Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
MUST READ
Senate to begin consideration of climate, inflation bill on Saturday
Spectrum News 1
By Justin Tasolides and Kevin Frey
Aug. 4, 2022
“This is going to deliver fundamental economic change across America,” said AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler. “This bill as a major step forward. It’s going to improve the lives of working people. It’s going to improve lives for seniors who are trying to pay for their prescriptions, kids who are going to have a healthier planet to live on.”
POLITICS
Biden to Meet CEOs of GM, Carrier, Cummins on Drug, Tax Bill
U.S. News & World Report
By Reuters
Aug. 4, 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden will meet Thursday with labor leaders and CEOs from General Motors, Carrier, Kaiser Permanente and other companies to discuss the economic impacts of the drug, climate and tax bill recently introduced by Democrats, a White House official said. Biden will host GM's Mary Barra, AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler, United Auto Workers president Ray Curry, CEO of healthcare company Kaiser Permanente Greg Adams, and the top officials from Ameren, Carrier and Cummins, the White House said.
IN THE STATES
New Jersey State AFL-CIO Hails Passage of Bill to Expand Benefits to Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits
Insider NJ
Aug. 4, 2022
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO today hailed the US Senate for passing legislation, known as the PACT Act, designed to expand medical benefits for veterans exposed to toxic “burn pits.” Burn pits are used in the military to dispose of materiel, trash, and other refuse for waste management and to prevent useful items from falling into enemy hands. Burning these materials creates toxins which have been linked to various life threatening and debilitating diseases among veterans. Over 5.5 million veterans are thought to have been exposed to burn pits. Specifically, the PACT Act builds upon the Agent Orange Act of 1991, by expanding presumptions and increased medical care related to Agent Orange exposure to veterans exposed to burn pits.
Northwest Labor Press
By Don Mcintosh
Aug. 3, 2022
In recent union officer elections, IBEW Local 48 business manager Garth Bachman ran unopposed and was reelected to a new three-year term. Members also elected other officers, including a new president. Dave Jacobsen, who was serving as vice president, outpolled Kennitha Wade, who was serving as recording secretary. Wayne Chow, who served as president the last two three-year terms, has been working full time for the state and local building trades council, and opted not to run for a third term. Jacobsen, 66, grew up in Southeast Portland in a union family. His father was a union machinist, and his uncle a union electrician.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Wiggins: Helping eastern Kentucky flood victims is more important than Fancy Farm
Forward Kentucky
By Berry Craig
Aug. 4, 2022
Devastating floods have claimed at least 37 lives in several of the state’s mountain counties. Thousands of people are homeless and hundreds of homes, businesses and public buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Wiggins is touring eastern Kentucky with Gerald Adkins, owner of Working Strategies 2, a lobbying/consulting firm also in the capital city. Essentially, they are on a fact-finding mission. “We want to find out what folks need and let them know what we can provide,” Adkins said. “For example, if they need an electrician or a plumber we can coordinate those needs through the state AFL-CIO. Wiggins said many union members live and work in the stricken counties. But he and Adkins stressed that the state AFL-CIO aims to help everybody who needs help, not just union members.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
Major Labor Unions, Advocates Urge Yes Vote on Temp Worker Protections
Insider NJ
Aug. 4, 2022
Today, more than twenty advocacy organizations, including the state’s leading labor unions, sent a letter to the Senate and Governor Murphy urging swift passage of the Temp Worker Bill of Rights (S511/A1474). The bill passed with bipartisan support in June, but due to a procedural error in the Senate, requires an additional vote on Monday. The bill is sponsored by Senator Joe Cryan and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez. “More than 127,000 essential workers, who saved countless lives during the pandemic, are counting on you to protect their safety and wellbeing with this critical legislation,” the letter states. Signatories urged immediate passage of the law, citing that it is both good for business and helps bring equity and and end to dangerous exploitative practices in the industry that impact women and people of color most.