Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

05/19/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/19/2022 17:50

AFL-CIO Daily Briefs: Shuler; Redmond ITUC; Connecticut AFL-CIO; IATSE; AFT NYSUT and AFSCME

Message from President Liz Shuler

  • Thanks to a union contract, the soccer players representing the men's and women's national teams will receive equal pay for their equal work for the first time ever. This landmark agreement shows the world that by organizing and fighting together, collective bargaining can make international history for gender equity.
  • Much of this incredible progress is owed to the trailblazing women who have been at the forefront of the fight to achieve equal pay and respect in sports for generations. From the U.S. Women's National Teams of 1991 and 1999 to champions like Serena and Venus Williams and Billie Jean King to the sold-out crowds in the stands chanting for equal pay to union leaders who know that we win when we are united in solidarity.
  • Tomorrow, the work continues both on and off the field, but today we celebrate. Because history has been made and #ItsAboutTime.

Redmond Leads on Global Workers' Priorities Ahead of ITUC Gathering

The AFL-CIO joined partner unions from around the world to discuss the International Trade Union Confederation's (ITUC's) priorities, including shaping the agenda for the ITUC's upcoming congress in November. The ITUC represents over 200 million workers around the world, defends workers' rights and interests, and coordinates global campaigning and advocacy for social and economic policies that work for all workers.

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer/Executive Vice President Fred Redmond leads the regional organization of the ITUC that represents union members from Canada to Chile. "The work of the global labor movement is critical to helping workers in the U.S. shape a global economy that is more just and equitable for all workers," Redmond said.

Connecticut Labor Movement Wins Ban on Captive Audience Meetings

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed into law a bill to outlaw employers from forcing workers to attend closed-door captive audience meetings in their attempt to bust organizing campaigns. The Connecticut AFL-CIO, led by President Ed Hawthorne (AFSCME, pictured above), fought hard to get the bill passed and celebrated its enactment.

"In just over six weeks, workers will no longer be forced to attend meetings about their employer's position on politics, religion, or union organizing," Hawthorne said on Wednesday. "As only the second state in the nation to take action in this way, Connecticut is leading the way in protecting the rights of working people."

Shakespeare Theatre Company Production Workers File to Form Union with IATSE Local 22

Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 22 announced on Tuesday that workers at the Shakespeare Theatre Company are seeking to form a union. The production crew at the Washington, D.C.-based theater company officially filed paperwork with the National Labor Relations Board to win union representation at work. The local thanked Rep. Bill Foster of Illinois, who stopped for a photo and to chat after spotting workers gathered outside the theater.

Sweeping Victory: Union-Backed Candidates Triumph in New York State's School Board Races

Pro-public school candidates overwhelmingly won their elections to serve New York state's suburban and rural school districts on Tuesday. Sixty members of New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), were elected to school boards in every corner of the state. The large majority of candidates who ran on manufactured outrage around far-right cultural issues handily lost in Monroe County and the Capital Region school districts. NYSUT also reported that 99% of school budgets were approved.

"Under the banner Public Schools Unite Us, we saw a wave of pro-public education school board members elected Tuesday who we know will put students first at every board meeting," said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta (AFT). "We're proud to see how many educators stepped up this year to support candidates or run for office themselves."

AFSCME Local 2021 Members Celebrate Pay Raises They Helped Secure Through Their Union

After a year of relentless work, members of AFSCME San Antonio Local 2021 are celebrating imminent bonus checks that are financed by the American Rescue Plan. Facing an uphill battle after San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh opposed including the premium pay in the city's draft spending plan, Local 2021 members signed petitions, sent hundreds of emails, made hundreds of calls, lobbied City Council members and generated local media coverage to achieve this win. AFSCME members helped lead the fight to secure passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, which made these bonuses possible.

"I went to almost all public town hall meetings across the city and not one person from the public said no," said Romelia Parvinchi, a big rig driver for the San Antonio Department of Public Works. "Even citizens were saying city employees deserve the American Rescue Plan money for doing public service work during a pandemic. We risked our lives to keep San Antonians safe and public services operating."