AFL-CIO Blog

  • Worker Wins: Good Union Jobs Strengthen Communities
    Worker Wins: Good Union Jobs Strengthen Communities Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life. New York Alamo Drafthouse Strike Ends After Workers Secure New Contract: After 58 days on strike, workers at two New York City Alamo Drafthouse locations will return to work. UAW Local 2179 reached a deal with management over layoffs that the union claimed violated labor law, and the union approved the agreement. The agreement will reinstate the 70-odd staffers who were cut at the theaters as well as restore their previously accrued paid time off, sick time, seniority and hire dates. The union will return to negotiating its first union contract. “Strike won! All jobs are back!” the union announced on social media. “We will be returning to work officially on April 18 but feel free to start patronizing the Alamos in [Brooklyn] and Manhattan as soon as today.” Crew Members of Spiegelworld’s ‘Atomic Saloon Show’ Organize with IATSE and Ratify First Contract: Forty-six production crew members at Spiegelworld’s “Atomic Saloon Show” organized with Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 720 and ratified their first contract. The unit includes specialized roles across audio, lighting, wardrobe, wigs, props, rigging, automation and more, with members who work at both the “Atomic Saloon Show” at The Venetian hotel and the now-closed show “OPM” at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Spiegelworld is known for its eccentric and adult-oriented Las Vegas productions, including “Absinthe,” “DiscoShow,” and “Atomic Saloon Show.” The unionization effort began when several on-call workers were denied cost-of-living raises and the crew members were further subjected to anti-union “captive audience” meetings held by management. The contract includes significant wins, including full health care coverage, retirement savings access extended to all employees, wage parity across roles, minimum call guarantees and a structured process to resolve concerns collaboratively with management. “Now that these workers are union, on-call crewmembers can access additional jobs through our dispatch system, helping them get the hours they need to make a decent living,” said IATSE Local 720 Representative Cliff Paschall. “And as always, good union jobs strengthen communities by putting more money into the hands of working people, which supports local businesses and economic growth.” SMART-TD Yardmasters Reach Tentative Contract Agreement with BNSF: The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) Yardmasters and BNSF Railway reached a tentative, five-year collective bargaining agreement. The agreement covers more than 320 yardmasters and provides a 3.5% average wage increase per year over the next five years, more vacation time earlier in yardmasters’ careers and improved health care benefits. “This tentative agreement provides paid sick leave, rest days for the extra board, improvements to healthcare, and a compensation package,” said Yardmasters General Chairman Matthew Burkart. “This is the first time the yardmaster craft has seen significant quality of life advancements since 1997.” This latest tentative agreement follows the recently announced national tentative agreement with the Machinists (IAM). IAM Local Lodge 2003 Members Ratify Strong Tentative Agreement at Fort Novosel: Approximately 3,400 members of IAM Local Lodge 2003 ratified a robust new agreement with M1 Support Services and its subcontractors at Fort Novosel, Alabama. The five-year agreement covers workers performing aircraft maintenance and flight support. Highlights include annual general wage increases of 4%, 3.5%, 3.5% and 3%; improvements to overtime polling/scheduling; recognition of Juneteenth as an additional holiday; enhanced vacation scheduling; maintenance of leading medical coverage while managing costs; preservation of the current IAM pension along with increased contributions to 401(k) plans; and successful efforts to fend off several job descriptions that threatened to undermine seniority rights. “We are the heart of what keeps Fort Novosel running smoothly,” said Local Lodge 2003 Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Kelley. “Through hard work, unity, and a commitment to the process, we’ve negotiated a deal that reflects the value our members bring to the table, ensuring our voices were heard and concerns addressed.” Equator Coffees Workers in California Join UFCW: Workers at Equator Coffees in Los Angeles voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 770. The workers are employed as baristas, shift leads and prep cooks. Workers organized because they were concerned about insufficient pay and scheduling and wanted a voice in the workplace. They look forward to negotiating their first union contract. “Upon the win of our union election, I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my co-workers as we come together to address our needs for steady hours, work meals, and a livable wage,” said UFCW member Nicole Territo. “This victory is a step toward a stronger, more supportive workplace, and I’m looking forward to working together to make meaningful changes for all of us. Let’s elevate the specialty coffee narrative from social justice buzzwords to bold actions that honor both coffee quality and the fight for justice.” SEIU Members at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys Campus Secure Fair Contract Through Historic Arbitration Decision: Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa who work at the Mayo Clinic-Saint Marys Campus in Minnesota are celebrating the news of huge gains for 1,600 front-line health care workers following a long fight that ended with the process heading to a three-person arbitration board. The arbiters spent months hearing testimony before issuing the binding decision. Highlights of the contract include wage increases of between 16.5% and 41% over the term of the new contract; a new minimum wage of $20 per hour that will increase to $21.74 per hour minimum in Year 3 of the contract; retroactive pay of up to $10,000 for raises back to April 23, 2024; and a cap on mandatory overtime hours. “It has been a long time coming, but these amazing results showcase the power of our union and move us towards the pay and respect we deserve for our critical work,” said Kirsten Schultz, a patient care assistant and SEIU member at Mayo. “These wage increases are so amazing and I’m so proud we stood strong to win this contract. These wage increases are some of the biggest we’ve ever seen and the back pay is going to be amazing for so many people. We’re proud of the work we did and all the work we continue to do. We’re thankful for all of the public support we have and continue to receive to make sure the workers who make Mayo run are treated with the respect we deserve.” Avelo Flight Dispatchers Vote to Join the TWU: On Wednesday, flight dispatchers at Avelo Airlines voted to join the Transport Workers Union (TWU). With their successful vote, workers at the ultra-low-cost airline based out of Houston, Texas, are joining the ranks of their peers at Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines and other airlines who are already represented by TWU. The newly minted union members are looking forward to negotiating a contract that will address quality-of-life issues and correct pay imbalances. “Our immediate next step is to win that