AFL-CIO Blog

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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: Alaska AFL-CIO: Arizona AFL-CIO: California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO: Colorado AFL-CIO: Connecticut AFL-CIO: Georgia State AFL-CIO: Illinois AFL-CIO: Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO: Maine AFL-CIO: Maryland State and D.C. AFL-CIO: Massachusetts AFL-CIO: Michigan State AFL-CIO: Minnesota AFL-CIO: Missouri AFL-CIO: Nevada State AFL-CIO: New Hampshire AFL-CIO: New York State AFL-CIO: North Carolina State AFL-CIO: North Dakota AFL-CIO: Ohio AFL-CIO: Oregon AFL-CIO: Pennsylvania AFL-CIO: Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council: Texas AFL-CIO: Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO: 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
  • 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