Today's AFL-CIO press clips
MUST READ
‘So many are devastated’: Trump’s federal firings and their ripple effect
The Guardian
By Heather Stewart
May 14, 2025
Liz Shuler, the president of the AFL-CIO federation of 63 trade unions, which together represent more than 15 million US workers, is trying to build a nationwide campaign to highlight the devastating impact. “The trick is connecting the dots because there’s already a national narrative around what’s happening but it’s not quite being felt yet,” Shuler says. “Elon [Musk] has his ‘department of government efficiency’. We established the ‘department of people who work for a living’. That’s kind of cheeky, but it’s kind of serious, because we’re saying we’re the ones working on the frontlines. We know what’s efficient and what’s not.”
Labor Coalition Sues HHS to Stop Safety Research Agency Cuts
Bloomberg Law
By Tre'Vaughn Howard
May 14, 2025
Public Citizen Litigation Group, along with the AFL-CIO, is asking the US District Court for the District of Columbia to declare the staff cuts at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are unlawful. The plaintiffs seek an injunction to block the Department of Health and Human Services from placing NIOSH employees on administrative leave and eventually terminating them.
POLITICS
House Republicans Push Forward With Tax and Medicaid Cuts
The New York Times
By Catie Edmondson and Margot Sanger-Katz
May 14, 2025
Republicans are seeking to extend Mr. Trump’s 2017 tax cut and temporarily enact his campaign pledges not to tax tips or overtime pay. They want to partly offset the roughly $3.8 trillion cost of those tax measures — as well as plans to increase spending on the military and immigration enforcement — by making cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and subsidies for clean energy.
Trump’s New Tax Cuts Could Shower Americans With Cash, for Now
The New York Times
By Andrew Duehren
May 14, 2025
The strategy is an old one for Republicans: Cut taxes for a few years, avoiding the need to account for their cost over the long term, and bet that the reductions become popular enough that Congress will later vote to continue them. The tax bill that Republicans are now putting together on Capitol Hill takes the gambit to a whole new level. Almost all of the new tax cuts that Republicans have included in the bill, which could evolve over the coming weeks, will last only until the end of 2028, just days before President Trump is set to leave office. That includes a $500 increase to the child tax credit and a $1,000 bonus to the standard deduction, as well as Mr. Trump’s pledges to not tax tips or overtime pay.
Kennedy Clashes With Democrats Who Accuse Him of Usurping Congress’s Power
The New York Times
By Sheryl Gay Stolberg
May 14, 2025
Democrats peppered the health secretary with questions on a range of other matters, including handling of a measles epidemic that has killed two children in West Texas, his views on abortion, his recovery from heroin addiction and whether he would vaccinate his own children against measles, chickenpox or polio, were he confronted with that decision today. Mr. Kennedy ducked the question, insisting his own views did not matter.
Crew Union Calls for the Reinstatement of U.S. Copyright Office Head
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
May 14, 2025
A major Hollywood crew union has weighed in on the White House’s abrupt firing of U.S. Copyright Office head Shira Perlmutter on Saturday following the pre-publication of a report on AI, saying it is “deeply concerned” over the dismissal and Perlmutter should be reinstated. IATSE, a union that represents an array of behind-the-scenes workers in film and television, from costume designers to animators to cinematographers, said the termination “does not appear to be lawful or legitimate” as Perlmutter is hired by the legislative, rather than the executive, branch.
Moneywise
By Chris Clark
May 14, 2025
Black lung disease, a severe respiratory illness, is on the rise as miners work deeper than ever beneath the Earth’s surface. At such depths, they’re exposed to silica — a naturally occurring compound 20 times more toxic than regular coal dust. While Trump has promised to get coal booming again in the U.S., he is cutting funding to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Trump can't strip Foreign Service workers of their collective bargaining rights, judge says
The Washington Post
By Michael Kunzelman
May 14, 2025
A federal judge agreed Wednesday to temporarily block the Trump administration from stripping Foreign Service employees of their collective bargaining rights. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman granted a federal labor union’s request for a preliminary injunction that, while its lawsuit against the government is pending, stops the Republican administration from implementing a key portion of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
Watchdog Effort to Obtain DOGE Records Can Proceed, Appeals Court Rules
The New York Times
By Zach Montague
May 14, 2025
Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency must resume efforts to hand over internal documents about their operations to a nonpartisan watchdog group, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The order, issued by a three-judge panel in Washington, directs Mr. Musk’s team to answer questions and provide details the group requested under federal transparency laws, such as the Freedom of Information Act.
US farm agency staff warn Congress of food safety risks, political interference
Reuters
By Leah Douglas
May 14, 2025
Across the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, 98 of 167 food safety scientists have resigned, according to the letter. The ARS's work includes detecting pathogens, preventing foodborne illness, and identifying chemical and other contaminants in food, according to the USDA website. Researchers have been barred from travel to conferences and staff attrition has hobbled work on climate adaptation, hunger and fraud prevention in nutrition programs, the letter said. Scientists have been told not to discuss agency staffing losses or research cuts with external stakeholders and face ambiguity about what public activities are permitted, said Ethan Roberts, a technician at an ARS lab in Illinois and president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3247.
