Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.
National Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Henry L. 'Hank' Lacayo: "Throughout National Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling labor leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to our movement. Today's profile features Henry L. 'Hank' Lacayo."
FLOC Co-Hosts Black/Brown Unity Coalition Peace Rally: "On Saturday, members of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) co-hosted the Black/Brown Unity Coalition peace rally. At the end of 2017, the coalition came together and signed a historic code of conduct agreement with the Toledo Police Department that brought reform to the department and developed a community grievance mechanism."
ILA Secures Contractual Protections for Members Impacted by COVID-19: "Thousands of members of the Longshoremen (ILA) are set to benefit from an amendment to the union’s master contract with their employers at the United States Maritime Alliance Ltd. (USMX). ILA International President Harold Daggett told members in a letter sent last week that those covered under the union’s contract will not experience a loss of health care coverage because of any reduction in their 2020 work hours caused by COVID-19."
A Big Organizing Win in the South: Worker Wins: "Our latest roundup of worker wins begins with one of the largest hospital organizing victories in the South since 1975 and includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life."
Texas AFL-CIO Fights for the Right to Vote Safely: "Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, an anti-worker politician, is making a last-minute attempt to suppress votes ahead of unexpectedly competitive elections in the Lone Star State. With a month left to vote, Abbott signed an executive order on Thursday limiting each county to only one drop-off site for those voters who wish to turn in their ballots early. Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy (TSEU/CWA) responded, calling it an attempt to suppress the right to vote."
National Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Esther López: "Throughout National Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling labor leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have contributed to our movement. Today's profile features Esther López."
Economy Gains 661,000 Jobs in September; Unemployment Declines to 7.9%: "The U.S. economy gained 661,000 jobs in September, and the unemployment rate declined to 7.9%, according to figures released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The improvements reflect the continued resumption of economic activity that previously was curtailed because of the COVID-19 pandemic."
MM&P Backs COVID-19 Relief Funding for Maritime Security Program: "Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) thanked the House leadership and supports the new version of the HEROES Act, introduced in Congress earlier this week to provide COVID-19 relief. The legislative package includes emergency funding for the Maritime Security Program, which provides America’s military access to a variety of vessels, including privately owned U.S.-flag ships operated by members of MM&P and other U.S. maritime unions."
Poor People’s Campaign Marches on the Supreme Court: "The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, led 100 leaders of different faiths in a silent march from Capitol Hill to the Supreme Court to honor the lives of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Breonna Taylor, and to remind us all of the importance and urgency of voting. 'My brothers and sisters, I would rather not be here to render judgment on what’s going on. But I do know there comes a time when the men and women of God have to call it,' Barber explained."
Vote for Worker-Friendly Candidates: In the States Roundup: "It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states."
UWUA Helps America’s Veterans Transition to Good Jobs: "The Utility Workers’ (UWUA’s) Power for America Training Trust Fund (P4A) announced last week it is the recipient of a $200,000 Lumina Foundation grant to help service members successfully transition into post-military careers."