Today's AFL-CIO press clips
POLITICS
Trump’s address to Congress showed the country’s stark partisan divide
AP
By Chris Megerian and Aamer Madhani
March 5, 2025
A president’s speech to Congress — even without the formal gloss of a State of the Union address — is typically a time for a call to national unity and predictable claims about the country being strong. But that wasn’t President Donald Trump’s plan. His speech on Tuesday night was relentlessly partisan, boasting about his election victory and criticizing Democrats for failing to recognize his accomplishments.
Trump barely mentions federal workers in speech to Congress
USA Today
By Sarah D. Wire
March 4, 2025
The first few weeks of President Donald Trump's second term has focused on efforts to reshape the federal government largely through mass firings of federal workers. But he rarely mentioned them in his address to Congress Tuesday night.
"We ordered all federal workers to return to the office. They will either show up for work in person or be removed from their job," Trump said early in his speech.
What Trump is trying to do to the Education Department, explained
Vox
By Anna North
March 4, 2025
One of President Donald Trump’s biggest targets in his second term has been the Education Department, a federal agency established in 1979 that oversees the enforcement of federal law in schools. He’s called the department “a big con job,” and expressed his hope that Linda McMahon, confirmed on Monday to head the agency, will “put herself out of a job.” In an email to the department just after her confirmation, McMahon called on staffers to “join us in this historic final mission,” which she described as “a last chance to restore the culture of liberty and excellence that made American education great.”
US CHIPS Act office lays off about a third of its staff, sources say
Reuters
By Reuters
March 4, 2025
About one-third of the staff in the U.S. Commerce Department office overseeing $39 billion of manufacturing subsidies for chipmakers was laid off this week, two sources familiar with the situation said. The Commerce Department did not respond to requests for comment.
Reuters reported last month that the new Trump administration, which has embarked on a dramatic overhaul of the federal government, is reviewing the projects awarded under the 2022 U.S. CHIPS Act. That law is meant to boost U.S. domestic semiconductor output with grants and loans to companies across the chip industry.
Federal workers sent back to the office, then told the office is going away
The Washington Post
By Aaron Wiener
March 4, 2025
Last week, employees of an Agriculture Department office in the South began reporting for full-time in-person work, following President Donald Trump’s directive to end remote and telework arrangements for federal employees. But in a turn of events that underscores the whiplash effect of Trump administration actions in recent weeks, those employees learned the next day that the government had canceled its lease at the building, effective this spring, as part of another directive meant to improve government efficiency. “We don’t really know what this means,” said one worker at the office, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. “We can’t telework, but we aren’t going to have an office in a couple of months?”
Judge Says Trump Can’t Fire Chair of Federal Worker Board Without Cause
The New York Times
By Zach Montague
March 4, 2025
A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from firing Cathy Harris, the chair of an independent board that protects government workers from political discrimination and unfair labor practices, including wrongful termination. The order was the second time a judge had sided with a government watchdog who sued to prevent their own removal.
Democrats, trying to find momentum, home in on shaky economy, DOGE cuts
The Washington Post
By Theodoric Meyer, Hannah Knowles and Marianna Sotomayor
March 4, 2025
Democrats see President Donald Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday as an opportunity to go on offense. Trump is expected to tout his overhaul of the federal government in the name of economic growth. But with markets shaky as Trump’s tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods take effect and anger bubbling up in lawmakers’ town halls, Democrats hope to use his record against him — and finally seize some political momentum. “Democrats need to start holding Donald Trump accountable,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts). “He said he would lower prices for American families, quote, ‘on Day One.’ So far, he has done virtually nothing to lower prices or even to indicate that it’s somewhere on his radar screen.”
Democrats seek to probe Musk conflicts and DOGE firings with resolutions of inquiry in the House
AP
By Lisa Mascaro
March 4, 2025
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are introducing a pair of resolutions demanding the Trump administration turn over documents and information about billionaire adviser Elon Musk’s potential conflicts of interest and the firings of federal workers, The Associated Press has learned. It’s the most aggressive move yet by Democrats trying to confront President Donald Trump’s actions. The top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Gerald Connolly of Virginia, and Rep. Rep. Kweisi Mfume of Maryland are leading the effort as the party mounts a resistance against the Trump-Musk dismantling of government.
