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NewsFeed - Labor
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Burmese Union Federations Call for International Support Against Coup
As the Burmese military coup leaders escalated repression against the democracy uprising in the country this week, two Burmese union federations this week called for international pressure on their government. The Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) is asking for international sanctions against the regime.
Economy Gains 379,000 Jobs in February; Unemployment Down to 6.2%
The U.S. economy gained 379,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate fell to 6.2%, according to figures released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In response to the February job numbers, AFL-CIO Chief Economist William Spriggs tweeted:
Most of February's job gain (moving right on the chart) came from leisure & hospitality, higher wage industries (moving up on the chart) posted milder job gains (professional services including temps, education and health, retail trade), or modest job losses. @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/QUfY0MvLlo
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) March 5, 2021
State and local government employment declined in February. As in the Great Recession, state and local government employment is a big drag on a healthy recovery. It is vital the Senate pass @POTUS American Recovery Act now and get state and local governments the assurance to hire pic.twitter.com/2G7xCGLISh
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) March 5, 2021
The share and the number of long term unemployed continue to climb. This makes clearing the labor market difficult and slow. Extended unemployment benefits will be necessary to keep these workers engaged even as the labor market improves. @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/yvfwXfjWjv
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) March 5, 2021
The long-term unemployed ARE heterogenous, they are NOT just production and service workers. The longest unemployment spells are for managers and professionals and they are almost 1/4 the long-term unemployed. This is why solutions aren't easy. @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/LnF6ng6lwC
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) March 5, 2021
From the flow data for February (from January), women were less likely to enter the labor force from not being in the labor force, but more likely to exit unemployment to find jobs. The unemployed were more likely to find jobs than to quit looking. @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/8SPVStIMMd
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) March 5, 2021
The Black unemployment rose in February for all the wrong reasons, the share employed fell. Black women (over 20) rose from 8.5 to 8.9%. The unemployment rate for Black men (over 20) 10.2% is higher than the high school dropout unemployment rate of 10.1% @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/3UBIpQY35y
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) March 5, 2021
245,000 of this months payroll gains (out of 379,000) went to women, but his doesn't show in the household survey (they are not similar surveys and do not necessarily cross-walk) for Black women, who reported a drop in employment. @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/diEYCp4NaJ
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) March 5, 2021
Last month’s biggest job gains were in leisure and hospitality (+355,000), health care and social assistance (+46,000), retail trade (+41,000) and manufacturing (+21,000). The biggest losses were in construction (-61,000), local government education (-37,000), state government education (-32,000) and mining (-8,000). Employment changed little in other major industries, including wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, information, financial activities and other services.
In February, the unemployment rate increased for Black Americans (9.9%). The unemployment rates for teenagers (13.9%) and Asians (5.1%) declined. The rates for Hispanics (8.5%), adult men (6.0%), adult women (5.9%) and White Americans (5.6%) showed little or no change.
The number of long-term unemployed workers (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) barely changed in February and accounted for 41.5% of the total unemployed.
AFL-CIO to explore taking a stance on eliminating filibuster
The AFL-CIO’s executive board will meet next week to determine its position on eliminating the filibuster, the labor federation’s president, Richard Trumka, told POLITICO Thursday. Two of organized labor’s highest priorities in Congress — boosting the minimum wage to $15 an hour and legislation containing a long list of union priorities known as the PRO […]
The post AFL-CIO to explore taking a stance on eliminating filibuster first appeared on Today's Workplace.COVID-19 has the child care industry in dire crisis, but there are two big reasons for hope
The child care industry and the workers in it—overwhelmingly women, many of them women of color—have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Really hard. But now there are two big reasons for hope, thanks to child care funding in the COVID-19 relief bill passed by the House and to a rush of states opening […]
The post COVID-19 has the child care industry in dire crisis, but there are two big reasons for hope first appeared on Today's Workplace.Women's History Month Profiles: Nicole Jeup
This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Nicole Jeup.
Nicole Jeup is an integral part of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters’ (UA’s) Education and Training Department, specifically with the Veterans in Piping Program, which helps members of the military learn a trade and successfully transition into the workforce. Jeup is a true labor leader, uplifting everyone she works with and helping members of the military change their lives after completing their military service.
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: New Mexico Federation of Labor Paid Sick Leave Bill Advances to Senate Floor
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 New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO celebrated the state House’s passage of H.B. 20, the Healthy Workplaces Act (paid sick leave), by a 36-33 vote. If this bill passes the Senate, it would make New Mexico the 11th state to have some form of statewide paid sick leave.
