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We Are Angry: In the States Roundup We Are Angry: In the States Roundup 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. Alaska AFL-CIO:
Pres. @vincebeltrami's statement about attempted coup in our nation’s capital: "We. Are. Angry. Angry at an assault on our nation’s hallowed capital and our elected representatives . . .” @lisamurkowski @SenDanSullivan @repdonyoung Read full statement: https://t.co/3SlcsY7TJj pic.twitter.com/7UiQlLiRyf — Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) January 8, 2021
California Labor Federation:Late stage capitalism in action. Here's your daily reminder to join your union. https://t.co/BlVyEwJJJS — California Labor Federation (@CaliforniaLabor) January 11, 2021
Connecticut AFL-CIO:Research shows that unionized health facilities have better patient outcomes and are more likely to correct workplace hazards. Union nursing homes have lower #COVID19 mortality rates, better access to PPE & stronger infection control measures. #JoinAUnion https://t.co/fIEaD9paHO — Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) January 12, 2021
Florida AFL-CIO:“Three weeks after President Trump moved to extend unemployment benefits, countless Floridians have still not gotten any payments — cutting off a crucial lifeline for workers who lost jobs to the pandemic.”https://t.co/NJVEomO1n7 — Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) January 12, 2021
Georgia State AFL-CIO:Weekends became lit dropping. Afternoons became postcard writing. Evenings became phone banking. For months, union volunteers and community orgs worked tirelessly to #FlipTheSenate. Why? Because Georgia deserves better. Workers deserve better. We deserve better. And we did this! pic.twitter.com/zN3hD06Dsl — Georgia AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOGeorgia) January 6, 2021
Iowa Federation of Labor:Attempted Coup an Unconscionable Assault on Democracy https://t.co/9RVwbzq5Km — Iowa AFL-CIO (@IowaAFLCIO) January 7, 2021
Maine AFL-CIO:A new book chronicles the militancy of Maine paper makers against Wall Street Greed. https://t.co/XQUIwS3RpS #mepolitics #LaborHistory — Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) January 8, 2021
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:The @massaflcio commends President-Elect @JoeBiden for his nomination of @marty_walsh to the position of Secretary of the Department of Labor. Thread 👇 pic.twitter.com/TlKETdHirW — Massachusetts AFL-CIO // #VotersDecided (@massaflcio) January 8, 2021
Michigan AFL-CIO:The General Board of the @AFLCIO is calling on Donald Trump to resign or be removed from office at once. Read the full statement 🧵👇 https://t.co/eBTNrJqCyn — Michigan AFL-CIO 😷 (@MIAFLCIO) January 8, 2021
Minnesota AFL-CIO:MNA Nurses Urge Lawmakers to Pass Emergency Leave Bill https://t.co/JdIliPAckJ #1u #mnleg @mnnurses — Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) January 12, 2021
Missouri AFL-CIO:Great turnout for the #ResignHawley action today in St. Louis. Senator Hawley Needs to resign following his incitement of insurrection at the Capitol riots. pic.twitter.com/PwGlyBHhpW — Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) January 12, 2021
Nebraska State AFL-CIO:The 1.6.21 attack on our country is the consequence of a lie by a president who refuses to accept that millions of us turned out to stand with and for each other and elect Joe Biden by overwhelming margins. #RemoveNow — NE State AFL-CIO (@NEAFLCIO) January 12, 2021
New Jersey State AFL-CIO:2021 is a new year of challenges and opportunities as governmental bodies in Washington and across New Jersey get organized.https://t.co/iSDJ8cItx8 — New Jersey AFL-CIO (@NJAFLCIO) January 11, 2021
New York State AFL-CIO:History repeats itself: Amid crisis, Cuomo hopes to fuel optimism in State of the State - NY Hero Act, tax increases to support vital services. “This will take bold leadership," Cilento said. https://t.co/en1rIUpjXj via @TheBuffaloNews — NYS AFL-CIO // #VotersDecided (@NYSAFLCIO) January 10, 2021
North Dakota AFL-CIO:https://t.co/1xyctUmW58 — North Dakota AFL-CIO (@NDAFLCIO) January 8, 2021
Ohio AFL-CIO:Today, @RichardTrumka laid out the @AFLCIO #WorkerFirstAgenda. See it here:https://t.co/oKotYQCmgB — Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) January 12, 2021
Oklahoma State AFL-CIO:2021 CLUW QUILT The Greater OKC Chapter is now starting to collect shirts for their 2021 T-Shirt Quilt. They are also accepting donated Local Union Masks to go into the 2021 Quilt. Please send donations to: Central Oklahoma Labor Federation 3400 South Wester Ave OKC OK 73109 — Oklahoma AFL-CIO (@OK_AFL_CIO) January 12, 2021
Oregon AFL-CIO:It's no surprise to see school staff across the country doing whatever it takes to help students learn in these difficult times.@AFTunion @AFTOregon @OSEA6732 https://t.co/kxzzOkoIqo — Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) January 12, 2021
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:It's not enough to call these workers heroes. #StayHome. #StaySafe. #WearAMask . Wash your hands. And, send your thoughts and prayers of Solidarity to those who need it most. @mcallguild https://t.co/YDqE7DifZE — PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) January 11, 2021
Rhode Island AFL-CIO:#1u #FightFor15 #minimumwage https://t.co/CGS0iWR6cU — Rhode Island AFL-CIO (@riaflcio) January 12, 2021
Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council:TAKE ACTION! As legislators get to work today at noon, working families are still under attack. Sen. @BrianKelsey's push to enshrine TN's harmful Right to Work law in the state constitution is still underway. Ask your lawmaker to vote "NO" on SJR 0002! https://t.co/GGsEnw2KNH — Tennessee AFL-CIO (@tnaflcio) January 12, 2021
Texas AFL-CIO:Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy and Secretary-Treasurer Montserrat Garibay posted this statement on Tuesday’s opening of the 87th session of the Texas Legislature. #1u #txlege #FairShothttps://t.co/QdcbSMCujF — Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) January 12, 2021
Washington State Labor Council:The COVID-19 pandemic has made clearer than ever the inequities and unfairness rooted deep in our economy. #waleg #EssentialWorkers https://t.co/gjojF5MZby — Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) January 8, 2021
West Virginia AFL-CIO:Parkersburg Labor Council AFL-CIO president Andrew Stump: “It’s not just about organizations, it’s about helping the children in our community." 👍👊 https://t.co/KWqhnDwRaz — West Virginia AFLCIO (@WestVirginiaAFL) January 5, 2021
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:What can Biden do to reverse Trump's assault on labor rights? https://t.co/NxdEL2vMd2 — WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) January 12, 2021
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 01/13/2021 - 09:07 — Jan 13 -
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Sacramento Central Labor Council Brings Holiday Joy to Children with Disabilities Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Sacramento Central Labor Council Brings Holiday Joy to Children with Disabilities Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. The Sacramento Central Labor Council delivered groceries to more than 200 union families in need during the holidays, and 450 kids also received a present from Santa. Santa visited the Ralph Richardson Center to deliver teddy bears and take pictures (all socially distanced) with students. Also, in a continuation of a six-year tradition, the council passed out teddy bears from a fire truck (with union member Santa) to children with special needs at Starr-King K–8 School in Sacramento. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 01/12/2021 - 08:40 Tags: Organizing, COVID-19 — Jan 12
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At Once: The Working People Weekly List At Once: The Working People Weekly List Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List. AFL-CIO Calls on Trump to Resign or be Removed from Office 'At Once': "The AFL-CIO called on President Trump to resign or be removed from office 'at once, whether through impeachment or the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,' following the riots at the U.S. Capitol this week. The labor group’s general board released the statement Friday, saying it is not one America's labor movement makes lightly. 'The deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob looking to overturn the results of a free and fair election, encouraged and inspired by President Donald Trump, was one of the greatest attacks on our democracy in American history. And the fact that trespassers were allowed to roam the halls of Congress without consequence is one of the latest examples of why we must tear down the systems and abiders of white supremacy,' the AFL-CIO General Board said." AFL-CIO Head Says Walsh Will Be 'Exceptional' Labor Secretary: "The president of the AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest federation of unions, praised President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh (D) for secretary of Labor, calling the mayor an 'exceptional' choice. 'Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will be an exceptional Labor secretary for the same reason he was an outstanding mayor: he carried the tools. As a longtime union member, Walsh knows that collective bargaining is essential to building back better by combating inequality, beating COVID-19 and expanding opportunities for immigrants, women and people of color,' Richard Trumka said in a statement Thursday." Union Leaders Join in Blaming Trump for Insurrection, Coup Attempt: "Union leaders blamed GOP White House occupant Donald Trump for the violent insurrection which saw thousands of white nationalist domestic terrorists overrun the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Union leaders, including AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and particularly National Nurses United Executive Director Bonnie Castillo, declared Trump is liable for inciting the insurrection. She called for punishment but did not suggest how. 'The president has been encouraging sedition. No one is above the law,' said Castillo. 'He is responsible for the scenes we have seen today at the Capitol and he should be held accountable.' 'We are witnessing one of the greatest assaults on our democracy since the Civil War. Today’s attempted coup has been years in the making as Donald Trump consistently spews venom, conspiracies, hate, and lies to his supporters,' Trumka said in a statement." How Unions Helped Georgia Flip the Senate: "In the Georgia Senate runoff elections on January 5, Democrats Jon Ossoff and the Reverend Raphael Warnock unseated Trump-supporting incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue by margins of less than 80,000 votes—abetted by what a UNITE HERE! leader calls an 'unprecedented ground game' by labor unions. 