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Women's History Month Profiles: Bess Watts Women's History Month Profiles: Bess Watts This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Bess Watts of AFSCME. Throughout her many years of service to the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), an affiliate of AFSCME, Bess Watts earned a reputation as a fighter and a strong voice for LGBTQ+ rights in Rochester, New York. She fought for two decades to advance women's rights and the rights of working people. Watts began her career as an interlibrary loan specialist and senior clerk at Monroe Community College before working her way up to several leadership positions, including president of the Monroe County local of CSEA and president of the Pride at Work Rochester Finger Lakes Chapter. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/11/2024 - 09:03 Tags: Women's History Month — Mar 11
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Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Planned Parenthood Keystone Workers Join OPEIU Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Planned Parenthood Keystone Workers Join OPEIU Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. Planned Parenthood Keystone’s non-professional employees have joined with Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 32 over issues of job security, fair wages and health care. The new union includes all non-managerial staff without advanced medical degrees, as well as medical center staff from Planned Parenthood Keystone’s eight centers, office staff, floating medical staff, gender affirming care specialists, telehealth staff, community health workers and educators. Floating Medical Center Assistant Alice Wehner said that they want to continue to serve their community "without fear of being fired for no reason at all. Over the years, I’ve seen many valuable employees terminated without notice or good reason, and their absence is felt deeply." Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/11/2024 - 08:52 — Mar 11
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Women's History Month Profiles: Linda Hunt Women's History Month Profiles: Linda Hunt This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Linda Hunt of UNITE HERE. “The Culinary Union opened doors for Black workers, which was a milestone for me,” Linda Hunt said. “And I see African Americans in leadership roles in my union. I've been on a journey in this union and I saw lives change. I was part of the change, which makes me feel good knowing I could help families thrive.” Kenneth Quinnell Sun, 03/10/2024 - 09:03 Tags: Women's History Month — Mar 10
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Women's History Month Profiles: Rebecca Owens Women's History Month Profiles: Rebecca Owens This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Rebecca Owens of AFA-CWA. Rebecca Owens is a proud flight attendant and active member of AFA-CWA Council 30. She has stepped up as her union is in contract negotiations by helping to organize informational pickets, volunteering to go on camera to share the stories of her union brothers, sisters and siblings, making sure her colleagues participated in their recent strike vote and working with the Alaska State AFL-CIO to get paid sick leave on Alaska's ballot to benefit her co-workers. Kenneth Quinnell Sat, 03/09/2024 - 09:03 Tags: Women's History Month — Mar 9
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Economy Gains 275,000 Jobs in February; Unemployment Up to 3.9% Economy Gains 275,000 Jobs in February; Unemployment Up to 3.9% The U.S. economy gained 275,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate was up slightly, to 3.9%, according to figures released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. February's biggest job gains were in health care (+67,000), government (+52,000), food services and drinking places (+42,000), social assistance (+24,000), construction (+23,000), transportation and warehousing (+20,000) and retail trade (+19,000). Employment showed little change over the month in other major industries, including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; manufacturing; wholesale trade; information; financial activities; professional and business services; and other services. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for teenagers (12.5%) and adult women (3.5%) increased during the month. The jobless rates for Black Americans (5.6%), Hispanics (5.0%), adult men (3.5%), White Americans (3.4%) and Asian Americans (3.4%) showed little or no change in February. The number of long-term unemployed workers (those jobless for 27 weeks or longer) was little changed in February and accounted for 18.7% of the total number of people unemployed. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 03/08/2024 - 10:01 — Mar 8