In preparation for the vote, the federation released a poll showing that 76% of New Mexicans support a legislative proposal requiring all employers in the state to provide their employees with up to eight days of earned sick days per year to care for themselves, their children or their parents.
Vince Alvarado (SMART), president of the New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, said, “The Legislature has debated potential earned sick leave policies for years. With the governor’s leadership, it is now time to pass this policy so parents no longer have to choose between losing a day’s worth of wages or sending sick kids to school.”
An Alabama Amazon Worker’s Case for Unionization
At this very moment, one of the most historic union drives of our era is taking place at the Amazon fulfillment center in Bessemer, Alabama. Around 5,800workers at the facility, the majority of whom are Black, are currently voting on whether or not to unionize with the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU). If they […]
The post An Alabama Amazon Worker’s Case for Unionization first appeared on Today's Workplace.Can a Federal Job Guarantee Unite the Left?
As left-wing economic policy proposals go, a federal job guarantee has never quite reached prime time status, despite the fact that the underlying idea has been around since at least 1944, when President Franklin Roosevelt proposed it as part of his ?“Economic Bill of Rights.” Now, with Democrats in control of the federal government and as the nation tries to […]
The post Can a Federal Job Guarantee Unite the Left? first appeared on Today's Workplace.Biden Supports Alabama Amazon Workers' Union Organizing Efforts
In one of the strongest pro-union displays ever from a sitting president, President Joe Biden posted a video showing his support for Amazon workers in Bessamer, Ala.
For the People: Protecting Voters
To loosen the hold corporate money has on our country, we must build worker power, and to do that, we need the For the People Act.
Together We Can End This Pandemic
Now that several COVID-19 vaccinations are approved and vaccination programs are underway, we are making real progress toward reducing infections, illness, and death from the virus.
Bargaining Update
The latest bargaining information for Glitch and Lumen.
Tell the Senate to Save Our Aviation Jobs!
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Rescue Plan, which includes an extension of the Payroll Support Program (PSP) through September 30, 2021.
Committees Meet to Lay Social Justice Groundwork for CWA Convention
This week, CWA's National Civil Rights and Equity Committee and National Women's Committee held their three-day Annual Joint Meeting.
CWA Supports Moratorium on Utility Shutoffs
Ensuring that all Americans have access to utility services during this pandemic is too important to be left to the discretion of individual utility companies.
Viewpoint: Who Invited Them? Employers Like Amazon Should Have No Say in How Workers Organize
The ongoing union vote by 5,800 Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama, has opened a window into the challenges workers face in unionizing. As the public is learning, the boss gets a big role in the process. It shouldn’t be this way.
Women's History Month Profiles: Valerie King
This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Valerie King.
Valerie King is an organizer with the Utility Workers (UWUA) and chairs the union’s Women’s Caucus. She has elevated women’s voices within the union and helped grow their visibility as members across the organization in a few short years. She did this through expanding the size of the Women’s Caucus and through organizing several successful initiatives, including the Rosie the Riveter 5K run/walk.
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Nebraska State AFL-CIO Pushes for Legislation to Increase COVID-19 Safety Measures
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 Nebraska State AFL-CIO, led by President/Secretary-Treasurer Susan Martin (AFSCME), is standing up for working people in the face of the pandemic. The state federation is throwing its support behind the efforts of State Sen. Tony Vargas to increase protections for the state’s meatpacking workers. More than 7,000 workers in processing plants across the state have contracted the virus, leading to 225 hospitalizations and 27 deaths. The majority of meatpacking workers in Nebraska are Latino and immigrants. Many are refugees. Vargas’ proposal was blocked during the closing days of the 2020 legislative session, but that hasn’t stopped working people from pushing for its passage again this year. There are more than 20,000 meatpacking workers in the state, Martin said. “We’re just asking for basic protection and enforcement. If companies are following these practices, there should be no opposition.”
Communications Workers of America (CWA) Celebrates House Passage of the For the People Act (H.R. 1)
The House passed the For the People Act (H.R. 1), a sweeping pro-democracy bill supported by CWA that contains reforms essential to fixing our political system, including expanding voting rights, getting money out of politics, redistricting, and strengthening government ethics.
U.K. Educators' Safety Struggle Rekindles Collective Workplace Action
Former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson famously said that “a week is a long time in politics.” In early January, even a week was too long, as current Prime Minister Boris Johnson performed a dramatic 24-hour U-turn on the question of schools reopening after the Christmas break.
