Today's AFL-CIO press clips
POLITICS
‘Give me a break!’: AFT President blasts DoE dismantling and worries over loss of student funding (Video)
MSNBC
By Ana Cabrera
March 21, 2025
Much uncertainty was brought on the American education system as President Trump signed an order paving the way for the shuttering of the Department of Education. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten joins Ana Cabrera to share her worries for the future of American students.
Kids Have Right to Adequate, Equitable Education: ATF President Randi Weingarten (Video)
Bloomberg
March 21, 2025
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers said eliminating the Education Department won't make the federal role in schools more efficient and risks creating more inequality.
Can Trump Really Abolish the Department of Education?
The New York Times
By Dana Goldstein
March 20, 2025
President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that directs the federal Department of Education to come up with a plan for its own demise. Only Congress can abolish a Cabinet-level agency, and it is not clear whether Mr. Trump has the votes in Congress to do so. But he has already begun to dismantle the department, firing about half of its staff, gutting its respected education-research arm, and vastly narrowing the focus of its civil rights division, which works to protect students from discrimination.
Judge temporarily blocks DOGE from accessing sensitive Social Security data
The Washington Post
By Maegan Vazquez
March 21, 2025
Lee Saunders, the president of another organization that brought the case — the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — underscored in a statement that Thursday’s court order “will not only force [DOGE] to delete any data they have currently saved, but it will also block them from further sharing, accessing or disclosing our Social Security information.”
'Despicable': Trump Official Threatens Total Social Security Shutdown Over DOGE Ruling
Common Dreams
By Jessica Corbett
March 21, 2025
Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)—which filed the suit with the Alliance for Retired Americans and the American Federation of Teachers—said in a Friday statement that "for almost 90 years, Social Security has never missed a paycheck—but 60 days into this administration, Social Security is now on the brink."
Why DOGE is struggling to find fraud in Social Security
The Washington Post
By Todd C. Frankel and Hannah Natanson
March 24, 2025
Elon Musk put a big target on the Social Security Administration in the first weeks of the Trump administration, claiming it is plagued by “immense waste” and promising audits to root out “the extreme levels of fraud.” President Donald Trump said during his joint address to Congress earlier this month that Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service was already “identifying shocking levels of incompetence and probable fraud” at the agency. But some of the biggest examples of allegedly wasteful spending held up by Musk and DOGE so far have been overblown or inaccurate.
Musk and DOGE barred from accessing personal Social Security data by judge
Axios
By April Rubin
March 20, 2025
A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked Elon Musk and DOGE employees from accessing Americans' personal information in Social Security Administration systems. Why it matters: More than 65 million Americans receive Social Security, and the administration's databases are full of personal details about recipients.
Trump administration transferring student loan, nutrition programs out of Education Dept
Reuters
By Reuters
March 21, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday his administration will transfer responsibility for the federal government's student loans, nutrition and special needs programs from the Department of Education to other departments. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the student loan portfolio will be handled by the Small Business Administration.
Tracker says Trump has already implemented nearly half of Project 2025 policies (Video)
MSNBC
By Katy Tur
March 21, 2025
On the campaign trail, President Trump distanced himself from the writers and content of Project 2025, but just two months into his presidency, much of what was laid out in the sprawling document has been enacted. Atlantic staff writer David Graham, who has written on Project 2025, joins Katy Tur to discuss how far along the Trump administration is in the conservative playbook.
Unions sue over Trump's dismantling of the U.S. Agency for Global Media
NBC Philadelphia
By Zoë Richards and Joe Kottke
March 21, 2025
A group of labor unions sued the Trump administration today over the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, an independent federal agency that oversees Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Free Liberty, Radio Free Asia and other outlets. Former Voice Of America White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara, the American Federation of Government Employees, The NewsGuild-CWA and others alleged that the Trump administration violated federal law protecting the freedom of journalists and the separation of powers when it closed the agency. (Some NBC News employees are members of The NewsGuild-CWA.)
