AFL-CIO Blog

  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Operation Feed Atlantic City Cares for Laid-Off Workers
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Operation Feed Atlantic City Cares for Laid-Off Workers Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. “When hardworking people are laid off,” said New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech (IUOE), “the food we provide helps them feed their children while at the same time lets them know that their union family cares.” On Thursday, Oct. 15, for the 11th time since the coronavirus pandemic walloped the casinos and related industries, brothers, sisters and friends from Atlantic City’s casino-related unions and other nearby affiliates volunteered their day to help distribute food kits to laid-off workers and the New Jersey Shore resort community at large. Members from the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Operating Engineers (IUOE), Shore Nurses Union/NYSNA and UNITE HERE provided the strong arms and the warm smiles. “I’m so impressed with everyone who dedicated their time and energy at every one of these,” Wowkanech said. “These brothers and sisters treated all the recipients with dignity and respect.” The New Jersey State AFL-CIO and its affiliated unions, the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey held this distribution at Bader Field in Atlantic City, in an area where food insecurity runs high.  “I’m proud and thankful for everyone who made Operation Feed Atlantic City possible,” said Wowkanech. “The organizers, our affiliates, our generous donors, the union members doing whatever it takes to make this run smoothly…for all of that, I am deeply grateful.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/20/2020 - 10:00 Tags: COVID-19, Community Service — Oct 20
  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IAFF Fights Opioid Epidemic
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IAFF Fights Opioid Epidemic Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. While the world remains consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic, another public health crisis continues to rage. The opioid epidemic has ravaged our country, and it’s estimated that in the United States alone, nearly 130 people die every day from opioid overdose. The Fire Fighters (IAFF) have launched a new online resource, “Responding to the Opioid Epidemic,” a 10-segment video and podcast series. The series provides an in-depth understanding of opioid addiction and treatment, addiction treatment considerations for firefighters, and responsible approaches to pain management for firefighters. IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said, “The U.S. and Canada are in the midst of a severe public health crisis caused by a surge in opioid misuse, addiction and overdose. Our members have a front row seat to the devastating impact of this epidemic and need more resources and training to continue to address this challenge head-on. We also have to work with all levels of government and community organizations to keep this crisis from continuing to grow.” Visit IAFF.org/Opioid-Epidemic to learn more. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 10/19/2020 - 09:51 Tags: COVID-19, Community Service — Oct 19
  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: CSEA Ramps Up Member-to-Member Election Campaign in California
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: CSEA Ramps Up Member-to-Member Election Campaign in California Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. While California may not be a battleground state when it comes to the presidential election, there are still important initiatives and state legislative races on the ballot. The California School Employees Association (CSEA) is not taking anything for granted. Instead, the union is pushing hard with its member-to-member phone call and text message program. “It’s exciting watching so many members volunteer their time to support election efforts,” CSEA President Ben Valdepeña said. He pointed out that thousands of calls and text messages have been sent to CSEA members over the past few weeks, with the get-out-the-vote outreach set to continue leading up to Election Day. CSEA and its member volunteers are fighting hard to pass Proposition 15, which would create fair and reliable funding for the state’s public schools. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 10/16/2020 - 09:33 Tags: COVID-19, Community Service — Oct 16
  • National Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Linda Chavez-Thompson
    National Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Linda Chavez-Thompson Wikimedia Commons Throughout National Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling labor leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to our movement. Today's profile features Linda Chavez-Thompson. A second-generation American of Mexican descent, Chavez-Thompson grew up in Lubbock, Texas. An oft-told anecdote from her childhood told the story of a young Chavez-Thompson convincing her father that her mother should stay home and care for the household rather than working in the fields. She and her siblings threatened to walk off the job in support of her mother. Her father agreed and Chavez-Thompson got her first organizing victory. In 1967, she started working as a secretary at the Laborers (LIUNA) local in Lubbock. As the only bilingual staff member, she soon became the union representative for Spanish-speaking LIUNA members. Before long, she was drafting grievances for workers and representing them in administrative proceedings. Later, she moved to San Antonio and began working with AFSCME. In 1986, she began serving as a national vice president for the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. Her accomplishments and hard work helped her become an international vice president of AFSCME in 1988, and in 1993, she was elected to serve as a vice president on the AFL-CIO Executive Council. In 1995, she won her election to become the federation's first elected executive vice president. She was the first person of color to hold one of the AFL-CIO's top three positions. During her time as an AFL-CIO officer, Chavez-Thompson focused heavily on recruitment, particularly trying to convince more women and people of color to join unions. She also focused on teaching the importance of unions to young people. Even more successful were her efforts to partner with community groups in recruiting members and fighting back against anti-union efforts. She represented the federation and working people in a variety of organizations, including the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the United Way of America and the Democratic National Committee. She also was elected president of the Inter-American Regional Organization of Workers, a part of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. Chavez-Thompson retired from the AFL-CIO in 2007. This post originally appeared on the AFL-CIO blog in 2018. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 10/15/2020 - 10:28 — Oct 15
  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IBEW Members Volunteer Labor of Love for Crisis Center in Missouri
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IBEW Members Volunteer Labor of Love for Crisis Center in Missouri Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. A crisis center and shelter in Jefferson City, Missouri, now has bright, efficient lighting, thanks to a dozen Electrical Workers (IBEW) volunteers who were proud to lend a hand. The members of Local 257 gave their time and talent to help the community’s Rape and Abuse Crisis Service (RACS) spare funds that are badly needed to aid and shelter survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The workers at the center expressed their gratitude. “We were glad to answer the call. That’s what we do as IBEW members,” said local President Joel Vanderslice (pictured on the right), who helmed the project. “And we want to thank RACS for everything they do, and for being such a great organization to work with.” Through energy audits, RACS leaders learned that a lighting upgrade could save thousands of dollars in coming years, with the additional benefit of making their two-story building safer and more secure. The center, which can house up to 36 residents, was largely vacant at the time IBEW members were there volunteering, as the pandemic forced RACS to spread out its services. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 10/15/2020 - 09:35 Tags: COVID-19, Community Service — Oct 15