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.

More than 4,700 SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) members at eight Sutter Health facilities across Northern California have successfully leveraged a major strike threat to reach a tentative agreement on their new contract.

Nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, environmental services, food services, x-ray technicians, respiratory therapists and other essential staff voted overwhelmingly earlier this month to authorize a work stoppage in response to bad faith bargaining from Sutter executives. The power of their unity paid off, and members will now vote on a deal that includes wins like a 14% across-the-board raise, protections for health care and retirement benefits, and more.

“This tentative agreement shows that when we stand united, we can win improvements that protect both healthcare workers and our patients,” said Dinora Garcia, a dietary clerk from Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport. “Reaching this agreement wasn’t easy but we stood together to advocate for worker and patient safety, improved staffing levels, and fair wages and benefits that reflect the vital work we do every day.”  

Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.

UNITE HERE Members at Hilton Americas-Houston Win New Contract and End 40-Day Strike: After bravely holding the line for 40 days in what was the first hotel strike in Texas history, members of UNITE HERE Local 23 who work at Hilton Americas-Houston successfully secured a new collective bargaining agreement on Friday. Hospitality workers won a number of major victories including a $20/hour minimum wage—with increases that will bring workers to $22/hour by the end of the contract—job security protections, improved housekeeping workloads and improved safety standards. “This victory is an attestation of our members’ strength, their will, and determination. They held the line for over a month in the heat and rain, as they fought to secure better standards after being left behind for so long. It was an incredibly hard fight, and the outcome reflects just that. Now we expect all the players in Houston’s hospitality industry to follow suit and pay workers a living wage,” said Franchesca Caraballo, Texas Chapter President of Local 23.

Michigan Home Care Workers Win Election to Join SEIU: On Thursday, 32,000 home care workers voted to form a union with SEIU Healthcare Michigan, 13 years after former Gov. Rick Snyder ripped away their collective bargaining rights by reclassifying them. The current governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, reversed her predecessor’s attack on these workers last year, paving the way for them to fight for the wages and benefits they deserve. “This is a proud day for Michigan. If anyone needs a union, it’s home care workers. When the union was stolen from us, I was devastated. But I didn’t lose hope. I knew we would reclaim our union one day—and that day has finally come.” said Phyllis Pride, a home care worker from Ecorse. “This all happened because we took a stand: home care workers and the people we care for deserve better. We deserve respect and dignity. That starts with a union. Together, in SEIU Healthcare Michigan, we can now build the long-term care system Michigan deserves.”

Sutter Health Workers Secure New Tentative Agreement: More than 4,700 SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) members at eight Sutter Health facilities across Northern California have successfully leveraged a major strike threat to reach a tentative agreement on their new contract. Nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, environmental services, food services, x-ray technicians, respiratory therapists and other essential staff voted overwhelmingly earlier this month to authorize a work stoppage in response to bad faith bargaining from Sutter executives. The power of their unity paid off, and members will now vote on a deal that includes wins like a 14% across-the-board raise, protections for health care and retirement benefits, and more. “This tentative agreement shows that when we stand united, we can win improvements that protect both healthcare workers and our patients,” said Dinora Garcia, a dietary clerk from Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport. “Reaching this agreement wasn’t easy but we stood together to advocate for worker and patient safety, improved staffing levels, and fair wages and benefits that reflect the vital work we do every day.”  

Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Workers Ratify First Contract: The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA) members who work for the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) are celebrating the ratification of their first-ever collective bargaining agreement. Staff at the statewide nonprofit work to achieve a healthy and safe environment for vulnerable residents in the state. Their contract established a number of wins that will ensure they can continue this important work such as wage increases, remote work flexibility, retirement security and more. “This contract was hard won. Every member of our unit (past and present) has their hands on these pages. I am elated for our shared success in securing protections and benefits for workers at MEJC,” said Aiko Fukuchi, operations associate at MEJC. “The severance language we were able to confirm was a priority for us in this contract. We wanted to ensure workers had some security they could rely on, especially in such unpredictable times as these. It must be noted that through this process, we benefited greatly from the past efforts and successes of other units in The NewsGuild.”

