Today's AFL-CIO press clips
POLITICS
Twisty Path to a Deal: Is Nippon Steel Finally About to Land U.S. Steel?
The New York Times
By River Akira Davis
May 30, 2025
David McCall, the international president of the United Steelworkers’ union, said in a statement on Wednesday that he still had concerns about how much of Nippon Steel’s investments would go to union-represented sites. He said Mr. Trump’s “‘partnership’ announcement continues to raise more questions than answers.”
Musk Exits DOGE Leaving Threadbare Agencies and Strained Workers
Bloomberg
By Ted Mann
May 29, 2025
Among those pressing Kennedy is Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, who credited NIOSH workers with helping to prevent illnesses and deaths that have plagued workers in the industry for decades, including members of Roberts’ own family. “I wish we had had a NIOSH in the ’60s,” he said, “and I wish it was much larger than it is now.” In an interview, Roberts said he had spoken briefly with Kennedy, at the behest of Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, urging him to undo the reductions.
For Federal Workers, Musk’s Chain Saw Still Reverberates
The New York Times
By Eileen Sullivan
May 29, 2025
Current and former federal workers describe a government that in some cases remains paralyzed with uncertainty, waiting for direction from senior officials. Everyday tasks now take much longer, with added layers of supervisory approvals that they say make their work harder. Thousands of government employees are now being paid not to work, all in service of Mr. Musk’s efficiency mandate, which President Trump billed as a way to purge the government of diversity initiatives and as a cost-cutting initiative to better serve the American public. (There is scant evidence of any savings.)
Musk is gone. But DOGE staffers are still trying to cut through agencies.
Politico
By Robin Bravender, Danny Nguyen and Sophia Cai
May 29, 2025
Elon Musk is stepping back from the federal government but his so-called Department of Government Efficiency isn’t going anywhere. Just this week at the Interior Department, a 30-year veteran of the agency who told employees to ignore DOGE directives was escorted out of the building. Elsewhere, some DOGE employees have been hired on as permanent government staffers and given high-ranking positions inside agencies. The General Services Administration, for example, is an entry point for dozens of DOGE officials who’ve then gone to other departments.
Revisiting Elon Musk’s Most Controversial Moments in the White House
Time
By Rebecca Schneid
May 29, 2025
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), referred to the directive as “cruel and disrespectful,” and called Musk an “out-of-touch, privileged, unelected billionaire.”
Exclusive: White House rolling out new "merit-based" federal hiring plans
Axios
By Emily Peck
May 29, 2025
After firing more than 100,000 people, the White House is sending out new "merit-based" guidelines for hiring federal workers, implementing a law passed with bipartisan support last year. Why it matters: The Merit Hiring Plan released to agencies Thursday afternoon by the Office of Personnel Management — the administration's HR department, basically — is a major overhaul to how the federal government hires employees. It also explicitly orders agencies not to take race and gender into consideration in hiring.
Trump administration reverses planned closures of 3 dozen US mine safety offices
AP
By John Raby
May 29, 2025
The Trump administration is dropping plans to terminate leases for 34 offices in the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the agency responsible for enforcing mine safety laws, the Department of Labor said Thursday. Earlier this year, the Department of Government Efficiency, created by President Donald Trump and run by Elon Musk, had targeted federal agencies for spending cuts, including terminating leases for three dozen MSHA offices. Seven of those offices were in Kentucky alone. Ending the MSHA leases had been projected to save $18 million. Musk said this week that he’s leaving his job as a senior adviser.
Musk Leaves Washington Behind but With Powerful Friends in Place
The New York Times
By David A. FahrentholdEric Lipton and Jess Bidgood
May 29, 2025
Just three months ago, Elon Musk stood before a crowd of roaring conservatives and held up a chain saw. He was at the height of his influence, swaggering in a self-designed role with immense power inside and outside the government. “We’re trying to get good things done,” he said, using the chain saw as a metaphor for the deep cuts he was making in government. “But also, like, you know, have a good time doing it.” Mr. Musk’s time in government is over now. His good time ended long before.
