AFL-CIO Blog

  • ‘State of the Unions’ Podcast: The Far Right Today
    ‘State of the Unions’ Podcast: The Far Right Today AFL-CIO On the latest episode of “State of the Unions,” podcast co-host Tim Schlittner and guest host AFL-CIO International Director Cathy Feingold talk to Cas Mudde, a political scientist from the University of Georgia. Mudde has a new book, The Far Right Today, which takes a look at the resurgence of right-wing politicians and activists across the globe, much of it cloaked in populist, worker-friendly rhetoric. Listen to our previous episodes: “State of the Unions” is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and anywhere else you can find podcasts. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 12/11/2019 - 10:47 Tags: Podcast — Dec 11
  • Economy Gains 266,000 Jobs in November; Unemployment Down Slightly to 3.5%
    Economy Gains 266,000 Jobs in November; Unemployment Down Slightly to 3.5% The U.S. economy gained 266,000 jobs in November, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 3.5%, according to figures released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In response to the November job numbers, AFL-CIO Chief Economist William Spriggs tweeted:           Last month's biggest job gains were in manufacturing (54,000), health care (45,000), leisure and hospitality (45,000), professional and technical services (31,000), transportation and warehousing (16,000) and financial activities (13,000). Mining lost jobs (-7,000). Employment in other major industries—including retail trade, construction, wholesale trade, information and government—showed little change over the month.  Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for teenagers (12.0%), blacks (5.5%), Hispanics (4.2%), adult men (3.2%), whites (3.2%), adult women (3.2%) and Asians (2.6%) showed little or no change in November. The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) declined in November and accounted for 20.8% of the unemployed. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 12/10/2019 - 15:43 — Dec 10
  • 5 Things You Can Do to Celebrate Our Birthday With Us
    5 Things You Can Do to Celebrate Our Birthday With Us AFL-CIO You said it's our birthday! And it is. If you've always wondered what you'd do with the AFL-CIO when we're 64, now's your chance! On this day in 1955, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations came together after a long and winding road. You said you wanted a labor revolution, and we all still want to change the world. And over those 64 years, together, we have achieved something to be proud of. Under the leadership of the fab five presidents, we've refused to let it be and championed critical fights for workplace safety, trade fairness, fair wages, secure retirement and equal pay! A wise person once said "all you need is love," but we know that working people also need a way to express their voices on the job. From the beginning, that's been our goal, and here's how you can help us celebrate our 64th birthday! 1. Sign our petition supporting pro-worker legislation: You should let your mother (and everyone else) know about bills like the PRO Act, which would help level the playing field between mean Mr. Mustard and his friends on Wall Street! 2. Subscribe to our podcast: In my life, I haven't found a better way to dig deeper about the stories important to working people than to listen to State of the Unions, the podcast of the AFL-CIO! 3. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Money can't buy me love, but the good news is you won't need money to get the latest video content from the crew aboard our yellow submarine! 4. Follow us on social media: A great day in the life would include you following us on our social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) to keep up with the latest news and information! 5. Sign up for text messages: While you're twisting and shouting, text WORK to 235246 to receive periodic text alerts from the AFL-CIO (message and data rates may apply) to know when your fellow working people need your solidarity! We've accomplished a lot from yesterday to today and I've got a feeling the future is bright for working people. Whatever challenges we face, we can work it out as long as we work all together now! (With apologies to the Beatles!) Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 12/05/2019 - 13:55 — Dec 5
  • A Matter of Life and Death: Labor Podcast and Radio Roundup
    A Matter of Life and Death: Labor Podcast and Radio Roundup In addition to the AFL-CIO's own "State of the Unions," there are a lot of other podcasts out there that have their own approach to discussing labor issues and the rights of working people. Here are the latest podcasts from across the labor movement in the United States. AFT in Action: "AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel is joined by our state federation's vice president for this second of three episodes addressing rising levels of workplace violence. John Brady, RN, brings his years of experience in the healthcare industry to a conversation focused on the risks in hospitals, medical clinics and social work settings. Their guest is U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, who for years has led congressional efforts to require employers report incidents of assault on health professionals to federal workplace regulators. He answers' members questions about the current lack of protections in place and proposed legislation that would establish enforcement standards for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration." America’s Work Force: High Tech Training: "John Kearney, CEO of Advanced