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Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute Holds First Annual Workers Gala Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute Holds First Annual Workers Gala 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. On Friday, May 12, the Michigan State AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute (WDI) hosted its first workers gala, bringing together business leaders, union members, legislators and government officials, along with WDI staff, program graduates and current students to celebrate the accomplishments and rapid growth of the institute and its programs, like Access for All and Women In Skilled Trades. “The individuals we are celebrating tonight truly embody the greatest Michigan success stories,” said Chong-Anna Canfora, WDI chief executive officer. “Our program participants, partners and staff are a powerhouse, working tirelessly every day to carry out our mission and build bright futures, not only for themselves, but for their communities and working people across Michigan.” Throughout the evening, WDI’s program participants were recognized for their achievements. Other honorees were legislative, labor and workforce allies who have been instrumental in WDI’s success and growth, including Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Susan Corbin, who was recognized with a Trailblazer Award. “On behalf of the entire LEO team, we are proud to be recognized for the critical partnership and work being done to make sure everyone has a path to rewarding careers and prosperity,” Corbin said. “The Michigan State AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute has played a key role in helping us expand opportunities for Michiganders, empowering and preparing them to achieve employment in high-demand, high-wage careers, ultimately helping to build a better Michigan.” WDI’s programs provide services to job seekers and employers throughout the state of Michigan and are a collaborative effort between the labor movement, businesses, and dedicated instructors and staff. By providing pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship and occupational skills training, as well as career exploration and job placement services for youth and adults, WDI has helped open up pathways to prosperity in the skilled trades for people across the state. WDI’s programs have served more than 60,000 Michigan job seekers since its incorporation in 1988. The gala was sponsored by the Michigan State AFL-CIO, a growing federation of 40 labor organizations, 18 central labor councils and eight constituency groups representing more than 1 million union members and their families. Many other supporters include LIUNA Training Michigan, Ironworkers Local 25, Operating Engineers Local 324, the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, and the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council. “It is impossible to overstate the importance of the work WDI does each and every day to empower the next generation of workers, open up paths to the middle class for working people and grow the skilled trades,” said Michigan State AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber. “Tonight’s celebration is truly a testament to our ability to change lives when the labor movement, job creators and our state government join forces. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/18/2023 - 10:27 — May 18
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Maria Teresa Hank Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Maria Teresa Hank 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 Maria Teresa Hank of Transport Workers Union (TWU). Maria Teresa Hank has been a Southwest Airlines flight attendant based in Las Vegas for 33 years. She is of Filipino and Hawaiian heritage. Hank graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is an elected TWU Local 556 shop steward. Hank fought for Nevada’s Kin Care Leave Law (AB 190) and worked to reform workers’ compensation to better help Local 556's membership. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/18/2023 - 10:14 — May 18
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Worker Power: In the States Roundup Worker Power: In the States Roundup It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on Twitter. Alabama AFL-CIO:
USW Local 351L celebrating it's 76th anniversary today. #1U #USW #Trailblazer pic.twitter.com/1UzZtrjY4x— Alabama AFL-CIO (@AlabamaAFLCIO) May 5, 2023
Alaska AFL-CIO:WORKER POWER 📢 💪 #1u https://t.co/CT6KlZ9ohE— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) May 16, 2023
Arizona AFL-CIO:📚🤝Introducing the Arizona AFL-CIO #LaborBookClub! Join us in building community and raising awareness about the labor movement. All are welcome to attend our monthly meetings and vote on our book selections. Click on the link to join⤵https://t.co/MjUJKVP5rc#1u pic.twitter.com/TrIiuUIkzx— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) May 10, 2023
