Worker Wins: We Want Our Coworkers to Thrive

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

Juilliard Production Crew Workers Vote to Join IATSE: Production crew members at The Juilliard School voted overwhelmingly on Friday to form a union with the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Workers at the private New York City performing arts conservatory perform essential production roles such as scenic shop crew, stagehands, costumers, and hair and makeup artists. The newly minted IATSE members took inspiration from exciting organizing efforts being championed by crew in the city’s off-Broadway community. The Juilliard Production Workers United logo includes a nod to the school’s beloved penguin mascot. “We know our work, and we know the demands of our shops,” said Lead Carpenter A.J. Coté. “We want our coworkers to thrive. I truly believe collectively we can represent ourselves better as a union. This is our livelihood; we deserve an equal part shaping it.”

Nurses at San Leandro and Alameda Hospitals Ratify New Contract: Members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) who work at San Leandro and Alameda hospitals voted overwhelmingly last week to ratify a new five-year contract. This new deal brings over 380 registered nurses (RNs) across the two facilities under the same collective bargaining agreement. Major highlights of the contract include provisions that establish economic parity between nurses at each hospital, changes to scheduling practices that prioritize nurses who live and work in the community over nonunion travel nurses, meal break protections, and more. “Every single article of our contracts was up for negotiation and nurses upheld the high standards of care we’ve historically fought for,” said Linda Strack, RN, who works in the operating room at Alameda Hospital. “Because we remained united in our goal to improve nurse and patient health and safety, this landmark agreement raises the bar for the recruitment and retention of Bay Area nurses.” 

Austin-Based Bookstore Staff Win Powerful AI Protections: Staff at an independent bookstore in Austin, Texas, represented by Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 277, are celebrating new critical artificial intelligence (AI) safeguards in their collective bargaining agreement. A powerful 100% of voting BookPeople United members cast ballots to approve their new contract earlier this month. The deal included several important provisions, including the prohibition of replacing any worker or position at the storefront with AI. Workers said they fought to secure these protections after realizing that emergent technology like ChatGPT could potentially be used to destroy jobs at the storefront. “Making sure that we’re protecting jobs through this transition into this new tech world is the most important thing we can do,” said Texas AFL-CIO Communications Director Tara Pohlmeyer. “It’s setting a standard for a lot of other unions that workers at BookPeople were able to get this into their contract.”

Norse Atlantic Airways Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Agreement: U.S.-based flight attendants for Norse Atlantic Airways, who are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), have reached a tentative agreement (TA) on their second-ever contract. The low-cost trans-Atlantic airline was founded in February 2021, and a few months later, AFA-CWA negotiated a pre-hire agreement with management ahead of the company’s launch that ensured industry-leading compensation and union membership once flight attendants demonstrated majority support. The Norse crew will begin voting on the new TA next week. “While our Flight Attendants continue to deliver critical services for Norse Atlantic, this tentative agreement builds on our historic pre-hire agreement and job security, the highest per diem in the industry, regular wage increases, and more benefits,” said Norse AFA President Katarzyna Mroczek.

Center for International Environmental Law Staff Secure Voluntary Recognition: Staff members at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) are celebrating that management has voluntarily recognized the Washington-Baltimore News Guild (WBNG), The NewsGuild-CWA Local 32035 as their bargaining representative. The CIEL Unite bargaining unit covers workers across the United States and Switzerland. A supermajority of staff went public with their efforts to form a unit with WBNG back in February. With their attention now turned to beginning the negotiation process, members aim to win an agreement that protects staff and advances CIEL’s mission to protect the environment. “For over 35 years, CIEL has been at the forefront of advocating to ensure that human rights are at the cornerstone of environmental law,” said the CIEL Unite organizing committee. “CIEL’s staff are immensely proud of our work to defend our right to a healthy planet. We know our strength comes from a diverse, dynamic, international staff that believe in building long-term power, advancing justice, and ensuring representation for affected communities. Our union is grounded in these same principles. We look forward to working with CIEL leadership at the bargaining table and to finding creative solutions to advance core values of equity and justice, compassion, empathy, and respect.”

Faculty at Nevada State University Win Union Election: This week, faculty members at Nevada State University voted to join the Nevada Faculty Alliance, an affiliate of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT). This is the fourth collective bargaining chapter of the Nevada Faculty Alliance, and academic workers voted to organize with a landslide vote of 104–8. Having prevailed through the election process, faculty are now eagerly turning their attention toward bargaining a fair and empowering contract with administrators. “This work could not have been done without the countless hours of organizing, research and outreach executed by faculty on our Collective Bargaining Organizing Committee,” said Andrew Lavengood-Ryan, lecturer of mathematics in the Department of Data, Media and Design. “I have had the distinct pleasure of working with and leading some of the most incredible people at Nevada State over the past year and half, and it is so fulfilling to see all of that work come together. We look forward to negotiating with NSU administration directly for a fair, collaborative contract that protects faculty needs.”