CDC reinstates fired health workers for coal miners under court order
The Washington Post
By Maxine Joselow
May 14, 2025
U.S. District Judge Irene C. Berger issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday that compels the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to bring back the workers in the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program.
Coal miners happy with federal judge's decision in NIOSH injunction
WCHS
By Bailee Tucker
May 14, 2025
Judge Irene Berger granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday afternoon that would temporarily reinstate employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, ensuring legally required black lung screenings would still take place. For miners like Mark Powell, those screenings are lifesaving.
IMMIGRATION
Democrats grill Noem on Abrego Garcia and two deported US children
Politico
By Ali Bianco
May 14, 2025
Democrats on Wednesday pressed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on what her agency is doing to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran national who was mistakenly sent to El Salvador, as well as the case of two American children who were recently deported by the Trump administration.
ORGANIZING
Divers at Orlando's Discovery Cove theme park unanimously vote to unionize
Orlando Weekly
By McKenna Schuele
May 14, 2025
A group of divers at SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove theme park in Orlando unanimously voted to unionize last week, forming the first union at the aquatic-themed resort. According to the National Labor Relations Board, which conducts union elections in the private sector, the group of divers and dive technicians unanimously voted (15-0) in favor of unionizing with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 30, in an election that featured 100 percent voter turnout.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS
The Voice Of Master Chief Asks Halo Fans To Stand Up For Voice Actors On Strike
GameSpot
By Hayley Williams
May 14, 2025
The SAG-AFTRA voice actors strike is now in its 10th month, and prominent voice actors are asking fans to speak up for the people behind their beloved game characters. In a recent interview, Master Chief voice actor Steve Downes spoke on the issue of AI voice acting that has fueled the ongoing strike, appealing to fans to support the actors' fight.
Nearly 3,000 Minneapolis-area grocery store workers threaten to strike
Fox 9
By Mike Manzoni
May 13, 2025
UFCW Local 663 on Tuesday threatened to have its members walk off the job at the end of the month if it cannot reach agreements with three supermarket owners. The union said it wants better wages and benefits and an end to what it characterized as unfair labor practices.
NWCT facilities brace for fallout from nursing home worker strike
The Lakeville Journal
By Debra A. Aleksinas
May 14, 2025
While the strike, affecting 26% of the state’s nursing homes, would not directly impact non-unionized nursing facilities in the Northwest Corner, including Noble Horizons in Salisbury, Geer Village in North Canaan and Sharon Center for Health & Rehabilitation, operators are bracing for repercussions in the job market should the unionized workers prevail. The strike deadline, originally set for May 19, was pushed back after Gov. Ned Lamont sent a request on May 8 to Rob Baril, president of SEIU 1199NE, asking the union to “strongly consider” postponing the original strike date for a few weeks until the state budget process reaches a resolution.
Mount Holyoke union calls for improved wages, immigrant protections
Mass Live
By Staasi Heropoulos
May 13, 2025
“There’s massive immigration issues going on,” said Kevin Brown, executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union, representing Mount Holyoke workers. “Many of our members have temporary protective status that may end over the next couple of years. People need to figure out how to adjust their status. It can be very expensive to get a lawyer. That’s why we think the legal fund benefit is incredibly important for them,” said Brown.
SAG-AFTRA and Nickelodeon Reach Tentative Agreement on Animation Contract
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
May 14, 2025
Nickelodeon has agreed to “commonsense” AI protections for voice actors on animated shows like The Patrick Star Show and Dora the Explorer, according to performers’ union SAG-AFTRA. The union announced on Wednesday that it had reached a tentative deal with Nickelodeon over voice acting on animated programs for basic cable and Paramount+. With covered projects including Rugrats, The Loud House, Kamp Koral and Rock Paper Scissors, the three-year provisional contract also brings some rate increases, a new premium and faster payment due dates.
Unionized SF Bay Area staff at Good Vibrations ratify contract
The Bay Area Reporter
By John Ferrannini
May 14, 2025
The staff of Good Vibrations, a Bay Area chain of sex-positive adult toy retailers, unanimously agreed to a union contract. The agreement comes over a year after the effort to join a union began. The Bay Area Reporter previously reported in early 2023 that workers at the chain had unionized. Now, the three-year contract “delivers significant improvements in wages, job security, and health and safety protections for all covered employees,” according to a news release from United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local No. 5.
UR Home Care workers reach tentative agreement with employer on first union contract
WXXI News
By Racquel Stephen
May 14, 2025
One year and 54 bargaining sessions later, UR Medicine Home Care workers have their first union contract — pending ratification. The 1199 SEIU members reached a tentative agreement late Tuesday afternoon with the University of Rochester Medicine Home Care. The caregivers providing in-home services across a seven-county region, including Monroe County, voted to unionize in early 2024.
PYOK
By Mateusz Maszczynski
May 13, 2025
According to Nelson, United has awarded Kirby with a 246% increase in compensation in just the last two years, while flight attendants have gone without a pay raise for more than four years. This week, negotiators from United and the union are meeting in Chicago to discuss economic proposals from both sides – part of three weeks of intensive bargaining in a concerted effort to reach a tentative agreement.
