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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Mohamad "Mike" Beydoun Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Mohamad "Mike" Beydoun 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 Mohamad "Mike" Beydoun of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). Mike Beydoun is a second-generation UAW member whose father immigrated from Lebanon. He has served on the UAW National Negotiating Committee. He is also president of Michigan APALA. Kenneth Quinnell Sun, 05/12/2024 - 10:19 — May 12
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Eunice How Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Eunice How 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 Eunice How of UNITE HERE. Eunice How's leadership has made Seattle the largest chapter of APALA. She is a lead community and political organizer with UNITE HERE Local 8, and also serves on the national executive board of APALA. She earned a bachelor's degree in public health with a minor in geography from the University of Washington, and organized with United Students Against Sweatshops and Jobs with Justice while in college. She is the proud daughter of Chinese Malaysians and was raised in Illinois and Singapore. She has also served on the leadership board of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum. Kenneth Quinnell Sat, 05/11/2024 - 10:19 — May 11
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SOLIDARITY ALERT: Save These Workers' Pensions SOLIDARITY ALERT: Save These Workers' Pensions Glass manufacturing workers at Gemtron in Vincennes, Indiana, make the glass that goes into refrigerators by Whirlpool, Sub-Zero and GE—huge brands used in restaurants and kitchens around the world. Unfortunately, these workers are on an unfair labor practices strike since management has been unilaterally attempting to eliminate their pensions. It’s the same story we see across the country—a story that workers are coming together to fight against. Gemtron was bought by SSW Advanced Technologies, and its CEO, Luis Liu, has refused to come to the table and acknowledge the union. These workers were handed a piece of paper informing them that their pension was to be eliminated. “I’ve got 28 days left,” explained Mike, one of the workers on strike. Will you write a letter to Gemtron CEO Luis Liu to ask him to come to the table and bargain in good faith? These workers have accepted years of concessionary contracts to protect their hard-earned retirements, and Gemtron has not met with them a single time. These are not hugely high-paying jobs. Send a letter now! The challenge in rural communities is that corporate CEOs think they can quietly gouge workers’ hard-earned benefits without much of a fuss. A car drives past Gemtron headquarters about every 10 minutes. That’s why we need your help to protect this hardworking community. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/10/2024 - 14:45 — May 10
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Maria Teresa Hank Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Maria Teresa Hank 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 Maria Teresa Hank of the Transport Workers Union (TWU). Maria Teresa Hank is an engaged union member who advocates tirelessly for workers' rights. As a Southwest flight attendant, Hank does not attend any meeting, action or rally without her “support your flight attendants” lanyards and giving anyone who will listen a quick background on why flight attendants deserve better protections. As a recent graduate of the Nevada State AFL-CIO candidate training program, she plans to run for office in a local capacity in 2026. She is of Filipino and Hawaiian descent. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/10/2024 - 10:19 — May 10
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Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IAM Members at Case New Holland Approve New Contract Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IAM Members at Case New Holland Approve New Contract Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. The Machinists (IAM) Local 2525 ratified a new contract with agricultural and construction equipment producer Case New Holland Industrial. The previous six-year contract expired on April 28, but the union and company agreed to extend the contract and continue negotiations up until this past Saturday. Workers at the Fargo, North Dakota, facility held fast on their demands for better compensation and improved benefits and safeguards for the well-being and livelihoods of all staff. Thanks to their endurance and the hard work of IAM’s negotiating team, the newly ratified agreement includes higher wages, retention of health care and pension benefits, and more time off. “Through their solidarity, IAM Local 2525 members have secured better wages and benefits, protected their economic stability, job security, as well as ensured the balance between work and life,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Their victory underscores the fundamental truth that when workers stand together, they can achieve remarkable outcomes, shaping a workplace that values their work and honors their dignity.” Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/10/2024 - 10:00 — May 10
AFL-CIO Blog
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Mohamad "Mike" Beydoun
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Eunice How
- SOLIDARITY ALERT: Save These Workers' Pensions
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profile: Maria Teresa Hank
- Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IAM Members at Case New Holland Approve New Contract