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

Beneficial State Bank Workers Ratify Second Contract: Members of Communications Workers of America (CWA) locals 9412 and 7901 who work at Beneficial State Bank locations up and down the West Coast have ratified their new collective bargaining agreement. The bargaining unit includes bankers, consumer loan servicing representatives, loan processors, underwriters, file clerks and custodial staff. Workers first organized in 2020 as part of CWA’s Committee for Better Banks. Their latest contract included wins like an average 9% general pay increase—and a wage differential for Spanish speakers—a higher employer 401(k) contribution match and more paid time off. “Ratifying a second contract is a huge win for us. In a time when so many workers are facing uncertainty, we’re proud that we secured continued improvements to our wages and benefits with no givebacks,” said bargaining committee member and Beneficial State Bank Commercial Banking Associate Michele Hunt. “Our contract has helped us hold Beneficial State Bank accountable to the workers who keep this bank running.”

Penn Graduate Student Workers Win Tentative Agreement: Nearly two years after winning their landslide election to join the UAW, members of Graduate Employees Together-University of Pennsylvania (GETUP-UAW) secured their first union contract on Monday night. The tentative agreement (TA) was reached just hours before the strike deadline, averting a potential work stoppage of more than 3,500 members. Highlights of the deal include stipend increases, major health coverage gains, enhanced child care benefits and more. Graduate student workers will begin voting on whether to approve the contract starting next week. “We won a historic contract that enshrines gains for grad workers,” said Clara Abbott, a bargaining committee member and Ph.D. candidate. “We won because thousands of graduate workers bravely stood together over the past several years: we had difficult conversations with our coworkers, collected petition signatures, packed the bargaining room, organized rallies, and ultimately prepared to withhold our labor and go to the picket line together to win what we deserve.”

Research Workers Secure TA with OHSU: Research workers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)—who are represented by Oregon AFSCME Council 75—have successfully reached a new tentative agreement after months of stalled negotiations. Members of Research Workers United (RWU) were poised to strike on Wednesday if administrators at Portland’s largest employer refused to settle a fair agreement. Despite the fact that workers are responsible for life-changing medical breakthroughs, almost one-third of members made less than the city’s living wage—something that became a key sticking point in bargaining. “These workers stood united for over a year demanding dignity, respect, and wages that reflect their expertise and value,” said Joe Baessler, executive director of Oregon AFSCME, in a press statement. “This agreement is proof that when workers stick together, they win.” “We have spent our careers pushing science forward, but too many of us have struggled to afford living in the city where we work,” said Lynne Swarbrick, a senior research associate and RWU bargaining team member. “This contract makes real progress toward fixing that.”

Despite Relentless Attacks, Nearly Half a Million Workers Unionized in 2025: New data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows union representation grew by 463,000 in 2025, bringing the total number of workers represented by union contracts to 16.5 million. Thanks to years of sustained organizing, 11.2% of all wage and salary workers in the United States are now covered under union contracts, up from 2024 and the highest in 16 years. “Billionaire bosses and union-busting politicians have tried to throw the kitchen sink at working people and their unions—slashing our jobs and rigging the rules to scare us out of organizing— but they are failing,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Working people are experiencing relentless attacks on our freedoms and our livelihoods. These numbers confirm what we’ve seen in the labor movement: Workers have felt President Trump’s billionaire-first agenda in action and are hungry to take back their power. Workers know that the best check on a bad boss is a strong union contract. In 2026, workers will continue to organize in every corner of the country and build power to fight for the lives they deserve….We call on Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, and to reverse the single largest act of union-busting in American history by passing the Protect America's Workforce Act in the Senate.” Read the full statement from the AFL-CIO here.

New England UFCW Members Ratify New Agreements with Stop & Shop: Five United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) locals in New England have ratified new four-year contracts with Stop & Shop. The agreements reached by locals 328, 371, 919, 1445 and 1459 cover a total of 28,000 workers in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. The previous contracts at the regional supermarket chain were set to expire later this month. “In addition to annual wage increases, this proposed agreement preserves the strength and stability of our health insurance and pension benefits, maintaining the high standards that our membership has worked hard to achieve,” said the UFCW Local 1459’s bargaining committee in the union’s tentative agreement announcement.

