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Impacted by the Shutdown? Find Help in Your Community
Call 2-1-1
United Way, one of the AFL-CIO’s national partners, supports 2-1-1, a free nationwide information and referral line that helps people find local resources they may be eligible to obtain 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The 2-1-1 line can be accessed by phone or computer. A toll-free call to 2-1-1 connects you to a community resource specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations that provide critical services, including:
Supplemental food and nutrition programs;
Shelter and housing options, and utilities assistance;
Employment and education opportunities;
Services for veterans; and
Health care and mental health services.
Call 2-1-1 and speak with a live, highly trained service professional in your area from any cell phone or landline. All calls are private and confidential, and assistance is available in multiple languages.
Or visit 211.org to locate organizations in your community that provide support and assistance to working families in their time of need.
To find a...
Ohio Labor Coalition Swings Speaker Election, Changes Dynamic in Legislature
Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer
Despite the number of victories in congressional and gubernatorial races across the country in 2018, many of the top labor-endorsed candidates in Ohio lost their elections. The losses were a disappointment to Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga, but he recognized the need to get to work to make the best of the situation. "It was a tough loss in the election, we had higher hopes," Burga said. "We didn’t have any time to waste lamenting the loss, we had to get to work preparing for a new incoming governor and a new legislature." And prepare they did.
Drawing on experience from the collective bargaining fights of 2011, the Ohio AFL-CIO recognized the threat of ongoing and renewed attacks on working people in the single party government and immediately got to work trying to supersede the threats.
As the political picture came into view after the November elections, it became clear that there would be a highly contested race to become Ohio speaker of the House in a chamber overwhelmingly controlled by...
Our Paycheck Is Not a Bargaining Chip
AFL-CIO
It’s day 20 of the government shutdown, and the AFL-CIO has called upon the entire labor movement to fight for our affected brothers and sisters.
Watch AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on "Morning Joe" talking about the shutdown:
On Tuesday, the AFL-CIO asked the leadership of the general board and state federations and central labor councils to marshal our resources and use our collective power to end the shutdown.
As Trumka said, this shutdown is a direct attack on our unions. “These are the moments this federation was created for. When you mess with one of us, you have to deal with all of us: 12.5 million working people and 55 unions strong.”
Together, we’re working at every level to make our voices heard, including:
Rallying today at the AFL-CIO headquarters.
Blitzing targeted senators with calls from both members and leaders.
Bringing a delegation of workers to meet with senators to demand an end to the shutdown.
Publicly shaming a senator if they refuse to meet with workers.
Activating our network...
End the Shutdown: What Working People Are Doing This Week
AFL-CIO
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.
A. Philip Randolph Institute:
Want to give a big shout out to our brother E.J. Jenkins for putting events on like this in several communities over the past few years thru his outreach program. Another reason why we need to support him in with the #BlackLaborWeek2019. We all... https://t.co/PSqf2DuwT9
— APRI National (DC) (@APRI_National) January 7, 2019
Actors' Equity:
It's been 11 years – we are over due for a new Lab Agreement, and @BroadwayLeague needs to support paying Equity Members for their creative contributions.
Sign your #NotALabRat commitment card online! Visit https://t.co/tYMoZ94Ns4 to add your voice. pic....
Economy Gains 312,000 Jobs in December; Unemployment Rises to 3.9%
The U.S. economy gained 312,000 jobs in December, and the unemployment rate rose to 3.9%, according to figures released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This report shows an increase in unemployed workers and while wage gains are stronger, they are not consistent with a tight labor market. This ongoing financial and economic volatility means that the Federal Reserve needs to hold off on more rate increases.
In response to the December job numbers, AFL-CIO Chief Economist William Spriggs tweeted:
Over the year, wages rose 3.2% in December report from @BLS_gov not the most robust, but moving in the right direction #JobsReport #NumbersDay @AFLCIO
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) January 4, 2019
In a show of growing worker confidence, more unemployed workers are job leavers--839,000--than those who are entering the workforce--588,000 #JobsReport #JobsNumbers @AFLCIO
— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) January 4, 2019
Black unemployment rate jumps from 6.0 to 6.6%, on the rise in unemployed workers from 1.22...
AFL-CIO's Top 10 Blog Posts of 2018
Today, we are taking a moment to reflect on a historic year for collective action by highlighting the top 10 most-read posts on the AFL-CIO blog in 2018. Throughout the year, working people across the country joined together to build a better America. These are our stories.
