AFL-CIO Blog

  • Women's History Month Profiles: Geoconda Argüello-Kline
    Women's History Month Profiles: Geoconda Argüello-Kline This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Geoconda Argüello-Kline. Geoconda Argüello-Kline was raised in Managua, Nicaragua, and came to the United States as a political refugee in 1979. In 1983, she moved to the Las Vegas Valley and worked as a guest room attendant at the Fitzgeralds Hotel, where a difficult contract fight spurred her desire to obtain better working conditions and protect her family. She became involved in the Culinary Workers Union-UNITE HERE Local 226 as a negotiating committee leader and a picket line captain. In 1990, she joined the union’s staff and since then has held many positions and worked tirelessly for the working people of Nevada and beyond. Under Argüello-Kline’s leadership, no other organization in Nevada has done more to support working families during the COVID-19 pandemic than the Culinary Union. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 03/03/2021 - 09:30 Tags: Women's History Month — Mar 3
  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IUOE Local 49 Urges Investments in Minnesota’s Infrastructure
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: IUOE Local 49 Urges Investments in Minnesota’s Infrastructure Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. With an anticipated $1.6 billion budget surplus, state lawmakers in Minnesota are debating how to spend these extra funds. Members of the Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 49 are calling for the money to be invested in the state’s infrastructure. “An economic recovery, the likes of which we haven’t seen in some time, is at hand,” said Local 49 Business Manager Jason George. “Rebuilding our state’s infrastructure is the path forward that will lift all boats. This is something we hope both political parties will agree on.” Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 03/03/2021 - 08:30 Tags: COVID-19, Community Service — Mar 3
  • Record Number of Women Lead Rockford United Labor
    Record Number of Women Lead Rockford United Labor Rockford United Labor, a central labor council in Illinois that's affiliated with AFL-CIO, set a record for the most women to serve on the council's board in its 66-year history. Sara Dorner (AFSCME) made history as the first woman to hold the office of president for the council. Dorner just completed a term as vice president. Joining Dorner on the Rockford United Labor board are Sandra Patlan (AFSCME) and Christina Magee (Rockford Education Association-NEA). In addition to Dorner being the union's first woman president, Patlan is the first Latina elected to a leadership position at Rockford United Labor. Patlan is excited about the opportunities being in leadership opens up. She said: "Being part of this union is just like, it's a big door opening, not just for me but for others that can’t speak for themselves, whether it's in the workplace place or in the community." Check back throughout the month as we will be highlighting other local leaders and activists as part of our Women's History Month activities.  Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/02/2021 - 10:56 Tags: Women's History Month — Mar 2
  • Women's History Month Profiles: Denicia Montford Williams
    Women's History Month Profiles: Denicia Montford Williams This year, for Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Denicia Montford Williams As a vice president of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO, associate director of the state’s chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) and member of Pride At Work, Denicia Montford Williams (AFT) is a tireless advocate for LGBTQ rights and for racial justice in the state. She works as the program manager for the North Carolina APRI chapter. She also started a spinoff chapter of the Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition. Montford Williams leads a voter-registration drive in nine North Carolina counties, advocates for worker-friendly laws, and hosts workshops related to financial and physical health. She seeks to include LGBTQ people more into advocacy work. She recently was elected to the state AFL-CIO's board of directors, becoming the first openly LGBTQ director in the board's history. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/02/2021 - 09:32 Tags: Women's History Month — Mar 2
  • Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Western Region Solidarity: IUE-CWA Walmart Actions
    Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Western Region Solidarity: IUE-CWA Walmart Actions Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), state federations and central labor councils across the AFL-CIO Western Region held protests at Walmart in solidarity with more than 80 Ohio workers whose jobs producing Walmart’s “Made in America” light bulbs are being shipped to China. While Walmart boasts a public commitment to supporting American manufacturing, the producer of its store-brand LED light bulbs, GE-Savant LLC, recently announced it intends to move the product line to China for production, permanently laying off more than 80 workers. The Walmart brand light bulbs are currently made by IUE-CWA workers in Bucyrus, Ohio, one of the only residential lighting plants left in the United States; nearly all other residential light bulbs are now produced in China. In a show of increased public pressure for Walmart to stand up to its supplier and demand they keep manufacturing jobs for the retailer’s in-house “Made in America” LED light bulb line, we thank the Alaska AFL-CIO, Arizona AFL-CIO, Alameda Labor Council, Contra Costa Labor Council, Oregon AFL-CIO, South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council and the Washington State Labor Council for their organized actions. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 03/02/2021 - 08:30 Tags: Community Service, COVID-19 — Mar 2