Hale Nani Workers Reach TA, Averting Potential Work Stoppage: Members of UNITE HERE Local 5 who work at Hale Nani Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Honolulu have secured a new tentative agreement after issuing a united and credible strike threat. The bargaining unit includes certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and staff in the dietary, recreation, maintenance and housekeeping departments. These workers are responsible for bathing, feeding, monitoring vital signs, and assisting in the recovery and rehabilitation of hundreds of patients every day at one of the state’s largest skilled nursing facilities. Members delivered a strike notice to management last week, proving they were ready and willing to escalate if necessary. “We fought hard to reach this tentative agreement and win a contract that provides the staffing we need to take care of our patients, along with the wages and healthcare we need to take care of our families today and tomorrow,” said Gilda Ellazar, a CNA at Hale Nani. “From rallies outside of the facility to preparing to walk out on strike, our actions and determination paid off.”

Appalachian Regional Health Nurses Ratify New Contract: Members of the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU) across nine Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) medical facilities in Kentucky and West Virginia have overwhelmingly voted to ratify a powerful new contract. Registered nurses (RNs) at the nonprofit health care system secured a number of wins all while rejecting any concessions to management. The contract ensures consistent wage increases, more time off that can be taken without penalty and preservation of layoff and seniority protections. “I am happy we were able to add language that guarantees every union nurse is getting a significant raise and 12 hours of holiday pay,” said Rachel Park, an operating room RN at Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center in Kentucky. “This was a huge victory for our night shift nurses who had this benefit taken away in prior contract fights.”

Homeless Services Staff Vote to Join SEIU: A majority of workers at Union Station Homeless Services (USHS) staff have signed union authorization cards to join the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721. USHS is the largest agency in San Gabriel Valley, California, providing housing support and employment services to homeless and very low-income adults and families. Workers at the nonprofit secured voluntary recognition from management and will soon begin negotiating a contract with fair wages and quality benefits that will help retain staff so they can continue supporting communities in need. “This is a huge step forward for workers at Union Station Homeless Services,” said Danielle Leal, a care coordinator at USHS. “We’re glad to now have a strong voice on the job to advocate for the resources we need to serve our clients and to gain the supportive working conditions we deserve. Our union will make our organization stronger and help ensure that we can provide the best services possible to the most vulnerable among us.”

Striking San Francisco Teachers Secure Tentative Agreement: The United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) announced Friday morning that they have reached a tentative agreement with the San Francisco Unified School District after a four-day long work stoppage. The deal includes major victories like fully funded family health care, support for special education, fair raises and more.

Half Price Books Staff Ratifies First Contract: United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) members at a Half Price Books storefront in Kansas City, Missouri, have secured their first collective bargaining agreement—the first location in the state to do so. Staff first joined Half Price Books Workers United back in November 2023, motivated in part by the termination of a co-worker who was recovering from cancer. They won the election unanimously and became the 11th store nationwide to organize for a better workplace. The new contract establishes major victories like a grievance procedure, increased sick days and fair raises. Four-year staff member William Theberge said of the contract victory: “It is a seat at the table, making sure we can hold the company as mutually accountable as they claim we can. A lot of that is making sure we’re holding them to their own mission statement and standard of treatment of their employees.”

Tags: Organizing

For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Michelle Mattox of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW).

With 30 years of experience, Michelle Mattox exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding steward at Case Farms in Canton, Ohio. As a bargaining committee member, she played a crucial role in negotiations and continues to enforce the contract. Her kind spirit, great sense of humor and unwavering commitment to looking out for her fellow workers make her invaluable to the UFCW Local 880 family.

Tags: Black History Month

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 Communications Workers of America (CWA) locals 9412 and 7901 who work at Beneficial State Bank locations up and down the West Coast have ratified their new collective bargaining agreement.

