Today's AFL-CIO press clips
POLITICS
Trump Signs Order Aimed at Eliminating Education Dept. ‘Once and for All’
The New York Times
By Michael C. BenderErica L. Green and Alan Blinder
March 20, 2025
“See you in court,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, the trade union for educators. Her group is among those that intend to sue.
'See you in court': Teachers union vows to fight Trump's Education Department order
USA Today
By Zachary Schermele
March 20, 2025
Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers, vowed to sue the administration if it moved forward with a mandate to obliterate the agency's limited federal role in the nation's schools.
Trump will order a plan to dismantle the Education Department, advancing a campaign promise
AP
By Collin Binkley and Chris Megerian
March 20, 2025
President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order Thursday calling for the dismantling of the U.S. Education Department, advancing a campaign promise to eliminate an agency that’s been a longtime target of conservatives. Trump has derided the Education Department as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology. However, completing its dismantling is most likely impossible without an act of Congress, which created the department in 1979. A White House fact sheet said the order would direct Secretary Linda McMahon “to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure (of) the Department of Education and return education authority to the States, while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”
Trump to order dismantling of the Education Department. But it's not closing entirely.
USA Today
By Joey Garrison and Zachary Schermele
March 20, 2025
President Donald Trump was set to sign an executive order Thursday afternoon aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, setting up the most contentious and far-reaching battlefront in his fight to push the bounds on presidential authority. Yet the immediate impact of the directive remains unclear given that fully dissolving the department, created by Congress in 1979, would require action from Congress. Though the White House continues to use words like "close," an official acknowledged that the department would continue operating in some form ‒ albeit as a significantly smaller agency ‒ and continue to administer "critical programs."
Trump executive order aims to close the Education Department
The Washington Post
By Laura Meckler, Danielle Douglas-Gabriel and Cat Zakrzewski
March 20, 2025
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed his long-promised executive order seeking to abolish the Education Department, an attempt to shrink the federal role in schools even as the White House acknowledged that killing the agency altogether would require congressional approval.
SCOOP: House Republican moves to codify Trump order to dismantle Department of Education
Fox News
By Elizabeth Elkind
March 20, 2025
A House Republican is already making moves to get President Donald Trump's executive order significantly curbing the Department of Education enshrined in federal law. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Ohio, who was at the White House Thursday for Trump's announcement, told Fox News Digital minutes after the event he was working on the legislation. "I want to thank President Trump for inviting me to the White House for the signing of this executive order. Government functions best when it is closer to the people it serves, which is why returning control of education to the states is such a critical step," Rulli said.
DOGE blocked in court from Social Security systems with Americans’ personal information, for now
AP
By Lindsay Whitehurst
March 20, 2025
A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from Social Security systems that hold personal data on millions of Americans, calling their work there a “fishing expedition.” The order also requires the team to delete any personally identifiable data in their possession.
Judge Blocks DOGE 'Fishing Expedition' in Sensitive Social Security Data Systems
Common Dreams
By Jessica Corbett
March 20, 2025
"This is a major win for working people and retirees across the country," AFSCME president Lee Saunders said of the Thursday order. "The court saw that Elon Musk and his unqualified lackeys present a grave danger to Social Security and have illegally accessed the data of millions of Americans. This decision will not only force them to delete any data they have currently saved, but it will also block them from further sharing, accessing, or disclosing our Social Security information."
Judge bars Musk's DOGE team from Social Security records in scathing ruling
NBC Philadelphia
By Lorie Konish
March 20, 2025
The lawsuit was brought by a coalition of unions and retirees including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; the Alliance for Retired Americans and the American Federation of Teachers. "We are grateful that the court took strong action to protect every American's personal data," Richard Fiesta, executive director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, a national grassroots advocacy organization, said in an emailed statement. "Seniors must be able to trust the Social Security Administration will protect their personal information and keep it from falling into the wrong hands."
DHS union-busting attempt sends message in and out of government
The Washington Post
By Joe Davidson
March 21, 2025
The Trump administration’s aggression against the federal workforce has reached a new level of intensity, with officials attempting to bust the union representing 47,000 airport screeners. If successful, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem’s gutting of a contract with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) could set the stage for similar attacks on other federal labor organizations and embolden private sector efforts to thwart union power.
Protests demanding no privatization of Post Office sweep the nation
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
March 20, 2025
“Privatization shifts workers’ dollars from the public good to the corporate sector investor class,” APWU President Mark Dimondstein said on March 10, announcing the upcoming events. “It’s not just us, but there’s a fast and furious effort” by Trump and his handler, Musk, “to hollow out the government for enriching billionaires and launching a coup.”
