AFL-CIO Daily Briefs: Shuler; Maritime; TAA; AFM and Ironworkers

Message from President Liz Shuler

• We don't need anyone's permission to organize. Workers have the right to use our collective voice on the job and at the ballot box-and that is exactly what we're doing.
• It's our freedom to speak out and drive forward progress that makes us strong. So, it's no surprise that certain politicians and anti-union groups who want to weaken our right to form a union are also attacking the right to vote.
• Our opponents see the labor movement growing in strength and numbers. Now's the time to press our advantage. Union members made the difference in the 2020 election, and we need to do it again this election year.

Why America's Maritime Unions Are Essential for Puerto Rico's Recovery from Hurricane Fiona

Following the devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Fiona, Puerto Rico is facing a long road to recovery. America's maritime union members-who operate under our nation's historic cabotage law, the Jones Act-will be critical to those efforts. In response to some members of Congress saying the law should be suspended for one year to help Puerto Rico recover, the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, and the American Maritime Partnership (AMP) are setting the record straight.

"As soon as the Coast Guard lifted restrictions, Jones Act carriers had 2,000 containers in port and ready to unload, and another six ships arrived soon after with an additional 4,000," AMP said in its letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. "U.S. domestic vessel operators are dedicated to serving the people of Puerto Rico, and did so consistently following Hurricane Maria [in September 2017] as well. [The Federal Emergency Management Agency] called Jones Act deliveries in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria 'the largest sea-bridge operation of federal disaster aid in FEMA history.'"

The AFL-CIO is fighting for systemic change that will keep union members protected from these natural disasters and provide ongoing disaster relief where it's needed. Click here to donate to the Union Community Fund.

Labor Movement Blasts Opposition to TAA, Calls on Congress to Prioritize Working Families

A few weeks before Election Day, some members of Congress are making it clear they're not on the side of working people. As debate rages over whether to re-up funding for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), Republican leaders in Congress would prefer to play political games over this program that helps workers upskill and establish new careers when unfair trade kills their jobs.

"Congress missed a series of opportunities to reauthorize TAA as a result of Republican obstruction, and Republicans are now yet again standing in the way of helping working families by blocking job training funds that should be going to their own states," said United Steelworkers (USW) International President Tom Conway. "Unfortunately, this stance on TAA is part of a larger pattern of Republicans blocking measures that would help workers on trade."

Support AFM's Campaign for American Music Fairness Act

The bipartisan American Music Fairness Act (S. 4932) was introduced last week in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Alex Padilla of California and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) said its members are thrilled to see progress being made in the movement to finally pay musicians, singers and artists when their music is played on the radio.

Incredibly, the United States is the only nation besides North Korea and Iran that has no law requiring a broadcast performance royalty for sound recordings to be paid to artists, musicians and singers. The American Music Fairness Act is designed to remedy that and provide royalty payments to artists, session musicians and vocalists when their recordings are broadcast over AM and FM radio. Union members across the country are invited to join AFM's campaign to help right this wrong and pass this legislation.

Pass the American Music Fairness Act

Ironworker Apprentices Show Off Their Skills at Union Competition

The 2022 Outstanding Ironworkers Apprenticeship Competition wrapped up on Saturday, and the event showcased the talent of the union's apprentices as they prepare to take on big challenges at the jobsite. Nathan Merhige (pictured above, third from left) of Local 5, Patrick Coughlin (second from left) of Local 736 and Sawyer Sokoliwski (third from right) of Local 728 nabbed the first-, second- and third-place prizes, respectively. Female apprentice Minna Long from Local 29 completed the column climbing portion of the competition in 17 seconds-beating out 99% of her male competitors.

"Over the duration of the competition, great skill, dedication, hard work and sportsmanship like none other were displayed," the Ironworkers said on Facebook. "We are proud to be the best of the best, and every competitor proved that true!"

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