AFL-CIO Daily Briefs: Shuler; Redmond; UNITE HERE; UFCW and UAW

Message from President Liz Shuler

• Today's labor movement is more diverse and more inclusive than ever before. But there's more work to do. We need even more dynamic people of color and women sitting at the tables of power.
• In this moment of energy and enthusiasm around organizing, we must partner with and lift up people in every community-because none of us can move forward when some of us are left behind.
• That means we need to keep having honest conversations that build trust and solidarity. We need to keep broadening the tent by organizing workers and bringing people in from the margins of the economy and by growing economic power for women and people of color.

Redmond Calls for Renewed Purpose as Union Members Remember Memorial Day Massacre in Chicago

Nearly 85 years ago, a group of courageous steelworkers and their families were viciously attacked by police in Chicago. The Memorial Day Massacre saw 10 workers killed and dozens more shot and another 100 were injured. They were on strike demanding union recognition and basic labor protections that many of us take for granted these days. The events of May 30, 1937, changed the course of labor history in America.

This past Saturday, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer/Executive Vice President Fred Redmond joined members of Chicago's labor movement as they gathered to remember the historic strike and pay tribute to those who were lost. "We have to do more than reflect on the past or we risk the past repeating itself," Redmond said. Looking at today's opportunities and challenges for our union movement, he added, "It's our job to show all working people that the labor movement is for everyone-with women and young people and people of color-everyone."

Hotel Workers in California Vote to Form Union with UNITE HERE Local 2

Workers at Marriott's Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay voted 110-103 to form a union with UNITE HERE Local 2. The National Labor Relations Board will soon certify the election, and the local is confident that the union has won. Workers beat back "an aggressive anti-union campaign" ahead of the vote. "Soon, we'll be on to negotiations for the affordable health care, fair wages and dignified workloads that workers deserve," Local 2 said.

Tragedy Turns to Solidarity for Members of UFCW Local 1 After Racially Motivated Mass Shooting

Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1 are channeling their grief by coming together in the wake of the recent mass shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York. A young man adhering to a vile racist ideology targeted the Tops Friendly Markets store in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo. The supermarket, where dozens of Local 1 members earn a living, was the place where 10 people (all of whom were Black) were killed and another three were injured.

Local 1 President and UFCW International Vice President Frank DeRiso (not pictured) announced that a special fund has been established to benefit the union members impacted by the attack. "The horror our members experienced from a racially charged terrorist is unthinkable," DeRiso said. "This will be a long road to recovery for the victims of this tragedy and this is just one way UFCW Local One is helping our members that were targeted by hate." The funds will be used to help members of Local 1 recover from this horrific tragedy and to give a donation to the family of Aaron Salter, a retired Buffalo policeman and Tops security officer who made the ultimate sacrifice and saved countless lives with his heroic actions.

All union members and supporters are urged to donate to the fund by sending contributions to: Local One Relief Fund, 5911 Airport Road, Oriskany, NY 13424.

Pelosi Reaffirms Commitment to Labor's Agenda as UAW's 2022 National CAP Conference Concludes

The UAW's 2022 National Community Action Program (CAP) Conference wrapped up on Wednesday with a surprise appearance from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (pictured above, center). She warmly commended the UAW and its members, and stated her commitment to our cause. After her remarks, UAW President Ray Curry (left) presented her with the Walter P. Reuther Distinguished Service Award for the work she has done on behalf of labor.

Ray Davis (not pictured), a retired member of UAW Local 599, perked up as Pelosi delivered her remarks. He has known about her support of unions for years and to see her proudly declaring her dedication to the UAW was both reassuring and inspiring. "It makes me feel good to know that she will not stop fighting for working people," Davis said. "She knows the importance of fair wages and having a voice on the job."

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