Today's AFL-CIO press clips
POLITICS
Biden argues key to fighting inflation is buying American
The Hill
By Alex Gangitano
March 2, 2022
President Biden on Wednesday argued that a key action to combatting rising inflation in the U.S. is making more goods in America. “We have a choice. One way to fight inflation is drive down wages and make Americans poor. I have a better way to fight inflation: lower your costs, not your wages,” Biden said in remarks at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. The visit to Minnesota and Wisconsin comes a day after he delivered the State of the Union address, which focused largely on tackling rising prices, an issue that has taken a toll on Biden’s approval ratings and puts Democrats at risk of losing their congressional majorities in the midterm elections.
‘Silicon Heartland’: Biden shouts out Ohio’s $100 billion Intel project during State of the Union
News 5 Cleveland
By Morgan Trau
March 2, 2022
We have everything you can ask for when you combine that with a work ethic second to none for Buckeyes,” said Tim Burga, Ohio American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) president. “And we used to build things here that were second to none.”
Live updates: Vice President Kamala Harris visits Durham Tech on trip to NC
News & Observer
By Staff Reports
March 2, 2022
Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting Durham Technical Community College on Wednesday to promote the Biden administration’s goals for jobs and workers. Harris is joined in Durham by Labor Secretary Marty Walsh as they discuss the administration’s work to “create good-paying, union jobs,” the White House said. Gov. Roy Cooper is also speaking at the event.
JOINING TOGETHER
REI Workers in New York Vote to Unionize
The New York Times
By Noam Scheiber
March 2, 2022
Workers at an REI store in New York City voted to unionize on Wednesday, creating the only union at the outdoor-equipment and apparel retailer. The vote, which took place at the store, was 88 to 14. “The workers of REI SoHo are ready to negotiate a strong contract that will allow them to uphold the co-op’s progressive values while providing the top-notch service REI customers have come to expect,” said a statement from Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which helped organize the workers.
IN THE STATES
Rhode Island’s route to an equitable, worker-centered, green economy
Boston Globe
By George Nee and Sheila Dormody
March 2, 2022
Rhode Islanders don’t have to look far to find evidence of our crumbling infrastructure, deeply unequal economy, or the climate crisis. Luckily, we don’t have to look far for solutions anymore, either. With a state budget surplus of $618 million and more than $2.5 billion in federal infrastructure money in our public coffers, Rhode Island is in a strong position to tackle the climate crisis, rebuild our infrastructure, and invest in an equitable economy that works for all. A new report, authored by experts at Cornell University, shows how our state leaders can seize the moment and get it done.
Maine unions launch platform to create thousands of good jobs, take on climate crisis
Maine Beacon
By Evan Popp
March 2, 2022
Maine unions on Tuesday launched a new coalition to push for pro-labor environmental initiatives and unveiled a report detailing the bold climate jobs action plan the organization will advocate for. The coalition, called the Maine Labor Climate Council, is made up of a dozen unions from across the state representing a variety of different industries and workplaces. At the launch event, the council introduced its policy agenda, which is informed by a report spearheaded by the council and the Worker Institute at Cornell University. The report makes a number of policy recommendations for creating good-paying jobs for workers while also addressing the escalating climate crisis.
Unions across the state coming together to launch Maine Labor Climate Council
WABI
By Kodichi Lawrence
March 2, 2022
Unions across the state are coming together to launch the Maine Labor Climate Council. They’re introducing a new report with policy recommendations for climate jobs from Cornell University. Some of their recommendations include installing 25,000 public electric vehicle charging stations by 2030. They’re also calling for moving school bus fleets to zero emissions. The council also recommends doubling and electrifying city bus operations by 2030. ”These recommendations would create 10 to 20,000 good jobs per year for the next 20 years in Maine, depending on the scale of implementation, and the duration of the projects. We believe that the choice between good jobs and a livable planet is a false one. And our report lays out a path to head in the direction of both,” said Cynthia Phinney, Maine AFL-CIO president.
INTERNATIONAL
Mexico sees 2nd major win for independent unions
ABC News
By The Associated Press
March 1, 2022
Employees at a U.S.-operated border assembly plant in the northern Mexico city of Matamoros have overwhelmingly voted to have an independent union represent them. The vote tallies at the Tridonex autoparts plant mark the second victory over undemocratic, old-guard unions that had long kept wages at rock-bottom levels in Mexico.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
Oregon OSHA takes action on heat and smoke
Northwest Labor Press
By Don Mcintosh
March 2, 2022
Five years after advocates began pleading for rules protecting workers exposed to extreme heat and wildfire smoke, and nearly two years after Governor Kate Brown ordered it, Oregon OSHA is finalizing rules that would do that. On Feb. 1, Oregon OSHA released its final draft rules, and scheduled a series of hearings for public comment through March 4. As proposed, Oregon’s rules could be the strongest in the country. But worker safety advocates say they’re still not good enough. To point out weaknesses in the rules, a coalition including the Oregon AFL-CIO, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN), Oregon Environmental Council, Northwest Workers’ Justice Project, and Climate Jobs PDX organized to testify at the hearings.