Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips

IN THE STATES

The PRO ACT- legislation is for working people, not for the elites

WV News

By Andy Walters

August 15, 2021

We at the West Virginia AFL-CIO are thankful that Governor Justice recognized that Right to Work and the repeal of Prevailing Wage did nothing in this state. We are grateful to Senator Manchin for signing on to the PRO Act to ensure workers are paid fairly for their work, get quality health care, have safe working conditions and are allowed time off to spend their families.

LABOR AND ECONOMY

Analysis: U.S. SEC prepares to take on corporate America over workforce disclosures

Reuters

By Katanga Johnson

August 16, 2021

“As many companies are fond of saying, ‘their employees are their greatest asset.’ But investors are being kept in the dark about how companies are treating their workforce,” said Brandon Rees, a deputy director at the AFL-CIO, the country’s largest federation of unions. “Improved workforce disclosure will help investors better understand which companies are creating good jobs and investing in their employees,” said Rees, adding that he had recently spoken with the SEC to discuss a new rule.

JOINING TOGETHER

Hamilton County: Maintenance workers plan to picket, administration says pay parity sought

Cincinnati Enquirer

By Chris Mayhew

August 16, 2021

The union for Hamilton County maintenance workers says its members intend to strike and will picket some of the buildings they help maintain this weekend. Pay is the stumbling block to reaching an agreement, according to a release from Local 20 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO.

After months of talks and protests, Kansas City area nurses get tentative contract

The Kansas City Star

By Lisa Gutierrez

August 16, 2021

After months of protesting lack of COVID-19 safety measures and staffing shortages during the pandemic, registered nurses at Research and Menorah medical centers have reached a tentative contract agreement with HCA, their union said Monday. Nurses will vote this week whether to ratify the collective bargaining agreement, after which details of the plan will be made public, said a statement from National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of National Nurses United. The contract covers 700 registered nurses at Research Medical Center and Research Psychiatric Center in Kansas City, and 325 at Menorah in Overland Park.

Transport workers union warns members to prepare for tough contract talks with SEPTA

The Philadelphia Inquirer

By Thomas Fitzgerald

August 17, 2021

Transport Workers Union Local 234 has a message for its members heading into negotiations with SEPTA on a new contract after working the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic: Hang tough and prepare for a possible strike. In a video scheduled to be distributed to members Tuesday morning, the local’s leadership makes clear it will expect some compensation for the risks transit workers took to keep the trains buses and trolleys running for more than a year during the pandemic.