Today's AFL-CIO press clips
POLITICS
Construction union leaders hail Biden’s pro-union executive order
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
Feb. 8, 2022
Construction union leaders hailed President Joe Biden’s Feb. 7 executive order requiring that federally funded construction projects worth at least $35 million be built by unionists using Project Labor Agreements. “Just remember, it ain’t labor—it’s unions” that built the country and will do so again, Biden declared to a union crowd at the Ironworkers Local 5 hall in Upper Marlboro, Md. Sean McGarvey, president of North America’s Building Trades Unions, spoke for the others—including Local 5 members at Biden’s signing ceremony—in declaring how Biden’s order would improve workers’ wages, working conditions and health and safety. “Project labor agreements are often effective in preventing problems from developing” on construction sites “because they provide structure and stability to large-scale construction projects,” Biden’s order explains. That’s “welcome news for all workers, union and nonunion,” McGarvey pointed out. “Project Labor Agreements address labor supply, secure workers’ classification, set good wages, promote strong health and safety standards, and ensure large-scale projects are completed on time, with the highest degree of quality, efficiency, and safety.”
How the White House wants to expand unions — starting with federal workers
CBS News
By Sarah Ewall-Wice
Feb. 8, 2022
The country's largest employer — the federal government — is looking to make it easier for its employees and contract workers to join a union. A White House task force announced 70 recommendations Monday to promote federal worker organizing and collective bargaining, which the Biden administration hopes can be a model for employees working for private companies.
IATSE Lauds Biden Administration’s Efforts To Increase Union Membership
Deadline
By David Robb
Feb. 8, 2022
IATSE is praising the Biden administration’s latest proposals to increase union membership throughout the country. The entertainment industry is one of the most unionized workforces in the nation, but last year only 6.1% of all private-sector employees belonged to a union, following a long and steady decline from 16.8% in 1983. Unions in the public sector represent about 35% of workers. Combined, unions represent little more than 10% of the American workforce. Nearly 70 proposals to raise those numbers are contained in a report of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, chaired by Vice President Kamala Harris and vice-chaired by Labor Secretary Marty Walsh.
JOINING TOGETHER
SAM security guards push to unionize
Seattle Times
By Grace Gorenflo
Feb. 8, 2022
Security workers at Seattle Art Museum have moved to join a union, part of a growing movement of museum employees across the nation seeking unionization to address concerns including wages, benefits and working conditions during the pandemic. Last month, more than 70% of SAM’s 75 internal security workers submitted authorization cards to their employer signaling they would like to be represented by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 116. The effort, which has been underway for more than six months, was prompted by concerns over an unsafe environment during the COVID-19 pandemic and a loss of retirement benefits.
EQUAL PAY
Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable calling for equal pay law
WAPT
By Christana Kay
Feb. 8, 2022
The Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable has called for an equal pay law for the state. Mississippi is the only state without an equal pay law and has one of the highest gender wage gaps. Currently, Senate Bill 2451 and House Bill 770 are aimed at creating an equal pay law for Mississippi, but advocates said those bills aren't doing enough to make a change. "Neither of the bills are close to accomplishing the goals for equal pay for equal work. At best, these bills are really equal pay bills in name only," said Samone Ijoma, who works at the Justice at National Women's Law Center.