AFL-CIO Blog

  • Letter Carriers' 'Stamp Out Hunger' Drive Is This Saturday
    Letter Carriers' 'Stamp Out Hunger' Drive Is This Saturday NALC For the 27th year in a row, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will be conducting its "Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive. Every year on the second Saturday in May, postal carriers, in addition to their regular workload, collect food from people in more than 10,000 cities across the country. Each year, it is the largest one-day food drive in the world. Doing your part in the food drive is super easy. On May 11, leave bags of nonperishable food items by your mailbox. During their regular mail route, letter carriers pick up the bags and deliver the food to local food agencies with the help of countless volunteers. Over time, more than 1.5 billion pounds of food have been collected and distributed through the drive, boosting pantries and agencies during one of their slowest periods for donations. This year's partners include: the AFL-CIO, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, the U.S. Postal Service, United Way Worldwide, Valpak, Valassis, CVS Health and Kellogg's. To learn more about the drive, visit NALC's website and follow the drive on social media with the hashtag #StampOutHunger. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/10/2019 - 10:19 — May 10
  • Save Our Pensions: What Working People Are Doing This Week
    Save Our Pensions: What Working People Are Doing This Week AFL-CIO 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. A. Philip Randolph Institute:
    New Report Names Nearly 4,000 Companies Profiting Off of Private Prison Industry https://t.co/dbtJPY3lA6 — APRI National (DC) (@APRI_National) May 6, 2019
    Actors' Equity:
    Tony award nominee @LilliCooper shares how she relates to the sacrifice that comes with being a performer. #TuesdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/zEgRZACOyT — Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) May 7, 2019
    AFGE:
    The @DeptVetAffairs proposals are geared toward changing VA employees from “civil servants” into just plain “servants.” https://t.co/OJNoYyjB0U — AFGE (@AFGENational) May 2, 2019
    AFSCME:
    A new rule from the Trump administration’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services hurts home care workers & makes it more difficult for these workers, who are overworked in stressful jobs, to join together and speak with a powerful voice. https://t.co/6GblsuhNuf — AFSCME (@AFSCME) May 6, 2019
    AFT:
    “We want every public school to be a place that parents want to send their kids, where teachers want to work, and where students are engaged.” @rweingarten notes a paradigm shift towards neighborhood schools from WV to CA. #EWA19 pic.twitter.com/waYJthGPfR — AFT (@AFTunion) May 7, 2019
    Air Line Pilots Association:
    A Pilot’s View: Celebrate #NationalPhotographyMonth with These Can’t-Miss Photos from the Cockpit: https://t.co/OWFZJl70HP pic.twitter.com/39bHey0tI9 — ALPA (@WeAreALPA) May 2, 2019
    Alliance for Retired Americans:
    Enough blaming hard working people. They can't save what they don't earn. We need to #SavePensions and #ExpandSocialSecurity https://t.co/PqyAZiXMkb pic.twitter.com/e180MwHZU7 — Alliance Retirees (@ActiveRetirees) May 6, 2019
    Amalgamated Transit Union:
    Bus Drivers Reveal 'Wild' Side of Public Transit in CT https://t.co/JuyLnKS3if #safebus #publictransit #transit #1u — ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) May 2, 2019
    American Federation of Musicians:
    Congratulations to all the nominees—and to the #UnionMusicians who perform 8x a week every week! 🙌🏾🙌🏽🙌🏿 #TonyAwards #TonyNominations #1uhttps://t.co/SgG8AvBWa6 — AFM (@The_AFM) April 30, 2019
    American Postal Workers Union:
    .@RepKatieHill cuts past the BS and gets to the point. These privatization proposals mean cutting jobs, cutting wages and cutting service. 🙅No 🙅No 🙅No#USMailNotForSale https://t.co/G9t88jadJu — APWU National (@APWUnational) May 3, 2019
    Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance:
    A1. Our favorite part of APAHM is uplifting the fact that Asian American is a political term used to build power in our communities and was created to combat U.S. militarism in SE Asia. Every year we strive to continue this legacy!https://t.co/i9C1EcNRkb#MillennialMon #AAPI2020 pic.twitter.com/HvAuJwl9NT — APALA (@APALAnational) May 6, 2019
    Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:
    .@afa_cwa members & aviation’s first responders safely evacuated the Miami Air International plane last night. We commend their actions. AFA EAP & Safety are providing support to the crew. More: https://t.co/0g47bNl6Ad — AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) May 4, 2019
    Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers:
    Local 6 members at the Lehigh Valley, Pa. Bimbo Bakeries USA plant took time out of their breaks to send emails to their U.S. Representatives to urge support for the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act (H.R. 397). Help #SaveOurPension here: https://t.co/LMCjZjyla1 pic.twitter.com/D3sKehZflt — BCTGM International (@BCTGM) April 25, 2019
    Boilermakers:
    Way to represent #Boilermakers and an important issue, @martywill76! https://t.co/YX9z8i1tBj — Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) May 7, 2019
    Bricklayers:
    Learn more about #SkilledTrades and how our training programs can help you: https://t.co/Jrhkxk1Cfy #construction #apprenticeships #1u https://t.co/Zfp7jxZkq0 — Bricklayers Union (@IUBAC) May 7, 2019
    Coalition of Black Trade Unionists:
    Like the vicious white backlash that followed Reconstruction, the angry prowl of white supremacy after the Obama presidency is stalking black voters openly, with the blessing of the criminal white nationalist in the White House. Be ready. https://t.co/V2ULwPFUkm — CBTU (@CBTU72) May 4, 2019
    Coalition of Labor Union Women:
    CLUW Takes On Capitol Hill - April 10, 2019 https://t.co/98hZChSmOA #CLUWSNAP pic.twitter.com/jPaKkeduLA — CLUW National (@CLUWNational) April 27, 2019
    Communications Workers of America:
    If you use Uber or Lyft on Wed, May 8 you're crossing a picket a line. Don't. #1u https://t.co/iG890jVr8y — CWA (@CWAUnion) May 7, 2019
    Department for Professional Employees:
    “We all came here with prior experience. The job requires a college degree and people have student debt. Yet it feels like they’re treating us like interns.” #1u https://t.co/SC74p2ZVzk — Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) May 7, 2019
    Electrical Workers:
    Stay safe with National Fall Prevention Safety Stand-Down week https://t.co/Z7jYAJ4aHp — IBEW (@IBEW) May 7, 2019
    Farm Labor Organizing Committee:
    We hope to change this. Our members do trust us because we are on the ground with them and we have a constitutional convention every four years for them to tell us what they want us to focus on. https://t.co/qxywa4lmaW — Farm Labor Organizing Committee (@SupportFLOC) May 7, 2019
    Fire Fighters:
    #Firefighters rescue residents trapped due to flooding in Dearborn Heights https://t.co/DO2hrdBh00 — IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) May 7, 2019
    Heat and Frost Insulators:
    Welcome to our newest Brothers and Sisters at Local 34 in Minnesota! 📷: Local 34 President George Kisel swearing in 16 new apprentices. pic.twitter.com/tXPBlgLIdR — Insulators Union (@InsulatorsUnion) May 7, 2019
    International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers:
    #RiotWalkout is an example of workplace democracy in action!! All the nerds at @IFPTE stand firmly with these workers excersizing their rights!! — IFPTE (@IFPTE) May 6, 2019
    International Labor Communications Association:
    #WednesdayWisdom = this enlightenment. See more tagged #MayDay #MayDay2019 #InternationalWorkersDay #IWD2019 #1u https://t.co/OXa7u3IBoQ — Labor Communications (@ILCAonline) May 1, 2019
    Ironworkers:
    Iron Workers Local 118 Retiree’s Club formed a committee to create a mural in the hall depicting the past, present and future of Local 118. The 6-month long project was celebrated on Aril 13, 2018 with a ceremony that drew ironworkers and their families. pic.twitter.com/0Wy2vSL69u — Ironworkers. (@TheIronworkers) May 2, 2019
    IUE-CWA:
    In 1935 on this day the Works Projects Administration (WPA) was established providing work opportunities for millions during the Great Depression pic.twitter.com/1hT8OBtb4P — IUE-CWA (@IUE_CWAUnion) May 6, 2019
    Jobs With Justice:
    Another black eye for Boeing, as fired employees accuse the aviation giant of unionbusting. #1u https://t.co/bcgkRRPFgY — Jobs With Justice (@jwjnational) May 7, 2019
    Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:
    LCLAA stands in support of Uber and Lyft drivers who have announced a 24-hour strike as they demand fair wages! https://t.co/PRrNpERU1O — LCLAA (@LCLAA) May 6, 2019
    Laborers:
    Today, working men and women around the globe will commemorate the strife, struggle and sacrifice of workers who came before us and find inspiration to carry on the battle for social and economic justice #MayDay #labormovement #1u pic.twitter.com/7jiD6sjuic — LIUNA (@LIUNA) May 1, 2019
    Machinists:
    What’s up, DC?! This week is the 2019 IAM Legislative Conference. Follow along with #IAMLegConf19 as we hear from allies on Capitol Hill and go out in force to lobby on issues that matter to working families. pic.twitter.com/RZkrWpW1Ih — Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) May 6, 2019
    Metal Trades Department:
    Union-made Cutco Knives. Need a gift idea for Mom, Mother's Day is Sunday. Or maybe Dad for Father's Day next month. https://t.co/m0iaThyimn — Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) May 6, 2019
    Mine Workers:
    There is no more time to wait. Congress must do the right thing and live up to America’s promise to its retired coal miners, now! Call them NOW! 202-224-3121. #TheyEarnedIt pic.twitter.com/bsWREvk2x4 — United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) May 7, 2019
    National Air Traffic Controllers Association:
    On April 9, NATCA UAS National Rep Steve Weidner spoke on a panel at the @AvWeekEvents #urbanairmobility Conference & discussed adding thousands of new users into what is currently the safest, most efficient & most complex airspace in the world. https://t.co/k0CESCJcat pic.twitter.com/97iPZQLbPG — NATCA (@NATCA) May 7, 2019
    National Association of Letter Carriers:
    Listen up 🎧! Listen to Letter Carrier Jeff Kranz talk about the upcoming #StampOutHunger Food Drive on @WKXA 100.5 this morning. Jeff gives a few exciting food drive tips. Thanks for the show, @BigDaveInTheAM! https://t.co/61ZKhEM82b #FoodDrive #zerohunger pic.twitter.com/BM7LQnFcsP — Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) May 7, 2019
    National Day Laborer Organizing Network:
    Beautiful day for a massive #MayDay march with Los Jornaleros del Norte! #ndlon #daylaborers #endwagetheft pic.twitter.com/DJXdgEyvKu — NDLON (@NDLON) May 2, 2019
    National Domestic Workers Alliance:
    .@FGossGraves of @NWLC breaks down why the #BeHEARD act is such a crucial piece of legislation for making *everyone* feel safe in the workplace. https://t.co/oyLQTHGAn9 — Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) May 7, 2019
    National Nurses United:
    The best way for lawmakers to honor #NursesWeek is by working to pass bills which improve patient safety protections.⁰ Last week, union nurses brought this message to legislators in Washington, D.C. and this week, nurses are taking the California Capitol! https://t.co/Pjx9YBojQ6 — NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) May 7, 2019
    National Taxi Workers Alliance:
    STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE! We are calling on all people of good conscience in NYC to log off of the apps in 7 AM to 9 AM Wednesday, May 8th to support our strike. Don't use Uber, don't use Lyft. Log off of all the apps! Support app drivers demanding job security and livable incomes! — NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) May 3, 2019
    The NewsGuild-CWA:
    “Don’t give up on us,” says Todd Cooper, head of the Omaha World-Herald’s @news_guild. If local reporters don’t cover the local courts, and City Hall, and zoning board meetings, and the goings-on of the local chamber of commerce, who will? https://t.co/dp5mKlkl8h — NewsGuild (@news_guild) May 7, 2019
    NFL Players Association:
    Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Keep the conversation going. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth https://t.co/yrbQlqBfLN — NFLPA (@NFLPA) May 6, 2019
    North America's Building Trades Unions:
    There’s no better time to get started in unionized construction! Read up on some of the great benefits NABTU apprenticeships provide 💪 “It’s an incredible program and when people hear about it, their jaws generally drop.” @necanet @IBEWhttps://t.co/2lvTh3QcDb — The Building Trades (@NABTU) May 7, 2019
    Office and Professional Employees:
    Local 459 RNs Liz Gray, Malinda Green & Julie Fuller are longtime union supporters because they know the solidarity that comes with a member-led union gives them the power to negotiate the safe staffing ratios that allow RNs to provide patients the best possible quality of care. pic.twitter.com/mWDGtIUJgH — OPEIU (@opeiu) May 7, 2019