Trump taps right-wing lawyer to head U.S. Office of Special Counsel
The Washington Post
By Brianna Tucker and Frances Vinall
May 30, 2025
President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would nominate Paul Ingrassia, a 30-year-old lawyer and former right-wing podcast host, to lead the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), an independent watchdog agency that oversees federal personnel issues and plays a crucial role in protecting whistleblowers within the government.
Trump Administration Halts Job Corps Operations Nationwide
Bloomberg Law
By Rebecca Rainey
May 29, 2025
The Trump administration will cease operations at 99 Job Corps centers, suspending job training programs for 25,000 low-income adults across the country. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer on Thursday directed all contractor-operated Job Corps facilities to pause operations by June 30, citing the cost of the program and safety for participants.
IMMIGRATION
Republicans seek to cement Trump’s immigration legacy in sweeping bill
Reuters
By Ted Hesson
May 29, 2025
A sweeping tax and spending bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would devote an estimated $150 billion to immigration enforcement, an unprecedented sum that seeks to deliver President Donald Trump’s goal of mass deportations and lock down the U.S.-Mexico border. The bill would provide funding for 10,000 new immigration enforcement officers and $46.5 billion for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border while placing new fees on applications for asylum and other humanitarian protections.
Green-card holder Lewelyn Dixon released from ICE detention center in Tacoma
The Seattle Times
By Nina Shapiro
May 29, 2025
An immigration judge ruled Thursday that Lewelyn Dixon, a decadeslong green-card holder whose February arrest at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport by immigration officials attracted national attention, shouldn’t be deported. She was released hours later.
Labor Defends Jailed Immigrants: Forklift Driver, Hospital Worker
Labor Notes
By Alexandra Bradbury
May 28, 2025
The other detained union member is “Aunty Lynn” Lewelyn Dixon, a lab tech at Seattle’s University of Washington Medical Center, who has lived in the U.S. for more than 50 years. Dixon has been held by ICE since February, when she too was stopped at the airport on her way back from visiting family in the Philippines. Her union, SEIU Local 925, and Tanggol Migrante have called another rally at the jail this Thursday, May 29, when her case comes up for a hearing.
Judge blocks Trump ban on Harvard's international students
Reuters
By Nate Raymond
May 29, 2025
A federal judge said on Thursday she would extend an order blocking President Donald Trump's administration from immediately revoking Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, a victory for the Ivy League school that is entangled in multiple battles with the administration. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston announced her intention to issue a preliminary injunction, six days after she first granted Harvard a temporary order blocking the Trump administration's move.
TRADE
Appeals court reinstates Trump's tariffs
Reuters
By Reuters
May 29, 2025
A federal appeals court on Thursday reinstated the most sweeping of President Donald Trump's tariffs, a day after a trade court had ruled Trump had exceeded his authority in imposing the duties and had ordered an immediate block on them.
MANUFACTURING
UAW Hails GM Investment in Tonawanda Plant
Industry Week
By Laura Putre
May 28, 2025
General Motors on Tuesday announced it would invest $888 million in its Tonawanda Propulsion Plant in New York State, a welcome decision for both the United Autoworkers union and the governor of New York. The investment would go toward machinery, tooling and renovations at the plant to build the automaker’s new sixth-generation V-8 engines for full-size trucks and SUVS. Production of fifth-generation engines would continue during construction, which is expected to wrap up in 2027.
'It means the future': Union members celebrate GM's $888 million investment in Tonawanda plant
ABC 7
By Maki Becker
May 28, 2025
Members of UAW Local 774 were celebrating the news that GM said it would invest $888 million in the Town of Tonawanda propulsion plant. "It is very good news," said Jeanne LoHouse, a team leader on the heavy-duty block department.
LABOR AND ECONOMY
US weekly jobless claims rise more than expected as labor market eases
Reuters
By Reuters
May 29, 2025
he number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits increased more than expected last week, while the jobless rate appeared to have picked up in May as labor market conditions continue to ease. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 14,000 to a seasonally adjusted 240,000 for the week ended May 24, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 230,000 claims for the latest week.
