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.
Working People Respond to the Killing of George Floyd with Nationwide Protests: "In response to the killing of George Floyd and the protests across the country, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka (UMWA) said:
"My heart is heavy at the events of the past few days. I watched the video of George Floyd pleading for his life under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer. No person of conscience can hear Floyd’s cries for help and not understand that something is deeply wrong in America.
"What happened to George Floyd, what happened to Ahmaud Arbery, what happened to far too many unarmed people of color has happened for centuries. The difference is now we have cell phones. It’s there for all of us to see. And we can’t turn our heads and look away because we feel uncomfortable."
Economy Gains 2.5 Million Jobs in May; Unemployment Declines to 13.3%: "The U.S. economy gained 2.5 million jobs in May, and the unemployment rate declined 13.3%, according to figures released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The improvements reflect a limited resumption of economic activity that was previously curtailed because of the COVID-19 pandemic."
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Philadelphia's APRI Chapter Organizes Food Drive: "The Philadelphia chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) organized a food distribution for the suburbs of Collingdale and Darby Township, Pennsylvania. Community volunteers joined with members of APRI—including National Vice President Richard Womack (CWA) and chapter President Thelma Clements—to hand out food to some 300 people in need."
On the Road to Helping Union Families: "Driving two 26-foot trucks packed with food, members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 6 set out on the road to bring urgently needed food relief to union families in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They started their journey in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on May 26, loading up the trucks with thousands of pounds of union-made rolls, breads, cereals and snacks."
#MemorialDay2020: In the States Roundup: "It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states."
Labor Radio–Podcast Weekly: Immigrant Solidarity, Oral History and More: "The latest episode of the "Labor Radio–Podcast Weekly" features immigrant solidarity, oral history and more."
Save the News: Meet Andy Nguyen: "The NewsGuild-CWA member Andy Nguyen didn’t think he was going to lose his job when he received the email for the 'all-staff' meeting. But that is exactly what happened. Dozens of journalists got laid off, including him, because of the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic."
Chinese American UNITE HERE Member Shares Her COVID-19 Story: "This week we are lifting up Andee Huang, a laid-off Chinese American hotel worker from Boston and a member of UNITE HERE Local 26. She'd been working at the Westin Boston Waterfront for 13 years. Ever since she and all her co-workers lost their jobs in March, Huang has been helping other workers apply for unemployment, food assistance and other needs."
Service + Solidarity: Meet Jennifer Cody: "Jennifer Cody is an actress from New York and a member of the Actors' Equity. Her industry is 100% unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Broadway is closed for the indefinite future. Learn more about how dancers, singers and the rest of her community are affected during these dangerous times."
Maine AFL-CIO is Using All the Digital Tools in Its Toolbox to Help Workers: "With unprecedented numbers of Mainers out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic, the state’s labor movement is deploying digital tools in innovative ways to help workers who are being impacted by COVID-19. The Maine AFL-CIO is using a full range of online platforms to support those who are applying for unemployment insurance (UI) and pressure policymakers to fix the system."
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Mine Workers Stand with Navajo People: "During the COVID-19 pandemic, working people across the United States have stepped up to help out their friends, neighbors and communities. In our new Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of those stories every day. Here's today's story."
Why Domestic Workers Like Nicanora Montenegro Should Be Considered Essential Workers: "Nicanora Montenegro is a Filipina American in-home support services (IHSS) provider in San Diego and the district chair of United Domestic Workers of America (UDW)/AFSCME Local 3930. As an IHSS provider, she takes care of the most vulnerable folks in our community who are also the most at risk of COVID-19."