Veterans Are Caught Up in Trump’s and Musk’s Work Force Overhaul
The New York Times
By Eileen Sullivan and Maya C. Miller
March 4, 2025
Veterans, who make up a disproportionate share of federal employees, are feeling the brunt of the Trump administration’s rapid push to downsize the work force, generating discord in a reliable political base for Republicans. Some Republican lawmakers are facing backlash at town hall gatherings where people have raised concerns about veterans being part of the deep cuts made by President Trump and his partner in this mission, the tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Trump Abruptly Walks Back His Directive To Fire Thousands Of Federal Employees
HuffPost
By Jennifer Bendery and Dave Jamieson
March 4, 2025
President Donald Trump on Tuesday abruptly walked back his directive to federal agencies to fire thousands of probationary employees, a change driven not by a desire to preserve people’s jobs but an attempt to comply with a judge’s ruling that the way in which he’s been carrying out mass firings is likely illegal. In revised guidance issued to the heads of federal agencies, the Office of Personnel Management ― the human resources agency of the federal government ― tries to rewrite history by claiming it never actually ordered agencies to fire probationary employees (people who generally have held their jobs for a year or less). Instead, OPM claims it’s been up to each agency all along to decide who to fire.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon announces plans for department's 'final' mission
ABC News
By Kiara Alfonseca
March 4, 2025
Education Secretary Linda McMahon has released what she calls the "final mission" for the Department of Education, as the Trump administration appears to be laying the groundwork for the agency's dismantling. The newly confirmed secretary’s plans for the coming months will result in what she calls a "historic overhaul" of the education department that "will profoundly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations here at the Department."
US Department of Education workers decry ‘final mission’ email as power grab
The Guardian
By Michael Sainato
March 4, 2025
In a message to employees on Monday, the newly confirmed secretary of education, Linda McMahon, a billionaire ex-wrestling executive, laid out the “final mission” for the department as Donald Trump threatens to dismantle the agency. “My vision is aligned with the president’s: to send education back to the states and empower all parents to choose an excellent education for their children,” wrote McMahon, a co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the professional wrestling organisation. “This is our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students.”
Trump gets poor marks on how he is handling the cost of living, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
Reuters
By Jason Lange
March 4, 2025
Just one in three Americans approve of President Donald Trump's handling of the cost of living in the U.S., a sign of unease as he enacts steep tariffs on imports that are stoking inflation worries, a Reuters/Ipsos survey that concluded on Tuesday found.
Trump administration makes hundreds of federal properties available for sale
The Washington Post
By Aaron Wiener, Joe Heim and Rachel Weiner
March 4, 2025
The Trump administration on Tuesday announced that hundreds of federally owned properties are available for sale, including the headquarters of the Justice Department, Labor Department and U.S. Census Bureau — an effort that, if carried out, could radically shrink the federal real estate portfolio and have a major impact on the D.C. area.
Bowser signals D.C. will paint over BLM Plaza after GOP threatens funding
The Washington Post
By Meagan Flynn
March 4, 2025
D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) signaled Tuesday that the city would paint a new mural at Black Lives Matter Plaza outside the White House after a Republican lawmaker introduced a bill threatening millions of dollars in transportation funding if Bowser did not agree to erase and rename it. Bowser’s announcement about what she referred to as the “evolution of the plaza” represents a remarkable retreat from her defiant posture toward President Donald Trump during his first term that led her to order the creation of Black Lives Matter Plaza.
Illinois Democrats bring guests affected by DOGE cuts to Trump's speech
NBC 5
By Rose Schmidt
March 4, 2025
Members of Congress are allowed to bring guests to the State of the Union or joint addresses to Congress. For President Donald Trump's speech Tuesday night, Democrats largely invited federal workers who were affected by cuts made by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Other Democratic guests included recipients of Medicaid that could lose their benefits under House Republicans' budget, business owners impacted by Trump's tariffs, first responders and Israeli hostages. Multiple Congressional Democrats from Illinois invited guests who were affected by DOGE cuts.
‘A slap in the face’: Federal workers in Wisconsin fight their firings after mass layoffs
Wisconsin Public Radio
By Danielle Kaeding
March 5, 2025
Michele Malone is president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3 union that represents Zablocki, which she said has more than 2,000 employees. Even so, she said the center was already running on a “skeleton” crew. A report last year by the VA’s Office of Inspector General found the facility had a severe shortage for 21 types of positions, including one of the positions held by Stancil.
