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Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts Continue in Florida
AFL-CIO
This is the second installment of AFL-CIO National Media Manager Carolyn Bobb’s documentation of Hurricane Michael relief efforts in the Florida Panhandle. Read the first piece here.
Disaster relief is a long-term commitment that can become more difficult once immediate needs are met. For the Florida AFL-CIO, which is leading Hurricane Michael relief efforts, the work of rebuilding now begins.
“We cannot forget our members. A lot of basic needs have been met and now we’re focusing on getting people back to some sense of normalcy in their lives, which includes getting members back to work,” said Teamsters National Disaster Relief Coordinator Roy Gillespie.
This next stage of recovery, known as Phase 2, is about stabilization, and it focuses on targeted union member outreach. Many people have had a chance to assess the damage to their homes, and now they’re able to begin the cleanup process. That’s where the Florida AFL-CIO team comes in, delivering key supplies like trash bags, bleach and sponges, along with clothes, diapers, laundry detergent and...
Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Chuck Brannan
This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Chuck Brannan who is running for state legislature in Florida.
Here are some of the key reasons why Brannan is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
He supports a defined-benefit retirement system for public-sector workers.
Brannan will make it a priority to fund health and safety protections for public employees.
He wants to expand funding for the state's college system, with an emphasis on workforce development.
Brannan supports increasing salaries and maintaining good benefits for public-sector workers.
He will insist that apprenticeship programs be included as a key element of the state's workforce development strategy.
Brannan supports allowing both state and local governments to enact minimum examination, certification and licensing requirements for skilled craftsmen.
He supports legislation that...
Economy Gains 250,000 Jobs in October; Unemployment Unchanged at 3.7%
The U.S. economy gained 250,000 jobs in October, and unemployment was unchanged at 3.7%, according to figures released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Growth under Donald Trump's policies has slowed down compared to Barack Obama's last years in office. Continued slow wage growth means the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee should pause current plans to raise interest rates.
In response to the October job numbers, AFL-CIO Chief Economist William Spriggs tweeted:
From last October, wages rose 3.1 percent. That is a slight improvement, but still sufficiently modest for the @federalreserve to modify its rate hike strategy and pause. @AFLCIO— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) November 2, 2018
Labor force participation increased in October by 0.2 points. The increase for Blacks explains the increase the unemployment rate from 6.0 to 6.2% that took place despite the share employed also increasing @aflcio @rolandsmartin— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) November 2, 2018
Labor force participation increased in October by 0.2...
Equal Pay for All
AFL-CIO
Today is Latina Equal Pay Day, the day in the year when Latina pay catches up to that of white, non-Hispanic men. That means Latinas work nearly 23 months to make what white, non-Hispanic men earn in one year.
More than 50 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, women still get paid less for the same work. But women of color—Latinas especially—experience the widest wage gap for the same jobs.
While it’s shameful that women are still fighting for equal pay, there are steps we can take to close the gap. The best way is to join a union. Through union contracts, women have closed the wage gap and received higher pay and better benefits. In fact, union women earn $231 more a week than women who don’t have a union voice.
When women are represented by unions and negotiate together, they have the power to create a better life.
Check out some facts below about Latina Equal Pay Day, and learn more from AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler here.
Latinas get paid only 53 cents to every dollar a white, non-Hispanic man makes—the largest gap in the nation.
Latinas...
Are You Ready for Election Day?
Tuesday is Election Day. It seems like every recent election has been powerfully important to working people and 2018 is certainly no exception. Are you ready? Have you prepared everything you need in order to make sure that you can use the power of your voice?
Earlier this week, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka joined other advocates for working people on a tele-town hall, emphasizing the importance you, as a voter, have on the outcome of this election:
You have the power to write the next chapter of the American story.... You are our most powerful asset. You can make the difference in this election...this is the moment where we determine our future. This is the moment you’ll look back on. Don’t let yourself wonder if you could have done more.
Are you ready to do your part? We're in the last days before the election, so the top thing left to do for most people is to actually cast their ballot. Here's what you can do:
1. Make a plan to vote: The simple fact is that people who make a plan are more likely to vote. When are you voting? Where are you voting? What do you need to bring with...
Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Bill Kidd
AFL-CIO
This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Missouri state Rep. Bill Kidd.
Here are some of the key reasons why Kidd is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
Kidd is a small businessman who has experience creating good jobs for Missourians.
He voted against "right to work" and voted to sustain former Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of right to work legislation.
Kidd voted against paycheck deception legislation.
When the Missouri House overrode Nixon's veto of a bill cutting unemployment benefits, Kidd voted to sustain the veto.
He is endorsed by the Kansas City Labor Council COPE, the Kansas City Building Trades, the Missouri SMART Transportation Division, Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 3133 and IAFF Local 781, Missouri NEA and Teamsters Joint Council 13.
To learn more about Kidd, visit his website.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 11/01/2018 - 11:37...
Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Claire McCaskill
AFL-CIO
This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Sen. Claire McCaskill from Missouri.
Here are some of the key reasons why McCaskill is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
She worked to pass the first boost in the federal minimum wage in more than a decade and supports raising the current minimum wage.
McCaskill wants to invest in the nation's infrastructure to improve access to good-paying jobs.
She has long opposed "right to work" legislation.
McCaskill supports providing student loan forgiveness to public school teachers who have served at least 10 years.
She has sponsored legislation to provide financial assistance to veterans for college or vocational training.
McCaskill worked in a bipartisan manner to lower the cost of prescription drugs.
She is an outspoken advocate for those who have faced sexual harassment in...
'State of the Unions' Podcast: Union Members in Public Office
AFL-CIO
The AFL-CIO has launched another tool to bring you the issues and stories that matter to working people. Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, “State of the Unions,” where we talk about the upcoming election with special guest Dahlia Vertreese, the mayor of Hillside, New Jersey.
One in four Americans listen to podcasts on a monthly basis. “State of the Unions” is capturing the stories of workers across the country. It’s hosted by two young and diverse members of the AFL-CIO team: Political Mobilization Director Julie Greene and Executive Speechwriter Tim Schlittner. A new episode will drop every other Wednesday featuring interesting interviews with workers and our allies across the country, as well as compelling insights from the podcast’s hosts.
Listen to Wednesday's episode with Hillside Mayor Dahlia Vertreese. You also can learn more about Julie and Tim in their inaugural episode and check out an interview with Flint, Michigan, water crisis whistleblower, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha.
The upcoming schedule is as follows:
...
Get Out the Vote: What Working People Are Doing This Week
APALA
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:
NAACP hopes to improve voter turnout after winning lawsuit against election commission https://t.co/uNiCrefqgC
— APRI National (DC) (@APRI_National) October 26, 2018
Actors' Equity:
Looking to hire Equity actors and stage managers? We've revamped our website to make it easier than ever to find the info and forms you need. https://t.co/eCv8x5fqnA
— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) October 26, 2018
AFGE:
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are coming together to stop the proposed federal retirement cuts. https://t.co/...
Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Susie Lee
AFL-CIO
This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Susie Lee, who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada.
Here are some of the key reasons why Lee is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
She wants to ensure that working-class families have health care and can save for retirement.
Lee will protect service industry employees who rely on tips in addition to their wages.
She will fight to make sure that no worker faces discrimination because of their disability, race or sexual orientation.
Lee will protect Social Security and Medicare for future generations, including making sure they keep up with cost-of-living increases.
She wants to increase funding for early childhood education and programs for children living in poverty.
Lee wants to increase funding for training and apprenticeship programs.
She favors...
