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Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Colorado AFL-CIO Fights to End the Exploitation of Farmworkers Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Colorado AFL-CIO Fights to End the Exploitation of Farmworkers 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. On César Chávez Day, the Colorado General Assembly passed a joint resolution recognizing César Chávez. However, Colorado does not give farmworkers basic rights under the law. The Colorado AFL-CIO has been fighting to pass S.B. 21087 to make Colorado’s laws reflect our values such as dignity and respect on the job. “In 1929, Colorado State Federation officials helped 500 beet workers at Fort Lupton apply for an AFL charter. However, the Great Western Sugar Company ran a number of members off the job. We are fighting for the same basic rights and protections for agricultural workers that those beet workers deserved 90 years ago,” said Dennis Dougherty (IBEW), executive director of the Colorado AFL-CIO. The bill would allow farmworkers to organize, bargain and strike, granting them protections other workers get from the Colorado Labor Peace Act. It requires agricultural employers to pay overtime when workers exceed 12 hours per day or 40 hours per week. It also requires agricultural employers pay the state minimum wage of $12.32 an hour. Currently farms and ranches are exempted and are only required to pay the federal minimum wage. The bill also would limit the use of the short-handled hoe, a tool that has become a symbol of oppression because of the pain that often occurs when workers bend over to use it. It also creates new protections for whistleblowers and sets new standards for housing and health. This bill is long overdue, and the state federation and allies are fighting to get it passed through the Legislature. On César Chávez Day, the Colorado AFL-CIO also released a video of labor activist Dolores Huerta calling on legislators to pass S.B. 21087. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 04/12/2021 - 09:00 Tags: Community Service, COVID-19 — Apr 12
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Not A Spectator Sport: The Working People Weekly List Not A Spectator Sport: 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. 'Passing the PRO Act Is Not a Spectator Sport': AFL-CIO Leads National Day of Action: "The AFL-CIO is encouraging people to call U.S. senators on Thursday to urge them to support the passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, a historic piece of legislation that would significantly strengthen workers' right to form unions and help reverse a decades-long assault on labor waged by corporations and their political allies. 'Passing the PRO Act is not a spectator sport. All of us must act—and act today by driving calls into the Senate,' AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka said Thursday. 'From Alabama to Alaska, we are going to make our case for an economic and political system that works for working people.'" Biden Is Rebuilding the National Labor Relations Board: "On his first day in office, President Joe Biden fired Peter Robb, the Trump-appointed general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the agency responsible for interpreting and enforcing federal labor law. A new report by the nonpartisan US Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows why Biden was right to fire Robb—and to do so quickly. The GAO found that Robb was dismantling the agency from the inside. He reduced staff size, destroyed employee morale, and failed to spend the money appropriated by Congress. This all occurred while Robb was pursuing an anti-worker, pro-corporate agenda." Stress on the Front Lines of COVID-19: "Worry, exhaustion, constantly changing safety rules and long hours of wearing PPE are just a few things America’s health-care workers cite as the hardest parts of going to work on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. Their work has saved countless lives but also taken a personal toll: 62% say worry or stress related to covid-19 has had a negative effect on their mental health. A 55% majority feel 'burned out' going to work. Nearly half of all health-care workers say worry or stress has caused them to have trouble sleeping or to sleep too much." Black Workers Being Left Behind as Economy Recovers from Pandemic: "In March, the unemployment rate for Black workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher was 4.7%, compared to 3.6% for white Americans, according to Labor Department data that’s not seasonally adjusted. To be sure, that gap did shrink from the prior month. The disparity is nearly double between Black and white workers who graduated high school, the data show. 