Today's AFL-CIO press clips
MUST READ
After Harris-Trump Debate, Progressives Say 2024 Contrast 'Couldn't Be More Stark'
Common Dreams
By Jake Johnson
Sept. 11, 2024
Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, similarly described the 2024 contest as a "fundamental choice," characterizing Harris as a "principled, tough fighter who'll work to create opportunity for all of us" and Trump as "an unhinged serial union buster who betrays working people." "As tonight's debate reminded us, a second Trump term would be a corporate CEO's dream and a worker's nightmare," Shuler said in a statement late Tuesday. "Trump and Vance are ready to make their Project 2025 agenda a terrifying reality: eviscerating unions, slashing millions of union jobs, and making it nearly impossible for workers to organize, while cutting wages and benefits and threatening health and safety on the job. They're running a campaign based on division and fear to cover up the fact that they are in this for themselves and their rich donor friends—not the workers who make this country run."
POLITICS
Harris Urged to Back $17 Minimum Wage During Debate With Trump
Common Dreams
By Julia Conley
Sept. 10, 2024
"Raising our federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $17 is not radical," said Liz Shuler, president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), last year.
AFL-CIO, Entertainment Unions Unveil Federal Priorities For Nonprofit Artists and Journalists
The Hollywood Reporter
By Caitlin Huston
Sept. 10, 2024
The Department for Professional Employees, a trade department of AFL-CIO, the largest labor federation in the U.S., has put forward a slate of new federal policies it hopes can create more sustainable careers in the nonprofit arts and media sectors. The policies, which speak to concerns from nonprofit workers across 12 unions,including Actors’ Equity, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and more, call for stronger labor protections as part of federal funding received through the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, gaining seats on federal grantmaking councils for working professionals and updating federal grants in these areas, so that the funds are not limited to just one production or project.
Harris Economic Plan Focuses on Prices, a Key Vulnerability
The New York Times
By Alan Rappeport and Andrew Duehren
Sept. 10, 2024
As Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled her economic plans in recent weeks, former President Donald J. Trump has accused her of being a Marxist, a communist and a socialist. When they meet on Tuesday night for their only scheduled presidential debate, Ms. Harris will have the opportunity to rebut those claims and confront Mr. Trump about his record of managing the U.S. economy.
Who won the Harris-Trump debate? We asked swing-state voters.
The Washington Post
By Adrián Blanco, Eric Lau, Scott Clement, Emily Guskin and Dan Keating
Sept. 11, 2024
In the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, The Washington Post tried something new: We asked a group of uncommitted, swing-state voters in real time about their reactions to Tuesday’s debate. They thought Harris performed better, regardless of how they plan to vote in November.
White House calls for stronger labor standards across federal agencies
HR Dive
By Kathryn Moody
Sept. 10, 2024
President Joe Biden signed an executive order Sept. 6 calling on federal agencies to adopt a series of “high-road labor standards,” according to an announcement from the White House, continuing the administration’s push toward expanding the federal workforce while pushing certain standards. The announcement calls the move the “first in history to specify a clear list of labor standards that all Federal agencies should look to prioritize.”
Harris skewers Trump's history of racism
Axios
By Sareen Habeshian
Sept. 10, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris shot back at former President Trump for his history of racism during Tuesday night's debate. Why it matters: Harris' comments mark her first substantive, direct response on race and racism during the 2024 campaign — throughout which her opponent has questioned her racial identity. It comes weeks after Trump falsely claimed that Harris, the nation's first Black and Asian American vice president, "became ... Black."
Driving the news: Asked by ABC moderator David Muir why he believes it's appropriate to weigh in on the racial identity of his opponent, Trump said, "I don't care what" Harris is. "All I can say is I read where she was not Black, that she put out, and I'll say that, and then I read that she was Black, and that's OK," he said. Either one was OK with me. That's up to her." What she's saying: "Honestly, I think it's a tragedy that we have someone who wants to be president who has consistently, over the course of his career, attempted to use race to divide the American people," Harris said.
WHYY
By Associated PressJosh Boak, Jill Colvin and Seung Min Kim
Sept. 10, 2024
Since replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, Harris has pledged to chart a new way forward even as she has embraced many of his ideas. She wants middle class tax cuts, tax hikes on the wealthy and corporations, a restoration of abortion rights and a government that aggressively addresses climate change, among other stances. Seeking a return to the White House, Trump wants to accomplish much of what he couldn’t do during a term that was sidetracked by the global pandemic. The Republican wants the extension and expansion of his 2017 tax cuts, a massive increase in tariffs, more support for fossil fuels and a greater concentration of government power in the White House.
Harris, Trump go on the attack in first debate's opening moments
Reuters
By Nandita Bose, Gram Slattery and Joseph Ax
Sept. 10, 2024
Republican Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris immediately went on the offensive in the opening segment of their first presidential debate on Tuesday, each seeking a campaign-altering moment in their closely fought election. Harris, 59, attacked Trump's intention to impose high tariffs on foreign goods - a proposal she has likened to a sales tax on the middle class - while touting her plan to offer tax benefits to families and small businesses.