Minnesota Science Museum Workers Ratify Historic First Contract: After over 550 days of dedicated organizing efforts, members of AFSCME Council 5 who work at the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) are celebrating their first-ever union contract. Staff voted in January 2023 to form SMM Workers Union, a wall-to-wall bargaining unit that includes scientists, researchers, lab technicians, educators, customer service and more. Victories in the deal include substantial wage increases, new parental leave benefits, clear and enforceable job security protections, and longevity pay that rewards years of service. Despite leadership at the St. Paul museum instituting retaliatory layoffs directly after workers voted to join AFSCME and slow-walking bargaining, SMM Workers Union members stood strong and emerged victorious. “Management fought us at every turn,” said Jennings Mergenthal, a community engagement specialist. “But after 550 days, we won. Not just any contract—we won a fair contract. A contract that ensures a better future for museum workers and raises the standard for cultural institutions across the country.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/11/2025 - 12:25

Tags: Organizing

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Nurses at San Leandro and Alameda Hospitals Ratify New Contract

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 California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) who work at San Leandro and Alameda hospitals voted overwhelmingly last week to ratify a new five-year contract.

This new deal brings over 380 registered nurses (RNs) across the two facilities under the same collective bargaining agreement. Major highlights of the contract include provisions that establish economic parity between nurses at each hospital, changes to scheduling practices that prioritize nurses who live and work in the community over nonunion travel nurses, meal break protections, and more.

“Every single article of our contracts was up for negotiation and nurses upheld the high standards of care we’ve historically fought for,” said Linda Strack, RN, who works in the operating room at Alameda Hospital. “Because we remained united in our goal to improve nurse and patient health and safety, this landmark agreement raises the bar for the recruitment and retention of Bay Area nurses.” 

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/09/2025 - 08:58

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers Around the Country Attend Hands Off Rallies

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.

Tens of thousands of people mobilized in cities across the country on Saturday for a nationwide protest against Donald Trump’s and Elon Musk’s attacks on federal workers and important social services. Union members and labor leaders participated in powerful marches and rallies to fight back against the billionaire takeover of our government.

“So, to every working person here, and everyone watching—I don’t care if you’re Democrat, Republican or Independent—do you want common sense from your government? Are you sick and tired of a government that is of and by and for billionaires? Are you ready to do something about it,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler to attendees at the Washington, D.C., rally. “Our votes are not for sale! Our values are not for sale! Our rights and our freedoms are not for sale!”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/08/2025 - 09:18

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates

This is 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.

Here's who we've featured so far:

• Actors' Equity (Equity)
• AFGE
• Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)
• Musical Artists (AGMA)

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/07/2025 - 11:59

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Air Line Pilots Association

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 Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

Name of Union: Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).

Mission: The mission of ALPA is to promote and champion all aspects of aviation safety throughout all segments of the aviation community; to represent, in both specific and general respects, the collective interests of all pilots in commercial aviation; to assist in collective bargaining activities on behalf of all pilots represented by the association; to promote the health and welfare of the members of the association before all governmental agencies; to be a strong, forceful advocate of the airline piloting profession, through all forms of media, and with the public at large; and to be the ultimate guardian and defender of the rights and privileges of the professional pilots who are members of the association.

Current Leadership of Union: Capt. Jason Ambrosi was elected as ALPA’s 12th president on Oct. 19, 2022. He brings 25 years of ALPA experience to the job. He flies the Boeing 767 ER at Delta Air Lines. He began his airline flying career at Atlantic Southeast Airlines, a former Delta Connection carrier and regional airline. Delta hired him in 2000, just 18 months prior to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and he was among the many pilots furloughed after the attacks. While on furlough, Ambrosi worked for a charter airline, where he advocated for labor representation and helped build a strong safety culture. He has a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and lives in Griffin, Georgia, with his wife, Heather, and their two children.

Capt. Wendy Morse serves as ALPA’s first vice president. Capt. Sean Creed is the organization’s vice president—administration/secretary. Capt. Wes Clapper is the vice president—finance/treasurer. Capt. Steve Mayer serves as executive administrator.

Current Number of Members: 79,000.

Members Work As: Airline pilots.

Industries Represented: The airline industry in the United States and Canada. ALPA serves as the bargaining agent for pilot groups from 42 commercial airlines, including both passenger and cargo operations.