US labor market showing cracks; corporate profits post largest drop since 2020
Reuters
By Lucia Mutikani
May 29, 2025
The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits increased more than expected last week and the unemployment rate appeared to have picked up in May, suggesting layoffs were rising as tariffs cloud the economic outlook. The report from the Labor Department on Thursday showed a surge in applications in Michigan last week, the nation's motor vehicle assembly hub. The number of people collecting unemployment checks in mid-May was the largest in 3-1/2 years.
ORGANIZING
Huntsville Starbucks workers vote to unionize
Alabama Reflector
By Megan Plotka
May 29, 2025
Workers at a Starbucks in Huntsville voted to unionize earlier this month, becoming the third Alabama store to organize. Ten out of 17 eligible voters cast their ballot. Eight voted to join, while two voted against it. Six baristas led the charge to bring the workers into the Starbucks Workers United (SBWU), which represents over 570 union Starbucks stores, including locations in Scottsboro and Birmingham.
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital nurses to call for "historic union election"
CBS News
By Lauren Linder
May 29, 2025
Nurses at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital will be calling for a union election this afternoon. The union for nurses and healthcare workers in the state says the substantial majority of the more than 1,000 nurses at Magee say they support forming a union in what's being called the largest organizing effort by nurses in recent history in Pennsylvania. Those forming the union would include registered nurses and advanced practice professionals including midwives, nurse practitioners, and others, who say the insurance executives' priorities are getting in the way of the needs of medical providers.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS
Nurses, Meriter hospital to resume bargaining with different takes on staffing
Wisconsin Examiner
By Erik Gunn
May 29, 2025
Nurses at Meriter hospital in Madison and the hospital’s management team are returning to the bargaining table Thursday, the third day of a five-day strike over a new labor agreement covering nearly 1,000 union-represented nurses. The nurses, represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Wisconsin, went on strike Tuesday after their last negotiating session with UnityPoint Health-Meriter on May 19 ended without an agreement.
SoCal Grocery Workers Union Announces Strike Authorization Votes Next Week
Pasadena Now
By City News Service
May 29, 2025
The union representing more than 30,000 grocery workers in Southern California Wednesday announced an upcoming strike authorization vote following alleged labor violations by Kroger and Albertsons. United Food and Commercial Workers members at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions will start taking unfair labor practice strike authorization votes the first week of June, the union said. Results will be announced after voting ends and members are informed on June 11, UFCW said.
Charlotte airport employees decry working conditions at city council meeting
NC Newsline
By Brandon Kingdollar
May 29, 2025
Charlotte Douglas International Airport employees took to the floor of the Charlotte City Council on Tuesday to allege unsafe working conditions, high turnover, and inadequate wages at the state’s largest airport. The employees delivered hundreds of postcards from members of the 32BJ Service Employees International Union outlining labor concerns at the airport before addressing the council during its public comment session at 5 p.m. Speakers from the union urged city lawmakers to raise wages and pass stricter safety standards for the airport at the local level.
AFSCME Local 900 members authorize strike
News Channel 20
By WICS
May 29, 2025
In a decisive move to secure fair pay and benefits, Champaign County workers represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if necessary.
Crew Strikes Against Terrence Howard Film ‘Cipher’ After Production Refuses IATSE Contract
Deadline
By Katie Campione
May 29, 2025
Crew members in Kentucky have walked off the set of the low-budget film Cipher, starring Terrence Howard, in protest after the production declined to secure a union contract with IATSE. Deadline understands that the production was recently put on notice, because crew felt they were “treated as less than” by being classified as independent contractors rather than employees. A majority of the crew expressed a desire to unionize, primarily in order to secure industry-standard pension & health benefits. They had until Wednesday to respond, but sources say they have been silent.
Nurses at Madison hospital on strike, citing unmet contract demands
Wisconsin Public Radio
By Nick Rommel
May 29, 2025
Contract talks between union and management teams resumed Thursday as a nurses’ strike at UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital in Madison continued into a third day. This week’s strike is the first in the hospital’s history, according to the union, which represents more than 930 nurses at the hospital. Thursday’s negotiations were the first between the two sides in more than a week. The nurses, represented by the Service Employees International Union, first threatened to strike earlier this month, citing hospital security, staffing and wage demands unmet by hospital management.
