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Young Workers on the Future of Work: Courtney Jenkins
Courtney Jenkins
The AFL-CIO conducted a discussion last month on the future of work. Among the panelists that day were a group of young workers. Let's continue our more in-depth discussion with these young workers. Next up is American Postal Workers Union (APWU) member Courtney Jenkins.
AFL-CIO: What barriers do you think stand in the way of young people becoming fully participating members of the workforce?
Courtney: The most formidable barrier young people face is the current economic climate. As corporate greed continues to grow, many jobs are not attractive or appealing to young people trying to fully participate in today's workforce.
AFL-CIO: What issues and challenges do young workers face that the rest of us might not recognize?
Courtney: Whether it's child care, health care or student debt, it seems like everything today comes at a price. Many employers don't understand, or care to empathize, with young people who have these types of challenges because they weren't as prevalent a generation ago.
AFL-CIO: What inspired you to...
UNITE HERE Calls on Marriott to Use Its Clout to Combat Sexual Harassment in Global Hospitality Industry
UNITE HERE
In recent years, UNITE HERE members across North America have taken the lead in challenging sexual harassment and sexual violence in the hospitality industry. The union has put the issue at the forefront of its political agenda, in bargaining new contracts—and now, in its global campaigns.
In partnership with the International Union of Food Workers (IUF) and the AFL-CIO, UNITE HERE convened a group of Marriott workers from around the world to meet in Geneva on May 29, to present Marriott International—the world's largest hotel company—with demands on ending sexual harassment across its global operations. At the International Labour Conference, where negotiations are currently underway on a new legal standard on violence at work, Marriott workers shared their own experiences of sexual violence and harassment on the job.
As they made clear, sexual harassment is an open secret across the hospitality industry, everywhere in the world. The problem is not worse at Marriott properties. But Marriott is,...
Union Tips for U.S. Trips: Union Monuments
Across the nation, there are great monuments to the labor union legacy, and some may even be closer than you realize. Add these sites to your travel itinerary to put a union twist on your summer plans and save with Union Plus Travel Benefits.
Check out this list of union sites around the country!
Amtrak Workers Memorial—Washington, D.C.: Memorial that honors those Amtrak employees who lost their lives in performance of their duties. Fun fact: The Amtrak Workers Memorial is located in the district's Union Station.
Memphis Strike of 1968 Monument—Memphis, Tennessee: This gallery expands the story of the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike. Features exhibits and videos highlighting the Rev. James Lawson and T.O. Jones, who courageously waged the battle on behalf of striking sanitation workers. Fun fact: The iconic "I Am a Man" signs held by strikers and the garbage truck from the original exhibition can be found here.
Haymarket Martyrs Memorial—Chicago: On May 4, 1866, what began as a peaceful rally to protest unfair working conditions erupted into violence after a man threw a bomb at...
Rhetoric vs. Reality: The Working People Weekly List
Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s this week’s Working People Weekly List.
When It Comes to Janus, There Is Rhetoric and There Is Reality: "Sometime in the next few weeks, the Supreme Court will decide a case called Janus v. AFSCME, Council 31, that threatens to undermine the freedom of working people to join together and negotiate for better wages and working conditions. Corporate CEOs and their allies know that working people have a much stronger voice when we speak together, so they are pulling out all the stops to silence our voices."
From #MeToo to a Global Convention on Sexual Harassment at Work: "Labor unions around the globe are participating in the International Labor Conference to demand a new global standard to end violence and sexual harassment in the workplace. This epidemic of unwanted touching, sexual comments, requests for sexual favors and sexual assault happens in palm fields in Honduras, garment factories in Cambodia and hotels in the United States. Violence in the...
Economy Gains 223,000 Jobs in May; Unemployment Little Changed at 3.8%
The U.S. economy gained 223,000 jobs in May, and unemployment was little changed at 3.8%, according to figures released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since the labor market continues to recover at only a tempered pace, the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee should not raise interest rates.
While unemployment hovering around 4% may seem rosy, 1.2 million unemployed workers in America have been looking fruitlessly for work for more than six months, and 5 million workers are stuck in part-time jobs while looking for full-time work. Wages for too many of us have remained stubbornly low.
America’s working people demand better.
We want federal and state legislation to lift the minimum wage to $15 an hour and index it to the median wage.
We want new appointments to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors to be committed to full employment, which has been a sidelined priority of the Federal Reserve for far too long, and we want full employment to be measured by the growth of real wages in line with productivity.
We want...