all-important first contract that will significantly improve the quality of life for Avelo Flight Dispatchers and their families,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “The TWU’s strength in organizing new work groups and bargaining game-changing contracts continues to pay off as more workers vote to join the TWU.” Illinois State University Faculty Union Secures Tentative Agreement: On Friday, members of the United Faculty of Illinois State University (UFISU), which is affiliated with University Professionals of Illinois (UPI) Local 4100 and the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), reached a tentative agreement and averted a strike. The union represents tenured and tenure-track faculty at the institution, and this is their first collective bargaining agreement since securing recognition. Members held nearly 50 negotiation sessions with administrators to reach this deal, with details around pay being one of the remaining sticking points ahead of the final round of discussions on Friday. “This agreement is going to be transformative for the way that our members take on their jobs,” said Keith Pluymers, an associate professor of history at Illinois State University (ISU) and a member of the bargaining team. “We have clarified and solidified a lot of the conditions of work that we have. In places where there was uncertainty, this contract is gonna provide certainty. We’ve worked to address a number of really longstanding issues at ISU. And we think this contract—it’s not gonna take care of everything, but we think this is a great start that’s gonna do a lot to ensure ISU is a great place to work moving forward.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/17/2025 - 10:13 — Apr 17
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: SMART-TD Yardmasters Reach Tentative Contract Agreement with BNSF
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: SMART-TD Yardmasters Reach Tentative Contract Agreement with BNSF Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) Yardmasters and BNSF Railway reached a tentative, five-year collective bargaining agreement. The agreement covers more than 320 yardmasters and provides a 3.5% average wage increase per year over the next five years, more vacation time earlier in yardmasters’ careers and improved health care benefits. “This tentative agreement provides paid sick leave, rest days for the extra board, improvements to healthcare, and a compensation package,” said Yardmasters General Chairman Matthew Burkart. “This is the first time the yardmaster craft has seen significant quality of life advancements since 1997.” This latest tentative agreement follows the recently announced national tentative agreement with the Machinists (IAM). Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 04/17/2025 - 09:52 — Apr 17
  • Introducing Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network
    Introducing Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network Federal workers all across the country are under attack. Tens of thousands of hardworking people who run the programs and services that working families rely on have been mistreated or abruptly fired by Elon Musk and the DOGE.  People are rising up—but the federal workers who are being targeted need help. That’s why we’re proud to announce Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network. Learn More. We’ve organized this new network with federal worker unions and groups like We the Action and Democracy Forward, among others, to connect federal workers to a network of thousands of lawyers helping to get workers the free legal support they need. Here’s how you can help:
    • Are you a current or former federal worker who needs legal help? Fill out our confidential form to get connected with our network of lawyers.
    • Are you a lawyer who can help our federal workers? Get trained and join the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network to provide free legal support to federal workers and help them understand their rights. (Our first webinar explaining how you can help is tonight—RSVP here.)
    • Can you tell your friends, family and networks about this new resource? Share this email so as many people as possible can find out about our work.
    • Can you chip in $25—or anything you can afford—to support the network’s work? Your donation will help federal workers across the country get connected to the free legal help they need.  
    Federal workers power critical programs like Medicare and Social Security, run our national parks, inspect our food and medicine, and keep us safe from accidents and disasters.  As taxpayers and Americans, we must demand justice for these workers. Thank you for helping us rise up.  Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/16/2025 - 15:54     — Apr 16
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IAM Local Lodge 2003 Members Ratify Strong Tentative Agreement at Fort Novosel
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IAM Local Lodge 2003 Members Ratify Strong Tentative Agreement at Fort Novosel Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. Approximately 3,400 members of IAM Local Lodge 2003 ratified a robust new agreement with M1 Support Services and its subcontractors at Fort Novosel, Alabama. The five-year agreement covers workers performing aircraft maintenance and flight support. Highlights include annual general wage increases of 4%, 3.5%, 3.5% and 3%; improvements to overtime polling/scheduling; recognition of Juneteenth as an additional holiday; enhanced vacation scheduling; maintenance of leading medical coverage while managing costs; preservation of the current IAM pension along with increased contributions to 401(k) plans; and successful efforts to fend off several job descriptions that threatened to undermine seniority rights. “We are the heart of what keeps Fort Novosel running smoothly,” said Local Lodge 2003 Negotiating Committee Chairman Chris Kelley. “Through hard work, unity, and a commitment to the process, we’ve negotiated a deal that reflects the value our members bring to the table, ensuring our voices were heard and concerns addressed.” Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 04/16/2025 - 10:22 — Apr 16
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Equator Coffees Workers in California Join UFCW
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Equator Coffees Workers in California Join UFCW Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. Workers at Equator Coffees in Los Angeles voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 770. The workers are employed as baristas, shift leads and prep cooks. Workers organized because they were concerned about insufficient pay and scheduling and wanted a voice in the workplace. They look forward to negotiating their first union contract. “Upon the win of our union election, I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my co-workers as we come together to address our needs for steady hours, work meals, and a livable wage,” said UFCW member Nicole Territo. “This victory is a step toward a stronger, more supportive workplace, and I’m looking forward to working together to make meaningful changes for all of us. Let’s elevate the specialty coffee narrative from social justice buzzwords to bold actions that honor both coffee quality and the fight for justice.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 04/15/2025 - 10:15 — Apr 15