AFL-CIO Blog

  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UNITE HERE Local 25 Fights Effort to Reverse Restaurant Worker Wage Increases
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UNITE HERE Local 25 Fights Effort to Reverse Restaurant Worker Wage Increases 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. This week, the Washington, D.C., Council voted to pause a scheduled wage increase for tipped workers that was on track to go into effect as a result of a ballot initiative. UNITE HERE Local 25 has been organizing to fight attacks on this measure that D.C. voters have made clear they support. Initiative 82 was passed with 74% support from D.C. residents more than two years ago and a predecessor initiative also passed in 2018, but the D.C. Council intervened and prevented it from taking effect. The initiative mandates incremental increases to the base pay for tipped workers until it is equal to the city minimum wage by 2027. This 90-day freeze (during which the council will debate whether to scrap it completely) came after Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed repealing I-82 early last month, a move that UNITE HERE called an attempt to “appease President Trump by targeting working people and immigrants.” While proponents of rolling back the initiative claim it will help buoy the restaurant industry, the union released a report showing that there are more restaurant liquor licenses in D.C. than before I-82 was passed, and that February 2025 employment in restaurants was the highest it has been for the month of February in at least 10 years. “I-82 ain’t the problem,” said Paul Schwalb, executive secretary-treasurer of Local 25. “And if there is a problem with the economy, we should look at it holistically as opposed to looking at simply what a runner or a busser earns. That seems very narrow, myopic, and frankly, unfair.” Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 06/06/2025 - 12:13 — Jun 6
  • Worker Wins: A Path Toward Lasting Prosperity
    Worker Wins: A Path Toward Lasting Prosperity Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life. Alabama Arise Workers Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement: Communications Workers of America (CWA) members who work at the anti-poverty nonprofit organization Alabama Arise announced they have ratified their first contract. Staff formed Alabama Arise Workers United-CWA (AAWU-CWA) in 2023 after they unanimously signed union authorization cards to join CWA Local 3908. Management voluntarily recognized the union shortly after, saying it was an easy decision because protecting workers in the state is central to the organization’s mission. Members are celebrating exciting wins in the new contract like pay raises, paid parental leave and more time off. “We’re thrilled to have reached this agreement,” said Whitney Washington, an Alabama Arise communications associate and AAWU-CWA member. “Our values as an organization call us to live out our principles not just in our advocacy but in how we support one another as coworkers. This contract is an example of that.” “Our members are proud of what we’ve achieved,” said Adam Keller, Alabama Arise’s worker power campaign director and an AAWU-CWA member. “This contract honors the strengths of Alabama Arise’s existing workplace culture while taking meaningful steps to strengthen fairness, job security and staff input.” Production Workers at Wilmington’s Grand Opera House Join IATSE: Production workers at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Delaware, have voted to form a union with Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 8. The bargaining unit at the historic 1,208-seat venue includes stagehands, wardrobe crew, audio and video technicians, electricians and other key roles. The theater hosts a variety of world-class performances and is the home of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, OperaDelaware and First State Ballet Theatre. The production crew filed for a National Labor Relations Board election after management declined to do right by them and voluntarily recognize their union. “Union representation opens doors for us all and means more stability in our jobs, a chance to expand our skills, and leverage in our workplace,” said John Mones, head carpenter at The Grand. “I’m looking forward to more opportunities, meeting new people in our industry, and a better quality of life.” “Winning a union at The Grand Opera House is a major step forward, not just for the workers, but for the entire Wilmington arts community,” said IATSE International Representative Dan Little. “Through solidarity, these workers have secured a stronger voice on the job, greater economic security, and a path toward lasting prosperity.” Unions Secure Preliminary Injunction Halting DHS Termination of TSA Agreement: A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction Monday in a union-filed lawsuit to prevent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem from terminating the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) covering Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) workers. Plaintiffs in the complaint include AFGE, AFGE TSA Local 1121, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA). Last May, AFGE entered into a new, seven-year contract with the TSA, but Noem issued a memo in late February rescinding that agreement. The unions filed the lawsuit after the agency told members