Today's AFL-CIO press clips

POLITICS
Chicago: Union leaders say capitalism doesn’t like worker safety
People’s World
By Brandon Chew
April 23, 2025
AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond opened the session by stressing the importance of putting “a human face” to job cuts with these public discussions. “It’s workers who wake this country up every morning and tuck this country to sleep at night. And we run programs and services with dedication and pride,” Redmond said.
Judge skeptical of Trump order to strip union rights from federal workers
Politico
By Hassan Ali Kanu
April 23, 2025
A federal judge could soon block the White House’s move to strip collective bargaining rights from hundreds of thousands of federal workers. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman appeared skeptical during a hearing Wednesday of the administration’s arguments that a little-known provision in federal labor law allows it to exclude several agencies from unionization rights because their work is primarily focused on national security. Friedman said the White House’s determinations about the nature of the agencies’ work seem implausible.
US judge questions Trump's motives for curbing union bargaining by federal workers
Reuters
By Daniel Wiessner
April 23, 2025
A federal judge on Wednesday said President Donald Trump appeared to be targeting unions that have challenged his policies in court by stripping hundreds of thousands of federal employees of the ability to collectively bargain over working conditions. Senior U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman during a hearing in Washington, D.C., seemed to agree with the National Treasury Employees Union that Trump's March executive order, opens new tab eliminating bargaining at more than a dozen federal agencies was an act of retaliation.
DC Judge Questions Trump’s Ability to Nullify Union Contracts
Bloomberg Law
By Parker Purifoy
April 23, 2025
A federal judge Wednesday appeared poised to grant a preliminary injunction for a union representing over 100,000 federal workers to pause an executive order that stripped its members of their collective bargaining rights. Judge Paul Friedman of US District Court for the District of Columbia seemed unconvinced by arguments from Department of Justice attorneys that President Donald Trump retains the exclusive right to determine which executive agencies fall under federal labor protections during a hearing Wednesday.
The AFGE Union and allies rally in support of federal environmental workers
WEMU
By Ana Longoria
April 23, 2025
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) held a rally in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, calling for community support for federal environmental workers. Tuesday marked the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. Following its founding, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established. Tricia Paff is the AFGE Union President at Local 3907 for the EPA laboratory in Ann Arbor. She says if 20 million people successfully rallied for environmental reforms 55 years ago, then today's citizens can organize local rallies, building on the momentum of AFGE’s recent rally to raise awareness about climate change.
Trump orders changes to civil rights rules, college accreditation
The Washington Post
By Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, Susan Svrluga and Laura Meckler
April 23, 2025
Among the new orders is a directive to eliminate a civil rights enforcement tool long used to fight discrimination in education, housing and other aspects of American life — and long criticized by conservatives. Under the concept of disparate impact, actions can amount to discrimination if they have an uneven effect on people from different groupseven if that was not the intent. It relies on data analysis to help identify discriminatory results.
Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting College Accreditors
The New York Times
By Michael C. Bender
April 23, 2025
President Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order targeting college accreditors, a group of largely unknown but long-established companies that evaluate the educational quality and financial health of universities. The order, one of seven education-related measures he signed on Wednesday, was the latest move by Mr. Trump aimed at shifting the ideological tilt of the higher education system, which he views as hostile to conservatives. His administration has escalated its fight with elite universities in recent weeks, demanding significant changes to hiring, admissions and curriculum practices. At least one, Harvard, has chosen to fight back, setting up a billion-dollar battle for academic independence.
Trump issues array of executive orders for K-12 schools and colleges
Politico
By Juan Perez Jr. and Rebecca Carballo
April 23, 2025
President Donald Trump issued an array of executive orders promising a more conservative approach to K-12 instruction and university funding — including some moves that are almost certain to invite fresh political resistance to his agenda. The executive orders he signed Wednesday that are most likely to rattle college leaders include new threats to cut off federal funds from schools that do not disclose the money they receive from foreign entities. He also kicked off an attempt to purge diversity practices from universities by leaning on the independent entities that certify whether they can accept federal money.
