-
Union Power on the Rise: In the States Roundup Union Power on the Rise: In the States Roundup AFL-CIO 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 Twitter. Alabama AFL-CIO:
We wish brother Tom Chamberlain the best with his retirement. #1u #UnionStrong https://t.co/f2HBSFoKFQ — Alabama AFL-CIO (@AlabamaAFLCIO) August 30, 2019
Alaska AFL-CIO:We are also excited to support our sister @galradio for FNSB Assembly! #themindycampaign #akleg https://t.co/HPS0I57QHr — Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) September 10, 2019
Arkansas AFL-CIO:Please remember our Sister in Odessa who lost her life this week. 😔 https://t.co/kvaQqzYvRP — Arkansas AFL-CIO (@ArkansasAFLCIO) September 2, 2019
California Labor Federation:Solidarity with Port Truck Drivers ✊ #EndWageTheft #PortStrike #AB5 https://t.co/O5ZNOCWJYW — California Labor Federation (@CaliforniaLabor) September 9, 2019
Connecticut AFL-CIO:"If we can get 99 percent of people to fight together for a more dignified life, we will get it. Let’s get it." #1u https://t.co/SSQfsQD5EM — Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) September 6, 2019
Florida AFL-CIO:“I will be your ally in Tallahassee, we will stand with you and we will stand together in fighting for our future.” @NikkiFriedFL joins us at the Biennial AFL-CIO Conference. We’re excited about the new ideas she brings and her accomplishments so far. pic.twitter.com/wVSV2lfxnC — Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) September 8, 2019
Idaho AFL-CIO:#1u #UnionStrong #IdahoUnions #AFLCIO #IDAFLCIO #LaborUnions pic.twitter.com/Z0Ao7YxIg7 — Idaho State AFL-CIO (@IdahoAFLCIO) September 10, 2019
Indiana State AFL-CIO:Trump’s NLRB sides with corporations over working people #ElectionsMatter #1u https://t.co/Ale2EPPlgJ — Indiana AFL-CIO (@INAFLCIO) September 10, 2019
Iowa Federation of Labor:How American Workers Won the Eight-Hour Workday https://t.co/pr85ugE9JR — Iowa AFL-CIO (@IowaAFLCIO) September 9, 2019
Maine AFL-CIO:“We are literally forced to work consecutive shifts from nights to days without enough time to sleep. Our fight, first and foremost, is for safe patient care.” https://t.co/w5wfwGi7Fv @MeNursesUnion @AFLCIO #mepolitics — Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) September 10, 2019
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Members of the Mass AFL-CIO’s Young Workers Movement are in #Marshfield standing on the picket line with @Teamsters25 in their fight for a fair contract. #1u #solidarity pic.twitter.com/k8TJi12Jxe — Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) September 4, 2019
Metro Washington (D.C.) Council AFL-CIO:Challenger paratransit workers reach first-time tentative agreement - Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO https://t.co/UUjoobX9WA — MetroDCLaborCouncil (@DCLabor) September 9, 2019
Michigan AFL-CIO:#Solidarity https://t.co/JOvPF69Mjv — Michigan AFL-CIO (@MIAFLCIO) September 6, 2019
Minnesota AFL-CIO:Five Signs That Worker Power Is on the Rise https://t.co/tyJ1N15O3I #1u pic.twitter.com/FLBXc7GYT6 — Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) September 8, 2019
Missouri AFL-CIO:Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. If you or someone you care about is struggling, please know you're not alone. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. #WSD2019 #WorldSuicidePreventionDay pic.twitter.com/mED2I8LbNV — Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) September 10, 2019
Montana AFL-CIO:🚨Job Opportunity🚨 If you're looking to break into political work and organizing @MontanaFed is great place to start. https://t.co/XJWMt74QDK — Montana AFL-CIO (@MTaflcio) September 6, 2019
Nebraska AFL-CIO:Working people want a better life for everyone, not just the wealthy few. #laborDay #1u pic.twitter.com/oZeqRH5VeR — NE State AFL-CIO (@NEAFLCIO) August 28, 2019
New Hampshire AFL-CIO:Watch Pres. Glenn Brackett at today's NHDP Convention addressing 15,000 friends and allies at https://t.co/OQB8giXmQC. pic.twitter.com/WCm0GIk2CC — NewHampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) September 7, 2019
New Mexico Federation of Labor:President Vince Alvarado in the dunk tank this #LaborDay https://t.co/Dk8PUcBuHJ — NMFL (@NMFLaflcio) September 2, 2019
New York State AFL-CIO:And we are off! #UnionStrong #Solidarity #LDP2019 @centrallabornyc pic.twitter.com/dKp1m0lhGE — NYSAFLCIO (@NYSAFLCIO) September 7, 2019
North Carolina State AFL-CIO:Opinion: In This Economy, Every Day Should Be #LaborDay https://t.co/sQbeZfwpZB via @MikeElk #1u — NC State AFL-CIO (@NCStateAFLCIO) September 3, 2019
Ohio AFL-CIO:👏👏👏 Being #UnionStrong = Strong Communities! https://t.co/l3PMKtqNz7 — Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) September 9, 2019
Oklahoma State AFL-CIO:Yes, America is Rigged Against Workers https://t.co/wia8ybPsk3 — Oklahoma AFL-CIO (@OK_AFL_CIO) September 6, 2019
Oregon AFL-CIO:Unbelievable. https://t.co/SB5QG97rWw — Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) September 8, 2019
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:Have you ever seen a snake at a #LaborDay parade? Thank you, @The_UWUA because now we have!! 🐍 pic.twitter.com/g62H7LOe4W — PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) September 2, 2019
Texas AFL-CIO:State employees rally for higher pay https://t.co/7JgC1HoEUZ — Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) September 7, 2019