SAG-AFTRA Announces New Verticals Agreement for Mobile Content: SAG-AFTRA announced an upcoming new media contract Monday specifically designed to protect and empower performers in the rapidly growing, mobile-optimized micro-dramas industry. The Verticals Agreement would cover serialized short-form dramas that are designed to be watched on mobile devices with production budgets under $300,000. Vertical storytelling opportunities have increasingly been of interest for members in a tight entertainment job market, and this new contract will ensure they still benefit from SAG-AFTRA standards in these roles. “Our members are always on the lookout for good work opportunities,” said SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin. “As technology develops and our industry looks for creative ways to engage audiences, new formats emerge. SAG-AFTRA perceives the advent of so-called ‘verticals’ as an exciting new space. This fast-evolving format is catching on, and we are here to support our performers as they pursue their craft and engage this new business model. By offering a contract that is tailored to the unique needs of these projects, our union is meeting the moment. As the business of verticals experiences substantial growth, so too will our relationship with the producers.”

Tags: Organizing

The AFL-CIO launched today the “Workers First Initiative on AI,” the first comprehensive labor movement agenda establishing principles on artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The Initiative provides a blueprint for how employers and legislators should advance AI implementation in the workplace to the benefit of America’s working people and economy.

Developed with input from workers and unions across industries and public services, the Workers First Initiative on AI is designed to ensure that working people reap the benefits of AI technology and its use in the workforce. The Initiative includes first-of-its-kind guiding principles and resources for the responsible development of AI and its use in the workplace, and a nationwide education and mobilization program. It also will be integrated with the AI task force the AFL-CIO launched this summer to fight for commonsense, strong AI safety policy at the state and local level.

“No one understands how to build the future of work better than America’s labor movement,” said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO. “We reject the false choice between American competitiveness on the world stage and respecting workers’ rights and dignity. We know that for AI—or any other technology—to truly boost our economy, it needs to benefit everyone, not just a select few at the top. That’s why I’m thrilled to launch the Workers First Initiative on AI, which will advance the labor movement’s vision for this technology and a path forward for equitable, human-centered innovation in our workplaces and communities.”

Read the full press release here.

Read more at the Verge: “Major federation of unions calls for ‘worker-centered AI’ future.”

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 bravely holding the line for 40 days in what was the first hotel strike in Texas history, members of UNITE HERE Local 23 who work at Hilton Americas-Houston successfully secured a new collective bargaining agreement on Friday. Hospitality workers won a number of major victories including a $20/hour minimum wage—with increases that will bring workers to $22/hour by the end of the contract—job security protections, improved housekeeping workloads and improved safety standards.

“This victory is an attestation of our members’ strength, their will, and determination. They held the line for over a month in the heat and rain, as they fought to secure better standards after being left behind for so long. It was an incredibly hard fight, and the outcome reflects just that. Now we expect all the players in Houston’s hospitality industry to follow suit and pay workers a living wage,” said Franchesca Caraballo, Texas Chapter President of Local 23.

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.

Rail Union Asks FAA to Ban Drone Flights Over Rail Infrastructure: “A rail union has asked the Federal Aviation Administration to ban the use of unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, above rail yards and main lines. The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division, or SMART-TD, submitted comments earlier this week on a proposed FAA rule that would allow expanded drone use of beyond visual line of sight. Such a proposal was a condition of the FAA Authorization Act of 2024.”

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, St. Louis Labor Movement Rally Around Striking Machinists Members at Boeing: “AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler urged striking Machinists District 837 members at Boeing to continue standing in solidarity and hold the line last week during a rally here at the union’s hall. Hundreds attended the Oct. 1 event, which featured several speakers from the international Machinists union as well as state and local Labor leaders, including Missouri AFL-CIO President Jake Hummel and St. Louis Labor Council President Patrick Kellett.”

Federal Workers’ Unions Call for Compromise on a Shutdown Deal: “‘Do your damn job, and pass a budget that’s going to require a little compromise,' Randy Erwin, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees-IAM, said. His union represents more than 110,000 federal employees across the country who work at agencies including the National Park Service, the Defense Department and Health and Human Services.”

‘Dangerous Game’: Unions Warn Shutdown Risks Aviation Safety: “‘This is a dangerous game,’ Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), said during a news briefing Wednesday outside the headquarters of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) in Washington, D.C. Nelson joined representatives from AFGE, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), and other public and private unions to urge Congress to reopen the federal government, warning that a prolonged shutdown could endanger aviation safety. Nelson said air traffic controllers (ATCs)—nearly 11,000 of whom are directing traffic without pay, per the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)—are working under ‘increasingly unsafe’ conditions.”

