AFL-CIO Blog

  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: SEIU Members at Butler Hospital Ratify New Contract, End Historic Strike
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: SEIU Members at Butler Hospital Ratify New Contract, End Historic Strike 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. After three months walking the picket line, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) District 1199NE members reached a tentative agreement on Monday and voted overwhelmingly to ratify their new contract with Butler Hospital and its owner, Care New England. Staff at the Rhode Island psychiatric and substance abuse facility made history in their fight for a fair agreement, staging one of the longest walkouts in the state’s history. The previous contract, which covered nearly 800 front-line workers, expired in March. Throughout negotiations, the union’s core sticking point was securing higher wages to address the staffing shortages. The new agreement contains major victories, such as language that ensures no current employee will earn less than $20 an hour by the end of the contract, maintains health care benefits and includes improvements to workplace safety, retirement security and more. “This resolution is a sign of true unity that brings the hospital and its mission forward,” said Brooke Huminski, a clinical social worker. “We are incredibly thankful for the support of so many in our community as well as elected leaders, especially House Speaker [Joseph] Shekarchi who helped us find a pathway forward toward resolution.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 08/21/2025 - 10:00 — Aug 21
  • AFL-CIO Bus Tour Joins AFSCME for a March on Rep. Kim’s Office to Demand Accountability for Service Cuts
    AFL-CIO Bus Tour Joins AFSCME for a March on Rep. Kim’s Office to Demand Accountability for Service Cuts On Tuesday, as part of the AFL-CIO “It’s Better in a Union” bus tour, AFSCME President Lee Saunders and more than 100 union members in Anaheim, California, called for Rep. Young Kim to be held accountable for her vote to cut services at local hospitals, nursing homes and schools to pay for billionaire tax breaks. Workers gathered for a press conference to speak out against the disastrous funding cuts in the Trump administration’s budget and then marched to Rep. Kim’s office to deliver a letter detailing how the bill will hurt their communities. “Rep. Young Kim voted for the largest cuts to Medicaid and affordable health care in our nation’s history,” said Saunders. “She voted to increase health care premiums and rip coverage away from [more than] 15 million people across America—including as many as 31,000 people right here in California’s 40th district. She voted to kill thousands of jobs funded by Medicaid—nurses, home care workers, paramedics, special education aides and more….So, today, we’re here to send a message to Congresswoman Kim: With this vote, it’s clear we can’t count on you.” Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 08/20/2025 - 15:17 Tags: Better in a Union Bus Tour — Aug 20
  • Solidarity and Strength: What Working People Are Doing This Week
    Solidarity and Strength: 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:
    Equity's next memorial gathering will be held next Monday, August 25. Don't let theater landlords decide how we honor recently passed Equity members. Join us as we read their names, share our stories and memories with each other. RSVP via zoom - https://bit.ly/4lyT75m[image or embed] — Actors' Equity Association (@actorsequity.bsky.social) August 20, 2025 at 9:45 AM
    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: Department for Professional Employees:
    Congratulations to the stage managers at Boston Ballet who have officially joined together in union with @weareagma.bsky.social! www.musicalartists.org/agma-and-bos...[image or embed] — Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (@dpeaflcio.bsky.social) August 19, 2025 at 9:45 AM
    Electrical Workers: Fire Fighters: Heat and Frost Insulators: International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers: International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers: Labor Council for Latin American Advancement: Laborers: Machinists: Major League Baseball Players Association: Musical Artists:
    @actorsequity.bsky.social is heading into negotiations w The Broadway League, and they’re kicking things off with the @aflcio.org “It’s Better in a Union” bus tour on August 20, 4PM. With so many AGMA members also part of Equity, our turnout will make a real impact! www.mobilize.us/aflcio/event...[image or embed] — American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) (@weareagma.bsky.social) August 18, 2025 at 5:38 PM
    National Air Traffic Controllers Association: National Association of Letter Carriers: National Domestic Workers Alliance: National Hockey League Players’ Association: National Nurses United: National Taxi Workers Alliance: NFL Players Association: North America's Building Trades Unions: Painters and Allied Trades: Pride At Work:
    Trump is trying to steal the 2026 election by rigging the system and changing electoral maps. He started in Texas, but he won’t stop there. We are fighting back. Join a stop the Trump Takeover event near you on Saturday, August 16th. Find an event near you: www.fightthetrumptakeover.com[image or embed] — Pride at Work (@prideatwork.org) August 14, 2025 at 12:15 PM
    Professional Aviation Safety Specialists: Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union: Roofers and Waterproofers: SAG-AFTRA: Service Employees International Union: Solidarity Center: The NewsGuild-CWA: Theatrical Stage Employees: Transport Workers Union: Transportation Trades Department: UAW: Union Label and Service Trades Department: UNITE HERE: United Food and Commercial Workers: United Steelworkers: Writers Guild of America East:
    Our work and our fellow members are under attack. Add your name to the WGA member letter decrying the dangerous and escalating attacks on the First Amendment, independent media, and the free press: wgaea.st/free-speech[image or embed] — Writers Guild of America East (@wgaeast.bsky.social) August 8, 2025 at 10:16 AM
    Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 08/20/2025 - 10:05     — Aug 20
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Steelworkers Fundraise for Clairton Coke Works Explosion Victims
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Steelworkers Fundraise for Clairton Coke Works Explosion Victims 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. United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1557 members are mobilizing to raise donations and provide community support for the victims of the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works explosion. The fatal explosion at the Pittsburgh-area coal-processing plant last week killed two workers and injured 10 others. The day after the tragic disaster, the co-chairs of Local 1557’s NextGen committee, Zack Mainhart and Travis Laing, sprang into action with local businesses and faith leaders to support victims, survivors and their families. “We’ll do everything in our power to help them. If they need school supplies, groceries, a shoulder or an ear, [Local] 1557 will be there,” said Mainhart. “We are in this together. Our members and their families have a tough [road] ahead, but they will not be alone.” Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 08/20/2025 - 09:43 — Aug 20
  • Workers First: In the States Roundup
    Workers First: 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 X. Alaska AFL-CIO: Arizona AFL-CIO: California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO: Connecticut AFL-CIO: Illinois AFL-CIO: Maine AFL-CIO: Massachusetts AFL-CIO: Michigan State AFL-CIO: Minnesota AFL-CIO: Missouri AFL-CIO: Nevada State AFL-CIO: New Hampshire AFL-CIO: New York State AFL-CIO: North Carolina State AFL-CIO: Ohio AFL-CIO: Oregon AFL-CIO: Pennsylvania AFL-CIO: Texas AFL-CIO: Virginia AFL-CIO: Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO: Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 08/19/2025 - 10:37 — Aug 19