09/26/2025 - 7:30pm
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Argelia Alvarado Gonzales
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 Argelia Alvarado Gonzales of the Utility Workers (UWUA).
Argelia Alvarado Gonzales is a proud Hispanic woman and daughter of migrant parents. Her dedication shines as a loving mother, wife and tireless parent volunteer. As a youth leader and union advocate, she uplifts her community and inspires others. Her commitment to empowering women is evident through her active role in UWUA Local 132’s Women’s Caucus. Gonzales’ leadership, passion and unwavering pride in her heritage make her a true role model.
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 09/26/2025 - 09:18
Tags:
Hispanic Heritage Month
09/26/2025 - 7:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Musicians at Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Agree to New 3-Year 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.
Musicians at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO), members of American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 148-462, have reached agreement on a new three-year contract. The deal offers a range of benefits for the orchestra's players, including a pay increase of 15% over the course of the contract, the establishment of two new player positions, and a comprehensive overhaul of audition and tenure review procedures that is consistent with industry standards.
“The musicians are united in our unwavering commitment to our audiences and to our art—and in our clear vision for the future of the world-class Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,” said Jessica Oudin, president of the ASO Players' Association. “We are thankful to have ratified a progressive and multifaceted contract that speaks to all aspects of our work—and in so doing, honors the legacy and protects the future of the ASO. We are thankful for the collaborative spirit that has enabled us all to reach this day, and we look forward to the continued work ahead.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 09/26/2025 - 09:17
09/25/2025 - 7:00pm
Worker Wins: Everyone Deserves a Union
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
Westchester County Airport Workers Join TWU: Ramp agents at Westchester County Airport in New York state overwhelmingly voted on Tuesday to form a union with Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 504. These newly minted union members are trained on the unique procedures for the six major airlines they work for and additionally perform critical overnight maintenance work. Despite the fact that workers have been forced to work one to two days of overtime every week and struggle to take time off, the contractor that operates the airport—AvPorts—has refused to hire more staff. “These workers have been mistreated for years and getting a solid TWU contract that addresses these staffing issues is our top priority,” said TWU Organizing Director Angelo Cucuzza. “Management asks for ‘volunteers’ to work extra shifts every week, and if you don’t volunteer, you’re forced to work anyway. This is unacceptable, and we will work to rectify these quality-of-life issues.”
Signal Ohio Staff Secure Voluntary Recognition: Days after Signal Ohio staff staged a powerful walkout, leadership at the nonprofit newsroom voluntarily recognized the Northeast Ohio NewsGuild, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 34001, as the bargaining representative for workers at its Akron, Columbus and Cleveland sites. Newsroom staff announced their intention to form the Signal Ohio News Workers Guild (SONWG) in late August and, much to their disappointment, management responded by hiring a notorious union-busting law firm. But workers prevailed and are now turning their attention toward bargaining a contract that will ensure a long, sustainable future for the news outlet. “We’re ecstatic to share [that] Signal Ohio’s leadership chose to voluntarily recognize us as one union,” workers said in a social media post. “We appreciate our board hearing our message about the strength of the SONWG. We look forward to working with them on our mission to provide Ohio with free, high-quality journalism.”
Kaman’s Art Shoppes Employees at San Diego Zoo Join IATSE: Workers at Kaman’s Art Shoppes—who bring magic to the San Diego Zoo experience through creating caricatures, letter brush art and body art for guests—voted overwhelmingly to form a union with Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 122. The 30-person bargaining unit began organizing in May of this year and faced an aggressive anti-union campaign from management, which included harassing emails, one-on-one conversations and even a visit from their Ohio-based CEO. But workers persisted and are now looking forward to bargaining a contract that raises wages, establishes paid time off and provides fairer scheduling protocols. “Everyone deserves a union, whether it’s a stagehand, a rigger or a body artist—we all deserve to have a voice on the job,” said Taylor Resenbeck, Local 122’s business agent.
UMWA Members at ACNR and Iron Senergy Ratify New Contracts: The Mine Workers (UMWA) announced on Tuesday that union members who work at American Consolidated Natural Resources Inc. (ACNR) and Iron Senergy have ratified new, hard-fought contracts. Union members at ACNR operations in West Virginia and Ohio and at Iron Senergy’s Cumberland mine in Pennsylvania secured a number of major victories, including higher wages and retention of current benefits. “This is a critical win for our members and their families,” said International President Cecil E. Roberts. “At a time of growing uncertainty in the coal industry, these agreements are the result of hard-fought negotiations that protect the rights and futures of UMWA miners. I want to congratulate Secretary-Treasurer Brian Sanson, his Executive Assistant Mike Phillippi, and the rest of the UMWA negotiating team for their outstanding work in securing these contracts. Their persistence and dedication made all the difference.”
IAM Members at Greyhound Ratify Powerful New Contract: IAM Union recently announced the successful ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement covering members who work for Greyhound nationwide, calling it the “strongest contract yet.” The three-year deal includes major victories such as wage increases of more than 3% every year, a new vacation schedule, boosted tool allowance and more. “This was a challenging negotiation due to Greyhound’s transition to its new parent company Flix SE, but our team secured the best contract to date for our members,” said IAM Automotive Director Craig Hughes. “I want to thank IAM leadership for expanding our department and bringing on Special Representative Heather Hildebrand. Heather did an outstanding job leading these negotiations for the first time.” “Our members stood strong, and we delivered real gains in pay, benefits, and career opportunities,” Hildebrand added. “It was an honor to lead this negotiation alongside such a committed bargaining committee. This agreement reflects the strength of IAM members at Greyhound and the value they bring to the company every day.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 09/25/2025 - 12:22
09/25/2025 - 12:30pm
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Angelica Roacho
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 Angelica Roacho of the United Steelworkers (USW).