Working Life Episode 216: Wealth Tax on the Table; Two Trillion for the Global Poor; Joe Biden and Union Organizing
The number that sticks in my mind today, and has since I heard it, is 40 percent. While over half a million people in the U.S. have died of COVID in one year, while millions of people have become sick, while millions of people have lost their jobs, savings and homes, and many people have […]
The post Working Life Episode 216: Wealth Tax on the Table; Two Trillion for the Global Poor; Joe Biden and Union Organizing first appeared on Today's Workplace.Labor watchdog backs calls for binding Covid-19 workplace safety standard, slams Trump’s policy
The Labor Department’s independent watchdog recommended that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration consider issuing Covid-19-specific safety rules employers would be required to follow, saying that would better protect Americans from exposure to the coronavirus. The recommendation adds weight to calls by President Joe Biden, other Democrats and labor unions for the agency to issue […]
The post Labor watchdog backs calls for binding Covid-19 workplace safety standard, slams Trump’s policy first appeared on Today's Workplace.Women's History Month Profiles: Geoconda Argüello-Kline
This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Geoconda Argüello-Kline.
Geoconda Argüello-Kline was raised in Managua, Nicaragua, and came to the United States as a political refugee in 1979. In 1983, she moved to the Las Vegas Valley and worked as a guest room attendant at the Fitzgeralds Hotel, where a difficult contract fight spurred her desire to obtain better working conditions and protect her family. She became involved in the Culinary Workers Union-UNITE HERE Local 226 as a negotiating committee leader and a picket line captain. In 1990, she joined the union’s staff and since then has held many positions and worked tirelessly for the working people of Nevada and beyond. Under Argüello-Kline’s leadership, no other organization in Nevada has done more to support working families during the COVID-19 pandemic than the Culinary Union.
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IUOE Local 49 Urges Investments in Minnesota’s Infrastructure
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.
With an anticipated $1.6 billion budget surplus, state lawmakers in Minnesota are debating how to spend these extra funds. Members of the Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 49 are calling for the money to be invested in the state’s infrastructure. “An economic recovery, the likes of which we haven’t seen in some time, is at hand,” said Local 49 Business Manager Jason George. “Rebuilding our state’s infrastructure is the path forward that will lift all boats. This is something we hope both political parties will agree on.”
One of the most pro-worker moves Biden could make might surprise you
One incredibly important move to help workers that the Biden administration has signaled didn’t necessarily look like a pro-worker move. Even before President Biden was inaugurated, his incoming White House counsel started asking for suggestions for judicial nominees who would be diverse not just on race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion, but on professional background. Specifically, more candidates who […]
The post One of the most pro-worker moves Biden could make might surprise you first appeared on Today's Workplace.The Young Socialists’ School-to-Union Pipeline
When West Virginia’s union teachers defied state law and walked off the job for fair wages and better healthcare in February 2018, their wildcat strike?—?and the wave of strikes it inspired?—?changed lives hundreds of miles away. For example: Claire, a pre-med student at New York University (NYU), switched from the doctor-track to nursing?—?with the aim of landing a union […]
The post The Young Socialists’ School-to-Union Pipeline first appeared on Today's Workplace.Hong Kong’s New Union Movement Faces Big Challenges from Covid, National Security Law
Hong Kong workers formed dozens of new unions as part of the mass protest movement against attacks on the city’s autonomy in 2019. In a center of financial capitalism where labor has long been weak, this was a promising development—albeit one born out of desperation.
Record Number of Women Lead Rockford United Labor
Rockford United Labor, a central labor council in Illinois that's affiliated with AFL-CIO, set a record for the most women to serve on the council's board in its 66-year history. Sara Dorner (AFSCME) made history as the first woman to hold the office of president for the council. Dorner just completed a term as vice president.
Joining Dorner on the Rockford United Labor board are Sandra Patlan (AFSCME) and Christina Magee (Rockford Education Association-NEA). In addition to Dorner being the union's first woman president, Patlan is the first Latina elected to a leadership position at Rockford United Labor.
Patlan is excited about the opportunities being in leadership opens up. She said: "Being part of this union is just like, it's a big door opening, not just for me but for others that can’t speak for themselves, whether it's in the workplace place or in the community."
Check back throughout the month as we will be highlighting other local leaders and activists as part of our Women's History Month activities.
Women's History Month Profiles: Denicia Montford Williams
This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Denicia Montford Williams
As a vice president of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO, associate director of the state’s chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) and member of Pride At Work, Denicia Montford Williams (AFT) is a tireless advocate for LGBTQ rights and for racial justice in the state. She works as the program manager for the North Carolina APRI chapter. She also started a spinoff chapter of the Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition. Montford Williams leads a voter-registration drive in nine North Carolina counties, advocates for worker-friendly laws, and hosts workshops related to financial and physical health. She seeks to include LGBTQ people more into advocacy work. She recently was elected to the state AFL-CIO's board of directors, becoming the first openly LGBTQ director in the board's history.
