Kenneth Quinnell

For Black History Month, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various African American leaders and activists who have worked at the intersection of civil and labor rights. On the latest edition of State of the Unions, we talk with Ken Rigmaiden, the president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT).

Next up in our new series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates is the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). The series will run weekly until we've covered all 55 of our affiliates.

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.

Work in the construction trades is very physically and mentally demanding. For some workers, those conditions combined with other factors can lead to the need for support from the community. The Painters are stepping up to provide that support for workers who are dealing with depression or substance abuse with IUPAT Helping Hand, a new program designed to raise awareness and provide resources for working people who are struggling.

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.