Unions
Here's a look at documents from unions
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AFGE President Kelley Slams President Trump's Threat To Deploy ICE to Airports to Perform Passenger Security Functions
WASHINGTON, March 22 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE President Everett Kelley Slams President Trump's Threat To Deploy ICE to Airports to Perform Passenger Security Functions
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TSA officers deserve to be paid, "not replaced by untrained, armed agents who have shown how dangerous they can be."
WASHINGTON -In response to President Trump's threat to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports to help with long security lines caused by Congress' refusal to pass a measure that would
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WASHINGTON, March 22 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE President Everett Kelley Slams President Trump's Threat To Deploy ICE to Airports to Perform Passenger Security Functions
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TSA officers deserve to be paid, "not replaced by untrained, armed agents who have shown how dangerous they can be."
WASHINGTON -In response to President Trump's threat to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports to help with long security lines caused by Congress' refusal to pass a measure that wouldpay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, Everett Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the exclusive union representative of TSA officers, issued the following statement:
"More than 50,000 TSA employees have worked without pay for over five weeks. Hundreds have quit. And Washington's answer isn't to pay them. It's to send ICE agents to do their jobs.
"ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security. TSA officers spend months learning to detect explosives, weapons, and threats specifically designed to evade detection at checkpoints -skills that require specialized instruction, hands-on practice, and ongoing recertification. You cannot improvise that. Putting untrained personnel at security checkpoints does not fill a gap. It creates one.
"Our members at TSA have been showing up every day, without a paycheck, because they believe in the mission of keeping the flying public safe. They deserve to be paid, not replaced by untrained, armed agents who have shown how dangerous they can be.
"Congress has the power to fund TSA today. It's time for them to stop playing politics and do their jobs."
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/d86c41f3f85f4f4e9e4f63282fb51790.aspx
AFGE National VA Council Asks Judge to Force VA to Comply with Court Order Restoring Union Contract
WASHINGTON, March 22 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE National VA Council Asks Judge to Force VA to Comply with Court Order Restoring Union Contract
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Veterans Affairs department refuses to restore AFGE NVAC contract following recent judge order
WASHINGTON - The American Federation of Government Employees National Veterans Affairs Council (AFGE/NVAC), the largest union at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) representing more than 320,000 employees, on Friday filed a motion asking U.S. District Court
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WASHINGTON, March 22 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE National VA Council Asks Judge to Force VA to Comply with Court Order Restoring Union Contract
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Veterans Affairs department refuses to restore AFGE NVAC contract following recent judge order
WASHINGTON - The American Federation of Government Employees National Veterans Affairs Council (AFGE/NVAC), the largest union at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) representing more than 320,000 employees, on Friday filed a motion asking U.S. District CourtJudge Melissa DuBose to compel the VA's compliance with her March 13 decision ordering the restoration of AFGE's master collective bargaining agreement with the VA and all subsidiary agreements.
Judge DuBose's preliminary injunction ordered the VA to reinstate AFGE's master collective bargaining agreement pending resolution of a lawsuit filed by AFGE/NVAC challenging its termination by VA Secretary Doug Collin's on Aug. 6, 2025. Judge DuBose found that Secretary Collins and the VA likely violated the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act by terminating the contract.
In the week since Judge DuBose's decision, the VA has made no genuine efforts to reinstate the contract. AFGE/NVAC has made good faith attempts to discuss implementation, but the VA has refused to act. VA facilities across the country continue to ignore the court's order and refuse to honor the contract, depriving employees of their rights to parental leave benefits, fair disciplinary procedures, grievance rights, and other protections that enable VA employees to serve America's veterans.
National VA Council President Mary Jean "MJ" Burke issued the following statement:
"Secretary Collins loves to preach about accountability. When a nurse, social worker, or housekeeper fails to comply with an order, the VA is quick to call them "insubordinate" or label them as a "poor performer." If they're fortunate, that employee might have an opportunity to answer a few questions before being suspended or fired. That's what "accountability" looks like in this administration for a front-line employee. But when it's senior leaders at VA Central Office refusing to comply with a federal court injunction for more than a week, Secretary Collins turns the other cheek. Why are the standards different for senior leaders? Because it was never about accountability. It's about union busting, retaliation, and depriving employees of the hard-earned benefits of their union contract. We will not tolerate it. Veterans and their families receive the best care when VA employees have a voice in the workplace. That voice is their union. We are taking the VA back to court to do what's right. Our members are counting on us, and NVAC will not let them down."
AFGE National President Everett Kelley issued the following statement:
"AFGE members took Secretary Collins and the VA to court to challenge the unlawful termination of their union contract. The VA protested, arguing that if they lost, they would have to restore rights and benefits for the people who care for our nation's veterans. The VA lost. The court ordered reinstatement of AFGE's contract. Now, despite telling the court exactly what compliance would require, the VA is refusing to follow the court's order and has failed to reinstate a single one of our members' rights. Secretary Collins cannot tell a federal judge one thing and then pretend he doesn't understand what the ruling means. We are going back to court to hold the VA to its legal obligations."
AFGE/NVAC is represented in this litigation by Keker, Van Nest, & Peters, LLP and the Law Office of Carly B. Iafrate, PC.
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/6020407d6d48421e8d1b898e3dfce041.aspx
Northern Light EMMC nurses win tentative agreement in contract negotiations
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, March 21 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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Northern Light EMMC nurses win tentative agreement in contract negotiations
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After bargaining for eight months for improvements in health, safety, and economic language in their union contract, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) nurses have announced a final tentative agreement with their administration. The nurses' strike, which had been scheduled for this coming Monday, is called off. EMMC nurses are represented by Maine State Nurses Association/National
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SILVER SPRING, Maryland, March 21 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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Northern Light EMMC nurses win tentative agreement in contract negotiations
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After bargaining for eight months for improvements in health, safety, and economic language in their union contract, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) nurses have announced a final tentative agreement with their administration. The nurses' strike, which had been scheduled for this coming Monday, is called off. EMMC nurses are represented by Maine State Nurses Association/NationalNurses Organizing Committee.
"EMMC came at us particularly hard this time around," said Erin Oberson, a labor and delivery RN and member of the bargaining team. "Until the very last minute, they insisted on huge takeaways from us. They also wanted to decrease paid time off (PTO) and eliminate the pension for new nurses. Not only did we beat back every one of their concessionary demands, but we won new safety protections for all nurses and patients, and made real economic improvements as well."
Nurses credit their final success in this agreement to their solidarity and the imminent threat of a strike. Bargaining team member Diane Alexander, union chief steward and bargaining team member said: "We were ready to strike because the hospital insisted to the very end that we give up some of the foundational elements of our current union contract. These included the protections we have against our health care costs skyrocketing and punishing new nurses with lower PTO accruals. We were not willing to sell out ourselves or new nurses to win this contract. In the end, we kept everything we had before and got many new improvements, as well."
Pay increases for every union nurse range from 12 to 17 percent over the next three years. Nurses also won increases in several pay differentials and were able to ban all weapons from the hospital building.
EMMC nurses will vote to ratify this contract on March 25, 2026.
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/northern-light-emmc-nurses-win-tentative-agreement-in-contract-negotiations
President Loeb Joins Federal Lawmakers at Hearing to Level Playing Field for American Film Production
NEW YORK, March 20 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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President Loeb Joins Federal Lawmakers at Hearing to Level Playing Field for American Film Production
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BURBANK, CA - During a spotlight hearing convened by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Congresswoman Laura Friedman (D-Calif.) at Burbank City Hall Friday, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) International President Matthew D. Loeb emphasized the growing need for a federal film/tv production incentive to level the playing
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NEW YORK, March 20 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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President Loeb Joins Federal Lawmakers at Hearing to Level Playing Field for American Film Production
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BURBANK, CA - During a spotlight hearing convened by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Congresswoman Laura Friedman (D-Calif.) at Burbank City Hall Friday, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) International President Matthew D. Loeb emphasized the growing need for a federal film/tv production incentive to level the playingfield and protect American creative jobs.
"The American film and television industry faces an urgent threat from international competition. Foreign governments have successfully lured film and television productions, and the multitude of jobs they create, away from the United States with aggressive tax incentives and subsidies. Films intended for initial release in the U.S. are increasingly being shot overseas -and American workers are paying the price," Loeb added. "In just a few years, IATSE members have lost tens of thousands of jobs across the United States. That's thousands of families, small businesses, and communities across the country feeling the economic hardship of a shrinking industry."
Additionally, the hearing examined recent media mergers including Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with President Loeb expressing skepticism of the deal's impact on workers. "When major companies merge, workers often pay the price first. Without action to strengthen domestic production, we risk losing more jobs overseas. Federal policymakers must act to level the playing field and ensure the United States remains competitive in the global production market."
Sen. Schiff and Rep. Friedman both expressed support for a federal incentive and pledged to work with lawmakers in Washington to pass one.
The spotlight hearing also featured testimony from the following witnesses:
* Noah Wyle, Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actor; star, executive producer, writer, and director of The Pitt
* Jim Acosta, journalist, author, and host of The Jim Acosta Show ; former CNN anchor and Chief White House Correspondent
* Jax Deluca, Executive Director, Future Film Coalition; Research Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy
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Original text here: https://iatse.net/president-loeb-joins-federal-lawmakers-at-hearing-to-level-playing-field-for-american-film-production/
Pollard Banknote Teamsters Ratify Contract
WASHINGTON, March 20 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
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Pollard Banknote Teamsters Ratify Contract
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Press Contact: Maura Drumm Phone: (215) 510-3537 Email: MDrumm@teamster.org
(YPSILANTI, Mich.) - Nearly 200 printing and production workers represented by Teamsters Local 337 in Ypsilanti, Mich., have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a powerful new contract. Backed by a credible strike threat and high rank-and-file engagement, the workers secured record raises, protections against forced overtime, and major improvements to
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WASHINGTON, March 20 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
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Pollard Banknote Teamsters Ratify Contract
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Press Contact: Maura Drumm Phone: (215) 510-3537 Email: MDrumm@teamster.org
(YPSILANTI, Mich.) - Nearly 200 printing and production workers represented by Teamsters Local 337 in Ypsilanti, Mich., have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a powerful new contract. Backed by a credible strike threat and high rank-and-file engagement, the workers secured record raises, protections against forced overtime, and major improvements toretirement benefits.
"This agreement fixes a lot of the wrongs we were experiencing on the job. We got strong pay increases retroactive for months. For the first time, we enshrined our retirement security into our contract. And we locked in guarantees that Pollard Banknote cannot force us to work extreme amounts of overtime," said Jeremy Helton, a 10-year maintenance technician and steward for Local 337. "This contract shows what workers can accomplish when we stick together. It would not have been possible without the support of Local 337 and the commitment of my fellow stewards and the rest of our brothers and sisters on the shop floor."
The bargaining unit includes press operators, machine technicians and assistants, and folder operators and assistants. They produce lottery tickets for several states and countries. Helton and his co-workers are part of a growing movement of graphics workers who have left the sham Printing Packaging and Production Workers Union to gain strong representation in the workplace with the Teamsters.
"These new Teamsters went through a lot just to join our ranks. During the organizing process, we saw their strength and determination firsthand, so it was no surprise to see how engaged they were throughout bargaining," said Todd Lince, President of Local 337. "The gains these workers secured are a testament to a lot of hard work. We are beyond proud to have them as part of the Local 337 family."
Teamsters Local 337 represents over 6,000 workers from a range of industries throughout Michigan. For more information, go to TeamstersLocal337.com.
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Original text here: https://teamster.org/2026/03/pollard-banknote-teamsters-ratify-contract/
NABET-CWA & NewsGuild-CWA Statement on Nexstar-Tegna Merger
WASHINGTON, March 20 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Communications Workers of America posted the following news release:
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NABET-CWA & NewsGuild-CWA Statement on Nexstar-Tegna Merger
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The National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-Communications Workers of America (NABET-CWA) and The NewsGuild-CWA jointly released the following statement in response to the FCC's decision to approve Nexstar Media Group's acquisition of Tegna:
With its decision to greenlight Nexstar Media Group's $6 billion acquisition of Tegna, Brandon Carr's FCC has aligned itself with the billionaires
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WASHINGTON, March 20 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Communications Workers of America posted the following news release:
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NABET-CWA & NewsGuild-CWA Statement on Nexstar-Tegna Merger
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The National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-Communications Workers of America (NABET-CWA) and The NewsGuild-CWA jointly released the following statement in response to the FCC's decision to approve Nexstar Media Group's acquisition of Tegna:
With its decision to greenlight Nexstar Media Group's $6 billion acquisition of Tegna, Brandon Carr's FCC has aligned itself with the billionairesagainst the Constitution's guarantee of a free press. The so-called guardrails granting Nexstar a two-year waiver of divestiture requirements are wide enough to drive a truck through.
Longstanding ownership limits have been crucial to protecting a free and competitive media market, yet the FCC has waived and worked around these fair laws on behalf of a company that aided the administration in censoring Jimmy Kimmel just a few short months ago. In a current climate in which FCC Chairman Carr uses the power of his office to coerce and censor media coverage of the Iran war or political criticism, the approval of the Nexstar-Tegna merger can only be seen as an attack on our democracy and the freedom of the press.
NABET-CWA and The NewsGuild-CWA condemn the FCC's approval of Nexstar's acquisition of local news stations that consolidates corporate control of the media, allowing a single entity to reach 80 percent of U.S. households.
About CWA : The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.
cwa-union.org @cwaunion
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Original text here: https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/nabet-cwa-newsguild-cwa-statement-nexstar-tegna-merger
Federal Court Sides with Higher Education Union to Protect Faculty Arbitration Rights
WASHINGTON, March 20 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
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Federal Court Sides with Higher Education Union to Protect Faculty Arbitration Rights
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -Today, a federal court ruled in favor of the University of Florida's United Faculty of Florida chapter and its collective bargaining agreement by protecting the right to arbitration.
In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed SB 266, an overreaching bill that included a provision that banned arbitration as an option for faculty to appeal certain employment decisions
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WASHINGTON, March 20 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
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Federal Court Sides with Higher Education Union to Protect Faculty Arbitration Rights
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -Today, a federal court ruled in favor of the University of Florida's United Faculty of Florida chapter and its collective bargaining agreement by protecting the right to arbitration.
In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed SB 266, an overreaching bill that included a provision that banned arbitration as an option for faculty to appeal certain employment decisionsand replaced it with a one-sided procedure that gave presidents of Florida public universities final decision-making authority over personnel disputes instead of a neutral, unbiased arbitrator.
Today, a federal judge ruled that the provision is in conflict with the Federal Arbitration Act, which preempts the state rule that bans arbitration. For now, the order only applies to the University of Florida. The lawsuit was led by Selendy Gay- read the full decision here.
Here's what education leaders are saying:
Robert Cassanello, President, United Faculty of Florida
"The Florida Legislature overstepped its constitutional authority, and today that overreach was rightly overturned. This decision restores a fundamental protection for higher education professionals across Florida-the right to a neutral, third-party arbitrator to resolve employer disputes. Just as importantly, it safeguards faculty against attacks on the academic freedom that our faculty have experienced. This is not only a win for faculty and graduate assistants, but for our students who deserve to attend colleges and universities that are grounded in the right of faculty to teach without political interference and students to learn without fear."
UFF is affiliated on a state level with the Florida Education Association and on a national level with the AFT and the National Education Association.
Andrew Spar, President, Florida Education Association
"In today's ruling, Judge Walker made it clear: Florida's professors have a legal right to arbitration for contract and employment matters. Every day, Floridians are struggling to pay bills, get healthcare and provide for their families. Yet, Florida's lawmakers have continued to pass laws that undermine the rights of Florida's workers, including university professors. This ruling not only upholds the U.S. Constitution, but also helps Florida's professors continue their great work. It is because of professors at all of Florida's universities that our state leads the nation in higher education. This is a big win for professors at UF!"
Becky Pringle, President, National Education Association
"All students, no matter their race or place, deserve to learn in colleges and universities free from political interference and intimidation that suppresses academic freedom. Higher education is about thinking independently and critically, without fear of retribution. The federal judge's decision is a step in the right direction and a timely victory for the freedom to teach and learn not only in Florida but in colleges and universities nationwide."
Randi Weingarten, President, AFT
"This law tried to strip the century-long right of faculty to appeal to an impartial judge when they have a dispute at work and instead left the fox to guard the hen house. The court saw it for what it was: a deliberate attempt to punish those the state disagrees with by substituting employer rule for the rule of law, freedom of contract and freedom of speech. These arbitration provisions are in place for a reason-to ensure faculty can research and teach on topics of their choice, rather than what the government of the day happens to believe. Today's ruling is a huge victory for the freedom to teach and learn that will resonate on campuses around the country."
Todd Wolfson, President, American Association of University Professors
"This is a major victory for due process and for Florida's higher education workers, who have been on the frontlines of relentless political attacks on public education and basic labor rights. Today's decision sends a clear message to politicians like Gov. DeSantis and to every ideologue trying to impose the Project 2025 playbook on our universities: Efforts to strip contracts, silence faculty and undermine academic freedom will not stand. If your strategy is rooted in intimidation and authoritarian control, you are on the wrong side of history-and you will lose."
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Original text here: https://www.aft.org/press-release/federal-court-sides-higher-education-union-protect-faculty-arbitration-rights
