Featured Stories
UAW Statement on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11
DETROIT, Michigan, Sept. 10 [Category: Union] -- The United Automobile Workers posted the following news:
* * *
UAW Statement on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11
*
The members of the UAW remember and mourn the workers, first responders, and all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. We honor their memory by recognizing the courage and solidarity of working people who, in a moment of unimaginable tragedy, stepped forward to help one another. We reject violence, hatred, racism, and religious bigotry in all forms.
In memory of those we lost, we recommit ourselves to building a more just
... Show Full Article
DETROIT, Michigan, Sept. 10 [Category: Union] -- The United Automobile Workers posted the following news:
* * *
UAW Statement on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11
*
The members of the UAW remember and mourn the workers, first responders, and all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. We honor their memory by recognizing the courage and solidarity of working people who, in a moment of unimaginable tragedy, stepped forward to help one another. We reject violence, hatred, racism, and religious bigotry in all forms.
In memory of those we lost, we recommit ourselves to building a more justsociety-one where working people stand together, every worker is valued, every family can thrive, and no one is targeted because of who they are or what they believe.
Our strength is in our solidarity
***
Original text here: https://uaw.org/uaw-statement-on-the-25th-anniversary-of-9-11/
Teamsters at Foremost Farms Reedsburg Ratify Strong Contract
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
* * *
Teamsters at Foremost Farms Reedsburg Ratify Strong Contract
*
Press Contact: Lena Melentijevic Phone: (347) 208-2279 Email: LMelentijevic@teamster.org
(REEDSBURG, Wis.) - More than 40 Teamsters at Foremost Farms in Reedsburg, Wis., have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract. The agreement delivers a 27 percent wage increase, improved benefits, stronger workplace protections, and additional gains for members at the dairy cooperative's butter production facility.
"This
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
* * *
Teamsters at Foremost Farms Reedsburg Ratify Strong Contract
*
Press Contact: Lena Melentijevic Phone: (347) 208-2279 Email: LMelentijevic@teamster.org
(REEDSBURG, Wis.) - More than 40 Teamsters at Foremost Farms in Reedsburg, Wis., have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract. The agreement delivers a 27 percent wage increase, improved benefits, stronger workplace protections, and additional gains for members at the dairy cooperative's butter production facility.
"Thiscontract is a testament to the strength and solidarity of our members," said Shaun Mullikin, Business Agent for Teamsters Local 120. "They remained united throughout negotiations and refused to settle. Our bargaining committee did a terrific job delivering an agreement that will make a lasting difference for members and their families."
In addition to higher wages and stronger workplace protections, workers secured retroactive pay, additional vacation time, preserved TeamCare health coverage, improved overtime protections, solutions to chronic staffing issues, enhanced paid leave provisions, and strong successor language that protects workers in the event of a plant sale, transfer, or change in ownership.
"A lot was at stake throughout these negotiations," said Jeremy Backeberg, a worker at Foremost Farms and steward with Local 120. "We all stayed engaged, supported one another, and made sure our voices were heard. I'm proud of the solidarity we showed because it got us a deal that addresses our concerns and reflects the value we bring to the Reedsburg plant."
Teamsters Local 120 proudly represents over 15,000 workers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota. For more information, visit local120.org.
***
Original text here: https://teamster.org/2026/09/teamsters-at-foremost-farms-reedsburg-ratify-strong-contract/
Nurses celebrate final passage of landmark A.I. bills, urge Gov. Newsom to sign
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Sept. 10 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
* * *
Nurses celebrate final passage of landmark A.I. bills, urge Gov. Newsom to sign
*
Union nurses with California Nurses Association (CNA) celebrated the final passage through both houses of the California Legislature of two CNA-sponsored bills (AB 1979, AB 2575) with landmark guardrails on the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in health care, now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom's signature.
The bills - AB 1979 and AB 2575 - protect patients, defend nurses' professional judgment,
... Show Full Article
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Sept. 10 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
* * *
Nurses celebrate final passage of landmark A.I. bills, urge Gov. Newsom to sign
*
Union nurses with California Nurses Association (CNA) celebrated the final passage through both houses of the California Legislature of two CNA-sponsored bills (AB 1979, AB 2575) with landmark guardrails on the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in health care, now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom's signature.
The bills - AB 1979 and AB 2575 - protect patients, defend nurses' professional judgment,and hold corporations accountable for the A.I. they deploy. The bills passed over the opposition of a coalition of hospital corporations, health plans, and technology industry groups that spent months lobbying to weaken or kill them. This legislation will set the standard for and serve as a model for other states, industries, and regulatory bodies for patient and worker protections against A.I. tools and technology.
"Nurses fought for these bills because we are the last line of defense for our patients, and our employers know it," said Sandy Reding, RN and president of California Nurses Association. "Every day, nurses catch the errors that would otherwise reach the bedside. Now the corporations want machines to overrule us, and they want us to stay quiet about it. Our patients trust us. The State of California trusts us with a license. Governor Newsom should trust us too, and sign these bills."
AB 1979, authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (CA-18th District), ensures that health care entities cannot use A.I. to replace the clinical judgment of a licensed health care professional and also requires companies offering A.I. health applications that access medical records to comply with California's medical confidentiality laws.
"Technology should not replace human decision-making in health care," said Assemblymember Bonta. "AI is rapidly integrating into our health care system and reshaping our personal experience with it. Protecting patient safety, keeping our professional workforce engaged, and preserving the integrity of health care requires that we not rely exclusively on A.I. to do things quicker and cheaper. AB 1979 does that by ensuring medical records stay protected when accessed through direct-to-consumer health chatbots, and that licensed health care professionals retain the ability to exercise professional judgment when a clinical decision support system informs their care of a patient."
AB 2575, authored by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (CA-20th District), affirms the clinical judgment of health care workers and their right to override unsafe and inappropriate A.I. outputs without fear of retaliation, and it ensures that A.I. developers and deployers cannot easily evade accountability for harm caused by their systems, including not being able to scapegoat a human health care worker who engaged with the A.I. tool as a defense against liability.
"Most Californians want their nurse-not a robot-making the final call," said Assemblymember Ortega. "That's what AB 2575 does."
"No machine can replace the judgment, compassion or human touch of a nurse," said Lorena Gonzalez, President of the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO. "Artificial Intelligence tools are not licensed, not subject to health care privacy laws, and not required to take a Hippocratic Oath to 'do no harm'. AB 2575 ensures AI tools are controlled by humans and do not replace our jobs."
Governor Newsom has until Sept. 30, 2026 to sign or veto the legislation.
California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation with more than 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California and more than 225,000 RNs nationwide.
***
Original text here: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/nurses-celebrate-final-passage-of-landmark-ai-bills-urge-gov-newsom-to-sign
NEU Comment on PISA 2025 Results
LONDON, England, Sept. 10 -- The National Education Union issued the following news release:
* * *
NEU comment on PISA 2025 results
Commenting on the publication of PISA's report, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"Today's PISA report shows that British pupils receive above-average support from their teachers (1). Britain's science scores have reversed the decline of the last decade, and English and maths scores have remained the same, unlike in other countries where scores fell (2).
"Teachers here have among the largest classes and highest pupil numbers
... Show Full Article
LONDON, England, Sept. 10 -- The National Education Union issued the following news release:
* * *
NEU comment on PISA 2025 results
Commenting on the publication of PISA's report, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"Today's PISA report shows that British pupils receive above-average support from their teachers (1). Britain's science scores have reversed the decline of the last decade, and English and maths scores have remained the same, unlike in other countries where scores fell (2).
"Teachers here have among the largest classes and highest pupil numbersof any OECD country (3), and PISA finds teacher shortages hindering learning in more schools than the OECD average, while other countries are improving (4). Ministers cannot keep asking schools to do more with less. Britain's teachers are making up for the lack of government investment, but they cannot do that forever.
"The results also confirm what the NEU has long warned: too many pupils, poorer pupils especially, do not feel they belong at school (5). Pupils from poorer homes still do far worse than their better-off classmates (6), and over the past decade poorer pupils have fallen further behind in maths (7). Free school meals for every child, not just some, would tackle the stigma and exclusion at the heart of this.
"On AI, pupils are using these tools constantly (8), yet barely two in five feel able to judge whether what they produce is trustworthy (9). Schools need funding, guidance and time to teach this properly."
* * *
Editor's Note
1. OECD, PISA 2025 Results (Volume I): Future-Ready Students (2026), Table I.7, p.40: UK teacher-support mean index +0.23, against an OECD average of +0.03.
2. OECD (2026), Table I.1, p.28 and p.93: UK science score +12 points (2022-2025) against an OECD average of -3, with reading and maths flat against an OECD-wide fall; the UK is one of seven systems worldwide where the share of low performers fell and top performers rose simultaneously.
3. OECD, Education at a Glance 2025 (2025): UK primary student-teacher ratio 19.5, ranked 4th-highest of 43 countries; class size 27 pupils in public primary schools, ranked 3rd-highest of 37.
4. OECD (2026), Table I.7, p.40: 23.2% of UK pupils are in a school reporting no teacher shortage, against 28.8% OECD average.
5. OECD (2026), Table I.5, p.36: UK sense-of-belonging mean index -0.10, against an OECD average of +0.09.
6. OECD (2026), Table I.2, p.30: 80-point science score gap between advantaged and disadvantaged pupils in the UK in 2025.
7. OECD (2026), p.102: UK's decade-long (2015-2025) maths trend concentrated among low-achieving pupils, widening the gap.
8. Ofcom, Children and parents: media use and attitudes report 2026 (2026): 56-66% of UK children aged 8-17 have used AI.
9. OECD (2026), Table I.6, p.38: 42.4% of UK pupils feel able to assess whether AI-generated information is trustworthy, against an OECD average of 62.6%.
* * *
Original text here: https://neu.org.uk/latest/press-releases/neu-comment-pisa-2025-results?_locale=en
[Category: Union]
Compact for America's Youth Launches with New Commitments from Labor, Industry, Education and Philanthropy
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
* * *
Compact for America's Youth Launches with New Commitments from Labor, Industry, Education and Philanthropy
*
WASHINGTON-Leaders from industry, labor, education and philanthropy today launched the Compact for America's Youth, a challenge to public and private sector leaders to open real paths from school into careers for young people. The AFT, CareerWise and Jobs for the Future issued the call to action at a forum Sept.10 in Washington, D.C., where organizations announced
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
* * *
Compact for America's Youth Launches with New Commitments from Labor, Industry, Education and Philanthropy
*
WASHINGTON-Leaders from industry, labor, education and philanthropy today launched the Compact for America's Youth, a challenge to public and private sector leaders to open real paths from school into careers for young people. The AFT, CareerWise and Jobs for the Future issued the call to action at a forum Sept.10 in Washington, D.C., where organizations announcedtheir first commitments.
The compact responds to three forces converging on young people entering the workforce: affordability, anxiety and artificial intelligence. Together, they strain the launchpad decade between ages 16 and 26, when young people accumulate the education, experience, and networks that shape their earnings and sense of possibility for years after. The compact asks organizations to answer with public, measurable commitments across three pillars: mobilizing industry investment, advancing smart systems and policies, and deploying innovative tools and resources.
Thursday's forum featured remarks and panel discussions with leaders across sectors, including AFT President Randi Weingarten, CareerWise President and CEO Brent Parton, Jobs for the Future President and CEO Maria Flynn, and RAISE US CEO Gina Raimondo, alongside business leaders such as General Motors' Reggie Humphrey, Micron's Melanie Lewis, Aon's Dan Serota, and Siemens Foundation CEO David Etzwiler, plus representatives from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, North America's Building Trades Unions, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the College Board and the National Skills Coalition.
"Every young person deserves to see real pathways from the classroom to success in life, be it college, career or both; and our members are the ones helping to build those pathways every day," said AFT President Randi Weingarten. "That's why we're coupling our passion with a substantial investment for this effort-$150,000 to help affiliates turn interest into action, whether that's a robotics club, a welding partnership with a local employer, or a first taste of a career in middle school. AI is changing what the future of work looks like, and it's changing it fast. Our job is to make sure young people aren't left to navigate that alone-that they have educators, labor and employers walking the pathway with them. This compact is a commitment to do that work together, and to hold each other accountable for results."
"AI is reshaping what an early career even looks like, and the years that should launch a young person-the last stretch of high school, a first real paid job, the first two years after-aren't working as a launchpad for enough of them," said Brent Parton, president and CEO of CareerWise. "No single employer, school or union fixes that alone. What's new here is a compact across the public and private sectors, everyone standing behind young people at the moment that decides the next decade of their lives."
"Helping young people get a strong start in the workforce has long been central to JFF's mission, and that work is even more important as AI reshapes how people enter and advance in their careers," said Maria Flynn, president and CEO of Jobs for the Future. "Young people need more than technical skills. They need meaningful early experiences with the world of work, clear information about the opportunities available to them, and pathways that connect learning to economic mobility. Through our partnership with LinkedIn, we're building on JFF's longstanding investment in early-career support by examining how AI is changing entry-level jobs and what it will take to help young people navigate and succeed in a rapidly changing economy."
The First Commitments
Organizations in attendance announced their first commitments, ranging from new funding and program launches to shared curriculum, digital tools and pledges to open more paid pathways for young people.
* The AFT is directing $150,000 in new Career Pathways Partnership Grants to local affiliates to launch and strengthen career-connected learning in their communities, supporting work-based learning programs, employer and higher education partnerships, and classroom career and technical education clubs.
* JFF and LinkedIn are partnering on a $400,000, one-year initiative to examine how AI is reshaping early-career jobs and pathways, what skills young people need to navigate that shift, and how practitioners can support them. The partnership will produce an in-depth analysis intended to drive systems-level change in how young people are supported at the start of their careers.
* North America's Building Trades Unions and Microsoft announced the Jobs Machine, an AI-powered tool that helps students, parents, and job seekers understand and enroll in registered construction apprenticeship programs.
* The AFL-CIO's workforce development arm, the Working for America Institute, announced a new initiative with the AFT to explore piloting WAI's MC2 (Manufacturing Core Curriculum) with high school students in up to three locations in 2027.
* General Motors is committing $500,000 to Manufacturing Futures, a new AFT program launching this school year that will connect middle school students in the Detroit area to advanced manufacturing careers across nine schools in Detroit Public Schools Community District and Dearborn Public Schools.
* RAISE US, a new nonpartisan nonprofit organization piloting programs to ensure that workers aren't left behind in the transition to an AI economy, is partnering with the AFT to explore how higher education institutions can better prepare faculty, staff and students to responsibly engage AI in the classroom and better prepare college students for the impact of AI in the workforce-including focus groups, surveys and direct engagement with faculty, staff and students.
* The Siemens Foundation is committing $2 million to expand CareerWise's radiologic technologist apprenticeships nationwide, bringing the model to two additional cities. The commitment builds on CareerWise's healthcare apprenticeship work in New York City, including its FutureReadyNYC Healthcare Pathway Accelerator, and comes in part from the Siemens Healthineers Fund of the Siemens Foundation.
* The Walton Family Foundation is investing $5 million in CareerWise to launch a national "Apprentice Ready Schools" initiative to forge direct linkages between high schools and industry partners. The initiative will impact up to 60 districts and charter networks nationwide to design, strengthen, and scale apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities, reaching at least 30,000 students.
* The Annie E. Casey Foundation invested in CareerWise to support five states as they align education and apprenticeship systems, and work closely with national industry partners to develop sector-based models that accelerate employer engagement in the expansion of real apprenticeship opportunities for youth.
"The building trades have been the original jobs machine for generations, creating pathways to the family-sustaining, middle-class careers through world-class Registered Apprenticeship programs," said NABTU President Sean McGarvey. "Today, we're proudly partnering with AFT, Microsoft Elevate, ASCA and CareerWise to bring that opportunity to more young people than ever before. The Jobs Machine will help students, parents, families and educators navigate apprenticeship pathways with the same confidence they have when exploring college options. Because every young person deserves the best access to clear information, real opportunity, and a chance to build a successful future through our fantastic skilled-trades programs."
"Providing America's youth with the vital skills needed to create rewarding and sustainable careers goes to the heart of WAI's mission, and we are excited to expand our important work with this initiative," said Elizabeth Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO and WAI's board of trustees.
"Across the country, there are high-demand careers offering young people a path to economic opportunity, but we need stronger pathways to connect people with those jobs," said David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation. "By bringing together employers, educators, government and workforce organizations, we can continue to create sector-focused partnerships to strengthen these pathways. We congratulate CareerWise on this impactful work and look forward to expanding access to additional programs in New York and across the country."
About CareerWise
CareerWise is a national nonprofit organization leading the movement to connect young people to meaningful careers through education-to-career pathways. Moving beyond the limitations of a one-size-fits-all college model, CareerWise architects and advances real solutions that connect education with meaningful careers through career accelerator infrastructure, including its gold standard youth apprenticeship programs. Drawing on nearly a decade of hands-on experience, the organization directly implements programs supporting 2,500+ high school-aged apprentices, touching hundreds of communities and school districts across the country. CareerWise also supports 80+ intermediaries across 35 states and partners with businesses of all sizes, from innovative startups to Fortune 500 companies.
About Jobs for the Future
JFF transforms U.S. education and workforce systems to drive economic success for people, businesses and communities. www.jff.org.
***
Original text here: https://www.aft.org/press-release/compact-americas-youth-launches-new-commitments-labor-industry-education-and
Blizzard Entertainment Workers Ratify Historic Video Game Contracts with CWA
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Communications Workers of America posted the following news release:
* * *
Blizzard Entertainment Workers Ratify Historic Video Game Contracts with CWA
*
New union contracts represent nearly 1,900 workers across Blizzard; include guardrails around AI usage, layoff protections, and remote and hybrid work benefits
NATIONWIDE -Blizzard Entertainment workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) voted to ratify historic union contracts with the Microsoft-owned company, securing an unprecedented victory for the video game
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Communications Workers of America posted the following news release:
* * *
Blizzard Entertainment Workers Ratify Historic Video Game Contracts with CWA
*
New union contracts represent nearly 1,900 workers across Blizzard; include guardrails around AI usage, layoff protections, and remote and hybrid work benefits
NATIONWIDE -Blizzard Entertainment workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) voted to ratify historic union contracts with the Microsoft-owned company, securing an unprecedented victory for the video gameindustry following the Labor Day holiday and just days ahead of BlizzCon, Blizzard Entertainment's flagship gaming convention in Anaheim, Calif.
After two years of bargaining, nearly 1900 video game workers have won a breakthrough first contract, whose terms will now extend to all units across Blizzard's game teams and shared services, including union-represented workers at World of Warcraft, Quality Assurance, Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble, Overwatch, Diablo, and Blizzard's Platform & Technology and Story and Franchise Development units.
"I've been at Blizzard for 20 years because I love this company and the amazing people I work with. This contract secures a lot of what people already love about working here while adding strong protections around layoffs, job security, and remote work," said Platform & Technology bargaining committee member and Principal Software Engineer Daniel Weltz. "Blizzard helped shape the gaming industry, and I'm proud that this contract allows us to continue setting new standards for this work."
Blizzard Entertainment workers outside the Irvine, Calif., office after World of Warcraft workers became the first wall-to-wall union at Activision Blizzard in July 2024 with the formation of WoWGG-CWA.
The union contracts reinforce several workplace benefits that set industry-wide standards for video game workers in the United States. Alongside wage increases, grievance procedures, a three-day in-office hybrid workweek, "just cause" protections, remote work and disability accommodations, the contracts now require Blizzard to discuss, evaluate, and bargain over the usage of artificial intelligence in the workplace. In an industry first, the new union contracts give workers the right to be "recalled" into open positions across any Blizzard bargaining unit for 14 months from the date of their layoff announcement. Workers have also secured an extra 4 weeks of severance for union workers regardless of their tenure.
"This contract marks the beginning of a new era at Blizzard Entertainment, but it doesn't stop with us. I look forward to the day that everyone in the industry can enjoy the protections that this contract affords us, like increased severance and recall rights in the event of a layoff and the ability to grieve injustices in the workplace," said Overwatch bargaining committee member and Quality Analyst Simon Hedrick. "I believe that the positive change we have won will ripple out and help make the games industry as a whole a better place for workers and players alike. This contract is the start of something greater, and I urge everyone to remember: when we fight together, we win together."
A prominent issue for members of the bargaining committee during contract negotiations was industry layoffs. In July, Microsoft's gaming division -now rebranded as XBOX -announced 3,200 planned job reductions across XBOX, impacting hundreds of union members. Hundreds of CWA members and allies coordinated rallies across the United States and Canada in protest of these layoffs, demanding dignity and respect for those laid-off.
Video game workers and allies rallying against layoffs outside the Austin Activision building in August. Courtesy of CWA Local 2108 Member Emilio Gonzalez.
"CWA members at Blizzard are leading the way for all XBOX studios, showing what can be achieved when video game workers have a strong voice in shaping their studios for the better. It's a new day at Blizzard, where greater power for workers is translating into more innovative games for players," said Claude Cummings, Jr., President of CWA. "I am so proud of CWA bargaining teams, taking on tough fights and winning strong contracts that set new standards for working people across our industries."
About CODE-CWA
The Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) is a union movement of thousands of workers fighting every single day to build the voice and power necessary to ensure the future of the tech, games, and digital industries in the United States and Canada. CODE-CWA is a project of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), which represents hundreds of thousands of workers throughout tech, media, telecom, and other industries who stand together to fight for justice on the job and in our communities.
cwa-union.org @cwaunion
***
Original text here: https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/blizzard-entertainment-workers-ratify-historic-video-game-contracts-cwa
ATU Local 1091-Austin, TX, President/Business Agent Brent Payne Appointed International Vice President
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Sept. 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Amalgamated Transit Union issued the following news release:
* * *
ATU Local 1091-Austin, TX, President/Business Agent Brent Payne Appointed International Vice President
*
ATU International President John Costa has appointed Local 1091-Austin, TX, President/Business Agent Brent Payne with approval by the ATU General Executive Board as an ATU International Vice President.
"From being a rank-and-file Bus Operator to a Local 1091 Executive Board Member to President/Business Agent and Chair of the ATU Texas Legislative Conference
... Show Full Article
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Sept. 9 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Amalgamated Transit Union issued the following news release:
* * *
ATU Local 1091-Austin, TX, President/Business Agent Brent Payne Appointed International Vice President
*
ATU International President John Costa has appointed Local 1091-Austin, TX, President/Business Agent Brent Payne with approval by the ATU General Executive Board as an ATU International Vice President.
"From being a rank-and-file Bus Operator to a Local 1091 Executive Board Member to President/Business Agent and Chair of the ATU Texas Legislative ConferenceBoard, Brent Payne has been a proven leader. He has steered his Local through good times and bad, always advocating for his membership and his community," said Costa. "Brent has a deep pride for the ATU and the labor movement. We welcome him as a strong addition to the General Executive Board, where he will continue to do the important work of serving our members and our Union."
Joining Local 1091 in September 1987 as a CapMetro Fixed Route Bus Operator, Payne was elected to the Local Executive Board in 1996 and held that position until 1998. In 1999, he successfully ran for the Local's Vice President of Operations and served two terms. He was also appointed as a Pension Trustee in 1998 and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Pension Committee. He was then re-elected as Vice President of Operations in 2014. In 2016, the members elected Payne as President/Business Agent, and he is currently serving his third term.
Under his leadership, the Local has negotiated multiple contracts, and he led the Local through the CapMetro transition from contractor MV Transportation to Keolis and a recent strike threat resulting in a strong deal. He also has served as President of the ATU Texas Legislative Conference Board since 2023 and President of the ATU Multi-Employer Joint Industry Council.
"I am beyond humbled and honored to be appointed as International Vice President by International President John Costa. His fearless leadership and steadfast commitment have set the standard in establishing the ATU as the top union in the labor movement," said Payne. "I look forward to working with International President Costa, International Executive President Yvette Trujillo, International Secretary-Treasurer Ken Kirk, and our General Executive Board to make our Union and members proud."
***
Original text here: https://www.atu.org/media/press/2026/brent-payne-appointed-ivp
