Unions
Here's a look at documents from unions
Featured Stories
Workers at Mandalay Bay Join Teamsters
WASHINGTON, May 16 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
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Workers at Mandalay Bay Join Teamsters
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Press Contact: Maura Drumm Phone: (215) 510-3725 Email: MDrumm@teamster.org
(LAS VEGAS) - A group of 130 front desk workers at Mandalay Bay have voted overwhelmingly to unionize with Teamsters Local 986.
The newly organized workers join more than 250 Teamsters in valet, horticulture, warehouse, and call center positions. With this victory, the Teamsters now have wall-to-wall representation at the property.
"We're building
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WASHINGTON, May 16 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
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Workers at Mandalay Bay Join Teamsters
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Press Contact: Maura Drumm Phone: (215) 510-3725 Email: MDrumm@teamster.org
(LAS VEGAS) - A group of 130 front desk workers at Mandalay Bay have voted overwhelmingly to unionize with Teamsters Local 986.
The newly organized workers join more than 250 Teamsters in valet, horticulture, warehouse, and call center positions. With this victory, the Teamsters now have wall-to-wall representation at the property.
"We're buildingpower across the casino industry, and workers are stepping up because they know the Teamsters fight and deliver," said Tommy Blitsch, Director of the Teamsters Convention, Trade Show, and Casino Division. "This victory at Mandalay Bay is part of a growing movement of hospitality workers demanding respect, security, and a stronger future."
The front desk workers, who play a critical role in the guest experience by handling check-ins and check-outs, upkeeping operations, and ensuring visitors receive a hospitable stay, joined the Teamsters to secure higher pay, better benefits, and a strong voice in the workplace.
"Front desk workers are the face of the property and the heartbeat of the guest experience," said Tim Vera, President of Local 986. "These workers deserve strong representation and a contract that reflects the value they bring every single day. Local 986 is proud to welcome them into our family, and we're ready to fight alongside them for the future they deserve."
"We joined the Teamsters to win a fair contract and have a stronger voice on the job," said Sylvia Hinojosa, a Guest Front Services Representative and proud new member of Local 986. "Being a Teamster means having the representation, protections, and benefits we deserve, and I'm proud to stand with my co-workers in this fight."
Nationwide, the Teamsters represent nearly 6,000 members at casinos and casino hotels.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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Original text here: https://teamster.org/2026/05/workers-at-mandalay-bay-join-teamsters/
UAW Endorses Eli Savit for Michigan Attorney General
DETROIT, Michigan, May 16 -- The United Automobile Workers issued the following news:
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UAW Endorses Eli Savit for Michigan Attorney General
The UAW has endorsed Eli Savit for Michigan Attorney General following a vote of the Michigan CAP General Board, backing Savit as a proven fighter who is unafraid to take on powerful corporate interests.
As Washtenaw County Prosecutor, Savit has built a record of standing up for workers and consumers. He created Michigan's only Economic Justice Unit dedicated to cracking down on wage theft, protecting consumers, and holding corporations accountable
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DETROIT, Michigan, May 16 -- The United Automobile Workers issued the following news:
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UAW Endorses Eli Savit for Michigan Attorney General
The UAW has endorsed Eli Savit for Michigan Attorney General following a vote of the Michigan CAP General Board, backing Savit as a proven fighter who is unafraid to take on powerful corporate interests.
As Washtenaw County Prosecutor, Savit has built a record of standing up for workers and consumers. He created Michigan's only Economic Justice Unit dedicated to cracking down on wage theft, protecting consumers, and holding corporations accountablewhen they cheat or exploit workers. He also led lawsuits against opioid companies that brought nearly $50 million back to the community to help tackle the opioid crisis.
As Attorney General, Savit has pledged to establish a statewide Workers' Rights Unit focused on protecting workers from wage theft, exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and corporate abuse.
"Eli Savit doesn't back down from corporate power -- he fights for justice for the working class," said UAW President Shawn Fain. "While too many politicians talk about workers during election season and disappear afterward, Eli has actually gone after corporations that steal wages, rip off consumers, and poison communities. He's proven he'll use the law to hold powerful interests accountable."
