Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
POLITICS
Final Ryan Rally Seeks to ‘Shock the World’
The Business Journal
By George Nelson
Nov. 8, 2022
Liz Shuler, national AFL-CIO president, alluded to the intense interest the Ohio Senate race is generating. “This race is the race everyone is watching – no pressure,” she remarked. Shuler has returned to Ohio on multiple occasions as she has visited battleground states in the leadup to the midterm elections. Everywhere she goes, she hears about people called essential workers during the pandemic now being treated as expendable. “The corporate CEOs are raking in record profits yet can’t find a few bucks to put on the table during collective bargaining [or] can’t find it in their profits to make sure that their health care is paid for or that their retirement is secure,” she said. “That’s why this election is so important, Because we know there’s a difference between who’s going to stand up for working people and who’s going to stand up for the CEOs.”
Senate candidate Tim Ryan holds flurry of final campaign stops before Election Day
Spectrum News 1
By Jenna Jordan
Nov. 7, 2022
I spoke with the president of the AFL-CIO who said she's endorsing Ryan to help preserve freedoms. "Everything's at stake, good jobs, making sure we preserve health care and retirement security and elect people that are going to stand up and fight for working people."
JOINING TOGETHER
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
By Vanessa Swales
Nov. 8, 2022
The hearing came days before members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 998 entered into contract negotiations with MCTS on Nov. 7 and 8. Negotiations usually occur every three years and have been the flashpoint for the often fraught history between union members and MCTS management. It also comes as County Board supervisors are set to vote on a county budget that could include steps to address safety concerns.
UMN union demands wage increase and racial equity
The Minnesota Daily
By Amelia Roessler
Nov. 8, 2022
A union representing University of Minnesota healthcare, clerical and technical workers went into bargaining with the University on Nov. 1, hoping to raise wages and create a more equitable working environment. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3800 has been picketing at the University, demanding a three dollar an hour wage increase among other contract changes. Members held a Halloween picket on Oct. 31 in front of Morrill Hall to call out the “web of lies” they say the University has spun over the months-long bargaining process. “I think that unfortunately what we’ve seen over time is that the University doesn’t give people what they deserve; we have to demand it from them,” AFSCME administrative worker Rachel Katkar said.
US Steel, USW reach tentative agreement on new 4-year deal
WTAE
Nov. 8, 2022
U.S. Steel announced Tuesday it has reached a tentative agreement with the United Steelworkers on a new four-year contract. The deal covers 11,000 USW-represented employees at the company’s domestic flat-rolled facilities, iron ore mining facilities and applicable tubular operations. The tentative agreement remains subject to ratification, which can take several weeks. According to USW, the deal includes wage increases, improvements to health care with no premiums, improved retirement benefits, an additional holiday, improved vacation, new parental leave and a $4,000 bonus.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Alabama Power volunteers celebrate dedication of Habitat for Humanity house
Alabama News Center
By Carla Davis and Joseph Allen
Nov. 8, 2022
Chandler said the project was a team effort, with members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and volunteers from Alabama Power’s Plant Miller joining forces with the APSO Magic City Chapter on the project. “Alabama Power management in Generation, Distribution and Transmission has been absolutely supportive and willing to allow employees to participate, and we really appreciate that,” said Keith Gilliland, assistant business manager, IBEW System Council U-19. “We’re proud to work for a company that allows its employees to take time to volunteer in the community.”