By Anthony Shelton, BCTGM International President Every four years, American citizens have the opportunity to go to the polls to vote for the President of the United States. The ability to vote in a free and fair election is the foundation of a democratic society, and it is up to each and every one of us to participate in this important process. Sadly, close to half of eligible voters in the U.S. do not vote. One group...
Approximately 50 allies from Labor and other advocacy organizations rallied in New York City yesterday in support of BCTGM Local 390G workers on strike against International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) in Memphis, Tenn. The rally called attention to the strike, now in its fifth month, and urged the companyโs negotiators to return to the bargaining table. Among the crowd, which gathered in front of the companyโs headquarters at 521 W. 57th Street, were BCTGM International Secretary-Treasurer...
The International Union has always made the health and safety of its members its highest priority. The pandemic, and the increased focus on Americaโs workplaces, gives the Biden-Harris Administration a unique opportunity to begin a meaningful transformation of the American workplace into something healthier, safer, more sustainable and more productive.BCTGM members deserve a workplace where deaths, illness and injuries are reduced to their lowest levels possible. Workplaces with lower injury rates also have reduced medical...
BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton is part of a coalition of labor leaders who released the following statement today ahead of the Senateโs vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court: โAs the elected leaders of 27 unions and worker organizations collectively representing tens of millions of working people providing essential services across our great nation, we stand together in strong support for Judge Ketanji Brown Jacksonโs nomination to the United States Supreme...
On October 5, 1,400 BCTGM members at Kelloggโs cereal plants in Battle Creek, Mich. (Local 3G), Omaha, Neb. (Local 50G), Lancaster, Pa. (Local 374G) and Memphis, Tenn. (Local 252G) took a stand on the future of their workforce by going on STRIKE. Here are FIVE ways you can support them: 1) Sign Their Petition. Let the workers know you're with them! Add your name to their online pledge. 2) Join a picket line or drop off food/drinks/supplies. Here are the...
The BCTGM commends the passage of H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act. The legislation included an effective, comprehensive solution to the multiemployer pension funding crisis that would provide long-term solvency for pension funds, including the B&C Fund, with no cuts in benefits for participants. The BCTGM was actively involved in the effort to get this proposal included in the legislation, working closely with the AFL-CIO and other affiliates. The battle now...
The AFL-CIO has updated its resources page for workers affected by COVID-19.The new updates include new information on food-related security and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and resources provided by state federations and central labor councils, in addition to information about unemployment insurance in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It will be updated regularly with more resources and useful information. ...
There has been a lot of confusion about how seniors, retirees, people with disabilities, and veterans will receive the coronavirus stimulus checks they deserve. Seniors 62 and older who receive Social Security retirement benefits, including those affected by the windfall elimination provision (WEP) and government pension offset (GPO), individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, and railroad retirees will automatically receive a stimulus payment. Payments will come automatically to your bank if you receive benefits via...
Late last night, the Senate unanimously passed a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package. On its own, this bill will not be enough to revitalize our economy and keep people safe as the pandemic expands, but it is a step in the right direction. Congress will still need to act to protect workers. Through strong workplace protections and safety measures, we can continue doing our job and keep the rest of us healthy. Wins for workers in the...
Trade unions are key to making workplaces safer and healthier for all workers - however, often women's occupational health and safety is not given enough attention. The IUF has now publishedย a resourceย on integrating gender into workplace health and safety. This resource includes a brief outline of the problem, specific concerns raised by IUF affiliates, and proposals for action. It includes a briefing on do it yourself research including body and hazard mapping, and a...
Nearly 50 years ago, in 1970, Congress enacted the OSH Act, promising workers in this country the right to a safe job. More than 594,000 workers now can say their lives have been saved since the passage of the OSH Act. Since that time, workplace safety and health conditions have improved. But too many workers remain at serious risk of injury, illness or death as chemical plant explosions, major fires, construction collapses and other preventable...
Today marks Day 17 of the government shutdown, now tied for the second-longest ever, and yet no votes to reopen the government are scheduled in the Senate. The AFL-CIO has called on all senators to reject consideration of any bills or business unrelated to opening the government. Every day that the government remains closed, more than 800,000 federal employees in all 50 statesโfrom federal air marshals to Smithsonian cafeteria workersโgo without pay. The House of Representatives passed...
This is a blog post by AFL-CIOย Trade and Globalization Policy Specialist Celeste Drake So, you may have heard that the North American Free Trade Agreement has been renegotiated. Itโs definitely good that the three NAFTA countries (the United States, Canada and Mexico) are finally looking to change the NAFTA rules that have cost good jobs, made it harder to negotiate better wages, polluted our environment and generally left working people behind all across North America. But weโre...
In Memphis 50 years ago today, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while standing in solidarity with working people. King stood beside striking sanitation workers who proudly proclaimed, โI Am a Man.โ This week, the BCTGM was among thousands who marched through the streets of Memphis in solidarity with the thousands who marched for justice and dignity 50 years ago. Pictured here is the proud BCTGM delegation in front ofย AFSCMEย Local 1733, on Beale Street which was renamed...
"Activist, unionist, educator and hell raiser, we give thanks for the spirit, intelligence and passion Carolyn brought to everything she put her hand to. Like our foremothers Mother Jones, Olga Madar and Sojourner Truth, Her spirit marches on!โ - Elise Bryant, President, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) Carolyn Jacobson, longtime director of the International Union's Public Relations Department and a lifelong activist, died on March 23 after a courageous, two-year fight with cancer. She was 67...