Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
MUST READ
The Fight for Justice Is a Global One
Word in Black
By Fred Redmond
May 1, 2023
That tradition of solidarity lives on, and today, more than 100 countries celebrate the first day of May as International Workers’ Day. Working people and their unions around the world take action to show that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. It is an opportunity for workers in the United States to recommit ourselves to solidarity among all working people. And a reminder that we can only vanquish oppression in all its forms when we stand together and speak out and march forward for the economic rights and dignities that all working people deserve.
JOINING TOGETHER
Hollywood Writers Will Go on Strike, Halting Production
The New York Times
By John Koblin and Brooks Barnes
May 1, 2023
The unions representing the writers said in a statement that they had “voted unanimously to call a strike.” Writers will begin walking picket lines on Tuesday afternoon. Their three-year contract was set to expire at midnight Pacific time on Monday. The unions representing the writers, the East and West branches of the Writers Guild of America, said “the companies’ behavior has created a gig economy inside a union work force, and their immovable stance in this negotiation has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing.”
Deadline
By David Robb, Dominic Patten and Peter White\
May 1, 2023
The Writers Guild of America is on strike. News of the strike, which takes effect in a few hours, came late Monday after the guild’s negotiations with the AMPTP failed to reach an agreement on a new film and scripted TV contract. It’s the WGA’s first strike since the 100-day walkout of 2007-08. Less than an hour after talks with the studios ended and over three hours before their current contract officially expires, the guild made the labor action announcement public: Following the unanimous recommendation of the WGA Negotiating Committee, the Board of Directors of the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and the Council of the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), acting upon the authority granted to them by their memberships, have voted unanimously to call a strike, effective 12:01 AM, Tuesday, May 2.
Machinists union, Spirit AeroSystems begin contract negotiations
KWCH
By KWCH Staff
May 1, 2023
Contract negotiations between Spirit AeroSystems and the local machinists union are underway with workers for Wichita’s largest private employer calling for a new deal. After a strike sanction vote passed in March, the union, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local Lodge 839 in Wichita, can strike if its members choose. The last contact signed between Spirit and the Machinists Union was 13 years ago. That contract was extended due to the pandemic in 2020, but now the union is asking for a new agreement. “This contract is one of the biggest for the state and could potentially change the lives of over 7,000 employees of Spirit AeroSystems, not to mention the community itself. Changing lives is one of the things we stand for, and changing the culture is what we do. This company has had 13 years to tell the employees how important they are. Now it’s time to show us. We want a more than deserved fair contract for the next three years,” aid Cornell Beard, Directing Business Representative for IAM District 70.
USPS workers protest over 'hostile' working conditions
Kiowa County Press
By Roz Brown
May 1, 2023
Postal workers in cities across the United States want Congress to know their work environment is toxic due to understaffing and managers they claim "harass, intimidate and bully" employees. Workers rallied outside San Antonio's main post office Friday, ahead of Monday's International Workers' Day - a celebration of laborers and the working class. Alex Aleman, president of the American Postal Workers Union local in San Antonio, said the difficult environment is taking its toll on health and safety.
IN THE STATES
The heart of labor is beating strong in Chicago and Illinois
Chicago Sun-Times
By Robert G. Reiter and Tim Drea
May 1, 2023
On Monday we celebrate May Day, also known as International Workers Day, a holiday forged by the Haymarket Affair that took place right here in Chicago in 1886. May Day is a moment to reflect on the vital role that the labor movement in Chicago and Illinois have played — and continue to play — in the battle for economic and social justice. We are facing unprecedented challenges, including income inequality, job insecurity and the erosion of collective bargaining rights, but we remain committed to fighting for a better future for all workers in our city and our state.
Michigan repealed its ‘right-to-work’ law, a victory for organized labor
The Washington Post
By Jennifer Standish
May 1, 2023
In late March, Michigan became the first state in 58 years to repeal its “right-to-work” law. As Republican-led states loosen child labor laws and Democrats in Congress anticipate another congressional rebuff of their proposed labor legislation, Michigan pointed the way toward a different political future for workers’ rights and Democratic politics. In a state with a rich history of industrial unionism, the newly flipped Michigan government now in Democratic control repealed the state’s right-to-work law, which was passed under Republican control in 2012. This represents a major victory for labor — one that could be replicated in other states.
May Day rally at Texas Capitol: Advocates gather for improved working conditions
CBS Austin
By CBS Austin
May 1, 2023
"What we are seeing at the legislature is an attack on working families and freedoms. Our legislatures are not just ignoring the needs of working people, they are actively seeking to take away the hard-fought rights we have all fought for," said Leonard Aguilar, Secretary-Treasurer for Texas AFL-CIO.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Labor Tribune
By Ed Finkelstein
May 1, 2023
Jake Hummel, Missouri AFL-CIO president and the unions of the AFL-CIO were honored by the National Conference of Jewish Women (NCJW) St. Louis chapter with their first Community Partnership Award at their annual Celebrating Women ceremonies April 19. The awards, presented to Brother Hummel (a 24-year IBEW Local 1 member) and five others, are to recognize support for the NCJW efforts in our region to promote issues that support the welfare of women, children and their families and the community-at-large.
Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is May 13
Labor Tribune
By Staff
May 1, 2023
The National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) 31st annual “Stamp Out Hunger” nationwide food drive will take place May 13 this year. The nationwide effort asks postal customers to leave bags of food by their mailboxes for their letter carriers to collect and also features collection boxes at post offices and donation bins in multi-unit buildings. Its aim, as always, is to deliver canned goods, cereals, pasta and other non-perishable items to area food banks, pantries, food kitchens and homeless shelters. Donations to the annual food drive help feed one of every eight people in the U.S. who don’t get enough to eat, according to the Food Research and Action Center.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
Duluth West End annual May Day rally
WDIO ABC
By Olayinka Sodunke
April 30, 2023
The Minnesota President of American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) Bernie Burnham at the event spoke about recent organizing initiatives by the state’s leading labor coalition.