From #Metoo to a Global Convention on Sexual Harassment at Work
World Fish/A. W. M. Anisuzzaman/Flickr.
Labor unions around the globe are participating in the International Labor Conference to demand a new global standard to end violence and sexual harassment in the workplace. This epidemic of unwanted touching, sexual comments, requests for sexual favors and sexual assault happens in palm fields in Honduras, garment factories in Cambodia and hotels in the United States. Violence in the workplace hurts both women and men, but women and workers with nonconforming gender identities experience the highest rates of violence.
Media accounts around the world have cast a spotlight on the systemic abuse made possible by global production systems built on cheap, flexible labor provided by women. Women workers have less power, and so are often unwilling or afraid to speak out about sexual assault, harassment or violence. Many women fear losing their jobs, or public shaming by co-workers or families. Social class, race, ethnicity, migrant status, age and ability can all tilt the power balance further away from working women and...
Say No to Subpar VA Service: 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.
Arizona AFL-CIO:
Who is speaking out abut high CEO pay? The Arizona AFL-CIO's Fred Yamashita. https://t.co/40vzWuCg0y https://t.co/40vzWuCg0y
— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) May 26, 2018
Arkansas AFL-CIO:
Hey! Hey! Here we go!!! #1u #arlabor #raisethewages #livingwage @aryoungworkers @ARlaborradio @arlaborwomen @DavidCouchAR https://t.co/1nD4NQOoNT
— Arkansas AFL-CIO (@ArkansasAFLCIO) April 17, 2018
California Labor Federation:
Standing together to end forced arbitration! #CALeg YES on #AB3080!! ✊
When It Comes to Janus, There Is Rhetoric and There Is Reality
AFL-CIO
Sometime in the next few weeks, the Supreme Court will decide a case called Janus v. AFSCME, Council 31, that threatens to undermine the freedom of working people to join together and negotiate for better wages and working conditions. Corporate CEOs and their allies know that working people have a much stronger voice when we speak together, so they are pulling out all the stops to silence our voices.
But the reality about Janus is significantly different than the rhetoric of those behind it. Here are some key ways how:
Rhetoric: This is about stopping unions from funneling union members’ money to politicians the members disagree with.
Reality: Plaintiff Mark Janus has always enjoyed the legal protection that he’s seeking. Not one cent of his money can be used to support any candidate’s political campaign over his objection. Period.
Rhetoric: No one should have to join a union to get a job.
Reality: Working people are guaranteed the freedom to join together in union. However, unions are required to represent all employees in...
Better Answers on Trade, America’s Economy
Anthony Quintano
In 2016, Donald Trump prevailed over 17 establishment opponents. He is a disrupter. In particular, he disrupted establishment trade policies that have failed millions of Americans.
Too many workers and communities have been left behind. Too much mistrust has grown regarding the way we’ve managed globalization. Wages have fallen far behind the growth trends of previous generations.
The neoliberal free-market free-trade trickle-down orthodoxy, which we have followed for decades, is exhausted—socially, politically, and economically.
We don’t really understand Trump’s tariffs, or bluster, or impulsive negotiating tactics, but we do understand that we need a change in direction.
We need new, effective public policies to deal with real problems that affect most people in America—inequality, climate change, health care, opioid addiction, student debt, and decaying infrastructure. We desperately need a manufacturing strategy that creates good new jobs, and stronger employment relationships that would raise family income.
To paraphrase Ronald...
Kentucky: Labor 'Batted' .647 in the Primary
Berry Craig
If candidate endorsements were like baseball batting averages, the Kentucky State AFL-CIO would be leading the big leagues and heading for the Hall of Fame.
Ten House candidates endorsed by the state COPE (Committee on Political Education) Committee won and five lost in Tuesday's primary. We were one-for-two in the Senate. That’s .647, or .283 better than Boston Red Sox slugger Mookie Betts, tops in the majors this season so far.
"Unfortunately, union candidates Al Cunningham, Eldon Renaud and Richard Becker were not successful, but James DeWeese won his primary," said Bill Londrigan, state AFL-CIO president.
Added Londrigan: "Perhaps the biggest upset was in House District 71—Rockcastle, Garrard and part of Madison counties—where organized labor partnered with the [Fraternal Order of Police] (FOP) and [Kentucky Education Association] (KEA) to defeat Republican Majority Floor Leader Jonathan Shell with Republican teacher Travis Brenda."
Brenda's surprise win made the national news. Click here to see MSNBC's Rachel Maddow report Brenda's victory...
