Today's AFL-CIO press clips
POLITICS
Harris, Trump nail down construction endorsements
Construction Dive
By Matthew Thibault
Oct. 17, 2024
“From day one, Vice President Kamala Harris has been a true partner in leading the most pro-labor administration in history,” said Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO’s president, in the organization’s release announcing its endorsement of Harris.
Biden cancels $4.5 billion in student debt for over 60,000 public service workers
CBS News
By Kate Gibson
Oct. 17, 2024
President Joe Biden on Thursday said an additional $4.5 billion in student debt is being canceled for about 60,000 teachers, nurses, firefighters and others, bringing the number of public service workers to get relief during his administration to more than 1 million. More than $73 billion in loans have been forgiven under a 2007 initiative, according to an Education Department news release. Borrowers eligible for the latest round of relief should learn of their debt being cleared in coming weeks.
The Biden administration has now canceled loans for more than 1 million public workers
AP News
By Collin Binkley
Oct. 17, 2024
A student loan cancellation program for public workers has granted relief to more than 1 million Americans — up from just 7,000 who were approved before it was updated by the Biden administration two years ago. President Joe Biden announced the milestone on Thursday, saying his administration restored a promise to America’s teachers, firefighters, nurses and other public servants. He celebrated it even as his broader student loan plans remain halted by courts following legal challenges by Republican-led states.
Biden to visit New Hampshire to discuss prescription drug costs
WMUR
By Kirk Enstrom
Oct. 17, 2024
President Joe Biden plans to visit New Hampshire next week. The White House said the president will speak Tuesday at an official event highlighting the administration's work to lower prescription drug costs.
Musk joins right-wing billionaires bankrolling Trump campaign with $75 million donation
AlterNet
By Jake Johnson
Oct. 16, 2024
The head of the American Federation of Government Employees expressed alarm last month over Trump's push for a "government efficiency commission" headed by Musk, warning that the two billionaires only "care about one thing: lining their own pockets."
Presidency, U.S. Senate, and House control could be determined in Nebraska
People’s World
By John Bachtell
Oct. 17, 2024
Unlike in Las Vegas, one can never be certain that what happens in Nebraska will stay there. On Election Day, who becomes president and what party controls the Senate and possibly even the House may hinge on what the people in one Nebraska congressional district do three weeks from now. Despite being a deeply “red” state, Nebraska’s election laws and its history of relative fairness, pragmatism, and independence make it a wild card. If Kamala Harris wins the state’s “blue dot” and prevails in the Midwest “blue wall,” she’ll reach the 270 electoral votes needed to win. If Independent pro-labor U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn wins in Nebraska, he could caucus with Democrats, giving them a workable majority on critical issues. And if Democrat State Sen. Tony Vargas wins the 2nd Congressional District race in the state, it could help Democrats win the House majority. The Nebraska AFL-CIO is going all out to elect Osborn “because we know he will be a champion for working people,” said Lori J. Meyers of the Nebraska State AFL-CIO. “Osborn has proven that he will fight to ensure that workers have a voice in the workplace, protect, and strengthen labor standards and expand employment protections.”
NEGOTIATIONS & STRIKES
Boston teachers push for better wages and working conditions with more ‘walk-ins'
NBC Boston
By Alysha Palumbo
Oct. 17, 2024
Boston teachers held "walk-ins" outside five schools across the district Thursday morning as they continue rallying support amid ongoing contract negotiations. The Boston Teachers Union is fighting for better pay for teachers and paraprofessionals. They’re also asking for what they’re calling “inclusion done right” -- they say the district needs to properly staff the inclusion model used in classrooms for students with special needs and English Language Learners. The union, whose contract expired on Aug. 31 right before the start of the new school year, has been in negotiations with Boston Public Schools since February. Right now, 8,000 educators are without a contract in the district.
