AFL-CIO Blog

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Emmelle Israel

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Emmelle Israel For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Emmelle Israel of the United Autoworkers (UAW). Emmelle Israel is a doctoral student at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Her research focuses on the historical and contemporary impact of labor unions and guilds in the media and entertainment industries, labor organizing in tech and digital media workplaces, and cultural representations of work, labor and unions in popular culture. Prior to studying at UCLA, Israel spent several years working as a communications specialist for unions and labor federations in the U.S. In her current studies, she seeks to pursue projects that build upon her past experiences in the labor movement and contribute to the larger body of scholarship that increases visibility and deepens understanding of working conditions and worker activism. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/18/2022 - 10:00 — May 18

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Union-Crewed Hospital Ship Sets Sail on Humanitarian Mission

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Union-Crewed Hospital Ship Sets Sail on Humanitarian Mission 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. The hospital ship USNS Mercy left San Diego on May 3 to join the Navy’s Pacific Partnership 2022 (PP22) mission with international partners. Members of the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA), Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) and Seafarers (SIU) work as civilian mariners aboard the vessel. The Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific region. The PP22 team will work with host nations and regional partners to provide medical care and exchange information related to disaster response throughout Oceania and the Western Pacific. Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/18/2022 - 09:36 — May 18

Take Action: Cancel Student Debt

Take Action: Cancel Student Debt After all the hardship we have endured during the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot ask working people to sacrifice even more. Sign the petition to tell the Biden administration: cancel student debt! Organized labor was built on the foundation of creating a pathway to the middle class for everyone. But skyrocketing student loan debt has become an insurmountable obstacle to achieving this goal. The Biden administration’s decision to continue to pause student debt has made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many borrowers. But these borrowers still live with the uncertainty of not knowing when to drastically alter their finances in order to begin repaying their loans. We call on the Biden administration to do its part to assist borrowers hampered by overwhelming debt. Sign the petition to say you support canceling student debt! Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/17/2022 - 11:40 — May 17

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Imran Ansari

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Imran Ansari For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Imran Ansari of the Electrical Workers (IBEW). Imran Ansari is the political director of the Long Island Fedration of Labor, the fourth largest central labor council of the AFL-CIO. He supports the officers and affiliate leadership in political matters, directs and manages mobilization efforts, and works to advance legislative efforts at all levels of government. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/17/2022 - 10:00 — May 17

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: ‘When Are We Going to Wake Up as a Society?’: UFCW Local 1 Demands Answers After Mass Shooting at Buffalo Grocery Store

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: ‘When Are We Going to Wake Up as a Society?’: UFCW Local 1 Demands Answers After Mass Shooting at Buffalo Grocery Store 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. Ten people were killed and three were injured at a Tops grocery store in Buffalo, New York, on Saturday in what police described as “a racially motivated hate crime.” The mass shooting took place in a predominantly Black neighborhood where four Tops workers were among the victims. United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1 represents dozens of employees at the store. The union is collaborating with Tops management to ensure all of its members receive the support they need. Local 1 President Frank DeRiso quickly responded to news of the worst mass shooting in Buffalo history. “It’s just terrible,” he told The Buffalo News. “And then, you know, you’re a customer, you go there to shop on a Saturday afternoon, never expecting that you’re not going to come home. It’s just senseless, it’s stupid. And something’s got to be done about it.” UFCW International President Marc Perrone issued this statement on Saturday. Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 05/17/2022 - 09:40 — May 17

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