AFL-CIO Daily Briefs: Shuler; Clean Energy; IAM; IATSE; Nevada AFL-CIO and AFT

Posted on September 23, 2022 by admin

Message from President Liz Shuler Our basic freedoms are on the ballot this year. And we can make the winning difference for our democracy in critical races. Bloomberg News has identified 254 candidates who either have said the 2020 election … Continue reading →

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ARA Friday Alert

Posted on September 23, 2022 by admin

Alliance, Members of Congress Praise Inflation Reduction Act’s Health Care Measures at Capitol Hill Rally Alliance Executive Director Richard Fiesta joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA) and allies on Wednesday for a Capitol Hill rally celebrating the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA’s) drugs and health care measures. … Continue reading →

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Tired of Overdraft Fees? Try Postal Banking

Posted on September 23, 2022 by admin

The Progressive Magazine | September 15, 2022 This is an excellent piece laying out a clear argument that echoes what we here at the coalition have been long saying—retail banks’ predatory fees are inequitable and unjust, and the Post Office … Continue reading →

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Reynolds’ despicable message | Daily High Five

Posted on September 23, 2022 by admin

 GOV. REYNOLDS’ FAILS IOWANS: Iowans are tired of politics and divisiveness. No matter our background we all want the same thing – for leaders to focus on helping us afford what matters most. But, in her most recent ad, Gov. Reynolds … Continue reading →

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Labor History

Posted on September 23, 2022 by admin

Labor Quote: Lewis Hine “Photography can light-up darkness and expose ignorance.” American photographer Lewis Hine was born in Oshkosh, Wisc. on Septemebr 25, 1874. TODAY’S LABOR HISTORY September 23California Gov. Gray Davis (D) signs legislation making the state the first … Continue reading →

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Konfrst Statement on New Reynolds TV Ad

Posted on September 22, 2022 by admin

Statement from Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst on New Reynolds TV Ad

“Iowans are tired and exhausted with politics today and Kim Reynolds’ new tv ad is exactly why. 

Instead of being honest with Iowans about her wildly unpopular plans to ban all abortion and use vouchers to strip away money from public schools, Reynolds is using lies and race to divide us for her own political gain. It’s a disgrace.

Iowans deserve more from Reynolds and their elected officials. It’s time to put people over politics.”

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AFL-CIO Daily Briefs: Shuler; Gardner Foundation; NNU and Colorado

Posted on September 22, 2022 by admin

Message from President Liz Shuler The labor movement’s apprenticeship and training programs are second to none. We prepare thousands of workers every year so they have the skills to meet the needs of our changing economy and take on new … Continue reading →

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“Did I do that?” -Hinson probably | Daily High Five

Posted on September 22, 2022 by admin

SUPPORTING WORKERS IN INGREDION: Ingredion workers have been on strike for nearly two months, and it appears the strike will extend even longer. Labor leaders and Ingredion officials were to meet Tuesday, but the officials brought six armed guards with them … Continue reading →

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Workers Upset After Ingredion Brought 6 Armed Guards To Negotiation

Posted on September 22, 2022 by admin

Ingredion officials brought half a dozen armed guards to negotiations with unarmed workers in what union officials called “despicable” and “a clear attempt to silence and intimidate union members.”

However, it appears it was the hotel revoking conference rooms that ultimately caused negotiations to break down this week.

Catch me up

Around 122 Ingredion workers in Cedar Rapids affiliated with the workers’ union—Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco and Grain Millers Local 100-G—have been on strike since Aug. 1.

Workers say the company’s offer is one of the worst contracts they’ve seen, with hikes in health insurance and decreases in wages, along with the elimination of five lab positions.

But negotiations have also been slow in coming.

BCTGM Local 100-G President Mike Moore said the two sides haven’t formally sat down in three weeks. So this week’s scheduled negotiations over two days on Tuesday and Wednesday promised to finally, perhaps, move the needle.

