AFL-CIO Blog

  • Solidarity Brewing: In the States Roundup
    Solidarity Brewing: 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 Twitter. Alaska AFL-CIO: California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO: Colorado AFL-CIO: Connecticut AFL-CIO: Georgia State AFL-CIO: Illinois AFL-CIO: Indiana State AFL-CIO: Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO: Maine AFL-CIO: Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO: Michigan State AFL-CIO: Minnesota AFL-CIO: Missouri AFL-CIO: Nevada State AFL-CIO: New Hampshire AFL-CIO: New York State AFL-CIO: Ohio AFL-CIO: Oregon AFL-CIO: Pennsylvania AFL-CIO: Rhode Island AFL-CIO: Texas AFL-CIO: Virginia AFL-CIO: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO: Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 11/29/2022 - 13:09 — Nov 29
  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: On Black Friday, Workers Around the World Demand That We ‘Make Amazon Pay’
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: On Black Friday, Workers Around the World Demand That We ‘Make Amazon Pay’ 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. On Black Friday, workers around the world demanded that Amazon be held accountable for its unacceptable labor practices. During the busiest days of the holiday shopping season, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW) bolstered more than a dozen actions in cities across the United States, including Bessemer, Alabama, and New York City, which were part of the global “Make Amazon Pay” effort. More than 80 labor unions, and allies in 32 countries around the world, held strikes and protests to Make Amazon Pay for its terrible working conditions, and its impact on the planet and local communities. “No matter where Amazon operates anywhere in the world, the conditions and the existential threat are the same, and that’s why workers everywhere are standing up and demonstrating and striking today,” RWDSU-UFCW President Stuart Appelbaum (not pictured) said on Friday. “We need to let the world know that Amazon needs to change.” Workers at the Amazon facility in Bessemer, who were the first to file for a warehouse-wide union election in the U.S., were joined by their Mine Workers (UMWA) union brothers, sisters and siblings still on strike at Warrior Met Coal. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 11/29/2022 - 09:55 Tags: Amazon — Nov 29
  • National Native American Heritage Month Profiles: Irene Gonzalez
    National Native American Heritage Month Profiles: Irene Gonzalez Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. Today's profile features Irene Gonzalez of AFSCME. Irene Gonzalez, vice president with the Los Angeles County Deputy Probation Officers’ Union, AFSCME Local 685, is a proud member of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, a federally recognized tribe of Indigenous people of California. Gonzalez grew up in the San Joaquin Valley area of California, shuttling between foster homes in Tulare, Visalia and Atwater, and has committed her life to restorative justice and union activism. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/28/2022 - 14:51 — Nov 28
  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Labor Movement Strongly Condemns Mike Pompeo’s Disgusting Assault on America’s Educators
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Labor Movement Strongly Condemns Mike Pompeo’s Disgusting Assault on America’s Educators 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. Statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on Mike Pompeo’s shameful attack on teachers: Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s characterization of the heroic work America’s teachers do every day as “filth” was a hurtful assault on all those who work tirelessly to provide our children with the education they so richly deserve. America’s labor movement strongly and forcefully condemns Pompeo’s dangerous remarks that were clearly meant to incite, creating risk for teachers and their families.   Teachers and school staff deserve praise and gratitude from our nation’s leaders. With Pompeo’s toxic, hurtful rhetoric aimed at educators and their advocates, it’s a stark reminder of just how far extremists will go to diminish and disrespect hard-working teachers just to score cheap political points. Make no mistake—when Pompeo called American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten, the union’s elected leader, “the most dangerous person in the world,” he attacked all working people who work every day to build America’s future.   Dangerous rhetoric such as Pompeo’s attack on teachers has no place in our political discourse. The American labor movement stands in solidarity with AFT President Weingarten, all parents and every educator in this country who works day and night to provide every opportunity for children to learn and who inspires them to follow their dreams.  Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/28/2022 - 09:55 — Nov 28
  • National Native American Heritage Month Profiles
    National Native American Heritage Month Profiles Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. Here are the profiles we've already featured throughout the month: Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 11/25/2022 - 11:30 — Nov 25