Kenneth Quinnell

The 45,000 Disney World workers made it clear to the big mouse that they won’t work for crumbs. After standing strong for eight months and rejecting Disney’s piecemeal proposal in February, the Services Trades Council Union (STCU) won a historic contract with an $18 minimum wage. Workers still must vote on the proposal, but if approved, the workers will immediately see a bump in pay to $17 an hour (the current minimum wage for those employees is $15). The minimum wage will rise to $18 by the end of 2023. Over the next three years, the wage will go up another $2.50 to $5.60 an hour.

Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.

April Sims, president of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, appeared on the KBTC/PBS program "Northwest Now," where she discussed young workers boosting union organizing, registered apprenticeship programs, non-compete contracts, how racial divisions are stoked to exploit the working class, and other topics. 

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.

On March 24, 32 leaders and staff from state federations, area labor federations and central labor councils completed three and a half days of sessions with the Leadership Intensive (LI). They discussed ways to strengthen organizations, to engage in political and legislative campaigns, to serve immigrant workers, and more. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler addressed the group—stressing innovation and boldness—and presented the pandemic-delayed 2021 cohort with their graduation certificates.