that their agreement and all pending grievances were terminated. “Today's court decision is a crucial victory for federal workers and the rule of law,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley in a joint press release. “The preliminary injunction underscores the unconstitutional nature of DHS’s attack on TSA officers’ first amendment rights. We remain committed to ensuring our members' rights and dignity are protected, and we will not back down from defending our members’ rights against unlawful union busting.” “A collective bargaining agreement provides essential protection for TSA officers so that they can do their job effectively,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “Today’s court action reverses DHS Secretary Noem’s unlawful union busting that put the safety of CWA Passenger Service Agents and Flight Attendants at risk.” “Security is personal to us. We lost our friends. Our profession changed forever. The whole country suffered when airport security was private, went to the lowest bidder, failed to connect to national intelligence, and disrespected the people who worked the check points,” said Sara Nelson, international president of AFA-CWA. “Our security improved with a professional, federalized workforce….This win matters for workers everywhere. But it also matters for every person who believes we should protect the freedom to fly and the backbone of our economy.” Video Game Workers Reach Historic Tentative Agreement with Microsoft: Quality assurance (QA) workers at Microsoft-owned ZeniMax Media, who are represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), announced that they have reached a tentative agreement with the tech giant. This is a major milestone for the video game industry and for this class of workers who often log long hours fine-tuning wildly popular titles like “The Elder Scrolls” and “Fallout.” ZeniMax Workers United-CWA has been bargaining for this first contract since the union was voluntarily recognized by Microsoft in 2023. Highlights of the tentative deal include across-the-board wage increases, new salary minimums, improved job security and more. “QA workers from across the country continue to lead the charge for industry-wide change,” said Page Branson, a ZeniMax Workers United-CWA bargaining committee member, in a CWA press release. “Going toe-to-toe with one of the largest corporations in the world isn’t a small feat. This is a monumental victory for all current video game workers and for those that come after.” “Workers in the video game industry are demonstrating once again that collective power works,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “This agreement shows what’s possible when workers stand together and refuse to accept the status quo. Whether it’s having a say about the use of AI in the workplace, fighting for significant wage increases and fair crediting policies, or protecting workers from retaliation, our members have raised the bar. We’re proud to support them every step of the way.” Nurses at UnityPoint Health-Meriter Ratify New Contract, End Successful Strike: After a powerful five-day work stoppage, SEIU Wisconsin members have voted to ratify a new contract with UnityPoint Health-Meriter. A supermajority of nurses approved the tentative agreement Saturday night, settling the contract before they were booted from insurance coverage and before the beginning of their next pay period so pay increases could take effect as soon as possible. Members successfully won provisions addressing staffing concerns, stronger commitments from the hospital to improve workplace safety, a 10% wage increase over the lifetime of the contract and more. “This was a long and difficult negotiation,” said Pat Raes, president of SEIU Wisconsin and a nurse at Meriter. “We acknowledge Meriter’s management for ultimately coming to the table and reaching an agreement that prioritizes the needs of our patients and our dedicated professionals. Today, we turn the page.” Arizona Theatre Company Workers Vote Unanimously to Join IATSE: Production crew members at the Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) Tucson branch have unanimously voted to form a union with Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 415 (The Loft Union). These staff members handle a number of critical roles like lighting, sound, set, props, transport, costume and makeup. ATC crew produce a full season of plays each year, constructing sets in their Tucson shops and staging performances at the 623-seat Temple of Music and Art. The newly minted IATSE members are eager to begin negotiating a contract that addresses core concerns like the need for more frequent breaks, better schedules and wages that keep up with the rising cost of living. “People who are committed to making ATC a better place, and who believe in the idea of unionizing, don't believe in it because they think ATC is a terrible place to work,” lead electrician Allison Gammons said. “I think those of us who have been involved in organizing others and writing the (union) newsletter and writing emails and showing up to the meetings are doing it because we want to keep working at ATC. We want it to be a good workplace, and we like working with the people that we work with, and we want them to stay and feel fulfilled in their job as well.” “I have been amazed and inspired by the organization and the unity of this group of workers,” added Ian Fritz, business agent and