Leading up to the AFL-CIO convention in September 2013, the AFL-CIO is hosting a crucial conversation about the future of working people and of unions—in union halls and online at www.aflcio2013.org.

Rana Plaza, the Bangladesh factory that collapsed three weeks ago, killed more than 1,100 workers, many of them young women. This tragedy adds to the more than 1500 Bangladeshi workers killed in preventable fires and building collapses since 2005. Documents found at the factory show that the workers produced for big names in global retail revealing the link between poor workers in Bangladesh and major retail brands.Obviously, the government must improve local laws and their enforcement to stop these tragedies, but brands must also take responsibility for their supply chains. They must be held accountable to the tragedy that happened in their supply chain. Read more >>>

Marcus Hedger will have to wait even longer to get his job back if Senate Republicans continue to block President Obama’s bipartisan nominees to serve on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Call your senators toll free at 1-888-264-6154 and tell them to confirm the board nominations now. Hedger was illegally fired in 2010 from his pressman’s job at an Illinois printing company for his union activities on behalf of his fellow union members in the Graphic Communications Conference of the Teamsters. Last September, the full NLRB—two Democrats and one Republican, at the time—ruled he should get his job back with back pay. Read more >>>

Most voters agree that big corporations and the wealthy should start paying their fair share in taxes. But, of course, big corporations and the wealthy don’t want to do that. They want to pay less, and they are used to getting their way. So what do you do? Some people in Washington think the answer is a “grand bargain.” In a “grand bargain,” Republicans agree to stop protecting millionaires from having to pay a single penny more in taxes. In return, Democrats agree to cut Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare benefits. Read more >>>

Alameda Labor Council is hiring for the Political Director position Read more >>>

The partition that separates diners from the inner workings of the restaurant industry toppled for Saru Jayaraman shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Fekkak Mamdouh, one of the headwaiters of the restaurant housed on the top floor of the World Trade Center, approached Jayaraman seven months after the attacks. His former boss deemed him and his former crew “not experienced enough” to work in his new Times Square restaurant. Jayaraman, a 27-year-old organizer of immigrant women, took up the case to advocate for the displaced workers, organized protests and won—most of the workers were awarded the good jobs their former boss promised.

Jayaraman and Mamdouh formed Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United in April 2002 and were flooded with stories of workplace atrocities in New York City and, eventually, across the country. We spoke with Jayaraman earlier this month about her new book on the ills of the restaurant industry, Behind the Kitchen Door.

Castlewood workers have won their struggle for justice!

On February 13, the workers approved a great new contract that provides job security, affordable family health care, raises, and a substantial signing bonus.

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2013 Unionist of the Year Awards Dinner

Our Voice, Our Choice, Our Journey

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For Lapronda Eason and the other building service workers at the Smithsonian Museum of American History, the link to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.--who died in Memphis in 1968 advocating for the rights of city sanitation workers to form a union--is as real as the job they do every day.

 

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The time for immigration reform is now, says AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. This will be a focus for labor in 2013 as the country needs to create a common-sense immigration process with a road map to citizenship. Read more >>>

California Labor Federation places Oakland Airport non-union concessionaires on the statewide Do Not Patronize List.

Numerous workers employed by the non-union subtenants of HMS Host have raised concerns about violations of local, state and federal laws at their worksites in the airport.  Several of the subtenant employers have fired workers and reduced hours for others who have stood up for their rights.  Workers organizing to join UNITE HERE 2850 have spoken publicly at rallies at the airport, the Port Commission, and at our Delegates meetings.  

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Alameda Labor Council hosted a press conference with Representative Barbara Lee for the AFL-CIO National Day of Action on December 10, 2012.  Representative Lee joined us at the Eastmont Mall Social Security Administration Office, to stand with the AFL-CIO and working families in calling for an end to tax breaks for the top 2% and in saying "NO" to cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

 

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Walmart workers are making history. They recently went on an unprecedented strike, fighting retaliation from Walmart as they demand a better life for workers, communities and all of us impacted by the world’s largest company and private employer. And now they will be taking action again.

Will you stand with them?

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On behalf of the Alameda Labor Council, we have been informed that UFCW 5 has reached a tentative agreement with management. The solidarity our labor movement showed to support UFCW grocery workers was outstanding and just like the outcome of the general elections, only proves how much stronger we are fighting together. !Si Se Puede! Josie Camacho, Executive Secretary-Treasurer Alameda Labor Council.

Please read UFCW Local 5 President Ron Lind's statement

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The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 125 is on strike against Hostess Colombo Read more >>>

Subject: Seniors Celebrate Social Security's Birthday; Romney-Ryan Plan to Cut It

 

Speak Up! Write a letter to your editor!

Today, Social Security celebrates its 77th anniversary. Alliance members across the country are holding rallies and grassroots events to meet with their elected officials to discuss the needs of current and future retirees. Click headline to read more...

Sponsored by President Miley, the SMDO passed with flying colors at Tuesday's (7/10/12) Board of Supervisors meeting.

The ordinance requires drug manufacturers to provide a medication take-back program, just like they already do in other countries including Canada, Spain and France.
Currently no mandatory state or federal program exists to safely collect unwanted drugs and to properly dispose of them. This first-in-the-nation ordinance requires drug producers to dispose of unwanted household medications.
Manufactures and producers of drugs would be required to finance and operate the collection of unwanted prescription medications for proper disposal and pay for all costs associated with complying with this ordinance.
 

The Oakland City Council voted 7-0 (one abstention) last night to move forward with the redevelopment of the old Oakland Army Base, bringing thousands of quality construction and warehouse/operations jobs to Oakland’s hardest-hit communities. Please click the headline to read more...

The 2013 Fight United Leadership Academy trains members in the skills and abilities to organize a contract fight and win.  Don't miss this one-day training on Saturday, April 20 from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the Alameda Labor Council.

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Alameda Labor Council is holding it's annual Campaign School Event, click headline for more details.

UPDATED GOTV SCHEDULE! As a union and community member, your voice counts. That’s why it’s important that we take action and elect local candidates who will champion working families on November 8th and for Oakland voters, by November 15th. Click the headline for a list of the Alameda Labor Council's endorsements for the 2011 fall elections.

With thousands of jobs and millions of public dollars at stake in the Oakland Army Base project, the Revive Oakland! coalition is calling on developers to sign a contract with the community to make sure the project creates good jobs for Oaklanders.

Interested in becoming a Labor Council Delegate? Ask your union about how to get involved. Your union has recently received our Annual Report, which includes an updated roster of Delegates and information about how Delegates serve. 
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The Alameda Labor Council serves as an umbrella organization coordinating political, community, and educational programs for more than 100 unions. We represent 100,000 workers like yourself in healthcare, transportation, education, construction, manufacturing, and service. Click headline to download our handbook so you can learn more about how we serve the labor community.