Unions
Here's a look at documents from unions
Featured Stories
Statement: Trump Administration Reverses NIOSH Cuts After Worker Outcry
NEW YORK, Jan. 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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Statement: Trump Administration Reverses NIOSH Cuts After Worker Outcry
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Under immense pressure from working people, the Trump administration has reversed its dangerous cuts to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
This is a major victory for worker safety, and it belongs to all of us.
In April, NIOSH faced devastating cuts impacting nearly 90% of the agency's staff, threatening to dismantle the only federal agency
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NEW YORK, Jan. 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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Statement: Trump Administration Reverses NIOSH Cuts After Worker Outcry
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Under immense pressure from working people, the Trump administration has reversed its dangerous cuts to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
This is a major victory for worker safety, and it belongs to all of us.
In April, NIOSH faced devastating cuts impacting nearly 90% of the agency's staff, threatening to dismantle the only federal agencydedicated to groundbreaking safety research. It was one of the largest attacks on worker safety in U.S. history.
But the labor movement and working people persisted, and we were victorious.
Calls to Congress, tireless advocacy, and refusal to accept these cuts worked. When the labor movement comes together and demands that our government prioritize worker safety over corporate interests, we win.
Because of this reversal, life-saving research will continue. NIOSH can resume its critical work developing the tools and guidelines that keep entertainment workers and all American workers safe. The research IATSE kin depend on covering occupational hearing loss, fall prevention, heat and cold stress protocols, and regulations on exposure to so many other workplace hazards will move forward.
This victory proves that when working people organize and fight back, we can protect the agencies that protect us. But we cannot let our guard down. We must continue to defend worker safety as a fundamental right, not a partisan political bargaining chip.
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Original text here: https://iatse.net/statement-trump-administration-reverses-niosh-cuts-after-worker-outcry/
Simpson warns an arbitrary credit card rate cap could restrict credit access
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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Simpson warns an arbitrary credit card rate cap could restrict credit access
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While acknowledging current affordability pressures on families and supporting efforts to lower costs, a new Open Banker op-ed by America's Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson published Thursday addresses how rigid price controls ignore the real costs and risks of lending and credit access.
The op-ed points to significant concerns these caps would bring for millions of working Americans, as legislation
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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Simpson warns an arbitrary credit card rate cap could restrict credit access
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While acknowledging current affordability pressures on families and supporting efforts to lower costs, a new Open Banker op-ed by America's Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson published Thursday addresses how rigid price controls ignore the real costs and risks of lending and credit access.
The op-ed points to significant concerns these caps would bring for millions of working Americans, as legislationto impose a 10% credit card rate cap and newly reintroduced bills to mandate changes to the credit card processing system gain attention this week.
Simpson notes that such caps would make it unprofitable to serve subprime and lower-income borrowers, pushing them out of mainstream credit and toward riskier alternatives, while also dampening consumer spending
"Price controls do not eliminate the cost of credit. They simply shift it," he writes. "Lending must account for risk and requires the payment of administrative costs and expenses related to adhering to government regulations."
Simpson emphasizes credit unions' role in delivering affordability through their not-for-profit, member-owned model already offers lower rates, fewer fees, and responsible underwriting without one-size-fits-all mandates.
"Affordability is not a mere talking point for credit unions. The concept is central to their operations," he adds. "Credit unions were founded as consumer protectors. They were created to expand access to fair, affordable credit for people often left behind by other financial institutions."
He cautions that blanket caps could undermine this proven system and produce unintended consequences. Instead, he calls for targeted, data-driven solutions that promote competition, transparency, and financial education while preserving access to fair, affordable credit.
Efforts to highlight these unintended consequences are underway as the Credit Card Competition Act was reintroduced in both the House and Senate following President Donald Trump's endorsement. America's Credit Unions is committed to defending consumers against this approach and instead urge lawmakers to focus on policies that support a strong payments system while protecting consumers and financial choice.
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Original text here: https://www.americascreditunions.org/news-media/news/simpson-warns-arbitrary-credit-card-rate-cap-could-restrict-credit-access
MOHELA Hit with Fresh Charges of Ongoing Student Loan Mismanagement
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
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MOHELA Hit with Fresh Charges of Ongoing Student Loan Mismanagement
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WASHINGTON -The AFT amended its complaint in its lawsuit against the Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) yesterday. In its amended complaint, the AFT details the many ways in which the student loan servicing giant has continued to harm student loan borrowers since the lawsuit was first filed in July 2024-in violation of consumer protection law. The AFT is represented by
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
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MOHELA Hit with Fresh Charges of Ongoing Student Loan Mismanagement
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WASHINGTON -The AFT amended its complaint in its lawsuit against the Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) yesterday. In its amended complaint, the AFT details the many ways in which the student loan servicing giant has continued to harm student loan borrowers since the lawsuit was first filed in July 2024-in violation of consumer protection law. The AFT is represented bythe Protect Borrowers, National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), and Selendy Gay PLLC.
A copy of the amended complaint is available here.
The amended complaint includes new federal government data showing that, of the five main student loan servicers, MOHELA has by far the worst customer service. MOHELA borrowers wait about seven times as long as ED Financial borrowers to speak to a representative, and more than 50 times as long as borrowers with Aidvantage, CRI, and NelNet. Unsurprisingly, MOHELA sees the highest "abandon rate" of callers-while no other servicer sees more than 5% of callers give up while on hold, MOHELA has an abandon rate of more than 14%.
In response, AFT and its counsel issued the following statements:
"When we first sued MOHELA 18 months ago we exposed how it had abandoned its role to help borrowers pay down debt and instead redirected into a Kafkaesque rabbit hole of denial and delay to pad its own profits," said AFT President Randi Weingarten. "Rather than fulfill its responsibilities, MOHELA abdicated and deflected them-and we were determined to hold them to account. But instead of working with us on a solution, they shamefully doubled down, fighting us at every turn to derail any attempt at accountability.
"Today we are refiling our complaint to reveal MOHELA's illegal business practices, restate the harm inflicted on student borrowers, and document the time, effort and money that the AFT has spent to expose the misinformation and malfeasance at the company's core. On behalf of the nation's 45 million student borrowers, we are fighting for justice and fairness, and to stop illegality and deception. If any case underlines the need for robust consumer protections it is this one," continued Weingarten.
"For years, AFT members and borrowers across the country have suffered as a result of MOHELA's refusal to provide even the most basic customer service and accurate record keeping," said Protect Borrowers Legal Director Winston Berkman-Breen. "In amending its complaint, the AFT seeks to demonstrate that the company's historic failures are not one-offs that have been corrected but are deeply systemic business decisions not to invest in doing its one job well: servicing student loans."
"Student loan borrowers continue to pay the price for MOHELA's systemic loan servicing failures. While time has passed since we filed our initial complaint, time itself could not resolve the harm MOHELA inflicts on vulnerable borrowers," said Alpha Taylor, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. "We continue to fight to hold MOHELA accountable and to bring relief to the millions of borrowers who are living the consequences of its servicing failures."
Further Reading
* Lawsuit drop press release: Embattled Student Loan Servicing Giant MOHELA Hit with Groundbreaking Consumer Protection Lawsuit for Failing 8 Million Student Borrowers (July 22, 2024)
* Report: The MOHELA Papers (February 2024)
About Protect Borrowers
Protect Borrowers (formerly Student Borrower Protection Center) is a nonprofit organization led by a team of experts, lawyers, and advocates fighting to build an economy where debt doesn't limit opportunity. We investigate financial abuses, take predatory companies to court, and push for policies to protect working people from debt traps. We aim to deliver immediate relief to families while building power, driving systemic change, and fighting for racial and economic justice.
Learn more at protectborrowers.org or follow us on social @BorrowerJustice.
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Original text here: https://www.aft.org/press-release/mohela-hit-fresh-charges-ongoing-student-loan-mismanagement
Interchange bill should be rejected in any form
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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Interchange bill should be rejected in any form
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Misguided credit card interchange mandates would harm consumers, small businesses, and community financial institutions while delivering a windfall to corporate megastores. America's Credit Unions, Defense Credit Union Council, and Independent Community Bankers of America joined together in writing Congress Thursday, urging lawmakers to reject the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA).
Sens. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill.,
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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Interchange bill should be rejected in any form
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Misguided credit card interchange mandates would harm consumers, small businesses, and community financial institutions while delivering a windfall to corporate megastores. America's Credit Unions, Defense Credit Union Council, and Independent Community Bankers of America joined together in writing Congress Thursday, urging lawmakers to reject the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA).
Sens. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill.,and Reps. Lance Gooden, R-Tex., and Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., reintroduced the CCCA this week.
"Despite claims of increased competition, the Credit Card Competition Act would do the opposite--reducing consumer choice, weakening fraud protections, and consolidating advantages for the largest retailers," the letter reads. "Research from the University of Miami finds small businesses would be placed at a further competitive disadvantage, with nearly all savings flowing to retailers with more than $500 million in annual sales."
The Durbin Amendment's debit card cap has cost consumers access to free checking, and the CCCA could cost the economy $228 billion and 156,000 jobs by undermining rewards programs, according to Oxford Economics. The Durbin Amendment's debit card cap has cost consumers access to free checking, and the CCCA could cost the economy $228 billion and 156,000 jobs , according to Oxford Economics.
The bill would also significantly increase fraud. A Texas A&M study found it could double card fraud to $20 billion over the next decade, while at the same time reducing financial institutions' ability to invest in fraud protection and data security.
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Original text here: https://www.americascreditunions.org/news-media/news/interchange-bill-should-be-rejected-any-form
House clears bill fully funding CDFI Fund, CDRLF
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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House clears bill fully funding CDFI Fund, CDRLF
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The House voted 341-79 late Wednesday to move the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 (H. 7006) forward. The bill funds both the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and the Community Development Revolving Loan Fund (CDRLF) at the same amount in FY26 as FY25.
The CDFI Fund awards grants to assist affordable housing,
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 [Category: Financial Services] -- America's Credit Unions posted the following news:
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House clears bill fully funding CDFI Fund, CDRLF
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The House voted 341-79 late Wednesday to move the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 (H. 7006) forward. The bill funds both the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and the Community Development Revolving Loan Fund (CDRLF) at the same amount in FY26 as FY25.
The CDFI Fund awards grants to assist affordable housing,homeownership, small business growth, and more through certified CDFIs. The NCUA administers the CDRLF, which provides grants to credit unions serving low-income communities to stimulate economic activities and operate more efficiently.
The Senate's Financial Services and General Government bill contains $324 million for the CDFI Fund.
America's Credit Unions will continue to engage with House and Senate appropriators as bills are constructed to fund the federal government past Jan. 30.
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Original text here: https://www.americascreditunions.org/news-media/news/house-clears-bill-fully-funding-cdfi-fund-cdrlf
EMMC nurses and community members protest Northern Light's management
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Jan. 16 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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EMMC nurses and community members protest Northern Light's management
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Registered nurses at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) held a rally outside the hospital today to highlight their contract demands. The nurses, who are represented by Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (MSNA/NNOC), picketed and chanted until sunset and then held a candlelight vigil. Many friends and community members joined the nurses in solidarity for better
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SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Jan. 16 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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EMMC nurses and community members protest Northern Light's management
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Registered nurses at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) held a rally outside the hospital today to highlight their contract demands. The nurses, who are represented by Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (MSNA/NNOC), picketed and chanted until sunset and then held a candlelight vigil. Many friends and community members joined the nurses in solidarity for betterconditions for patients and nurses at EMMC.
"We are bringing our community's needs to EMMC's management through our contract bargaining," said Nichole Oliver, RN and union bargaining team member. "We all need to be safe inside the hospital, and that means safe staffing and no dangerous weapons inside the hospital. Without guarantees on these issues, we cannot protect our patients or give them the best care."
Nurses have been bargaining for a new contract since July 2025. Nurses say there has been very little progress toward a final agreement. Their contract expired on September 15, 2025.
"Against a backdrop of Northern Light cutting services to our community, our federal government cutting assistance to working and low-income Mainers, and the unmitigated danger of violence in our workplace, our employer should do everything it can to protect our community," said Diane Alexander, RN, EMMC chief steward and bargaining team member. "They simply are not."
There's no reason for management to continue stalling negotiations. After four months of negotiations, nurses at Maine Medical Center in Portland ratified a new contract on January 7, 2026, winning new patient safety and nurse retention provisions.
"We've been union members for decades longer than Maine Med," said Mary Beth Kelson, RN and EMMC bargaining team member. "EMMC knows how this works and long ago should have met us halfway on our proposals for patient safety and nurse retention. We are committed to doing what it takes to win a fair deal for everyone."
MSNA/NNOC represents 900 nurses at Northern Light EMMC.
Maine State Nurses Association is part of National Nurses Organizing Committee, representing 4,000 nurses and other caregivers from Portland to Fort Kent. NNOC is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the largest and fastest-growing labor union of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/emmc-nurses-and-community-members-protest-northern-lights-management-with-vigil
2026 Writers Guild Awards: Terry George to Receive the WGA East's Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement
NEW YORK, Jan. 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Writers Guild of America East issued the following news release:
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2026 Writers Guild Awards: Terry George to Receive the WGA East's Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement
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NEW YORK, NY (January 16, 2026) - Terry George will be honored with the Writers Guild of America East's Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement at the 78th Annual Writers Guild Awards at New York's Edison Ballroom on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
The Hunter Award was established in 1992 and named in memory of longtime WGAE member Ian McLellan Hunter. The
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Jan. 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Writers Guild of America East issued the following news release:
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2026 Writers Guild Awards: Terry George to Receive the WGA East's Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement
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NEW YORK, NY (January 16, 2026) - Terry George will be honored with the Writers Guild of America East's Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement at the 78th Annual Writers Guild Awards at New York's Edison Ballroom on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
The Hunter Award was established in 1992 and named in memory of longtime WGAE member Ian McLellan Hunter. Theaward is presented to a WGAE member in honor of their body of work as a writer in motion pictures or television. Past recipients include Tony Gilroy, Spike Lee, Scott Frank, Richard Price, Geoffrey Ward, Andrew Bergman, John Sayles, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, John Waters, Richard LaGravenese, Nora Ephron, Walter Bernstein and Claire Labine.
A Guild member since 1989, George's first credit came as the co-writer of the acclaimed feature film IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, which was co-written and directed by Jim Sheridan and starred Daniel Day Lewis. The film earned Best Adapted Screenplay nominations at the Academy Awards and Writers Guild Awards. IN THE NAME OF MY FATHER marked George's first of three collaborations with Sheridan chronicling "The Troubles" conflict in Northern Ireland, including 1996's SOME MOTHER'S SON and 1998's THE BOXER.
George co-wrote and directed the 2004 masterpiece HOTEL RWANDA, which tells the harrowing true story of a hotelier's attempt to use their property to save the lives of thousands of refugees during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The film was nominated for an Academy Award and Writers Guild Award for Best Original Screenplay, and was named to American Film Institute as one of the 100 most inspirational movies of all time.
In 2012, George, along with his daughter Oorlagh George, won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for THE SHORE.
His other credits include co-creating the television police procedural THE DISTRICT, co-writing the 2002 film HART'S WAR and in 2007 he co-wrote and directed the film RESERVATION ROAD. His most recent work includes the 2012 film WHOLE LOT OF SOLE and the 2016 film THE PROMISE.
Tom Fontana, President of the Writers Guild of America East, said, "Terry is a unique talent whose screenplays have brought humanity and attention to tragedies from the genocide in Rwanda and Armenia to The Troubles in Ireland. He is also a staunch union ally who has served on the WGAE Council and the Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) Negotiating Committee. We are so pleased to honor him and his extraordinary work at this year's awards."
In a statement, Terry George said, "I have been a proud WGAE member for 37 years. The Writers Guild of America is the rebel heart of the entertainment industry and has protected me throughout this wonderful career. To receive Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement is the greatest honor I can achieve and I am truly humbled."
The Writers Guild Awards honor outstanding writing in film, television, new media, news (broadcast and digital), radio/audio, and promotional categories. The 2026 Writers Guild Awards (78th Annual) will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2026. For more information about the 2026 Writers Guild Awards, please visit wgaeast.org/awards or awards.wga.org.
Please direct inquiries regarding the 2026 Writers Guild Awards New York Ceremony to Jason Gordon in the WGAE Communications Department at (212) 767-7809 or email: jgordon@wgaeast.org.
Please direct inquiries regarding the 2026 Writers Guild Awards Los Angeles Ceremony to Bob Hopkinson in the WGAW Communications Department at: (310) 801-8563 or email: bhopkinson@wga.org.
The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) are labor unions representing writers in motion pictures, television, cable, digital media, and broadcast news. The Guilds negotiate and administer contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of their members; conduct programs, seminars, and events on issues of interest to writers; and present writers' views to various bodies of government. For more information on the Writers Guild of America East, visit www.wgaeast.org. For more information on the Writers Guild of America West, visit www.wga.org.
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Original text here: https://www.wgaeast.org/2026-writers-guild-awards-terry-george-to-receive-the-wga-easts-ian-mclellan-hunter-award-for-career-achievement/