Angelica Roacho serves as financial secretary of USW Local 7600 and has worked for 15 years as a pharmacy tech, offering patients a warm smile and a listening ear. Proud to be both a Latina and a union leader, she carries her father’s immigrant journey from Mexico forward through her involvement with the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, advocating for her co-workers and inspiring her son with the power of solidarity.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 09/25/2025 - 10:29
Tags:
Hispanic Heritage Month
09/25/2025 - 12:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Signal Ohio Staff Secure Voluntary Recognition
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.
Days after Signal Ohio staff staged a powerful walkout, leadership at the nonprofit newsroom voluntarily recognized the Northeast Ohio NewsGuild, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 34001, as the bargaining representative for workers at its Akron, Columbus and Cleveland sites.
Newsroom staff announced their intention to form the Signal Ohio News Workers Guild (SONWG) in late August and, much to their disappointment, management responded by hiring a notorious union-busting law firm. But workers prevailed and are now turning their attention toward bargaining a contract that will ensure a long, sustainable future for the news outlet.
“We’re ecstatic to share [that] Signal Ohio’s leadership chose to voluntarily recognize us as one union,” workers said in a social media post. “We appreciate our board hearing our message about the strength of the SONWG. We look forward to working with them on our mission to provide Ohio with free, high-quality journalism.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 09/25/2025 - 10:15
09/24/2025 - 6:00pm
Breaking Barriers: 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:
Equity publishes member-written letters reflecting on the lives of their fellow members who have passed away. Fill out the member commemoration form in the member portal to share your letters of remembrance. https://members.actorsequity.org/member-commemoration
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— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) September 23, 2025 at 4:05 PM
AFGE:
AFSCME:
Alliance for Retired Americans:
Amalgamated Transit Union:
American Federation of Musicians:
American Federation of Teachers:
American Postal Workers Union:
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:
Boilermakers:
Bricklayers:
Communications Workers of America:
Department for Professional Employees:
Yesterday, DPE President Jennifer Dorning spoke about how to ensure the nonprofit creative sector is sustainable on a panel at Creative Labor, Creative Conditions: A National Convening on Artistic Labor and Advocacy hosted by @dcjazzfest.org.web.brid.gy and the @dorisdukefdn.bsky.social.
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— Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (@dpeaflcio.bsky.social) September 23, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Electrical Workers:
Fire Fighters:
09/24/2025 - 11:30am
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Claudia Zarate
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 Claudia Zarate of UNITE HERE's Culinary Union.
In Las Vegas, the Cosmopolitan casino opened as a nonunion workplace in 2011. After a four-year organizing campaign, the UNITE HERE Culinary Union negotiated and won a first union contract in 2015. Claudia Zarate was a Day One committee member at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas when it was nonunion and became a worker leader during the four-year fight to organize it—now part of the 100% unionized Las Vegas Strip.
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 09/24/2025 - 09:45
Tags:
Hispanic Heritage Month
09/24/2025 - 11:30am
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Artists at Netflix Animation, SpindleHorse and ‘Ted’ Move to Join Animation Guild
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 Animation Guild (TAG)—Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 839—is celebrating multiple powerful organizing wins this week as three new different groups of animation workers have formally announced their efforts to join the union.
Production workers at Netflix Animation Studios and the television series “Ted” submitted official voluntary recognition requests. And animation artists at SpindleHorse requested and secured voluntary recognition on Tuesday. This wave of organizing represents a powerful new era for the animation industry, for both major productions and at independent studios.
“Production workers in animation deserve the same protections as artists—we deserve to fight for sustainable careers,” says Ana Tessier, a production coordinator at Netflix. “I’m so thrilled that now we’ll have a seat at the negotiating table. I’m equally inspired by organizing efforts at other studios—the more studios start to unionize, the more we can create a stable future for the animation industry at large.”
“SpindleHorse is leading the charge in the indie animation industry by pushing for stability for its passionate and highly creative team. We look forward to working with SpindleHorse to overcome boundaries and show what dedicated artists can achieve in the indie scene!” says Melanie An, who works in cleanup and rendering.
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 09/24/2025 - 09:40
09/23/2025 - 5:30pm
Protect America's Workplace: 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.
Alaska AFL-CIO:
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:
Colorado AFL-CIO:
Connecticut 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:
09/23/2025 - 11:30am
Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Fernando Montes
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 Fernando Montes of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
Fernando Montes has been a proud IATSE member for 12 years, currently serving on Local 728’s executive board and as a District 2 delegate. He is a member of six committees—Scholarship, Safety and Training, Negotiations, Constitution and Bylaws, and Awards—and serves as chair of the Rigging Committee. “The proudest moment of my career thus far are the relationships I have with my crew, and the fact that we are not just co-workers but like family,” Montes said.
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 09/23/2025 - 10:05
Tags:
Hispanic Heritage Month
