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Support Locked-Out Boilermakers in Montana
Boilermakers
On Aug. 2, Imerys locked out members of the Boilermakers (IBB) and brought in replacements at its talc plant in Three Forks, Montana. The lockout comes after Imerys consistently has refused to back down from its anti-worker contract proposal. The proposed contract would eliminate retiree health insurance, seniority, overtime over eight hours, double-time pay for overtime and the current defined contribution 401(k) plan, and would freeze the defined pension plan.
The Three Forks plant is French-owned Imerys’ most profitable site, generating more than $1 million profit monthly. Despite this, the company wants to gut the workers’ contract. These working people fought back, and Imerys locked them out.
Here are six ways you can help the locked-out workers:
1. Join the picket line: Our union brothers and sisters and their friends and neighbors will be picketing every day at the Imerys talc plant at 2150 Bench Road in Three Forks.
2. Call and tell Imerys to end the lockout: The phone number is (406) 404-0422.
3. Give Imerys a one-star review on...
Missouri's Working People Overwhelmingly Reject Right to Work
Missouri AFL-CIO
Last night was historic for working people in Missouri. Wealthy corporate interests tried to use their money to rig the system in favor of the 1%. But Missourians rejected the cynical power grab by an overwhelming 2-1 majority. Something big is happening with America’s working people—something that will bring change—and last night was just the latest evidence of this groundswell.
Missouri AFL-CIO President Mike Louis said:
Working people made our voices heard at the ballot box today and overturned “right to work.” It’s a truly historic moment. Thousands of hardworking men and women in Missouri talked to their neighbors, friends and co-workers. We owe them this victory. Together, we knocked on more than 800,000 doors, made more than 1 million phone calls and talked to working people on more than 1,000 different job sites across the state. Tonight we celebrate, but tomorrow we’re getting back to work. We’re going to take this energy and momentum and build more power for working people in Missouri.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka...
What You Need to Know About the Vote on Missouri's Prop. A Today
Missouri AFL-CIO
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.
Both major newspapers in Missouri have come out in opposition to Prop. A. From The Kansas City Star's editorial:
A no vote on Tuesday would repeal the "right to work" law. A yes vote would make Missouri a "right to work" state, which would be a costly mistake....
Workplace policies that protect employees and boost middle-class incomes are what Missouri needs most.
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Missouri voters should vote no and reject this blatant attempt to weaken labor bargaining rights.
Support for Prop A can only weaken workers’ bargaining rights for higher pay.
Prop A asks workers to give up too many collective bargaining rights in a Hail Mary attempt to improve Missouri’s business climate. Don’t buy proponents’ assertions. Vote no.
Dispatch columnist Tony Messenger explained further:
It suggests that Proposition A, which Missourians...
Vote 'No' on Prop. A: 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.
He Will Vote No on Proposition A: "In our next election we will be able to vote no or yes to Proposition A, 'Right to Work.' I sure hope voters will give it a lot of thought in which way they are going to vote. In right-to-work states you don’t have to belong to the union where you work. But I’m sure that when the union negotiates a new contract, those nonunion members will get the same raise, the same new benefits as union members."
Messenger: Dishonest Campaign Tries to Pit Union Workers Against the Middle Class: "It suggests that Proposition A, which Missourians will vote on Aug. 7, will protect workers from out-of-control union bosses. The mailer is an attempt to confuse voters, and when it comes to Proposition A, it’s easy to get confused, because the initiative’s route to the ballot was circuitous."
We Are Stronger with Our Allies: What Working People Are Doing This Week: "...
Economy Gains 157,000 Jobs in July; Unemployment Little Changed at 3.9%
The U.S. economy gained 157,000 jobs in July, and unemployment was little changed at 3.9%, 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 did the right thing to hold off on further rate hikes. It would be well-advised to continue on that cautious path.
In response to the July jobs numbers, AFL-CIO Chief Economist William Spriggs tweeted:
Job growth is modest at 157,000 jobs in July but unemployment rate edges down to 3.9 percent. Broadest measure of labor slack U-6, including part-time wanting full-time work and discouraged workers falls to 7.5 percent. All below pre-Recession levels. @AFLCIO— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) August 3, 2018
Year over year, average hourly earnings rose 2.7%. With modest job growth, confirms it was a good idea for the @federalreserve to pause on raising interest rates this week. #JobsReport @AFLCIO— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) August 3, 2018
Sign that there...
