AFL-CIO Blog

  • Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Erica Cervantes
    Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Erica Cervantes Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Erica Cervantes of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU). “I’m very grateful to be a member of ATU Local 416 because they make sure our company provides equal opportunities for all employees. ATU also gives me security to be myself, to show my personality and who I am as a person.” Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 10/02/2024 - 10:01 — Oct 2
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Omni New Haven Workers Reach Contract Settlement After 4-Day Strike
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Omni New Haven Workers Reach Contract Settlement After 4-Day Strike Working people across the United States regularly step 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. A four-day strike has ended at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale in Connecticut, where 122 workers walked out seeking better pay, better working conditions and fair treatment. They overwhelmingly voted to ratify the contract that includes first-year wage increases of up to 14.5%, maintains current health care and pension benefits. “We are thrilled that our members at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale stood together and secured a contract that respects their hard work and dedication,” said Josh Stanley, secretary-treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 217.  Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 10/02/2024 - 10:01 — Oct 2
  • Grab Your Walking Shoes: In the States Roundup
    Grab Your Walking Shoes: 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 X (formerly Twitter). Alaska AFL-CIO: California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO: Colorado AFL-CIO: Connecticut AFL-CIO: Georgia State AFL-CIO: Illinois AFL-CIO: Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO: Maine 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: Ohio AFL-CIO: Oregon AFL-CIO: Pennsylvania AFL-CIO: Texas AFL-CIO: Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO: Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/01/2024 - 09:37 — Oct 1
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Aleta Chavez
    Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Aleta Chavez Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Aleta Chavez of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA). In addition to being active in her local union, Aleta Chavez has been very active in her community. She participated in mission work in Guatemala and volunteered with the Dallas Police Department and Habitat for Humanity. She has been a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens and numerous student organizations while enrolled in Cedar Valley College’s veterinary technology program. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/01/2024 - 09:29 — Oct 1
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Omni Providence Hotel Workers Ratify New Contract
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Omni Providence Hotel Workers Ratify New Contract Working people across the United States regularly step 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. UNITE HERE Local 26 members who work at the Omni Providence in Rhode Island ratified a new four-year contract last week that secures higher wages and better benefits. This victory came seven weeks after workers at the downtown Providence hotel voted to authorize a strike over management’s refusal to bargain a fair contract. Their previous agreement expired last January, and members were laser-focused on winning a deal that would address rising costs of living. To show the Omni Providence they meant business, members began wearing lanyards to work to signal that they’d signed up for strike benefits and were ready and willing to walk out. “My co-workers and I put a lot of work into this fight,” said George Cook, a banquet attendant at the Omni. “We were ready to do whatever it took to win. I’m happy that we’re able to get the best contract we ever had, with wage increases that will help us pay our rent and take care of our families.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/01/2024 - 09:24 — Oct 1