AFL-CIO Blog

  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Rebuilding the Energy Industry: Wyoming AFL-CIO Comes Out in Support of Energy Rebound Program
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Rebuilding the Energy Industry: Wyoming AFL-CIO Comes Out in Support of Energy Rebound Program Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. The Wyoming State AFL-CIO and its 18,000 union members are applauding Gov. Mark Gordon for investing money from the CARES Act into the state’s new “Energy Rebound Program” to keep energy workers on the job throughout the pandemic. The $15 million state initiative will save jobs in the struggling oil and gas sector. In a recent column for SweetwaterNOW, state federation Executive Secretary Tammy Johnson (USW) emphasized the importance of using the funding to keep in-state workers employed. “Done right, this cash will put hundreds of oil and gas workers back to work in the state. Yet this effort will miss its mark, if these dollars are not specifically earmarked to provide jobs to Wyoming workers,” she wrote. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 12/03/2020 - 10:07 Tags: Community Service, COVID-19 — Dec 3
  • Local Union President Elected to the New York State Senate
    Local Union President Elected to the New York State Senate Labor stalwart John Mannion has been officially elected to the New York state senate to represent a district in the Syracuse suburbs. Mannion is the president of a local New York State United Teachers (NYSUT/AFT-NEA) union and he received steadfast support in his campaign from the Central New York Area Labor Federation and its affiliates. A popular high school teacher in his district, he leveraged his ties with his community and his regional labor movement to secure the win. “This year we have faced unimaginable challenges—an uncontrolled pandemic, the economic uncertainty that followed and a federal government that has failed to respond….As I head to Albany next session, I hope that my work there will help restore our faith in our elected leaders and government,” Mannion wrote in an email to supporters. His election to the state senate in a close race means that pro-labor senators will hold a 43–20 supermajority in the upper house for the first time ever. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 12/02/2020 - 10:59 — Dec 2
  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: College Students Campaign in Runoff Election with Support from Georgia AFL-CIO
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: College Students Campaign in Runoff Election with Support from Georgia AFL-CIO Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s reign of power over the U.S. Senate may be coming to an end soon if voters in Georgia manage to flip two seats in runoff elections early in the new year. Working people are campaigning in support of pro-labor candidates Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock. Students at Clark Atlanta University, with support from the HBCU Green Fund and the Georgia State AFL-CIO, led voter registration drives this weekend targeted at registering new voters. Students and volunteers also participated in door-to-door literature drops in Clayton County to remind voters about the runoff election on Jan. 5 and that early voting starts on Dec. 14. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 12/02/2020 - 09:53 Tags: COVID-19, Community Service — Dec 2
  • Amtrak to Give Horn Salute to Honor Legacy of TTD President Larry Willis
    Amtrak to Give Horn Salute to Honor Legacy of TTD President Larry Willis On Wednesday, Dec. 2, Amtrak will honor the legacy of Transportation Trades Department (TTD) President Larry Willis with a horn salute. Larry died Sunday from injuries he sustained in a cycling accident near Great Falls Park in Maryland. He was 53. “Larry was a true champion of the nation’s transportation network and the workers who make it possible,” said Amtrak CEO William Flynn. “Larry was a strong advocate for Amtrak and believed in the need for a robust, modern, well-funded national passenger rail network for the nation. Our thoughts are with Larry’s family, his TTD and labor colleagues, and all of those in the transportation industry that were touched by Larry’s deep passion and fierce advocacy for transportation workers during this difficult time.” Amtrak engineers across the country will simultaneously blow one long whistle at noon ET on Wednesday, Dec. 2, to honor Larry’s life work in support of passenger rail and his deep passion and fierce advocacy for transportation workers. “The collective hearts of America’s labor movement, particularly transportation unions, are broken by the tragic death of our brother. Larry brought a love of workers and a deep understanding of transportation issues to his leadership of TTD,” AFL-CIO President RIchard Trumka said. “He paid incredible attention to detail, always looking for opportunities to win more power and prosperity for the working people who move America.” “For more than 20 years, Larry dedicated his life to the labor movement, working tirelessly to enhance the rights and livelihoods of those who work on the front lines of our transportation system,” TTD Secretary-Treasurer Greg Regan said. “His mastery of complex legal and regulatory issues set the foundation for TTD’s policy leadership, and raised the bar for demanding and enforcing worker protections throughout our nation’s transportation system.” Willis leaves behind his wife, Amy, and daughter, Samantha. “Larry’s passing is a reminder that we cannot take a single day for granted, and the AFL-CIO will honor his memory by fighting for the issues he championed and the people he loved,” said Trumka. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Larry’s wife and daughter, along with the entire TTD family, during this difficult time.” Dennis Loney Tue, 12/01/2020 - 14:05 — Dec 1
  • Working People Plan Diverse Activities for Thanksgiving
    Working People Plan Diverse Activities for Thanksgiving For Thanksgiving weekend, many working families will take time off to share a meal, either virtually or in person. Many others have to work over the weekend. And still others will be helping out their friends and neighbors during these tough times. Here is a sampling of the activities various unions will be participating in for Thanksgiving:
    • Maine: The 18th annual Solidarity Harvest, co-sponsored by the Eastern, Southern and Western Maine labor councils, is made possible by the efforts of more than 50 unions, faith groups and other organizations. This year, the project is expected to provide 1,400 Thanksgiving meals to union and community members who are experiencing hard times.
    • Indianapolis: The annual Circle of Lights event, presented by Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 481, this year will be a special made-for-TV-only affair, featuring Santa, musical acts from the Tom Wood Talent Search and the lighting up of Monument Circle to kick off the holiday season.
    • Kansas: Machinists District Lodge 70, in association with the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation, has launched its Salvation Army Angel Tree program to collect gifts for children in the community.
    • San Diego, California: The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, in association with the San Diego Food Bank, distributed 500 turkeys and 600 meal kits to local families. The labor council also began collecting for its annual toy drive, which continues through Dec. 17.
    • Washington: The Washington State Labor Council is calling on members and supporters to stay home, stay safe and give to union-organized charitable efforts, including the Foundation for Working Families, the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council’s Presents from Partners and the Teamsters (IBT) Local 117 Toy Drive.
    • Chicago: The Chicago Federation of Labor teamed up with the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, IBEW Local 134 and McCormick Place to distribute holiday meals to more than 2,000 union members and their families. Most of the meals were given to workers at McCormick Place, which has been shut down since March.
    • Atlantic City, New Jersey: Thousands of laid-off workers were assisted through Operation Feed Atlantic City’s Special Holiday Food Distribution. The New Jersey State AFL-CIO and its affiliated unions, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey delivered turkey dinners, homemade treats and other groceries to ease the food insecurity that has gripped this resort region throughout the pandemic.
    • Oklahoma: The Central Oklahoma Labor Federation is once again partnering with the emergency assistance group Upward Transitions to distribute holiday baskets for union members and their families. Supplies such as canned food, hot chocolate mix and paper goods are needed this year more than ever.
    • Texas: Local unions, including AFGE Local 1920 and AFGE District 10 worked with Star Group—Veterans Helping Veterans to give away more than 500 turkeys and bags of fixings to local families.
    • Air Line Pilots: Members of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) across the country are participating in various holiday activities, including Pilots for Kids, which helps hospitalized children.
    Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 11/25/2020 - 11:01     — Nov 25