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Transforming Heartbreak to Hope: Worker Wins
NYTWA
Our latest roundup of worker wins begins with New York taxi drivers fighting to save lives and includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
New York Taxi Drivers Win Major Victory Regulating App-Dispatch Sector: After months of non-stop campaigning, the National Taxi Workers Alliance (NTWA) secured first-of-its-kind legislation to regulate the app-dispatch sector, which includes companies like Uber and Lyft. The over-saturation of the roads by the vehicle-for-hire industry has led to crushing poverty that is responsible for six suicides in recent months. NTWA Executive Director Bhairavi Desai said: "This victory belongs to Douglas, to Abdul, to Nicanor, to Alfredo, to Kenny, to Danilo. This victory belongs to the thousands of [NTWA] members scraping by to feed their families, who took time away from their cars, losing precious and hard fought income to be on the streets standing together and standing up for each other....And this victory belongs to New Yorkers and our allies who have stood with us to say, not one...
On Track, But Not Done
AFL-CIO
In the wake of the latest NAFTA news, labor leaders noted that the pursuit of an agreement that works for workers was on track while cautioning that the work is far from over. In a joint statement yesterday, AFL-CIOPresident Richard Trumka, United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard, UAW President Gary Jones, Machinists (IAM) International President Robert Martinez Jr. and Communications Workers of America (CWA) President Christopher Shelton called for an agreement that addresses the North American Free Trade Agreement’s "deeply ingrained flaws."
The group of labor leaders insisted that the interests of working people be prioritized in any finalized agreement:
NAFTA has had a devastating impact on workers for more than 25 years. We are aggressively engaged in pursuing an agreement that works for working people in all three countries, and we are not done yet. There is more work that needs to be done to deliver the needed, real solutions to NAFTA’s deeply ingrained flaws.
Any new deal must raise wages, ensure workers’ rights and freedoms, reduce outsourcing...
Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Jared Golden
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 Maine congressional candidate Jared Golden.
Here are some of the key reasons why Golden is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
Golden built a record of success advocating for working people, including fighting for stronger unions, fairer wages and expanded access to health care, achieving a 96% pro-labor voting record in the state legislature.
Among the legislation he championed included bills to fight wage theft, support veterans and help first responders struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder get access to health care.
He wants to invest in infrastructure, not only roads and bridges, but things like broadband so more working people can compete in the modern economy.
Golden wants to invest in traditional jobs, such as agriculture, fishing and forest products, to help these industries adapt to a...
Federal Judge Rules Trump’s Anti-Worker Executive Orders Unconstitutional
AFGE
When Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders attacking the rights of federal government workers, he wasn’t prepared for the response from working people. Our response, led by AFGE, included filing lawsuits to stop the orders and rallying across the country in support of federal workers. Now a federal judge has agreed with working people that these executive orders are illegal.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson ruled that key provisions of the three executive orders are either unconstitutional under the First Amendment, violate congressional intent or exceed the president’s authority.
AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. lauded the ruling:
President Trump’s illegal action was a direct assault on the legal rights and protections that Congress specifically guaranteed to the public-sector employees across this country who keep our federal government running every single day.
We are heartened by the judge’s ruling and by the huge outpouring of support shown to federal workers by lawmakers from both parties, fellow union...
Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Jahana Hayes
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 Connecticut congressional candidate Jahana Hayes.
Here are some of the key reasons why Hayes is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
As a teacher, school administrator and union member (CEA and School Administrators [AFSA]), Hayes knows the power of public education and she will work to make sure that teachers are trained and have the resources they need to foster student success.
She wants to make college more affordable and more open to more students.
She favors comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship.
She supports the DREAM Act to help young people find a path to citizenship and access to higher education.
She wants to invest in community colleges and trade schools to support training programs and job creation.
She favors raising the minimum wage....
We Are Winning: The Working People Weekly List
AFL-CIO
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.
AFL-CIO Releases New Ad, 'We Are Winning': "The AFL-CIO today launched a television ad campaign highlighting the wave of collective action sweeping the country. From union organizing victories to the defeat of 'right to work' in Missouri, working people are on the rise. As AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka puts it, 'Something is happening in America....When we stand together, we have the power.'"