History: As the 1920s concluded, life for airline pilots was difficult and dangerous, with many companies treating this employee group like an expendable commodity. Many airline pilots died in aircraft accidents during this period.

In 1931, pilots in the United States came together to form the first professional union of pilots, ALPA, to promote aviation safety and give these flyers a greater voice in their workplace. During World War II, the union began advocating for the creation of an independent safety board, which finally took shape in the 1960s, after decades of work.

After the war, ALPA banded together with pilot unions from around the world to form the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) to influence international travel and safety standards.

With new technological advances in air transportation, ALPA created an air safety structure to fight for crew fatigue rules and rest requirements, along with other safety priorities. The association began working with aircraft manufacturers to improve cockpit features. In addition, the rise of terrorist attacks on aircraft represented a new safety concern for ALPA, identifying the need for greater security measures.

The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 also changed the landscape for the airline industry, reinventing the way airlines conducted business but also introducing a new wave of safety concerns. ALPA continued to fight to make the skies safer and achieved numerous victories (including securing mandated “fasten seatbelt” signs in aircraft cabins and policies such as a nationwide anti-skyjacking strategy, which was adopted by federal regulators).

The 9/11 terrorist attacks revitalized the need to revisit security, and ALPA responded, successfully pushing for programs to provide more thorough screening of passengers and cargo.

Decades of hard work on air safety concerns also paid off, as the total number of airline accidents in the United States and Canada dropped by more than 70% in the decade ending in 2007.

These and other accomplishments in recent years have not diminished the union’s focus on safety and security, with top priorities including science-based fatigue rules for all airline pilots, improved pilot training and professionalism, and the safe integration of commercial space vehicles and remotely piloted aircraft (such as drones) into civil airspace.

On the collective bargaining front, ALPA continues to promote a system of pattern bargaining to ensure that its members receive fair pay and benefits for the services they perform, safe and reasonable working conditions, and a better quality of life.

Current Campaigns: Safety Starts with Two is a global pilot initiative, co-led by ALPA, that is working to prevent airlines and manufacturers from pushing ahead with plans to remove pilots from the flight deck—a profit-driven scheme that poses a significant safety risk. Jumpseat works to establish guidelines and fairness in the use of airplane jump seats. Cleared to Dream recruits new pilots into the industry. Trained for Life focuses on training and expertise in order to reduce airline-related death and injury. ALPA fights to maintain pilot staffing levels, prevent airlines from taking advantage of regulatory loopholes, protect U.S. airlines from unfair business practices, mitigate fatigue among cargo pilots, improve security through mandated flight deck barriers and modernize the national airspace for new entrants.

Community Efforts: Pilots for Pilots helps ALPA members and their families who have been harmed by natural disasters. ALPA publishes Air Line Pilot magazine.

Learn More: Website, Facebook, YouTube

You can also check out this video to learn more about ALPA’s history:

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/07/2025 - 10:30

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Faculty at Nevada State University Win Union Election

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.

This week, faculty members at Nevada State University voted to join the Nevada Faculty Alliance, an affiliate of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

This is the fourth collective bargaining chapter of the Nevada Faculty Alliance, and academic workers voted to organize with a landslide vote of 104–8. Having prevailed through the election process, faculty are now eagerly turning their attention toward bargaining a fair and empowering contract with administrators.

“This work could not have been done without the countless hours of organizing, research and outreach executed by faculty on our Collective Bargaining Organizing Committee,” said Andrew Lavengood-Ryan, lecturer of mathematics in the Department of Data, Media and Design. “I have had the distinct pleasure of working with and leading some of the most incredible people at Nevada State over the past year and half, and it is so fulfilling to see all of that work come together. We look forward to negotiating with NSU administration directly for a fair, collaborative contract that protects faculty needs.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/07/2025 - 09:18

AFL-CIO on March Jobs Report

In response to the March jobs report showing that unemployment is rising, Candace Archer, AFL-CIO Policy Director, released the following statement released the following statement:

The March numbers released today don’t tell the whole story of the state of jobs in our country. The Trump administration’s attacks on the federal workforce and reckless economic policies are causing unemployment to continue to rise  and threaten to destroy the strong economy that this administration inherited 

While there has been strong growth in health care jobs, this could all be undone by Congress cutting Medicaid to pay for another tax giveaway to billionaires. Medicaid cuts would devastate our health care system and workers across the sector are holding their breath, waiting for their jobs to disappear.   The still strong job numbers don’t reflect how uncertain things actually are for the working people of this country. The March jobs report doesn’t include the tens of thousands of federal workers DOGE has put out of work but remain in limbo on administrative leave or may get reinstated and refired, as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. indicated just this week. And some estimates suggest as many as 275,240 workers were laid off last month, 60% more than February and 205% more than this time last year. 