Trumka: 'Working People Are Taking Matters into Our Own Hands'
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AFL‑CIO President Richard Trumka (UMWA) spoke to reporters Wednesday at The Christian Science Monitor breakfast, highlighting the wave of collective action sweeping the country. “We’re living through the kind of defining moment that can leave its mark for a generation,” he said. “A moment that will determine what kind of economy we work in and what kind of society we live in.”
Working people aren’t backing down from the challenges we face; we’re surging to collective action. Working people are rising to the moment, and if you want to see the evidence, look to the streets. That was AFL‑CIO President Richard Trumka’s message to a gaggle of reporters. Here are a few highlights from his remarks:
The fact is working people are taking matters into our own hands. We’re looking inward to position ourselves to shape the future of work and the labor movement. We’re organizing. We’re mobilizing. And we’re winning.
Our job this election season is to secure that promise for even more working people by filling the halls of power with genuine champions of...
We Are Stronger with Our Allies: What Working People Are Doing This Week
Domestic Workers Alliance
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:
#ICYMI @APRI_National Prez Clayola Brown was a guest on @MachinistsUnion #ActivateLive https://t.co/97LoT4oJO5
— APRI National (DC) (@APRI_National) July 20, 2018
Actors' Equity:
We are currently accepting nominations for the #PaulRobeson Award! But did you know that between Equity and @ActorsEquityFdn, we have over a dozen other awards? Visit our website to find out more! https://t.co/OeRhnaQMmK
— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) July 30, 2018
AFGE:
We're sending a huge THANK YOU to the union members, lawmakers, and countless others who wore their #...
Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Tina Smith
Minnesota 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 going to take a look at the best candidates for working people. Today we feature Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota.
Here are some of the key reasons why Smith is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
While working with Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, Smith has helped bring down the state's unemployment rate to one of the lowest in the country. Their policies also helped close the racial economic gap.
She strongly supports expanding paid family and medical leave.
Smith has introduced legislation to develop local partnerships that train and provide skills for people seeking jobs or career advancement.
She has helped develop programs that give young people career paths outside the traditional four-year college.
While serving as lieutenant governor, she has helped expand MinnesotaCare to provide access to quality, affordable health care throughout the state.
Smith is...
One Week Left in Missouri
AFL-CIO
In just one week, working people in Missouri will have the opportunity to reject “right to work” at the ballot box.
Driving an all-hands-on-deck effort to defeat Prop. A, working people are tirelessly knocking on doors, making phone calls and doing everything in our power to win hearts and minds and turn out the vote.
Right to work is a direct attack on working families and our unions. So when politicians in Missouri rammed through this legislation last year, the labor movement immediately sprang into action to place a veto referendum on the ballot.
With one week left in this campaign, we’re keeping up the momentum in the fight to defend workers’ values and stand up to corporate greed.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. In states with right to work, wages are lower, schools are worse off and workplaces are more dangerous.
Working people in Missouri are fired up about this vote and more committed than ever to defeating the out-of-state corporate interests driving this wrongheaded law.
Working people are united in the effort to protect our freedoms and rights...
Historic Victory at Telemundo: Worker Wins
Our latest roundup of worker wins begins with a breakthrough contract for Spanish-speaking performers at Telemundo and includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
Spanish-Language Performers at Telemundo Win Historic First Contract: Spanish-language performers for Telemundo Television Studios tentatively agreed to their first contract after 15 months of negotiations. Pablo Azar, a performer and negotiating committee chair, said, "We applaud Telemundo for working together with us to achieve this agreement. I am so proud to be part of the team that helped establish our first union contract with its health benefits, residuals, and other protections. This agreement reaffirms that a strong union contract goes hand in hand with successful programming."
Fast Company Voluntarily Recognizes Employee Union: Working people at Fast Company had their organizing efforts rewarded when the magazine's management voluntarily recognized Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), as the representative for the newly formed unit. WGAE Executive Director Lowell...
