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Pride Month Profiles: David Sytsma-Sherman Pride Month Profiles: David Sytsma-Sherman For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ union members who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is David Sytsma-Sherman of AFSCME. David Sytsma-Sherman serves as an executive board member of AFSCME Local 2187 as well as a delegate from the local to the District Council 47 delegate assembly. He is the chief shop steward for the Philadelphia Parking Authority and serves as the vice chair of the District Council 47 PEOPLE Committee. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/07/2023 - 10:14 — Jun 7
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These Brave Workers These Brave Workers Today we’re sharing the story of Barbara Westbrook, a worker in Chester, Virginia, who handles calls for the Affordable Care Act and Medicare. She walked off the job this week on her first strike. Here’s why: “I’m striking because no one should have to be forced to choose between paying a bill and putting food on the table—especially those working for a multibillion-dollar federal contractor like Maximus.” Barbara and her colleagues are fighting for a $25-an-hour living wage to be paid in line with what other federal call center workers make. They’re also asking for fair layoff policies. Recently, Maximus laid off 700 of Barbara’s colleagues with little notice. Will you show your support for Barbara and the other courageous Maximus workers who are striking this week? When these workers return to work, this is the letter they will walk back in with. The more people who sign, the stronger show of force they’ll have when they return. Barbara reports that there is a serious atmosphere of fear and intimidation: “Now people are scared because they don’t know if they’ll be next. The layoffs have made people decide to come to work sick, or with their children in the car waiting to be picked up because they can’t afford a sitter and are afraid of being even a little late. The call center is like a morgue because people are afraid. Maximus treats us like we don’t matter, like we’re replaceable. It doesn’t care about anybody’s pockets but their own.” “I’ll be honest that at first I was afraid of joining the strike. But I decided that it was something I had to do. We’re not just striking for ourselves, but for all of our co-workers. We have rights, we can speak up and we can take action together. And when we win the better working conditions we deserve, it won’t be just for us, but also for future Maximus workers, so parents won’t have to work a second job, so they can spend more time with their kids.” Will you support the Maximus strike today? Add your name. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/06/2023 - 16:11 — Jun 6
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Pride Month Profiles: April Gigetts Pride Month Profiles: April Gigetts For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ union members who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is April Gigetts of AFSCME. April Gigetts began her union career as a carpenter with Carpenters Local 158 in Philadelphia. She later was employed by the city of Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections starting in 2005 and took on many roles of leadership, rising from steward to president of her local, and now serves as the president of AFSCME District Council 47. Gigetts has also served as a former board member for the Coalition of Labor Union Women. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/06/2023 - 10:14 — Jun 6
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Service & Solidarity Spotlight: SAG-AFTRA Members Approve Strike Authorization with 97.91% Yes Vote Service & Solidarity Spotlight: SAG-AFTRA Members Approve Strike Authorization with 97.91% Yes Vote 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. In a powerful show of solidarity, nearly 65,000 members of SAG-AFTRA voted 97.91% in favor of a strike authorization ahead of negotiations of the television/theatrical contracts. The authorization vote does not mean the union is calling a strike. Negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers begin on June 7. The strike authorization vote empowers SAG-AFTRA’s national board to initiate a strike if the AMPTP won’t reach a fair deal with the union. The current SAG-AFTRA television/theatrical contracts expire at midnight on June 30. “The strike authorization votes have been tabulated and the membership joined their elected leadership and negotiating committee in favor of strength and solidarity. I’m proud of all of you who voted as well as those who were vocally supportive, even if unable to vote. Everyone played a part in this achievement,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “Together we lock elbows and in unity we build a new contract that honors our contributions in this remarkable industry, reflects the new digital and streaming business model and brings ALL our concerns for protections and benefits into the now! Bravo SAG-AFTRA, we are in it to win it.” “I could not be more pleased with this response from the membership. This overwhelming yes vote is a clear statement that it’s time for an evolution in this contract,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “As we enter what may be one of the most consequential negotiations in the union’s history, inflation, dwindling residuals due to streaming and generative AI all threaten actors’ ability to earn a livelihood if our contracts are not adapted to reflect the new realities. This strike authorization means we enter our negotiations from a position of strength, so that we can deliver the deal our members want and deserve.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 06/06/2023 - 10:04 — Jun 6
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Workers Will Not Be Deterred: The Working People Weekly List Workers Will Not Be Deterred: The Working People Weekly List Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List. AFL-CIO’s Shuler: Glacier NW Decision Will Not Deter Workers: “The following is a statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler released [June 1] regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling in Glacier Northwest Inc. v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Today, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with corporations over working people. But when the facts are revealed on remand, it will be clear the union acted properly and the truck drivers’ strike was protected by federal law.” Orange County’s Hotel Workers Consider Striking Over Pay Raises: “Hotel workers throughout Orange County, and Southern California, might go on strike as they demand a $5 an hour increase to their wages. Unite Here Local 11, union representing 32,000 hotel workers in Southern California and Arizona, are calling on workers to authorize a strike on June 8, according to Ada Briceño, co-president of the union. Briceño said in a Wednesday phone interview workers are getting squeezed by housing costs and need higher pay. ‘They’re sleeping on other people’s couches, they’re living in their cars and they’re one paycheck away from homelessness,’ she said, adding that she is confident they will authorize a strike.” United Steelworkers Seeking Vote to Unionize Thousands of Pitt Staff: “The United Steelworkers said it intends to file paperwork Monday calling for a state-supervised labor election that could unionize more than 5,000 workers at the University of Pittsburgh’s main campus and four branches. The USW already represents about 3,000 full- and part-time faculty on Pitt’s main campus in Oakland and branches in Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown and Titusville. Formed in 2021, that union is negotiating with Pitt on its first contract.” Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea and Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney React to the 2023 Legislative Session: “Following the General Assembly’s adjournment, the Illinois AFL-CIO released the following statement: ‘Working Illinoisans celebrated numerous victories this legislative session, building on recent successes that have included the Workers’ Rights Amendment, Paid Leave for All, higher minimum wages, fairer workers' compensation laws, and a robust state construction program.” Thousands of Local Hotel Workers on Verge of Striking: ‘Living in L.A. Is No Longer an Option’: “A union is asking 15,000 workers at hotels in Los Angeles and Orange counties to authorize a strike during the height of tourist season. Unite Here Local 11 said contracts are expiring June 30 at 62 Southern California hotels, including luxury stays such as the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles, the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica and the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. Union officials say they are asking for the strike authorization vote on June 8 to jump-start sluggish negotiations and convince hotel operators to seriously consider pay increases for their workers.” 'Pony Up:' UAW Leadership Details Priorities for Detroit Three Contract Talks: “The United Auto Workers' bargaining strategy for upcoming contract talks with the Detroit automakers came into sharper focus Wednesday as union leaders spelled out their top priorities. They are: ending tiered wage and benefit structures; reinstating cost-of-living adjustments; and securing stronger job protections. The UAW's top five leaders detailed those goals during a union-wide town hall Wednesday on Facebook Live. ‘These companies have been extraordinarily profitable, and our members have created incredible value for these companies during some really hard and dangerous years,’ said UAW President Shawn Fain. ‘They can afford our demands, and we expect them to pony up.’” Burga Majority Rule Matters to Working People and We Will Preserve It: “In short, the sacred principle of one person, one vote and majority rule matter a lot to working people, and we will win this fight to preserve it.” One Month: The Writers Guild of America Strike Enters its Fourth Week: “It's been nearly a month since the Writers Guild of America went on strike. The writers failed to reach an agreement with the studios and streaming platforms that make up the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. As the strike continues, it's becoming more likely that audiences will see an impact on their favorite movies and shows. If you were looking forward to catching new seasons of your favorite shows on streaming, you may have to wait a little longer. With the Writers Guild of America on strike for a fourth week, some shows and movies have already put production on hold. WGA East writer Brendan Fitzgibbons says when studios devalue writers, they're devaluing their content.” WGA Urges Netflix and Comcast Shareholders to Reject Pay Hikes for Companies’ Top Executives in Light of Ongoing Strike: “WGA West President Meredith Stiehm is urging Netflix and Comcast stockholders to reject pay raises for the companies’ top executives at their upcoming shareholders meetings, saying that approving the proposed pay packages is ‘inappropriate in light of the ongoing WGA writers’ strike.’ The Netflix shareholders meeting will be held on Thursday and Comcast will hold its on June 7.” Union Sportsmen's Alliance, Kentucky Union Volunteers Host Take Kids Fishing Day Events: “Young people from around Kentucky braved rainstorms to spend several hours honing their fishing skills on Saturday, May 20, during three separate Take Kids Fishing Day events hosted by the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 110 and the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Services. While the weather may have dampened the venues—Jacobson Park in Lexington, Waverly Park in Louisville and Bob Noble Park in Paducah—it didn’t lessen the kids’ spirit or excitement, according to event organizer Mark Adams, SMART 110 Business Manager. ‘Every child received a free rod-and-reel from the USA and got the chance to catch a few fish,’ he says. ‘Everyone had a fantastic time, despite the weather.’” UAW Organizes Supplier of Jeep, Chevy Corvette, Ford Bronco and Mustang Roofs: “UAW President Shawn Fain commended the nearly 200 new members who fought to organize an automotive parts supplier that makes tops for the Ford Mustang, Ford Bronco, Chevrolet Corvette and Jeep. Webasto, a global company headquartered near Munich, Germany, has a presence in Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Plymouth Township, New Hudson and Fenton. The manufacturer makes roof, charging, heating and air conditioning and battery systems. Workers at Webasto Roof Systems in Plymouth Township, who began their organizing drive in November, voted earlier this month to join UAW Local 3000 in Woodhaven. ‘This election was a tough fight with heavy employer opposition. But these workers, as courageous as they were, they stuck together,’ Fain said Wednesday during live remarks to members streamed on the UAW Facebook page. ‘This win goes on to prove that we are continuing to get back to our roots and back in the fight.’” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, Urging Members to Authorize a Strike, Says 'Acting Careers Are at Stake': “Saying that ‘acting careers are at stake,’ SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher has sent an audio message to the guild’s members urging them to vote ‘Yes’ for strike authorization. The guild’s often fractious national board voted unanimously last week to recommend that members authorize a strike in advance of the June 7 start of its negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The guild’s current contract expires June 30. ‘SAG-AFTRA is taking a big bold step as the union prepares for our upcoming TV, theatrical and streaming negotiations,’ Drescher said in a message posted on social media. ‘We’re asking you, one of our members, to vote ‘Yes’ for a strike authorization. This will give our negotiating team much needed leverage at the bargaining table. You know, acting careers are at stake. We must ensure that our employers don’t continue to devalue the performers who bring productions to life.’” Industries Facing Worker Shortages Push to Roll Back Child Labor Protections: “The push to change the labor laws brought protesting Democrats and labor unions to the state capitol. Charlie Wishman is president of the Iowa Federation of Labor. He and others say the bill could allow businesses to take advantage of low-income and migrant children for cheap labor and jeopardize their education.” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 06/05/2023 - 11:41 — Jun 5