AFL-CIO Blog

  • Pride Month Profiles: Jenna Huffman
    Pride Month Profiles: Jenna Huffman For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ workers who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Jenna Huffman of CWA. Jenna Huffman is a CWA Next Generation activist from District 6, Local 6215. Based in Austin, Texas, she is involved in bargaining for a new, fair contract in the video game industry at Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2023. Huffman is a passionate advocate for equality, education and LGBTQIA+ rights in both the workplace and the broader community. She is deeply committed to all three sides of the CWA Triangle: organizing, representing and movement building. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/25/2025 - 09:56 Tags: Pride — Jun 25
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Nurses Ratify First Agreement
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Nurses Ratify First Agreement 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. Members of California Nurses Association (CNA)—which is affiliated with National Nurses United (NNU)—at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial in California voted earlier this month to ratify their first four-year contract. Registered nurses at Lodi Memorial first began their organizing campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic and overwhelmingly won their election to join CNA in 2023. Members sought out a voice on the job so they could address issues around recruitment and retention of nurses and its impact on patient care. Their new contract contains a number of wins like workplace violence protections, wage increases, improved benefits, establishment of a grievance procedure and more. “This has been a wild journey,” said Allison Silva, a registered nurse in the emergency department. “Who would have thought, when we started the whispers of a union almost four years ago, that we would make it here? I am very proud of what we have accomplished in this contract. Nurses organized to demand that Lodi stop putting profits over the lives and safety of our patients and the community, and this contract is an important step toward that goal.” Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/25/2025 - 09:51 — Jun 25
  • Pride Month Profiles: William "Bill" Buchman
    Pride Month Profiles: William "Bill" Buchman For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ workers who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is William "Bill" Buchman of AFM. William Buchman joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1992 after two seasons with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He was appointed assistant principal bassoon in 1996. A member of the DePaul University School of Music faculty since 1997, Buchman also coaches the bassoon section of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and has presented master classes throughout the United States and in Brazil, China, Canada and Germany.  He serves as chair of the Orchestra Committee for the Chicago Symphony. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/24/2025 - 10:07 Tags: Pride — Jun 24
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Planned Parenthood Central Coast Clinical Workers Secure Tentative Agreement
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Planned Parenthood Central Coast Clinical Workers Secure Tentative Agreement 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. SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) members who work at Planned Parenthood California Central Coast (PPCCC) clinics have reached a tentative agreement after issuing a powerful strike threat. Members of the PPCCC Union authorized a strike vote in May, citing concerns regarding low wages leading to high turnover rates, with experienced caregivers leaving for roles that were higher-paying and more stable. Doctors, medical assistants, physician assistants, health educators, clinicians and support staff will now vote on the tentative deal that contains wins around pay, job security, shift differentials and more.  “The agreement still needs to be ratified by workers before it goes into effect, but while the ratification process is completed, the strikes have been called off,” SEIU-UHW spokesperson Maria Leal said. “Patients of PPCCC should expect no disruption in care provided at the clinics. Once this contract is in place, our hope is that good health care workers will stay on at PPCCC so they can continue to provide quality care to their patients. Our priority is to work together to protect our workforce and to address broader challenges, including potential cuts to Medicaid.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/24/2025 - 09:59 — Jun 24
  • Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Elevator Constructors
    Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Elevator Constructors This is the next post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates. The series will run weekly until we've covered all 63 of our affiliates. Next up are the Elevator Constructors (IUEC). Name of Union: International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Mission: To promote and protect the interests of elevator constructors, with a focus on dignity, skills and the well-being of members. Current Leadership of Union: Frank J. Christensen serves as general president, with Jim Chapman serving as assistant general president and Larry J. McGann as general secretary-treasurer. IUEC has 10 vice presidents. Current Number of Members: More than 30,000 Members Work As: Elevator constructors. Industries Represented: Construction sites across industries throughout the United States and Canada. History: On July 15, 1901, 11 men met at the Griswold Hotel in Pittsburgh. They were all elevator constructors in the early days of that field of work and they came from several cities. They drafted bylaws and a constitution, elected officers and formed the National Union of Elevator Constructors, which would later become the IUEC. They applied for a charter and membership in the National Building Trades Council of the American Federation of Labor and were approved. The total expense of the founding convention was $13.90 and the whole process, from the launch of the convention to approval from the AFL, took three days. The elevator constructors knew what they wanted to achieve and had a pretty good idea of how to get it done. By 1903, the union had expanded into Canada and had become the International Union of Elevator Constructors. The growth of skyscrapers necessarily led to the growth of the elevator construction industry. Advancing technology created a need for qualified and well-trained constructors, and the new union helped establish its members as the best in the world. Early meetings with manufacturers and the building trades led to a letter of mutual agreement that stated that only IUEC would construct elevators. The AFL granted IUEC's charter not long after. While changes in labor law and jurisdictional disputes would present challenges for IUEC, the union fought through them to continue serving the best interests of its members and the industry. In 2001, IUEC celebrated its 100th anniversary and pledged to continue the founders' commitment to the dignity, skills and well-being of its members. Current Campaigns/Community Efforts: IUEC built a member memorial at its headquarters in Columbia, Maryland, and you can purchase a brick to help remember those who lost their lives in the trade. The National Elevator Constructors Political Action Committee works to ensure the industry's working people are represented in the lawmaking process. IUEC issues regular safety alerts and maintains contact with members through the IUEC app, which is available on Android and iOS. IUEC works with various charities. IUEC promotes opportunities and memorializes veterans. IUEC offers branded merchandise through its online store. Learn More: Website, Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 06/23/2025 - 14:29 — Jun 23