03/02/2026 - 2:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Berkeley Teachers Win Tentative Contract with Increased Employer Contribution to 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.
After 10 months of negotiations, the Berkeley (California) Federation of Teachers (BFT), AFT Local 1078, reached a tentative agreement on a new contract that increases the school district’s health care contribution to 70% beginning in 2027. The teachers still must vote on contract ratification.
The BFT represents more than 900 teachers, counselors and librarians. The contract is for one year.
“Our educators are excited that the district is making this important investment to ensure stable and consistent school communities,” said BFT President Matt Meyer in a press release. “We love our work and our students. This agreement makes it more possible to establish careers in Berkeley.”
The new contract includes a 3% increase in compensation for the current academic year and a one-time $1,000 bonus for all full-time employees.
“We must also not forget that we are in this position because our state does not fully fund the education every student deserves,” Meyer said in the statement. “We call on the state to raise the revenues necessary for a thriving public education system throughout California.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/02/2026 - 09:50
Tags:
Organizing
03/02/2026 - 2:00pm
Women's History Month Profiles
For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's 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.
Here is who we've featured so far:
Check back throughout the month for more profiles.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/02/2026 - 10:21
Tags:
Women's History Month
03/02/2026 - 2:00pm
Women's History Month Profiles: Elizabeth Rian
For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's 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 Elizabeth Rian of SAG-AFTRA.
Elizabeth Rian is an actor, writer and award-winning filmmaker originally from Honolulu. Her network credits include “Jane the Virgin,” “Magnum, P.I.,” the Lifetime Channel, the Hallmark Channel and more. She is classically trained, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre performance from Chapman University. She has written, produced and starred in three short films, all of which have screened internationally, from Hawaii to New York to London. Her first feature film, “’Opala,” is in preproduction.
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 03/02/2026 - 10:03
Tags:
Women's History Month
03/02/2026 - 2:00pm
Worker Wins: ‘We Made Many Important Gains’
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
Hearst Magazines Union Ratifies New Contract: Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members at Hearst Magazines have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement. This victory came after members delivered a strike pledge signed by more than 85% of the unit and participated in walkouts and rallies calling for a fair contract. The agreement covers staff across 29 different Hearst Magazines publications, including major titles like Cosmopolitan, Elle, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping. Strong economic gains in the contract will help ensure that WGAE members can continue to deliver informative and entertaining content that generates billions in profits every year. “We made many important gains—better raises, higher wage floors, and an improved 401k match—for members of our unit with this contract,” The Hearst Magazines Union bargaining committee said. “We also know there is still a great deal of work to be done to make Hearst Magazines a place we can all be proud of. We hope this ratification sends a clear message to management that we are only getting stronger and mo
Nurses at NewYork–Presbyterian Ratify Agreement, Ending Historic Strike: After 41 days spent walking picket lines, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) members who work at NewYork–Presbyterian voted overwhelmingly to ratify their new three-year contract, ending the union’s historic strike. This strike was the biggest and longest nurses’ work stoppage in New York City in decades. NYSNA members went toe-to-toe with some of the richest private employers, enduring union-busting, drawn out negotiations and freezing temperatures, and won. “This is a proud moment for our union,” said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans. “15,000 NYSNA nurses went out on strike, and finally all 15,000 will be returning to the bedside. We are so happy with the wins we achieved, and now the fight to enforce these contracts and hold our employers accountable begins. NYSNA nurses showed what it means to advocate for patients, and this moment will go down in history as a win for our communities, in the fight for healthcare justice, and for the labor movement.”
PSA Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Agreement: Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) members reached a tentative agreement on Thursday for a new three-year contract with PSA Airlines. The regional airline is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, that operates flights under the American Eagle brand. The deal includes a 30% to 50% increase in compensation over the lifetime of the contract, scheduling improvements, increased flexibility and other critical wins. “PSA Flight Attendants save lives every day and serve as the face of American Eagle in ever increasingly difficult conditions,” said Lee Wilkes, president of AFA-CWA PSA. “This tentative agreement starts to recognize what we do every single flight to get people to their destination safely. We fought extremely hard to set a new industry standard for contract duration.” “PSA Flight Attendants need these improvements and we fought hard to get them in their hands for a ratification vote,” said Sara Nelson, international president of AFA-CWA. “Although it was extremely difficult bargaining with PSA, American CEO Robert Isom demonstrated his longstanding commitment to recognize the work of frontline employees who make it possible for American to fly. We appreciate his direct engagement to make this agreement possible.”
Volkswagen Workers Ratify First Union Contract at Major Southern Auto Plant: In a powerful victory, UAW members who work for Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have voted by 96% to ratify their first union contract. The contract is a major milestone in Southern union organizing and delivers a number of powerful, life-changing wins. This includes a 20% wage increase, health care cost reductions, job security guarantees, an enforceable grievance procedure and much more. “This victory shows what happens when workers stand up and refuse to be ignored. We didn’t just win better wages and raise standards at our plant—we forced respect onto the table and got it all in writing,” said Yogi Peoples, a bargaining committee member. “Our victory here at Volkswagen should send a message to autoworkers everywhere: don’t let management divide you. When workers fight together—united and unafraid—we can beat the odds and win!” “This is just the beginning,” said Chattanooga Area Labor Council President Geoffrey Meldahl. “No more business as usual. Working people are sick and tired of begging for scraps to keep their lights on while the richest of the rich buy themselves yet another mega yacht. The future of the south is union strong!” “This isn’t just a win for Chattanooga autoworkers,” Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council President Billy Dycus said. “It’s a win for our entire state because these workers have proven that when we band together, Southern workers have the power to win the wages, affordable healthcare, job security and respect we all deserve.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/26/2026 - 10:31
Tags:
Organizing
02/27/2026 - 6:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Fortune Staff Win Three-Year Contract with Wage Increases, 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.