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:A win for Julie Su is a win for women and workers all over this country. Let’s 👏get 👏it 👏done 👏 #StandWithSu https://t.co/u79pxEwlan pic.twitter.com/VCFPGV6KOd— California Labor Federation (@CaliforniaLabor) May 16, 2023
Colorado AFL-CIO:"Catastrophic" hazmat incident in Denver is "highly likely," new study shows #copols #coleg @jaredpolis @SteveFenberg @McCluskieforCO https://t.co/oJvn26UQ7Q— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) May 11, 2023
Connecticut AFL-CIO:Congratulations to the workers at Advanced Grow Labs for forming the first cannabis union in Connecticut! #1u #UnionYES @UFCW @ufcw919 https://t.co/ynSPU2qKrG— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) May 15, 2023
Georgia State AFL-CIO:The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia was founded in 2004. It aims to raise awareness of the challenges and discrimination facing people who identify as LGBT+#StandAgainstHate #1u #UVC #LoveNotHate #Solidarity #Georgia #Atlanta #Love#🏳️🌈#share pic.twitter.com/JGTwEt5tat— Georgia AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOGeorgia) May 17, 2023
Illinois AFL-CIO:Rockford United Labor spent the weekend planting flowers at Veterans Memorial Circle.They'll be out again next weekend to plant the roundabout at Auburn and Main beginning at 9am. Plants, tools, and coffee will be provided. pic.twitter.com/qk4OOAqCAn— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) May 16, 2023
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO:#Solidarity ✊ https://t.co/TDOtN9qDKf— Iowa AFL-CIO (@IowaAFLCIO) May 16, 2023
Maine AFL-CIO:LD 1756 strengthen our Constitutional right to Freedom of Association by prohibiting employers to force employees to attend captive audience meetings to be indoctrinated about unions, politics and religion. https://t.co/RKIgQlDCJk #mepolitics— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) May 15, 2023
Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO:Yesterday, Gov. Moore signed HB 2 which returns the right for MD workers to subtract union dues on their state income taxes. Thank you to everyone that helped make this day possible! pic.twitter.com/Gr2DXIRVyW— Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO (@MDDCStateFed) May 10, 2023
Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Congratulations to @UFCW1445 and @reiunionboston on your historic election! We will continue to stand with you as you negotiate a fair contract. #1u #mapoli https://t.co/oiSa7jW79R— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) May 17, 2023
Michigan State AFL-CIO:This Nurses Week, we're calling for the swift passage of the Safe Patient Care Act to put nurses and patient safety before profits. Read our official press release:https://t.co/mL8WNMpNZY— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) May 10, 2023
Minnesota AFL-CIO:Minnesota AFL-CIO celebrates groundbreaking Labor legislation heading to Governor Walz’s desk https://t.co/I9UZgGSRPZ #1u #mnleg pic.twitter.com/2C1MKtkYPv— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) May 17, 2023
Missouri AFL-CIO:When our #UnionFamily stands up to keep their livelihoods intact and their pay in line with their billionaire boss's, we stand up too. #1u #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/a3UULHQC3H— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) May 16, 2023
Nevada State AFL-CIO:We fully support #SB496. The construction of film studio infrastructure in our state will not only boost our economy, but create thousands of union jobs in our construction and service industries. Thank you to @rlange9 for bringing this legislation forward! pic.twitter.com/0WLurbTsmf— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) May 16, 2023
New Hampshire AFL-CIO:Thank you, to all of our Brothers and Sisters that have joined us today at the @NHAFLCIO Constitutional Convention. Our strength comes from your #Solidarity and our #Solidarity is our sanctuary. Let’s keep fighting for New Hampshire working families!#NHPolitics #1u pic.twitter.com/8QsxoYfgAC— New Hampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) May 6, 2023
New York State AFL-CIO:Anti-worker lobbyists and special interests are spending BIG to block Julie Su's confirmation because they know that she will fiercely defend working people. Sign this petition to show that you #StandWithSu: https://t.co/ZUqohXfi2Q pic.twitter.com/RFs4FJMuNg— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) May 16, 2023
North Carolina State AFL-CIO:We just signed @reiuniondurham's petition! Join us in supporting their campaign here: https://t.co/KWySeJhsLH #LetDurhamVote #1u— NC State AFL-CIO // #CountMeIn (@NCStateAFLCIO) May 9, 2023
North Dakota AFL-CIO:Letter: Take a moment to thank teachers and support professionals this week https://t.co/Gzt2DSMIoZ— North Dakota AFL-CIO (@NDAFLCIO) May 8, 2023