Voice of America journalists sue Trump officials for dismantling the outlet
The Washington Post
By Tobi Raji
March 22, 2025
Six Voice of America journalists — including the outlet’s former White House bureau chief — sued members of the Trump administration Friday, accusing officials of unlawfully shuttering a federally funded media outlet that has delivered news coverage to millions across the globe since its founding during World War II.
‘Bad sign’: Purge of data experts raises alarms over economic reports
Politico
By Sam Sutton
March 21, 2025
The Trump administration has dismissed advisers to key statistical agencies behind major economic reports, sparking warnings that the cuts will jeopardize the quality of data critical to policymakers and Wall Street investors. Economists, academics and corporate officials serving on a board of unpaid advisers to the Labor Department’s statistical bureau were told this week they were no longer needed, two of the former members told POLITICO. Similar committees that advised the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Census Bureau have also been let go. And the Federal Housing Finance Authority placed workers who assisted with its widely cited home price index on administrative leave Wednesday.
State Department Calls Off Advisory Meeting on Child Labor
Bloomberg
By Deena Shanker and Kelsey Butler
March 21, 2025
The US Department of State canceled a key meeting with executives from some of the country’s biggest companies, as well as labor advocates, academics and other experts, to discuss combating human rights abuses in global supply chains, citing President Donald Trump’s efforts to streamline the government. The executives form a group known as the Advisory Committee on Responsible Business Conduct, or RBC. A two-day town hall was set to take place last week, but the State Department called it off given the executive order on reducing federal bureaucracy, which mandated all advisory committees be reviewed and terminated if deemed unnecessary. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has been tasked with a broader push to slim the government.
Counterpoint: America Needs Public-Sector Unions(Opinion)
NH Journal
By Rich Gulla
March 23, 2025
Public-sector unions have long supported American workers, championing fair wages, reasonable hours and safe working conditions. While recent challenges — like Utah’s repeal of collective bargaining rights for government employees — may seem daunting, they also present an opportunity for us to unite, educate the public and strengthen our resolve. Right-to-work (RTW) laws, despite their misleading name, actually allow employees to benefit from union negotiations and protections without having to pay union dues. Simply put, it results in quintessential freeloading. Supporters claim these laws attract businesses and boost economic growth. In reality, these laws do quite the opposite. West Virginia is a prime example. After passing RTW, the state saw no influx of businesses and no economic boom. Even Gov. Jim Justice admitted, “We ran to the windows looking to see all the people that were going to come — and they didn’t come.”
LABOR AND ECONOMY
New report finds project labor agreements lower costs, boost competition in Illinois
Shaw Local
By Bridget Craig
March 22, 2025
After a major Biden-era executive order mandating the vast majority of federal construction projects use project labor agreements suffered an initial loss in federal court this winter, a new report analyzing the use of these agreements in Illinois is refuting typical criticisms from opponents who claim they unfairly favor unionized labor.
NLRB
REI Punished Unionized Workers in Berkeley by Holding Back Raises, Labor Board Alleges
KQED
By Farida Jhabvala Romero
March 21, 2025
The complaint, issued Wednesday by the NLRB’s regional director in Oakland, means investigators have found enough evidence to support charges that REI withheld those benefits from hundreds of employees at nine stores to discourage union membership. For years, the company has regularly rewarded workers with annual merit raises and bonuses. “It’s vindication, vindication that the workers deserve this pay,” said Jim Araby, who directs strategic campaigns for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5, which represents REI employees in Berkeley. “It is a violation of the status quo to not give a benefit to workers just because they organized, where all the other workers in the REI co-op have received this.”
UNION NEGOTIATIONS
WMed residents to strike, could have ‘significant impact’ on Kalamazoo hospitals
Michigan Live
By Aya Miller
March 21, 2025
Residents at Western Michigan University’s Homer Stryker School of Medicine (WMed) are preparing to go on strike. The Resident and Fellow Alliance (AFT, AFL-CIO) has been bargaining for higher wages and better working conditions for the past eight months. The strike was announced on Thursday, March 20 in a press release.
