AFL-CIO Blog

  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Central Texas Flood Resources and How to Help
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Central Texas Flood Resources and How to Help 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. Texans are recovering from the recent floods. The Texas AFL-CIO has compiled a list of resources for the affected counties for both union members and the general public. Thank you to all of our emergency responders for their work during this crisis. The Texas AFL-CIO has two asks: 1. Please share as you makes sense for your organization: 2. If you have members who have been impacted by the floods, please let us know and connect us. Financial assistance may be available through the Texas Workers Relief Fund. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 07/09/2025 - 09:46 — Jul 9
  • Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: IAM Union
    Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: IAM Union 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 IAM Union. Name of Union: IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) Mission: To inspire and empower IAM Union members to make life better and create a world with security, dignity and opportunity for all. Current Leadership of Union: Brian Bryant is the 15th international president of IAM. He has been active in the labor movement for more than 35 years, initiating in 1989 when he joined IAM Local S6 while employed at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. He joined the IAM Executive Council in August 2016. Bryant served stints on the IAM Executive Council as resident general vice president, Eastern Territory general vice president and general vice president in the General Secretary-Treasurer’s Office. A pipefitter by trade, Bryant became active in his local by serving on various committees, as well as being elected as a shop steward, trustee and president of Local S6. Bryant also serves on the AFL-CIO Executive Council, as vice chair of the AFL-CIO’s Industrial Union Council and on the Executive Committee of the IndustriALL Global Union. Dora Cervantes, the highest-ranking woman on the IAM Executive Council and the first Latina on the council, directs the IAM’s finances as general secretary-treasurer. The IAM has seven general vice presidents: David Chartrand (Canada), David Sullivan (Eastern Territory), Richie Johnsen (Air Transport), Craig Martin (Southern Territory), Jody Bennett (Resident), Sam Cicinelli (Midwest Territory) and Robert “Bobby” Martinez (Western Territory). Current Number of Members: 600,000 Members Work As: A wide range of trades in many industries. Industries Represented: Aerospace, airlines, transportation, defense, railroad, federal sector and contractors, automotive, woodworking, health care, new tech, artificial intelligence, nonprofits and several other industries. History: In 1888, 19 machinists met in secret in a locomotive pit in Atlanta to vote to form a union. The next year, 34 locals were represented at the first Machinists convention, with Tom Talbot being elected to lead the new union. With the granting of the first Canadian local in 1890, the union officially became the International Association of Machinists. Membership at this point was about 4,000. A few years later, in 1892, IAM negotiated its first collective bargaining agreement with a railroad company. In 1895, IAM joined the American Federation of Labor. Top issues that IAM faced in the early decades were wages, length of the workweek and number of hours worked per day. IAM had significant success on all three fronts and by 1905, there were more than 750 locals and membership was approaching 300,000. Membership would continue to grow, peaking at more than 1 million members in 1968. In 2013, IAM celebrated its 125th birthday. Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The IAM Union is among the fastest-growing unions in the AFL-CIO and is quickly growing in emerging sectors like health care, artificial intelligence, nonprofits and more. The IAM Union has recently prevailed in large, high-profile strikes covering 34,000 IAM Union members at Boeing in the Pacific Northwest, as well as strikes at Textron in Kansas and Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut. The IAM Union’s homegrown charity, Guide Dogs of America, provides trained service dogs to the blind and visually impaired, military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and children with autism. The IAM Addiction Services Program helps members and their families struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction. The IAM Disaster Relief Fund assists members affected by disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires. The IAM Veterans Services Program is a first-of-its-kind program in the labor movement that assists IAM military veterans with their earned VA benefits. The William W. Winpisinger Education & Technology Center is a facility that provides for the complete range of labor educational needs of IAM members. The IAM’s Leadership Excellence Assembly of Dedicated Sisters (LEADS) program supports women in their efforts to rise through the ranks of IAM to leadership positions across North America. The IAM Journal is the award-winning magazine published by the union. The Machinists Non-Partisan Political League (MNPL) is the political arm of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, created in 1947 to allow IAM members to gather individual contributions, coordinate political activity, and elect candidates who support IAM members and their families. The National IAM Benefit Trust Fund takes care of its participants with medical and prescription drug, dental and vision plans, and many more benefits. The IAM National Pension Fund has provided valuable retirement benefits for members of the IAM and their families since 1960. Learn More: Website, Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 07/07/2025 - 13:14 — Jul 7
  • Strength, Solidarity and Determination: The Working People Weekly List
