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News Archive

February 2006
Two Unions Withdraw from Building and Construction Trades Department
America’s Elderly, Low-Income, Suffer Most Under Bush Budget
More U.S. Workers Unemployed than Government Statistics Show
Two More Coal Miners Die; Bush Mine Appointee Rejects Stronger Safety Rules
Republican-Backed Budget Bill Bashes Working Families
Bush’s State of the Union Ignores Working People’s Needs
January 2006
Global Union Leaders Call for More High-Paying Jobs
Bush Mine Nominee Says Safety Rules Don’t Need Fixing
Shirley Temple Black, Philip Seymour Hoffman Among SAG Honorees
Union Safety Experts Allowed in Sago Mine After Company Bars Them
Striking NYU Students Vow to Hold the Line
Draconian Rules for Defense Department Workers Delayed
UAW: Ford Job Cuts ‘Didn’t Have To Happen’
‘Long Overdue CEO Pay Reform Plan Not Enough’
AFL-CIO President Sweeney: What if Bush Told the Truth About the Economy?
AFL-CIO King Day Celebration Focuses on Katrina Survivors
Report: Wal-Mart Drains Tax Dollars from Local Communities
Maryland First State to Make Corporations Pay Their Fair Share
Kentucky Workers Fight Attack on Their Paychecks
Unions Seek Protection for Front-Line Workers in Case of Flu Pandemic
Alito's Supreme Court Nomination: A Grave Threat to Working Families
Mine Tragedy Raises Questions About Bush Administration’s Lack of Safety Enforcement
AFL-CIO Launches Fair Share Health Care Campaign in 33 States
President Bush Delivers a ‘Stunning Blow’ to America’s Steel Pipe Workers
The New York Times Notes AFL-CIO Push for Higher Minimum Wage
December 2005
Congress, Cheney to Working Families: Bah, Humbug
Majority of Americans Say Nation Is on the Wrong Track
Workers Across the Globe Call for Freedom to Form Unions
Congress: The Grinch that Stole the Holidays?
Republican-Led House Hands Middle Class the Tax Bill—Again
Bakery Workers’ Struggle Shows Why U.S. Labor Law Must Change
New Reports on CEO Pay: How High Is Too High?
From White House to California, Workers Call For Freedom to Form Unions
Nobel Peace Laureates: The Right to Form Unions ‘Is Vital’
Workers Campaign Worldwide to Restore Freedom to Form Unions
Dec. 10 Events Nationwide: Grinches, Caroling and Candlelight Vigils
November 2005
Federal Employees Gain Ground Against Unfair Bush Rules
Unions Call Delphi Contract Offer ‘Ridiculous’
Congressional Leaders Muscle Through Spending Cuts for Working Family Programs
AFL-CIO ‘Ready to Roll’ on Solidarity Charters
Report Spotlights Wal-Mart’s Anti-Union Tactics
Labor Researchers: Bush Policies Perpetuate Black Poverty
Hill Leaders Fail to Muster Votes for Budget Cuts, Tax Breaks for the Rich
Working Families Win in Elections Across the Nation
Minneapolis Workers Get a Living Wage Increase
Wal-Mart: Shoppers’ Bargain, Workers’ Hell
‘Labor Laws No Longer Protect Workers’ Rights’
Illinois Unions Help Win ‘All Kids’ Health Care
October 2005
Working Families Demand Voice in Rebuilding Louisiana
Wal-Mart to Employees: Only the Healthiest Need Apply
Workers Win Fair Wages as Bush Backs off Davis-Bacon Suspension
Dec. 10 Mobilization: Largest-Ever for Workers’ Rights
America’s Middle Class at Risk—Here’s Why
Republicans in Senate Vote Against Minimum Wage Workers—Again
Gulf Coast Families Struggle While Millionaires Get Massive Tax Giveaway
Union Members Help Survivors in Pakistan, Guatemala
California Workers Mobilize to Beat Back Schwarzenegger’s Attacks
Union Volunteers Provide Hurricane Survivors with Hands-On Support
Judge Stops Bush Effort to Eliminate Federal Workers’ Rights
Pay Raise Scorecard: Congress 8, Minimum Wage Workers 0
AFL-CIO Union Community Fund Tops $500,000 Goal in Less Than a Month
September 2005
82,000 Caregivers Approve Major Pact with Kaiser
Unemployment Help? Not Much for Gulf Coast Survivors
AFL-CIO Calls for 'New Direction'
Gulf Coast Union Leaders Demand Decent Pay for Workers
AFL-CIO Opens Worker Centers in Hard-Hit Gulf States
