AFL-CIO Blog

  • Protecting Workers’ Interests in the Tech Revolution
    Protecting Workers’ Interests in the Tech Revolution Americans are experiencing the greatest technological transformation of the modern era. Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are changing how we live, work and communicate. But the future of this technology feels uncertain. Working people are concerned that this technology will make our jobs worse, make us earn less and maybe even cost us our jobs. We’ve seen Hollywood studios threatening to replace writers with AI scripts and actors with digital avatars. We’ve seen warehouse workers denied bathroom breaks because an algorithm said it would hurt productivity. We’ve seen more gig work, less equity and fewer benefits.  We need guardrails that put workers—not corporate profits—at the center. That’s why we’re pleased the White House has released a pioneering executive order on AI that reaffirms the Biden–Harris administration’s commitment to America’s workers.  There is still a long road ahead to ensure federal policy around AI prioritizes workers, but this week’s executive order offers a big step in the right direction. The Executive Order on Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence commits to three important principles that champion the interests of working families:
    1. Worker Rights: Reaffirms workers’ safety and fundamental rights, including the right to organize.
    2. Worker Voice: Insists workers need a seat at the table in AI development and new industries created by AI.
    3. Worker Training: Underscores the need for accessible and comprehensive workforce training so workers can fully participate in and benefit from our changing economy.
    Learn more about what’s at stake for workers and our families in this technological revolution. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 11/03/2023 - 11:55     — Nov 3
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IAM Mechanics at M&K Truck Centers in Alsip, Illinois, Go on Strike
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IAM Mechanics at M&K Truck Centers in Alsip, Illinois, Go on Strike Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. Members of the Machinists (IAM) Mechanics Union Local 701 working at M&K Truck Centers in Alsip, Illinois, are on strike as of Nov. 1 for a fair contract and to keep their union benefits, which they have enjoyed in previous contracts. The 58 members unanimously rejected the company’s contract offer. The latest offer from the management company, Labor Force, removed company-paid union health care and contributions to workers 401(k) retirement plans, and IAM members are demanding these benefits be restored. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 11/03/2023 - 09:37 — Nov 3
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Columbia Postdoctoral Workers Secure New Contract with Up to 24% Salary Increases
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Columbia Postdoctoral Workers Secure New Contract with Up to 24% Salary Increases Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. Postdoctoral workers at Columbia University, who are members of International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Local 4100, secured a new contract Tuesday, approving it with a vote of 89.4% in favor. This contract is an important win for the union, containing notable gains in compensation, rights, and protections for postdocs and associate research scientists. Specifically, the contract provides up to 24% salary increases, $1,200 ratification bonus, protections against power-based harassment and bullying, child care expenses, a hardship fund to cover emergencies, and other gains. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/02/2023 - 10:00 — Nov 2
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Union Contract at Code for America Sets Industry Standard
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Union Contract at Code for America Sets Industry Standard Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. Code for America Workers United (CWU) members, members of the Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU), voted overwhelmingly to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement. The contract includes across-the-board wage increases, additional paid family and medical leave time, adoption and fertility support, gender-affirming care, expanded worker protections against caste-based discrimination and intrusive monitoring, and limits on the use of contracted and temporary workers in favor of full-time employees, and establishes a neutral arbitration process to resolve disputes between the union and management.  “Members of CWU work tirelessly to help improve the social safety net for everyone; this contract is a safety net for us. We are excited about what we won in this contract, and I am also proud we were able to hardcode Code for America’s values into the contract, from giving staff a role in making decisions that will impact them to ensuring criminal background checks will not put anyone’s employment at risk,” shared Matt Bernius, a principal researcher at Code for America since March 2020 and a member of the bargaining committee. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 11/01/2023 - 09:38 — Nov 1
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UAW Reaches a Tentative Agreement with Stellantis, GM
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UAW Reaches a Tentative Agreement with Stellantis, GM Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. After 44 days of the Stand Up Strike, the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) reached a tentative agreement with Stellantis. It is the second tentative agreement the union has reached in bargaining with the Big Three, after the agreement with Ford. The contract includes gains valued at more than four times the gains from the union’s 2019 contract. The agreement grants 25% in base wage increases through April 2028, and will cumulatively raise the top wage by 33% compounded with estimated COLA to over $42 an hour. The lowest-paid workers at Stellantis will see a raise of more than 165% over the life of the agreement. The agreement also reinstates major benefits lost during the Great Recession and kills divisive wage tiers, among other gains. Stellantis workers will return to work while the agreement goes through the ratification process.  The UAW also reached a historic tentative agreement with General Motors (GM) that paves the way for a just transition and wins record economic gains for autoworkers. Like the agreements with Ford and Stellantis, the GM agreement has turned record profits into a record contract. The deal includes gains valued at more than four times the gains from the union’s 2019 contract. The agreement grants 25% in base wage increases through April 2028 and will cumulatively raise the top wage by 33% compounded with estimated COLA to over $42 an hour. The GM agreement kills several wage tiers; unifies UAW membership; provides the first general wage increase for salaried workers since the 1909s; brings Ultium Cells and GM Subsystems LLC into the UAW GM Master Agreement; provides payments to retirees; reinstates major benefits lost during the Great Recession; improves retirement for current retirees, those workers with pensions, and those who have 401(k) plans; and other gains. GM workers will return to work while the agreement goes through the ratification process.  Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/31/2023 - 10:14 — Oct 31