AFL-CIO Blog

  • Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Oscar Cerda
    Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Oscar Cerda Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Oscar Cerda of the Fire Fighters (IAFF). Oscar Cerda immigrated to the U.S. from Chile with his parents when he was 5 years old. Motivated by a desire to help his community, he became a volunteer firefighter at the age of 17 and later joined the U.S. Air Force, where he spent more than five years on active duty. He now serves as a firefighter at the Francis S. Gabreski Airport, a joint civil-military airport in Suffolk County, New York. Cerda and his union siblings in CSEA/AFSCME Local 1000 are proud to keep their communities safe. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 09/29/2023 - 13:47 — Sep 29
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles
    Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement.  Here are the profiles we've already featured throughout the month: Check back throughout the month for more. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 09/28/2023 - 10:30 — Sep 28
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Joaquín Rodríguez
    Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Joaquín Rodríguez Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Joaquín Rodríguez of the Seattle Education Association, an affiliate of the Washington State Labor Council. Joaquín Rodríguez is a fierce advocate for social change and breaking down systemic racism in public education. He is a member of the Seattle Education Association (SEA), which is affiliated with the Washington State Labor Council. Rodríguez worked as a high school science teacher before being elected to serve as director of SEA's Center for Racial and Social Justice (CRSJ). In his time as CRSJ director, he’s been a champion for educators of color. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 09/28/2023 - 09:53 — Sep 28
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Hospitality Workers Vote by 95% to Authorize Las Vegas Strip Strike
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Hospitality Workers Vote by 95% to Authorize Las Vegas Strip Strike 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. Members of Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, affiliates of UNITE HERE, voted by 95% on Tuesday to authorize a strike across the Las Vegas Strip. The negotiating committee is authorized to call for a strike at 22 casino resort properties operated by the three largest employers, MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts. The unions represent 60,000 hospitality workers in Nevada; 53,000 are based in Las Vegas and are in active negotiations with casino/hotel employers for a new five-year contract.  “Culinary and Bartenders Union members have sent the strongest message possible to the casino industry to settle a fair contract as soon as possible. We have negotiations scheduled next week with MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn/Encore Resorts and it’s up to the three largest employers in Las Vegas to step up and do the right thing,” said Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Workers Union. “If these gaming companies don’t come to an agreement, the workers have spoken and we will be ready to do whatever it takes—up to and including a strike. Workers brought every single one of these companies through the pandemic and into a great recovery, and workers deserve a fair share. Companies are doing extremely well and we are demanding that workers aren’t left behind.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 09/28/2023 - 09:48 — Sep 28
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Maria Camilo
    Hispanic Heritage Month Profiles: Maria Camilo Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Hispanics and Latinos have made to the labor movement. Today's profile features Maria Camilo of UNITE HERE. Maria Camilo works as a cashier for Sodexo at Colleges of the Fenway in Boston. She leads her co-workers in a campaign to win a great university food service contract and says: "With the union, our wages improved and we got great benefits. As a shop steward, I know that when I talk to my managers, I am their equal and I deserve respect." Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 09/27/2023 - 10:07 — Sep 27