Subscribe to AFL-CIO News feed
AFL-CIO Now Blog
Updated: 1 hour 51 min ago

AFL-CIO Submits Amicus Brief in Support of Immigrant Working Families

Wed, 03/09/2016 - 11:00

The AFL-CIO has submitted an amicus brief in the U.S. v. Texas case, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the injunction that is blocking several million hardworking immigrants from gaining a measure of increased dignity in their lives and security on the job. The brief explains the weak legal rationale relied upon by Texas and the other plaintiff states in claiming the right to challenge federal immigration policy in this case, a challenge that has, unfortunately, obstructed much-needed protections for long-standing members of our communities for more than a year.

Report: Enabling Community Organizing, a Key to Reducing Global Gender Inequities

Wed, 03/09/2016 - 10:00

From domestic workers in New York City to garment workers in Bangladesh, women coming together to organize, demand fair treatment and address gender discrimination is critical to realizing women’s rights and economic justice. A new report from the AFL-CIO, the Rutgers Center for Women’s Global Leadership and the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center, Transforming Women’s Work: Policies for an Inclusive Economic Agenda, discusses the critical need to create an enabling environment for worker and community organizing, including inclusive macroeconomic and trade policies that promote decent work in the market and realign gender inequities in unpaid work in the home.

Former Immigration Judge Responds: No, Toddlers Can't Represent Themselves in Court

Wed, 03/09/2016 - 09:30

The following is written by Eliza Klein, a retired U.S. immigration judge who sat on the bench in Miami, Boston and Chicago from 1994 to 2011, in response to the statements of Immigration Judge Jack. H. Weil who claims that toddlers can be taught to represent themselves in court....

Organizing Institute Apprentices Gear Up with Autoworkers to Ask for a Little Respect

Wed, 03/09/2016 - 08:00

Organizing Institute apprentices have hit the ground running to help autoworkers build a union at the Nissan plant in Canton, Mississippi—a fight that has been brewing over the past decade. This is the largest class of OI apprentices to be part of any one campaign. It’s important because this is a historic campaign to show that union organizing is a civil right and to show that #BlackLivesMatter.

ITUC Report: Investment in Caregivers Would Boost Economy and Women in the Workforce

Tue, 03/08/2016 - 16:02

A new study from the International Trade Union Confederation shows that investing in the care economy in seven countries would create 21 million jobs and address other problems related to aging populations and economic stagnation. The analysis looked at Australia, Denmark, German, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and found that an investment of just 2% of GDP would narrow the gender pay gap, reduce overall inequality and lower barriers to women's participation in the workforce.

Bad Trade Deals and Women: Lower Wages, Reduced Access to Lifesaving Health Care and Human Trafficking

Tue, 03/08/2016 - 13:00

The theme for International Women's Day this year is gender parity, and while women continue to contribute to social, economic, cultural and political achievement, progress toward gender parity has slowed. And trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership does nothing to contribute to that parity and, in many cases, it will reinforce negatives such as downward pressure on wages, sex trafficking and reduced access to medicines.

Oregon Legislature Approves Unemployment Extension for Locked-Out Workers

Mon, 03/07/2016 - 12:00

The Oregon state Senate last week approved an unemployment insurance extension for locked-out workers that previously passed the state House, and the bill now goes to the governor for final approval. The bill will extend unemployment insurance to workers who are locked out as a result of a labor dispute. The legislation was introduced after Allegheny Technologies Inc. locked out members of the United Steelworkers (USW) in August of last year. Last week, the lockout ended when USW and ATI ratified a new contract.

The Least You Can Do Is Pay Workers What You Promised Them: Winners and Losers of the Week

Mon, 03/07/2016 - 11:00

Each week, we take a look at the biggest friends and foes of labor. We celebrate the workers who are winning big and small battles, and we shame the companies or people who are trying to deny working people their rights.

New Jersey's WILD Conference: Making History, Fighting for the Future!

Mon, 03/07/2016 - 10:00

More than 250 participants packed the East Brunswick, N.J., Hilton ballroom for the 13th annual Women in Leadership Development conference. The atmosphere of unity and sisterhood was remarkable as both first-time and longtime WILD sisters joined together, representing every union sector, age group and job category, as well as the labor movement’s deep racial and cultural diversity.

The Working People Weekly List

Sun, 03/06/2016 - 08:00

Every week, we'll be bringing you a roundup of the important news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here's this week's Working People Weekly List.

Recipe for a Recession...Mmm, Tasty!

Sat, 03/05/2016 - 08:00

The latest video from AFSCME takes a look at some of the Republican policy proposals for the economy and finds that the recipe adds up to recession.

Honduran Leader Berta Cáceres Murdered in the Midst of a Life of Defending Her Community

Fri, 03/04/2016 - 12:00

In her life and in her death at the hands of assassins this week, Berta Cáceres, a leader in Honduran struggles for social justice, exemplifies the difficult choices that so many Central American communities have faced over the past 40 years. When the region was torn by Cold War struggles and civil war, Cáceres' family gave shelter and support to those fleeing the violence in El Salvador. As a tenuous peace was achieved, and many Hondurans faced poverty and violations of their rights, she went on to study and emerged as a leader for the rights of the Lenca people to stay on their land and sustain their rural communities, rather than migrate to cities that have become some of the most violent in the world or to the United States seeking safety and opportunity for decent work and better lives for their children.

Richard Trumka on Trump: He’s an Anti-American Bigot

Fri, 03/04/2016 - 11:00

In a speech yesterday to the Plasterers and Cement Masons (OPCMIA) union, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka challenged Donald Trump’s appeal to working-class voters.

The Economy Adds 242,000 Jobs in February, and Unemployment Remains Unchanged at 4.9%

Fri, 03/04/2016 - 10:00

The U.S. economy added 242,000 jobs in February and unemployment was 4.9%, unchanged from January, according to figures released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This continues the record string of months with job growth.

TPP’s Lack of Currency Rules Is Fatal Flaw for U.S. Workers

Thu, 03/03/2016 - 10:00

new report released today from the Economic Policy Institute offers further data that the Trans-Pacific Partnership is fatally flawed.

Detroit's Majority Has Some Questions for Republicans on Debate Night

Thu, 03/03/2016 - 09:00

Tonight, Republicans will be holding their latest debate in Detroit. It's an odd choice considering the racism we've seen in this presidential cycle and the fact that Detroit is a city where people of color are the majority. In the latest video in the Fusion series #CallingAllVoices, Detroit residents demand answers from the Republican candidates.

In the States Roundup

Wed, 03/02/2016 - 13:00

It's time once again to take a look at the battles for the rights of working families in the states. Here is what the unions in the states are talking about this week. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations and labor councils on Twitter.

Women's History Month Profiles: Florida's Theresa King

Tue, 03/01/2016 - 13:00

This month, we are celebrating Women's History Month by honoring important working family activists and present-day organizers who are women and are fighting at the intersection of women's rights and workers' rights. Today, we look at Theresa King.

AFL-CIO Asserts that Gig Economy Workers Are Employees

Tue, 03/01/2016 - 10:00

The AFL-CIO Executive Council affirmed that working people in the gig economy share a single common designation: employees.

Trump 'Loves' Right to Work: Winners and Losers of the Week

Mon, 02/29/2016 - 12:42

Each week, we take a look at the biggest friends and foes of labor. We celebrate the workers who are winning big and small battles, and we shame the companies or people who are trying to deny working people their rights.

Pages