Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

06/28/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/28/2022 17:29

AFL-CIO Daily Briefs: Shuler; UAW; UNITE HERE; Ironworkers; IUPAT; CSEA and IBB

Message from President Liz Shuler

  • When every single worker who wants a union is in a union-that's when we'll be satisfied.
  • Until then, we need to keep pushing, keep fighting and keep moving forward.
  • Our opponents can't hold a candle to our ability to organize working people and create a fairer economy for all. Our capacity and our values are what define us as a movement, and we're ready to drive the future on our terms.

Curry: Price Gouging (Not Wages) to Blame for Higher Costs

Workers are feeling the pinch as higher prices take a bigger bite out of our paychecks. While some anti-worker politicians and pundits are pinning the problem on our fight to win better wages, UAW President Ray Curry is arguing back. In a statement on Monday, he pointed out that corporate profits have been skyrocketing since the pandemic started-up 35% in 2021.

"The surge in pandemic profits has made a bad problem worse," Curry said. "That is why the UAW is in support of greater oversight and fighting price gouging. Windfall profits should be taxed and industry consolidation that enables price gouging should be reined in." He called on the U.S. Senate to do more to bring down the cost of health care and child care.

Newly Launched FairHotel Helps You Choose Union Hotels

UNITE HERE today launched a redesigned FairHotel, a site that helps travelers pick hotels that support working people. FairHotel will make it easier for the many people who are fired up about all the new organizing happening to book a union hotel.

If used before booking, the new site helps guests understand the status of labor disputes at properties, avoid disruptions to their trips or meetings, and use their consumer power to support good hospitality jobs that pay enough to raise a family.

Show your union pride and check out FairHotel today.

'This Is Our Moment' to Organize, Dean Says

In a special edition of The Ironworker magazine, General President Eric Dean (not pictured) explained how the union is going to capture the momentum of worker organizing to grow the union. "We're going to organize. It's not far-fetched, nor is it an impossible feat," he wrote. "It's time to deliver now, or we may never experience this again."

The Ironworkers union is rolling out enhanced training and doubling down on its organizing efforts, all while aggressively targeting the upcoming infrastructure, energy and manufacturing work to organize new members.

Watch: IUPAT's LGBTQ+ Committee Ensures Union Represents All Members

During Pride Month, the Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) union is highlighting its work to be an inclusive union for all of its members. IUPAT's LGBTQ+ Committee is leading the union's efforts to make equity a core part of the union's mission.

"This is a different level of intention to create a different culture that's only going to help all of us into the future," said Madison Hull, service director at IUPAT District Council 16. "There are more people that feel included and are part of something that's greater than themselves."

CSEA Reaches Fair Contract with Santa Clarita's School District

Members of the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 349 have reason to celebrate after winning a new agreement last week with the William S. Hart Union High School District in Santa Clarita, California. The contract provides 4% wage increases and full-cost coverage for dental and vision benefits for classified school district employees.

"[Union members] are grateful to the school board for listening to their comments and taking action to address the extreme inequities that exist between classified staff and teachers/administrators," CSEA Labor Relations Representative Jessica Morrow told The Signal. Chapter 349 members rallied earlier this month to demand more equitable pay and benefits.

Finding Global Solutions to Global Challenges: IBB Joins Forces with Italian Union to Address Changing Energy Industry

A delegation of Boilermakers (IBB) members recently attended the congress of FLAEI-CISL, the Italian Federation of Electrical Utility Workers and Italian Confederation of Labor. FLAEI-CISL and the IBB have developed a relationship over the years, as the two unions have experienced many common opportunities and challenges in the changing energy industry.

"Due to climate concerns, our power generation industries are facing dramatic change," IBB Secretary-Treasurer Bill Creeden explained to the FLAEI-CISL congress. "We look for solutions and technologies that provide for a realistic mix of reliable energy resources that can save our planet and preserve jobs and social stability."