For working people who are just trying to get through their shifts, feed their families, and get their kids to school, this chaos is the last thing they need. It’s not too late to reverse course and stop unemployment from continuing to rise. We call on members of Congress and all those who stand with working people to join us in the fight and stop these attacks. 

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/04/2025 - 17:43

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Minnesota Science Museum Workers Ratify Historic First Contract

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 over 550 days of dedicated organizing efforts, members of AFSCME Council 5 who work at the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) are celebrating their first-ever union contract.

Staff voted in January 2023 to form SMM Workers Union, a wall-to-wall bargaining unit that includes scientists, researchers, lab technicians, educators, customer service and more. Victories in the deal include substantial wage increases, new parental leave benefits, clear and enforceable job security protections, and longevity pay that rewards years of service. Despite leadership at the St. Paul museum instituting retaliatory layoffs directly after workers voted to join AFSCME and slow-walking bargaining, SMM Workers Union members stood strong and emerged victorious.

“Management fought us at every turn,” said Jennings Mergenthal, a community engagement specialist. “But after 550 days, we won. Not just any contract—we won a fair contract. A contract that ensures a better future for museum workers and raises the standard for cultural institutions across the country.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/04/2025 - 09:42

Tags: Organizing

Victory in Wisconsin: 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.

AFL-CIO Raises Concerns over Cuts to NIOSH Workforce: “AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler condemned the Trump administration's decision to eliminate nearly 900 jobs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), calling the move ‘devastating’ for worker safety. ‘Every worker should be able to go home safe and healthy at the end of their shift—but the Trump administration is gutting NIOSH,’ Shuler said in a statement.” 

New Museum in Pullman to Recognize Women’s Role in Labor Movement: “A. Philip Randolph set the stage for the Civil Rights Movement by forming and leading the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1925, which 10 years later became the first African American labor union to be affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. The contributions of Randolph and those he represented are highlighted in a museum in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood, the historic home of the country’s largest sleeping car company. Now a new effort is afoot to recognize an often-overlooked element of that effort. Randolph’s success at organizing a union that would represent thousands of workers all over the United States rested squarely upon the efforts of women such as Rosina Corrothers Tucker.” 

‘Hands Off’ Protest: April 5 Could See Massive Turnout for Rallies Against Trump and Musk in All 50 States. Here’s What to Know: “The protests are organized by Indivisible, a grassroots movement aimed at rebuilding democracy and defeating Trump, which is partnering with a broad coalition of groups including: the Women’s March, the United Federation of Teachers, Public Citizen, the Progressive Democrats of America, Common Cause, the Human Rights Campaign, MoveOn, the League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood and some unions, including AFL-CIO, UAW and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).” 

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond Talks About Attacks on Organized Labor and Why Union Members Voted for Trump: “Fred Redmond, national secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO, was in town Saturday, March 29, for a rally at the Gateway Arch, hosted by AFGE and the AFL-CIO, protesting President Donald Trump’s attacks on the federal workforce and recent executive order stripping federal workers of their collective bargaining rights. Before the rally began, Redmond sat down for an interview with the Labor Tribune, discussing the administration’s actions, fighting back and why some union members voted for Trump. Following is an edited version of the interview.” 

2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race; Susan Crawford Defeats Brad Schimel: “Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale: ‘Congratulations to Judge Susan Crawford for her victory and congratulations to the entire Wisconsin labor movement that proudly stood by her every step of the way.’” 

SAG-AFTRA’s Duncan Crabtree-Ireland on How Consumers Can Support Video Game Actors Strike as It Nears 250-Day Mark: “The SAG-AFTRA strike against major video game companies has nearly reached the 250-day mark, and there’s no deal yet. And while nothing seems to have changed from the outside, real progress is being made behind the scenes.” 

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/04/2025 - 11:45

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: ATU Members Reach 3-Year Deal with Denver Regional Transportation 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.

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1001 members and the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) reached a tentative labor deal that will mean significant raises for the transit agency’s bus drivers, mechanics and other front-line workers. A bulletin posted to the ATU Local 1001’s website said the 15.5% raise over three years is 1.5% higher than what RTD had offered.

“Thanks to the ATU 1001 Membership standing up, showing up, and letting RTD hear from them, there was movement,” the bulletin said.

The members of ATU Local 1001 still need to vote to approve the contract.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/03/2025 - 09:52