AFSCME

UNITE HERE Local 11: Proposed $3.5 Billion Deal by Landlord and Hotel Owner Blackstone Group Could Worsen Housing Crisis

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
REIT, Residential Building & Real Estate, Lodging, Construction & Property, Travel, ACCE, Tricon Residential, Private equity, Restaurant, Community, Housing, University, Eviction, AFSCME, Acquisition, Airport, UNITE, Property management

As Blackstone seeks to grow as a landlord, workers at its hotel properties struggle to afford rent.

Key Points: 
  • As Blackstone seeks to grow as a landlord, workers at its hotel properties struggle to afford rent.
  • While 29 hotels have settled agreements that will enable workers to survive in Southern California, Blackstone’s hotels have failed to do so.
  • Most workers at Blackstone’s LAX hotels make $21 per hour, and would have to spend 55% of their pre-tax income to afford a one-bedroom apartment.
  • Blackstone initiated a wave of evictions in 2022, and in some cases filed to evict tenants who owed just one month’s rent.

Florida AFL-CIO Grants Dr. Barbara Sharief Prestigious Statewide Early Endorsement

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 18, 2024
NCFO, Social media, IUPA, IDS, OPEIU, LIUNA, Master, Painting, IBEW, NABET, NFLPA, UWUA, Florida Senate, Theatre, BLET, IUPAT, Senate, Letter, Jackson Memorial Hospital, RWDSU, Firefighter, AFSCME, Teacher, IAFF, Human, Democratic Party, Democrat, UNITE, Multimedia, UFCW, Television, Interview, Trade union, AFGE, NALC, Conference, AWIU, Machinist, Boilermaker

This endorsement is a testament to Dr. Sharief's unwavering commitment to championing the rights and interests of Florida's workforce.

Key Points: 
  • This endorsement is a testament to Dr. Sharief's unwavering commitment to championing the rights and interests of Florida's workforce.
  • As a union member herself (while working as a nurse at Jackson Memorial Hospital), Barbara knows how important Labor Unions are to everyday workers in Florida.
  • "I am honored to receive the EARLY endorsement of the Florida AFL-CIO," said Dr. Barbara Sharief.
  • With the Teachers and the Statewide AFL-CIO aboard her campaign, Dr. Sharief said " The outpouring of support has left me truly humbled.

TEAMSTERS FILE LAWSUIT TO RESTORE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS FOR WISCONSIN WORKERS

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 30, 2023
AFSCME, Safety, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Language, Teaching Assistants Association, NEA, Trade, Public sector, 2011 Wisconsin Act 10, State government, Human, Clothing, Pension fund

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Teamsters and a coalition of labor unions filed a lawsuit to restore collective bargaining rights for public sector workers in Wisconsin.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Teamsters and a coalition of labor unions filed a lawsuit to restore collective bargaining rights for public sector workers in Wisconsin.
  • The lawsuit, filed in Dane County Circuit Court, asserts existing Wisconsin law unconstitutionally discriminates against the majority of public sector workers, denying them access to collective bargaining, and forcing workers to recertify their unions every year.
  • "The Teamsters are demanding an end to the repressive law that has hurt public service workers in Wisconsin so that their collective bargaining rights can be restored and respected."
  • "The Teamsters Union stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our labor allies in the fight to secure collective bargaining rights for all workers.

The EMS FDNY Help Fund Gala Shines a Spotlight on NYC's EMS Heroes

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Avenue, National Geographic, Wells Fargo, Friends, Learning, Social media, Discovery Channel, Fire department, Fire chief, Hardship, FDNY, Whitehall, Paramedic, Lindblad Expeditions, EMS, Horns, CBS News, Aqueduct Racetrack, Emergency medical technician, Table, COVID, CNN, AFSCME, FDNY EMS, CBS, BBC, New York City Fire Department Bureau of EMS, The Washington Post, Classic Car Club, National Geographic Partners, NPR, News, Death, USA Today, Fund, ABC News, New Yorker, Lightning, Face, Nightclub, Video game, Crisis

That is why the EMS FDNY Help Fund was established – to answer these questions and to assist and sometimes rescue NYC's EMS first responder heroes when they need support.