Ohio AFL-CIO:Every worker deserves the #DignityofWork. And a #union voice for a safe work environment. https://t.co/gmNTHg6P8u— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) May 16, 2023
Oregon AFL-CIO:We don't get paid when we don't show up for work, but apparently, @ORSenateGOP doesn't care about wasting our time and money on political grandstanding. #orpol #orleg pic.twitter.com/hjEMqKwQV4— Oregon AFSCME (@Oregon_AFSCME) May 15, 2023
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:Happy Mother's Day! 💕#UnionMoms #UnionStrong #UnionProud #1u #MothersDay pic.twitter.com/mPpBywKHxW— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) May 14, 2023
Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council:☎ Have you made a call to let Senators know that you #StandWithSu? Workers deserve a labor secretary who will fiercely defend us. Call 866-832-1560 or click below to sign the petition and ask our Senators to vote to confirm Julie Su! https://t.co/Dni8iIYOAL— Tennessee AFL-CIO (@tnaflcio) May 16, 2023
Texas AFL-CIO:Moments ago, the Texas Senate failed the working people of our state and passed HB 2127.They've displayed the lengths they will go to strip us of our hard-fought rights. Our solidarity has never been more important than now.Our fight isn’t over, it has just begun. #txlege— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) May 16, 2023
Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:Proud to support the @TAMWorkers and strongly urge @TacomaArtMuseum to honor the wishes of 80-plus percent of their employees and recognize the Union. #1u #UnionStrong https://t.co/wOxKHhoHsr— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) May 15, 2023
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/17/2023 - 13:50 — May 17 -
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Pa Luh Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Pa Luh 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 Pa Luh of the Heat and Frost Insulators (HFIU). Pa Luh has been an apprentice for four years and a model student and employee, often going well above and beyond requirements. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/17/2023 - 10:10 — May 17
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Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Los Angeles' Star Garden Dancers Become Nation's Only Unionized Strippers Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Los Angeles' Star Garden Dancers Become Nation's Only Unionized Strippers 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 a 15-month effort, dancers at the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood, California, have gained union recognition and become the nation’s only unionized strippers. "If you have been following our journey, then you know this has been a long, exhausting fight, which is why this victory is so sweet,” said Reagan, one of the Star Garden dancers. “We put everything we have into this campaign, and we were fortunate to have the support and solidarity from the club’s patrons, our allies and friends, the labor movement, and our union, Actors' Equity Association.” Lawyers representing the owners of the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar agreed to recognize the union and will meet with Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) across the bargaining table within 30 days to negotiate a first contract. The club also will reopen for business and bring back dancers who were dismissed last year. As a result of the settlement, the National Labor Relations Board will count the votes this week and is expected to certify Equity as the bargaining agent for Star Garden’s dancers. This also is a first for Equity: “Strippers are live entertainers. While some elements of their job are unique, they are essentially performance artists, and have a lot in common with other Equity members who dance for a living,” said Actors’ Equity Association President Kate Shindle. “Every worker who wants a union deserves a union. The Star Garden dancers have been absolute warriors throughout this long process, and I'm thrilled that we’ve won recognition of their rights to safety and democracy in the workplace and representation at the bargaining table.” Dancers at Star Garden and other strip clubs routinely have issues with health and safety as well as compensation, including wage theft. Like workers in other occupations, they want health insurance and other benefits. And probably more than most, they need protection from sexual harassment. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/17/2023 - 10:10 — May 17
AFL-CIO Blog
- Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute Holds First Annual Workers Gala
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Maria Teresa Hank
- Worker Power: In the States Roundup
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Pa Luh
- Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Los Angeles' Star Garden Dancers Become Nation's Only Unionized Strippers