Northwest Labor Press
By Don McIntosh
March 20, 2025
More than three years after a bitter 40-day strike, Mondelez-Nabisco seems to have decided it wants labor peace. In votes tallied Feb. 28, members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) ratified a new five-year national collective bargaining agreement. The deal was recommended by the union bargaining team and covers about 1,000 BCTGM members at Nabisco bakeries in Portland, Chicago, and Richmond, Virginia, as well as distribution centers in Aurora, Colorado; Addison, Illinois; and Norcross, Georgia.
UPTE-CWA 9119, AFSCME Local 3299 announce third strike in over 4 months across UC
Daily Bruin
By Alexandra Crosnoe
March 21, 2025
Two UC unions representing nearly 60,000 workers called on their members to strike across the University on April 1.The University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America 9119, which represents research and technical workers, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, which represents service, patient care and skilled crafts workers, announced the strike Friday. This is the third time the two unions will strike in over four months in response to alleged unfair labor practices by the University. AFSCME Local 3299 said it was striking in solidarity with UPTE-CWA 9119 in a Friday Instagram post. AFSCME Local 3299 began contract negotiations in January 2024 – five months before UPTE-CWA 9119 – and neither union has reached a contract agreement with the UC.
UC unions plan statewide strike in response to "unfair labor practices"
KTVU
By KTVU Staff
March 21, 2025
Two unions representing almost 60,000 University of California workers called upon their members on Friday to strike in response to "unfair labor practices" of the UC system. The University Professional and Technical Employees-Communications Workers of America (UPTE-CWA) 9119 and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299 both announced that their members will be striking across all University of California campuses on April 1 to protest what the organizations say is the UC's unwillingness to negotiate with the unions in good faith.
VTA union postpones vote pending new offer as strike continues
Mercury News
By John Metcalfe
March 23, 2025
The union that represents striking public-transit workers in Silicon Valley has postponed a contract vote until March 23, pending a new offer from the Valley Transportation Authority. “The board chair called a special board meeting that is scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow,” Raj Singh, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265, said on Saturday evening. “We were told that an offer will be presented. Thus, the vote was postponed.” “Tomorrow’s board meeting will be a closed-session discussion regarding union negotiations and the board will announce what was discussed afterward, if there are any actions taken,” said VTA spokesperson Stacey Hendler Ross.
Strike averted for now as TCAT workers vote on proposed contract
The Ithaca Voice
By Megan Zerez
March 22, 2025
Bus drivers, mechanics and other Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) union workers are poised to vote on a tentative labor contract, according to TCAT management and union leaders. It’s a major move in a negotiations cycle in which members voted to authorize a strike just over a week ago. Now, in a joint statement, both parties said they are committed to “maintaining uninterrupted service for the community” while workers vote on whether to ratify the contract.
United Airlines Flight Attendants In Guam Demand Better Pay
Simple Flying
By Rytis Beresnevičius
March 23, 2025
The United Airlines Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) declared March 19 as a ‘Day of Action,’ with the motto of “No Concessions, Contract now!” In a statement on March 13, the United Airlines MEC of the AFA-CWA said that the carrier’s flight attendants have consistently carried out their promises to the airline, ensuring the safety and well-being of its passengers.
JOINING TOGETHER
KCATA buses keep Kansas City moving. But a huge budget shortfall needs a fix now (Opinion)
The Kansas City Star
By Nic Miller
March 23, 2025
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority — the agency that runs buses and specialized transportation services for people with disabilities in the greater Kansas City area — is facing a budget crisis in 2025. According to KCATA, it has a deficit of $20 million to $30 million next year. If KCATA doesn’t get more funding, it is looking at substantial service cuts for the riding public and devastating layoffs for its employees, who are members of my union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1287. As president of ATU Local 1287, I see firsthand the impact that public transit has on Kansas City. It connects workers to jobs, students to school, and disabled residents to anywhere life takes them. It is an essential service for the region.
Sanders and AOC Draw Largest Crowd For a Political Rally in Colorado Since 2008
Colorado Times Recorder
By Owen Swallow
March 22, 2025
Over 34,000 people came to Denver’s Civic Center Park for a rally featuring U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Queens) Friday afternoon. As part of Sen. Sanders’ and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, they visited both Greeley and Denver, with the latter’s attendance making it the largest political rally in Colorado since 2008. The “Fighting Oligarchy” tour is going across the country with this week focusing on the American Southwest. The pair previously stopped in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Tempe, Arizona, with plans to speak in Tuscon today.