Key Points: 
  • That is why the EMS FDNY Help Fund was established – to answer these questions and to assist and sometimes rescue NYC's EMS first responder heroes when they need support.
  • On Tuesday, October 17th, 2023, at 6 pm, the EMS FDNY Help Fund will host its first major fundraising Gala event at the Classic Car Club located at 1 Pier 76, 408 12th Avenue in Manhattan.
  • Almojera remains an active FDNY EMS lieutenant and vice president of AFSCME DC37 Local 3621, the New York City Fire Department's EMS officers' union.
  • For more information on how you can help, either by joining the event or otherwise donating, please visit https://emsfdnyhelpfund.com/ .

UNITE HERE Local 11: Laguna Cliffs Hospitality Workers Rally at UC Regents Meeting in Los Angeles

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 22, 2023
Professional Services, Lodging, State, Local, Commercial Building & Real Estate, Travel, University, Construction & Property, Advocacy Group Opinion, Education, REIT, Human Resources, Public Policy, Government, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Regents of the University of California, National Labor Relations Board, UAW, Airport, Labour, Social Security Government Pension Offset, JI Case Co v National Labor Relations Board, AFSCME, Student, UC, Investment, NLRB, Restaurant, UNITE, Regent, Social, Union, Aimbridge Hospitality, Retirement, Hotel

Dozens of hospitality workers who work at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott, owned by the University of California Retirement System, and other hotels rallied outside and testified at the UC Regents meeting in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Key Points: 
  • Dozens of hospitality workers who work at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott, owned by the University of California Retirement System, and other hotels rallied outside and testified at the UC Regents meeting in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
  • Hotel workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 11, called attention to the labor dispute at the UC Retirement System-owned hotel, the Laguna Cliffs Marriott, where workers have been on strike this summer fighting for livable wages and improved benefits.
  • Jose Preciado, who works at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott addressed the UC Regents and said, “We see you at this hotel and at the restaurant.
  • We know that we create the best experience for the guests that makes Laguna Cliffs Marriott a world-class hotel.

Hotels’ Refusal to Pay Living Wage, Widespread Violence Against Strikers Leads to Boycott of Los Angeles; UNITE HERE Local 11 Members Tell Conventions to Stay Away From Strike-Ready Hotels

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, August 26, 2023
Lodging, Destinations, Travel, Social Activism, State, Local, Communications, Labor, Retail, Public Policy, Government, Advocacy Group Opinion, Restaurant, Bar, Human, Solidarity, SEIU, LAUSD, Violence, Tourism, Olympic Games, Torture, Democrat, University, Airport, The Council, History, Ritz, APSA, AFSCME, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Democratic Governors Association, Japanese American Citizens League, UNITE, American Political Science Association, Courage, Labour, Hotel

The workers’ call for conventions to stay away from Los Angeles marks a major escalation in the largest hotel worker strike in U.S. history.

Key Points: 
  • The workers’ call for conventions to stay away from Los Angeles marks a major escalation in the largest hotel worker strike in U.S. history.
  • Until the workers win the fair settlement they are fighting for, AFSCME 3299 will honor their boycott and picket lines.
  • We commit to not spend a dime of our members’ money in any boycotted Los Angeles hotel or business.
  • Local 11 will ask all future groups, including FIFA and the Olympics, to boycott the city to support their demands.

San Jose City Workers Ratify Historic Contracts

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 25, 2023
New York City Administration for Children's Services, San Jose City Council, TA, Multimedia, Municipal council, MEF, AFSCME, City, Council, Partnership, Leisure, Airline

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, two unions representing roughly 4,500 San Jose city employees, IFPTE Local 21 and MEF-AFSCME Local 101, finished in-person voting to determine whether or not to ratify the historic Tentative Agreements (TA) reached with the City Administration last week. Votes were counted this morning, August 25, and a resounding 91% in IFPTE Local 21 and MEF-AFSCME Local 101 voted 'Yes' to ratify our Tentative Agreements.

