Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
POLITICS
Biden Announces Student Debt Relief for Millions in Swing-State Pitch
The New York Times
By Michael D. Shear
April 8, 2024
President Biden on Monday announced a large-scale effort to help pay off federal student loans for tens of millions of American borrowers, seeking an election-year boost by returning to a 2020 campaign promise that was blocked by the Supreme Court last year. Mr. Biden’s new plan would reduce the amount that 25 million borrowers still owe on their undergraduate and graduate loans. It would wipe away the entire amount for more than four million Americans. Altogether, White House officials said, 10 million borrowers would see debt relief of $5,000 or more.
Biden to attend rally with care workers Tuesday
The Hill
By Brett Samuel
April 8, 2024
President Biden will speak Tuesday at a rally highlighting investments in the care economy, a source familiar with the plans exclusively told The Hill. Biden will attend an event hosted by Care Can’t Wait Action, a coalition of groups focused on expanding access to childcare, paid family and medical leave and home-based services. Representatives from the AFL-CIO, AARP and National Domestic Workers Alliance will also be in attendance, the source said.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Rebuild the Key Bridge with local union labor (Opinion)
The Baltimore Sun
By Kelvin Jordan
April 8, 2024
As the city of Baltimore and the wider region grapple with the aftermath of an unthinkable tragedy, we must mourn the six men who lost their lives in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse last month, and never forget how fragile life can be, especially on a job site — any job site. We also must recognize that we are at a crossroads. How we choose to rebuild will shape the physical landscape of our city and define our commitment to our workers, our communities and our children. We must seize this moment as an opportunity to rebuild responsibly, safely. We must rebuild with a highly trained local workforce that is paid prevailing wages. And we must rebuild around responsible union contractors who partner with minority-owned businesses. Look no further than the recent repair of the I-95 bridge up the road in Philadelphia for inspiration. Led by highly skilled union workers, this project showcased the capabilities of local union labor to tackle complex infrastructure challenges. From carpenters to ironworkers, laborers to operating engineers, the union trades ensured astonishing success while prioritizing safety and quality while working together.
ORGANIZING
The Rize Event Center joins UNITE HERE Local 74
Labor Tribune
By Sheri Gassaway
April 8, 2024
The Rize Event Center, a new a full-service catering and restaurant facility, has joined UNITE HERE Local 74. The center is at 4444 Woodson Road in north St. Louis County near St. Louis Lambert International Airport. The restaurant is open two nights a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. “Our goal is to connect families, people and community at a price they can afford,” said owner Betsey Mitchell. “We decided to open the restaurant two days a week to make ends meet, and it’s been a big hit.” Mitchell, who’s owned restaurants with her mother in the past, said she was delighted to learn there was a union for hospitality workers in the St. Louis area. She’s a former teacher at St. Louis Public Schools and was a member of AFT Local 420, and her husband was a 25-year member of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562.
JOINING TOGETHER
Park Board workers say caring for Minneapolis parks isn't the job it used to be
Star Tribune
By Susan Du
April 8, 2024
Many frontline park workers like the Hendricksons say the job has gotten tougher, with challenges ranging from emerald ash borer infestations to homeless encampments developing — and being cleared from — Minneapolis parks. And with tight budgets and higher inflation cutting into pay, tensions have been rising between Park Board management and workers organized with the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA). Contract negotiations have been ongoing since December without agreement. The union filed for mediation in February, and lately a small army of LIUNA members have been turning up at Park Board headquarters, holding informational pickets and giving commissioners an earful.
Total eclipse of the news: As Moon hides Sun, journalists eclipse bosses
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
April 8, 2024
Just as the Moon totally eclipsed the Sun on Monday, April 8, newspaper workers in Rochester, N.Y., and Austin, Texas, eclipsed their bosses by going out on strike. The workers at the Austin American Statesman and the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, both represented by The News Guild/CWA, are frustrated by years of blotted-out bargaining by their bosses at Gannett, the nation’s largest newspaper chain. So when the Moon hid the Sun at 100%, they walked.
