E-News: February 1, 2024
An updated Union Directory listing union goods and services in R.I. can be found on our website at www.RhodeIslandAFLCIO.org under the “Resources” tab.
Here is the direct link—-> Union Directory
AFL-CIO: Union Membership Grew by 139,000 in 2023, Thanks to Worker Wins
January 23, 2024
Today the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its annual report on union density. The report shows that union membership grew by 139,000 in 2023. Union membership in the private sector increased by 191,000 members, with a majority of new members under the age of 45. These numbers are a result of how more than 900,000 union members won double-digit wage increases through new contracts last year. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler released the following statement in response to the report:
Workers are fed up with low wages, few benefits, and a lack of dignity and respect on the job, which is precisely why more are interested in joining a union now than ever before. Although union density remained flat in 2023, that doesn’t reflect the surging momentum that working people have carried into this year. Waves of workers across industries and geography are joining unions despite vicious union-busting campaigns by large corporations.
Polling data shows that 71% of Americans support unions, the highest level in nearly 60 years, with 88% of young people showing support for unions. And as the BLS numbers show, the union difference in wages remains strong, driving increased interest among workers to have a voice on the job.
Every worker who wants to join a union should be able to without facing intimidation and harassment from their employer. Corporations spend more than $400 million per year on union-busting consultants to stop worker organizing, and corporate leaders like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos—themselves hoarding billions of dollars—have made it their mission in life to stop their own employees from having a voice at the workplace.
The labor movement is more focused and committed than ever on ensuring that every worker who wants a union has a fair shot at joining one. Organizing is happening at a rate not seen in generations, and new federal investments by the Biden administration in emerging sectors of the economy creates more opportunity for workers to attain good union jobs. The AFL-CIO’s Center for Transformational Organizing has become a hub for multiunion organizing strategy and investment in the clean energy and technology sectors as new jobs emerge over the next several years catalyzed by these federal funds. Working people are on the rise, and the progress we’re seeing now is just the beginning.
Contact: Liz Vlock, 202-637-5018
Check out the new book Power Lines Building a Labor–Climate Justice Movement from
@thenewpress featuring a chapter from our own Secretary-Treasurer Pat Crowley. Available for purchase February 6th!
LIUNA Twitter:
Together, we build strength. WE ARE LIUNA – a union of hardworking individuals dedicated to shaping a better future. #FeelthePower
Are you #IntheKnow?
RI Painters Union Twitter:
Last year we proudly gained over 3,000 active members across the US and Canada. Let’s keep up our momentum and continue growing and strengthening our union into the very best IUPAT we all know we can be!
GST Michael F. Sabitoni Twitter
Celebrating our 2nd class of Building Futures Inside–the apprenticeship program at RI’s adult corrections facility. After hands-on training and earning MC3 certificates, graduates have direct entry to Building Futures’ community-based pre-apprenticeship program. Congrats to all!
RI Painters Union Twitter:
Providence. Building Futures Alumni gathering IUPAT DC 11 crew.
Pre apprenticeship & the registered apprenticeship programs of the Building Trades transform people’s lives with a pathway to economic prosperity and family sustaining careers. The organized painters, tapers, glaziers & bridge painters of Rhode Island fight for working folk.
IBEW Local Union 99 Twitter:
In 2023 IBEW Local 99 donated 46 pints of blood helping up to 138 patients. let’s see if we can bring that number up for 2024. thank you everyone who donated.
We are excited to invite you to join us this weekend to support three labor union women from Rhode Island who will be representing our state and our labor movement at the National Democratic Convention this summer. We are collecting signatures for Autumn Guillotte, Erica Hammond, and Mary Murphy Walsh, so they can be elected as delegates to the Democratic Convention.
When: Friday, February 2 from 4-6pm
Where: IBEW Hall, 22 Amflex Dr., Cranston, RI
-OR-
When: Saturday, February 3 from 10am-12pm
Where: RI Democratic Party HQ, 100 Metro Center Blvd., Warwick
Please come if you live in Congressional District 2: Find more info here, bit.ly/2024RICD2
AFL-CIO:
Today marks the start of . The labor movement would not exist without the work of our Black union members & organizers. Today and every day, we celebrate the elders & ancestors before us & those fighting now for racial justice in the workplace and beyond.
AFL-CIO Facebook:
An anthem of picket lines, union rallies, and labor choirs everywhere, the song “Solidarity Forever” turned 109 years old this week. Set to the tune of “John Brown’s Body,” a popular Union marching song from the Civil War, musician Ralph Chaplin first crafted the lyrics over the course of several years in the mid-1910s, finalizing them on January 15, 1915.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
LEADERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE 2024 APPLICATION NOW OPEN!
Leadership for the Future is an organizing development program for current and emerging leaders that fosters diverse connections and relationships while providing participants with the skills necessary to “become the change they wish to see” in Rhode Island. With an extra emphasis on working class and labor advocacy, this is a must-attend program for any community organizer.
The 2024 Leadership for the Future program will start February 16th with an overnight weekend retreat and ten (10) Monday evening sessions. The Monday sessions will run from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM (including dinner) and will be held at the Institute for Labor Studies & Research (1540 Pontiac Ave, Suite-A, Cranston, RI 02920). Childcare and transportation will also be provided.
If you are interested and/or know someone else who would be please fill out and share the Application: https://bit.ly/lfaf-2024
If you have any questions, you can reach out to Haley De La Rosa at hdelarosa@riilsr.org or 401-463-9900 or Autumn Guillote at autumn@riaflcio.org 401-316-1359.
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United Way of RI: Free Tax Preparation
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For information about site locations and times, please dial 2-1-1.
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NEW EPISODE: WORKING SAFELY AFTER A DISASTER – RICOSH WEBINAR
Check out our latest Labor Vision episode featuring James Celenza, RICOSH Director, and Fred Malaby, CIH CSP, on Working Safely After a Disaster: Guidance for reducing risks of injury and illness during recovery after disasters. Watch to learn about the risks in our region, how to better prepare and better protect workers on the job.
Visit the link in our Instagram page bio or visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRsNTwbK9v8
Stay tuned for future Lunch & Learn Labor Vision episodes on:
- Guns
- Climate
- Childcare
- Reproductive Justice
- AI / Human Replacing Technology
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Twitter (@LaborVisionRI), and subscribe to our YouTube channel (LaborVisionTV1). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozCVwEfHII8 and you can always find us on our website at https://laborvisionri.org