Kenneth Quinnell

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.

Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) in New Jersey participated in a lobby day last Thursday to meet with their legislators and promote CWA’s legislative priorities. After attending a lobbying training, participants flooded the state legislature in Trenton and spoke with their representatives about the need to advance several pro-worker policies that would strengthen New Jersey’s working families, including the expansion of collective bargaining rights for local government and college workers, relief for local government workers from crushing health care premium increases and extension of the New Jersey Corporate Business Tax (CBT) surcharge. The members also attended various legislative committee hearings.

Approximately 6,000 members of the Machinists (IAM) Local 839 at Spirit AeroSystems voted to ratify an improved four-year contract. The IAM members went on strike on June 24 and will return to work on July 5. The new contract includes significant improvements over the previous offer—which was rejected—including wage increases, improved prescription drug coverage and better overtime rules. The IAM members work at the Spirit AeroSystems plant in Wichita, Kansas, manufacturing major aerostructures for companies such as Boeing and Airbus, as well as defense and business jets.

For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ union members who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Sierra Kriston of the Bricklayers (BAC).

For Pride Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various LGBTQ+ members who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States.