serving on the executive board and assisting with any language barriers. Betances is proud of his Dominican roots and of being a Local 3 member.

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.

On Wednesday, the UAW Local 600’s Tool & Die Unit at Ford’s River Rouge Complex reached a tentative agreement with Ford Motor Co., one day ahead of its strike deadline.

Roughly 500 workers in the Tool & Die Unit work at the Dearborn, Michigan, facility. Members were prepared to go on strike starting Sept. 26 if the multinational automotive manufacturer refused to address issues such as job security, wage parity and work rules. The negotiated TA includes protections against the impacts of advancements in 3D printing and establishes a process to secure additional die work as required. Additionally, UAW won a provision to eliminate the wage disparity for skilled trades, ensuring fair and equal pay across the board.

“The members at the Rouge Complex understand the power of strength in numbers,” said UAW Vice President Chuck Browning. “They stuck together and showed Ford that they were willing to stand up if necessary to win what they deserve.”

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Tiffany Roman of AFGE.

Tiffany Roman has been an AFGE member and licensed practical nurse for the Department of Veterans Affairs since 2018. She is currently the southern Colorado vice president for AFGE Local 1117. She is also the national chair of AFGE’s Hispanic Coalition (HISCO) and the AFGE District 11 HISCO coordinator. Roman recently became president of the newly established Rocky Mountains chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. She is a single mother and is pursuing her master’s in social work.