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Updated: 1 hour 14 min ago

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.

The Working People Weekly List

Sun, 02/28/2016 - 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.

Retired Machinist Makes Life More Comfortable for Young Patients

Sat, 02/27/2016 - 08:00

If you visit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, you'll see the familiar red wagons that help make life a little easier for young patients who take comfort from the wagons in the unfamiliar environment of the hospital. More than a year ago, retired Machinists (IAM) member Roger Leggett started making the wagons even more useful, when he invented "Chad's Bracket," which allows the wagons to be used by children who need an IV pole with them. 

AFL-CIO Executive Council Takes on the Retirement Crisis, Flint, the Zika Virus and Other Important Issues

Fri, 02/26/2016 - 13:00

At their meeting this week, the AFL-CIO Executive Council issued a variety of policy statements on important issues, from the retirement crisis to investing in infrastructure, from the Zika virus to Supreme Court nominations. Here is a brief look at the policy statements issued this week.

These Black Leaders 'Change the Rules' to 'Be the Power'

Thu, 02/25/2016 - 10:00

For Black History Month, we're lifting up black activists, leaders and agitators who are changing the rules and being the power in our communities. Here are several profiles of leaders who may not be household names, but are worthy of wider attention for their efforts.

It's Time to Reform Sentencing Law in the U.S.

Wed, 02/24/2016 - 11:00

I am part of a community where a lot of my peers aren’t working. Many of them want to but can’t because they were formerly incarcerated. In fact, studies show a formerly incarcerated white male has a better chance of being hired than an African American male without a criminal record. But that is frequently overlooked, and it often feels like no one even cares.

Twenty-Nine Days to Celebrate Black History Isn’t Enough

Wed, 02/24/2016 - 09:00

Black History Month is meant to celebrate the achievements of African Americans in the United States. While we have made huge strides toward overcoming the barriers that have set us back—we have not fully overcome the damages that centuries of exploitation, oppression and free labor have had on our communities due to enslavement and Jim Crow laws. Many people tell our community that we should “get over it” and “slavery is over, the playing field is equal”—but it's no secret that structural racism has continued to plague our community with higher unemployment rates, overincarceration and a wider education gap than whites and other communities of color.

Vermont Becomes the Fifth State to Require Paid Sick Leave

Tue, 02/23/2016 - 11:45

Last week, the Vermont Legislature gave final approval to a bill that would guarantee working people paid sick days. Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) is expected to sign the legislation. With his signature, Vermont will become the fifth state in the country to require paid sick days. An estimated 60,000 workers who don't currently have access to paid sick leave will now have it. Voices for Vermont's Children, the Vermont State Labor Council and coalition partners have worked on the bill for a decade.

NLRB Trumps Trump's Anti-Worker Tactics in Las Vegas: Winners and Losers of the Week

Mon, 02/22/2016 - 11:30

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.

The Working People Weekly List

Sun, 02/21/2016 - 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.

I Am a #YOUNGWORKER

Sat, 02/20/2016 - 08:00

A new video, produced by a collaboration from UCLA's Department of History and the UCLA Labor Center, combines the experiences of young workers and research to tell the story of young workers in the United States. Titled "I Am A #YOUNGWORKER," the animated video is a powerful dive into the world of work for young Americans.

Flint and the End of Civilization

Fri, 02/19/2016 - 14:00

Flint, Michigan, once was the reality and the symbol of America’s industrial civilization. Now it is a grim warning of how our civilization can end—not destroyed by aliens or even by global warming—but destroyed by the greed and indifference of our elites and their neo-liberal policies that replace our public institutions.

Celebrating Those Making Black History Right Now

Fri, 02/19/2016 - 13:03

For Black History Month, we're lifting up black activists, leaders and agitators who are changing the rules and being the power in our communities. Here are several profiles of leaders who are making new history right now.

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