AFL-CIO Blog

  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Sutter Health Workers Secure New Tentative Agreement
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Sutter Health Workers Secure New Tentative Agreement 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. More than 4,700 SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) members at eight Sutter Health facilities across Northern California have successfully leveraged a major strike threat to reach a tentative agreement on their new contract. Nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, environmental services, food services, x-ray technicians, respiratory therapists and other essential staff voted overwhelmingly earlier this month to authorize a work stoppage in response to bad faith bargaining from Sutter executives. The power of their unity paid off, and members will now vote on a deal that includes wins like a 14% across-the-board raise, protections for health care and retirement benefits, and more. “This tentative agreement shows that when we stand united, we can win improvements that protect both healthcare workers and our patients,” said Dinora Garcia, a dietary clerk from Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport. “Reaching this agreement wasn’t easy but we stood together to advocate for worker and patient safety, improved staffing levels, and fair wages and benefits that reflect the vital work we do every day.”   Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 10/17/2025 - 09:51 — Oct 17
  • Worker Wins: Workers Deserve Respect and Dignity
    Worker Wins: Workers Deserve Respect and Dignity Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life. UNITE HERE Members at Hilton Americas-Houston Win New Contract and End 40-Day Strike: 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. Michigan Home Care Workers Win Election to Join SEIU: 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.” Sutter Health Workers Secure New Tentative Agreement: More than 4,700 SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) members at eight Sutter Health facilities across Northern California have successfully leveraged a major strike threat to reach a tentative agreement on their new contract. Nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, environmental services, food services, x-ray technicians, respiratory therapists and other essential staff voted overwhelmingly earlier this month to authorize a work stoppage in response to bad faith bargaining from Sutter executives. The power of their unity paid off, and members will now vote on a deal that includes wins like a 14% across-the-board raise, protections for health care and retirement benefits, and more. “This tentative agreement shows that when we stand united, we can win improvements that protect both healthcare workers and our patients,” said Dinora Garcia, a dietary clerk from Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport. “Reaching this agreement wasn’t easy but we stood together to advocate for worker and patient safety, improved staffing levels, and fair wages and benefits that reflect the vital work we do every day.”   Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Workers Ratify First Contract: The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA) members who work for the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) are celebrating the ratification of their first-ever collective bargaining agreement. Staff at the statewide nonprofit work to achieve a healthy and safe environment for vulnerable residents in the state. Their contract established a number of wins that will ensure they can continue this important work such as wage increases, remote work flexibility, retirement security and more. “This contract was hard won. Every member of our unit (past and present) has their hands on these pages. I am elated for our shared success in securing protections and benefits for workers at MEJC,” said Aiko Fukuchi, operations associate at MEJC. “The severance language we were able to confirm was a priority for us in this contract. We wanted to ensure workers had some security they could rely on, especially in such unpredictable times as these. It must be noted that through this process, we benefited greatly from the past efforts and successes of other units in The NewsGuild.” SAG-AFTRA Announces New Verticals Agreement for Mobile Content: SAG-AFTRA announced an upcoming new media contract Monday specifically designed to protect and empower performers in the rapidly growing, mobile-optimized micro-dramas industry. The Verticals Agreement would cover serialized short-form dramas that are designed to be watched on mobile devices with production budgets under $300,000. Vertical storytelling opportunities have increasingly been of interest for members in a tight entertainment job market, and this new contract will ensure they still benefit from SAG-AFTRA standards in these roles. “Our members are always on the lookout for good work opportunities,” said SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin. “As technology develops and our industry looks for creative ways to engage audiences, new formats emerge. SAG-AFTRA perceives the advent of so-called ‘verticals’ as an exciting new space. This fast-evolving format is catching on, and we are here to support our performers as they pursue their craft and engage this new business model. By offering a contract that is tailored to the unique needs of these projects, our union is meeting the moment. As the business of verticals experiences substantial growth, so too will our relationship with the producers.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 10/16/2025 - 16:08 Tags: Organizing — Oct 16
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Workers Ratify First Contract
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Workers Ratify First 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. The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA) members who work for the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) are celebrating the ratification of their first-ever collective bargaining agreement. Staff at the statewide nonprofit work to achieve a healthy and safe environment for vulnerable residents in the state. Their contract established a number of wins that will ensure they can continue this important work such as wage increases, remote work flexibility, retirement security and more. “This contract was hard won. Every member of our unit (past and present) has their hands on these pages. I am elated for our shared success in securing protections and benefits for workers at MEJC,” said Aiko Fukuchi, operations associate at MEJC. “The severance language we were able to confirm was a priority for us in this contract. We wanted to ensure workers had some security they could rely on, especially in such unpredictable times as these. It must be noted that through this process, we benefited greatly from the past efforts and successes of other units in The NewsGuild.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 10/16/2025 - 10:40 — Oct 16
  • It's Time for a Fair Contract: What Working People Are Doing This Week
    It's Time for a Fair Contract: 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:
    The members of @kickstarterunited.org have been on strike since October 2nd. Sign their letter and tell management to meet Kickstarter United's demands of codifying their schedule and raising the minimum salary. https://bit.ly/3LbV1MN[image or embed] — Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) October 15, 2025 at 1:15 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: Coalition of Labor Union Women: Communications Workers of America: Department for Professional Employees:
    We stand with @ofnhp.bsky.social members at Kaiser striking to protect patients and preserve quality healthcare. actionnetwork.org/letters/an-o...[image or embed] — Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (@dpeaflcio.bsky.social) October 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
    Electrical Workers: Fire Fighters: Heat and Frost Insulators: International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers: International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers: Labor Council for Latin American Advancement: Laborers: Machinists: Major League Baseball Players Association: Maritime Trades Department: Metal Trades Department: Musical Artists:
    We need your help! Send a letter to New York City Ballet Leadership. Stand with the artists of NYCB. Tell management that the public is watching—and we deserve a fair contract: actionnetwork.org/letters/send...[image or embed] — American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) (@weareagma.bsky.social) October 12, 2025 at 6:08 PM
    National Air Traffic Controllers Association: National Association of Letter Carriers: National Domestic Workers Alliance: National Hockey League Players’ Association: National Nurses United: NFL Players Association: North America's Building Trades Unions: Painters and Allied Trades: Pride At Work:
    Happy National Coming Out Day! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️✨ It began on the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for LGBTQ+ Rights, a reminder that visibility is a powerful form of activism. 💪💖 Whether you're out, coming out, or just beginning your journey: you are authentic, loved, and never alone. 🌈[image or embed] — Pride at Work (@prideatwork.org) October 11, 2025 at 4:18 PM
    Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union: Roofers and Waterproofers: SAG-AFTRA: Service Employees International Union: Solidarity Center: The NewsGuild-CWA: Theatrical Stage Employees: Transport Workers Union: Transportation Trades Department: UAW: UNITE HERE: United Food and Commercial Workers: United Steelworkers: Writers Guild of America East:
    2nd @hearstunion.bsky.social contract negotiations, here we come 💪[image or embed] — Writers Guild of America East (@wgaeast.bsky.social) October 14, 2025 at 4:42 PM
    Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 10/15/2025 - 14:50     — Oct 15
  • 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 Tags: AI — Oct 15

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