READ MORE

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AFL-CIO Daily Briefs: Shuler; We Are Union; Met Strike; LiUNA; Western Penn and Union Veterans Council

Posted on September 22, 2022 by admin

Message from President Liz Shuler In the labor movement, we understand that democracy and strong unions go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other. We’ve made so much progress over the last two years, and now it’s … Continue reading →

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The labor market recovery and pandemic relief measures lifted Black and Brown workers and families in 2021

Posted on September 22, 2022 by admin

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The 2021 Census Bureau reports on income and poverty provide a first official glimpse at the economic condition of U.S. households by race and ethnicity in the first full year of the COVID-19 economic recovery, which reached people of color … Continue reading →

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AFL-CIO, Chris Gardner Foundation Join Forces to Give Students Life-Changing Job Opportunities 

Posted on September 22, 2022 by admin

Through the AFL-CIO’s partnership with Permission to Dream, high school students in underserved communities will be connected to high-skill positions in the building trades.  (Washington, D.C., Sept. 22, 2022)—The AFL-CIO today announced a new partnership with the Chris Gardner Foundation. … Continue reading →

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Labor History

Posted on September 22, 2022 by admin

Labor Quote: The Anthrax Attacks trailer The big fear was this is the second wave of a terrorist attack. Do you know how many packages I’ve opened? TODAY’S LABOR HISTORY This week’s Labor History Today podcast: It’s not working on the … Continue reading →

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Workers Upset After Ingredion Brought 6 Armed Guards To Negotiation

Posted on September 22, 2022 by admin

Ingredion officials brought half a dozen armed guards to negotiations with unarmed workers in what union officials called “despicable” and “a clear attempt to silence and intimidate union members.”

However, it appears it was the hotel revoking conference rooms that ultimately caused negotiations to break down this week.

READ MORE

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ARA Friday Alert

Posted on September 22, 2022 by admin

Pennsylvania Alliance Files Motion to Fight Voter Suppression in Lehigh County The Pennsylvania Alliance, continuing to fight voter suppression efforts in Pennsylvania, filed a legal motion stating that the restrictions proposed in a Lehigh County lawsuit could be ruinous to Pennsylvania Alliance … Continue reading →

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Konfrst Statement on Ingredion Threats to Workers

Posted on September 21, 2022 by admin

Statement from Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst on Ingredion Threats to Workers

“I’m angry that Ingredion would bring armed guards to contract negotiations with their own employees. These intimidation tactics have no place in our state or in any negotiation.  

These dedicated workers deserve an apology, a fair contract, and respect in the workplace. I stand in solidarity with these workers and call on Ingredion to immediately stop using threats of violence against its workers.”

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New Student Loan Update – Daily High Five

Posted on September 21, 2022 by admin

DEBT FORGIVENESS IN IOWA: According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, over 408,000 Iowans are eligible for the federal education debt cancellation, and over half of the recipients received Pell Grants in college and will be eligible for up … Continue reading →

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Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO To Ingredion: Stop Threatening Striking Workers with Guns and Bargain in Good Faith

Posted on September 21, 2022 by admin

Yesterday, when members of BCTGM 100G attempted to meet and bargain in good faith with their employer, Ingredion, they were greeted with six (6) armed thugs.  The intent was clear in the actions of the company, they were trying to terrorize or possibly even send a message they intend to harm people who are looking to discuss issues in their workplace and end a labor stoppage.

It is completely unacceptable for striking workers who are merely trying to bargain in good faith to have weapons brandished at them, in a clear attempt to silence and intimidate union members.  These tactics belong in a long ago, bloody era for the working class, not in 2022.  There is no excuse for these Pinkerton-like tactics.

Labor rights in this nation have been long fought for with blood, sweat, and tears.  Union members and so many others throughout the decades have been massacred just for fighting for a better life for their families.  The actions of Ingredion are despicable, reprehensible, unnecessary, and a call back to the days when companies killed union members and organizers at will and faced little to no repercussions.

We call on Ingredion to end these tactics, bargain in good faith, and apologize to BCTGM 100G for their actions yesterday.

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Charlie Wishman

President, Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO

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Postal Retirees Deserve Better: Urge Congress to Pass H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act

Posted on September 21, 2022 by admin

For years, APWU has been fighting to end the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which dramatically reduce the Social Security benefits of many retirees. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), is … Continue reading →

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Celebrating our first 100 days into the convention agenda

Posted on September 21, 2022 by admin

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One hundred days ago, we were elected president and secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO. And ever since, we’ve been working on making our convention agenda come to life. Workers are organizing everywhere: nurses; retail workers; sheet metal workers and painters; aircraft … Continue reading →

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