JOINING TOGETHER
More than 1,000 Starbucks baristas go on strike to protest new dress code
AP
By Dee-Ann Durbin
May 14, 2025
Under the previous dress code, baristas could wear a broader range of dark colors and patterned shirts. Starbucks said the new rules would make its green aprons stand out and create a sense of familiarity for customers as it tries to establish a warmer, more welcoming feeling in its stores. But Starbucks Workers United, the union that represents workers at 570 of Starbucks’ 10,000 company-owned U.S. stores, said the dress code should be subject to collective bargaining.
Starbucks union workers strike over dress code changes
Restaurant Dive
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne
May 14, 2025
Starbucks Workers United members at more than 50 union locations have walked off the job in recent days to protest unilateral changes to Starbucks’ dress code, the union said in a press release Tuesday. These dress code changes were announced in April and implemented on Monday.
STATE LEGISLATION
Despite Democratic control, Colorado resembles right-to-work states
Axios
By John Frank
May 14, 2025
Colorado's blue-state status is tarnished by a prominent red mark: a legacy of suppressing labor unions. Why it matters: This legislative session, Democratic lawmakers and labor leaders worked in tandem to flip the dynamic with a bill that would make it easier for unions to collectively bargain. Yes, but: Democratic Gov. Jared Polis plans to veto the bill and keep Colorado aligned with conservative, right-to-work states.
Colorado labor groups turn to 2026 ballot fight ahead of expected Worker Protection Act veto
Colorado Newsline
By Chase Woodruff
May 14, 2025
“At a moment when the nation has recognized that corporate billionaires are rigging the system against us, Coloradans came together to build solidarity, worker power and a fairer vision for our future,” Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7, said in a statement. “This legislative session was the opportunity Colorado’s labor movement needed to build the power needed to pass pro-worker policies, whether through legislation or at the ballot.”
IN THE STATES
Democrats pull off an upset in Nebraska, electing Omaha’s first Black mayor
The Washington Post
By Maeve Reston
May 13, 2025
“Throughout this campaign, we’ve engaged in honest conversation about the challenges and the opportunities facing us and our city,” Ewing said, noting his focus on the need for affordable housing, living-wage jobs and “equitable economic development that revitalizes all neighborhoods, not just the select few.”
Stamp Out Hunger food drive doubles donations in Arkansas from previous year
KATV
By Kylon Williams, Isley Gooden and Kaelin Clay
May 13, 2025
Volunteer coordinator Moriah Sitz shared the impressive results, saying, "Last year, we hit almost 30,000 and we were really excited. This year, we over doubled it. So, his year we hit over 60,000 pounds of food donated, and the pounds are actually still rolling in." Sitz expressed gratitude to the National Association of Letter Carriers, noting their crucial role in the drive's success.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
UAW Issues Statement On Safety Concerns At Joint-Venture Ford Plant
Ford Authority
By Brett Foote
May 14, 2025
“The recent reporting on the dangerous conditions at BOSK is infuriating,” said Chuck Browning, UAW Vice President and Director of the Ford Department. “Workers are being put at risk every single day. Every person in this country should be able to go to work and know they’ll make it home safe – not get sick or injured because of corporate greed or negligence. Ford should know better. For over 80 years, Ford workers have had a union and a voice. But now, Ford is running an extreme anti-union campaign at BOSK to keep these workers down. It’s shameful. These workers are demanding what they’ve earned: a real say in their working conditions, especially when it comes to health and safety. Ford, cut the crap. Let them vote.”
IAFF launch new Committee for female health and safety
Fire & Safety Journal Americas
By Isabelle Crow
May 14, 2025
The International Association of Fire Firefighters (IAFF) has shared how 15 women from across the IAFF’s districts came together for the first meeting of the Female Health & Safety Standing Committee. District 2 committee member Dani Landholm, of Omaha, NE Local 385 has long advocated for better maternal health policies and properly fitting gear and this week, her advocacy came full circle in Washington, D.C when she joined the other women for the first Committee meeting.
CIVIL, HUMAN, & WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Unionized REI workers allege racial discrimination
Fast Company
By Pavithra Mohan
May 14, 2025
But in recent years, against the backdrop of a union drive, some workers have described a culture at odds with REI’s purported values. Despite successful union efforts at 11 of its 180 total stores, REI workers have not managed to successfully negotiate a contract with the company. The National Labor Relations Board is also currently looking into dozens of unfair labor practice charges brought by workers. Last week, REI members voted against the company’s slate of board candidates, following a union campaign urging them to protest that REI did not allow labor-backed candidates on the ballot.
VOTING RIGHTS
US appeals court curtails key avenue to enforce voting rights law
Reuters
By Nate Raymond
May 14, 2025
A federal appeals court foreclosed on Wednesday one of the main remaining means by which civil rights activists could enforce a landmark voting rights law's protections against racial discrimination in seven mostly Midwestern states.
The 2-1 panel of the St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that private plaintiffs cannot use an 1871 civil rights law as a means to enforce protections enshrined in the Voting Rights Act.