AFL-CIO Opposes Major Crypto Legislation: “The AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor federation, addressed a letter to members of the Senate Banking Committee Monday night opposing the Senate's draft legislation to create a regulatory framework for the trading of digital assets. The big picture: Citing the ‘volatility of the assets class,’ the labor giant says it worries about the retirement funds of its millions of members if cryptocurrency were to become more common in portfolios. What they're saying: The group argues that the bill, the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, ‘provides the facade of regulation’ that could cause cryptocurrency to become more mainstream in investment funds. ‘Passing this legislation will allow the proliferation of assets that investors will wrongly perceive as safe,’ Jody Calemine, AFL-CIO's director of government affairs, writes in the organization's legislative alert.”

AAUP, Other Unions Sue Trump Admin Over H-1B Fee: “A slew of unions, including three that represent university faculty and staff, are suing the Trump administration over its proposed $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas, The New York Times reported. The plaintiffs, which include the American Association of University Professors, UAW International and UAW Local 481, allege in the lawsuit that numerous researchers and academics will lose their jobs as a result of their institutions not being able to afford the new fee. (An H-1B visa previously cost $2,000 to $5,000.) Universities, along with national labs and nonprofit research institutions, were also exempt from the annual cap on the number of new visas, and it’s unclear whether the new fee will apply to higher ed.”

Rhode Island AFL-CIO Sues Trump’s EPA Over Termination of $7 Billion Solar for All Program: “The Rhode Island AFL-CIO and the Rhode Island Center for Justice on Monday sued the US Environmental Protection Agency, challenging the Trump administration’s decision to kill the $7 billion Solar for All program. The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Rhode Island, aims to reverse the termination of a program launched during President Joe Biden’s administration to help pay for residential solar projects for more than 900,000 lower-income US households. Massachusetts had been one of the biggest intended recipients of the program: More than $156 million had been obligated to the state, and Rhode Island expected to receive $49 million. ‘Solar energy is key to Rhode Island’s march towards a carbon-free economy,’ Rhode Island AFL-CIO President Patrick Crowley said in a statement. ‘The Solar for All program is critical to meeting the mandates of the Act on Climate and could lead to hundreds of good paying union jobs, that is why the Rhode Island AFL-CIO is happy to join this court action.’”

Federal Unions Sue White House, Demand Immediate End to Shutdown: “Federal unions say the current government shutdown is like no other. The National Treasury Employees Union said poor communication around agencies’ shutdown contingency plans caused ‘upheaval’ for federal employees. And after the new threat of reductions in force, the American Federation of Government Employees is now suing the Trump administration, calling the White House’s directive illegal, and raising concerns that it will ‘inflict further pain’ on government workers. Both federal unions are demanding an immediate end to the shutdown.”

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.

Last year, union members partnered with the Des Moines chapter of Homeless Veterans Stand Down to fill backpacks with winter clothing and other essentials to distribute to those in need. District 6 expanded their commitment to this cause in 2025 by holding another event with the national organization where members donated $1,150 that went to feeding and getting critical resources to former service members in the area who are experiencing homelessness.

“Our veterans deserve more than gratitude, they deserve action,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “I’m proud of the IAM members in District 6 who stepped up to honor their service by ensuring they and their families receive the support they need.”

As part of the IAM Union Midwest Territory Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing (HELPS) initiative, members of IAM District 6 gathered donations and distributed resources to homeless veterans in Des Moines, Iowa.

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 Thursday, 32,000 home care workers voted to form a union with SEIU Healthcare Michigan, 13 years after former Gov. Rick Snyder ripped away their collective bargaining rights by reclassifying them.

The current governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, reversed her predecessor’s attack on these workers last year, paving the way for them to fight for the wages and benefits they deserve.

“This is a proud day for Michigan. If anyone needs a union, it’s home care workers. When the union was stolen from us, I was devastated. But I didn’t lose hope. I knew we would reclaim our union one day—and that day has finally come.” said Phyllis Pride, a home care worker from Ecorse. “This all happened because we took a stand: home care workers and the people we care for deserve better. We deserve respect and dignity. That starts with a union. Together, in SEIU Healthcare Michigan, we can now build the long-term care system Michigan deserves.”

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.

Alaska AFL-CIO:

Big win for working families in the Golden Heart City!

This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we've covered all 63 of our affiliates. Next up is the Seafarers International Union (SIU).

