Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips

MUST READ

Los Alamos Daily Post

By Carol A. Clark

Aug. 30, 2023

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond delivered an inaugural State of the Unions address Tuesday where they released new polling, which underscores the American people’s support of unions—especially that of young workers—and their view of unions as critical to growing the middle class and providing opportunities for working people to thrive. Additionally, both officers stressed that with this unprecedented level of support, working people in unions are prepared to organize like never before, hold big corporations accountable and restore America’s promise for all.

POLITICS

Millions more workers would be entitled to overtime pay under proposed Biden administration rule

ABC 7

By Alexandra Olson

Aug. 30, 2023

The Biden administration proposed a new rule Wednesday that would make 3.6 million more U.S. workers eligible for overtime pay, the most generous such increase in decades. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler called the measure a "victory for the working people." She said employers that don't want to pay overtime "instead could take the high road and hire additional staff or promote workers from part-time to full-time status."

More in U.S. See Unions Strengthening and Want It That Way

Gallup

Aug. 30, 2023

By Lydia Saad

Aug. 30, 2023

-abor unions continue to enjoy high support in the U.S., with 67% of Americans approving of them, similar to the elevated level seen in recent years after more than a decade of rising support. Mirroring this trend, Americans have gradually become more likely than a decade ago to want unions’ influence to strengthen and to believe unions benefit various aspects of business and the economy. In contrast to the incremental changes seen in U.S. adults’ support of unions over time, the new poll documents an unprecedented uptick since the prior measure, in 2018, in perceptions that unions in the country will become stronger in the future than they are today. A third of Americans (34%) believe this today, compared with 19% five years ago and no more than 25% at any time in the trend since 1999.

JOINING TOGETHER

AFL-CIO’s ‘State of the Unions’ set to be new Labor Day tradition

New York Amsterdam News

By Karen Juanita Carrillo

Aug. 31, 2023

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) kicked off what it’s designating as a new Labor Day tradition by holding a “State of the Unions” event in Washington, D.C., this week. “Every year, we’re going to come together and talk about where working people stand in this country,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler promised those attending the inaugural event.

City reaches contract agreement with Local 108

The Herald Bulletin

By Ken de la Bastide

Aug. 30, 2023

The city of Anderson has approved a four-year contract with the union representing employees of the water and water pollution control departments. The Anderson Board of Public Works on Tuesday approved the contract with Local 108 of the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO.

Amalgamated Sugar Company, union workers reach agreement

KMVT 11

By Brittany Cooper

Aug. 31, 2023

A sigh of relief for workers at Amalgamated Sugar Company. Amalgamated Sugar and the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International Union voted to approve a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. The agreement will cover approximately 1,400 employees and averts a strike from union members. Negotiations between Amalgamated Sugar and the union had been ongoing since the end of May.

IN THE STATES

AFL–CIO: Labor Day Parade and Fest 2023 in La Crosse

Wis Politics

By Staff

Aug. 30, 2023

As Coulee Region residents prepare to celebrate Labor Day, the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO is pleased to announce the continuation of a 132-year tradition, the La Crosse’s Labor Day Parade & Fest, this year held on Monday, September 4th. The parade step-off takes place at 10:00 AM from the corner of Gillette and Kane Streets on the north side of La Crosse.

Plans Being Made for Danville Labor Day Parade

Vermilion County First

By Steve Brandy

Aug. 30, 2023

Illinois Federation of Labor AFL-CIO is proud to announce that we will once again sponsor the largest Labor Day Parade in Southern Illinois on behalf of Organized Labor. Parade route will start at the corner of Williams and Vermilion going South to end at the corner of Main and Vermilion. This year’s Parade Marshall is Mrs. Terry Lynn (Moore) Crawford. Terry was born August 3, 1960 the 8th child of John and Theresa Moore in Danville. Her father worked as a Union Steward at General Motors Central foundry.

First Lady Jill Biden visits Chicago, speaks at Federation of Labor event

WGN-TV

By Chip Brewster

Aug. 30, 2023

The Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) began its Labor Day celebrations Wednesday which includes First Lady Jill Biden headlining a McCormick Place event. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is also expected to speak, and there may be an appearance by Governor JB Pritzker, both of whom met Biden on the tarmac as she arrived at O’Hare International Airport. The CFL, the third-largest council of the national American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), holds the annual Labor Day reception as it builds toward its Labor Day parade and Eddie Fest.

This Labor Day, unions keep fighting for workers' rights that are under attack (Opinion)

The Tennessean

By Billy Dycus

Aug. 30, 2023

For many folks, Labor Day is often thought of as the “unofficial” end to summer. But for those of us in the labor movement, it’s a turning point in our “summer of strikes” as we head into the fall. Whether it’s Writers Guild of America (WGA) or SAG-AFTRA members walking the picket lines in Hollywood and New York City or Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 390G members in Memphis who have been on strike against International Flavors and Fragrances since early June, working people across the country are coming together like never before. In fact, a new poll released in mid-August showed that 67% of likely voters support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, including 68% of Independent voters.