STATE LEGISLATION
Union members, advocates urge Pittsburgh City Council to expand paid sick leave rules
WESA
By Julia Maruca
May 28, 2025
Union representatives and local advocates spoke overwhelmingly in support of a bill that could increase paid sick leave for Pittsburgh workers at a Wednesday City Council public hearing. “When you miss work and don’t have a sick day, your paycheck looks anemic. We can’t afford to do that,” said union member Theodore Hoffman. “We have families to support, we have mortgages to pay. …We should not have to come to work sick, to get other workers and the public sick, and we should not have to forgo our paychecks because we had to miss work.”
Austin could soon see more rooftop solar power systems on public buildings
Austin Monitor
By Amy Smith
May 29, 2025
Austin representatives from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Laborers’ International Union of North America also backed the resolution, which, if implemented, could mean higher wages for local solar installers. The Alter measure cites a 2024 report from the Texas Climate Jobs Project indicating that Central Texas solar installers are paid a median wage of $21 per hour – less than wages paid under Austin’s living wage policy and far less than union electricians.
IN THE STATES
Local union leaders discuss Trump’s attacks on government workers
Labor Tribune
By Staff
May 29, 2025
The Trump/Musk administration’s ongoing attacks on the federal workforce and the postal service are hitting home for workers in the St. Louis area, representatives from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) told delegates of the St. Louis Labor Council May 20. St. Louis Labor Council President Pat Kellett (Plumbers & Pipefitters 562) and Secretary-Treasurer Robin Robertson, (American Postal Workers Union (APWU) St. Louis Gateway District Area Local 8 and a full-time employee of the Postal Service), invited the union members to take the dais to update Labor Council delegates on the administration’s actions.
AFGE locals rally against proposed VA cuts
The Chief
By Sterling Sewell
May 28, 2025
Members of three American Federation for Government Employees locals rallied outside the Veterans Administration hospital on East 23rd Street Wednesday to protest a Trump administration plan to fire tens of thousands of VA staffers, saying the layoffs would compromise care for veterans. An internal memo from the VA's chief of staff, Christopher Syrek, in March called for a return to 2019 staffing levels, when the VA numbered about 400,000 employees. The memo cited a “Department-wide review of mission, organization, and structure” called for by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. The VA employed about 479,000 workers as of early February.
Public transit can’t wait: Illinois must act by May 31(Opinion)
Shaw Local News Network
By John A. Costa, Frederick D. Redmond, Eric Dean and Karen Kent
May 29, 2025
Illinois is facing a crossroads when it comes to public transit. As the Illinois General Assembly approaches the critical May 31 deadline to secure funding for its public transit system, let’s be clear that this is not a light switch that can be turned off and on with ease. It is a complex, interwoven system that, if dismantled, could permanently damage our state’s economy and the daily lives of Illinoisans. Public transportation is a lifeline for millions, from nurses getting to work to college students heading to the baseball game. It connects people to jobs, education, health care, recreation, and essential services. For those without alternative means of travel, it is the only option. The network of buses, trains and transit workers is a delicate ecosystem that requires consistent support and maintenance to operate.
APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINING
Kauaʻi Community College sparks bright future for first-generation college graduate
Kaua’i Now
By Staff
May 28, 2025
His next step is to join the apprenticeship program offered by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represents about 860,000 active members and retirees in a wide variety of field such as utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. The union, founded in 1891 and one of the largest in the nation, would then cover the cost of Lazaro’s continued training and certifications — paving the way to his dream of becoming a licensed lineman.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Unions continue support of those affected by St. Louis tornado
Labor Tribune
By Sheri Gassaway
May 29, 2025
Several local unions are continuing their support of those affected by the May 16 EF-3 tornado that hit St. Louis. The tornado, which brought winds up to 150 mph, caused immense damage to homes and businesses in North City and the Central West End, tearing off roofs and in some cases leveling buildings. Many unions, including IBEW Locals 2 and 1439 and Gas Workers Local 11-6, stepped up right away after the tornado hit to help restore utility service. Others, like IBEW Local 1, Operating Engineers Local 513, Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 and the Mid-American Carpenters Union, volunteered with cleanup and other emergency needs.