organizer for Local 415. “Our local is excited to welcome them into membership, into our IATSE family, and to work with them to win a fair contract.” Independence Seaport Museum Workers Join AFSCME: Workers at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia have overwhelmingly voted to form a union with Philadelphia Cultural Workers United, AFSCME Local 397 (District Council 47). Staff at the maritime history museum are the latest cultural workers in the city to organize, joining the ranks of their peers at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Penn Museum, the Schuylkill Center and the Please Touch Museum as members of AFSCME. The union effort was made public in April and quickly gained traction with workers who shared concerns around understaffing, safety aboard historic ships and wages. “For many of us, the decision to unionize came from a shared need to build a more secure, more productive workplace,” said Jacob Roman, a shipboard interpretation coordinator. “We care about the museum’s mission, and we’re excited to have the tools, protocol and staffing to do that work well....We didn’t need to convince people—most of us already believed in what we were doing. It was about keeping communications consistent, open and honest.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 06/05/2025 - 11:13 Tags: Organizing — Jun 5
  • Pride Month Profiles: Carl Mulert
    Pride Month Profiles: Carl Mulert For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ workers who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Carl Mulert of IATSE. Carl Mulert is the national business agent at United Scenic Artists, IATSE Local USA 829. He has worked in the entertainment industry for 42 years and is the first openly gay member of the IATSE General Executive Board. In addition to negotiating contracts across multiple industries; bolstering diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; and organizing workers, Mulert serves the broader IATSE community through his work on the Pride Committee.   Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 06/05/2025 - 10:05 Tags: Pride — Jun 5
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Production Workers at Wilmington’s Grand Opera House Join IATSE
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Production Workers at Wilmington’s Grand Opera House Join IATSE 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. Production workers at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Delaware, have voted to form a union with Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 8. The bargaining unit at the historic 1,208-seat venue includes stagehands, wardrobe crew, audio and video technicians, electricians and other key roles. The theater hosts a variety of world-class performances and is the home of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, OperaDelaware and First State Ballet Theatre. The production crew filed for a National Labor Relations Board election after management declined to do right by them and voluntarily recognize their union. “Union representation opens doors for us all and means more stability in our jobs, a chance to expand our skills, and leverage in our workplace,” said John Mones, head carpenter at The Grand. “I’m looking forward to more opportunities, meeting new people in our industry, and a better quality of life.” “Winning a union at The Grand Opera House is a major step forward, not just for the workers, but for the entire Wilmington arts community,” said IATSE International Representative Dan Little. “Through solidarity, these workers have secured a stronger voice on the job, greater economic security, and a path toward lasting prosperity.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 06/05/2025 - 09:56 — Jun 5
  • Pride Is Power: What Working People Are Doing This Week
    Pride Is Power: What Working People Are Doing This Week Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week. Actors' Equity: AFGE: AFSCME: Alliance for Retired Americans: Amalgamated Transit Union: American Federation of Musicians: American Federation of Teachers: American Postal Workers Union: Association of Flight Attendants-CWA: Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers: Boilermakers: Bricklayers: Communications Workers of America: Electrical Workers: Fire Fighters: Heat and Frost Insulators: International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers: International Labor Communications Association: Labor Council for Latin American Advancement: Laborers: Major League Baseball Players Association: Major League Soccer Players Association: Maritime Trades Department: Metal Trades Department: Musical Artists: National Air Traffic Controllers Association: National Association of Letter Carriers: National Domestic Workers Alliance: National Nurses United: NFL Players Association: North America's Building Trades Unions: Painters and Allied Trades: Professional Aviation Safety Specialists: Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union: Roofers and Waterproofers: SAG-AFTRA: Service Employees International Union: Solidarity Center: Theatrical Stage Employees: Transport Workers Union: Transportation Trades Department: UAW: Union Label and Service Trades Department: Union Veterans Council: UNITE HERE: United Food and Commercial Workers: United Steelworkers: Writers Guild of America East: Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 06/04/2025 - 10:07 — Jun 4