Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) and the Campaign for Migrant Worker Justice, FLOC’s education and training partner, are hosting their annual Songs for Justice benefit concert virtually on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. ET. This event is the only annual fundraising campaign, and it serves as a night of community and celebration. FLOC President and founder Baldemar Velasquez and the Aguila Negra Band will perform a mix of traditional Mexican folk music. Suggested donations are $10 per person and the event will be streamed live. Click here to RSVP.

Despite the challenges of organizing during a deadly pandemic, working people across the country (and beyond) continue organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life. This edition begins with several groups of organizers who won voluntary recognition of their new unions.

Kentucky Democratic Party Staff Join IBEW: Staff at the Kentucky Democratic Party have joined Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 369, gained voluntary recognition from management and secured their first collective bargaining agreement. In a statement, the Kentucky Democratic Party staffers said, “We asked for support and recognition of our right to organize. Our leadership stepped up to bargain in good faith and ensure that, as Kentucky Democrats, we live up to our values. We believe deeply in the importance of building and maintaining long-term organizing infrastructure as a means for achieving an equitable and inclusive Kentucky Democratic Party. We came together and organized with a single, common purpose: to make the Kentucky Democratic Party the best possible workplace for everyone, now and in the future.”

WGAE Wins Voluntary Recognition for 200 New Members at Bustle Digital Group: Bustle Digital Group (BDG) today voluntarily recognized the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) for the purpose of collective bargaining after an overwhelming majority of employees in that unit signed authorization cards. BDG’s bargaining unit will include some 200 editorial, video, design and social staffers from its various sites. Lowell Peterson, executive director of WGAE, said, “We welcome Bustle Digital Group employees to the Writers Guild of America, East. Like thousands of their colleagues in the industry, they recognize the value and power of collective bargaining. Together, we can ensure that their voices are heard about the vital issues affecting their work and their workplace.”

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Journalists Win Voluntary Recognition of Union: Management at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram voluntarily recognized a new union at the request of journalists who will be represented by the NewsGuild-CWA. The organizing committee said, “We look forward to the start of negotiations, and we hope to form a strong working relationship that will allow us to protect local journalism here in Fort Worth for years to come.”

Milwaukee Art Museum Workers Overwhelmingly Vote to Join Machinists: A group of more than 140 employees of the Milwaukee Art Museum voted by 72% to join the Machinists (IAM). The new IAM members work in every capacity at the Milwaukee Art Museum, including visitor services, food and beverage, education and programs, information systems, facilities, and more. “I want to welcome these members to the Machinists union family,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “I’m so proud of them for educating themselves about the benefits of the IAM and working so hard for union representation and a voice in their workplace. Unions aren’t just for manufacturing workers; they have a place in every working environment.”

L.A. Union Members Win the Right to Form Public Health Councils: Workers in the Los Angeles area have reason to be proud after the L.A. County Board of Supervisors passed its ordinance to establish labor-led public health councils at worksites. The new policy was pushed by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and allows workers to set up their own health and safety enforcement committees on the job. Labor Council President Ron Herrera (IBT) explained that the policy’s passage is an important step forward to stemming the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. “Public health councils address the problem at the source by utilizing our most powerful and extensive resource—our workers—as our eyes and ears in the workplace, ensuring that public health orders are followed to prevent new outbreaks,” he said. The county’s Department of Public Health also will be charged under the ordinance with educating front-line workers on their rights to report unsafe working conditions.

UFCW Members at Kroger Agree to Tentative Contract: After months of negotiations, workers represented by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) at Kroger's have reached a tentative deal on a new contract that will address pay raises, fully fund health care for associates and reduce drug costs for associates with diabetes. Carolyn Devitt, who has worked at Kroger's for 42 years, said, “We stood up to corporate and won. After months on the front lines of a pandemic, after already taking away our hero pay, they wanted to gut our health care, too. We weren’t having any of it. We stuck together, and they knew they had to back down. I’m proud of my union.”

Massachusetts Cannabis Cultivation Employees in Massachusetts Join UFCW: Workers at Cresco Labs in Massachusetts have voted to be represented by UFCW Local 328. Timothy Melia, president of UFCW Local 328, said, “We applaud cannabis workers for forming unions to make sure that, as this industry grows, workers are able to share in the success. The cannabis industry should be a place where workers earn a living wage [and] have access to affordable health care and protection from unfair discipline and discrimination.” 

UFCW Local 152 Members Ratify New Contract at ShopRite: More than 2,100 members of UFCW Local 152 who are employed as retail clerks at ShopRite stores in New Jersey ratified a new contract on Oct. 20 that protects health care benefits and raises wages. The four-year contract maintains no cost sharing of medical benefits for the lifetime of the contract. The contract also establishes paid sick days for members, a new benefit made possible with the introduction of the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law.

SAG-AFTRA Agrees to Two-Year Extension to Video Game Contract: SAG-AFTRA reached an agreement with nine of the video game industry's largest companies to extend their Interactive Media Agreement for two years. The deal covers voice-over and performance-capture performers and will provide increased wages and employer contributions to health care and retirement. About the new agreement, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris said, “We are pleased to have reached this agreement with the employers. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the entertainment industry, but work on video games, much of which can be done remotely, has continued. This extension allows members to keep working and have some certainty during an uncertain time.”

Michigan Nurses Association Affiliates With NNU: Earlier this week, National Nurses United (NNU) announced that the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) board of directors voted to join as an affiliate of NNU. “Solidarity is more important now than ever before,” explained Jamie Brown, RN, MNA president. “Health care executives and D.C. politicians continue to ignore the voice of those of us on the front lines while the pandemic only gets worse. It is time for nurses to unite and fight back.” The 13,000-member union of Michigan nurses will combine forces with more than 150,000 members of NNU nationwide. NNU leaders also highlighted the need for a strong federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been lacking up to now.

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The officers and crew of the Horizon Reliance rescued two pilots who had been forced to land their plane on the ocean and debark to a life raft about 1,000 nautical miles from Honolulu. The ship received an alert by satellite call from the Coast Guard on Nov. 6 and quickly began steaming toward position 80 nautical miles to the southwest. Aboard the Horizon Reliance were Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) members Capt. Mark Tuck, Chief Mate Steve Itson, Second Mate Joseph Comerford II and Third Mate William Laprade. Within two hours of spotting the downed pilots in their life raft, the rescue mission was successfully completed.

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Boilermakers (IBB) are ramping up Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) training and testing for advanced rigging at various sites across the United States, making the union even more attractive to contractors and owners in the construction sector. EPRI conducts research, development and demonstration projects across the United States and is an independent nonprofit focused on research in electricity generation, delivery and use. “Offering testing for this certification saves contractors and owners money so our members can get right in there and start working,” said Matt Wertz, the Boilermakers’ National Apprenticeship Program coordinator. “It makes our contractors more aggressive to get work and gain work.”

Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.

Actors' Equity:

Equity members now have an additional way to access the online harassment hotline. Lighthouse now offers an anonymous reporting app available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play store.

Read more in the member portal - https://t.co/y7dZhCza27 pic.twitter.com/lKrChmRlNH

— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) November 18, 2020

AFGE:

We 💙 the AFGE #BlackLivesMatter shirt. Thank you for supporting government workers! #1u https://t.co/z3xRn9fcwQ

— AFGE (@AFGENational) November 17, 2020

AFSCME:

At a virtual meeting with President-elect @JoeBiden and Vice President-elect @KamalaHarris on an economic recovery agenda, AFSCME President Lee Saunders reiterated the need for Congress and the president to act now to #FundTheFrontLines. https://t.co/KkOLKUecXY

— AFSCME // #VotersDecided (@AFSCME) November 17, 2020

Air Line Pilots Association:

Plan on flying a #drone? Individuals who fly a #drone for recreation must adhere to @FAANews guidelines, including minimum age requirements, maintaining line of sight, and flying under 400 feet. Learn more about how to #flysafe at https://t.co/Ern6cRnwRs pic.twitter.com/AWhV5N5tXI

— ALPA (@WeAreALPA) November 18, 2020

Alliance for Retired Americans:

We don't need more federal judge confirmations, we need #COVIDrelief. Sign our petition to demand action from the Senate: https://t.co/OKVUhJmSEm pic.twitter.com/FfGxuRvrJS

— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) November 12, 2020

Amalgamated Transit Union:

This week, Int. Pres. John Costa met with FHE Health’s Janet Gerhard and Susan Roy at the Tommy Douglas Conference Center to discuss the impact of the #COVID19 pandemic and the importance of mental health during these stressful times for frontline ATU members. #fhehealth pic.twitter.com/LrV2j3haAM

— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) November 18, 2020

American Federation of Musicians:

Ask the @csphilharmonic to reinstate its contract with the Musicians - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/0Zxn7FcRrO Colorado Springs deserves great musicians playing concerts, teaching future artists, and bringing live music back when possible! #ClassicalMusic #orchestra #arts

— AFM (@The_AFM) November 13, 2020

American Federation of Teachers:

Today four #UnionStrong frontline workers will be joining President-elect Biden and the co-chair of his COVID advisory board today. Very happy to see @JoeBiden working with frontline workers! https://t.co/W0aeHM3aj8

— AFT (@AFTunion) November 18, 2020

American Postal Workers Union:

Postal workers standing united with all of our union siblings at @TCCLC_AFLCIO #Solidarity #SaveThePostOffice https://t.co/OVxWysbXxt

— APWU National (@APWUnational) November 17, 2020

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance:

During an unprecedented election, postal workers
✅ Worked long hours
✅ Prioritized ballots
✅ Swept USPS facilities
✅ Made special deliveries to election boards
To make sure our democracy was safe. Now, we need to #SaveThePostOffice. https://t.co/uNZ9KgGxmV pic.twitter.com/VoG4v6zYVg

— Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (@APALAnational) November 17, 2020

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:

“We’ve got to get relief in place now,” @FlyingWithSara says, especially for Flight Attendants and aviation workers who have already been furloughed. “You can’t retroactively restore lives, you can’t make people whole again.” #ExtendPSP #ReliefNow #EveryDayCounts pic.twitter.com/SucBue5nK3

— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) November 14, 2020

Boilermakers:

#Boilermakers are boosting EPRI training and testing for advanced rigging across the U.S. Find out what this means for the #BoilermakersUnion here ➡️ https://t.co/HUxvOqc6Gf pic.twitter.com/dmPcRmjJTs

— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) November 18, 2020

Bricklayers:

Great collaboration between our apprentices, coordinators, instructors, and business reps in Michigan. #BuildingCommunities #BuildingLives pic.twitter.com/DwnIxMKw4H

— Bricklayers Union (@IUBAC) November 16, 2020

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists:

With joy and pride, CBTU congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who have crossed the threshold of 270 Electoral College votes to win the 2020 presidential election. Our statement: https://t.co/jNo5YXXaTk

— CBTU (@CBTU72) November 7, 2020

Coalition of Labor Union Women:

Congratulations to @CLUWNational President Elise Bryant and @APWUnational Secretary-Treasurer Liz Power for receiving American Labor Museum's Sol Stein Awards tomorrow. Well-deserved!

Please click the following link for more details: https://t.co/HgH0nUUKfz pic.twitter.com/YBtTmfLiLs

— CLUW National (@CLUWNational) November 17, 2020

Communications Workers of America:

Today, we honor those who served. pic.twitter.com/3orW7KaVBe

— CWA (@CWAUnion) November 11, 2020

Department for Professional Employees:

"The triple punch is not just pushing women out of jobs they held, but also preventing many from seeking new ones." https://t.co/dcX4sUqmvw

— Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) November 18, 2020

Electrical Workers:

Why #IBEW members who love the great outdoors should check out the @UnionSportsmen Alliance https://t.co/DDnXKhGE14

— IBEW (@IBEW) November 18, 2020

Farm Labor Organizing Committee:

FLOC and the Campaign for Migrant Worker Justice are hosting our annual benefit concert virtually on December 4th at 7pm EST. FLOC Pres. Velasquez will perform traditional Mexican folk music with the Aguila Negra Band. This event is our only fundraising campaign of the year. pic.twitter.com/ZI1TyXvATw

— Farm Labor Organizing Committee (@SupportFLOC) November 16, 2020

Fire Fighters:

Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely During COVID-19 https://t.co/tmkca9Caj2

— IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) November 18, 2020

Heat and Frost Insulators:

Did you know that you are able to receive a post-high school education without accumulating student related debt? A career in the trades beginning with a registered apprenticeship puts you right on the path to the middle-class debt free! Find out more here https://t.co/CIRF8Cr8RC

— Insulators Union 🦎 (@InsulatorsUnion) November 18, 2020

Ironworkers:

IMPACT has built a reputation over the past two decades of creating job opportunities and providing a support structure for its participants. @BICMagazine #drivingsuccess https://t.co/JfkBCNG5kZ

— Ironworkers. (@TheIronworkers) November 17, 2020

Jobs With Justice:

Outlined in this new report by @IPS_DC, @forrespect + @bcgproject are the 12 companies who profited the most off this pandemic.

This #DelinquentDozen is spearheaded by @Walmart + @amazon — both saw their profits soar during covid, yet conditions for their workers hit new lows 👇 pic.twitter.com/yhp6HmvsUT

— Jobs With Justice (@jwjnational) November 18, 2020

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:

PODCAST: El Desvío: Sí se pudo!… And now what? We went, we voted, we raised our voices! Now what? Union leaders speak about civic engagement and the future of our nation. Plus a timely analysis of our nation’s political climate.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform!

— LCLAA (@LCLAA) November 17, 2020

Laborers:

‘There’s a war on organizing, collective bargaining, unions and workers’: Biden wants to undo Trump executive orders on federal workers https://t.co/8y221GE00j

— LIUNA (@LIUNA) November 18, 2020

Machinists:

🚨WORKING PEOPLE WIN!🚨

We are so proud to welcome 141 new Machinists Union members to the @iammam_union! https://t.co/ZcmVjbbWtz

— Machinists Union ✈️🚊🚀 (@MachinistsUnion) November 14, 2020

Metal Trades Department:

This 👇 right here says it all. President-elect Biden understands what the trades mean to a functioning America. pic.twitter.com/UNZniRv3mF

— Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) November 17, 2020

Mine Workers:

"On Thursday, a powerful voice joined the chorus of Remington Arms workers, rallying to convince the plant’s former owners to give them benefits they say are provided to them in their contract."https://t.co/5kt1Cv3zyI pic.twitter.com/OXVsgLtvJV

— United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) November 17, 2020

Musical Artists:

AGMA’s Constitutional Referendum begins now. The Board of Governors Revision will make AGMA more efficient, more inclusive & more just. 2 of its themes are in this video! AGMA’s Board recommends members vote FOR the BOG Revision & AGAINST the dues proposalhttps://t.co/WMx2wHtk98

— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) November 16, 2020

National Air Traffic Controllers Association:

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, NATCA has had to change how it trains its members.NATCA Reloaded Committee member Chrissy Padgett explained the benefits for members of the Union’s virtual classes. https://t.co/j0oIK7Xt6O pic.twitter.com/hLnK4lAAvo

— NATCA (@NATCA) November 18, 2020

National Association of Letter Carriers:

St. Louis, MO Branch 343 member La'Tecse Litteken noticed fellow letter carrier, Rebecca Pearl, swaying as she stood in front of her postal vehicle. Shortly afterward, the carrier recalled, "[Pearl] started seizing."Litteken called 911, & Pearl was taken to the hospital. #Heroes pic.twitter.com/XlQF7ZCy3F

— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) November 18, 2020

National Day Laborer Organizing Network:

#News: Groups across California ask Gov @GavinNewsom, will you appoint a woman of color, immigrant workers rights champion to the US Senate?

Read the letter signed by groups across California: https://t.co/Wpq9OAHWSn #ICEoutofCalifornia #WorkerMigrantJustice

— NDLON (@NDLON) November 14, 2020

National Domestic Workers Alliance:

Domestic workers have kept our communities safe during this crisis. @NYCSpeakerCoJo needs to pass Intro 339 and extend the NYC Human Rights Law to everyone. pic.twitter.com/9lfOGfKkiz

— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) November 18, 2020

National Nurses United:

"Our hospitals are overflowing with #Covid19 patients and are not prepared. Nurses know the right way to battle this virus, but employers and the government are not supporting us."
-Mary Turner, RN and President of @mnnurses, an NNU affiliate #ProtectNurses pic.twitter.com/7dk0haAW1O

— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) November 18, 2020

National Taxi Workers Alliance:

Without action 6K+ will be left without jobs and in bankruptcy, after losing their retirement. @NYCComptroller says our plan is fiscally sound.

The @NewYorkStateAG investigating the crisis says our plan is just.

Lets go, @NYCMayor!

— NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) November 18, 2020

NFL Players Association:

Don't want to return to campus to finish your degree? @PSUWorldCampus allows you to transfer your credits and finish your degree online. Find out how TONIGHT @ 8pm ET: https://t.co/RQlW3pwjRS. pic.twitter.com/ztbhRJittF

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) November 18, 2020

North America's Building Trades Unions:

Congratulations, @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris on your HISTORIC campaign and election 👏

Statement from NABTU President @SeanMcGarvey_: https://t.co/sSsGqugPZ7 pic.twitter.com/jbYu5yKAf3

— The Building Trades (@NABTU) November 7, 2020

Office and Professional Employees:

Our friends at @UnionPlus are helping 100 union members this holiday season. Visit the following link to nominate a union member for the #UnionPlusGiveAGrand contest: https://t.co/2RB11jIi15 #1u

— OPEIU (@OPEIU) November 18, 2020

Painters and Allied Trades:

Our anti-union opponents like the Associated Builders and Contractors and The National Right to Work Committee have been sounding nervous about the PRO Act.

They know it will ban right-to-work nationwide and would dra­mat­i­cal­ly grow work­ers’ pow­er on the job.

Let's do it.

— IUPAT (@GoIUPAT) November 16, 2020

Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:

PASS thanks @TransportDems @RepPeterDeFazio & @RepRickLarsen for their leadership on this issue. Aviation safety inspectors PASS represents at FAA want their oversight strengthened & stand ready to implement these changes when bill becomes law. #aviationsafety #publicservice https://t.co/NvjRb4FqCo

— PASS (@PASSNational) November 17, 2020

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:

Sharing a turkey dinner with your loved ones over Zoom? Make sure to buy #UnionMade products for your #Thanksgiving table! #1u

Check out the full @AFLCIO list: https://t.co/BekKqye4g4 pic.twitter.com/9nMciXLTwC

— RWDSU (@RWDSU) November 18, 2020

Roofers and Waterproofers:

Interested in evaluating and improving your job site safety climate? The Safety Climate Assessment Tool for Small Contractors (S-CATSC) can help! https://t.co/2iXoxPKHuN #roofersafety365 pic.twitter.com/nzPbveya9Z

— Roofers Union (@roofersunion) November 18, 2020

SAG-AFTRA:

Join us Thurs @ 6pm PT on https://t.co/nMfGNpcL8n as we honor those who have holistically portrayed individuals w/ disabilities & advanced representation for the disability community on-screen & off. #mediaaccessawards #sagaftramembers #representationmatters #inclusion #diversity pic.twitter.com/POvQ6Serv1

— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) November 18, 2020

Solidarity Center:

Garment workers in #India are forced to stay overnight to complete orders, sometimes sleeping on the factory floor. "We're made to work continuously, often through the night, sleeping at 3am then waking up by 5am for another full day," one woman said. https://t.co/GaBYHiLWLZ

— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) November 18, 2020

The NewsGuild-CWA:

Maybe @LATimes wants to spend another $3million settling more #EqualPay complaints. https://t.co/ak5kNszvCv

— NewsGuild-CWA (@newsguild) November 16, 2020

Theatrical Stage Employees:

IATSE's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Hold Elections for New Executive Committee https://t.co/zM5Zy8Sf2e

— IATSE (@IATSE) November 18, 2020

Transport Workers Union:

TWU flight attendants, pilot instructors, aircraft mechanics & our many other members who work each day to ensure that the flying public and our aircraft are safe are grateful to @RepPeterDeFazio & @RepSamGraves dedication to air safety at every level. https://t.co/3h3H1KDuNe

— TWU (@transportworker) November 17, 2020

Transportation Trades Department:

.@JoeBiden Fills Economic Posts With Experts on Systemic Racism https://t.co/mbhJZoZopI

— Transp. Trades Dept. (@TTDAFLCIO) November 18, 2020

UAW:

UAW President Rory L. Gamble met remotely with leaders from other unions, businesses and President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris earlier today. https://t.co/SxS7tTEpqN

— UAW (@UAW) November 16, 2020

Union Label and Service Trades Department:

Join the APWU/ US Mail Not For Sale day of action! Call your senators to save the Post Office. Call (833) 924-0085 or reply and we will connect you automatically. pic.twitter.com/JmNnUM0Epu

— Union Label Dept. (@ULSTD_AFLCIO) November 17, 2020

UNITE HERE:

UNITE HERE'S #TAKEBACK2020 FIELD PROGRAM BY THE NUMBERS:

🚪 3,000,000: Total doors of voters knocked nationwide

🆔 440,000: Infrequent voters ID'd for Biden/Harris

☑️ 125,000: Voters that sat out 2016

🙋🏿 287,613: People of Color ID'd for Biden/Harris#unitehere pic.twitter.com/P9JgYjSVOj

— UNITE HERE #TakeBack2020 (@unitehere) November 18, 2020

United Food and Commercial Workers:

America's grocery workers bravely stepped up when our communities needed them most and they're still on the frontlines as the #COVID19 pandemic continues.

Thanks to @JohnFetterman and everyone standing with the courageous @UFCW members keeping our families fed during the crisis. https://t.co/ARIv2AEnVG

— UFCW (@UFCW) November 13, 2020

United Steelworkers:

With COVID-19 spiking again, we wanted to remind you of our USW resources designed just for you by your union: https://t.co/LdhPY9cy3i. pic.twitter.com/qZOipQF3me

— United Steelworkers (@steelworkers) November 17, 2020

United Students Against Sweatshops:

I just signed onto the @ucsdusas petition to demand CEO @pattymaysent rescind the racist layoffs of Tammy & Ashley @UCSDHealth! Sign and share the petition now: https://t.co/mXDZpKHE1R #UCSDisracist #StoptheLayoffs

— USAS (@USAS) November 16, 2020

Utility Workers:

Yesterday, in a speech about the economy President-Elect Biden made one thing very clear as he prepares to take office: he unequivocally stands with unions and supports expanding workers protections in the immediate term. pic.twitter.com/Vu338xBYUe

— UWUA National (@The_UWUA) November 17, 2020

Working America:

"In CA, one of the world’s wealthiest economies, I should be able to afford rent and pay my bills as a driver. I shouldn’t be forced to scour for public bathrooms or work 70-hour weeks to do this job. But that’s what these companies have forced upon us." https://t.co/oZqH5cHurT

— Working America (@WorkingAmerica) November 17, 2020

Writers Guild of America, East:

Discussed at tonight will be a series of research-driven factsheets by @WriteInclusion to help guide writers rooms, writers, and all content creators toward better representation in their stories.https://t.co/D0hlKwYnUv

— Writers Guild of America, East (@WGAEast) November 18, 2020

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Members and allies of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), led by President Mark Dimondstein, are holding a day of action today to save the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). In particular, the APWU is making three demands: invest at least $25 billion in immediate COVID-19 relief for the USPS; stop and reverse the mail slowdown policies introduced by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy; and expand the role of the post office to provide vital services in every community. Click here to call your senators and ask them to save the Postal Service.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ victory in this free and fair election is a win for America’s labor movement. Everywhere in every way, working people are heroically and resiliently fighting back against this pandemic, its economic fall out, chronic income inequality and systemic racism. Union voters delivered this election for President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris. Their message and commitment to create “the most significant pro-labor, pro-worker administration” resonated with our 12.5 million members and 55 affiliated unions who are hungry for a bigger voice in our economy and our politics.

Working people also spoke loudly in electing union-friendly candidates at all levels of government. Here are 10 more victories you should know about:

1. Michigan State Supreme Court: The Michigan labor movement flipped the state Supreme Court as Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack won re-election and Elizabeth Welch gained a seat to give pro-worker justices a 4–3 majority. 

2. Greg Thompson, Florida: The former Machinists (IAM) Local 57 president won his first election for city commission in Clewiston. 

3. Elizabeth Weight, Utah: The teacher and member of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) won re-election to the Utah state legislature.

4. San Diego: With strong support from the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, three union members were elected to the nine-member San Diego City Council: Stephen Whitburn (AFTRA), Marni Von Wilpert (DCAA) and Raul Campillo (DCAA). Also of note, Terra Lawson-Remer, a former organizer with United Farm Workers, won a seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

5. Wisconsin: Thousands of volunteers across the state not only worked to help Biden and Harris win, but also were crucial in the victories of other union members: U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (IUPAT), state Rep. Tod Ohnstad (UAW) and state Sen. LaTonya Johnson (AFSCME).

6. Communications Workers of America (CWA) Members: Members contributed tens of thousands of volunteer hours to support pro-working family candidates.

7. Florida: With 60.8% of the vote, Floridians voted to raise the state's minimum wage to $10 next September and by an additional $1 per year until it reaches $15 in 2026.

8. Colorado: Voters approved a measure that will create a paid family and medical leave program with 57% of the vote. Starting in 2024, employers will be required to provide employees up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave each year.

9. UNITE HERE Members: Members knocked on the doors of 3 million voters, including 575,000 in Philadelphia, which contributed heavily to Biden-Harris winning Pennsylvania.

10. Demond Meeks, New York: Meeks, an organizer with SEIU1199 won and will now represent the 137th State Assembly District.

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) new emergency temporary standard (ETS) for workplace safety during the pandemic went into effect on Monday. For the first time since the pandemic started, Oregon workers will have clear, enforceable and consistent workplace protections from COVID-19. The new protocols provide rules around transparency and reporting, training, employee input and employer requirements to mitigate hazards, and ventilation. The Oregon AFL-CIO fought hard for the implementation of the ETS.

“The emergency temporary standard is a step forward for Oregon’s workers. Oregon is now only the third state in the nation to adopt workplace safety and health protections for workers against COVID-19,” said state federation President Graham Trainor (IBEW). “Oregon’s unions and worker advocates have fought for this standard since the beginning of the pandemic and have been closely engaged in the process to ensure it is suitable and reflects the risk workers face on the job….We owe it to the workers who risk their health and safety to provide for their families to get this right, and soon, to ensure workplace protection now and into the future.”

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Corey Clement has been named the NFL Players Association’s (NFLPA’s) “Community MVP” for week 8 of the NFL season after he helped lead a writing contest in which students created books on how to resolve bullying. The winners earned a $500 prize, received a surprise Zoom visit from Clement and will have their book published. “It is a true honor to be named the NFLPA Community MVP,” the Philadelphia Eagles running back said. “As an NFL player, I have the opportunity to bring attention to the causes most important to me—literacy, anti-bullying and music education. I feel that it is important to support grassroots nonprofits that are led by Black leaders.”

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The AFL-CIO is mourning the passing of our dear former colleague, Scott Reynolds (TNG-CWA). Scott will be remembered for his strong trade unionism, dedicating his career to the labor movement and spending 24 of those years with the AFL-CIO. And, for those who had the pleasure of working with Scott, we will also miss him for his humor, his friendship and his stories of adventurous travel that brightened the workplace every day.

Damon Silvers, special counsel to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka (UMWA), called Scott a dear friend and mentor. “All his life Scott fought for working people. He was at every major protest for decades,” Silvers said. “He organized our movement for fight after fight—for financial reform and the Affordable Care Act, against one corporate trade deal after another. He was a kind generous colleague to all he encountered. And he never was OK with moral compromise. He might tell you that through a joke, but it was serious.”

Scott made our movement, our country and all of us better. We send our deepest condolences to all who cherish his memory.