MUST READ
MLS Players Association becomes AFL-CIO affiliate
ESPN
By Jeff Carlisle
Feb. 23, 2023
"When we speak with one voice, when we're united in solidarity, our collective power is undeniable," said AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler. "This affiliation is about building that power for workers and ensuring professional soccer players have the strength of the entire labor movement behind them every single day. "We're thrilled to welcome the MLS Players into the AFL-CIO. This historic moment builds additional power to our collective commitment to raising standards for all working people and the communities where we live, work and play."
TRANSPORTATION
Union officials say cost cutting led to significant derailment rate increase
ABC News
By Peter Charalambous
Feb. 22, 2023
National union officials say years of cost-cutting and staff reductions within the freight rail industry have led to an increase in the rate of derailments and fostered an increasingly unsafe environment for workers and the public. They urge a strengthening of protection for whistleblowers, among other steps. In a letter reviewed by ABC News from the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department dated Feb. 9 and in interviews with two officials, union leaders called for increased federal oversight of the largest freight railroads, which they allege have "cut corners" and initiated practices that "pose real threats to workers and public safety."
APPRENTICESHIPS
IBEW Local 98 recruiting female electricians
Philly Voice
By IBEW Local 98
Feb. 23, 2023
IBEW Local 98, through its acclaimed Apprentice Training for the Electrical Industry (ATEI) Program, recently received a PAsmart Grant to fund its Rosie’s Girls female apprentice recruitment program, which is being offered tuition-free to all accepted pre-apprenticeship trainees. Rosie’s Girls is sponsored by ATEI, which provides the instructors, training, tools and equipment for each pre-apprentice. The PAsmart Grant includes funding for job fairs and career days in which students can learn about employment opportunities and career pathways in the construction industry.
JOINING TOGETHER
Major strike activity increased nearly 50% in 2022
Economic Policy Institute
By Margaret Poydock, Jennifer Sherer and Celine McNicholas
Feb. 22, 2023
The U.S. labor movement saw a resurgence in 2022, with high-profile organizing campaigns at companies including Starbucks, Amazon, and Trader Joe’s. Further, more than 16 million workers were represented by a union in 2022—an increase of 200,000 from 2021 (Shierholz, Poydock, and McNicholas 2023). Unions also saw their highest approval rating in more than 50 years (McCarthy 2022).
Soccer Association Joins AFL-CIO, Adding to Sports Union Roster
Bloomberg Law
By Daniel Moore
Feb. 23, 2023
The Major League Soccer Players Association has decided to formally affiliate with the AFL-CIO, the country’s largest labor federation and players union announced Thursday. The MLS Players Association joins six other professional sports unions the AFL-CIO counts as affiliated members. It comes just three weeks after the WNBA Players Association announced they would join the federation and five months after the Major League Baseball Players Association did the same. Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, said in a statement that the affiliation is about building “power for workers and ensuring professional soccer players have the strength of the entire labor movement behind them every single day.”
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Block Club Chicago
Maia McDonald
Feb. 23, 2023
The National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum will mark its anniversary this weekend with a gala and fundraiser to support its $30 million expansion and work to create the country’s first Black Labor tourism district. Leaders want to expand the museum inside three floors of a Pullman rowhouse at 10406 S. Maryland Ave. to include a new wing, a cafe and other features. It is part of several planned projects, including a research library, visitors plaza, community garden and women’s history museum. Eventually, organizers hope to rename the strip A. Philip Randolph Way, honoring the founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the country’s first nationally recognized Black worker’s union made up of Pullman Porters.