INFRASTRUCTURE
Regan: Infrastructure Law Is Most Pro-Worker Bill Passed By Congress
America’s WorkForce Union Podcast
Oct. 24, 2022
AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed why the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the most pro-worker infrastructure law ever passed by Congress. Regan recently testified before Congress about the importance of the act. Regan touted numerous pro-worker provisions in the bill, including its commitments to Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and a 5 percent expenditure on workforce training, which he called unprecedented. He believes the current Congress is the most productive he has seen in his 20-year career, as they have passed numerous pieces of legislation to create meaningful jobs for working families.
JOINING TOGETHER
Yale graduate workers file petition with NLRB seeking union election
New Haven Register
By Chatwan Mongkol
Oct. 25, 2022
Following a rally less than two weeks ago calling for Yale University’s neutrality in the unionization process, graduate student workers officially filed a petition Monday with the National Labor Relations Board seeking a union election. “This is the biggest group of teachers and researchers that has had the opportunity to form a union at Yale, so this is a really exciting moment and a really historic day for our campaign to win a grad worker union here,” said Local 33 organizer Arita Acharya.
City Colleges of Chicago union say it will strike next week without a new contract
Chicago Tribune
By Maddie Ellis
Oct. 25, 2022
Faculty and staff of City Colleges of Chicago will walk off the job next week if they don’t secure a new contract, their union said Tuesday. Leaders of the union representing almost 1,500 instructors and other employees of the community colleges said Tuesday that they’ve set a Nov. 2 strike date amid ongoing negotiations for a new labor agreement. The prospect of a strike shutting down the college network has intensified in recent weeks after the Cook County College Teachers Union authorized a strike earlier this month.
IN THE STATES
Union leader credits Shelbyville upbringing
Shelbyville Times-Gazette
Oct. 25, 2022
The president of Tennessee’s large AFL-CIO union credits his Shelbyville upbringing — and a few key individuals — with playing a big part in his success. Billy Dycus, who now resides in Coffee County near Morrison, has served as statewide president since his initial election in October 2015. He was re-elected in 2019 and is seeking a third term in 2023. It’s not a political-type campaign, but “more about what you’re doing,” Dycus said. “A one-on-one, hands-on approach.” The 1974 Shelbyville Central High graduate had been working for Bridgestone when asked to run for the full-time AFL-CIO post. “We are the eyes and ears for labor unions across Tennessee,” Dycus said. “We represent 65,000 union members.”
Labor leaders say jobs top issue in November election
Dayton 24/7 Now
By Jeffery Schrock
Oct. 25, 2022
Labor leaders from the state and local level made a stop in the Miami Valley on Tuesday speaking about issues important in this upcoming election. Labor leaders said it needs people who will fight for Ohio jobs. According to Tim Burga, Ohio-AFL-CIO president, working people, union workers and voters want candidates and messages that matter. "Fighting for working people matters, plans matter," said Burga. "Sharing Ohio values matter, and Tim Ryan checks off all the boxes when he's fighting for his district, fighting for the state of Ohio, fighting for the working people.
POLITICS
Republicans want working-class voters — without actually supporting workers
The Guardian
By Steven Greenhouse
Oct. 25, 2022
Bill Samuel, legislative director of the AFL-CIO, the nation’s main union federation, said he has seen no sign of Republicans warming up to unions despite their increased popularity – 71% of Americans approve of unions. “I haven’t seen any change” among Republicans, Samuel said. “There’s been no outreach. We haven’t been getting calls from Republicans asking, How can we help workers organize?” The AFL-CIO’s Samuel voiced dismay that many Republicans seem implacably opposed to anything that would help unions expand. “All this,” Samuel said, “illustrates their hostility to make it easier for workers to enjoy what is supposed to be their basic right under the law: to come together to form a union.”