    Painters and Allied Trades:
    As the weather gets warmer, we recognize all the workers who trudged through the snow, the cold and the rain to continue to build up our cities and communities. We thank you for all that you do! #StrongerTogether #WeAreUnion — GoIUPAT✊🏽 (@GoIUPAT) May 7, 2019
    Plasterers and Cement Masons:
    “To attract replacements who grew up playing Call of Duty, some construction companies, unions and schools have turned to simulators that replicate jobs done by heavy equipment.”https://t.co/9XHI3mEWWt — OPCMIA International (@opcmiaintl) May 6, 2019
    Pride At Work:
    "Queer children face challenges regardless of their race, but the intersection of Blackness and queerness in one of an especially layered oppression. And it’s important to remember how this reality creates unique risks factors for non-white LGBTQ people."https://t.co/BQTT0hYtdd — Pride at Work (@PrideatWork) April 29, 2019
    Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:
    Thank you @SenatorLankford for your support of #federalemployees and the workers PASS represents at the Federal Aviation Administration. We appreciate your support during our fight to defeat air traffic control privatization last year! #PSRW #DontPrivatizeOurSkies #publicservice https://t.co/xqdSzEIDuT — PASS (@PASSNational) May 7, 2019
    Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:
    RWDSU Prez @sappelbaum: "Forcing customers to use only credit or debit is a discriminatory business model that disadvantages low-income people, people of color, and seniors.” We need to push back on the growing trend of cashless stores. #1u https://t.co/LSx8Nt2htK — RWDSU (@RWDSU) April 30, 2019
    SAG-AFTRA:
    We fondly remember the life & career of founding member Barbara Perry, who died Sunday at 97. Her performing career is one of the longest in history, spanning 90 years of dance, theater, film and TV & she received the SAG-AFTRA Founders Awards last Oct. #sagaftramember since 1934 pic.twitter.com/qEUkTFhAn6 — SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) May 7, 2019
    School Administrators:
    Union actors are fighting for a fair wage and health care. It's time we join together and stand our ground. AFSA stands with our sisters and brothers at @SAG/AFTRA. #StrikeBBH pic.twitter.com/CZV8Fg5MrT — AFSA Leadership (@AFSAUnion) March 22, 2019
    Seafarers:
    Mr. President: America needs the Jones Act https://t.co/D4GfqYBtXI — Seafarers Union (@SeafarersUnion) April 30, 2019
    Solidarity Center:
    Migrant #domestic workers in #Lebanon rallied to demand the scrapping of a sponsorship syst that enables employer abuse. The 250,000+ registered domestic workers, mostly women, are excluded from labor law & are tied to employers who sponsor them.https://t.co/UuoCcuO8Ob — Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) May 7, 2019
    TCU/IAM:
    THANK YOU to @RepLipinski, @RepChuyGarcia & @RepSchakowsky for standing with and supporting members of the @AmtrakCouncil in their fight to be treated with respect. Outsourcing = Union-busting. Read more here: https://t.co/0dQ9PnN8wx pic.twitter.com/Na2ASqE9WU — Transportation Communications Union/IAM (@TCUnionHQ) April 24, 2019
    Theatrical Stage Employees:
    With so many moving pieces in a theatrical environment, there are situations that can elevate safety risk. But, these risks can be mitigated with vigilance on behalf of both employers and employees. #SafetyAndHealthWeek #StandDown4Safety @TheatreAlberta https://t.co/oqgmWfM9SY pic.twitter.com/kxRXlNjYl3 — IATSE (@IATSE) May 7, 2019
    Transport Workers:
    The threat is real! #PeopleBeforeRobotshttps://t.co/eqOCyn05oq — TWU (@transportworker) May 6, 2019
    Transportation Trades Department:
    It’s easy to say Gateway is a New York or New Jersey problem, but that just isn’t true. What happens or doesn’t happen here will impact the entire country & the economy. We need to fund the Gateway project now. https://t.co/EVYKIu5whm — Transp. Trades Dept. (@TTDAFLCIO) May 7, 2019
    UAW:
    Last year, GM's CEO made $21.87 million. That's 281 times the salary of the company's median employee. https://t.co/eNKEypydsP — UAW (@UAW) May 7, 2019
    United Food and Commercial Workers:
    Historic victory by 31,000 #StopAndShopWorkers is a wake-up call for corporations. American workers are standing up to protect good jobs and put people first. Must-read from UFCW President @Marc_Perrone in @ProJo: https://t.co/vuO4dQlXUw pic.twitter.com/3Pq5aN9VBC — UFCW (@UFCW) May 6, 2019