'If even the best-educated Black person doesn’t do as well in the economy, then that must be discrimination,' said William Spriggs, chief economist at the AFL-CIO." The Filibuster Threatens Both Civil Rights and Workers’ Rights: "The GOP’s embrace of the filibuster to thwart President Biden’s legislative agenda reveals how the struggles to extend civil rights and labor rights are inextricably intertwined. The use of the anti-democratic device to block civil rights legislation is well known. In 1957, Senator Strom Thurman of South Carolina talked for 24 hours and 18 minutes to stall the first piece of federal civil rights legislation enacted since the Reconstruction era, a bill that empowered federal prosecutors to prevent interference with voting." Biden’s Infrastructure Package Is Designed to Boost Unions: "Many of the new jobs are likely to be union positions, because the plan targets sectors that already have high levels of union participation, said Greg Regan, president of the Transportation Trades Department, a coalition of unions in industries such as aviation and rail transit." Florida Labor Unions Say Proposal Will Lead to 'Disaster' for State Worker Pensions"'The people making these decisions fundamentally do not understand how pensions work,' AFL-CIO spokesman Rich Templin said. 'And the actions they are taking will prove disastrous.' Templin said over the next few days public sector labor union members will call, text, email, and talk in-person to lawmakers about the dangers lurking in the bill." ‘She-Wees’ and Plastic Bags: Amazon’s Pee Scandal Is Much Worse for Women: "Motherboard spoke to six women who have driven Amazon delivery vans during the past year. Some fast during work hours, even in the heat of the summer, to avoid wasting time finding a bathroom. Others either hold their pee for up to 10 hours, squat over trash bags, or purchase 'she-wees,' female urinals that cost roughly $13.99, on Amazon.com. An Amazon delivery driver trainer who works out of an Amazon warehouse in South Bend, Indiana, told Motherboard that drivers frequently dump bags or bottles with pee and poop on the side of the road. 'I am a trainer for my [delivery company] and I tell all the new girls to invest in a she-wee or you will not make it at this job,' she said. Motherboard granted the driver anonymity because she feared retaliation from her employer." Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/09/2021 - 10:16 — Apr 9
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Service + Solidarity Spotlight: On the Yellow Brick Road to Success: BAC Volunteers for Community Improvement Project in Hawaii Service + Solidarity Spotlight: On the Yellow Brick Road to Success: BAC Volunteers for Community Improvement Project in Hawaii 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. For many students who live near Kalihi Waena Elementary in Hawaii, the rainy winter months often mean walking through the mud to get to school. Now, thanks to the hard work and volunteerism of members of Bricklayers (BAC) Local 1, these students are getting a much-needed upgrade to their path to the school. The volunteer union members have started work on a new “yellow brick road” connecting nearby housing units to the school. The project also calls for fresh fruit trees to be planted along the route to school. “It feels wonderful to give back to the community and the volunteers came out not only just for the community, but for the strength of the union,” Ikaika Castillo, BAC training coordinator, told KITV. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 04/09/2021 - 09:30 Tags: Community Service, COVID-19 — Apr 9
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Pass the PRO Act: In the States Roundup Pass the PRO Act: 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:
Union or not, the PRO Act will benefit all working people in this country. It’s time to solidify the protections and rights workers were granted many decades ago. #PassThePROAct #1uLeave a message for @lisamurkowski and @SenDanSullivan by calling 866-832-1560 pic.twitter.com/wFKL12mZaT— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) April 7, 2021
Arizona AFL-CIO:✊ Shout out to the @PALF_AFLCIO on an amazing event yesterday! #PassThePROAct #Solidarity https://t.co/rYpeUUrHee— Arizona AFL-CIO // #PassThePROAct (@ArizonaAFLCIO) April 6, 2021
California Labor Federation:The decline in collective bargaining has ripped wages from the pockets of all workers, led to exploding income inequality & widened the gender & racial pay gap. #BuildBackBetter starts with stronger unions. We need to pass the #PROAct https://t.co/k7AOnjJ3ah— California Labor Federation (@CaliforniaLabor) April 8, 2021