Virginia AFL-CIO:20,000 @ATT workers in the South went on strike—and won. @CWAUnion, congratulations on a big win. Read about it here: https://t.co/R506v1v3NX #UnionStrong #Solidarity #JoinAUnion #Winning pic.twitter.com/hgHC1AEkTw — Virginia AFL-CIO (@Virginia_AFLCIO) September 10, 2019
Washington State Labor Council:ICYMI... The high cost of Tim Eyman's Initiative 976 (by the WSLC's David Groves) #waelex https://t.co/RiyOnFEYYu — WA State AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) September 9, 2019
West Virginia AFL-CIO:Happy Labor Day everyone!! Workers around the country are winning because we are standing together and communities are rallying behind us. In fact, fresh research from Gallup shows approval of unions at 64 percent, a nearly 50-year high. #WV #wvpol #UnionStrong 💪 pic.twitter.com/qzPyTDmLJI — West Virginia AFLCIO (@WestVirginiaAFL) September 2, 2019
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Kenosha AFL-CIO chooses 2 for Labor Person of Year, https://t.co/AYpepI2Mxv — WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) September 3, 2019
Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 09/13/2019 - 11:40 — Sep 13 -
Labor Unions Are for Safety and Creativity Labor Unions Are for Safety and Creativity Terence Faircloth I do not go around asking people if they believe in God. But I frequently ask people if they believe in labor unions. I am genuinely curious about how people around me think about collective bargaining in workplaces. How do people who work for a living, or who have at some point worked for a living (meaning most of us) think about people being courageous, together, for the sake of the integrity of their work or the safety of their work or the dignity of their lives at work? Several men working for the fire department recently said, loud enough for people coming out of the grocery store to hear, “Oh, yes ma’am, we sure do need our union.” In a hotel elevator this summer, a man, carrying a poster noting his retirement as an airline pilot, said he is clear that people working in the industry, at all levels, need labor unions. He said it was a basic matter of safety. This is one very obvious reason why everyone who walks around in the world needs labor unions. If you drive in a car, you want the people who put your car together to have the ability to stop production if they notice something is awry. If you ride around on one of those rent-by-the-day scooters, you want the people who put the scooter together to have been able to take the time to test whether or not the scooter is safe to scoot. (Same for the people who put together the helmet you should be wearing if you are scooting. Just saying.) People who work for the fire department need equipment that allows them to put out the fire safely and quickly if, by chance, you have overestimated your oven’s ability to be “self-cleaning.” (A real, and embarrassing, example.) Look up the cover of “The Berenstain Bears: Jobs Around Town” and tell me a job that Jan and Stan Berenstain feature that does not need a labor union? The man on the girder being lifted by a crane needs the person pulling the lever to be able to call in sick if necessary. The woman selling hot dogs does not want to sell Sister Bear a dog with, well...actual dog under the relish. The bear walking across the bridge with what appears to be a giant pumpkin relies on the fact that the bears who built the bridge had time off to eat lunches and sleep. And the bear with the pink shirt, up in the corner, painting on a canvas? They need a labor union, too. This is one of the trickiest concepts for some people to grasp. Labor unions are about our safety as people living together in a town or city, and they are also about creativity. As a writer and a teacher, I need the committed, active support of other writers and teachers in order to write and to teach in my own unique, best, way. While I was a graduate student, collective bargaining allowed me to write what turned out to be a damn good dissertation (and eventually a book) without worrying that my adviser would punish me for writing something very different than what he had published. I needed the courage in common that was collective bargaining to formulate my own particular and singular way of thinking. Actors, photographers, journalists, sculptors—all have expressed a similar sense that labor unions allow for individual freedom in their craft. If you want to hear what music sounds like without labor unions, turn on your canned radio station and hear the same pop song every two hours, interspersed with a few others deemed by someone in marketing to meet the least common denominator of music. Alternatively, find the alternative station in the genre that helps you through your own workday, and consider periodically the teamwork behind the scenes that allowed those musicians to defy what some person in the number-crunching department determined would be passable as music. There are no doubt some people in this world who manage to be remarkably creative without labor unions and the collective bargaining that comes with courage. I am frankly worn out from trying. I need a union as much as people putting out fires and people putting airplanes together. My labor is also important, and so I will keep asking people about their unions and their ideas about unions. And I will keep trying to find the best, most creative and unique ways to explain why I need a team. Amy Laura Hall has taught ethics at Duke University since 1999. Her most recent book is Laughing at the Devil: Seeing the World with Julian of Norwich. This post originally appeared at the North Carolina State AFL-CIO. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 09/13/2019 - 09:41 — Sep 13