Key Points: 
  • Thousands of San Jose city workers voted this week on whether or not to ratify, i.e.
  • approve, the Tentative Agreements reached with the City of San Jose
    SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, two unions representing roughly 4,500 San Jose city employees, IFPTE Local 21 and MEF-AFSCME Local 101, finished in-person voting to determine whether or not to ratify the historic Tentative Agreements (TA) reached with the City Administration last week.
  • "I voted 'Yes' to ratify our TA because I care deeply about my San Jose community.
  • On Tuesday, August 15, the San Jose City Council voted in closed session to approve historic investments in staffing.

San Jose City Workers Announce Strike Vote August 1st to 4th

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, AFSCME, San Jose International Airport, City, New York City Administration for Children's Services, Negotiation, SAN, Zoo, MEF, Airline

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, July 27, unions representing over 4,500 San Jose city employees announced they will begin conducting in-person voting on August 1st to authorize a strike.

Key Points: 
  • SAN JOSE, Calif., July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, July 27, unions representing over 4,500 San Jose city employees announced they will begin conducting in-person voting on August 1st to authorize a strike.
  • The elected bargaining teams of IFPTE Local 21 and MEF-AFSCME Local 101 are unanimously recommending that members vote yes to authorize a strike.
  • "I'm voting 'YES' to strike because I care deeply about my San Jose community.
  • Contracts representing over 4,500 city workers expired on June 30 after both unions' bargaining teams spent months negotiating with the City.

Workers for Opportunity Names Legislative Leaders, Labor Reform Champions to National Board of Advisors

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Janus, Exercise, Employment, Senate, Public policy, Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Number of U.S. Supreme Court cases decided by year, Workplace, Policy, Workforce, Multimedia, First, AFSCME, Supreme court, WFO, First Amendment to the United States Constitution, House, Financial adviser, Management, Nursing, Opportunity

MIDLAND, Mich., June 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Workers for Opportunity today named five inaugural members to a new board of advisors, whose policy expertise will steer ongoing labor policy reform in states across the nation.

Key Points: 
  • Newly installed advisory board members include:
    Workers for Opportunity's advisors are proven champions of employee freedom who have secured labor reform victories in their home states.
  • In the years since the Janus v. AFSCME decision, Workers for Opportunity has led state-level reform efforts to advance workplace freedom and safeguard workers' rights.
  • In 2023 alone, Workers for Opportunity celebrated major labor reform victories in both Florida and Tennessee.
  • I look forward to working alongside my fellow advisory board members to usher in a new era of labor reform with Workers for Opportunity at the helm."

NEWSOM SIGNS TEAMSTER-BACKED BILL CRACKING DOWN ON UNION BUSTING

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 14, 2022
SAN, Congress, Senate, Public sector, Dignity, AFSCME, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Public Affairs Council, Legislation, Central Valley, Joint, SEIU, Health insurance, Ridesharing company

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters Joint Council 7 is lauding California Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent signing of groundbreaking legislation that will significantly increase enforcement of labor laws prohibiting union busting in the public sector. Senate Bill 931 was principally sponsored by the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council and co-sponsored by the California Labor Federation, SEIU State Council, and AFSCME California.

Key Points: 
  • Gavin Newsom's recent signing of groundbreaking legislation that will significantly increase enforcement of labor laws prohibiting union busting in the public sector.
  • Senate Bill 931 was principally sponsored by the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council and co-sponsored by the California Labor Federation, SEIU State Council, and AFSCME California.
  • The new law imposes significant penalties on public employers for unlawfully attempting to deter or discourage employees from joining or participating in a union.
  • "California is taking a step in the right direction by cracking down on illegal union busting, and there's opportunity for more states to follow this model to protect workers from predatory employers."