Senate Democrats seek answers from inspector general on Social Security cuts
The Washington Post
By Meryl Kornfield
April 23, 2025
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (New York) and four other Senate Democrats are urging the Social Security Administration’s inspector general’s office to investigate the impacts of the U.S. DOGE Service’s dramatic restructuring and sweeping cuts to the government agency. The letter sent to the inspector general’s office Wednesday is part of a broader Democratic effort to defend Social Security from what they describe as a reckless government downsizing campaign spearheaded by Donald Trump adviser Elon Musk. The agency provides critical benefits to more than 70 million Americans, and the lawmakers say the recent upheaval could leave many without access to basic services.
A Subdued Musk Backs Away From Washington, but His Project Remains
The New York Times
By Jonathan SwanMaggie HabermanNicholas NehamasTheodore Schleifer and David A. Fahrenthold
April 23, 2025
As Mr. Musk moves to spend less time in Washington, it is unclear whether his audacious plan to overhaul the federal bureaucracy will have lasting power. The endeavor has already left an immense imprint on the government, and Mr. Musk has told associates that he believes he has put in place the structure to make DOGE a success. But he has still not come close to cutting the $1 trillion he vowed to find in waste, fraud and abuse.
IMMIGRATION
Federal judge temporarily halts order for details on any efforts to return Abrego Garcia to US
AP
By Ben Finley
April 23, 2025
A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily halted her order requiring the Trump administration to provide information on its efforts so far, if any, to retrieve a man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Drew Ensign, a deputy assistant attorney general, filed a sealed motion requesting a seven-day stay of the judge’s directive for the U.S. to provide testimony and documents that involve plans to retrieve Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The administration is also seeking relief from having to file daily updates on its progress.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS
Southern Ocean Nurses Overwhelmingly Authorize Strike
Insider NJ
By Staff
April 23, 2025
Southern Ocean Medical Center Nurses have voted almost unanimously to authorize their bargaining committee to give a 10-day notice of their intent to strike if they are unable to agree with management on a new contract with strict safe staffing standards, among other demands. The current contract for nurses at SOMC expires on April 30th. Nurses at SOMC belong to Local 5138 of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), New Jersey’s largest health care union, representing more than 15,000 nurses, social workers, therapists, technicians, medical researchers, and other health care professionals in hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, blood banks, and university research facilities in New Jersey and Southern Pennsylvania.
Transit workers approve new labor contract with TCAT
The Ithaca Voice
By Megan Zerez
April 23, 2025
Bus drivers and mechanics with Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to approve a new union contract. United Auto Workers Local 2300, the union that represents roughly 90 bus drivers, mechanics, custodians and bus handlers at TCAT, announced the results in an online update Tuesday evening. The proposal passed with 88% support.
ATI strikes labor deal with nearly 1,000 workers
TribLive
By Jack Troy
April 23, 2025
ATI and its employees have reached a six-year labor agreement. The deal was announced Wednesday, about a week after ATI and the United Steelworkers union reached a tentative agreement on wages, working conditions and benefits for nearly 1,000 employees. Many produce specialty alloys at the company’s Harrison, Vandergrift and Latrobe locations. The contract includes a 26% wage hike over its life, starting with a 6% raise the first year, according to the USW. In addition, union members will get a $3,000 ratification bonus, an improved vacation schedule and an additional paid holiday.
Iowa Board of Regents finalizes contracts with COGS, SEIU
Corridor Business Journal
By Annie Smith Barkalow
April 23, 2025
The Iowa Board of Regents voted Wednesday to ratify collective bargaining agreements with Campaign to Organize Student Workers, or COGS, the University of Iowa graduate student employee union, and the UI Health Care workers union, Service Employees International Union Minnesota & Iowa.