This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we’ve covered all 63 of our affiliates. Next up is the Seafarers International Union (SIU).

Name of Union: Seafarers International Union 

Mission: To represent the best-trained, most efficient crews in the world as a dynamic, politically active organization dedicated to protecting the membership’s job security in the face of the ever-changing needs of the industry.

Current Leadership of Union: David W. Heindel has served as the president of the Seafarers International Union since February 2023. Prior to that, he had served as the secretary-treasurer of the SIU, Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters starting in February 1997. Augustin “Augie” Tellez has been the executive vice president of SIU since 2005. Tom Orzechowski is the secretary-treasurer of the SIU.

SIU also has eight vice presidents: George Tricker (Contracts), Dean Corgey (Gulf Coast), Joseph T. Soresi (Atlantic Coast), Bryan Powell (Lakes and Inland Waters), Joe Vincenzo (West Coast), Sam Spain (Government Services), Hazel Galbiso and Pat Vandegrift.

Number of Members: 80,000

Members Work As: Professional merchant mariners sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels in the deep sea, Great Lakes and inland trades.

Industries Represented: Members work on a wide variety of vessels, including commercial container ships and tankers, military support ships, tugboats and barges, passenger ships, gaming vessels and many more.

History: Before the Seafarers International Union was formed in 1938, there were several other unions that organized maritime workers, including the International Seamen's Union (ISU), which formed in 1892 and was chartered by the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Pressures from the Great Depression and internal division led to the downfall of the ISU, despite some successes, including securing the passage of the Jones Act in 1920.

The SIU was formally given a charter in 1938 with nearly 7,000 members. World War II had a major impact on the maritime trades. SIU members were a huge part of the war effort, providing military support to the Allies and serving as the underpinning of the Allied supply lines. The casualty rate for merchant seamen was higher than any other branch of the armed services. The union managed to secure increases in hazard pay for those sailing into war zones. After the war, the SIU made tremendous gains with organizing drives, a general maritime strike and the creation of the AFL's Maritime Trades Department. 

Paul Hall was a charter member of the SIU and, by the late 1940s, he was in charge of daily operations of the union, and he took the union in a more militant direction. Hall stressed civic engagement and negotiation and took SIU to the streets in solidarity with other AFL unions. Reform and expansion were key among Hall’s achievements, including securing the first hospital and death benefits for members, creating the Seafarers Vacation Plan and strengthening seniority provisions in hiring.

In the 1950s, the SIU continued to expand by merging with other smaller maritime unions. The union also opened up several training facilities to help Seafarers hone their professional skills. The union was successful in the 1960s in calls to modernize the U.S.-flag-bearing fleet. The 1970s would see the union successfully fight for the passage of the Merchant Marine Act, which lifted up the maritime industry, including boosting jobs.

The rapid changes in technology, trade and world politics in the 1980s and 1990s provided both opportunities and challenges for the SIU. The expansion of global trade and the growth in military conflict around the world directly affected SIU’s membership. SIU members were among the first responders after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, transporting evacuees from affected areas and serving as crew on the USNS Comfort, a ship that was the center for medical care for first responders and survivors. SIU members also would be key in stories in more recent years, such as the “Miracle on the Hudson” aircraft incident in 2009 and when the Maersk Alabama ship was hijacked by Somali pirates.

Whether it be in times of war, times of peace or in reaction to a tragedy, Seafarers are part of the solution; and they continue to do what they always do: "turning to and delivering the goods."

Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The Seafarers provide training and apprenticeships through the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education and the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship. The Seafarers Disaster Aid Fund helps members and retirees who are hurt by hurricanes and other disasters. The Seafarers also assist members with pensions. SIU shares news and information through the Seafarer’s Log, CIVMAR News and the Mobile News Network.

Learn More: Website, Facebook, YouTube, X, Instagram

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.

AFGE:

BREAKING: AFGE is suing the Trump administration over illegally forcing Department of Education workers to engage in partisan political rhetoric during the government federal shutdown. https://t.co/rppExL3zRN

— AFGE (@AFGENational) October 3, 2025

AFSCME:

Discover why library workers at the Boulder Public Library in Colorado have stood up and announced their plans to join AFSCME. https://t.co/2mBceuDlLI

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) October 8, 2025

Alliance for Retired Americans:

Trump's cruel budget law won't take full effect until after the 2026 elections, but some states are already cutting Medicaid. Patients are paying the price.