STATE LEGISLATION
Washington Senate Passes Bill to Extend Unemployment Benefits to Striking Workers
Big Country News
By Staff
March 23, 2025
The Washington State Senate has passed Senate Bill 5041, which would extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to workers during labor strikes. If the bill passes the House and is signed by the governor, Washington would become the third state, after New York and New Jersey, to grant this benefit. The bill allows striking workers who have logged at least 680 hours in the past year to receive UI benefits starting the second Sunday after their legal strike begins, following a one-week waiting period. These workers would be eligible for up to four weeks of UI benefits.
IN THE STATES
Rep. Mark Pocan rallies with federal employees
WKOW
By Staff
March 22, 2025
Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Madison area workers are standing in solidarity with federal employees. Pocan joined union members Saturday at the "Beat Back The Billionaire Attack" rally. People there condemned Musk's involvement in making cuts to the federal workforce. They also called for the protection of programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
‘U.S. mail is not for sale’: Local postal union rallies against Trump’s plans for USPS privatization
Port City Daily
By Charlie Fossen
March 20, 2025
Nationwide, workers from the American Postal Workers Union assembled Thursday to speak out against the Trump administration’s threat of breaking up or even shuttering the United States Postal Service. In Wilmington, roughly 30 people stood in front of the downtown location with signs indicating “US Mail – Not For Sale” and “Hands off! Our postal service!” Rally-goers consisted of Local 145 American Postal Workers Union leaders, representatives and community allies.
Wilmington-area union workers protest Trump's proposal to sell off parts of USPS
WUNC
By Kelly Kenoyer
March 20, 2025
Chanting “US Mail, Not for Sale,” union workers and average citizens alike protested to bring attention to recent threats to the US Postal Service. Daniel Matthews is president of the local 145 American Postal Workers Union in Wilmington. "The administration has alluded to the fact that they want to privatize again, and this is the beginning of our movement," he said. "This is the tip of the sword.”
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.
'We can't solve anything unless we talk:' Protesters gather as Tillis attends fundraising event
WRAL News
By Carly Haynes
March 21, 2025
A couple dozen protestors, including members of the Triangle Labor Council and AFL-CIO gathered across the street. Many said they wanted Tillis to appear at public town halls. U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis attended a fundraising event in Raleigh Friday — sparking a sea of protesters across the street who oppose his unwillingness to meet with constituents in town hall-style meetings. Tillis has said he wouldn’t attend such meetings, citing safety concerns following alleged threats against the senator.
Protesters greet Sen. Thom Tillis at Raleigh fundraiser(Video)
WRAL
By Staff
March 21, 2025
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis has been canceling town halls but was in Raleigh Friday to attend a fundraiser at Carolina Country Club.
Protestors gather outside NC Sen. Thom Tillis 2026 campaign fundraiser in Raleigh
CBS 17
By Glyniss Wiggins
March 21, 2025
More than 100 people lined Glenwood AvenueFriday afternoon in a protest aimed at Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). Around noon, the U.S. Senator representing North Carolina was hosting a 2026 campaign kick-off luncheon at the Carolina Country Club. As the event took place, protestors held signs up across the street in protest.
Post office workers rally amid potential job cuts, privatization of postal service
The State Journal-Register
By Claire Grant
March 21, 2025
Workers rallied during the Americal Postal Workers Union Day of Action happening nationwide to spread awareness about threats of privatization of postal service from the President Trump administration. Unions represent 91% of the postal service workforce and in Springfield Locals 239 President Johnny Bishop held the Day of Action with supporters of a free access mail system. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, AFL-CIO, The Letter Carriers Union, the retiree department of the post office and the general public joined APWU with signs and chants on the side of the street as honking cars flew by.