AFL-CIO Leads Solidarity Delegation to Brazil in Defense of Democracy: "From Aug. 13–18, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Tefere Gebre (UFCW) and AFL-CIO International Committee Co-chair Stuart Appelbaum (RWDSU/UFCW) led a delegation to Brazil to support Brazilian brothers and sisters dealing with the implementation of national 'right to work' legislation, and to show their solidarity with former Brazilian President and union leader Luiz Inácio 'Lula' da Silva, who was unjustly accused and convicted on...
AFL-CIO Leads Solidarity Delegation to Brazil in Defense of Democracy
Solidarity Center
From Aug. 13–18, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Tefere Gebre (UFCW) and AFL-CIO International Committee Co-chair Stuart Appelbaum (RWDSU/UFCW) led a delegation to Brazil to support Brazilian brothers and sisters dealing with the implementation of national "right to work" legislation, and to show their solidarity with former Brazilian President and union leader Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva, who was unjustly accused and convicted on corruption charges earlier this year and has been inhibited from campaigning freely as a candidate in the upcoming Brazilian presidential elections. Representatives from UAW, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), United Steelworkers (USW) and UNI Global Union also participated in the delegation.
As Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) and executive vice president of the UFCW said at the outset of the delegation: "At a time when we are witnessing attacks on democracy, social justice and working people at every turn and in so many places, it is more important...
This Labor Day, Raise the 'Steaks' the Ethical Way
Labor 411
Many of you will be spending a portion of Labor Day weekend with the grill of your dreams. So when you "meat" up with friends, be sure to raise the "steaks" for your holiday barbecue with these delicious favorites made by ethical companies that treat their workers fairly, thereby helping to strengthen the middle class. Enjoy the holiday, and together we’ll grill our way to a stronger America.
Grilling Favorites
Ball Park franks
Butterball turkey tenderloins, drumsticks, burgers and franks
Dearborn Brand
Empire Kosher chicken and turkey
Farmer John
Foster Farms poultry
Hormel beef, pork and chicken franks
Omaha Steaks
Don’t Forget to Wash It Down
Bass Pale Ale
Bud and Bud Light
Coors Light
Killian’s Irish Red
Landshark Lager
Mad River Brewing Jamaican Red Ale
Miller Genuine Draft
Sam Adams
Barq’s Root Beer
Coca-Cola
Dr Pepper
Pepsi
This post originally appeared at Labor 411.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 08...
First Day Fairness: In the States Roundup
AFL-CIO
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.
Alabama AFL-CIO:
Alabama Organized Labor Awards Foundation held its 29th Awards Banquet Saturday evening. New inductees & 20 scholarships awarded. https://t.co/LwnDagHAFv
— Alabama AFL-CIO (@AlabamaAFLCIO) August 20, 2018
Arizona AFL-CIO:
Rising! Winning! Join A Union! | Organizing | AFL-CIO Video https://t.co/gP4CB5zHEn
— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) August 20, 2018
Arkansas AFL-CIO:
Our Union Family supporting our Union Brother, Alan Hughes, for Arkansas State House district 26!! Run, Alan, Run!! #arklabor #arkansas26 #diverserepresentation #1u #uswpaperworkers#usw https://t.co/YGmoy1cbRo
— Arkansas AFL-CIO (@ArkansasAFLCIO) August 19, 2018...
Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Tim Walz
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'll be taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tim Walz.
Here are some of the key reasons why Walz is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
As a former educator and union member (Education Minnesota, an affiliate of both the AFT and the National Education Association), he knows that union membership is the surest pathway to the middle class; and he will oppose assaults on the right to collective bargaining, such as "right to work."
Walz wants to increase the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour.
He puts his money where his mouth is, as everyone in his campaign is paid a living wage and gets benefits.
Walz wants to improve and expand safe and sick time laws, including coverage for broader issues, such as domestic violence recovery to long-term care.
He supports fair scheduling rules that make sure working people...
