AFL-CIO Blog

  • Supporting Workers’ Rights Is Critical to Ukraine’s Future
    Supporting Workers’ Rights Is Critical to Ukraine’s Future As Russia’s war on Ukraine continues, Ukrainian workers and their trade unions have become an undeniable force for solidarity and community support throughout the country. Since the onset of the conflict, union members from the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine (KVPU) and the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine (FPU) have mobilized in large numbers, remain united behind their elected government’s efforts to manage the war and continue to make valiant sacrifices to defend the nation. However, in return, Ukraine’s government is now moving to break the unions’ power and take away crucial workers’ rights that are central to upholding its democracy.  In March, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Congress and drew a powerful connection between his country and ours, stating that the war was a fight to protect our shared values of “democracy, independence, freedom and care for everyone, for every person, for everyone who works diligently….” A strong labor movement is central to Ukraine’s struggle to remain an independent democracy because workers’ rights and democracy are inextricably linked. That’s been true throughout the conflict, and it will remain true when this war ends.  Unions put their organizing skills to use in the immediate aftermath of Russia’s attack as part of the Trade Union Lifeline initiative. They quickly converted their offices and properties into makeshift shelters to house more than 350,000 citizens displaced inside Ukraine. Unions also allocated donated funds to fill gaps in care and moved large numbers of humanitarian supplies, such as food, clothing, diapers and feminine hygiene products, to those in need. Both national union federation presidents have made numerous trips to front-line towns to personally deliver shipments. Workers on the job are keeping the economy going, while thousands of union members have enlisted in the military and the country’s civil defense, many of whom have been killed in active duty. Their incredible efforts have been recognized by the AFL-CIO and the entire global labor movement, which has been unwavering in their support for Ukraine.  In October, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten traveled to Lviv, Ukraine, to provide support, meet with teachers and raise awareness about the war’s impact on the lives of children. Dozens of teachers are working hard to ensure that students remain able to keep up with their education. Members of the Construction and Building Materials Workers Union of Ukraine (PROFBUD) have found creative ways to support the war effort, including procuring life-saving medications and improvising the creation of a communications outpost for their communities.     American Federation of Teachers American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten meeting with a group of displaced teachers who came to Lviv from eastern Ukraine. While labor has proven invaluable to every facet of Ukraine’s fight to defend its sovereignty, Ukraine’s parliament continues to advance several anti-worker, anti-union policy efforts under the cover of the crisis. In recent months, the parliament has considered more than 27 bills that would restrict or eliminate worker and union rights. One proposal would confiscate the property of the FPU and all its affiliated unions, many of which are being used to house the displaced. Given that this property has been maintained and managed for 30 years by union dues and finances with no issue, it is suspected that the policy’s true motivation is to bankrupt the FPU and assert government control over valuable pieces of real estate. These are not just hypothetical threats. Law 2434-IX, which was adopted in July and enforced officially in August, eliminated collective bargaining for all employers with 250 or fewer employees for the period of martial law and introduced precarious “zero-hour” contracts into Ukrainian labor relations. These contracts create a more perilous work situation because employers are not obliged to provide a minimum number of working hours to workers. Although these changes were passed for the war’s duration, the government’s Ukraine Recovery Plan indicates a desire to make these provisions permanent. Other equally troubling bills focus on eliminating worker protections on working hours, transfer rights, the right to organize unions, collective bargaining, social assistance funds, pension rights and administration, safety and health enforcement, unemployment benefits and the system that sets minimum wages—some of which have already become reality. The rationale behind this effort—that worker rights must be eliminated to promote economic growth—relies on deeply flawed and outdated development models. These changes run counter to international standards that Ukraine previously ratified, and these modifications are in direct conflict with decisions handed down by the International Labour Organization that recognize taking action to confiscate union property as a significant violation of the freedom of association. The Ukrainian government is aware of this—having previously lost a similar property confiscation case in the European Court of Human Rights in 2018. Anti-union legislation also flies in the face of Ukraine’s stated policy goal of further integration into the structures and norms of the European Union, where union coverage has remained high in many nations and workers’ rights remain strongly protected. Many of these laws could not pass before the war and are now in motion only because of Russia’s unprovoked attacks.  Ukraine’s fight for democracy must take a holistic view. Unions will be instrumental in rebuilding the country, and Ukraine’s government cannot go down the path of destroying internationally recognized worker rights because of the ideological agenda of a few ultra-free-market, libertarian officials who are using the war to push their agenda of eliminating unions. Likewise, the war should not be used as cover for wealthy interests in Ukraine to squeeze more profits from Ukrainian workers, many of whom are making great sacrifices in service to their country. We stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian sisters, brothers and siblings. But Ukraine cannot become a respected democratic nation if it continues to destroy the rights of workers and unions. Audrey Edmonds Thu, 12/22/2022 - 12:49 Tags: Ukraine — Dec 22
  • Action Alert: Tell Philadelphia Orchestra Association: Respect Your Singers! Recognize Their Union!