Fewer Employers Offer Health Coverage as Costs Continue to Rise
Bush Hurricane Recovery Plan: Say One Thing, Do the Opposite
Union Movement Outlines Steps Needed in Wake of Hurricane
Public Employees: A Professional On-the-Ground Response to Hurricane Katrina
Bush Buddies Get No-Bid Contracts While Workers Get the Shaft
Bush Uses Disaster to Ram Through Low-Wage Work
Coalition of Union Members, Community Activists Defeat Wal-Mart in Boston
Seniors Tell Lawmakers: Protect Social Security
Union Hurricane Relief News Briefs
States Risk ‘Brain Drain’ When Pay Freezes Never Thaw
Union Label Week Spotlights Quality Goods and Services
Roberts’ ‘Troubling’ Record Demands Extensive Questioning of Chief Justice Nominee
AFL-CIO Report: Immigrant Workers at Risk
August 2005
NYU Graduate Student Employees: University Is Union-Buster
Labor in the Pulpits: ‘Remembering the God-Given Dignity of Work’
This Labor Day, America’s Workers Worry About Their Future
World’s Workers Celebrate 25 Years of Solidarnosc
AFL-CIO Rolls Out Solidarity Charter Program to Reunite Local Labor Movements
No Child Left Behind Law Doesn’t Work for Children
Union Member Help Turn the Tide Against Shipyard Closing
Workers from Around the World Discuss Global Challenges
Labor Day 2005: Union Activists Launch Week of Online Action
Americans’ Health Care Debts Grow—Even for the Insured
Unions Worldwide Mobilize Support for Gate Gourmet Workers in Britain
AFL-CIO State and Local Leaders Applaud Solidarity Charters
Workers Lose Wages While Big Business Gains
Poll: Public Backs Social Security Now More Than Ever
Court Strikes Down Bush Attack on Homeland Security Workers' Rights
Building Trades Pledge to Go Forward While Seeking Unity
CAFTA Will Kill U.S. Textile Jobs, Study Shows
In a Big Brother Ruling, NLRB Says Workers Can Be Banned from Interacting Outside the Workplace
Working Families Win State-Level Victories
Studies: CAFTA, Exporting Jobs, Hurt Economy
July 2005
‘We Are Strong. We Are Ready to Make America Work for Working Families’
Winning for America’s Workers: Sweeney, Trumka, Chavez-Thompson Set to Lead
AFL-CIO Convention Takes on Wal-Mart, Global Economy
Delegates Praise Historic AFL-CIO Vote Calling for Rapid Withdrawal from Iraq
WORKING AMERICA: ‘A Great Opportunity to Be Heard’
New Energy, New Vision and New Strength: AFL-CIO Delegates Approve Far-Reaching Resolutions to Carry the Union Movement Forward
AFL-CIO Delegates Approve Bold Steps for Strategic Organizing
Taking First Steps to New Union Movement
Sweeney Revs Up Convention with Call to Work for Working Families
Standing Up for the Union Movement’s Core Values
Building a Union Movement that Reflects its Membership
2,000 Rally in Support of Sweeney Team
Unions Must Commit to Change to Organize
ILCA Honors Union Communicators
Unions Need Year-Round Commitment to Diversity
AFL-CIO Summit on Diversity: Unions Must Do More
Executive Council Proposes Mergers, Industry Coordinating Committees
New Jersey the Latest State to Ensure Workers Have Freedom to Form Unions
Tom Frank: Unions Must Return National Debate Back Jobs, Wages
AFL-CIO Convention Will Chart Future of Union Movement
AFL-CIO Launches TV Ads to Stop CAFTA
AFL-CIO Launches New Website
200 Workers at Quebecor Win a Union Voice
Workers Protest Assault on Federal Employees’ Rights
Unions Back Shield Law for Reporters
Battle to Stop CAFTA Moves to the House
June 2005
New Jersey Set to Expand Workers’ Freedom to Choose a Union
123 Students Graduate from National Labor College
Workers Rev Up Drive to Stop CAFTA as Treaty Goes to Congress
Bill Would Address Health Care Cost-Shifting by Corporations
Union Organizers Get Creative
Union-Backed Coalition Seeks Workplace Protections for Immigrants
Central American Legislators Urge Congress to Reject CAFTA
Iraqi Unionists Rebuilding Devastated Union Movement
Health Care for Uninsured Costs $922 for Each Worker with Health Coverage
