News

John J. Sweeney (1934-2021), AFL-CIO President Emeritus

John Sweeney, who led an era of transformative change in America’s labor movement, passed away Feb. 1 at the age of 86.

Trumka: 'Biden is committed' to strengthening unions

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka discusses why America needs a strong labor movement and how the Biden administration is committed to strengthening unions.

Important Info for Last-Minute Voting

If you haven't voted, you still have until 8pm tonight!

If you have your filled out ballot with BOTH ENVELOPES: bring the ballot to a drop box or satellite locations (here is an updated list compiled by UNITE HERE: https://www.uniteherephilly.org/early-voting-mail-in-ballot-information/)

**Keep in mind: Ballot boxes close at 8pm SHARP regardless of whether there is a line! If you are cutting it close, go to a satellite location.

Remember to vote Tuesday, November 3rd

Remember that tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3rd is Election Day in Philadelphia! Make a plan to vote!

For more information and to find your polling location, visit www.votespa.com.

Join The FUND OUR FACILITIES COALITION

About the Fund Our Facilities Coalition

“Fund our Facilities” is a coalition of elected leaders, labor organizations, and community groups focused on securing funding for improvements to school buildings.

For $170 million, environmental hazards across the School District of Philadelphia’s more than 200 buildings can be remediated to the point that every school will be safe, healthy, and clean. This dollar figure addresses the following needs:

USW Member Uses Union Plus Legal Program To Stand Up for Workers' Rights

Lisa Pedersen of Revere, Massachusetts, has been a United Steelworkers (USW) member for 34 years. As “the first girl in [her] area” when she started as a gas leak investigator and repair person for the National Grid, Pedersen is used to being a leader. She is now a “working leader” at the National Grid, and her union loyalty and leadership instincts have particularly shone during the past couple of years.

New Poll: 77% of Americans Support Amazon Union Drive

Today, the AFL-CIO and GBAO released a nationwide poll of registered voters that found more than three-quarters of Americans support workers’ efforts to organize a union at the Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama. The findings come days after voting closed in the organizing drive and demonstrate a significant rise in public support.

AFL-CIO Collaboration Develops Target Date CIT Funds for DC Plans

“This suite of target date CIT funds is a welcome addition to the lineup of financial products which carry the AFL-CIO name,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “Defined benefit plans remain the bedrock of a secure retirement. However, the Labor Movement’s philosophy that all Americans are entitled to retire with dignity and financial security dictates that we must also ensure that defined contribution investors’ interests are protected. This product provides a cost-effective solution that brings this proposition to life.

Unions Eager for Swift Action from New Labor Secretary

“Millions of workers still do not have the strong COVID-19 protections they need to be safe at work. Marty Walsh’s strong leadership will be needed to urgently issue a strong, comprehensive OSHA COVID-19 emergency temporary standard to set workplace safety rules, accompanied by strong enforcement to ensure workers are protected,” said Rebecca Reindel, the AFL-CIO’s safety and health director. Reindel said new rules and strong enforcement are “essential to President Biden’s promise to protect workers from COVID-19.”

Women Labor Leaders Meet with Harris

An important meeting was held Thursday at the White House as the first female vice president, Kamala Harris, gathered with women labor leaders. The vice president called together the small group to discuss tackling the pandemic, creating an equitable recovery and getting women back to work.