The bargaining unit includes bankers, consumer loan servicing representatives, loan processors, underwriters, file clerks and custodial staff. Workers first organized in 2020 as part of CWA’s Committee for Better Banks. Their latest contract included wins like an average 9% general pay increase—and a wage differential for Spanish speakers—a higher employer 401(k) contribution match and more paid time off.

“Ratifying a second contract is a huge win for us. In a time when so many workers are facing uncertainty, we’re proud that we secured continued improvements to our wages and benefits with no givebacks,” said bargaining committee member and Beneficial State Bank Commercial Banking Associate Michele Hunt. “Our contract has helped us hold Beneficial State Bank accountable to the workers who keep this bank running.”

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:

As we continue our celebration of BlackHistoryMonth, we highlight this story about Frederick O'Neal: actor, civil rights activist and Equity president from 1964 to 1973. Learn more about the triumphs and accomplishments of this true visionary on the member portal. https://bit.ly/3OiD8Oc

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— Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) February 19, 2026 at 9:19 AM

AFSCME:

This Ramadan, we honor the values of service, empathy and community. Wishing all who observe a month filled with peace and purpose. pic.twitter.com/feXZukz57o

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) February 19, 2026

Alliance for Retired Americans:

Reminder: Social Security is OURS. We spend DECADES contributing and our benefits reflect the hard work we've put in over the years!

— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) February 19, 2026

Amalgamated Transit Union:

Our Local 788-St. Louis, MO, made history by launching the first registered Paratransit Operator apprentice program in the country. The program developed with Metro in St. Louis is a powerful statement about the value of our paratransit members, who provide safe and reliable… pic.twitter.com/jhbInoRmMj

— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) February 19, 2026

American Federation of Musicians:

The AFM is creating a secure and encrypted platform where AFM members can report a range of concerns, including harassment, contract or policy violations, unresolved payroll discrepancies, and instances of feeling unsafe in any way. Read more here: https://t.co/IawYI7adng

— AFM Local 47 (@AFMLocal47) February 14, 2026

American Federation of Teachers:

In response to thousands of members who took the AFT’s debt survey, we’ve launched a new campaign: Fight for Affordability. Watch @rweingarten.bsky.social and allies share the survey results and announce new tools to help AFT members navigate debt at a press conference in Orlando yesterday.

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— AFT (@aft.org) February 19, 2026 at 12:18 PM

American Postal Workers Union:

"It is the union's position that every employee has the right to call 9 -1 -1. That is not even debatable. This is what you're supposed to do in an emergency situation." - APWU President Jonathan Smith. pic.twitter.com/bjrwuiH5rE

— The American Postal Workers Union - APWU (@APWUnational) February 12, 2026

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:

For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Amber Armour of the Electrical Workers (IBEW).

Amber Armour exemplifies leadership, dedication and service in the labor movement and her community. As an organizer, chair of the IBEW Local 640 examining board, treasurer of the local’s women’s committee, recording secretary of the local Coalition of Labor Union Women chapter, an apprenticeship instructor and a member of the local’s minority caucus, she champions equity, education and empowerment. Armour shows tireless commitment to mentoring apprentices, advocating for women in the trades and strengthening union solidarity.

Tags: Black History Month

For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Colleen Carter  of AFSCME.

Colleen Carter has worked for the State of Connecticut for almost 40 years. She is the vice president of AFSCME Local 704, an executive board member for the state AFL-CIO and a vice president for District Council 4, where she co-chairs the civil rights committee. She believes strongly in employees’ rights and human rights, and works tirelessly in support of them.

Tags: Black History Month

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:

UNAC/UHCP has been on strike now for four weeks, fighting for safe staffing levels, timely access to quality care, fair wages and respect at the bargaining table. Meanwhile, Kaiser continues to engage in unfair labor practices that deny patients access to the quality of care… pic.twitter.com/xd7fg8u6lg

— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) February 18, 2026

Connecticut AFL-CIO:

Congratulations to our newly sworn in executive board members!

Rob Baril, SEIU District 1199 New England
Greg Schultz, Ironworkers Local 424 pic.twitter.com/zDBG1rI5uZ

— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) February 13, 2026

Florida AFL-CIO:

Ahead of Second Half of the Legislative Session, catch up on the latest from your Working Family Lobby Corps with this Week 5 Recap! https://t.co/U5UKWCtARf

— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) February 17, 2026

Illinois AFL-CIO:

Rain, shine, snow or sleet: the Illinois labor movement is out knocking doors for endorsed candidates. The primary election is around the corner and we won't rest until we make sure everyone understands why Springfield needs candidates that support working families. #1u pic.twitter.com/7NtagIMEvU

— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) February 17, 2026

Maine AFL-CIO:

When Jesse Jackson came to Maine in 1987 to support striking paper workers, he changed hearts & minds.

"Yesterday I wouldn't think of voting for a Black man for president," a woman striker said. "Tonight I gave him a check for his campaign."https://t.co/SysAFv3Zhq

— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) February 17, 2026

Massachusetts AFL-CIO:

Rev. Jackson fought tirelessly for workers, both at home and around the world. He upheld the labor movement’s highest ideals—walking picket lines, supporting workers at the bargaining table, and insisting that women and people of color be fully included in union protections. RIP https://t.co/4UqrAvVLCN

— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) February 17, 2026

Michigan State AFL-CIO:

Sometimes you have to look back to move forwards. pic.twitter.com/SjY3doy9Ly

— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) February 16, 2026

Minnesota AFL-CIO:

Organized by the AFL-CIO, this protest was held in Hermantown, with attendees calling on the 8th district congressman to talk about the impact of ICE operations in the state. #iceoutmn https://t.co/SGBdN0J7cR

— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) February 13, 2026

Nevada State AFL-CIO:

Happy Presidents’ Day! pic.twitter.com/8jdjZH6qI6

— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) February 16, 2026

Oregon AFL-CIO:

Hundreds of Oregonians rallied in Salem, urging the legislature to fund affordable childcare, healthcare, schools, public safety, and other essential services. The choice facing Oregon leaders is simple: expand tax breaks for big corporations and wealthy individuals or protect… pic.twitter.com/fAHB2cFjON

— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) February 17, 2026

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:

The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins communities across our Commonwealth in mourning the passing of Reverend Jessie Jackson, a steadfast voice for justice and a tireless advocate for workers’ rights. pic.twitter.com/zxDIyKqr3N

— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) February 17, 2026

Texas AFL-CIO:

Workers want a voice in how new technology is designed and implemented to improve our job quality and agency.

At the Texas AFL-CIO U.S. Senate Debate, ILA Local 24 1st Business Agent Calvin Mackie asked both @jamestalarico & @JasmineForUS how they’d tackle AI. Their answers: pic.twitter.com/Zm4MBkrUnZ

— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) February 18, 2026

Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:

We applaud the State Senators who voted to pass the Millionaires Tax to fund education, health care, and child care. 

WA is one step closer to sustainable revenue & a more fair tax code. pic.twitter.com/50Bu39QVP7

— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) February 18, 2026

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 majority of workers at Union Station Homeless Services (USHS) staff have signed union authorization cards to join the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721.

USHS is the largest agency in San Gabriel Valley, California, providing housing support and employment services to homeless and very low-income adults and families. Workers at the nonprofit secured voluntary recognition from management and will soon begin negotiating a contract with fair wages and quality benefits that will help retain staff so they can continue supporting communities in need.

“This is a huge step forward for workers at Union Station Homeless Services,” said Danielle Leal, a care coordinator at USHS. “We’re glad to now have a strong voice on the job to advocate for the resources we need to serve our clients and to gain the supportive working conditions we deserve. Our union will make our organization stronger and help ensure that we can provide the best services possible to the most vulnerable among us.”

Tags: Organizing

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.

Five United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) locals in New England have ratified new four-year contracts with Stop & Shop.