At Reed College still no union contract after a year
Northwest Labor Press
By Anna Del Savio
Oct. 17, 2024
Nearly a year after voting to unionize, a unit of 44 student workers represented by OPEIU Local 11 is still without a contract at Reed College. The workers are known as housing advisors: They live in the dorms, plan social events, and connect dorm residents with resources on campus. Above all, the housing advisors want higher compensation. They are currently paid $17,260 per year, which after taxes is less than the cost of their room and board in the dorms where they work.
Boston teachers to hold walk-ins to highlight contract negotiations
WHDH
By 7 News WHDH
Oct. 17, 2024
Walk-ins are scheduled at several schools in Boston Thursday morning, calling attention to what the teachers union called “heated contract negotiations”. Those negotiations have been going on since their last contract expired more than a month ago. At the end of September, Boston Public Schools staff held a walk-in to educate the community about their union contract, which came after the end of federal funding of COVID relief funds.
Seattle, Hawaii Hilton Workers Walk Off Job
The Seattle Medium
By Staff
Oct. 17, 2024
More than a hundred Hilton workers in Seattle have staged a walkout, demanding increased wages, fair staffing levels, manageable workloads, and the reversal of cuts made during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Unite Here union on Saturday. The Hawaiian workers have already been striking. The union announced that the week-long strike involves 374 employees from the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport and the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center, with actions set to continue until the early hours of October 19.
Hilton workers’ strike nears month mark, while Kauai nurses hold informational picket
Hawaii News Now
By Annalisa Burgos
Oct. 17, 2024
The workers’ strike at the Hilton Hawaiian Village is nearing a month -- with no end in sight.
The Local 5 union that represents the 2,000 Hilton workers on strike says both sides met last Saturday but are still far apart on wages and staffing levels. They hope the strike doesn’t drag on like the one with the nurses at Kapiolani Medical Center. “I’m too worried about my family, because to stay in Hawaii is hard and difficult and very expensive,” said Marisa Jose, who works in Hilton’s housekeeping department. “It’s hard for us, because I have four kids. ... So it’s hard for us because our savings is no more.” Hilton workers from housekeepers to restaurant staff are feeling the pinch of nearly a month with a lot less pay. But they say they’re not giving up until a new deal includes fairer salaries and workloads.
United Airlines comes under criticism after share buyback
Aviation Direct
By Jan Gruber
Oct. 17, 2024
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), which represents the airline's flight attendants, described the move as a "big mistake" and sharply criticized management. In particular, the fact that the flight attendants have not yet concluded a new collective agreement while the company is providing significant funds for share buybacks is the focus of the dispute.
UPTE-CWA 9119 to vote on strike Oct. 21 after ‘insufficient’ UC bargaining
Daily Bruin
By Alexandra Crosnoe
Oct. 16, 2024
The University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America 9119 will conduct a strike authorization vote Oct. 21 in response to alleged unfair labor practices by the UC. The union, which represents research and technical workers, claimed the University failed to meet its demands, withheld information regarding staffing and unilaterally raised employee healthcare costs throughout the bargaining process. Only selected campuses – which union leadership will announce the day of the referendum – will participate in the vote and, if authorized, the strike.
In 1 week, workers at 4 HCA hospitals approve agreements
Becker’s Hospital Review
By Kelly Gooch
Oct. 16, 2024
Members of the National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of National Nurses United, have approved a new labor contract with Corpus Christi (Texas) Medical Center. The three-year agreement marks the fourth contract approved by nurses at HCA Healthcare hospitals this month. NNOC/NNU members at MountainView Hospital in Las Vegas, Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo., and Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kan., have also approved new labor contracts.
IN THE STATES
Yahoo! Finance
By Business Wire
Oct. 16, 2024
UNITE HERE Local 11 Co-President Kurt Petersen wrote to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, California Franchise Tax Board Executive Officer Selvi Stanislaus and California Franchise Tax Board Chair and California Controller Malia Cohen on October 16, 2024 calling for the agencies to investigate whether Real Estate Investment Trusts ("REITs") Ashford Hospitality Trust ("AHT") and Braemar Hotels and Resorts ("BHR") are violating IRS provisions that provide them with lucrative tax breaks on their corporate income.
Richmond City Council OKs ordinance boosting construction worker pay
VPM
By Keyris Manzanares
Oct. 16, 2024
Union leaders say the law sets a new standard for laborers in the city.
Workers on certain construction projects are set to receive a pay boost next year, thanks to an ordinance passed Tuesday by the Richmond City Council. The ordinance requires that contractors and subcontractors on city-funded projects valued at more than $250,000 pay laborers a “prevailing wage,” or the average wages and benefits paid to other workers doing similar jobs in the area.
APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINING
Ironworkers Local 549 Plans $3.5 Million Expansion in Wheeling
The Intelligencer
By Eric Ayers
Oct. 17, 2024
Matching funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission will help Ironworkers Local 549 complete a major expansion of its training facilities, and in turn, will help bolster its apprenticeship programs and the region’s skilled-trades workforce. Local leaders from Wheeling joined with regional officials from the Tri-State area gathered Wednesday at the Ironworkers Local 549 training center on Main Street for the announcement of the coming expansion.
LABOR AND ENTERTAINMENT
Jane Fonda to Receive SAG-AFTRA’s Life Achievement Honor at the 2025 SAG Awards
Variety
By Michael Schneider
Oct. 17, 2024
Jane Fonda is set to receive the SAG Life Achievement Award, considered the highest tribute by SAG-AFTRA, at next year’s SAG Awards. The famed actress and activist will be the the 60th recpient of the kudo. “Jane Fonda is a trailblazer and an extraordinary talent; a dynamic force who has shaped the landscape of entertainment, advocacy and culture with unwavering passion,” said SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, as the award was announced on Thursday morning. “We honor Jane not only for her artistic brilliance but for the profound legacy of activism and empowerment she has created. Her fearless honesty has been an inspiration to me and many others in our industry.”
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
Transit union demands safety reforms amid attacks on MTA workers in New York City
ABC7
By Staff
Oct. 17, 2024
The Transit Workers Union is calling for safety reforms after another violent attack on a subway worker. TWU Local 100 has filed a formal grievance against the MTA, saying that they fail to protect train operators and conductors from violent assaults by passengers. "We are not here to be targeted," said TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis. "We have to be protected. They need to take the people out the subway and put them where they belong, get them help!"
EQUAL PAY
Lilly Ledbetter, 86, lauded by Shuler, Biden, Obama, and Harris
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
Oct. 17, 2024
“Lilly Ledbetter will forever be remembered as a trailblazing activist whose fight for fairness in the workplace led to passage of groundbreaking equal pay legislation. We’re deeply saddened by her passing but are comforted knowing her life’s work lives on in every woman worker who has refused to accept the unfair status quo,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said of “a true American hero.”
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
UA Local 172 Plumbers and Pipefitters host ‘Industry Day’ event for students interested in trades
WNDU
By WNDU.com
Oct. 17, 2024
An “Industry Day” event took place on Thursday for students interested in a career in pipefitting, welding and HVAC work. Students from multiple schools had the chance to tour UA Local 172 in South Bend to learn all about the benefits of working in the trade industry. There was also a Q&A session about future opportunities and apprenticeships. “This is our second annual, I call it ‘Industrial Day,’ and what it is, is kind of like a hands-on job fair,” said Jeremy Lucas, a training and apprenticeship coordinator for Plumbers and Pipefitters of UA Local 172. “I reach out to area high schools, young adults looking for a career in possible plumbing and pipefitting, HVAC, welding. It sparks more interest than a standard job fair, I mean standing behind a table.”
UNION BUSTING
Union drive at Wells Fargo heats up as employees allege intimidation tactics
Los Angeles Times
By Suhauna Hussain
Oct. 17, 2024
Wells Fargo officials are open about their disfavor of the unionization effort but deny that the layoffs of 11 employees in the bank’s conduct management intake department were a response to the ongoing unrest, saying they were part of planned organizational changes.