Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
MUST READ
Baseball Players Union Joins AFL-CIO In Show Of Solidarity With Other Workers
HuffPost
By Dave Jamieson
Sept. 7, 2022
The Major League Baseball Players Association plans to join the AFL-CIO labor federation, putting one of professional sports’ top unions in a formal alliance with other labor groups. Tony Clark, the former switch-hitting first baseman who is now the union’s director, announced the new affiliation in downtown Washington on Wednesday. He was joined by Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, which includes 57 other unions representing more than 12 million workers. “The point here is we’re all workers, and we all have the same struggles,” Shuler said. “Whether you’re working on the pitch or on a baseball field or on a construction site, we’re all concerned about safe workplaces.”
Major League Baseball players union joins the AFL-CIO
CNN
By Chris Isidore
Sept. 7, 2022
The Major League Baseball Players Association is joining the AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor federation that includes unions representing a total of 12.5 million members. The announcement was made Wednesday by Tony Clark, a retired Major League player and executive director of the players union, and Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO. "The MLBPA has a proud, 56-year history of success rooted in unity and a highly engaged membership," Clark said. "We look forward to bringing that history and experience to bear as a more formal part of the movement."
JOINING TOGETHER
Major League Baseball Players Association joins AFL-CIO
USA Today
By AP
Sept. 7, 2022
The Major League Baseball Players Association is joining the AFL-CIO, executive director Tony Clark said Wednesday. The move comes as the MLBPA is attempting to unionize minor leaguers following decades of opposition and in the aftermath of a nearly 100-day lockout that delayed the start of the season. Clark made the announcement alongside AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler during an event at the National Press Club. Shuler called it “an incredible moment for the labor movement.” Clark said baseball players want to strengthen their organization by supporting minor leaguers and becoming part of the AFL-CIO.
MLB Players Association joins AFL-CIO
Our Esquina
Sept. 7, 2022
“The MLBPA and every single one of its 1,200 players have a home in our movement because this union understands and lives the meaning of the word solidarity by leveraging the power of sports and helping others,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said. “Together, with our 12.5 million members, we will bring our strength to their fights, including working to organize 5,400 minor league players.”
Major League Baseball Players Association joins AFL-CIO
ESPN
By Jeff Passan
Sept. 7, 2022
The Major League Baseball Players Association joined the AFL-CIO on Wednesday, strengthening its ties to the larger labor movement as it endeavors to significantly expand its membership by unionizing minor league players. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark announced the affiliation at a National Press Club Q&A in Washington on Wednesday morning with AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler. The MLBPA will join unions representing football and men's and women's soccer players on the sports council of the AFL-CIO, which counts 58 unions among its federation.
Major League Baseball Players Association joins the AFL-CIO
PBS
By Stephen Whyno
Sept. 7, 2022
The Major League Baseball Players Association is joining the AFL-CIO in an effort to strengthen its position in the aftermath of one labor struggle and in the midst of another. Executive director Tony Clark made the announcement Wednesday alongside AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler during an event at the National Press Club, discussing the MLBPA’s attempt to unionize minor leaguers following a nearly 100-day lockout that delayed the start of the season.
MLBPA joins AFL-CIO amid push to unionize minor league baseball players
CBS Sports
By Dayn Perry
Sept. 7, 2022
The Major League Baseball Players Association is joining the AFL-CIO, union head Tony Clark announced in Washington on Wednesday alongside AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler. The MLBPA currently represents players on the 40-man rosters of all 30 teams in MLB. However, they are presently working to expand membership to include affiliated minor league players. The AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) is the largest federation of unions in the United States and right now includes 58 unions under its umbrella. The MLBPA will be a part of the AFL-CIO's sports council, which includes unions representing football, including the NFLPA, and men's and women's soccer.
IN THE STATES
Stronger unions on the rise in north Alabama according to North Alabama Area Labor Council leader
WAFF
By Megan Plotka
Sept. 7, 2022
Public opinion of organized labor unions is higher than it’s been in decades according to a new Gallup poll and north Alabama labor leaders say they can see the growing support in the area. Gallup reports that 71% of Americans now approve of labor unions. This is up from 64% before the pandemic and the highest recorded measure since 1965. North Alabama Area Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Jacob Morrison says unions in our area are bigger and stronger than he’s ever seen before. Huntsville’s growth and development take partial credit for more union members. There are more entertainment and construction projects and with more projects, more workers are needed. Morrison points to the unionized stagehands of the new Orion Amphitheater. Then, the increased membership of trade unions that lend a hand in large construction projects in the area.
EQUAL PAY
U.S. Soccer, players formally sign equal pay agreements
AP News
By Anne M. Peterson
Sept. 7, 2022
Representatives for the men’s and women’s U.S. national teams on Tuesday signed their historic collective bargaining agreements with U.S. Soccer, formally closing a long and sometimes acrimonious fight over equal pay. The federation announced in May that it had struck separate agreements with the players’ unions on contracts that run through 2028. The new contracts include identical pay structures for appearances and tournament victories, revenue sharing and equitable distribution of World Cup prize money.
Women’s soccer equal pay deal highlights how unions can help level the playing field
MarketPlace
By Meghan McCarty Carino
Sept. 7, 2022
The U.S. men’s and women’s national soccer teams signed historic union contracts Tuesday that guarantee they will be paid equally. That’s, of course, after the champion women’s team sued the league for gender discrimination in 2019 leading to a $24 million settlement. Under the new contracts, men and women will be paid according to the same pay structure for appearances and tournament games even though FIFA World Cup prize money is still much less for women. The unions agreed to pool those winnings to even things out. It’s just one example of how collective bargaining can address persistent wage disparities. According to federal data, union membership reduces the gender pay gap by nearly 40%.
LABOR DAY
Labor shortage looms over Labor Day, Charlotte union workers say
Fox46
By Derek Dellinger
Sept. 5, 2022
“In Charlotte, the living wage for a family of two is well above $25 an hour, so $13 an hour is not going to cut it. $15 doesn’t cut it. $18 doesn’t cut it,” said Ashley Hawkins with the Charlotte-Metrolina Labor Council. Metzgar said that those that are paying more and offering incentives for workers are succeeding and recovering better from the pandemic-related and labor shortages. However, he noted for that to trickle down to other industries, or for them to fully recover, it could take years. “Listening to the workers, is there anything you can do, sometimes you can’t,” Metzgar said.