ORGANIZING
Organizing a top topic at Steelworkers convention
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
Aug. 12, 2022
Organizing—who, where and what industries—dominated the discussion and delegates’ decisions at the Steelworkers convention in Las Vegas. The five-day gathering of 2,000 delegates, plus observers and others, heard union President Tom Conway set that agenda and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris laud it.
The nuts-and-bolts details were in resolutions the delegates approved, according to postings on USW’s website. “People want more power. They want more of a voice. They want more opportunity,” Conway led off in his keynote address.
JOINING TOGETHER
Union plans one-day strike Friday at Mass MoCA in North Adams
The Berkshire Eagle
By Larry Parnass
Aug. 14, 2022
Members of the national union that represents nearly 100 workers at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art will strike this week, as they continue to bargain over a first contract. The union says the strike will take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. It comes more than a year after UAW Local 2110 formed and is in part a response to what members view as a failure by the museum to bargain in good faith on a first contract. “Never underestimate the strength and force of a hard-working team … especially when they’re being underpaid,” the union said in an Instagram post this weekend. “WE’RE GOING ON STRIKE.”
IN THE STATES
Minnesota's union membership hits 14-year high point
Star Tribune
By Dee DePass
Aug. 13, 2022
"We've seen two years of growth. Minnesota's union density is the highest it has been in a decade," said Minnesota AFL-CIO spokesman Chris Shields. "Barring a recession or economic downturn, it's likely we'll continue to see some modest growth."
Insider NJ
Aug. 14, 2022
Over the weekend, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO hosted its 26th annual Labor Candidates School featuring a graduating class of 24 union members running for office as first-time candidates. Additionally, many alumnae opted to join the school for a refresher course, as the Labor Candidates School provides training in the most up-to-date campaign techniques, which continue to evolve at a rapid pace.
VOTING RIGHTS
MLK’s Baptist denomination reunites with AFL-CIO for midterm voter push
The Washington Post
By Adelle M. Banks
Aug. 12, 2022
The PNBC worked with the AFL-CIO to lobby for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination on the basis of sex or race in hiring, firing and promotions, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibited discriminatory voting practices that had limited Black voters. “We share a mission of justice, fairness and opportunity for all people, especially those in underserved communities,” AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond said in a statement. “Our movements are uniquely connected. And now more than ever we need to strengthen that connection, come back together and rebuild the bond between faith and labor.”