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UFCW Local 227 Trailer Hits the Road to Help Members in Need
UFCW Local 227
The UFCW is into food, not fighting.
"But several people have approached our trailer, very excited because they thought we are the Ultimate Fighting Champions," Caitlin Blair said with a chuckle. "That’s always funny."
Blair is communications and political director of Louisville-based United Food and Commercial Workers Local 227 in Kentucky. The local is proud of its custom-made trailer that volunteers pull around the state, mainly to raise money for members in financial straits.
For the record: The UFC is mixed martial arts; the UFCW is a mix of workers employed in industry and retailing, mostly involving manufacturing, processing and selling foodstuffs.
Anyway, the big, four-wheel trailer, which features a fully equipped kitchen, is decorated with union logos and photos of Local 227 members superimposed over a waving Stars and Stripes. "A voice for working people" is emblazoned on the sides.
"Harold Embry did all the custom work on our trailer to make it the perfect way to bring people together," Blair said.
...
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.”
Working people are tearing down a broken status quo to advance our movement, build a fairer economy and usher in a more just society. Here are just a few of the recent wins the labor movement has secured in that fight:
262,000 working people joined unions last year—three-quarters of them younger than 35.
We elected pro-worker candidates in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Alabama and states across the country.
Right to work was voted down by two-thirds of Missouri voters, including half of Republicans.
The New York Times declared that the wind is at our back, while even The Wall Street Journal warned CEOs that unions are on the march.
Labor unions’ approval rating has risen to 61%, the highest in nearly 15 years....
AFT Identifies Companies that Profit from Family Separation Policies
AFT
One of the most heartbreaking news stories of 2018 is the Trump administration's decision to separate undocumented immigrant families that enter the United States.The AFL-CIO, the AFT and other advocates for working people have condemned this policy and called for families to be reunited. As part of this effort, the AFT has issued a new report to inform pension trustees and the working people they represent about companies that are profiting off of family separation and mass incarceration.
First, there are the companies that directly profit from the family separation policy. They build and operate the facilities used to detain immigrants or provide support services to those facilities. These companies include:
CoreCivic: Formerly known as Corrections Corporation of America, the nation's largest private prison company owns and operates eight immigration detention centers.
GEO Group: A company that operates private prisons and operates family detention centers.
General Dynamics: A top defense contractor, the company provides case...
Do They Care? What Working People Are Doing This Week
Bricklayers
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:
Our president is one of the greatest! https://t.co/x2AkDm28fe— APRI National (DC) (@APRI_National) August 15, 2018
Actors' Equity Association:
This week’s #EquityWorks highlight is of @AmericanPlayers. Read a quick overview of the current LORT Agreement here - https://t.co/sZsub3QPqi pic.twitter.com/Pe31fLA2zC— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) August 16, 2018
AFGE:
California AFGE members visited their state legislators yesterday to pass #AJR51 and send a message to Washington: #EOHellNO. pic.twitter.com/jHCJR4zgik— AFGE (@AFGENational) August 17, 2018
AFSCME:
Republican state legislator in Maine admits he was wrong about public-sector unions...
Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Rich Cordray
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 Ohio gubernatorial candidate Rich Cordray.
Here are some of the key reasons why Cordray is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
He has a record of fighting for working people. When he was attorney general of Ohio, he worked to recover more than $2 billion for teachers and retirees who were victims of fraud.
Cordray served as the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was created to protect families against corporate and Wall Street abuse. Under his leadership, financial institutions were forced to pay back nearly $12 billion to more than 30 million Americans.
While attorney general, he launched programs to help working families plan for their retirement goals.
Cordray is a proponent of Medicaid expansion.
His "Reduced Costs, Reliable Coverage" plan will increase...
Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Andy Levin
Andy Levin for Congress
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 going to take a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Michigan congressional candidate Andy Levin.
Here are some of the key reasons why Levin is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
Levin wants to make increasing living standards a part of all trade deals.
He favors raising the minimum wage.
Levin said he wants to focus on restoring the freedom of working people to organize and bargain collectively.
He wants to expand paid family leave.
Levin will fight for equal pay and benefits for all women, particularly women of color.
In Michigan, he became the state's first chief workforce officer and created a program, "No Worker Left Behind," which helped more than 162,000 Michiganders get workforce training and another 120,000 get new jobs.
He will fight Republican attempts to undermine and privatize Social Security. ...
A Huge Win: 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.
A Huge Win for Organized Labor in Missouri: "'The defeat of this poisonous anti-worker legislation is a victory for all workers across the country,' declared AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka as the results came in Tuesday night. 'The message sent by every single person who worked to defeat Prop. A is clear: When we see an opportunity to use our political voice to give workers a more level playing field, we will seize it with overwhelming passion and determination. Tonight is the latest act of working people changing a rigged system that for decades has been favoring corporations, the mega wealthy and the privileged few.'"
Unions Triumph at the Ballot Box: "Something is happening in America. Missouri, riding a nationwide wave of victories for working people, on Tuesday became the first state in history to overturn a so-called right-to-work law by popular vote. It was an incredible display of the labor...
Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams for Governor
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 going to take a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
Here are some of the key reasons why Abrams is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
She is the only gubernatorial candidate to propose a detailed jobs plan.
Abrams introduced Georgia's Advanced Energy Jobs Plan to deliver tens of thousands of high-wage jobs.
In a visit to Ironworkers Local 709, she noted that her jobs program would increase registered apprenticeships in the state from 8,000 to 22,000 by 2022.
As co-founder of financial services firm NOW Account and other small businesses, she has helped create and retain jobs in the state.
Abrams wants to use old buildings to turn the city of Macon into a hub for renewable energy such as hydro, biomass, wind and solar.
She received the Friend of Labor award for her...
Ethical Camping Essentials
Labor 411
Ah, the great outdoors. The fresh air, the sounds of nature, the s’mores! That’s right. When you’re planning an outdoor vacation during the final weeks of summer, you’ll need a bunch of supplies, both fun and practical. Whether you’re protecting against the elements or putting together a decadent fireside treat, Labor 411 reminds you to shop for ethical American-made brands manufactured by companies that treat their workers fairly. Enjoy the outdoors, and together we’ll camp our way to a stronger America.
S’mores
Campfire marshmallows
Chocolate – Ghirardelli, Hershey, Cadbury
Honey Maid graham crackers
Grill
Weber
Hammocks
Algoma Net
Outdoor Clothing
AFL-CIO union-made gear
All American Clothing Co.
Carhartt
Coffee
Eight O’Clock coffee
Folgers
Maxwell House
Millstone coffee
USA Coffee Company
Hot Cocoa
Ghirardelli
Swiss Miss
Coolers
Rubbermaid
Sunscreen
Bain de Soleil
Coppertone
This post originally...
Hard Work Pays Off In Missouri: 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:
The Alabama AFL-CIO held its endorsement convention on August 2-3, 2018 at the Embassy Suites, in Montgomery, Alabama.https://t.co/YJHKRJ3h7r— Alabama AFL-CIO (@AlabamaAFLCIO) August 6, 2018
Arizona AFL-CIO:
Some are calling this the "Missouri Miracle." Nonsense. This victory was no miracle; it was hard work by dedicated Missouri union members with the help of our brothers and sisters from all over the U.S. including Arizona. https://t.co/CvZySyNTZH— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) August 8, 2018
Arkansas AFL-CIO:
"The November election has been tailored to delight the business lobby, with the exception of one proposal that would upset its legislative apple cart. Working men and women beware." -Ark Times https://t.co/upuxIzj9KI ^JH #arklabor #NoOn1 #protectarfamilies @ARlaborradio...