The endorsement highlights Savit's longstanding commitment to economic justice and worker protection. In office, he has focused not only on prosecuting crime, but on holding corporations accountable when they exploit workers and consumers.
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Original text here: https://uaw.org/uaw-endorses-eli-savit-for-michigan-attorney-general/
[Category: Union]
Tennessee's Clinton Smith Honored as NEA's 2026 Higher Educator of the Year
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The National Education Association issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Tennessee's Clinton Smith honored as NEA's 2026 Higher Educator of the Year
The National Education Association (NEA) today announced that Clinton Smith, University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin) professor of special education, will be awarded the 2026 Higher Educator of the Year award.
The Higher Educator of the Year award recognizes a postsecondary education professional who continually engages in outstanding student-centered professional practice, exemplary state/local labor-based
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WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The National Education Association issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Tennessee's Clinton Smith honored as NEA's 2026 Higher Educator of the Year
The National Education Association (NEA) today announced that Clinton Smith, University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin) professor of special education, will be awarded the 2026 Higher Educator of the Year award.
The Higher Educator of the Year award recognizes a postsecondary education professional who continually engages in outstanding student-centered professional practice, exemplary state/local labor-basedadvocacy, and robust community participation.
"Clinton embodies exactly what it means to be an educator, a role model, and a leader for our students," said NEA President Becky Pringle. "Clinton not only cultivates critical thinking in his classroom and in his union work, but he empowers the voices of those around him. On behalf of the NEA's three million members, we congratulate Clinton for the dedication and commitment he has shown to his students and community."
Smith received a Bachelor of Science Education from Arkansas State University, a Master of Arts in Religion and Education from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Science from University of Memphis, and a Doctor of Education from University of Memphis.
"As a faculty member at University of Tennessee at Martin, Dr. Smith has cultivated a learning environment that is both rigorous and deeply supportive," said Tennessee Education Association President Tanya T. Coats. "His passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom, where he intentionally fosters meaningful connections with students and empowers them to reach their fullest potential. His approach reflects not only academic excellence but also a genuine investment in the holistic development of every student he serves."
Smith has been a professor of special education at UT Martin since 2012. His students are the state's future special-ed teachers, and they come to him for essential lessons on "how to change outcomes for the most vulnerable students," notes Amanda Batts, a UT Martin associate professor who nominated Smith for NEA's award. Before Smith came to higher education, he taught students with disabilities--kids who had been written off, mostly--at Shadowlawn Middle School, in Arlington, Tenn. for more than a decade.
"I tell people, don't just be a member, be a leader!" said Smith. "With all of the challenges facing higher education today, faculty and staff--and their students--the future of education depends on educators understanding their power. In Tennessee and elsewhere, the biggest issues are growing threats to "academic freedom and tenure," says Smith.
Smith will be presented with the honor, as well as a $10,000 award funded by the NEA Foundation, at the 2026 NEA Representative Assembly this July in Denver, Colorado.
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The National Education Association is the nation's largest labor union, representing nearly 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, health care workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.
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Original text here: https://www.nea.org/about-nea/media-center/press-releases/tennessees-clinton-smith-honored-neas-2026-higher-educator-year
[Category: Union]
NEA: VEA Statement on Governor Spanberger's Veto of Public Sector Collective Bargaining Legislation
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The National Education Association issued the following joint statement on May 15, 2026, with the Virginia Education Association:
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VEA Statement on Governor Spanberger's Veto of Public Sector Collective Bargaining Legislation
The Virginia Education Association (VEA) and the National Education Association (NEA) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Abigail Spanberger's announced veto of legislation that would have guaranteed Virginia's public employees the right to engage in collective bargaining and protections from retaliation when they do so:
"More
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WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The National Education Association issued the following joint statement on May 15, 2026, with the Virginia Education Association:
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VEA Statement on Governor Spanberger's Veto of Public Sector Collective Bargaining Legislation
The Virginia Education Association (VEA) and the National Education Association (NEA) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Abigail Spanberger's announced veto of legislation that would have guaranteed Virginia's public employees the right to engage in collective bargaining and protections from retaliation when they do so:
"Morethan half a million Virginians who teach our children, care for our communities, keep our cities running, and serve the public every day were promised a seat at the table. Today, the Governor took that seat away. This veto is a profound disappointment. The legislation passed by the General Assembly was the product of decades of organizing, coalition-building, and good- faith negotiation. We are especially grateful to the General Assembly lawmakers and other state elected leaders who listened to workers, honored their organizing, and stood with them every step of the way. It reflected the will of Virginia voters who consistently support the freedom of working people to bargain collectively over wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Public employees are not a special interest. They are our neighbors. They are the educators, bus drivers, social workers, librarians, custodians, and first responders who hold our communities together. Denying them the basic right to negotiate as equals with their employers is a step backward for Virginia and an affront to the dignity of public service. This decision also carries a deep racial and gender impact.
Virginia's public-sector bargaining ban is rooted in a Jim Crow-era effort to silence Black workers at the University of Virginia Hospital who organized for fair pay and dignity. Preserving that legacy today disproportionately harms women and workers of color, who make up so much of the public-service workforce and who have the most to gain from fair wages, safer workplaces, and a real voice on the job.
We are disappointed. We are not deterred. The members of the Virginia Education Association and our partners in the labor movement will continue this fight in every locality, in every legislative session, and at every ballot box until every public employee in the Commonwealth has the right to bargain collectively. We urge Governor Spanberger to listen to the workers who power this Commonwealth and to work with the General Assembly in the future to finally make this right."
Carol Bauer, President of the Virginia Education Association
Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association
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Original text here: https://www.nea.org/about-nea/media-center/press-releases/vea-statement-governor-spanbergers-veto-public-sector-collective-bargaining-legislation
[Category: Union]
IAM Union, TCU/IAM Stand with Striking Long Island Rail Road Members Fighting for Fair Contract
UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland, May 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers issued the following news release:
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IAM Union, TCU/IAM Stand with Striking Long Island Rail Road Members Fighting for Fair Contract
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The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) and Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) are standing in full solidarity with IAM and TCU/IAM members on strike at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), alongside fellow union workers in a coalition representing 3,500 railroad employees.
The strike
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UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland, May 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers issued the following news release:
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IAM Union, TCU/IAM Stand with Striking Long Island Rail Road Members Fighting for Fair Contract
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The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) and Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) are standing in full solidarity with IAM and TCU/IAM members on strike at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), alongside fellow union workers in a coalition representing 3,500 railroad employees.
The strikebegan at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 16 after years of stalled negotiations, four years without raises for many workers, and repeated failures by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and LIRR management to reach a fair agreement.
"Our members kept Long Island moving through every challenge thrown at this railroad, and they deserve dignity, respect and a fair contract," said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. "The MTA and LIRR had every opportunity to settle this dispute and avoid a strike. Instead, they chose delays, concessions and disrespect. The IAM Union stands shoulder to shoulder with our members and every worker on the picket line. We have their backs for as long as it takes."
The coalition of unions has said workers are seeking a contract that keeps pace with the rising cost of living on Long Island after years without raises, despite recommendations from federal panels supporting wage increases.
"TCU/IAM members did not want to be forced into this position, but management left workers with no other choice," said TCU/IAM National President Matt Hollis. "Our members show up every day to keep this railroad running safely and efficiently for hundreds of thousands of commuters. They deserve a contract that respects their work and recognizes the sacrifices they have made. We will remain united until a fair agreement is reached."
The Long Island Rail Road is the busiest commuter railroad in the United States, serving roughly 300,000 daily riders. This marks the first strike at the carrier in more than three decades.
"Our IAM Rail Division members and our brothers and sisters across this coalition have bargained in good faith throughout this entire process," said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division. "The responsibility for this strike falls squarely on MTA and LIRR management. We are proud to stand with our members on the picket line."
The IAM Union is encouraging the public and labor allies across the country to support striking LIRR workers as they continue their fight for a fair contract.
Share and Follow:
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Original text here: https://www.goiam.org/news/departments/hq/rail-division/iam-union-tcu-iam-stand-with-striking-long-island-rail-road-members-fighting-for-fair-contract/
ATU Stands in Solidarity with Long Rail Road Workers on Strike
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, May 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Amalgamated Transit Union issued the following news release:
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ATU Stands in Solidarity with Long Rail Road Workers on Strike
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ATU International President John Costa released the following statement in support of Long Island Rail Road workers on strike.
"As the largest transit union in North America, I want to express the strong support of our more than 200,000 ATU members with our fellow union Long Island Rail Road Workers on strike. As fellow transit workers, we recognize the struggle to fight these tactics, but together
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SILVER SPRING, Maryland, May 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Amalgamated Transit Union issued the following news release:
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ATU Stands in Solidarity with Long Rail Road Workers on Strike
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ATU International President John Costa released the following statement in support of Long Island Rail Road workers on strike.
"As the largest transit union in North America, I want to express the strong support of our more than 200,000 ATU members with our fellow union Long Island Rail Road Workers on strike. As fellow transit workers, we recognize the struggle to fight these tactics, but togetherwe will not back down. This strike sends a loud and clear message to management that working people will not stand silent. Their fight is a fight for all workers. Solidarity is our strength, and the ATU stands with the Long Island Rail Road Workers until they get the fair and just contract that they deserve."
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Original text here: https://www.atu.org/media/press/2026/atu-stands-in-solidarity-with-long-rail-road-workers-on-strike
3,500 Workers Walk Out as BLET Teamsters, Union Coalition Launch LIRR Strike
WASHINGTON, May 16 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
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3,500 Workers Walk Out as BLET Teamsters, Union Coalition Launch LIRR Strike
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Press Contact: Jamie Horwitz Phone: (202) 549-2021 Email: jhdcpr@starpower.net
(NEW YORK) - Teamsters with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) have launched a strike alongside their bargaining coalition of 3,500 workers from five unions.
"The LIRR owns this strike. Union workers have sacrificed so much for the railroad for years
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 16 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
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3,500 Workers Walk Out as BLET Teamsters, Union Coalition Launch LIRR Strike
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Press Contact: Jamie Horwitz Phone: (202) 549-2021 Email: jhdcpr@starpower.net
(NEW YORK) - Teamsters with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) have launched a strike alongside their bargaining coalition of 3,500 workers from five unions.
"The LIRR owns this strike. Union workers have sacrificed so much for the railroad for yearswhile consistently bargaining in good faith for a fair contract," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "Hundreds of thousands of commuters rely on our members' labor every day. The LIRR is stranding passengers while denying wages, benefits, and respect to BLET Teamsters and other hardworking union members. All 1.3 million members of the Teamsters Union are standing with every worker on strike. We will win this fight and the LIRR will give these essential workers the contract they've earned."
The LIRR is the busiest commuter railroad in America, with 300,000 daily passengers. It is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). This is the first strike at the carrier in 32 years.
"This strike would not have happened if the MTA and LIRR offered our members the reasonable terms the government recommended multiple times. But management refused," said Mark Wallace, President of the BLET and the Teamsters Rail Conference. "We hope LIRR gets serious soon to avoid further unnecessary disruptions for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. They know where to find us when they're ready: on the streets."
The Teamsters represent over 500 locomotive engineers at the railroad. They have gone three years without raises throughout the process of bargaining a new contract.
"To every LIRR passenger whose trip is disrupted, know that the MTA left us no choice but to strike," said Gil Lang, General Chairman of the BLET's LIRR General Committee. "We don't want to be on the picket line. But after three years without raises, we cannot make any more compromises to cover for the MTA's mismanagement."
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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Original text here: https://teamster.org/2026/05/3500-workers-walk-out-as-blet-teamsters-union-coalition-launch-lirr-strike/