The agreements reached by locals 328, 371, 919, 1445 and 1459 cover a total of 28,000 workers in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. The previous contracts at the regional supermarket chain were set to expire later this month.

“In addition to annual wage increases, this proposed agreement preserves the strength
and stability of our health insurance and pension benefits, maintaining the high
standards that our membership has worked hard to achieve,” said the UFCW Local 1459’s bargaining committee in the union’s tentative agreement announcement.

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.

‘Standing Up for Our Workers’: U.S. Unions Raise Thousands for Victims of ICE Crackdown: “Labor unions are fundraising for workers affected by the surge of immigration enforcement across the U.S., providing legal and financial support to members affected by the brutal crackdown. Nearly $20,000 was raised for a homecare worker, Maria, a member of Service Employees International Union Local 503 in Salem, Oregon, and a U.S. citizen who was attacked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on 29 January.”

DePaul University Labor Education Center Trains Union Leaders: “DePaul University’s Labor Education Center (LEC), led by Director Jessica Cook-Qurayshi, is strengthening the labor movement through practical training for union members, tailored workshops for local unions and a growing set of youth programs that introduce collective bargaining, workplace rights and organizing skills to high school and college students. In today’s conversation on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Cook-Qurayshi described how the LEC operates as a small, self-funded unit with an outsized footprint across Chicagoland and beyond, delivering leadership certificates, advanced bargaining education and intergenerational programming designed to build long-term worker power.”

AFGE Seeks Emergency Order to Block Further FEMA Cuts: “A group of unions and nonprofits is seeking an emergency court order to stop the Federal Emergency Management Agency from restarting staff layoffs. Lawyers for the American Federation of Government Employees and other plaintiffs requested a preliminary injunction today to prohibit FEMA from continuing cuts that had started in early 2026, but were temporarily paused due to a damaging winter storm that swept through the United States in late January. The latest court action comes after AFGE and the other plaintiffs in the case first challenged the FEMA cuts in court late last month as part of a broader lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s governmentwide workforce cuts. AFGE argues the FEMA cuts violate the law and inhibit the ability of the agency to respond to disasters.”

Kentucky Unions Push Lawmakers to Repeal Right-to-Work Law: “Kentucky labor unions are mobilizing their members as they prepare to lobby state lawmakers to repeal the state's right-to-work law, which they say has weakened unions and workers' rights. ‘It cut the legs out from under working families,’ Representative Adrielle Camuel said of Kentucky's right-to-work law.”

America Isn’t Ready for What AI Will Do to Jobs: “Shuler told me that the AFL-CIO will keep pressing national elected officials for a worker-focused AI agenda, but that ‘this game is not gonna be played at the federal level as much as it will be at the state level.’ More than 1,000 AI bills are bubbling up in statehouses. Of course, the AI money will be there, too; Leading the Future has already announced plans to focus its efforts on New York, California, Illinois, and Ohio.”

Taylor Rehmet Shows Working-Class Politics Can Win Everywhere: “‘No one is coming to save labor, so we might as well do it ourselves,’ said Taylor Rehmet in a video shared by the Texas AFL-CIO. This one sentence sums up Rehmet’s campaign for state senate in Texas’s Ninth District, which covers a large swath of Fort Worth and its northern suburbs. Rehmet, a union machinist and the president of his local, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 776B, ditched the Democratic Party’s typical political playbook to laser-focus on material issues affecting all working-class people.”

IAFF-Backed Railway Safety Act Aims to Expand HazMat Training: “General President Edward Kelly commented: ‘Millions of Americans live and work along HazMat railways. We need to protect them. And, ultimately, we need to protect every firefighter who responds to a derailment.’ The remarks came at a press conference marking the third anniversary of the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Speakers included bill co-leads Reps. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa.; John Garamendi, D-Calif.; and Mike Rulli, R-Ohio, along with co-sponsor Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.; House Rail Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev.; Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo; Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico. Alongside labor leaders, including Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen President Mike Baldwin and Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO President Greg Regan.”