-
Working People Remember Those Lost Because of 9/11 Working People Remember Those Lost Because of 9/11 IAFF The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, 18 years ago today, affected all Americans, but they had a particular impact upon first responders. Thousands of lives were lost that day and more died in the aftermath because of illnesses related to the attacks. The members and leaders of the various unions affected by the 9/11 attacks are memorializing the anniversary in various ways. Here is what they are saying:
Eighteen years ago, 343 FDNY members died in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Since then, more than 200 IAFF members have died from 9/11-related illnesses. pic.twitter.com/UjqdkNy89B — IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) September 11, 2019
Families, #firefighters gather at World Trade Center site for 18th annual memorial service for 9/11 victims https://t.co/aGziPWzNk5 #NeverForget — IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) September 11, 2019
“As we mark the anniversary of one of the most tragic days in our country’s history, the members of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York join with all Americans in mourning the thousands lost in New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C....” — NYC Building Trades (@NYCBldgTrades) September 11, 2019
...as the result of the despicable attacks that occurred on 9/11. We honor and remember the 61 members of the New York City Building Trades who died in the towers that day, as well as the vast numbers of police officers, firefighters and other first responders who perished. — NYC Building Trades (@NYCBldgTrades) September 11, 2019
While most New Yorkers were running away from Lower Manhattan, thousands of members of the Building Trades literally ran towards the devastation to help in whatever way they could. Nearly 10,000 construction workers volunteered to help clean up the Ground Zero site... — NYC Building Trades (@NYCBldgTrades) September 11, 2019
...and they eventually made up eighty percent of the workers there. Through their courageous actions, our brother and sister construction workers showed their patriotism, their love for their fellow human beings, and their commitment to the future of New York City. — NYC Building Trades (@NYCBldgTrades) September 11, 2019
As a result of these valiant efforts, many suffered illnesses and, sadly, many died. The depth of their commitment is a direct reflection of the union spirit, a spirit driven by a sense of common humanity, solidarity, and kinship. Over the course of more than 150 years... — NYC Building Trades (@NYCBldgTrades) September 11, 2019
...America’s organized labor movement has enjoyed a proud history. As we reflect on this history, let us remember the bravery, the dedication and the sacrifice of those construction workers who bravely put their health and safety at risk to rebuild Lower Manhattan. — NYC Building Trades (@NYCBldgTrades) September 11, 2019
We remember what they did, and we thank them. God bless America. #NeverForget #GodBlessAmerica — NYC Building Trades (@NYCBldgTrades) September 11, 2019
Today we honor the 3,000 transit workers who participated in the rescue and recovery effort at Ground Zero. NYCT restored service hours after the towers fell. TWU Local 100 members successfully evacuated thousands. #neverforget @NYSAFLCIO @CentralLaborNYC @transportworker pic.twitter.com/vvFjZAWlsN — TWU Local 100 (@TWULocal100) September 11, 2019
Today we mourn our members and all victims of the senseless #September11 attacks https://t.co/Cbrv6WWIkr — Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) September 11, 2019
#WeNeverForget #FDNY #OurIAFF #IAFF @IAFFNewsDesk pic.twitter.com/UjYxAIuBWE — Ed Kelly IAFF GST (@IAFFGST) September 11, 2019
#WeNeverForget #FDNY #Tradition #Respect #Honor @IAFFNewsDesk pic.twitter.com/w00o3tbtky — IAFF District 3 VP (@IAFFdist3VP) September 11, 2019
The New York City Police Department has a memorial website in honor of the law enforcement officers who lost their lives in connection with 9/11. Also watch these videos, which provide more context and pay further tribute. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 09/11/2019 - 12:47 — Sep 11 -
Celebrating Labor Day: Labor Podcast and Radio Roundup Celebrating Labor Day: Labor Podcast and Radio Roundup In addition to the AFL-CIO's own "State of the Unions," there are a lot of other podcasts out there that have their own approach to discussing labor issues and the rights of working people. Here are the latest podcasts from across the labor movement in the United States. Follow the links below to find podcasts. They also can be found wherever you listen to podcasts: Building Bridges: Your Community and Labor Report: "Reminiscent of Apartheid South Africa, Trump and Netanyahu form unholy alliance to silence Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib’s support of the nonviolent Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement in support of Palestinian people, with Ali Albunimah, co-founder of The Electronic Intifada and author of the Battle for Justice in