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Western Region Solidarity: IUE-CWA Walmart Actions
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.
Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), state federations and central labor councils across the AFL-CIO Western Region held protests at Walmart in solidarity with more than 80 Ohio workers whose jobs producing Walmart’s “Made in America” light bulbs are being shipped to China.
While Walmart boasts a public commitment to supporting American manufacturing, the producer of its store-brand LED light bulbs, GE-Savant LLC, recently announced it intends to move the product line to China for production, permanently laying off more than 80 workers. The Walmart brand light bulbs are currently made by IUE-CWA workers in Bucyrus, Ohio, one of the only residential lighting plants left in the United States; nearly all other residential light bulbs are now produced in China.
In a show of increased public pressure for Walmart to stand up to its supplier and demand they keep manufacturing jobs for the retailer’s in-house “Made in America” LED light bulb line, we thank the Alaska AFL-CIO, Arizona AFL-CIO, Alameda Labor Council, Contra Costa Labor Council, Oregon AFL-CIO, South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council and the Washington State Labor Council for their organized actions.
Workers at Georgia’s Largest Animation Studio Are Launching a Union With the Communications Workers of America
Today workers at Floyd County Productions are announcing the creation of the Floyd County Productions Guild with support from the Communications Workers of America’s CODE-CWA project . It will be the first union open to all workers at Floyd County Productions—the largest animation studio in the state of Georgia.
Biden backs right of Amazon workers to attempt to organize
President Joe Biden on Sunday offered his support for organizing efforts by Amazon workers in Alabama, though he stopped just short of endorsing the formation of a union. “Workers in Alabama — and all across America — are voting on whether to organize a union in their workplace. It’s a vitally important choice — one […]
The post Biden backs right of Amazon workers to attempt to organize first appeared on Today's Workplace.‘Can we find a deal?’: Coronavirus sparks debate over paid leave
Democrats, Republicans and corporate America are coalescing behind a federal paid leave policy for the first time in the U.S., one of few rich nations where workers aren’t automatically provided the benefit. But as they hammer out the details, fracture lines are already emerging that could derail the decades-long effort once again. President Joe Biden’s […]
The post ‘Can we find a deal?’: Coronavirus sparks debate over paid leave first appeared on Today's Workplace.Workers, Climate Change, and Useless Stereotypes
Myanmar Workers and Unions on the Front Lines in Fight Against Coup
Update: Late Friday evening, February 26 (local time), the Myanmar military declared most of the country's labor organizations illegal on public television, with the threat of arrests if their activities continue, adding to the urgency of international solidarity activities.
For the People: Removing Barriers to Voter Registration
To loosen the hold corporate money has on our country, we must build worker power, and to do that, we need the For the People Act.
After Seven-Year Battle, Massachusetts Comcast Techs Win First Contract
After voting to form a union seven and a half years ago, Comcast technicians at the Fairhaven, Massachusetts, garage finally have a first contract. Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2322’s new two-year contract was ratified by 79 percent of the eligible membership on February 3.
Book Review: A Pandemic Nurse’s Diary
Reading the gripping A Pandemic Nurse’s Diary is like immersing yourself in a big-screen film. Getting through the entire book in a single two- or three-hour sitting is ideal, though the faint of heart might prefer it in smaller doses because A Pandemic Nurse’s Diary is a true horror story.
In Firefighters Election, Can a Veteran of the Wisconsin Uprising Come Out on Top?
A rare contested race for president of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has given its members a clear choice between a union traditionalist from Boston and a progressive activist who backed massive labor protests against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker a decade ago—and then joined electoral efforts to oust the anti-union Republican.
Outage Outrage: Class and the Power Grid
Viewpoint: A ‘Union’ That Pushes to Deport People Is the Labor Movement's Opponent
What if I told you an employer had agreed that it could no longer make any change to policies affecting members without “prior affirmative consent” from the union?
Wow, you might say—that’s what I call worker power! But hold your applause till you hear who the employer is: Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency that detains and deports immigrants.
Silicon Valley Bus Drivers Restored Community Rides for Free—By Taking Matters into Their Own Hands
With Covid cases surging in their ranks, bus drivers in Santa Clara, California, demanded to resume rear-door boarding, which is proven to reduce the risk of infection.
Management of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) balked, even blaming the workers for getting sick. Pressure mounted from the leadership of Transit (ATU) Local 265, and from rider and community groups.
But it was rank-and-file bus drivers who forced management’s hand when they started planning to stop boarding at the front door whether the agency agreed or not.