Kamala Harris' policy plans and platform on key issues for the 2024 election
CBS News
By Melissa Quinn, Caitlin Yilek, Caroline Linton, Kaia Hubbard, Kathryn Watson and Aimee Picchi
Sept. 10, 2024
As Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump participate in their first and possibly only debate of the 2024 presidential campaign, they're expected to field questions about some of the most pressing issues for Americans, including the economy, immigration, abortion access, foreign affairs and others. Harris, a latecomer to the race who earned the nomination after President Biden announced he was dropping out, has not announced many policies during the course of her short campaign, but she has released some proposals and has her record as vice president. Here are some key points from the plans she's offered, information about her record and what she's said about some of these subjects.
What to know about Project 2025, as Harris hits Trump over the controversial plan
NPR
By Franco Ordoñez
Sept. 10, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris quickly attacked former President Donald Trump on his association with the architects of Project 2025 in the presidential debate on Tuesday night. “I'm going to tell you on this debate tonight, you're going to hear from the same old tired playbook, a bunch of lies, grievances and name-calling,” Harris said in the first few minutes of the debate. “What you're going to hear tonight is a detailed and dangerous plan called Project 2025 that the former president intends on implementing if he were elected to again.”
LABOR AND TECHNOLOGY
Unions finally get a foot in the door at Microsoft … for an AI summit, and possibly more
GeekWire
By Todd Bishop
Sept. 10, 2024
Organized labor has arrived at Microsoft headquarters. A two-day AI Labor Summit between AFL-CIO leaders and Microsoft executives this week reflects the tech giant’s revamped approach to unions — which includes a pledge by the company to incorporate feedback from labor unions and their members into the development of artificial intelligence. “We’ve always said, as a labor movement, we are willing to work with companies who want to work with us,” said Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO President, speaking via phone from the event. “That invitation doesn’t often get accepted.” Those in attendance included leaders of AFL-CIO unions representing teachers, electrical workers, public sector employees, communication workers, nurses, and entertainment, creative, and theatrical professionals.
ORGANIZING
Anchorage Daily News staff set to unionize
Alaska’s News Source
By John Thompson
Sept. 10, 2024
News staff and journalists with the Anchorage Daily News are working to form a union, citing the need for fair wages, increased transparency, and a sustainable workplace environment. An organization called Anchorage News Guild sent out a press release Tuesday saying organizers with Alaska’s largest newspaper have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board requesting a union election. Voluntary recognition from the leadership at ADN was also requested. According to the news guild, roughly 80% of the ADN newsroom support joining The NewsGuild-CWA, the representative for over 25,000 media groups that include The Seattle Times and The New York Times.
Evansville TV station WEHT/WTVW employees win vote to unionize
Courier & Press
By Sarah Loesch
Sept. 10, 2024
Members of the news and production departments, as well as creative service employees, at local television station WEHT/WTVW won their union election Friday with a 31-11 vote. The workplace announced in late July its intent to unionize, reporting support of about 70% of its employees in the three departments. The local union will be a part of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-CWA. WEHT/WTVW, which brands its local news broadcasts as "Eyewitness News," is owned by Texas-based Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
NEGOTIATIONS & STRIKES
Hundreds of Kentucky AT&T union workers are nearing one month on strike
WEKU
By Sylvia Goodman
Sept. 10, 2024
Hundreds of Kentucky AT&T workers are on strike amid stalled negotiations over their next contract. The Communications Workers of America union, or CWA, alleges AT&T engaged in unfair labor practices during the negotiations, forcing them to strike. The strike began August 16 and extends over nine states — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The union says over 17,000 technicians, customer service representatives and others who install, maintain and support AT&T’s network are picketing the company’s corporate offices.
New York Times tech workers union votes to authorize a strike
Axios
By Sara Fischer
Sept. 10, 2024
The New York Times Tech Guild, which represents more than 600 staffers, on Tuesday voted to authorize a strike in protest of stalled contract negotiations with The Times' management, sources confirmed to Axios. Why it matters: The guild, which was formed in 2022, has yet to secure a contract after more than two years of bargaining. Driving the news: Of the union's 622 workers, 89% participated in the strike authorization vote Tuesday and an overwhelming majority supported the vote to strike.
50,000 state employees to walk off the job, demanding better pay & staffing
KIRO 7
By Lexi Herda
Sept. 10, 2024
Today negotiators with the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) are urging their 50,000 members to walk off the job at noon, to demand better wages and staffing levels. The union has been at the bargaining table with the Office of Financial Management since April, with reportedly little movement, according to a release from AFSCME Council 28/WFSE. Union leaders argue that lack of pay and benefits are contributing to a staffing crisis that impacts critical public services such as behavioral health, transportation, juvenile rehabilitation, and education.
