Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips

IN THE STATES

Pennsylvania Capital-Star

By Kim Lyons

Dec. 14, 2023

The statewide AFL-CIO executive council is announcing its endorsement of U.S. Sen Bob Casey (D-Pa.) today, a key backing for the senator’s reelection campaign in the labor-conscious Keystone State. “Since his election to the Senate in 2006, Bob Casey has shown he is committed to the wellbeing of Pennsylvania’s workers and families,” Angela Ferritto, president of the PA AFL-CIO said in a statement. “He has worked to create family-sustaining jobs and safeguard the rights of workers. He has consistently demonstrated that he cares about the issues our members care about: better pay and benefits, secure retirements, gender equality, workplace health and safety, high quality public education, and civil rights, among others.”

IBEW Local 98's "Rosie's Girls" program changing face of male-dominated electrician industry

CBS News Philadelphia

By Wakisha Bailey

Dec. 14, 2023

An innovative program is changing the face of what's typically a male-dominated industry. IBEW Local 98 is graduating nine high school girls into careers as union electricians. It's the union's second graduating class from the "Rosie's Girls" program, which provides local high school girls with a basic introduction to a career in the unionized electrical industry. Graduates of the Rosie's Girls program, named after the iconic World War II-era female empowerment and job recruitment campaign, are automatically qualified to apply for an IBEW Local 98 Apprenticeship. "Traditionally women are told the construction industry isn't for them. We get over 1,000 applicants a year. We only get a handful of women. Usually, they've already graduated college or started down another career path," Brian Myers, Director of Apprentice Training for the Electrical Industry, said.

JOINING TOGETHER

Unite Here Local 11 reaches deal with Beverly Wilshire, strikes Sheraton near Disneyland

Los Angeles Times

By Suhauna Hussain

Dec. 14, 2023

Unite Here Local 11 has reached a tentative agreement with a 10th hotel, marking continued momentum in the contract campaign it began earlier this year. The deal with the Beverly Wilshire was reached days after the union nailed down agreements with two other major Beverly Hills hotels, the Beverly Hilton and the Waldorf Astoria. It comes as Unite Here Local 11 ramps up pressure in contract negotiations with hotels operated by Aimbridge Hospitality, which has faced sharp criticism from union officials and others for hiring unhoused refugees from Venezuela and Colombia to replace workers during recent strikes in at least two hotels it operates, the Holiday Inn LAX and Pasadena Hilton.

MBTA approves new four-year contract with Machinists Union

Trains.com

By Staff

Dec. 14, 2023

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board of directors has approved a new four-year contract with International Association of Machinists Lodge 264, including an overall pay raise of approximately 18% over the life of the contract, as well as several provisions intended to improve worker retention. The contract approved on Wednesday, Dec. 13, is retroactive to July 1 of this year and runs through June 30, 2027.

Striking machinists in Kingston ratify new contract with employer

Times Union

By Maria M. Silva

Dec. 14, 2023

Machinists represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1562 voted Wednesday morning to ratify a new contract with their employer, Howmet Aerospace, ending the workers’ strike that lasted more than a month. Approximately 70 employees — including assemblers, machinists, inspectors and others who work at the facility making components for use in the military and aerospace industries — had been striking for 43 days. The walkout included regular rallies at the entrance of Kingston Industrial Business Park. But after Wednesday’s agreement, they will return to work on Thursday.