    Union Label and Service Trades Department:
    The Stop & Shop Strike Is Showing There’s Still Power in a Union https://t.co/slSfzq6c6G — Union Label Dept. (@ULSTD_AFLCIO) April 25, 2019
    Union Veterans Council:
    Trump's tax cut was a disaster for some Gold Star families, but it's a symptom of a larger problem https://t.co/ixd0X6qd83 — Union Veterans Council (@unionveterans) April 23, 2019
    UNITE HERE:
    "We recognize how #Dreamers & #TPS holders have enriched & strengthened our cities, states, schools, businesses, congregations & families."#DreamAndPromiseNow #1uhttps://t.co/L6RJzpXLMI — UNITE HERE (@unitehere) May 6, 2019
    United Steelworkers:
    . @RealDonaldTrump Labor Board Postpones VW Vote while Company Manufactures Climate of Fear https://t.co/W69e9aTgmY #1u — United Steelworkers (@steelworkers) May 7, 2019
    United Union of Roofers and Waterproofers:
    Let's hear it for the newest #apprenticeship grads out of Roofers Local 42 Cincinnati. On their way to a great #roofing #career! pic.twitter.com/sZ6qqeOcuV — Roofers Union (@roofersunion) May 2, 2019
    Utility Workers:
    The #USEITAct would boost development and deployment of #carboncapture. Tell Congress to pass this important bill. Find out why it’s important below. #CCSTechFactshttps://t.co/alKwyTvDXC — UWUA National (@The_UWUA) May 7, 2019
    Working America:
    Happy #NationalTeacherDay! #ThankATeacher #1u pic.twitter.com/Ka8v5nU3TL — Working America (@WorkingAmerica) May 7, 2019
    Writers Guild of America, East:
    Welcome #VoxEntertainment to the union family! https://t.co/iKNIVT2ZvD — Writers Guild of America, East (@WGAEast) May 7, 2019
    Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/10/2019 - 08:47     — May 10
  • Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Profiles: Chinese Railroad Laborers
    Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Profiles: Chinese Railroad Laborers Harper's Weekly, 1867 For Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights. Our first profile this month features the Chinese laborers who helped build the first transcontinental railroad in North America. May 10 marks the 150th anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. As the Civil War ended, Congress passed legislation granting land and funding for the Union Pacific Railroad and the Central Pacific Railroad companies to begin construction on the western portion, which would connect with existing rail lines in the east. Central Pacific began building eastward from Sacramento, California, while Union Pacific worked westward from Council Bluffs, Iowa. As the project ramped up, Central Pacific put out an ad to hire 5,000 workers, but only got hundreds of responses from white laborers. Those they did hire quickly tired of the low pay and hard work, and Leland Stanford and the leaders of Central Pacific began experimenting with Chinese laborers on the railway, despite Stanford and others believing that  Chinese workers were inferior. Chinese laborers had come to California in significant numbers to work in mines. Some had also worked on rail projects in the state, and Central Pacific began hiring these workers in small groups of 50.  Before long, Central Pacific learned that the Chinese workers not only could do the work, they were willing to endure worse conditions for longer hours than white workers would. Soon, the company had hired almost all of the available Chinese laborers and started paying to import more workers directly from China. By 1867, more than 90% of Central Pacific's crew working on the transcontinental railroad were Chinese, with anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 workers at any given time. Union Pacific, on the other end of the railroad, hired no Chinese workers, and most of their laborers were Civil War veterans and Irish immigrants.  While the Union Pacific workers did much of their job on flat plains, the Central Pacific laborers not only worked in mountainous and other dangerous terrain, they were paid significantly less than the Irish workers. The conditions were harsh:
    Often toiling in extreme weather, they cleared obstructions, moved earth, bored tunnels and built retaining walls—work done virtually all by hand. They became experts in drayage, masonry, carpentry and track laying. Sometimes they were lowered off cliffs to plant explosive charges when blasting was necessary, knowing that once the fuse was lit the difference between life and death hinged on how fast they were brought back up.