Rally to support veterans, federal workers outside Downtown Louisville federal building
WAVE
By Alena Noakes
March 21, 2025
The rally was organized and led by the American Federation of Government Employees, a union group of more than 800,000 federal employees across multiple departments. A focus of the protest was cuts happening within the Department of Veterans Affairs, with some employees now facing uncertainty and some veterans concerned over funding change. “We all agree government at all levels can be more efficient and effective. I don’t think anyone opposes that,” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said. “But trying to dismantle our federal government, trying to just fire federal workers lock, stock and barrel. There is not excuse for that.” The most recent proposed cuts to the VA come at an estimated 80,000 employees, many of whom are veterans themselves. That was a focal point of this rally.
Nurses protesting proposed Medicaid cuts denied access to Mark Amodei's office
Reno Gazette Journal
By Carly Sauvageau
March 21, 2025
About a dozen members of the National Nurses United union gathered outside Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei's Reno office Thursday morning to protest possible cuts to Medicaid. Laura Parkhouse, a registered nurse with St. Mary's and union representative, said the union had given Amodei's office notice that they were coming in hopes of speaking with the congressman. But the protesters were stopped outside the building where Amodei rents an office.
Tucson postal workers protest the proposed changes for USPS
KGUN
By Tina Giuliano
March 21, 2025
Tucson postal workers took over a part of Speedway Blvd on Thursday morning to rally against the proposed changes to the United States Postal Service. The American Postal Workers Union called the rally "The US mail is not for sale — a day of action." "The main reason why we are out here is to show that we care about our positions," Michael Moriconi, the APWU Tucson local 255 president, said. "And we care about the American people and they need to know what’s happening behind the scenes.”
Postal carriers to hold 'Hell no!' protest at Fawick Park
Argus Leader
By Caroline Zimmerman
March 21, 2025
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will hold a protest in Downtown Sioux Falls on Sunday to say “Hell no!” to dismantling the U.S. Postal Service, according to a flyer from the NALC. The NALC was founded in 1889 and “is the sole representative of city delivery letter carriers employed by the U.S. Postal Service,” according to the NALC website. The organization has a long history of activism, completing strikes in 1970 to protest “poverty-level wages,” according to the website. The NALC has more 2,000 branches, including in Sioux Falls.
WTHI
By Jadin Reeves
March, 22, 2025
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is facing what some are calling an existential threat. Letter carriers and community supporters will rally tomorrow afternoon outside the Vigo County courthouse. The rally is in response to threats to dismantle and privatize the USPS.
Letter carriers union to rally in Newark to protest potential cuts and privatization
Delaware Online
By Shane Brennan
March 22, 2025
Delaware's mail carriers are using their day off to rally against potential changes to one of the country's oldest institutions, the U.S. Postal Service. Newark's post office near the city's main drag will feature hundreds of mail carriers rallying against potential privatization and employee cuts.
Scores rally in Iowa City to protest federal worker firings
The Gazette
By Tom Barton
March 22, 2025
Protesters held signs that read: “VA employees deserve dignity. fairness. respect,” “Public service is a badge of honor” and “Stop the war on America’s workforce.” The rally was organized by the Iowa City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2547, which represents approximately 2,000 employees at the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System.
Saying ‘The U.S. Mail Is Not For Sale,’ Iowa Rallies Denounce Trump, Musk Plan
KIWA Radio
By Scott V.
March 22, 2025
Simultaneous rallies took place outside the main post offices in Cedar Rapids, Ottumwa, Perry, and Waterloo. Nationwide, similar demonstrations were planned in more than 150 locations. The Iowa union is a branch of the American Postal Workers Union, which represents 200,000 USPS employees and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
Postal workers rally downtown Chicago against reported plan to privatize USPS
ABC7 Chicago
By Michelle Gallardo
March 23, 2025
The National Association of Letter Carriers is rallying against efforts to take away the independence of the United States Postal Service. President Donald Trump's administration has not announced any specific plans to privatize the United States Postal Service just yet, but amidst rumors of job cuts and a potential merger with the Commerce Department, thousands of postal workers rallied across the country this weekend, including in Chicago.