'In the last couple weeks, we were talking to 15,000 people a day,' says Gwen Mills, the secretary-treasurer of the 300,000-member hotel and food-service workers union. During the six-week runoff campaign, according to Mills, UNITE HERE! had more than 1,000 members knocking on people’s doors in the Atlanta and Columbus areas a total of 1.5 million times." Flight Attendant Union Wants Pro-Trump Rioters Barred from Flights: "The country’s largest flight attendant unions on Wednesday expressed safety concerns over politically motivated disruptions on flights after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol building, demanding that the results of the presidential election be overturned. 'The mob mentality behavior that took place on several flights to the D.C. area yesterday was unacceptable and threatened the safety and security of every single person onboard,' said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents some 50,000 cabin crew members at United, Alaska and more than a dozen other carriers. The riots at the Capitol 'create further concern about [participants’] departure from the D.C. area,' Nelson said. 'Acts against our democracy, our government and the freedom we claim as Americans must disqualify these individuals from the freedom of flight.'" Alphabet Employees and Contractors Form a Labor Union: "Google is getting its first labor union. Approximately 230 workers out of the 130,000-plus employees and contractors at Alphabet joined forces on Monday to launch the tech giant's first labor union. Unlike labor unions such as the AFL-CIO, this one is 'not seeking ratification through a federal agency,' reports The Washington Post. Accordingly, the Alphabet Workers Union (AWU) will not have the power to collectively bargain with management. Instead, the union intends to jointly and 'actively push for real changes at the company,' including on such matters as discrimination, harassment, and various ethical questions about how the company runs its business." Glass Ceilings Shattered at American Federation of Musicians Local 47: Stephanie O’Keefe Elected First Female President; Danita Ng-Poss Is New Secretary-Treasurer: "Stephanie O’Keefe has been elected president of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, becoming the first woman president in the union’s 123-year history. John Acosta, who served three two-year terms as president, did not seek re-election. In the local’s other elections, Danita Ng-Poss has been elected secretary-treasurer—the first person of Asian descent to serve as a titled officer of the union—and Rick Baptist has been re-elected to a fourth term as vice president." Obituary: Byron W. Charlton: "How do you sum up a life? Byron W. Charlton, 81, of Lorton, VA., fondly known as 'Big Boy,' 'Chuck' and 'Uncle,' was born June 8, 1939, in Radford, Virginia, to the late Lawrence Charlton and Ollie Snell Charlton. Byron was an international affairs operative for the AFL-CIO at the height of the neo Cold War in the late ’70s and early ’80s. He worked in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. His stories from those times would chill your blood, and then leave you laughing. Byron also worked as the assistant to the executive director of the African American Labor Center at the AFL-CIO from 1984-1990. More than 30 years ago, Byron joined the staff of the AFL-CIO as a legislative representative. He worked on federal and postal worker legislation, and served as the chairman of the United Department of Defense Workers Coalition for the past 20 years. Byron loved his career so much when asked if he was going to retire he would respond by saying he intended to die at his desk." The Life in 'The Simpsons' Is No Longer Attainable: "Lisa needs braces at the same time that Homer’s dental plan evaporates. Unable to afford Lisa’s orthodontia without that insurance, Homer leads a strike. Mr. Burns, the boss, eventually capitulates to the union’s demand for dental coverage, resulting in shiny new braces for Lisa and one fewer financial headache for her parents. What would Homer have done today without the support of his union?" Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 01/11/2021 - 10:55 — Jan 11
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Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Alaska Public Employees Pay Off Student School Meal Balances Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Alaska Public Employees Pay Off Student School Meal Balances Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. With the pandemic hitting everyone economically, the members of the Alaska Public Employees Association/AFT elected to do what they could, paying off thousands of dollars of school meal balances. “The Juneau Education Support Staff (JESS) Local 6096 Executive Board started thinking about how to use the money in April. We all wanted to help families and students in the community, and as the pandemic continued we started realizing how everyone needed to have some kindness come into their lives—they needed good news,” said Catherine Pusich, the board’s public relations officer. The union paid off the balances for 564 students, totaling $7,446. Letters went out in the days before Christmas letting students and families know of the donation. “We have been able to see firsthand how this pandemic has affected some of our more vulnerable students, and this donation from JESS will at least take one thing off the table that they will not have to worry about,” said Elizabeth White, a union member and meal cashier at Sayèik: Gastineau Community School. “We are pleased that they saw fit to use the money to take care of the families that are close to our hearts.” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 01/11/2021 - 10:39 Tags: Organizing, COVID-19 — Jan 11