    Strength, Solidarity and Determination: 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 Slams Senate Republicans’ Nearly $5 Trillion Billionaire Giveaway That Devastates Working Families: “The AFL-CIO condemned Senate Republicans today for passing a budget reconciliation bill that raises costs on working people, wipes out millions of jobs and rips health care away from 17 million Americans—all to hand billionaires one of the biggest paydays in history. In a statement, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said: ‘Senate Republicans claimed to stand with working people, then picked our pockets to deliver a nearly $5 trillion gift to billionaires. Every senator who voted for this budget bill chose to make working families poorer, sicker and less safe.’” Albertsons, Ralphs & Vons Workers Reach Tentative Labor Deal: “The union representing more than 45,000 workers for Ralphs, Albertsons, Pavilions and Vons across Southern California announced Wednesday it has reached a tentative contract agreement with the grocery companies. The union workers had previously authorized a strike if a deal could not be reached. No specific details of the proposed agreement were released, although union officials said it includes higher wages, additional pension contributions and improvements in health, welfare and staffing.” In Dramatic Reversal, Senate Votes to Kill AI-Law Moratorium: “‘The way these provisions are written, they’re very sweeping, and they would trip up almost any attempt to regulate the harmful use of AI,’ said Ed Wytkind, interim director of the AFL-CIO’s technology institute, on Monday.” San Francisco Opera Orchestra Signs New Labor Contract: “On Monday, June 30, San Francisco Opera announced that a new collective bargaining agreement had been signed by the company’s orchestra on Thursday, June 26, just a day before the Pride Concert closing out the 2025 summer season at the War Memorial Opera House. The two-year contract with the American Federation of Musicians Local 6 is set to run through July 31, 2026, assuring labor peace for next season. The agreement is retroactive to Aug. 1, 2024, the date the last contract expired; between then and now, the parties had agreed to temporary extensions to prevent a strike.” Postdocs Approve Johns Hopkins PRO-UAW Representation in Vote: “On June 16, Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education Sabine Stanley and Associate Vice Provost for Postdoctoral Affairs Val Culotta announced the results for the union representation election organized by National Labor Relations Board. The voting took place between June 4th–6th, and postdoctoral fellows at the University voted on whether or not Johns Hopkins PRO-UAW would become their exclusive representative for the purposes of collective bargaining.” New Jersey AFL-CIO: 10 Pro-Labor Bills Advance as Legislature Recesses for the Summer: “The New Jersey State AFL-CIO and several state worker public employee unions fought to stop a provision in the state budget that $100 million in cost reductions for the state be found in the State Health Benefits Plan.  This will negatively impact our members and could result in significant cost shifting from the state on to state workers. While we are disappointed this provision was included in the budget, we continue to urge the Governor and the Legislature to work with labor representatives to identify this amount of  savings through reforms and cost saving measures.” Vox Media Workers Ratify New 3-Year Collective Bargaining Agreement with WGA East, Successfully Recognizing ‘Thrillist’ & ‘The Dodo’: “Workers at Vox Media represented by the Writers Guild of America East have officially ratified their first union contract, and details of the agreement have now been publicly shared. The 250-member unit voted unanimously to approve the three-year collective bargaining agreement, the union said Friday morning. The WGA East had been fighting to bring all Vox Media workers across various verticals under one union contract, which they said the company had been resisting, prompting the talks to grow contentious. The two sides narrowly avoided a strike by securing a tentative deal just over two weeks ago—and it looks like the union got what it wanted.” Minnesota Public Workers Unions Tout Wins in Tentative Contract Deals with State: “The two largest public workers unions in Minnesota said Friday they have reached tentative agreements with the state that preserve wage increases and avoid higher health insurance costs for employees. The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees and AFSCME Council 5 together represent more than 35,000 state employees and have been jointly negotiating new two-year contracts with the state. In a news release, AFSCME Executive Director Bart Andersen said his union’s pending deal was reached after more than 200 hours of negotiating and the ‘direct result of the incredible strength, solidarity, and determination shown by our union members.’” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:51 — Jul 7
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UFCW Members Ratify New Contract at Minnesota Grocery Chains
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UFCW Members Ratify New Contract at Minnesota Grocery Chains 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. United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 663 members are celebrating the ratification of a new three-year contract with United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) Cub Foods and Haug’s Cub Foods. The victory comes after UFCW filed unfair labor practice charges stemming from the chains’ failure to bargain in good faith and threatened a work stoppage. Workers also garnered some high-profile support during their negotiations—Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders sent a letter to the grocers calling on management to bargain fairly with UFCW. The new agreement includes major wins like wage increases for full-time workers ranging from 9.5% to 13%, significant investment into the pension plan and increased guaranteed minimum hours for part-time staff. “Members organized, fought for, and won a contract that raises standards for essential grocery workers. These workers had incredible support from customers and leaders like Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Senator Bernie Sanders,” said UFCW Local 663 President Rena Wong in a press release. “Together, we are ensuring good jobs for all Minnesotans.” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 07/07/2025 - 09:07 — Jul 7
  • Worker Wins: The Power of Our Collective Action