AT&T strike now enters 27th day, negotiations ongoing
WPSD Local 6
By Dylan Payne
Sept. 10, 2024
For several weeks now, AT&T workers on strike have been a common site in Paducah, and as of Tuesday there is no short end in sight. On Thursday, an AT&T spokesperson sent a statement outlining what’s was called AT&T’s final offer. “At our suggestion, a skilled, independent federal mediator was helping the parties bargain productively, but earlier this week, CWA District 3 representatives decided to dismiss them,” the statement read. The offer included more than $40,000 of additional cumulative wages over the life of the agreement, as well as increased money for benefits like healthcare and retirement savings.
Public Service workers walk out over staffing crisis, pay cuts
My Northwest
By Bill Kaczaraba
Sept. 10, 2024
Some state public service workers walked off the job at noon Tuesday. They are protesting what they describe as a staffing crisis in behavioral health, transportation, juvenile rehabilitation and education. “Enough is enough,” union representatives said in a news release. “Together, we can demand a fair contract and better working conditions for all.” Represented by AFSCME Council 28, workers have been in negotiations with the Office of Financial Management (OFM) for months with little progress. According to the group, nearly 40% of the state workforce has resigned over the past eight years, prompting demands for fair wages and benefits to retain and attract essential workers.
NLRB
Union representing Kim's workers file labor complaint after closing
KARE 11
By Lou Raguse
Sept. 10, 2024
When Kim's, the latest restaurant from world-renowned chef Ann Kim closed last month amid a tough time for restaurants in construction-riddled Uptown, they said in an Instagram they made the decision "due to ongoing financial losses." But if that is true, the union representing Kim's workers say she is required to prove it to them. "We asked for information behind that, they refused to give that to us," said Sheigh Freeberg, secretary/treasurer of Local 17. About 60 cooks, dishwashers, servers and bartenders from Kim's voted to unionize in June, joining Unite Here Local 17. After what they say is "bad-faith" behavior from the owner and an abrupt closure, they have filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.
IN THE STATES
El Paso's AFT president highlights teacher stress, demands change
KFox 14
By Staff
Sept. 9, 2024
With a few months away from the start of a new legislative session, the Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT) laid out what it would like lawmakers to address. KFOX14/CBS4 spoke with Ross Moore, the president of the El Paso chapter of the Texas AFT who opened up about teacher's priorities. "The level of tension and stress in the districts I represent have peaked out a long time ago and members are getting sick from stress, said Moore.
APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINING
Shapiro touts apprenticeship programs during Luzerne County visit
Standard Speaker
By Michael P. Buffer
Sept. 10, 2024
Gov. Josh Shapiro visited the SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 44 training center during a Tuesday afternoon event to tout state investments in workforce development, job training, apprenticeship programs and career and technical education. "This is common sense stuff, and you know what? I'm proud to come here to Northeastern Pennsylvania a lot because there's a common sense mentality in this area," Shapiro said. A.J. Bonk — an apprentice with the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers — introduced Shapiro. The 2014 Meyers High School graduate told a personal story about moving back to Wilkes-Barre after the COVID-19 pandemic to look for a new career.
RAISING WAGES
Los Angeles should hike hotel and airport workers’ pay, report says
Los Angeles Times
By Suhauna Hussain
Sept. 10, 2024
A proposal by City Council members to raise the minimum wages of workers at large hotels and Los Angeles International Airport in the run-up to the 2028 Summer Olympics has received a boost from a new city report. The report, released Thursday by the city’s chief legislative analyst, Sharon Tso, concludes that the proposed gradual pay increase to $30 an hour by the time L.A. hosts the Olympic Games would improve pay inequity issues and help the regional economy. An outside consultant, Berkeley Economic Advising and Research, conducted the study.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Area union members hit the links to help Kansas Kids
WIBW
By David Oliver
Sept. 10, 2024
Area union members are joining forces to support local children. The Kansas AFL-CIO will host its annual ‘Fall Classic Golf Tournament’ for the Boys and Girls Clubs. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the local Boys and Girls Club.
Unions are the only major social institution whose public respect is on the rise
People’s World
By Press Associates
Sept. 10, 2024
Former AFL-CIO Political Director Michael Podhorzer posted the following interesting graphic on his Twitter/X feed. Unions get more respect, and other institutions get less. Podhorzer noted that since the Great Recession 15 years ago, respect for the union movement has skyrocketed, to a near-record high this year of 70%. The gap between respect and disrespect, though Podhorzer didn’t say so, is now a record +47 percentage points.
RETIREMENT SECURITY
Lawmakers file discharge petition to repeal controversial tax rule affecting federal retirees
Government Executive
By Erich Wagner
Sept. 10, 2024
Abipartisan pair of lawmakers on Tuesday filed a discharge petition seeking to force a vote on the House floor on a measure that would eliminate a pair of controversial tax rules that reduce the retirement benefits of some ex-government workers. Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Garret Graves, R-La., are the lead sponsors of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), a measure introduced last year that would eliminate Social Security’s windfall elimination provision and government pension offset.