Colorado AFL-CIO:A union contract is the single best tool we have to close racial and gender wage gaps in the workforce, and to ensure dignity and due process for workers, regardless of where we were born, who we are, or what industry we work in. #PassthePROAct pic.twitter.com/GMfkUkDAUV— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) April 8, 2021
Connecticut AFL-CIO:.@AFLCIO President Richard Trumka: "In every corner of the country, working people are crying out for change" #1u @UnionYES https://t.co/jB5W0ZbtLX— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) April 5, 2021
Florida AFL-CIO:Happening Now: Leaders and members of @SouthFlaAFLCIO, @BRAFLCIO, @PBTCAFLCIO, and the Southwest Florida Labor Chapter call for reform for Florida's failing unemployment system. https://t.co/djohjGEBXW— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) April 8, 2021
Georgia AFL-CIO:Union members in GA went above and beyond to elect two pro-worker, pro-union Senators.Now as the #PROAct advances to a Senate vote, we are proud & grateful that @ReverendWarnock and @ossoff are co-sponsors of this historic, generational labor law reform bill. #1u #PassThePROAct pic.twitter.com/7EfbQ2nL8d— Georgia AFL-CIO // Pass The #ProAct (@AFLCIOGeorgia) April 8, 2021
Indiana State AFL-CIO:Worry, exhaustion, constantly changing safety rules and long hours of wearing PPE are just a few things America’s health-care workers cite as the hardest parts of going to work on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.https://t.co/ZrTIXGTpL5— Indiana AFL-CIO (@INAFLCIO) April 7, 2021
Iowa Federation of Labor:PRO Act and Women in the Union https://t.co/mzx7igbRGK— Iowa AFL-CIO (@IowaAFLCIO) April 8, 2021
Kansas State AFL-CIO:I just wrote an email to tell lawmakers to protect schools by opposing CCR SB 175. Write one here: https://t.co/LuQV5eQo60— Kansas AFL-CIO (@KansasAFLCIO) April 8, 2021
Maine AFL-CIO:“There is no question that the company didn’t want to mess around this time. We are glad to see that Bath Iron Works came in and negotiated an honest and fair contract for Local 7 this time,” labor rep George Edwards of IAM District Lodge 4 said. https://t.co/lB31qWEvVg— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) April 6, 2021
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Call your Senators today and urge them to pass the #PROAct. Thank you @SenWarren and @SenMarkey for cosponsoring! #mapoli pic.twitter.com/f1xInY2t7L— Massachusetts AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@massaflcio) April 8, 2021
Minnesota AFL-CIO:Local 405 Laborer Laura Yoder Helps Reenergize Minnesota’s Wind Farms https://t.co/DAWFF2RFrf (via @MNBldgTrades) #1u @LIUNAMinnesota— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) April 6, 2021
Missouri AFL-CIO:A great tribute to Brother McVey. Rest in Peace, Duke. https://t.co/h1vqZPsEdB— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) April 7, 2021
Montana AFL-CIO:The PRO Act will ensure that this year's defeat of "right-to-work" legislation in Montana is secured for a generation. Please join us tomorrow for a live event with PRO Act co-sponsor, Senator Jon Tester. #mtpol #1u #PROAct pic.twitter.com/0ZI0es0qf7— Montana AFL-CIO (@MTaflcio) April 7, 2021
Nebraska AFL-CIO:Please go to this link to send an email to your Senator and tell them that protecting our Nebraska meatpacking workers is important! https://t.co/Yk7v7zXIgK— NE State AFL-CIO (@NEAFLCIO) March 31, 2021
Nevada State AFL-CIO:"Do the right thing. Put people back to work and let's save this state."🔊 LISTEN: Executive Secretary-Treasurer Rusty McAllister gives testimony in #NVLeg in support of @Nicole4Nevada's #SB386 to give thousands of workers the #RightToReturn to their jobs post-#COVID19. pic.twitter.com/5fkOBrua2V— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) April 7, 2021
New Hampshire AFL-CIO:HB348 will consequently reduce the quality of public services that our communities rely on to keep functioningBy targeting public sector employees specifically, this bill attacks the freedom of frontline workers to collectively bargainSay NO to HB348. #NHPolitics— NewHampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) April 8, 2021
New Jersey State AFL-CIO:The Union Veterans Council of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO today received timely updates on the PRO Act and the American Rescue Plan from a fellow veteran with union roots, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11th District.https://t.co/1MJ6oPumaH— New Jersey AFL-CIO (@NJAFLCIO) April 7, 2021