New Report: Workers Seeking Unions Denied Fundamental Democratic Rights
Senate Confirms Extremist Judge Who Will Decide Many Cases Affecting Workers
CAFTA: A Bad Deal For Farmers
Study: Living Wage Doesn’t Cost Jobs
May 2005
Working Family Rights Threatened by Janice Rogers Brown Nomination to Federal Court
Study: Public School Students Top Private Students in Math Tests
Working Family Rights Threatened by Janice Rogers Brown Nomination to Federal Court
New Bill Would Aid Millions of Workers Who Can't Get by on Minimum Wage
Workers, Clients Tell Schwab to ‘Stop the Double Talk’ on Social Security
Republicans Set to End Run Senate Rules to Approve Extremist Judges
America’s Employees Working Harder For Less Pay
New Jersey Law: Taxpayers Won’t Fund Job Exports
Republicans Set to End Run Senate Rules to Approve Extremist Judges
Workers Tell Congress: ‘Yes’ to Good Jobs, ‘No’ to CAFTA
Letter Carriers Will Pick Up Food Donations May 14
Wal-Mart Exec’s Comments Slap in the Face for U.S. Workers
Increase in Job Demands and Work Hours Leads to Dangers at Work
Increase in Job Demands and Work Hours Leads to Dangers at Work
Unions Fight Bush Administration Efforts to Attack Family Medical Leave
Industrial Union Council Meets to Discuss Jobs, Trade, Social Security
Bush Plan Could Eliminate Middle Class’ Social Security Benefits
April 2005
Workers Memorial Day Set to Honor 56,000 Killed and Millions Injured at Work Each Year
Workers Join Lawmakers in Launching Employee Free Choice Act
Thousands Rally to Protect Social Security as Support for Privatization Plan Plummets
Women’s Pay Gap Costs Families $200 Billion Each
National Day of Unity Set to Stop Social Security Privatization
Building Trades Conference Spotlights Jobs, Organizing, Politics
Student Fight for Workers’ Rights Spreads Nationwide
Reject Flawed CAFTA, Union Leaders Tell Congress
AFL-CIO Executive PayWatch: Shareholders Fight to Curb Runaway CEO Pay
Senate Considers ‘Nuclear Option’ to Ram Through Bush’s Extremist Judicial Nominees
Chinese Currency Law Could Save U.S. Jobs
Activists Spotlight Wal-Mart?s Role as Corporate Bad Actor
Workers to Wall Street: Don’t Destroy Social Security
Pope John Paul II: Champion of Workers' Rights
New Report: CAFTA Weakens Workers’ Rights
Find out How You Can Take Part in Union Research Summer School: Registration Deadline Is May 2
March 2005
Corporations Score Big on Capitol Hill at Working Families’ Expense
Social Security Report Shows No Need For ‘Reckless’ Privatization Scheme
Working Families Mobilizing to Stop Central American Trade Deal
Working Families Launch National Day of Action for Retirement Security
New Defense Department Workforce Rules ‘Threaten National Security’
‘Truth Truck’ to Deliver 1 Million Messages Opposing Social Security Privatization
Report: Security Privatization Would Hurt Older Workers
Unions Strategize to Meet Needs of High-Tech Professionals
Working Women Spotlight Wage Gap, Retirement Security
Senate Votes Against Pay Raise for Minimum Wage Workers
AFL-CIO Executive Council Meeting Recommends Strategic Organizing, Political Action Plans
Most Americans Oppose U.S.–Central American Trade Deal
February 2005
Big Business Group to Spend Millions Pushing Extremist Judicial Nominees
Strengthening Social Security—Key Goal of Latinos and Union Movement
U.S. Inspector General to Investigate Labor Department Deal with Wal-Mart
‘Sisters of ’77’ Documents First National Women’s Conference
Workers Fighting Bush Plan to Derail Amtrak
Workers Challenge Wal-Mart Canada Store Closure
Defense Department Publishes Plan to Eliminate Employees’ Rights
Investors Protest Financial Firm’s Support for Privatizing Social Security
Bush Budget Punishes America’s Workers and Veterans to Save Tax Breaks for Millionaires
Workers Protest Defense Department Move to Gut Civil Service
Workers Would Lose up to $152,000 if Social Security Is Privatized
Report: Women Lose Big Under Social Security Privatization
January 2005