IN THE STATES
Absent Tom Barrett, 7th District town hall meeting lets constituents express concerns, frustrations
Michigan Advance
By Erick Díaz Veliz
April 23, 2025
It was no surprise that U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) did not attend a town hall Tuesday night organized by the AFL-CIO and the NAACP in response to the freshman Congressman’s refusal to hold an in-person meeting to hear the requests of community members and civil organizations. Regardless, dozens of constituents of Barrett’s 7th Congressional District gathered at the UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 333 in South Lansing to vent their frustrations about the policies and changes initiated by the Trump administration.
Lansing town hall hosted by union, NAACP targets Rep. Tom Barrett
Lansing State Journal
By Matt Mencarini
April 22, 2025
There were plenty of questions for Rep. Tom Barrett at a town hall meeting April 22. The event, held at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 333 union hall in south Lansing, was put on by the Lansing branch of the NAACP. The branch had invited the Charlotte Republican to attend and hear from the about 150 attendees, but the congressman declined the invitation.
'That's just wrong': Anger as Michigan Dem a no-show at district town hall
AlterNet
By Erick Diaz Veliz
April 23, 2025
It was no surprise that U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (D-Charlotte) did not attend a town hall Tuesday night organized by the AFL-CIO and the NAACP in response to the freshman Congressman’s refusal to hold an in-person meeting to hear the requests of community members and civil organizations.
Federal workers speak out at NC labor forum
Mountain Xpress
By Brionna Dallara
April 23, 2025
The signs made it easy for attendees to find a forum April 17 in support of federal workers and funding. “Nobody elected billionaires,” read a navy blue poster taped to the door of Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech. “Stop the billionaire takeover” was another, along with “Workers over billionaires” and “Billionaires out, workers in.” The event was part of a series of nationwide forums held by the labor union AFL-CIO as part of its Department of People Who Work for a Living campaign to fight threats to federal workers.
N.C. court lets Democrats keep control of the state’s elections board
The Washington Post
By Patrick Marley
April 23, 2025
A court on Wednesday blocked North Carolina Republicans’ latest effort to gain control of the state’s elections board, thwarting changes they sought last year just before they lost their supermajority in the state legislature. For nearly a decade, Republican state lawmakers have tried to take over the elections board, only to be stymied by the courts. Just after the November election, they launched their latest plan and passed legislation that would give the state’s incoming Republican auditor the power to appoint the board instead of its new Democratic governor.
Pueblo protesters fighting to protect Medicaid; Congressman Hurd responds
KKTV
By Michelle Wells
April 23, 2025
On Wednesday, dozens of protesters gathered outside U.S. Representative Jeff Hurd’s office in Pueblo urging him to vote no on any bill which would decrease Medicaid services. Now Hurd is responding to these demonstrators saying he wants to protect Medicaid benefits for those who need it most. Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) say Hurd has not responded to any of their requests to meet with them and talk about Congress’ proposed Medicaid cuts.
Union workers ask Congress to keep funding tax credits they say expands workforce
WABI
By Keenan Mills
April 23, 2025
Union workers and representatives met in Augusta Wednesday to call on Congress to continue tax credits which they say are expanding the workforce in the state. The Inflation Reduction Act became federal law in 2022. Supporters say it created tax credits for clean energy projects and lowers utility costs for ratepayers. But, they fear federal budget discussions might put this funding at risk.
Protesters gather outside of NIOSH in Morgantown after recent layoffs
WDTV
By WDTV News Staff
April 23, 2025
Protesters gathered outside of NIOSH in Morgantown Wednesday after the recent layoffs at the facility. AFGE Local 3430, a chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees that represents workers within NIOSH, organized the protest. On Tuesday, Senator Shelley Moore Capito wrote a letter urging Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to bring back the employees at the Morgantown facility. The AFGE says they applaud Capito’s support for NIOSH and worker safety.