News

COVID-19 Response - Expanding Unemployment Benefits

IN THIS EDITION:

  • Senate Passes Major Expansion of Unemployment for Workers Impacted by COVID-19
  • Sign up for Organizing Training - Organizing for Power: Coronovirus and Everything After
  • BIW Union Leaders Repeat Call for Actions to Protect Workers
  • Workers Turn Out for Online Racial Justice Workshop
  • Can You Provide Frontline Workers with Protective Gear?
  • Please Let Us Know Your Thoughts

Protecting Workers During the COVID-19 Crisis

IN THIS EDITION:

  • Unemployment Insurance Available to Workers Impacted By COVID-19 Crisis
  • Senate Passes Sick Leave Expansion, Cash Payments Likely Coming
  • Unions Demand BIW Close the Yard & Provide Pay for Its Workers During Closure
  • State Workers Call on State to Close Non-Essential Services
  • Helping Those in Need During the Crisis

Supporting Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

IN THIS EDITION:

  • Workers Discuss Need for Economic Security in Response to COVID 19 Pandemic
  • Pass the COVID-19 Worker Protection Act
  • Labor Events Canceled or Postponed Due to Coronavirus Concerns
  • Workers at the Kittery Water District Organize With IBEW 1837

The New Front-Line Coronavirus Workers: Grocery Clerks, Delivery Drivers

Much of the American workplace has shut down, sending millions of employees home to wait out the coronavirus pandemic.

An informational picket, a contract fight & an election victory

IN THIS EDITION:

  • IBEW 1837 Member Kevin O’Connell Wins Brewer House Seat!
  • Workers Join KVCAP Drivers in Demonstration for Fair Contract
  • Ellsworth Techs (MSNA) at Northern Light Hospital Authorize Strike
  • Union Members Support Bill to Strengthen Tax on Multimillionaires
  • Join Us for a pre-Labor Lobby Day Issue Briefing 

UNION MEMBER KEVIN O’CONNELL WINS BREWER HOUSE SEAT!

Congratulations to IBEW 1837 member Kevin O’Connell who overwhelmingly won election to a Brewer State House Seat this past Tuesday. Kevin defeated former Republican Rep. Garrel Craig, 1,403 to 1,017, according to the Bangor Daily News. Kevin is a first class lineworker at Emera Maine, a 24-year military veteran and former Brewer mayor. He has pledged to support workers' rights, fair wages and fully restoring revenue sharing to our cash-strapped towns and cities. We look forward to having another working class voice in Augusta!

Union Lobster, Vote Tuesday & the 1985 FMC Strike

IN THIS EDITION:

  • Lobstering Union Lands Coveted Fair Trade Certification
  • USPS to Hold Job Fair this Saturday
  • Don't Forget to Vote on Tuesday March 3!
  • Building Trades Support Funding for High Road Apprenticeships
  • 35th Anniversary of FMC Strike Highlights Need for PRO ACT

It’s Time for A Higher Minimum Wage in North Carolina

North Carolina workers need a raise. For 11 consecutive years, the cost of living (food, rent, education, childcare) has increased causing our minimum wage to decline in value by 24 percent. Now, a person working full-time while making $7.25 an hour lives thousands of dollars below the federal poverty threshold.

Kevin O'Connell & "Roughing the Uppers!"

IN THIS EDITION:

  • Maine AFL-CIO Endorses Kevin O’Connell in Brewer State House Race
  • Huhtamaki Workers Win Higher Wages & Better Benefits in New Contract
  • WMLC Screening "Roughing the Uppers" — 3/17
  • Time for a Clean Slate for Worker Power!
  • Join Our Labor Book Club!

Protecting the Postal Service, Right to Strike & More!

IN THIS EDITION:

  • House Votes to Protect the US Postal Service
  • Committee Passes Public Sector Right to Strike Bill
  • KVCAP Drivers Need Your Help!
  • “All Work And No Play” Exhibits Photos of Child Laborers in Maine
  • Wishing a Happy Retirement to John Martell (IAFF) & Dick Deering (IBEW)!

Trump’s $4.8 Trillion Budget Would Cut Safety Net Programs and Boost Defense

President Trump released a $4.8 trillion budget proposal on Monday that includes a familiar list of deep cuts to student loan assistance, affordable housing efforts, food stamps and Medicaid, reflecting Mr. Trump’s election-year effort to continue shrinking the federal safety net. The proposal, which is unlikely to be approved in its entirety by Congress, includes additional spending for the military, national defense and border enforcement, along with money for veterans, Mr.

'Victory for Workers!': House Praised for Passing Landmark PRO Act to Strengthen Unions and Labor Rights

Union leaders and labor rights advocates applauded the Democrat-controlled U.S. House for passing landmark legislation Thursday night that supporters have called one of the most notable efforts to expand workers' rights in several decades. "Make no mistake, this is the most significant step Congress has taken to strengthen labor laws in the United States in 85 years and a win for workers everywhere," said AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka, declaring the measure "the labor movement's number one legislative priority this year."