Bush Administration Pressures Social Security Workers To Sell Privatization
Bush Administration Moves to Gut Civil Service System
Activists Take Aim at Poverty, Global Economy
Report: Meat and Poultry Workers Often Risk Their Lives on the Job
‘Women Deserve Same Social Security Benefits as Men’
Unions Honor King by Building Political Power
Two Republican Governors Rescind Workers’ Contracts, Bargaining Rights
Report: Global Effort Needed to Gain Chinese Workers’ Rights
Labor Council Sets up Aid for Mudslide Victims
Nurses Strike for Better Patient Care
White House: Cut Social Security Benefits
Bush, Republican Allies Prepare New Attack on Workers’ Overtime Pay
Union Members Aid Tsunami Victims
December 2004
Utility Workers’ Operation Family Reunion Joins Wounded Soldiers with Families
Grinch of the Year: Wal-Mart
Union Activists: Protect Social Security—Not Tax Cuts for the Rich
Massive U.S. Trade Deficit Undercuts U.S. Workers
Union-Busting 101 in South Carolina
Cast Your Ballot for Corporate Grinch of the Year
Dec. 10: Workers Highlight the Freedom to Form Unions
Unions Spearhead Worker Training Investments
November 2004
Report: Public Schools Make the Grade, Charter Schools Falter
Employers Suspend Lockout of San Francisco Hotel Workers
Bush, Congressional Republicans Kill Overtime Pay Protection
Jobless Figures Hide Record Long-Term Unemployment
City of Los Angeles, Consumers, Get Set for Sweat-Free Holidays
Mail Workers Honored with Online Exhibit
AFL-CIO President Sweeney: A Letter to America’s Working Families
Survey: Union Members Backed Kerry
Nationwide Mobilization Wraps Up as Union Volunteers Get Out the Vote
Atlantic City Casino Workers Win Strong Tentative Contract.
October 2004
Lack of Paid Sick Leave Compounds Flu Vaccine Disaster
Springsteen, Sweeney, Kick Off Weekend GOTV Push
Ohio Rally Highlights U.S. Voting Rights at Risk
Middle-Class Incomes Decline Since Bush Tax-Giveaway to Wealthy
Corporations Doubled the Number of Jobs Sent Overseas in Three Years
Report Blasts Bush’s Failed Civil Rights Record
Working Families Front and Center in Kerry’s Plan for America
Congress Votes Sixth Time to Protect Overtime Pay
At Town Hall Debate, Kerry Offers Vision of Hope
Bush Promise to Create Jobs Falls Short by Nearly 7 Million
Edwards Charts Vision For Stronger America
Congress Sends Bill to Floor with No Overtime Pay Protections
New AFL-CIO Website Shows How Consumers Pay the Price at Wal-Mart
First Debate Demonstrates Kerry’s Strong Leadership
September 2004
Workers Nationwide Protest Bush’s Overtime Pay Take-Away
Under Bush Social Security Plan, Wall Street Gains, Retirees Lose
Unions Go to Court to Protect Florida Voting Rights
Workers Line Up For Good Jobs in Miami Before Tonight’s Debate
U.S. Corporations That Pay No Taxes Still Get Tax Breaks
Thousands of Hotel Workers Poised to Strike for Health Care
WORKING AMERICA’s Job Tracker Exposes Companies That Export Jobs
Sept. 18: National Run Against Bush Day
Auto Unions Help ‘Green Up’ America
House Votes to Protect Overtime Pay
Unions File Case: China’s Currency Policies Cost U.S. Jobs
Social Security at Risk in a Bush Second Term
America’s Workers Not Better Off than Three Years Ago
Labor Day 2004: Workers Tell Politicians to Support Good Jobs, Affordable Health Care
10 Million U.S. Workers Still Unemployed
AFL-CIO Report: America’s Workers Working Hard but Falling Behind
While Bush Talks, 15,000 Union Members Walk
40,000 Union Activists in NYC Protest Bush Policies
August 2004
U.S. Poverty, Lack of Health Coverage Increase Dramatically
Union Members Come to the Aid of Hurricane Charley Victims
Unions Join with Coalition to Ensure Fair Play for Olympic Sportswear Workers
Workers Protest Nationwide as Bush Takes Away Their Overtime Pay Protections
More than 3,000 America West Workers Choose Teamsters
Charter Schools Trail Public Schools in Student Achievement
Bush Tax Cuts, Trade Deficits Slam Middle Class