    Action Alert: Tell Philadelphia Orchestra Association: Respect Your Singers! Recognize Their Union! In only six years, the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir has established itself as the premier chorus for symphonic works, drawing some of the best choral singers from the region and the country. They have been the only group directly involved in the Philadelphia Orchestra’s performances that is not part of a union. That changed on Dec. 5, when the Choir voted to join the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). They asked the Philadelphia Orchestra Association to voluntarily recognize their union by noon on December 12. That deadline passed. Will you help? Click here to send a letter to the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, demanding that they respect their singers and voluntarily recognize their union! Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 12/16/2022 - 12:09 — Dec 16
  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Homegrown Workers Go 2-for-2 in Union Elections
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Homegrown Workers Go 2-for-2 in Union Elections Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. Workers at Homegrown cafes in Seattle have won their National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) union election just weeks after the company’s wholesale distribution workers won theirs. The cafe workers said they are eager to join their distribution colleagues in negotiating a fair contract that will provide the wages, benefits, and health and safety protections that would make their jobs at Homegrown sustainable. Both groups of workers have organized with UNITE HERE Local 8. Ivy (pictured above, middle row, center-right), a cafe worker, celebrated their victory on Friday: “We can’t wait to get to the table and bargain our contract.” Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 12/16/2022 - 09:40 — Dec 16
  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: NWLSPA Vows ‘The Work Will Never End’ Following Release of Detailed Report on Sexual Misconduct
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: NWLSPA Vows ‘The Work Will Never End’ Following Release of Detailed Report on Sexual Misconduct Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. Earlier today, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) released a joint investigative report that illustrates, in shocking detail, the systemic failures that allowed rampant sexual misconduct to take place within the league. The NWSLPA called the 14-month investigation the first of its kind in sports, where players had their own representatives in witness interviews, reviewed evidence, developed their own conclusions based on the evidence and formed recommendations. “We sought the truth, and now, transparency and accountability are necessary for reform,” the union said. “The work will never end. But we hope that our collective healing can begin.” The full report may be viewed here. Reader discretion is advised. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 12/15/2022 - 10:32 — Dec 15
  • Every Voice Helps: In the States Roundup
    Every Voice Helps: In the States Roundup It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on Twitter. Alaska AFL-CIO: Arizona AFL-CIO: California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO: Colorado AFL-CIO: Georgia State AFL-CIO: Illinois AFL-CIO: Indiana State AFL-CIO: Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO: Maine AFL-CIO: Massachusetts AFL-CIO: Minnesota AFL-CIO: Missouri AFL-CIO: Nevada State AFL-CIO: New Hampshire AFL-CIO: New Jersey State AFL-CIO: New York State AFL-CIO: North Carolina State AFL-CIO: Ohio AFL-CIO: Oregon AFL-CIO: Pennsylvania AFL-CIO: Rhode Island AFL-CIO: Texas AFL-CIO: Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO: Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 12/14/2022 - 14:54 — Dec 14