AFL-CIO Blog

  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Washington State Labor Council Launches First-of-Its-Kind Naturalization Legal Aid Program
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Washington State Labor Council Launches First-of-Its-Kind Naturalization Legal Aid Program The Stand 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 Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) is launching a program to offer legal aid to permanent residents seeking naturalization. The program will prioritize union members, helping members obtain the resources and legal aid needed to become citizens. In places like Yakima, permanent residents in the state who work in agriculture often are denied access to the political process, preventing them from using their voices to effectively advocate for safety and better work conditions. “What we’ve seen in Yakima County is that you have ranchers that have the capital power to do things like union-busting, or lobby and spend money on trying to create policies that are anti-labor,” said Dulce Gutiérrez (OPEIU), an organizer with WSLC. “With a largely immigrant workforce, it’s difficult, sometimes impossible, for working people to advocate for themselves and their families.” The new program will help permanent residents navigate the process for naturalization and help them register to vote, so they have a voice in choosing the elected officials who make policies that directly affect their lives. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 08/13/2020 - 10:58 Tags: Community Service, COVID-19 — Aug 13
  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: New Jersey Unions Distribute 2,000 Food Kits to Unemployed Workers During Heavy Rain
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: New Jersey Unions Distribute 2,000 Food Kits to Unemployed Workers During Heavy Rain New Jersey AFL-CIO 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. Driving rain and thunder couldn’t stop New Jersey’s working people from helping out Atlantic City families struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. The New Jersey State AFL-CIO, in connection with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, distributed more than 2,000 food kits to laid-off union members and their families. Volunteers from the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the Operating Engineers (IUOE) and UNITE HERE helped Operation Feed Atlantic City go smoothly. The state federation plans to continue similar food distribution events as long as there is a need and President Charles Wowkanech (IUOE) attributes the success of the program to the generosity of the affiliates and members throughout the state. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 08/12/2020 - 13:58 Tags: COVID-19, Community Service — Aug 12
  • Working People Demand Action: In the States Roundup
    Working People Demand Action: 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. Alaska State AFL-CIO: Arizona AFL-CIO: California Labor Federation: Colorado AFL-CIO: Florida AFL-CIO: Georgia State AFL-CIO: Indiana State AFL-CIO: Iowa Federation of Labor: Kentucky State AFL-CIO: Maine AFL-CIO: Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO: Massachusetts AFL-CIO: Michigan State AFL-CIO: Minnesota AFL-CIO: Missouri AFL-CIO: Nevada State AFL-CIO: New Jersey State AFL-CIO: New York State AFL-CIO: North Carolina State AFL-CIO: Ohio AFL-CIO: Oklahoma State AFL-CIO: Oregon AFL-CIO: Pennsylvania AFL-CIO: Rhode Island AFL-CIO: Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council: Texas AFL-CIO: Virginia AFL-CIO: Washington State Labor Council: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO: Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 08/12/2020 - 12:10 — Aug 12
  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Colorado Restaurant Workers Rally for Unemployment Insurance Extension and Distribute Groceries to Unemployed Workers
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Colorado Restaurant Workers Rally for Unemployment Insurance Extension and Distribute Groceries to Unemployed Workers Chase Woodruff 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. Colorado Restaurant Workers United, a joint project of Denver DSA and UNITE HERE Local 23, rallied outside of U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner’s downtown Denver office in support of the extension of federal unemployment benefits. In addition to delivering the message “We Feed You, Don’t Let Us Starve,” the participating organizations bagged and distributed groceries to unemployed working families. Participating along with Restaurant Workers United were Local 23, the Colorado AFL-CIO, the Denver Area Labor Federation, Denver DSA, SEIU Local 105 and Colorado Jobs With Justice. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 08/11/2020 - 10:06 Tags: COVID-19, Community Service — Aug 11
  • Protect and Enhance Essential: What Working People Are Doing This Week
    Protect and Enhance Essential: What Working People Are Doing This Week 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. Actors' Equity: AFGE: AFSCME: Air Line Pilots Association: Alliance for Retired Americans: Amalgamated Transit Union: American Federation of Musicians: American Federation of Teachers: American Postal Workers Union: Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance: Association of Flight Attendants-CWA: Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers: Boilermakers: Bricklayers: Coalition of Black Trade Unionists: Coalition of Labor Union Women: Communications Workers of America: Department for Professional Employees: Electrical Workers: Farm Labor Organizing Committee: Fire Fighters: Heat and Frost Insulators: International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers: Ironworkers: Jobs With Justice: Labor Council for Latin American Advancement: Laborers: Machinists: Metal Trades Department: National Air Traffic Controllers Association: National Association of Letter Carriers: National Day Laborer Organizing Network: National Domestic Workers Alliance: National Nurses United: National Taxi Workers Alliance: NFL Players Association: North America's Building Trades Unions: Office and Professional Employees: Painters and Allied Trades: Pride At Work: Professional Aviation Safety Specialists: Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW: SAG-AFTRA: Solidarity Center: TCU/IAM: The NewsGuild-CWA: Theatrical Stage Employees: Transport Workers Union: Transportation Trades Department: UAW: Union Label and Service Trades Department: Union Veterans Council: UNITE HERE: United Food and Commercial Workers: United Steelworkers: United Students Against Sweatshops: United Union of Roofers and Waterproofers: Utility Workers: Working America: Writers Guild of America, East: Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 08/10/2020 - 16:57 — Aug 10