Training Systems, spoke with America’s Work Force on Nov. 18 about his company and the training that they provide. Mike Polensek, city council member for the city of Cleveland, discussed getting more people involved in vocational education and the trades. America's Work Force host Ed 'Flash' Ferenc spoke about nurses and how the dangers that they may face from patients on the job." Building Bridges: It’s a Matter of Life and Death: Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind: "Harriet Washington (#MedicalApartheid) speaking about her new book A Terrible Thing to Waste." Listen to Part 1 and Part 2.CTU Speaks!: 11-Time to Ratify?: "Co-hosts Andrea Parker and Jim Staros talk with bargaining team members Quentin Washington and Kirstin Roberts about what it was like to spend weeks (and even months!) at the negotiating table with Chicago Public Schools, how the wins in the contract came to be there, and what some of the strategic considerations are when striking to increase leverage at the bargaining table." Heartland Labor Forum: "Do you think the Supreme Court’s 2018 anti-worker Janus Decision killed public sector unions? Nope. They have survived and the show talks about how unions fought back. This special Thanksgiving show is a replay of the August 30, 2018 show, which won first prize for radio from the International Labor Communications Association. Kudos to it’s producer, Cris Mann. Thursday at 6 p.m., rebroadcast Friday at 5 a.m. on KKFI 90.1 FM or streaming....Also: More on 'disappearing' the poor and the Tenants Bill of Rights hits the City Council." Labor History Today: Making the Woman Worker: "Eileen Boris on 'Making the Woman Worker: Precarious Labor and the Fight for Global Standards' from the Working History podcast. Plus this week’s labor history highlights!" State of Working America: "Native Americans Too Often Left Out of Economic Debate."UCOMM Live: "National Save Apprenticeship week for the IBEW; Steelworkers are on strike in Minnesota, 25k are organizing at Delta, and we look at what a bad place Alabama is to live in. The Huffpost wrote a 5,000 word story about how the word scab is becoming mainstream, Kaepernick is getting a tryout, and Mets win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards. Listen to UCOMM Live Thursdays at 4 on Facebook,Twitter and YouTube." Union City Radio: "Weekdays 7:15 a.m. on WPFW 89.3 FM. Recent shows: Airline workers sit-in, grocery workers picket today; 'When We Fight, We Win' say fed-up workers; the Thanksgiving Dirty Dozen; Black Friday union shopping guide." Union Strong: Treatment of Gig Economy Workers: "How will New York State treat workers in the gigeconomy? It is a question that will be the subject of debate in the upcoming legislative session. In this episode, we take a look at what is at stake and hear from the legislative director of the New York State AFL-CIO on the federation’s position on gig economy workers."Your Rights At Work: "Labor news headlines: House Votes Today on H.R. 1309—Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act; Hearst staffers decide to unionize; 'Newsies' onstage at Arena Stage...; Popeyes’ employees report being forced to stand until their legs go numb for 10-hour shifts; Google hires firm known for anti-union efforts. Guests: Jackie Jeter, Metro Washington Council: live report from the ATU demonstration at WMATA headquarters; Joyce Gibson, SEIU 1199: Nearly 1,000 nurses vote union in West Virginia; Al Neal: U.S. Women’s Soccer Team's discrimination lawsuit granted class status; Daoud Kuttab: produces Jordan radio show Workers of the Country; Case Closed: David Schloss." Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 12/04/2019 - 10:37 Tags: Podcast — Dec 4
  • Solidarity Forever: What Working People Are Doing This Week
    Solidarity Forever: What Working People Are Doing This Week AFL-CIO 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: AFT: Air Line Pilots Association: Alliance for Retired Americans: Amalgamated Transit Union: American Federation of Musicians: American Postal Workers Union: Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance: Association of Flight Attendants-CWA: Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers: Boilermakers: Bricklayers: California School Employees Association: Coalition of Black Trade Unionists: Coalition of Labor Union Women: Communications Workers of America: Department for Professional Employees: Electrical Workers: Farm Labor Organizing Committee: Fire Fighters: Heat and Frost Insulators: International Labor Communications Association: Ironworkers: Jobs With Justice: Laborers: LCLAA: Machinists: Metal Trades Department: Mine Workers: Musical Artists: National Air Traffic Controllers Association: National Association of Letter Carriers: National Day Laborer Organizing Network: National Domestic Workers Alliance: National Nurses United: The NewsGuild-CWA: NFL Players Association: North America's Building Trades Unions: Office and Professional Employees: Painters and Allied Trades: Plasterers and Cement Masons: Printing, Publishing and Media Workers: Professional Aviation Safety Specialists: Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union: United Union of Roofers and Waterproofers: SAG-AFTRA: Seafarers: Solidarity Center: Theatrical Stage Employees: Transport Workers: Transportation Trades Department: UAW: United Food and Commercial Workers: Union Label and Service Trades Department: Union Veterans Council: UNITE HERE: United Steelworkers: United Students Against Sweatshops: Utility Workers: Working America: Writers Guild of America, East: Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 12/02/2019 - 15:15 — Dec 2