New York State AFL-CIO:#NYSBudget a Win for Organized Labor and Working People - “We thank @NYGovCuomo , Senate Majority Leader @AndreaSCousins and Assembly Speaker @CarlHeastie for passing a budget that lays the groundwork needed for our recovery." Full statement at https://t.co/YKRrzccxvA— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) April 7, 2021
North Carolina State AFL-CIO:"It takes a lot more than a union to win a union election, it takes a movement to win here in the South," says @marybemcmillan: https://t.co/arDe157EMG #1u #OrganizeTheSouth @FrankNewsUS @PaydayReport— NC State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct! (@NCStateAFLCIO) March 30, 2021
Ohio AFL-CIO:Members of the #Ohio @AFLCIO are excited to announce our endorsement of @sharettaforlima at the @UBCJA_Official hall. We are excited about the bright future of Lima with Sharetta leading the way! Included are @Uaw2b @GoIUPAT @steelworkers @ibew @UAPipeTrades just to name a few pic.twitter.com/No2Vieam97— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) April 8, 2021
Oklahoma State AFL-CIO:Call your legislators and ask them to vote NO on HB 2041 and HB 2083!! Just click here: https://t.co/JL2G7BtCvQ to get in touch with your legislator. pic.twitter.com/g361ORJRTt— Oklahoma AFL-CIO (@OK_AFL_CIO) April 7, 2021
Oregon AFL-CIO:Please join us to mourn all those who died as a result of workplace injury or illness and to honor their memory and legacy by dedicating ourselves to do everything we can to make work safe. https://t.co/r967aXUtz1— Oregon AFL-CIO / PASS THE PRO ACT (@OregonAFLCIO) April 8, 2021
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:We stand with you!! ✊ https://t.co/z2XrsHRIqS— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) April 1, 2021
Rhode Island AFL-CIO:McKee to sign landmark climate legislation https://t.co/D7btSmeAAW via @projo— Rhode Island AFL-CIO (@riaflcio) April 7, 2021
Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council:Thank you to the @sstandardnews for this profile of @tnaflcio President Billy Dycus! #1u https://t.co/Qu5BOsN8wB— Tennessee AFL-CIO (@tnaflcio) April 6, 2021
Texas AFL-CIO:Labor LIVE at 5! Texas State Employees Union Car Caravan/Lobby Day https://t.co/VVfJOh8ywN— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) April 5, 2021
Washington State Labor Council:“The war on drugs has particularly hurt Black, brown and Indigenous communities,” said Sybill Hyppolite, WSLC. “This bill provides a minimum statewide standard of protection from this punishment. This is an important step & we know more is needed to undo the war on drugs.” #WaLeg https://t.co/kzeZAsHcZO— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) April 7, 2021
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:ICYMI: Jill Underly Defeats Deborah Kerr In State Superintendent Election https://t.co/li2xlWvTHK— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) April 7, 2021
Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/08/2021 - 13:52 — Apr 8 -
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Massachusetts AFL-CIO Calls on Governor to Ensure Budget Supports Working Families Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Massachusetts AFL-CIO Calls on Governor to Ensure Budget Supports Working Families 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 Massachusetts AFL-CIO, led by President Steven Tolman (TCU/IAM), testified before the state’s Joint Ways and Means Committee to express concerns about the budget submitted by the governor. “This budget must support workers who have been and will continue to report to jobs outside of their homes to ensure that the public has access to the goods and services that our society has finally deemed ‘essential,’” Tolman said. “We must also ensure that unemployed and underemployed workers who are struggling to make ends meet have access to strong social safety nets that allow them to stay in their homes, maintain their healthcare coverage, and keep food on the table.” Among the specific concerns are provisions in the budget that would limit sick time for state employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, reduce funds for workforce development and weaken public bidding laws. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/08/2021 - 09:32 Tags: COVID-19, Community Service — Apr 8
AFL-CIO Blog
- Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Colorado AFL-CIO Fights to End the Exploitation of Farmworkers
- Not A Spectator Sport: The Working People Weekly List
- Service + Solidarity Spotlight: On the Yellow Brick Road to Success: BAC Volunteers for Community Improvement Project in Hawaii
- Pass the PRO Act: In the States Roundup
- Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Massachusetts AFL-CIO Calls on Governor to Ensure Budget Supports Working Families