    Worker Wins: The Power of Our Collective Action Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life. California UFCW Members Secure Tentative Agreement with Grocery Chains: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) members who work at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores across Central and Southern California have reached a tentative agreement after months of negotiations. UFCW locals 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442 collectively represent more than 45,000 front-line grocery store workers who have been rallying, marching and more for a fair contract. The deal includes wage increases, improved retirement plans, better staffing ratios and other major wins. “This victory wouldn’t have been possible without the power of our collective action," the Grocery Workers Rising negotiating committee said in a press statement. “We stood strong against the companies’ disrespect and made it clear that we were ready to fight for the contract we deserve. Our solidarity and victory here sends a message to workers everywhere—when we fight together, we win." Rail Workers at Conrail Ratify New Contract: Transport Workers Union (TWU) members who work for Conrail have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. Rail workers in Detroit, Philadelphia and New Jersey perform critical duties like inspecting and repairing railcars. Their new contract includes wins like a 17.5% wage increase, improved insurance benefits and more paid time off. “This is a big win for TWU railroad workers,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “This new contract locks in real wage increases and ensures that hardworking TWU members will be able to better provide for their families with increased pay and benefits.” "This ratified contract ensures significant wage increases without needing to resort to an extremely long and politically fraught mediation process,” said TWU Rail Division Director John Feltz. “Our hardworking Conrail members in Detroit, Philadelphia, and New Jersey now have the security of a five-year deal along with better benefits.” AGMA and Voices of Ascension Reach New Three-Year Agreement with Significant Wage Increases: The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Voices of Ascension announced the ratification of a new three-year collective bargaining agreement, which includes a 15% increase in wages over the three years. “This agreement is a testament to what’s possible when both labor and management approach the bargaining table in good faith, with mutual respect and a shared vision for the future,” said Charles Perry Sprawls, member of the AGMA Negotiating Committee. “This was among the most positive, collaborative, progressive bargaining conversations that we have ever been a part of. We are so excited to work with Voice of Ascension’s leadership, who share our focus and commitment to the future of the organization, and on supporting the artists who are such an integral part of it.” The agreement also includes a 15% increase in recording and media fees, more advanced notice of offers, strengthened anti-discrimination language, protections related to artificial intelligence and data privacy, a new advisory committee made up of artists, which will participate in board meetings and the decision-making process for leadership transitions, growth-oriented rates for large-scale projects and competitive subcontracting rates. SPEEA Works to Bring Back 58 Laid-Off Employees at Boeing: The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace/IFPTE (SPEEA/IFPTE) reached an agreement that requires Boeing to return to employment 58 individuals who were laid off this year. The workers also will receive missed wages and benefits and have the layoff removed from their employment record. The layoffs were part of the cost-cutting measures Boeing announced last year. The result of these measures was the elimination of 2,600 jobs at Boeing in Washington state, including 600 represented by SPEEA. The agreement comes after SPEEA filed a grievance and requested arbitration for at least two violations of the union’s contracts. The first violation was related to the nondisclosure of the use of a particular kind of non-Boeing labor; the second violation covered the layoff of represented employees while retaining personnel performing the same work. Boeing initially denied the grievance and SPEEA informed Boeing of its intent to file an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board. After a series of meetings with Boeing leadership, Boeing agreed to resolve the matter in SPEEA’s favor and restore the formerly laid-off individuals. Southern California Edison Workers Celebrate Historic Union Election Victory: More than 1,100 planners, designers and field technicians at Southern California Edison won their election for a union, with 83% of the unit participating in the vote. The bargaining unit is represented by Engineers and Scientists of California, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 20. The new unit consists of workers who ensure the delivery of utilities to millions across central, coastal and Southern California. Southern California Edison serves a customer base of about 5 million residential and business accounts across 430 cities and communities. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate our incredible win in the union election! This victory is a game-changer, giving over 1,100 Southern California Edison workers a powerful voice on the job. It’s an exciting milestone that guarantees we have a seat at the table as we work to deliver the best possible service to the communities we’re proud to serve. Together, we’re stronger and ready to make a real difference,” said Stephanie Sarmiento, a design and drafting specialist. Rhode Island’s Working People Celebrate Very Successful Session of General Assembly: The Rhode Island AFL-CIO celebrated a series of legislative victories in the just-completed session of the General Assembly. The state federation either took the lead or provided support for numerous bills that passed. “To put it plainly, we had a very good year,” said Rhode Island AFL-CIO President Pat Crowley. Among the key pieces of legislation passed in the latest session are: the “Trump-proofing” of the state’s Labor Relations Act; an increase in the state minimum wage to $17 by Jan. 1, 2027; bans on captive audience meetings, smoking in casinos, assault weapons, cellphones in public school classrooms, book bans in public libraries and schools, and payments in lieu of pension contributions in prevailing wages; the requirement to use state-owned, union print shops for printing jobs; the inclusion of menopause in fair employment practices; protection for veterans who receive advice or assistance in filing for disability claims; protection of the right to organize for Department of Education employees; payday lending reform; and an increase in the Temporary Disability Insurance taxable wage base. Working people also had success In the state budget, securing the elimination of indirect cost recovery for the Workers’ Compensation Administrative Fund, improvement of nursing home safe staffing language, a $45 million increase in health care spending, a $15 million increase in public transportation spending, and $125,000 in funding for the Institute for Labor Studies and Research. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 07/03/2025 - 10:08 Tags: Organizing — Jul 3