USPS workers in Portland, Bangor to rally against 10,000 job cuts
WMTW
By
Francis Flisiuk
March 20, 2025
"These local rallies nationwide will bring together NALC members and the public to show their support for letter carriers, all postal employees, and the Postal Service," NALC President Brian L. Renfroe said. "At a crucial time, this is an opportunity to educate our customers about everything at stake if the Postal Service is privatized or restructured."
White House begins review of federal agency plans for second round of mass layoffs, sources say
Reuters
By Nandita Bose
March 21, 2025
Labor unions, opposition Democrats and governance experts say Musk's blunt approach has caused chaos, leading to the firing and then rehiring of workers, while failing to show that his cost-cutting effort is producing significant cost savings. Critics say it is a cover for Trump to dismantle agencies and programs long distrusted by the Republican Party.
Latest Trump cuts put summer reading, mobile libraries and local museums in jeopardy
USA Today
By Sarah D. Wire
March 20, 2025
Federal employees who work at a tiny agency that funds the nation's libraries and museums expect to be put on administrative leave in the next few days, less than a week after President Donald Trump ordered the agency to be effectively shuttered. AFGE Local 3403, a branch of the American Federation of Government Employees, said in a statement that the Institute of Museum and Library Services received new leadership from the Trump administration Thursday.
ORGANIZING
Courier Voluntarily Recognizes Newsroom Staff’s Unionization With WGA East
Deadline
By Katie Campione
March 20, 2025
Courier has agreed to voluntarily recognize its newsroom staff’s union, the Writers Guild of America East announced Tuesday. The 50-member bargaining unit — which includes reporters, editors, designers, and social media managers — will not be represented by the WGAE as the group moves to negotiate its first contract with its employer. “We are pleased that COURIER has opted to voluntarily recognize our union at this crucial time when media workers everywhere are fighting for stronger protections against layoffs and better pay. We look forward to negotiating a strong contract that empowers every worker at Courier as we navigate the ongoing transformation of our industry,” the organizing committee said in a statement.
Amid discontent at classical station, WFMT employees announce intent to unionize
Chicago Tribune
By Hannah Edgar
March 20, 2025
Employees at 98.7 WFMT, Chicago’s classical music station, announced their intent early this month to unionize with SAG-AFTRA, the union representing broadcast media professionals. “The current environment has left many of us feeling undervalued, overworked, and voiceless,” the union committee wrote via a SAG-AFTRA statement. “We believe in WFMT’s potential to thrive in the 21st century, but this requires empowering the people who bring the station’s programming to life. By joining SAG-AFTRA, we aim to create an environment where employees feel supported and valued.”
WSET
By Brittany Slaughter
March 20, 2025
Employees at BWXT are making their voice heard after a vote this month to unionize. Union Representative Tim Tolley said employees reached out in November in hopes of joining the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. He said there was large interest from the get-go with BWXT members hoping for more rule clarity and respect in the workplace.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS
As Contract Negotiations Begin, Harvard and Grad Students’ Union Are Still Debating Bargaining Rules
The Harvard Crimson
By Hugo C. Chiasson and Amann S. Mahajan
March 19, 2025
Harvard and its graduate student union remain stuck in a dispute over bargaining observation rules nearly a month after negotiations for their third contract were set to begin. At a bargaining session on Friday, the sides did not begin discussing contract articles, and instead debated ground rules. University representatives contend bargaining should be held in private with the union’s designated bargaining team. Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Auto Workers organizers say represented workers should be able to observe the process. Harvard canceled the first bargaining session entirely last month because University officials worried that HGSU-UAW would bring hundreds of union members into the meeting after the union asked all members to attend on Instagram.
Skidmore faculty approve first union contract, receiving job security
Times Union
By Kathleen Moore
March 20, 2025
The contract covers 180 full-time and part-time faculty who are not on a tenure track. It includes teachers, librarians, artists in residence and accompanists. They are members of Skidmore Faculty Forward, a chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 200United.
VTA, union leaders meet as employees seek eventual return to work, end of strike
ABC 7
By Dustin Dorsey
March 19, 2025
Leadership from the Valley Transportation Authority and ATU Local 265 were back at the bargaining table Wednesday as they try to put an end to a strike that has now hit 10 days. Their meeting lasted until late in the afternoon. As a a new deal is worked out, perhaps no one wants the strike to be over more than the bus and light rail operators, mechanics and customer service reps on the picket line.
