MUST READ
First woman AFL-CIO president hopes her historic election inspires other women
Reuters
By Peter Szekely
August 24, 2021
The first woman to lead the biggest U.S. labor federation wants even more women as decision-makers in a labor movement that is becoming less male and less white. "When you see women in key positions of leadership, it emboldens women to continue to aspire to more,” Liz Shuler said in an interview hours after the AFL-CIO's governing Executive Council elected her as president on Friday. Shuler, 51, had been the federation's No. 2 officer since 2009 and became interim president following the sudden death earlier this month of Richard Trumka, who had been president of the AFL-CIO since 2009.
AFL-CIO announces first female president
Count on News 2
By Dianté Gibbs
August 23, 2021
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has elected Liz Shuler as the first female president to lead the organization after the sudden passing of President Richard L. Trumka. Fred Redmond, International Vice President of the United Steelworkers, was elected by the Executive Council to succeed Shuler as Secretary-Treasurer; Redmond is the first African American to be elected to hold the number two office. Tefere Gebre will continue to lead as Executive Vice President.
America's largest labor union elects first woman president
The Hill
By Alexandra Kelley
August 24, 2021
“I am humbled, honored and ready to guide this federation forward,” Shuler said following the election. “I believe in my bones the labor movement is the single greatest organized force for progress.”
JOINING TOGETHER
MSNBC Staff Votes to Unionize With Writers Guild East
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
August 24, 2021
It’s official: The MSNBC newsroom has voted to unionize with the Writers Guild of America, East. According to a National Labor Relations Board tally, 141 editorial staffers voted to have the union represent their unit in collective bargaining and 58 voted against it. The NLRB counted the votes on Tuesday after MSNBC chose not to voluntarily recognize the union in June.
IN THE STATES
Milwaukee-based Colectivo Coffee workers vote to unionize
TMJ4
By TMJ4 Web Staff
August 23, 2021
Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin branch of AFL-CIO, said Colectivo workers first started the bid to unionize years ago. “You will now be able to get your cup of coffee — union strong — at all Colectivos, knowing the working people behind your order have real power in their workplace with the IBEW,” said Bloomingdale.
COVID-19: Western Iowa Labor Federation cancels Labor Day events in Sioux City
Sioux Land Proud
By Laila Freeman
August 24, 2021
The Western Iowa Labor Federation released a statement that they will be canceling Labor Day events in Council Bluffs, Fort Dodge, and Sioux City due to the pandemic. In a release, the WILF said coronavirus case rates in Woodbury and Pottawattamie Counties are among the highest in the state, and vaccination rates in both counties are still less than 50% of the population. “We had high hopes in the spring that we would be able to gather safely by now and celebrate all that workers have done to keep this country running during a global pandemic. Due to low vaccination rates, a lack of state or local mitigation, and the spread of increasingly contagious variants, COVID rates are on the rise again. The WILF board and its delegates do not want to contribute to the spread of this virus in our communities, especially among children who are unable to be vaccinated. They are already encountering enough risk at school,” said WILF President Jeff Shudak.
Colectivo Coffee Union Victory Could Open The Door For Future Restaurant Employees
Wisconsin Public Radio
By Corrinne Hess
August 24, 2021
Stephanie Bloomingdale, president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, called the victory for Colectivo and IBEW a "significant game-changer." "It is a bold example and a bright inspiration for other cafe workers, restaurant workers and workers in general," Bloomingdale said. "What this says is we can do it. If people stick together it’s the best way to build power in the workplace."