AFL-CIO Blog

  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: James Ikehara
    Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: James Ikehara For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is James Ikehara of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. James Ikehara has been an AFA-CWA flight attendant based in San Francisco since 2011, when he started his career with Virgin America. Having triple heritage from a Filipina/Chinese mother born in Manila and an Okinawan father born on the island of Molokai. Ikehara is proud of his Asian American Pacific Islander heritage and the diversity he brings as secretary of AFA-CWA Local 29011 in San Francisco. He currently lives on the Big Island of Hawaii and was one of many volunteers at a recent “Malama Mauna Kea” event to protect the resources of the sacred mountain. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/31/2023 - 11:29 — May 31
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Rena Zacarias Youngblood
    Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Rena Zacarias Youngblood For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Rena Zacarias Youngblood of AFGE. Rena Youngblood is a U.S. Air Force veteran and executive vice president of AFGE Local 3511. She works in Inpatient Behavioral Health-Nursing Services at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, where she represents more than 6,000 Veterans Administration (VA) workers. She was recognized as a top organizer through the AFGE National VA Council and received the Augusta Y. Thomas Civil Rights Award for organizing. Youngblood currently serves as the co-chair of AFGE A.P.O.W.E.R., the union’s Asian American constituency group, and is an active member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA). Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/30/2023 - 11:29 — May 30
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Veterans Affairs Registered Nurses Sign 3-Year Contract with NNOC/NNU
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Veterans Affairs Registered Nurses Sign 3-Year Contract with NNOC/NNU 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. Registered nurses with National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU) at the Department of Veterans Affairs signed a three-year contract, which covers more than 14,000 RNs at 23 hospitals.  “We are pleased that this protracted process is finally over and this agreement is signed,” said NNOC/NNU-VA Chair Irma Westmoreland, RN. “We are proud to have a new contract in place, but our work as registered nurses is never done. We must now keep our sleeves rolled up to tackle the understaffing conditions our nurses are facing across the country. We look forward to working with Secretary [Denis] McDonough to implement alternative work schedule flexibilities that will retain nurses and improve staffing levels for veterans. “Throughout the pandemic, VA nurses have worked tirelessly in extremely difficult conditions to provide care for the sickest of the sick. While providing this care, we have had to fight for optimal personal protection equipment, appropriate training and staffing, notification and testing following exposures, and proper infection controls. This has put us, our families, and our patients unnecessarily at risk. We hope the signing of this contract marks the beginning of a new era of renewed respect for the rights and lives of the nurses who advocate and care for our nation’s heroes.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/30/2023 - 09:16 — May 30
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Aina Iglesias
    Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Aina Iglesias For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Aina Iglesias of the Office and Professional Employees  (OPEIU). Aina is a labor relations specialist with Hawaii Nurses' Association (OPEIU Local 50) and serves as OPEIU's representative on the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) board. "APALA gives a space to talk about issues that are important to AAPI members," she said. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 05/29/2023 - 11:29 — May 29
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Douglas K. Correia
    Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Douglas K. Correia For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Douglas K. Correia of AFSCME. Doug Correia, a proud member of United Public Workers in Hawaii, knows the meaning of solidarity. When UPW members went on strike this year, Correia was up early every day to help set up, serve food and stand with his co-workers. Whether taking care of his community or helping people understand their rights on the job, he is always there for his union family. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/26/2023 - 11:29 — May 26