U.S. Postal Service Employees Rally in Kenosha and Elsewhere
WGTD
By Staff
March 23, 2025
A nationwide show of support Sunday to save the U.S. Postal Service from privatization included a rally in Kenosha’s Civic Center Park. About 200 Postal Service employees and their supporters braved a cold wind. Christopher Schroeder, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Local 574, told WGTD News in an interview that President Trump is proposing a series of actions. "He has said he would like to merge the Post Office with private corporations which would in essence privatize the post office and it would compromise the universal service that the Post Office currently provides," he said.
Letter carriers rally in Boston and nationally against dismantling the Postal Service
Boston Globe
By By Rachel Umansky-Castro
March 23, 2025
Letter carriers rallied on the Boston Common and other sites across the nation Sunday to protest proposed cuts and actions by the Trump administration they say threaten the US Postal Service. Protesters said their message was “Hell No!” to any moves to dismantle the Postal Service. The rallies were backed by the National Association of Letter Carriers along with the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. Sunday’s rallies took place as Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is working with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency on plans to cut 10,000 workers and billions of dollars from the Postal Service budget, according to the Associated Press.
Rally held in downtown Staunton in support of United States Postal Service workers
News Leader
By Brad Zinn
March 23, 2025
For the second time this month, a large group converged in downtown Staunton, and this time it was the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and other unions rallying in support of the United States Postal Service (USPS). In February, President Donald Trump said he was considering merging the USPS, an independent agency, into the Commerce Department, bringing it under the authority of the Executive Branch, according to USA Today. Late last year, Trump also spoke about taking the Postal Service private.
The National Association of Letter Carriers Savannah branch rally against the Trump Administration
WJCL
By Savannah Younger
March 23, 2025
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) is rallying against President Trump and DOGE’s efforts to take over the United States Postal Service. The NALC Savannah branch members said they worry the Trump Administration wants to give the postal service to private industries to make money off of it.
Protesters rally in Ohio Valley against USPS privatization
WTOV
By Jaime Ely
March 23, 2025
A nationwide protest reached the Ohio Valley on Sunday as the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) held a rally outside the Jefferson County Courthouse. The demonstration was part of a broader effort to oppose the potential privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Workers and residents rally in Idaho to defend USPS
KTVB
By Tracy Bringhurst
March 23, 2025
People gathered at the Idaho Capitol on Sunday as part of nationwide protests against what organizers called efforts to dismantle the U.S. Postal Service, highlighting its critical role in rural communities and for vulnerable populations. The rallies, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), were held on March 23 in cities nationwide as part of the "Fight Like Hell" campaign.
CIVIL, HUMAN, & WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Trump Administration Dropped Policy Prohibiting Contractors From Having Segregated Facilities
The New York Times
By Erica L. Green
March 21, 2025
The Trump administration has removed a longstanding directive from the civil rights era that explicitly prohibited federal contractors from allowing segregated facilities, the latest move to eradicate diversity, equity and inclusion policies from government operations that has drawn fierce rebuke. The removal of the segregated-facilities policy was included in a memo last month from the General Services Administration, which manages federal property and oversees procurement for the federal government. The memo, which applies to all civilian federal agencies, was among the many directives from agencies aiming to purge safeguards put in place in the 1960s to comply with executive orders issued by President Trump on race and gender identity. In his first days in office, Mr. Trump directed agencies to rid themselves of “harmful” and “wasteful” diversity policies, and “gender ideology extremism.”
LABOR AND ENTERTAINMENT
Why Does Big Bird Look So Sad?
The New York Times
By John Koblin
March 23, 2025
Times are tough on Sesame Street. Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit responsible for Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and the rest of the stars of “Sesame Street,” is confronting what executives have described as a “perfect storm” of problems. The organization is losing its lucrative contract with HBO, which has paid $30 million to $35 million a year for a decade for rights to the show. With Hollywood suddenly watching every penny, nothing nearly as rich is in the offing. Then there is the Trump administration. Its cuts to the United States Agency for International Development have stripped Sesame Workshop of some valuable grants that the nonprofit did not anticipate abruptly losing. The administration’s attacks on public media could bring some further cuts.