These national parks have been hit hardest by firings
Axios
By Alex Fitzpatrick
March 5, 2025
More than 750 U.S. national park workers have been fired amid the Trump administration's purge of federal employees, per an unofficial tally shared with Axios by a park ranger. Why it matters: The firings have left fewer workers to do critical jobs ahead of the busy summer travel season, including lifesaving search-and-rescue missions.
Some DOGE Staffers Are Drawing Six-Figure Government Salaries
Wired
By Kate Knibbs
March 4, 2025
Some staffers at Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency are drawing robust taxpayer-funded salaries from the federal agencies they are slashing and burning, WIRED has learned. Jeremy Lewin, one of the DOGE employees tasked with dismantling USAID, who has also played a role in DOGE’s incursions into the National Institutes of Health and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, is listed as making just over $167,000 annually, WIRED has confirmed. Lewin is assigned to the Office of the Administrator within the General Services Administration.
Scoop: Hawley leads bipartisan pro-labor push
Axois
By Stef W. Kight
March 4, 2025
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is introducing a major bipartisan, union-backed labor bill on Tuesday, according to a draft first obtained by Axios. Why it matters: It's the first time in decades a Republican has spearheaded pro-union reforms. It comes as the Senate looks likely to confirm President Trump's pro-labor nominee Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as soon as this week to lead the Labor Department.
LABOR AND ECONOMY
Trump official floats new approach on GDP, as economy poised to slow sharply
The Washington Post
By Abha Bhattarai
March 4, 2025
The Trump administration is suggesting a change in the way economic growth is measured, just as the economy appears poised to notch its worst performance since the pandemic-era shutdowns. On Monday, an economic growth model from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta forecast a steep decline for the first three months of this year — a 2.8 percent contraction in economic growth, after nearly three years of solid growth.
ORGANIZING
New Jersey VW workers file to join union
Local 3 News
By Local 3 News staff
March 4, 2025
Workers at New Jersey's Volkswagen parts distribution center have voted to join the United Autoworkers union. This news comes even as the German automaker and the UAW continue their negotiations at the Chattanooga assembly plant. The UAW says that this vote marks the second time a group of VW workers have voted for union representation. The decision marks the first time Volkswagen distribution workers will join the union.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS
Southern California grocery workers build on Colorado strike
People’s World
By Cameron Harrison
March 4, 2025
Over 700 union grocery workers rallied outside an Albertsons store here on February 28, demanding a new contract as the previous agreement was set to expire on March 2. According to United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324, the “Big Grocery” companies—Kroger and Albertson’s—have yet to present serious proposals on wages, healthcare, and staffing levels.
South Bay Transit Strike Threat Looms Over VTA Talks After Contract Expires
KQED
By Joseph Geha
March 4, 2025
More than 1,500 bus drivers, train operators and maintenance workers in the South Bay could go on strike over wage negotiations, though how soon is unclear. After six months of contract talks between the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and workers represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265, a new contract is still not signed.
Kern County workers to strike Wednesday over staffing and wage concerns
Bakersfield Now
By BakersfieldNow Staff
March 3, 2025
Kern County workers, represented by the local Service Employees International Union (SEIU), are set to hold a one-day strike at all county locations. The union alleges that the Board of Supervisors has failed to address staffing and wage concerns. Additionally, they claim the county has attempted to discourage participation in union activities, including retaliating against those who have participated.
2 unions reach agreement with MVHS; workers to get raises
Observer-dispatch
By Amy Neff Roth
March 4, 2025
The Mohawk Valley Health System has reached an agreement with two of its unions, officials announced. Service and maintenance workers represented by United Food and Commercial Workers, District Union Local One, and licensed practical nurses and technicians represented by Communications Workers of America, District One Local 1126 both voted Wednesday, Feb. 26 to ratify a memorandum of agreement.
12 Months After Unionizing, Whitefish’s Ski Patrollers Are Still Negotiating a Contract
Powder
By Izzy Lidsky
March 4, 2025
Whitefish Mountain Resort Professional Ski Patrol Union (WMRPSP) is the latest unionized patrol unit in for the long haul at the negotiating table. The patrol unit officially unionized 12 months ago and began contract negotiations with the independently-owned Whitefish Mountain Resort in June of 2024, according to a joint social media post from WMRPSP and the United Mountain Workers, which represents many of the unionized ski patrol units in the Western US.