    They worked during two of the harshest winters on record to that point. Snow and avalanches were constant fears in the winter months. Few records were kept about the Chinese workers, particularly about deaths on the job, but estimates suggest that more than 1,000 Chinese laborers died during the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Letters home, diaries and other documents are believed to have been destroyed or otherwise lost to time. Few, if any, of the laborers who helped build the railroad have been memorialized, and it took 100 years to get even a statue to honor the sacrifice these workers made to build the United States.  The disparate pay and working conditions led the Chinese workers to engage in what was then the biggest strike in U.S. history. In 1867, thousands of Chinese workers in the Sierra Nevada walked off the job and returned to their camps. The strike lasted eight days before Central Pacific cut off food and supplies. The workers went back on the job and over time, reports say that conditions improved, even if the strike wasn't a total success. After the completion of the railroad, the Chinese workers dispersed to many other projects across the country. They helped on more than 70 other railroad projects and helped build roads and contribute other work that would launch Yellowstone Park and other national treasures.  White Americans didn't take kindly to the competition for jobs and rising anti-Chinese sentiment was powerful in the next decade, leading to the Chinese Exclusion Act being passed in 1882. The act was accompanied by anti-Chinese violence. In California alone, there were more than 200 round-ups of rural Chinese who were killed, lynched or forced to leave town. Forced migrations, such as that in Tacoma, Washington, were common. For a long time after, the contributions of Chinese laborers, the creation of the transcontinental railroad and the economic boon it helped usher in were ignored. Later, American history textbooks began to include a paragraph or short section on the contributions of the Chinese, but too little has been done to recognize the harsh working conditions and the terrible treatment Chinese laborers faced while helping build the foundation for America's future. Efforts are underway to record and save as much of this chapter in America’s history as possible. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/09/2019 - 13:54     — May 9
  • Colorado Legislature Votes to Protect Local Minimum Wage Laws
    Colorado Legislature Votes to Protect Local Minimum Wage Laws Denver Area Labor Federation Last week, the Colorado Legislature passed a bill to repeal the state's 1999 law that prohibits local governments from setting a minimum wage higher than the state level. The Colorado law was part of a wave of measures nationwide pushed by corporate interests trying to keep wages low by preempting democracy. Since then, working people in Colorado have been working to overturn the limitations placed on the minimum wage and will finally do so when Gov. Jared Polis signs the bill, which he is expected to do in the coming days.  After the passage of the 1999 law, the state legislature kept Colorado's minimum wage at the federal level. In 2006, though, voters approved Initiative 42, which increased the state's minimum wage and required adjustments based on inflation. But by 2016, the state's minimum wage had only risen to $8.31 per hour, an amount that made it nearly impossible for working families to afford basic needs. In 2016, voters proposed and passed Amendment 70, which will raise the state minimum wage to $12 an hour. But in certain parts of Colorado, even $12 an hour isn't enough. A recent study showed that a single full-time worker with no children needs $21.88 to make ends meet in the Boulder area and $19.81 in the Denver metro region. With one child, the cost of living rises to $35 an hour in Boulder and $34 an hour in Denver. Clearly, local governments need the freedom to address the needs of their residents. Working people across the country support local minimum wage ordinances. A recent survey from the National Employment Law Project (NELP) found that nearly 60% of voters believe that legislatures threaten democracy and silence the voices of the people when they pass such preemption laws. And the evidence shows that local minimum wage laws are not only popular—more than 40 cities or counties have passed such measures—they also work. When local governments can raise the minimum wage above state minimums, local leaders are able to overcome gridlock at the state or national level to take action that appropriately helps their communities. The most recent study of local minimum wage increases shows that a 10% bump in the minimum wage increases the earnings of food service workers between 1.3% and 2.5% without any discernible decline in employment. The new legislation gives local governments the authority to adopt minimum wage laws above the state and national minimums so they can address local costs of living and worker needs. Colorado is the first state to repeal a local minimum wage preemption law through their legislature. Arizona voters repealed a preemption law via ballot initiative in 2006. Similar legislation has been introduced in Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/09/2019 - 10:07 Tags: Minimum Wage — May 9