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Economy Loses 140,000 Jobs in December; Unemployment Remains at 6.7% Economy Loses 140,000 Jobs in December; Unemployment Remains at 6.7% The U.S. economy lost 140,000 jobs in December, and the unemployment rate remained at 6.7%, according to figures released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The losses reflect an increase in cases related to the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to respond to the pandemic. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler (IBEW) pointed out the important takeaway from the new numbers:
Beyond the headline: BLACK AND LATINA women accounted for all net job losses. Women of color have faced an infuriatingly disproportionate economic fallout from COVID-19. #1u https://t.co/20KBgBkR4v— Liz Shuler (@lizshuler) January 9, 2021
In response to the December job numbers, AFL-CIO Chief Economist William Spriggs tweeted:The @BLS_gov reported that 15.8 million persons reported they lost work during the previous four weeks because COVID affected their employer, an increase of 1 million over November. @AFLCIO #JobsDay— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) January 8, 2021
While temporary layoffs increased in December, the number reporting working less than full-time, but wanting full-time work fell by 471,000 according to the @BLS_gov @AFLCIO #JobsDay— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) January 8, 2021
In a reversal, in December the number of unemployed reporting being on temporary layoff increased by 277,000 while those reporting permanent layoff status decreased by 348,000 according to @BLS_gov @AFLCIO #JobsDay— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) January 8, 2021
After a string of months of recovery, @BLS_gov reports leisure and hospitality industries reported job losses in December: 327,000 decline for food service and drinking establishments. This is a big set back for those workers. @AFLCIO #JobsDay— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) January 8, 2021
The year-over-year change in hourly wages reported by the @BLS_gov for December reflects a change in composition of the workforce, with a much bigger drop in the low wage sectors leading the change. Look at how nominal wages in manufacturing are flat. @AFLCIO #JobsDay pic.twitter.com/Jh1QI1bNpT— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) January 8, 2021
The unemployment rate for adult Black women fell from 9.0 to 8.4%, because of a drop in labor force participation (the share employed fell from 55.0 to 54.5%); for adult Black men unemployment fell from 11.2 to 10.4% from job gains. @rolandsmartin— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) January 8, 2021
The share of the unemployed who are long-term unemployed (more than 27 weeks) continues to grow. This means a rising share of workers are finding it hard to escape. This will make getting the number to fall harder. And the need to extend unemployment benefit duration essential. pic.twitter.com/xdXozquqBH— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) January 8, 2021
President @JoeBiden will be greeted with a labor market that is again deteriorating, having given back its momentum, and now at a level around 2014. It'll have to be rescued again. @AFLCIO pic.twitter.com/ClD6VUwHII— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) January 8, 2021
The flat employment-to-population ratio over October-November and now December is making the recovery look like a square root sign. Clearly the delay from Mitch McConnell in passing @SpeakerPelosi May economic relief stagnated the labor market. Looking forward to @SenSchumer pic.twitter.com/KUsxLWXW0s— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) January 8, 2021
Mitch McConnell held up needed relief because he refused to address this dramatic loss of public sector jobs. A silver lining to the December jobs report is we now have Senate Majority leader @SenSchumer and in 12 days President @JoeBiden pic.twitter.com/bLN3WSVCju— William E. Spriggs (@WSpriggs) January 8, 2021
Last month's biggest job losses were in leisure and hospitality (-498,000), private education (-63,000), government (-45,000) and other services (-22,000). Gains were seen in professional and business services (161,000), retail trade (121,000), construction (51,000), transportation and warehousing (47,000), health care (39,000), manufacturing (38,000) and wholesale trade (25,000). Employment in other major industries, including mining, information and financial activities, showed little change in December. In December, the unemployment rates increased for teenagers (16%) and Hispanics (9.3%). The jobless rates for Black Americans (9.9%), adult men (6.4%), adult women (6.3%), White Americans (6%) and Asian Americans (5.9%) showed little change. The number of long-term unemployed workers (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) rose slightly in December and accounted for 37.1% of the total unemployed. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 01/11/2021 - 10:11 — Jan 11
AFL-CIO Blog
- We Are Angry: In the States Roundup
- Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Sacramento Central Labor Council Brings Holiday Joy to Children with Disabilities
- At Once: The Working People Weekly List
- Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Alaska Public Employees Pay Off Student School Meal Balances
- Economy Loses 140,000 Jobs in December; Unemployment Remains at 6.7%