Highlander News
By Sarah Tabel
March 4, 2025
The University of California (UC) faced a system-wide strike last week led by service and patient care workers, represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 3299 (AFSCME 3299). The strike is motivated by what the union describes as unfair labor practices, restrictions on employee rights and unlawful access policies. AFSCME represents 37,000 UC workers across all UC locations, including UCSF. They argue that the UC is making unilateral changes to protest policies without proper union consultation, limiting their ability to advocate for better working conditions and wages. The UC has reportedly threatened to arrest workers for engaging in picketing and using amplified sound while protesting.
Cafeteria Workers Contract Approved
New Haven Independent
By Maya McFadden
March 4, 2025
The Board of Education unanimously approved a new contract for the school district’s cafeteria workers union that includes a $6‑per-hour raise over four years and stepped-up training for lead cooks. The Board of Education voted in support of that new contract for UNITE HERE Local 217 during a special meeting on Friday. The now-approved contract runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2028.
JOINING TOGETHER
Cincinnati teachers, parents respond to potential education cuts
Fox 19
By Courtney King
March 3, 2025
The Cincinnati Federation of Teachers is responding to the Trump administration’s plans to scale back the Department of Education. Teachers, parents, and supporters attended the Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education meeting Monday night, showing concern over President Trump’s proposed education cuts. According to the American Federation of Teachers, the proposed cuts could impact nearly 50 million public school children nationwide.
Paraprofessionals in western Mass to wear red for ‘Protect Our Kids’ national campaign
Western Mass News
By Taylor Smith
March 4, 2025
Thousands of educators, students, and activists across the state will be coming together to fight back against funding cuts to public schools. Massachusetts educators, including members of the Springfield Federation of Paraprofessionals, will participate in the “Protect Our Kids Day of Action,” to protest proposed cuts to public education funding by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk. This is a national initiative organized by the American Federation of Teachers to raise awareness about the potential negative impacts of these cuts.
Corpus Christi teachers, union supporters march for public education
Caller Times
By Olivia Garrett
March 4, 2025
About two dozen members of local unions and community organizations gathered in front of Corpus Christi ISD's downtown administration building to draw attention to what they view as state and national threats to public education. The American Federation of Teachers held a "Protect Our Kids" day of action Tuesday across the country. The Corpus Christi chapter of the teachers union organized the local event, joined by representatives from the Coastal Bend Labor Council, the local chapter of the NAACP, League of United Latin American Citizens, CHISPA League of Conservation Voters and For the Greater Good.
KY 120 United-AFT holds 'Protect Our Kids' Day of Action
LEX 18
By Leigh Searcy
March 4, 2025
KY 120 United-AFT organized a rally in Lexington on Tuesday as part of the American Federation of Teachers' national "Protect Our Kids" Day of Action. The event aims to raise public awareness about potential education funding cuts and to encourage lawmakers to oppose actions that could harm millions of students.
Scranton teachers rally for public education, against federal cuts to education
The Times-Tribune
By Christine Lee
March 4, 2025
A rally organized by the Scranton Federation of Teachers Tuesday afternoon protesting cuts by President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency to the U.S. Department of Education drew hundreds to downtown Scranton. Patrick Festa, the union’s second vice president, welcomed the assembled crowd of teachers, school board members, district administrators, students, retired teachers and community members, many of whom wore red, in front of the district’s administration building, saying they were standing up for students and public education.
STATE LEGISLATION
State Senate kills anti-union bill
Montana Public Radio
By John Hooks
March 4, 2025
The Montana Senate over the weekend voted twice to strike down a bill targeting organized labor. So-called “Right to Work” laws have been a staple of recent Montana legislatures. Bills on the topic have been brought in the last three sessions, each time they’ve encountered steep opposition by organized labor.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
Wyoming union workers fear cuts to workplace safety
Wyoming Public Media
By Caitlin Tan
March 4, 2025
Steel toed boots. Cowboy hats. Suits. Union membership swag. It all peppered the crowd of around 100 Wyoming workers who gathered at the state Capitol on Feb. 28 to protest state and federal spending and workforce cuts, with a specific eye on blue collar workplace safety. One protest sign read, “Trump and Musk are against us.” “It's scary that the highest tier of government is in such disarray right now,” said Cameron Tibbets, a Cheyenne-based union sheet metal worker.