STATE LEGISLATION
Evers vetoes bill that would have allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to work without permits
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
By Laura Schulte
April 8, 2024
Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a bill Monday that would have eliminated work permits for the state's youngest employees, which he said would prevent children from being "taken advantage of." Evers vetoed the bill at the Wisconsin State Council of Machinists Conference on Monday at a Capitol Square hotel alongside members of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. Labor groups like the Wisconsin AFL-CIO opposed that effort, arguing permits protect young workers from exploitation and give parents a say in their child's employment.
IN THE STATES
AllOnGeorgia
By AllOnGeorgia
April 8, 2024
April is designated nationally as Lineworker Appreciation Month – a time to recognize and celebrate the thousands of lineworkers who work around the clock to keep the lights on for electric customers. This month, Georgia Power is highlighting the successful, forward-thinking collaboration between the company and Georgia’s technical colleges to recruit, train and employ the next generation of this critical workforce. Georgia Power also maintains a strong working relationship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), specifically IBEW Local 84 which represents thousands of men and women in the industry across Georgia. IBEW is a partner with the company in education and training, with negotiated programs designed to inspire and develop employees and members in their careers in power delivery and other electrical fields. “For over a hundred years, IBEW Local 84 has worked in coordination with Georgia Power to not only organize workers into the electrical industry, but help provide security on the job and promote safe and reasonable methods of work,” said Drew Stover, business manager of IBEW Local 84. “We’re proud of our members who help keep the lights on in this state and stand behind them as they maintain and build the critical infrastructure that makes daily life possible.”
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Fitters beat Electricians in close 3rd Annual ‘Braggin’ Rights’ hockey game
Labor Tribune
By Sheri Gassaway
April 8, 2024
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562 narrowly defeated IBEW Local 1, scoring the winning trophy in the 3rd Annual Braggin’ Rights charitable hockey game March 23 at The Mills Ice Zone here. Eric Levy, an IBEW Local 1 apprentice who is the team’s captain and coach, started the friendly rivalry three years ago. He said the event was exciting for everyone, including the 300 to 400 people in attendance. The final score was five-to-four. “They tied it up in the last 25 seconds of regulation play and beat us in the shoot out,” Levy said. “The game has been a cool experience for the unions, the guys and the crowds, plus it benefits a charity. It’s really a win-win scenario for all involved.” This is the third year in a row that Local 562 has won the match. The game raised $3,373 for Foundations for Divergent Minds, an all autistic-run non-profit organization rooted in the principles of disability justice. Its mission is to ensure equity, access and fulfilled lives through inclusive, practical, affirming neurodiversity-based programming and education.
RIFA Announces NALC’s annual food drive ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ set for May 11
WBBJ
By WBBJ Staff
April 8, 2024
RIFA is excited to partner with the USPS and the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) as they conduct their national food drive, Stamp Out Hunger, on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Since 1993, this food drive has helped feed millions of Americans each year. “We are thrilled to be a part of the Stamp Out Hunger food drive this year,” said Lisa Tillman, Executive Director of RIFA. “In 2023, Jackson residents donated over 6,000 pounds of food, which was distributed throughout our community to support those in need. We are incredibly thankful for the letter carriers and the hard work they do to make this food drive possible. Thanks to the generosity of those who donate and the letter carriers, RIFA is able to provide spiritual and physical nourishment to our patrons.”
CLUW donates $1.2K, personal items to Saint Martha’s to help women fleeing abusive situations
Labor Tribune
By Staff
April 8, 2024
The St. Louis Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) has donated $1,200 and a slew of personal items to Saint Martha’s, which serves women and children impacted by domestic violence by providing shelter and resources. The effort was part of CLUW’s annual holiday party.
LABOR AND ENTERTAINMENT
In New ‘Simpsons’ Episode, Marge Becomes the Face of a Ghost Kitchen Union
Eater
By Jaya Saxena
April 8, 2024
“It kind of shakes my faith in billionaires,” Marge Simpsons admits to Lisa, three-beers deep after a grueling shift at Gimme Chow, a ghost kitchen and delivery app. In the latest episode of The Simpsons, “Night of the Living Wage,” Marge takes the job to pay off an unexpected medical bill (for someone else’s “emotional-support chicken”). There, she is subjected to frantic, dangerous working conditions for minimum wage, and is refused overtime pay, only to hear the app’s founder, billionaire Finn Bon Idee, insist he’s made his fortune because he works harder than anyone else at the company. It’s at that moment she decides to form a union.