1. If You Live in Missouri, Vote 'No' on Proposition A: "On Aug. 7, Missouri voters will have the chance to vote against Proposition A, a divisive attack on working people funded by big corporations and their wealthy allies. The misleading measure is a direct attack on the rights of the working people of Missouri. Here are the key reasons why Proposition A is wrong for Missouri...."
2. What You Need to Know About the Vote on Missouri's Prop. A Today: "While Missourians are headed to the polls today, working people are mobilizing across the Show-Me State in a massive final push to defeat Prop. A."
3. Executive Paywatch 2018: The Gap Between CEO and Worker Compensation Continues to Grow: "CEO pay for major companies in the United States rose nearly 6% in the past year, as income inequality and the outsourcing of good-...
New Congress Begins with Influx of Worker-Friendly Members
The 116th Congress begins today and it features a diverse group of members who are more friendly to working people than their predecessors in recent Congresses. Not only does the new class of incoming senators and representatives have the largest group of women ever and the first Native American women, the first Muslim American women and the first openly bisexual senator, it features a dozen union members and even more worker-friendly members.
Union members in the 116th Congress include:
Sen. Jacky Rosen (UNITE HERE) of Nevada;
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (LIUNA) of Colorado;
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CWA) of Connecticut;
Rep. Jahana Hayes (AFSA) of Connecticut;
Rep. Dave Loebsack (AFT) of Iowa;
Rep. Stephen Lynch (Ironworkers) of Massachusetts;
Rep. Donald Norcross (IBEW) of New Jersey;
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (NWU) of Washington;
Rep. Kim Schrier (Public School Employees) of Washington;
Rep. Denny Heck (Public School Employees) of Washington;
Rep. Ilhan Omar (AFSCME) of Minnesota; and
Rep. Colin Allred (...
Stop the Shutdown
AFGE
The government shutdown is now in its 12th day, meaning some 800,000 federal employees are still without a paycheck because President Donald Trump refuses to sign a federal budget that doesn’t include $5 billion for a border wall. Working people—and their livelihoods—should never be used as political pawns. As congressional leaders prepare to meet with Trump later today, take action now to stop the shutdown.
Despite the shutdown, roughly 420,000 federal employees, from law enforcement and corrections officers to Transportation Security Administration agents, are still working and putting their lives on the line without collecting a paycheck. That doesn’t include about 380,000 workers who are currently furloughed, or sent home without pay.
That’s why AFGE filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for illegally forcing federal employees to work without pay.
“Our members put their lives on the line to keep our country safe,” said AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. “Requiring them to work without pay is nothing short of inhumane.”
To make matters even worse, Trump...
UAW Releases 2019 Union-Made Vehicle Buying Guide
No matter when you are buying a new vehicle or for what purpose, you have the opportunity to use this substantial buying power to support working people. The UAW releases a guide every year that lets consumers know which cars are union-made in America. Here is this year's list.
UAW Cars
Buick LaCrosse
Cadillac ATS
Cadillac CTS
Cadillac CT6 (excluding plug-in hybrid)
Chevrolet Bolt (electric)
Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Cruze*
Chevrolet Cruze (diesel)
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Sonic
Chevrolet Volt (electric)
Ford Mustang
Ford Taurus
Lincoln Continental
UAW Trucks
Chevrolet Colorado
Chevrolet Medium-Duty Navistar Silverado (crew cab)
Chevrolet Medium-Duty Navistar Silverado (regular cab)
Chevrolet Silverado**
Ford F Series
Ford F-650/750
Ford Ranger
Ford Super Duty Chassis Cab
GMC Canyon
GMC Sierra**
Ram 1500*
UAW SUVs/CUVs
Buick Enclave
Cadillac...
Ohio’s Ironworkers Local 290 Invests in the Future
Ironworkers
One of the country’s best-kept secrets is that the American labor movement trains more workers than any organization other than the U.S. military. Apprenticeships and job training programs represent a powerful, life-changing opportunity that unions are in a unique position to provide. When those resources are made readily available to working people, membership growth often follows.
That’s a major reason why the leadership of Ironworkers Local 290 in Dayton, Ohio, has made expanding their training capacity a top priority. Given expected growth in the construction industry, the local is positioning itself to train more apprentices and grow its ranks.
“We knew we had a big, big problem,” said Local 290 Business Manager Jeff Bush.
Limited to four small classrooms and unable to build out its facility, the local went about finding a new home for the program. It purchased a 45,000 square-foot industrial building on six acres of property, renovating the space into a massive new training center.
Initially facing hesitation from members over the...
