Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council

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President Biden Issues Strong Defense of Worker Rights

Biden Issues Strong Defense of Workers' Right to Organize

In a statement last night, President Biden issued an unprecedented call to action for working people across the country to ex

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In Memoriam: AFL-CIO President Emeritus John J. Sweeney

John J. Sweeney (1934-2021), AFL-CIO President Emeritus

John Sweeney, who led an era of transformative change in America’s labor movement, passed away Feb. 1 at the age of 86.

Recent News

USW Member Uses Union Plus Legal Program To Stand Up for Workers' Rights

Union Plus on Thursday, April 8 - 2:59pm

Lisa Pedersen of Revere, Massachusetts, has been a United Steelworkers (USW) member for 34 years. As “the first girl in [her] area” when she started as a gas leak investigator and repair person for the National Grid, Pedersen is used to being a leader. She is now a “working leader” at the National Grid, and her union loyalty and leadership instincts have particularly shone during the past couple of years.

New Poll: 77% of Americans Support Amazon Union Drive

Admin on Monday, April 5 - 5:40pm

Today, the AFL-CIO and GBAO released a nationwide poll of registered voters that found more than three-quarters of Americans support workers’ efforts to organize a union at the Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama. The findings come days after voting closed in the organizing drive and demonstrate a significant rise in public support.

AFL-CIO Collaboration Develops Target Date CIT Funds for DC Plans

401K Specialist on Wednesday, March 24 - 6:21pm

“This suite of target date CIT funds is a welcome addition to the lineup of financial products which carry the AFL-CIO name,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “Defined benefit plans remain the bedrock of a secure retirement. However, the Labor Movement’s philosophy that all Americans are entitled to retire with dignity and financial security dictates that we must also ensure that defined contribution investors’ interests are protected. This product provides a cost-effective solution that brings this proposition to life.

Unions Eager for Swift Action from New Labor Secretary

The Hill on Tuesday, March 23 - 9:21pm

“Millions of workers still do not have the strong COVID-19 protections they need to be safe at work. Marty Walsh’s strong leadership will be needed to urgently issue a strong, comprehensive OSHA COVID-19 emergency temporary standard to set workplace safety rules, accompanied by strong enforcement to ensure workers are protected,” said Rebecca Reindel, the AFL-CIO’s safety and health director. Reindel said new rules and strong enforcement are “essential to President Biden’s promise to protect workers from COVID-19.”

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Take Action

Rights and Protections for All Working Families

Two pieces of legislation will take an important step toward fixing our unjust immigration system by providing permanent protections to vital members of our communities and our unions. Call your senators and urge them to support the Dream Act (S. 264) and the SECURE Act (S. 306) today.

Support a Workers First Agenda

Working people need laws that protect our rights to organize, keep us safe at work, and advance racial and economic justice. Tell our elected leaders to pass laws that put working people first.

Make Sure the Needs of Working People Are Met During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The labor movement is working nonstop to ensure workers devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic receive the protections and support needed during this challenging time. Get involved and make sure the needs of working people are heard.

AFL-CIO Blog Feed

Service + Solidarity Spotlight: SMART Local 73 Turns Union Hall into Vaccine Clinic — Apr 19
'This Fight Is Far from Over': The Working People Weekly List — Apr 16
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: New Mexico Federation of Labor Wins Paid Sick Leave — Apr 16
Pathway to Progress: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 — Apr 15
An Insult to All Working People: In the States Roundup — Apr 15