Palestine." Heartland Labor Forum: "We’re going to cover some labor news—most of it local that you hear little about anywhere else. Then we preview Kansas’ first Troublemakers School training worker activists in how to be effective hell raisers. You may even find out which Kansas City icon corporation just fired all its union janitors. Thursday at 6 p.m., rebroadcast Friday at 5 a.m. on KKFI 90.1 FM or streaming at kkfi.org." State of the Unions (AFL-CIO): "What does Beverly Hills have to do with unions? Julie Greene and Tim Schlittner talk to SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris about the future of work, sexual harassment and her journey from young actor to labor leader." UCOMM Live (NYC Area): "On this week's show we are going to be discussing union leaders getting younger and UCOMM's Office gets defaced. We have opened on investigation, was it the Alt-Right, Barstool Sports or just some drunken hipsters? Plus Trump attacks labor, a letter carrier is killed in the latest mass shooting, and we look at how unions celebrated Labor Day. This week's show is our first at the new time of 4 p.m." Union Strong (NYS AFL-CIO) Podcast Episode 18: NYC Labor Day Parade 2019: "The president of the NYC Central Labor Council is our guest to talk about the oldest and largest worker parade in the country. And we hear from the secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO, Liz Shuler who is this year’s grand marshal." 'Workers Rising' 2019 Labor Day Special (Union City Radio, Washington, D.C.): "Includes Labor Radio/Podcast Network Roundtable with Gene Lantz (Workers Beat, Dallas, Texas); Chris LaGrange (UCOMM podcast, New York City); Rick Smith (Rick Smith Show, Pennsylvania); and Judy Ancel (Heartland Labor Forum, Kansas City)." Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 09/10/2019 - 15:13 Tags: Podcast — Sep 10
-
Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Operating Engineers Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Operating Engineers Next up in our series that takes a deeper look at each of our affiliates is the Operating Engineers. Name of Union: International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Mission: To serve the needs and develop the skills of a constantly expanding and varied group of construction and maintenance professionals through collective bargaining, legislative action and extensive skills training programs. Current Leadership of Union: James T. Callahan serves as the general president of IUOE. He was first elected in 2011. Previously, he served as international vice president and business manager of IUOE Local 15 in New York. Callahan was one of many operating engineers who responded immediately on 9/11, and he worked the entire recovery effort at Ground Zero. Brian E. Hickey serves as general secretary-treasurer. IUOE also has 14 vice presidents: Russell E. Burns, James M. Sweeney, Robert T. Heenan, Daniel J. McGraw, Daren Konopaski, Michael Gallagher, Greg Lalevee, Terrance E. McGowan, Randall G. Griffin, Douglas W. Stockwell, Ronald J. Sikorski, James T. Kunz Jr., Edward J. Curly and Charlie Singletary. Current Number of Members: 400,000. Members Work As: Members who are operating engineers work as heavy equipment operators, mechanics and surveyors in the construction industry. Stationary engineers work in operations and maintenance in building and industrial complexes. Industries Represented: Private industry and in various public projects such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and government complexes. History: In the late 1800s, working conditions were harsh for construction and stationary workers. Low wages, no benefits and 60–90 hour workweeks were the norm. In 1896, 11 individuals met in Chicago and formed the National Union of Steam Engineers of America, the first step in the creation of IUOE. A year later, the union admitted Canadian workers and became the International Union of Steam Engineers. After the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, operating engineers flocked to the city for rebuilding jobs. They also were a key part of digging the Panama Canal. In 1912, the union changed its name to the International Union of Steam and Operating Engineers. As technology advanced, steam became less a part of the industry and "steam" was dropped. During the era of the two world wars and beyond, IUOE members were a significant part of the defense effort, from the Navy Seabees, who created the bases, airfields and roads, to the federal Highway Trust program, which created thousands of jobs for operating engineers. They also were part of many other important construction projects, including San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Chicago’s Sears Tower (renamed Willis Tower in 2009), Toronto’s CN Tower and Sky Dome (renamed Rogers Centre), New York’s Empire State Building and Holland Tunnel, the Statue of Liberty, Vancouver’s Lions Gate Bridge, the Alaskan pipeline, the Hoover Dam and countless others. Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: IUOE runs extensive training programs and maintains the International Training and Education Center. They also focus on recruiting women workers in apprenticeships. The International Operating Engineer publication provides information and news for working people in the industry. Learn More: Website. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 09/09/2019 - 12:23 — Sep 9