  • No Place for Violence: The Working People Weekly List
    No Place for Violence: The Working People Weekly List AFL-CIO 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. Violence Has No Place in the Workplace: "Violence should never be part of the job. But the reality is violence is now the third-leading cause of workplace deaths, resulting in nearly 29,000 serious injuries every year. Nurses, medical assistants, emergency responders and social workers face some of the greatest threats, suffering more than 70 percent of all workplace assaults. Women workers are also at particular risk, suffering two out of every three serious workplace violence injuries. The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Services Workers Act (H.R. 1309, S. 851), introduced by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), would help protect these workers." Paducah Unions Observe Workers Memorial Day by Helping Feed the Hungry: "Union families gather on Workers Memorial Day to remember men and women who lost their lives on the job the previous year. 'This year, we wanted to do something different,' said Kyle Henderson, president of the Paducah-based Western Kentucky AFL-CIO Area Council.'" Economy Gains 263,000 Jobs in April; Unemployment Declines to 3.6%: "The U.S. economy gained 263,000 jobs in April, and the unemployment rate declined slightly to 3.6%, according to figures released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Continued lower levels of job growth provide good reason for the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee to express caution in considering any interest rate hikes." What (Guest-Worker) Women Want: "We’re farm workers, crab pickers and cruise ship workers. We’re chocolate packers, engineers, veterinarians, nurses and teachers from all around the world. We are united by our motivation, yearn for knowledge and commitment to creating change in our communities. We stand with guest-worker women from around the world to ensure that the policies that affect us reflect our experiences." Profiling Labor Leaders and Activists for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: "For Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian and Pacific Americans who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights. First, let's take a look back at Asian and Pacific Americans we've profiled in the past." ‘State of the Unions’ Podcast: Not Good Enough: "In the latest episode of 'State of the Unions,' podcast co-hosts Julie and Tim talk to Celeste Drake, the AFL-CIO's recently departed trade policy specialist, about flaws in the proposed new NAFTA and outline the labor movement's high standards for current and future trade agreements." Labor's Resurgence: In the States Roundup: "It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states." Marriott Should Tell the Truth About Sexual Harassment: "Marriott International, the biggest hotel chain in the world, is hiding the truth about the dangers its workers face. UNITE HERE members are demanding that the company comes clean." 12 Things You Need to Know About Death on the Job: "The AFL-CIO today released its 28th annual Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect report. Each April, we examine the state of worker safety in America. This year's report shows that 5,147 working people were killed on the job in 2017. Additionally, an estimated 95,000 died from occupational diseases." What Happens When Call Center Jobs Are Shipped Abroad and Workers Try to Organize?: "One of the world's largest 'contact center' companies, U.S.-based giant Alorica, has been expanding in the Philippines, where more than 1.3 million women and men work in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. These workers and their allies came together through BIEN, the BPO Industry Employees Network, to defend workers' interests in this booming sector. Alorica, a global player in this industry, offers 'customer experience' services to the U.S. market for clients like Comcast, AT&T, Citibank, Barclays and Caesars." USITC Report Backs Up the Need to Fix New NAFTA to Add Real Enforcement: "On April 18, the United States International Trade Commission released its analysis of the likely economic impacts of the new NAFTA (also known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or USMCA). The report supports the AFL-CIO’s position on the new NAFTA: Congress should not vote on it until it is fixed." The U.S. Postal Service is Owned by the People—Let's Keep it That Way: "As the tax deadline looms and millions scurry to get their forms sent on time, Tax Day is a good time to dispel the myth that the U.S. Postal Service is funded by tax dollars." Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: Railroad Signalmen: "Next up in our series that takes a deeper look at each of our affiliates is the Railroad Signalmen (BRS)." Powerful Victory: "A tentative agreement between the 31,000 members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) in New England and management at Stop & Shop supermarkets has been reached, effectively ending the historic strike that captured the country’s attention." No Enforcement, No Treaty: 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." Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/09/2019 - 09:40 — May 9