Bush Policies Encourage Companies to Send U.S. Jobs Overseas
John Edwards: A Kerry Administration Will Fight for Good Jobs
New Jobs Data Show U.S. Economy Hasn’t Turned a Corner
Bush Attacks Overtime Pay and the 40-Hour Workweek—Again
New Data Show Many Working Families’ Incomes Declining
July 2004
AFL-CIO President Sweeney Tells DNC: Working People Choose John Kerry
Union Delegates at DNC Speak Out on Jobs, Health Care, Freedom to Form Unions
House Leaders Stall Vote to Protect Workers’ Overtime Pay
Bush’s Labor Board Denies Graduate Employees of Rights as Workers
Survey: Soaring Health Care Costs Obliterate Small Salary Increase for Teachers
Union Delegates Take Working Family Issues to Boston
New Reports: Bush Rules Could Cost 6 Million Overtime Pay and Harm Working Families
Clock Ticking for Workers on Bush’s Overtime Pay Take-Away
John Edwards: ‘A Champion for Middle-Class Americans’
Kerry’s Stand in Boston Continues Long Support for Union Members
June 2004
Union-Backed Paid Family Leave Law in Effect July 1
This Fourth of July, Workers Fight for the Freedom to Form Unions
John Kerry Picks Sen. John Edwards as Running Mate
Report: Comcast Drives Down Wages, Bullies Workers
America’s Workers Call for Health Care Reform
Bush’s Labor Board Moves to Restrict Workers’ Rights
Taxpayer Dollars Subsidize Outsourcing Homeland Security Uniforms
82 Million in U.S. Lacked Health Coverage for All or Part of 2002–2003
Record U.S. Trade Deficit Undercuts American Jobs
Thousands of Volunteers Go Door to Door to Educate Union Members
Long Years of Work Yield Lower Earnings for Women Than for Men
United States Cited as Violator of Workers’ Freedom to Form Unions
Global Autoworkers Fight for Their Fair Share
Workers Still Face Long-Term Jobless Crisis
Working Women’s Top Concerns: Jobs and Health Care
May 2004
Bush’s CAFTA Deal a ‘Disaster’ for U.S. and Central American Workers
Worker Safety Is a Casualty of ‘Special Interest Takeover’
Employees Win Tentative Contract at SBC Communications
Report: Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Wal-Mart
Bush Overtime Regulations Threaten Police, Nurses
SBC Workers Strike for Job Security and Health Care
50 Years After Brown v. Board of Education, Report Shows Segregation Increasing
New Legislation Moves Toward SOLVE-ing Immigration Crisis
House Republicans Refuse to Allow Debate or Vote on Overtime Pay Rules
On May 8, Help the Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger
Senate Takes First Step to Block Bush Overtime Pay Take-Away
April 2004
Bush Team Rejection of China Petition Insults Workers
Few Options for Lower Income Working Parents Who Need Family Leave
Workers Memorial Day: Honoring Workers Killed or Injured on the Job
Administration Refuses Workers’ Overtime Pay Guarantee
Bush Takes Away Overtime Pay for Many U.S. Workers
On Equal Pay Day 2004, U.S. Working Women Still Paid Far Less than Men
Report: Policy Changes Could Stop Manufacturing Job Loss
AFL-CIO Executive PayWatch: Chummy Corporate Boards Boost CEO Pay
Los Angeles Schools Take a Stand Against Sweatshop Labor
Jobs Crisis Continues for Working Families
March 2004
Bush Supports New Tax Breaks for Companies that Ship Jobs Overseas
Show Us the Jobs™ Tour Arrives in Washington, D.C.
Bush Takes Next Step in Overtime Pay Grab
America Speaks Out: Show Us the Jobs!
Bush Officials Make Misleading Claims About Health of Social Security, Medicare
Senate Republicans Pull Bill That Would Have Stopped Bush's Overtime Pay Take-Away
Show Us the Jobs™ Tour Visits Jobless Hometowns
Bush–Cheney Election Merchandise: Made in Burma?
Show Us the Jobs™ Tour Hits the Road
When China Represses Workers’ Rights, U.S. Workers Lose Jobs
When China Represses Workers’ Rights, U.S. Workers Lose Jobs
Show Us the Jobs™ Tour Set for Kickoff
Bush Choice for Manufacturing Post Withdraws; Had Shipped U.S. Jobs to China
Show Us the Jobs™ Tour Spotlights Nation’s Jobs Crisis
Down to the Wire: The Fight to Save Overtime Pay