Digital and print staff at Fortune—who are represented by The NewsGuild of New York, CWA Local 31003—have ratified their first union contract.
The bargaining unit covers two dozen writers, reporters, producers, editors and artists at the business magazine. Highlights of the contract include annual wage increases, new salary floor standards, just cause provisions, layoff severance, editorial standards protections and more.
“We are so excited to finally have a fair contract after a long battle,” said unit chair Sasha Rogelberg. “Our union has repeatedly come together in tough times—including after a mass layoff over the summer reduced our unit size by one-third—to fight for the well-being of our newsroom. The efforts to secure this contract were no exception.”
“Our Fortune Union members refused to give up and accept less than they are worth,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York. “Because they persevered, they won a contract that boosts wages for all and lifts salaries for the lowest paid across the union, along with important job protections like just cause. We say this all the time in our union because it’s true: When we fight, we win.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 02/27/2026 - 10:07
Tags:
Organizing
02/26/2026 - 5:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Hearst Magazines Union Ratifies New Contract with Raises, 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.
Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members at Hearst Magazines have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement.
This victory came after members delivered a strike pledge signed by more than 85% of the unit and participated in walkouts and rallies calling for a fair contract. The agreement covers staff across 29 different Hearst Magazines publications, including major titles like Cosmopolitan, Elle, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping. Strong economic gains in the contract will help ensure that WGAE members can continue to deliver informative and entertaining content that generates billions in profits every year.
“We made many important gains—better raises, higher wage floors, and an improved 401k match—for members of our unit with this contract,” The Hearst Magazines Union bargaining committee said. “We also know there is still a great deal of work to be done to make Hearst Magazines a place we can all be proud of. We hope this ratification sends a clear message to management that we are only getting stronger and more cohesive as time goes on, and that we will always fight for a more equitable workplace.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 02/26/2026 - 09:48
02/25/2026 - 4:00pm
Action Alert: Tell Whirlpool America’s Workers Deserve a Future, Not Pink Slips
Whirlpool Corp. just announced that, effective March 9, nearly 400 more layoffs will occur at its Amana, Iowa, manufacturing facility. The IAM Union currently represents 1,300 production workers at this plant. However, more than 3,000 IAM members worked at the facility just a few years ago.
These are IAM members who build the Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag and Amana refrigerators that fill American homes. This is not a one-time setback. Less than a year ago, Whirlpool laid off approximately 250 workers at this same facility. Now the company is back with another round of pink slips and a warning that more cuts may be on the way.
Sign this petition and tell Whirlpool CEO Marc Bitzer that Iowa’s working families deserve better than broken promises and a shrinking future for their community.
Sign the Petition
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/25/2026 - 10:52
02/25/2026 - 4:00pm
Organizing Works! 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:
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:
Oregon AFL-CIO:
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:
Texas AFL-CIO:
Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 02/24/2026 - 14:20
02/25/2026 - 4:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Nurses at NewYork–Presbyterian Ratify Agreement, Ending Historic Strike
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 41 days spent walking picket lines, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) members who work at NewYork–Presbyterian voted overwhelmingly to ratify their new three-year contract, ending the union’s historic strike.
This strike was the biggest and longest nurses’ work stoppage in New York City in decades. NYSNA members went toe-to-toe with some of the richest private employers, enduring union-busting, drawn out negotiations and freezing temperatures, and won.
“This is a proud moment for our union,” said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans. “15,000 NYSNA nurses went out on strike, and finally all 15,000 will be returning to the bedside. We are so happy with the wins we achieved, and now the fight to enforce these contracts and hold our employers accountable begins. NYSNA nurses showed what it means to advocate for patients, and this moment will go down in history as a win for our communities, in the fight for healthcare justice, and for the labor movement.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 02/25/2026 - 10:00
Tags:
Organizing
02/25/2026 - 4:00pm
Solidarity Isn’t a Slogan. It’s a Promise: 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:
Keep Equity's workplace harassment reporting info close at hand with our digital wallet card. Simply tap the image, save it and have it ready whenever you need it. Find out more at https://members.actorsequity.org/on-the-job/understanding-harassment
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— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) February 25, 2026 at 10:43 AM
AFSCME:
Alliance for Retired Americans:
Amalgamated Transit Union:
American Federation of Teachers:
Explore how art and history intersect in Kerry James Marshall’s Souvenir II and the diplomatic legacy of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Ralph J. Bunche. This powerful reflection connects Black History Month, civil rights, and global leadership to inspire the next generation. #BlackHistoryMonth
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— AFT (@aft.org) February 25, 2026 at 12:06 PM
American Postal Workers Union:
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:
Boilermakers:
Bricklayers:
Communications Workers of America:
Department for Professional Employees:
Congrats to @hearstunion.bsky.social members on their new contract which includes annual pay raises of 2-3%, a salary floor of $62,400, improved severance protections, and enhanced retirement benefits. variety.com/2026/digital...
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— Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (@dpeaflcio.bsky.social) February 24, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Electrical Workers:
Fire Fighters:
