This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Denicia Montford Williams

As a vice president of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO, associate director of the state’s chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) and member of Pride At Work, Denicia Montford Williams (AFT) is a tireless advocate for LGBTQ rights and for racial justice in the state. She works as the program manager for the North Carolina APRI chapter. She also started a spinoff chapter of the Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition. Montford Williams leads a voter-registration drive in nine North Carolina counties, advocates for worker-friendly laws, and hosts workshops related to financial and physical health. She seeks to include LGBTQ people more into advocacy work. She recently was elected to the state AFL-CIO's board of directors, becoming the first openly LGBTQ director in the board's history.

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 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), state federations and central labor councils across the AFL-CIO Western Region held protests at Walmart in solidarity with more than 80 Ohio workers whose jobs producing Walmart’s “Made in America” light bulbs are being shipped to China.

While Walmart boasts a public commitment to supporting American manufacturing, the producer of its store-brand LED light bulbs, GE-Savant LLC, recently announced it intends to move the product line to China for production, permanently laying off more than 80 workers. The Walmart brand light bulbs are currently made by IUE-CWA workers in Bucyrus, Ohio, one of the only residential lighting plants left in the United States; nearly all other residential light bulbs are now produced in China.

In a show of increased public pressure for Walmart to stand up to its supplier and demand they keep manufacturing jobs for the retailer’s in-house “Made in America” LED light bulb line, we thank the Alaska AFL-CIO, Arizona AFL-CIO, Alameda Labor Council, Contra Costa Labor Council, Oregon AFL-CIO, South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council and the Washington State Labor Council for their organized actions.

This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Joelle Hall.

Recently elected as the president of the Alaska AFL-CIO, Joelle Hall (UFCW) is the first woman to hold the office since the state federation was chartered in 1943. She previously served as director of operations and has spent more than 20 years shaping Alaskan politics. She has a well-deserved reputation for bipartisan coalition building and the utmost dedication to the principles of the labor movement

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 unprecedented winter storms of recent days have left millions in Texas reeling with no electricity or running water. The energy capital of the world was suddenly shut down and the loss of basic services left dozens dead. But in difficult times, the labor movement always shows up. Throughout the state and the country, union members are mobilizing to respond.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka (UMWA) is closely monitoring the situation and has offered the help of the national federation. In California, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, under the leadership of President Ron Herrera (IBT), is working to deliver bottled water and food to the affected areas. Union Plus is working with the Texas AFL-CIO to provide members with hardship assistance. Roy Gillespie, the national disaster relief coordinator for the Teamsters (IBT), is coordinating the delivery of much-needed supplies into Texas from all around the country. 

The state federation is actively seeking donations to the Texas Workers Relief Fund to continue to support its central labor councils in their recovery efforts. Please donate as you are able. We’ll continue to keep you updated on ways to help Texas as they begin rebuilding.

In the Lone Star State itself, workers are mobilizing to help those most affected by getting their communities up and running again. Members of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) Local 68 in the Gulf Coast area have been sharing videos on Facebook with helpful information for residents. Union members in Austin led the delivery of thousands of pallets of water, with Austin Area AFL-CIO Council members and allies walking door to door and assessing water needs. They were joined by labor council President Jason Lopez (AFSCME). On Wednesday, the Texas AFL-CIO coordinated with the national AFL-CIO, IBT and various local unions and labor councils for a massive water delivery to Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth.

Workers in Texas are also demanding accountability. On Tuesday, Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy (TSEU/CWA, pictured above) issued a statement slamming the state’s leadership for its failure to prepare and respond. He said it was the latest in a long list of debacles:

“As with the pandemic, as with the distribution of vaccines, as with the reliance of the often-unreachable unemployment insurance system because of 1980's computer technology, as with a foster care system under federal court orders, years of knowing neglect by political leadership who rely on reactionary partisanship that shortchanges working people made us worse off. Once again, because too many politicians believed ‘free markets’ would prevail, failure ensued: The lights went out, the heat vanished, the taps had no water and the help we expect was stuck in triage mode.”

And through it all, the state federation is making sure its members’ voices are heard. The Texas AFL-CIO has also been collecting testimonials from union members. Krissy O’Brien (AFSCME) of Austin said, “This was a completely preventable disaster and our state leadership failed us. Gov. Abbott, what did you do to prevent this from happening?”

This year, for Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Lafarrah Hines.

Lafarrah Hines is a member of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3680 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and a U.S. Army veteran. Hines was one of the first members of CWA’s Veterans for Social Change cohort to attend a training on organizing and activism hosted by the Veterans Organizing Institute and Common Defense, a progressive grassroots veterans organization. Ever since then Hines has become a powerhouse advocate for working-class military veterans and working people as a whole. Whether it’s meeting with representatives in Congress, speaking at press conferences, participating in town halls, or marching in rallies, Hines continues to organize and empower herself, other union members and her fellow veterans to promote the values they fought for.

This year, for Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Fred Smith.

Fred Smith is the vice president (AT&T Mobility) of CWA Local 3902 in Birmingham, Alabama. Smith is a longtime activist and leader both in the union and his community. He currently serves as the chair of the National Civil Rights and Equity Committee, leading the work to ensure workers are free from discrimination in the workplace and the union. Recently, in an effort to build a more inclusive union and labor movement, Smith has been leading trainings developed by the national CWA on “How to Build an Anti-Racist Union.” His advocacy doesn’t stop there. He also serves as the North Alabama Union Liaison for the Poor People’s Campaign fighting for socioeconomic justice for all. 

Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.

The Amazon Workers’ Campaign Shows the Need for Labor Law Reform: "The organizing drive still underway by workers at Amazon’s fulfillment center in Bessemer, Ala., reveals some of the many ways our current labor law gives employers too much power to stand in the way of workers trying to gain a collective voice. Workers at Amazon want a union to bargain better pay, safety protections, and dignity on the job. Instead of respecting its workers’ choice, what has Amazon done? Amazon has forced workers to attend small group meetings where supervisors rail against the union."

House Passes Equality Act to Boost LGBTQ Protections: "The House voted 224-206 on Thursday to pass the Equality Act, which would expand federal protections for LGBTQ people by prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Why it matters: The legislation passed in the House in May 2019 but never reached the Republican-controlled Senate under former President Trump. Democratic leaders believe there is a chance to pass the act into law this year with a 50-50 split in the Senate, but it is uncertain whether enough Republicans will support the bill for it to move forward."

Amazon Workers’ Fight to Unionize Draws Help from Around the World: "Roughly a hundred organizers have been calling workers from Amazon’s Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse in recent weeks, making the case for why they should unionize. The robust phone-banking operation reflects the high stakes for organized labor as workers at the facility consider forming the first Amazon union in the U.S. The organizing effort extends well beyond the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which would represent the facility’s employees. The phone campaign includes around 20 organizers on loan from the AFL-CIO, the influential labor federation that includes 55 unions. A dozen nurses who recently unionized their hospital in North Carolina also have been pitching on the effort, calling workers to tell them large-scale labor victories are possible in the South."

Multimillion-Dollar ‘Union Avoidance’ Industry Faces New Scrutiny: "Workers unionizing with the Retail, [Wholesale and Department Store Union] at an Amazon distribution center in Bessemer, Alabama, have been met with a range of tactics to dissuade them from voting for a union, including frequent text messages, paid social media advertisements, and 'classes' intended to warn them against unionization."

Four Million Hotel, Restaurant Workers Have Lost Jobs. Here’s How They’re Reinventing Themselves: "Workers at America’s hotels, restaurants, bars and convention centers have been among the hardest hit during the Covid-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and the lack of travel have caused many gathering places to close or reduce their staff. Since February 2020, the leisure-and-hospitality sector has shed nearly four million people, or roughly a quarter of its workforce. As of January 2021, 15.9% of the industry’s workers remained unemployed; more than any other industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a result, millions of hospitality workers—a group that includes everyone from front-desk clerks to travel managers—are trying to launch new careers. Some have transitioned to roles that tap skills honed over years of public-facing work in high-pressure environments. Others have seized the moment to remake themselves for different occupations. Many remain conflicted about leaving an industry they say continually provides new experiences and engenders lasting relationships."

Trumka Talks Importance of Infrastructure Investment: "AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka joined Bloomberg Radio to discuss how important it is to rebuild our infrastructure with good union paying jobs and how that will benefit our communities."

2.5 Million Women Left the Work Force During the Pandemic. Harris Sees a ‘National Emergency.’: "Vice President Kamala Harris said on Thursday that the 2.5 million women who have left the work force since the beginning of the pandemic constituted a 'national emergency' that could be addressed by the Biden administration’s coronavirus relief plan."

Infrastructure Is Prime Topic in Biden Meeting with Union Leaders: "AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in a post-meeting statement, 'For working people, this was the most productive Oval Office meeting in years.' Trumka added, 'As we made clear today, America can only build back better if unions are doing the building.'"

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:

Actors' Equity has announced terms for the use of archive recordings and remote work, effective through December 31, 2021. Learn more in the member portal - https://t.co/MUB60Meckj pic.twitter.com/mTyDIVzIs9

— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) February 24, 2021

AFGE:

Our statement on @POTUS revocation of Trump memo that gave DoD Secretary authority to eliminate collective bargaining rights for DoD workers⬇️#1u pic.twitter.com/wqHo5DGaQl

— AFGE (@AFGENational) February 25, 2021

AFSCME:

Tomorrow: Feb. 25th, 8 p.m ET tune in for an informative conversation about #COVID19, the vaccine and ways to stay safe during this pandemic w/ the @NAACP and today’s leading experts. https://t.co/1kXXP3IKsZ

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) February 24, 2021

Alliance for Retired Americans:

It's time for President Biden to fill the vacancies on the Postal BOG and #SaveThePostOffice. Sign our petition if you agree: https://t.co/ztZ8BCIvN9 pic.twitter.com/D4xrLnRwlq

— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) February 24, 2021

Amalgamated Transit Union:

ATU International supports ATU Canada’s call for all Premiers and provincial health and transportation ministers to recognize aerosol transmission of #COVID19 as a public health risk for transit workers, riders, and the public. #TogetherWeFightTogetherWeWin #Labour pic.twitter.com/6N8xeLXc77

— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) February 25, 2021

American Federation of Musicians:

Tell your elected members of Congress to support the Reconciliation Package. This link will automatically connect you to your senators: https://t.co/KrV8Xh7HuK...& @Local_802_AFM @local4afm @AFMLocal47 @ICSOM @ChiTheatreMusic @ROPAorchestras @TheaterMusician pic.twitter.com/qWRhUGxcMO

— AFM (@The_AFM) February 25, 2021

American Federation of Teachers:

President Biden’s stimulus plan is supported by Democrats, Independents, and Republicans all over the country because voters know it's what our schools and communities need. We need our Senators to put politics aside and come together to help us get through this pandemic together pic.twitter.com/r9O5uKWBD5

— AFT (@AFTunion) February 24, 2021

American Postal Workers Union:

And we've started: @RepMaloney introduces the hearing: Legislative Proposals to Put the Postal Service on Sustainable Financial Footing #SaveThePostOffice https://t.co/0FG2WwpjU4

— APWU National (@APWUnational) February 24, 2021

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance:

With over 20 chapters across the nation and at-large members in regions without chapters, APALA is a great community to join if you are looking to build a movement of AAPI workers.

Check out our work and become a member today: https://t.co/je1A49vpAi pic.twitter.com/PW3W5SzOo4

— Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (@APALAnational) February 23, 2021

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:

Good morning. Trans rights are human rights. https://t.co/qxKo4cudqu

— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) February 25, 2021

Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers:

Working people fought to elect pro-worker lawmakers to the Senate, House & White House who would make the #PROAct a top priority. The BCTGM intends to hold them to their promises!

Call Congress NOW! 866-833-1560 Tell them to PASS THE PRO ACT! 👉🏼 https://t.co/HL9LRmVCPn pic.twitter.com/VcD9SuC6wV

— BCTGM International (@BCTGM) February 24, 2021

Boilermakers:

L👀k out for the monthly issue of the IBB Update that hits inboxes Friday! Not subscribed? Sign-up for #BoilermakersUnion news updates at: https://t.co/6rInXnDk2V pic.twitter.com/jon3VW1kX5

— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) February 24, 2021

Bricklayers:

We recognize Tuckpoint Apprentice Takeesha Wash who restores and improves upon our nations’ built history every day at work. IUBAC celebrates black history and continues the fight for justice and equality for all. #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/0nXjPlDfTt

— Bricklayers Union (@IUBAC) February 24, 2021

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists:

pic.twitter.com/4xelA2Tvn8

— CBTU (@CBTU72) February 23, 2021

Coalition of Labor Union Women:

Want to visit the Military Women's Memorial, the only historical repository that strives to document every woman's service?

Free tickets to attend the memorial in the nation's capital here: https://t.co/TYZiNEFO8H

Virtual tour of the memorial here: https://t.co/DLc12aJU9k pic.twitter.com/vcLeKxbJbO

— CLUW National (@CLUWNational) February 16, 2021

Communications Workers of America:

We stand with Filipino workers and will do everything within our power to fight back against Duterte's violent attacks on union activists and the free press. We must work tirelessly to pass the Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA). https://t.co/71VWDcOan6

— CWA (@CWAUnion) February 24, 2021

Department for Professional Employees:

Creative professionals need the American Rescue Plan Act because it extends COVID-19 related unemployment programs, provides COBRA subsidies, protects pensions, authorizes emergency federal arts funding, and extends PPP support to digital news professionals. #1u pic.twitter.com/FF5yjgTZXy

— Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) February 25, 2021

Electrical Workers:

Congratulations to Chicago #IBEW Local 1220 member Don Cornelli on his induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/cj2P1o3KlS

— IBEW (@IBEW) February 25, 2021

Fire Fighters:

Grand Island, NE Local 647 helping with vaccination process https://t.co/Hn9AiNH5na

— IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) February 25, 2021

Heat and Frost Insulators:

When disease control matters, in medical facilities for doctors, nurses, visitors & patients, insulation matters. https://t.co/poXrkoAd0r

— Insulators Union 🦎 (@InsulatorsUnion) February 25, 2021

International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers:

IFPTE Responds to Nomination of Kiran Ahuja for OPM Director  https://t.co/nffN6aJbiy

— IFPTE (@IFPTE) February 25, 2021

Ironworkers:

Iron Workers Local 808 volunteered to build a steel canopy over the basketball court at Redemption Church in Christmas, FL. #communityservice #volunteerism #volunteerhttps://t.co/j0uU8HWcG0

— Ironworkers. (@TheIronworkers) February 24, 2021

IUE-CWA:

Thank you for the solidarity! https://t.co/MktRxZY35o

— IUE-CWA (@IUE_CWAUnion) February 21, 2021

Jobs With Justice:

🚨 BREAKING 🚨

After a year of daily exposure to #COVID19, Essential Workers are being left behind in the vaccine rollout 😷

TODAY -- #AlwaysEssential workers are DEMANDING priority access to the vaccine 📢

Bc they are DONE risking their lives just to do their job 👇🏿 1/ pic.twitter.com/eLRO4O4qV9

— Jobs With Justice (@jwjnational) February 25, 2021

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:

Data from @FWDus shows undocumented immigrants represent a substantial and critical part of America’s essential #COVID19 workforce combating the coronavirus pandemic and helping protect our communities. pic.twitter.com/cErGsIkFQL

— LCLAA (@LCLAA) February 24, 2021

Laborers:

Yesterday @POTUS and @VP Harris reaffirmed their commitment to expanding registered #apprenticeships by rescinding the previous Administration's order supporting #IRAPs and ordered the @USDOL to act on new rules to reverse these harmful, anti-worker, union-busting programs. pic.twitter.com/kcT57KINcc

— LIUNA (@LIUNA) February 18, 2021

Machinists:

Congratulations to Machinist members at IAM Local 235 https://t.co/Yg193XJDjQ

— Machinists Union ✈️🚊🚀 (@MachinistsUnion) February 25, 2021

Metal Trades Department:

On the 25th of #Blackhistorymonth we honor E.D. Nixon who worked as a Pullman porter and activist in the NAACP and Voters League. In December of 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat, he aided in her bail and the forming of the Montgomery bus boycott. pic.twitter.com/qu4XBaSV2q

— Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) February 25, 2021

Mine Workers:

"The time for negotiating a contract at the RemArms plant in Ilion through the media needs to end." - UMWA President Cecil E. Robertshttps://t.co/ezVkRa0YEX

— United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) February 24, 2021

Musical Artists:

Today, we enter our third week of bargaining with the Met. Read our full message here: https://t.co/RbUp2maYnl pic.twitter.com/kUmUzMKJcg

— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) February 22, 2021

National Air Traffic Controllers Association:

Feb. 21-27 is Engineers Week, a celebration of people in engineering professions—and a chance for our Union to recognize those we have as part of our #NATCAfamily. Today meet NATCA member Anthony Barksdale, electrical engineer. #Eweek21https://t.co/J9raLd1ML7

— NATCA (@NATCA) February 25, 2021

National Association of Letter Carriers:

The NALC Veterans Group provides veteran members a way to connect and stay informed on important issues for letter carriers who are service members. Interested in joining? Visit https://t.co/4iA6it6giz. #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/X8NeYnmHte

— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) February 25, 2021

National Day Laborer Organizing Network:

Precisely bc we are facing unprecedented overlapping emergencies, Pres. Biden cannot wait for a broken Congress to reform itself b4 taking sensible steps to reverse the damage caused in recent years. #DALE #TrabajoSiMigraNO #EndSCOMM #MigrantJusticePlatform #AllLaborIsEssential pic.twitter.com/cPaJhmMA2p

— NDLON (@NDLON) February 18, 2021

National Domestic Workers Alliance:

Essential Workers NEED protection from #COVID19.

They NEED access to the vaccine NOW.

Tell @POTUS 👉🏿 https://t.co/JWQy9mUYzx
#AlwaysEssential pic.twitter.com/zKbyBgHXNd

— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) February 25, 2021

National Federation of Federal Employees:

“The Union welcomes the Biden Administration’s order reestablishing union offices at VA facilities,” said NFFE VA Council President, Jeff Shapiro. "This change will provide for better labor relations, which promotes better care for veterans.” https://t.co/3b5usfc0bA

— NFFE (@NFFE_Union) February 23, 2021

National Nurses United:

Nine months before Rosa Parks' historic defiance of segregation, Claudette Colvin — a young, smart, working-class, dark-skinned, Black woman — refused to stand for white supremacy on a Montgomery bus.

NNU honors this courageous #HealthCareWorker.

A #BlackHistoryMonth thread 1/9 pic.twitter.com/Rn4SVN27cW

— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) February 22, 2021

National Taxi Workers Alliance:

"We didn't give up and we were consistent - no matter what we went through emotionally or physically or financially, we stood our ground." Bravo @Yaseenaslam381 and @jamesfarrar . Go @adcu https://t.co/Cq7VA5ajUh

— NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) February 19, 2021

NFL Players Association:

24 hours before he was set to distribute goody bags at his drive-in charity event, @horribleharry99 had to pivot when COVID rules changed overnight. The good news? He was still able to put smiles on a lot of kids' faces. #AthleteAnd pic.twitter.com/YOGDOoEoYf

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) February 25, 2021

North America's Building Trades Unions:

Shoutout to these #BuildingTrades members volunteering their time to help renovate @AGSM_National’s headquarters 👏🙌 https://t.co/ubqHxFDd2c

— The Building Trades (@NABTU) February 25, 2021

Office and Professional Employees:

The #PROAct is one of the most important civil rights and economic stimulus bills in modern history.

With this one bill, we can begin to level the playing field, fight economic inequality by raising wages, and stop employers from terrorizing employees who want a union. #1u https://t.co/wALU0jAyHS

— OPEIU #PassThePROAct ✊ (@OPEIU) February 25, 2021

Painters and Allied Trades:

Our union is proud to announce today we're joining the Board of @BGAlliance.

We stand ready to retrofit schools, hospitals and buildings, to coat, paint, glaze and so much more.

Good-paying union jobs w/ high-quality benefits must be central to tackling the climate crisis.

— IUPAT (@GoIUPAT) February 25, 2021

Plasterers and Cement Masons:

The #OPCMIA is proud to assist our brother, Nick Scholz, and the Shrine of St. Jude Catholic Church’s St. Stephen’s Food Pantry by providing 20,000 grocery bags and baby diapers so that they may help parishioners and neighbors in need. https://t.co/J6JL5AL2XU pic.twitter.com/4HXvqSHW3F

— OPCMIA International (@opcmiaintl) February 19, 2021

Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:

Thank you @SecretaryPete for your time yesterday. PASS is looking forward to working with you on behalf of the 11,000 employees we represent at the FAA, protecting the largest, safest and most complex air traffic control system in the world. #aviationsafety #publicservice https://t.co/WXzVOTrDkh

— PASS (@PASSNational) February 18, 2021

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:

“You can hear the courage it takes to even tell their stories. To even announce their story. It doesn’t weaken them. It strengthens them." @mrdannyglover, like folks across the country, stands with #BAmazonUnion workers organizing for a collective voice!https://t.co/7MDECWZngV

— RWDSU (@RWDSU) February 25, 2021

SAG-AFTRA:

The careers of session singers span far beyond the recording booth. Get insight into the profession of these vocalists in our latest podcast episode with guests @janicependarvis and Carlos Ricketts Jr. https://t.co/7LFrHaYGHA #sagaftramembers #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/wLY5TCFiMS

— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) February 24, 2021

School Administrators:

School leaders, the people responsible to reopen schools have been using these protocols outlined by @CDCDirector since July. We know what it takes to open schools, communities need to understand what resources are needed to make it work. @laurameckler @fran_chambers @emilyakopp

— The School Leader (@AFSAUnion) February 12, 2021

Seafarers:

We are proud to participate in this program #1u
TOTE to deliver 30,000 books to 40 villages https://t.co/Fo8I07jotc

— Seafarers Union (@SeafarersUnion) February 22, 2021

Solidarity Center:

A large majority of #gigeconomy workers, like drivers & shoppers, say the work is their main source of income, per new @ilo report on the digital economy. https://t.co/WEuAIHblvr

— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) February 25, 2021

The NewsGuild-CWA:

Great news! Welcome -- officially -- to the NewsGuild @CWAUnion family! https://t.co/cyec0fJyHK

— NewsGuild-CWA (@newsguild) February 24, 2021

Theatrical Stage Employees:

All too often, bosses say they can't afford to pay a living wage while simultaneously giving millions to union-busting consultants. The PRO Act would increase transparency by forcing management to disclose payments to so-called "union avoidance firms". https://t.co/qJuk9vb25t

— IATSE (@IATSE) February 25, 2021

Transport Workers Union:

We will never allow you to steal wages from our members. Frontline TWU workers have already paid a COVID-19 blood price and we're damn sure gonna deliver every dollar owed to our members. We've been battling bosses and winning since 1934 and the fight is coming to you yet again. https://t.co/NhiBLeHDQp

— TWU (@transportworker) February 18, 2021

Transportation Trades Department:

Yesterday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned actions by the Trump administration to preempt states from setting their own laws and regulations mandating freight train crew size. https://t.co/uo3vH5X7Dq

— Transp. Trades Dept. (@TTDAFLCIO) February 25, 2021

UAW:

Heather McGhee joined union members across the country for a discussion of her new book, The Sum of Us, and to talk about the cost of racism for American workers and our communities. https://t.co/ENMVcXg32F

— UAW (@UAW) February 25, 2021

Union Veterans Council:

Your daily reminder that 31% of working veterans make less than $15/hr. It’s time to #RaiseTheWage https://t.co/RFyyBRKpQL

— Union Veterans Council (@unionveterans) February 24, 2021

UNITE HERE:

UNITE HERE supports President @JoeBiden's $1.9 Trillion Rescue Plan that includes 100% funded coverage for COBRA. Our members are living on a few hundred dollars per week unemployment. Anything less than 100% would sink thousands of laid off hospitality workers. We need this NOW. pic.twitter.com/BsqYpIRShl

— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) February 23, 2021

United Food and Commercial Workers:

#EssentialWorkers are putting their physical and mental health on the line every day to keep our communities healthy and our economy running.
#HazardPay for all essential workers is crucial. Employers must step up and protect our essential frontline workers:

— UFCW (@UFCW) February 18, 2021

United Steelworkers:

Danny Glover: Why I’m in Alabama with Amazon Workers - via @inequalityorg https://t.co/2fmclK9RIi #1u

— United Steelworkers (@steelworkers) February 24, 2021

United Students Against Sweatshops:

https://t.co/CSJgYZJbPE
Watch this TikTok and find out a few amazing reasons why you wanna register for our Virtual Convention! —> Register here: https://t.co/fkR1wai2Qb

— USAS (@USAS) February 21, 2021

Utility Workers:

We’re celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth by highlighting the work of our members towards equality and racial justice in the workplace! https://t.co/ac17O6a7SQ pic.twitter.com/9cRT0QFRvi

— UWUA National (@The_UWUA) February 25, 2021

Working America:

The pandemic has shown that working people's ability to earn a decent living for their families in a secure job is increasingly precarious. We need the freedom to organize, a voice on the job and the power to get the wages and benefits we deserve. We need the PRO Act! #1u pic.twitter.com/KkJPxDIoz3

— Working America (@WorkingAmerica) February 22, 2021

Writers Guild of America, East:

We are thrilled to announce the Host and Creative Team behind the joint, virtual 2021 Writers Guild Awards!

Read the announcement here: https://t.co/pxlPa38wRW https://t.co/xDmc0QJw1S

— Writers Guild of America, East (@WGAEast) February 24, 2021

This year, for Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is  A.J. Starling.

A respected pillar of Tennessee's labor community for nearly five decades, A.J. Starling has become synonymous with the fight for economic and racial equality. As both an advocate for and friend to working families throughout the state, his commitment to ensuring that everyone is treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve is second to none. His contributions to both the labor and faith communities and desire to leave things better than he found them will be felt for decades to come.

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.

After the U.S. District Court in Concord, New Hampshire, failed to provide remote access for at-risk legislators at the state House of Representatives, New Hampshire AFL-CIO President Glenn Brackett (IBEW) said union members handed out personal protective equipment (PPE) to lawmakers ahead of Wednesday’s House session at the NH Sportsplex.

“Last week, the New Hampshire AFL-CIO strongly urged our state representatives to provide remote accommodations for lawmakers who have special vulnerability to COVID-19, as defined by the [Americans with Disabilities Act] and Rehabilitation Act,” said Brackett. “Unfortunately, a federal judge ruled Monday that the House can proceed with in-person sessions this week without providing remote access to medically vulnerable lawmakers. We didn’t want it to come to this. No one should fear going to work. However, distributing personal protective equipment is the least we can do to keep our lawmakers safe.”