United Airlines flight attendants rally at Austin's airport for better pay
KVUE
Jeff Bell and Matt Coutu
March 19, 2025
"With the current climate, we have flight attendants who unfortunately have to live in cars," said Ivana Burns, United Airlines flight attendant. "We have flight attendants who are living several people to an apartment because that's all they can afford." The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA union says negotiations on wages are starting soon. They want United to deliver on promises of industry-leading compensation after years of delays.
STATE LEGISLATION
Oregon bill extending unemployment to striking workers advances
Statesman Journal
By Dianne Lugo
March 20, 2025
Two Democrats cited concerns about added costs to local governments already facing financial uncertainty before joining Republicans in voting against a bill that would make Oregon the first state in the country to extend unemployment to striking public employees. Senate Bill 916 passed 16-12 after a lengthy discussion Thursday on the Senate floor to move the bill to the House of Representatives.
IN THE STATES
Transit union leaders: A new bill offers a path forward for Illinois transit funding (Opinion)
Chicago Tribune
By Keith Hill, Pennie McCoach, Bob Guy and Brian Shanahan
March 20, 2025
Illinois’ public transportation system is facing a dire financial crisis. Without immediate action, “L” trains, Metra trains and Pace buses could disappear. With 309 million rides annually on the CTA alone, the impact of service cuts would be catastrophic for commuters and the region’s economy. This issue is not just numbers; it’s about real people. Consider the essential worker who must catch a bus for their early shift, the student who needs the train to get to college or the retiree who uses public transportation to reach their doctor. On the business side, companies also depend on a solid transit system to connect with customers and employees. A safe and reliable system also provides benefits to those who enjoy the best of what Chicagoland offers, such as its iconic museums, dining, sporting events, shopping and festivals. If we do nothing, the effects will be severe.
Union protests outside U.S. Rep. Mike Turner’s office to urge support for Medicaid, social services
Dayton Daily News
By Samantha Wildow
March 20, 2025
Republicans in Congress want to make significant cuts to the federal budget, and some local workers are worried those cuts could impact social services like Medicare and Medicaid. Members of SEIU 1199 WV/KY/OH, a health care and social services union, held demonstrations this week at key Republican district offices, including outside of the Dayton office for U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, protesting any potential cuts to social services like Medicaid.
Scott Perry isn’t holding town halls. His constituents did one anyway, aiming ire at Trump, Musk
The Keystone
By Sean Kitchen
March 20, 2025
Hundreds of Congressman Scott Perry’s (R-York) constituents crammed into AFSCME Council 13’s union hall just outside of Harrisburg on Wednesday for a town hall event, but there was one problem. Perry wasn’t in attendance. In fact, it’s been more than 2,000 days since Perry faced his constituents at an in-person town hall setting. The last town hall he held occurred in Hummelstown on July 30, 2019.
At least 1 NC Social Security office saved from closing. What about the other 3?
The News & Observer
By Danielle Battaglia
March 20, 2025
The Department of Government Efficiency quietly removed three Social Security offices in North Carolina from its list of leases it plans to terminate, and a congressman says at least one of those offices will continue operations. “After working with the administration, my office has received assurance that the Social Security Administration office in Franklin will not be closing and all of the space being used by the public and staff will remain in use,” said U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican from Flat Rock, in a written statement to McClatchy.
Asheville nurses protest proposed Medicaid cuts outside Sen. Tillis's office
WLOS
By Kelly Doty
March 20, 2025
Local nurses gathered outside Senator Thom Tillis's Hendersonville office on Thursday, March 20, to protest proposed Medicaid cuts. National nurses union National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United said the nurses would present a check made out to the "billionaire class" paid for by "working people," totaling $19.4 billion, the amount of funding North Carolina stands to lose ifSen. Tillis votes to gut Medicaid.
LABOR HISTORY
The National Labor Relations Act worked for 90 years. Suddenly, it’s in the crosshairs
Los Angeles Times
By William B. Gould IV
March 20, 2025
Joe Biden was the first president to join a union picket line and support labor’s side in a number of major disputes. His appointments to the National Labor Relations Board, the principal administrative agency handling labor-management conflict, interpreted the 90-year old National Labor Relations Act so as to enhance the rights of workers to organize. The Biden board promoted workplace democracy more effectively than any of its predecessors. As the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished.