AFL-CIO Blog

  • AFL-CIO Launches ‘Workers First Initiative on AI’ to Put American Workers at the Future of Artificial Intelligence
    AFL-CIO Launches ‘Workers First Initiative on AI’ to Put American Workers at the Future of Artificial Intelligence The AFL-CIO launched today the “Workers First Initiative on AI,” the first comprehensive labor movement agenda establishing principles on artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The Initiative provides a blueprint for how employers and legislators should advance AI implementation in the workplace to the benefit of America’s working people and economy. Developed with input from workers and unions across industries and public services, the Workers First Initiative on AI is designed to ensure that working people reap the benefits of AI technology and its use in the workforce. The Initiative includes first-of-its-kind guiding principles and resources for the responsible development of AI and its use in the workplace, and a nationwide education and mobilization program. It also will be integrated with the AI task force the AFL-CIO launched this summer to fight for commonsense, strong AI safety policy at the state and local level. “No one understands how to build the future of work better than America’s labor movement,” said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO. “We reject the false choice between American competitiveness on the world stage and respecting workers’ rights and dignity. We know that for AI—or any other technology—to truly boost our economy, it needs to benefit everyone, not just a select few at the top. That’s why I’m thrilled to launch the Workers First Initiative on AI, which will advance the labor movement’s vision for this technology and a path forward for equitable, human-centered innovation in our workplaces and communities.” Read the full press release here. Read more at the Verge: “Major federation of unions calls for ‘worker-centered AI’ future.” Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 10/15/2025 - 12:22 — Oct 15
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UNITE HERE Members at Hilton Americas-Houston Win New Contract and End 40-Day Strike
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UNITE HERE Members at Hilton Americas-Houston Win New Contract and End 40-Day Strike 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 bravely holding the line for 40 days in what was the first hotel strike in Texas history, members of UNITE HERE Local 23 who work at Hilton Americas-Houston successfully secured a new collective bargaining agreement on Friday. Hospitality workers won a number of major victories including a $20/hour minimum wage—with increases that will bring workers to $22/hour by the end of the contract—job security protections, improved housekeeping workloads and improved safety standards. “This victory is an attestation of our members’ strength, their will, and determination. They held the line for over a month in the heat and rain, as they fought to secure better standards after being left behind for so long. It was an incredibly hard fight, and the outcome reflects just that. Now we expect all the players in Houston’s hospitality industry to follow suit and pay workers a living wage,” said Franchesca Caraballo, Texas Chapter President of Local 23. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 10/15/2025 - 10:33 — Oct 15
  • Stand Strong and Stick Together: In the States Roundup
    Stand Strong and Stick Together: 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: Illinois AFL-CIO: Maine AFL-CIO: Massachusetts AFL-CIO: Michigan State AFL-CIO: Minnesota AFL-CIO: Missouri AFL-CIO: Nevada State AFL-CIO: New York State AFL-CIO: Ohio AFL-CIO: Oregon AFL-CIO: Pennsylvania AFL-CIO: Texas AFL-CIO: Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO: Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/14/2025 - 14:06 — Oct 14
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Michigan Home Care Workers Win Election to Join SEIU
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Michigan Home Care Workers Win Election to Join SEIU 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. On Thursday, 32,000 home care workers voted to form a union with SEIU Healthcare Michigan, 13 years after former Gov. Rick Snyder ripped away their collective bargaining rights by reclassifying them. The current governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, reversed her predecessor’s attack on these workers last year, paving the way for them to fight for the wages and benefits they deserve. “This is a proud day for Michigan. If anyone needs a union, it’s home care workers. When the union was stolen from us, I was devastated. But I didn’t lose hope. I knew we would reclaim our union one day—and that day has finally come.” said Phyllis Pride, a home care worker from Ecorse. “This all happened because we took a stand: home care workers and the people we care for deserve better. We deserve respect and dignity. That starts with a union. Together, in SEIU Healthcare Michigan, we can now build the long-term care system Michigan deserves.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/14/2025 - 13:58 — Oct 14
  • Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Seafarers
    Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Seafarers 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 Seafarers International Union (SIU). 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 Seafarers International Union (SIU). Name of Union: Seafarers International Union  Mission: To represent the best-trained, most efficient crews in the world as a dynamic, politically active organization dedicated to protecting the membership’s job security in the face of the ever-changing needs of the industry. Current Leadership of Union: David W. Heindel has served as the president of the Seafarers International Union since February 2023. Prior to that, he had served as the secretary-treasurer of the SIU, Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters starting in February 1997. Augustin “Augie” Tellez has been the executive vice president of SIU since 2005. Tom Orzechowski is the secretary-treasurer of the SIU. SIU also has eight vice presidents: George Tricker (Contracts), Dean Corgey (Gulf Coast), Joseph T. Soresi (Atlantic Coast), Bryan Powell (Lakes and Inland Waters), Joe Vincenzo (West Coast), Sam Spain (Government Services), Hazel Galbiso and Pat Vandegrift. Number of Members: 80,000 Members Work As: Professional merchant mariners sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels in the deep sea, Great Lakes and inland trades. Industries Represented: Members work on a wide variety of vessels, including commercial container ships and tankers, military support ships, tugboats and barges, passenger ships, gaming vessels and many more. History: Before the Seafarers International Union was formed in 1938, there were several other unions that organized maritime workers, including the International Seamen's Union (ISU), which formed in 1892 and was chartered by the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Pressures from the Great Depression and internal division led to the downfall of the ISU, despite some successes, including securing the passage of the Jones Act in 1920. The SIU was formally given a charter in 1938 with nearly 7,000 members. World War II had a major impact on the maritime trades. SIU members were a huge part of the war effort, providing military support to the Allies and serving as the underpinning of the Allied supply lines. The casualty rate for merchant seamen was higher than any other branch of the armed services. The union managed to secure increases in hazard pay for those sailing into war zones. After the war, the SIU made tremendous gains with organizing drives, a general maritime strike and the creation of the AFL's Maritime Trades Department.  Paul Hall was a charter member of the SIU and, by the late 1940s, he was in charge of daily operations of the union, and he took the union in a more militant direction. Hall stressed civic engagement and negotiation and took SIU to the streets in solidarity with other AFL unions. Reform and expansion were key among Hall’s achievements, including securing the first hospital and death benefits for members, creating the Seafarers Vacation Plan and strengthening seniority provisions in hiring. In the 1950s, the SIU continued to expand by merging with other smaller maritime unions. The union also opened up several training facilities to help Seafarers hone their professional skills. The union was successful in the 1960s in calls to modernize the U.S.-flag-bearing fleet. The 1970s would see the union successfully fight for the passage of the Merchant Marine Act, which lifted up the maritime industry, including boosting jobs. The rapid changes in technology, trade and world politics in the 1980s and 1990s provided both opportunities and challenges for the SIU. The expansion of global trade and the growth in military conflict around the world directly affected SIU’s membership. SIU members were among the first responders after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, transporting evacuees from affected areas and serving as crew on the USNS Comfort, a ship that was the center for medical care for first responders and survivors. SIU members also would be key in stories in more recent years, such as the “Miracle on the Hudson” aircraft incident in 2009 and when the Maersk Alabama ship was hijacked by Somali pirates. Whether it be in times of war, times of peace or in reaction to a tragedy, Seafarers are part of the solution; and they continue to do what they always do: "turning to and delivering the goods." Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: The Seafarers provide training and apprenticeships through the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education and the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship. The Seafarers Disaster Aid Fund helps members and retirees who are hurt by hurricanes and other disasters. The Seafarers also assist members with pensions. SIU shares news and information through the Seafarer’s Log, CIVMAR News and the Mobile News Network. Learn More: Website, Facebook, YouTube, X, Instagram Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/14/2025 - 13:43 — Oct 14

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