POLITICS
Senators, nurses need you to support the PRO Act (Opinion)
Tuscon.com
By Fawn Slade
June 24, 2021
Although we have put our lives on the line for the past 15 months to care for thousands of Arizonans hospitalized with COVID-19, nurses have continuously been denied the necessary personal protective equipment, safe staffing and other infection control measures needed to properly care for our patients. Throughout the pandemic, while governments and employers turned their backs on us, we have fought together against hospital managers to win workplace protections without fear of retribution. This will not only help keep all nurses safe, it will help keep patients safe. That’s why it is critical that Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema support legislation that would make it easier for nurses and other workers to join a union. They need to demonstrate their support for working families by co-sponsoring the PRO Act.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Striking an infrastructure deal without investing in child and elder care is a huge mistake (Opinion)
CNN
By Fatima Goss Graves and Sean McGarvey
June 26, 2021
On Thursday, President Joe Biden announced that he had agreed to a compromise deal with Republicans on infrastructure. While many of its details remain unknown, we do know it includes many critical investments for Americans: roads and bridges, public transit, broadband, water and power systems and more. But so far the deal leaves out Biden's proposal to spend $400 million to bolster caregiving for aging and disabled Americans. Biden's original infrastructure plan, which contained provisions to build and update energy-efficient child care centers, already fell short on raising the wages and benefits of child care workers. Now, the bipartisan deal seems to have limited funding for child care facilities even more with only a provision that eliminates lead water pipes.
IN THE STATES
Ohio labor unions back Canton area retiree assaulted in road rage incident
Canton Rep
By Cassandra Nist
June 25, 2021
A retired Timken Co. worker assaulted in a violent road rage confrontation has received a special gift from current and retired union leaders across Ohio. Fonte contacted White's attorney, Edmond Mack, and Joe Sterling, President of the Hall of Fame Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Fonte and Sterling reached out to labor unions across Northeast Ohio, starting a collection to help. "He's a fellow union brother, and we take care of our own," Sterling told White and his family outside White's home.
Michigan bill to end extra unemployment benefit faces veto
Daily Telegram
By David Panian
June 26, 2021
But the Michigan AFL-CIO called it a political stunt, noting that even if the governor signed the bill, the change would not occur until 2022 because Democrats did not agree to give it immediate effect. "The Legislature should be working to make sure every Michigander shares in the gains from" the state's economic and fiscal recovery, "not launching attacks on people who were hit hardest … and trying to ship unemployment aid funds back to Washington, D.C.," said president Ron Bieber.
Debating if “Right to Work” is Right
Business NH
By Judi Currie
June 28, 2021
But with the state’s manufacturers struggling to fill thousands of jobs, opponents are skeptical that Right to Work will attract new businesses. Glenn Brackett, president of the NH chapter of the AFL-CIO, says supporters make the same “bogus” claims each year about growing the NH economy and protecting worker freedoms. “Right to Work has been in the legislature every year for 40 years, and we haven’t had one business come before us and say, ‘Yes. If you pass Right to Work, we’ll come to New Hampshire,” Brackett says. “Not once in the past 40 years has that happened. In New Hampshire, it is not about attracting businesses, it is about attracting workers and Right to Work does not attract workers.”
Progressive groups unite to oppose Texas GOP's voting restrictions
NBC News
By Jane C. Timm
June 28, 2021
Five groups at the core of the coalition have worked together in the past: Texas Freedom Network, Workers Defense Action Fund, Texas Organizing Project, Texas Civil Rights Project and Planned Parenthood Texas Votes. The Texas Democratic Party, Texas AFL-CIO, Sierra Club, American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, and Black Voters Matter Fund are also taking part. The hope is to mobilize a combined membership base of millions for the special session of the Texas Legislature that begins on July 8, where GOP-backed voting legislation is expected to come up.The coalition anticipates spending seven figures on digital ads and other lobbying efforts against proposed election limits throughout the session, according to a person familiar with the coalition's plans who wasn't authorized to speak publicly about the effort.