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National Education Union: National Pupil Projections Provide Opportunity to Reduce Class Sizes
LONDON, England, July 17 -- The National Education Union issued the following statement by General Secretary Daniel Kebede:
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National pupil projections provide opportunity to reduce class sizes
Commenting on the Government's new projections for the change in pupil numbers, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"Falling pupil numbers provide a precious opportunity for the government to evolve towards smaller, more inclusive classes, meaningfully improving education for children and school staff alike.
"We are emerging from a period with the highest pupil
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LONDON, England, July 17 -- The National Education Union issued the following statement by General Secretary Daniel Kebede:
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National pupil projections provide opportunity to reduce class sizes
Commenting on the Government's new projections for the change in pupil numbers, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"Falling pupil numbers provide a precious opportunity for the government to evolve towards smaller, more inclusive classes, meaningfully improving education for children and school staff alike.
"We are emerging from a period with the highest pupilnumbers for over 40 years, with class sizes the highest in Europe and over a million children crammed into classes of over 30.
"When pupil numbers last fell in the early 2000s, the Labour government responded by increasing school staffing levels and reducing class sizes, a model for their 2026 successors to follow.
"Unfortunately, early signs are that the current Government risks squandering this opportunity. Overall teacher numbers are down by 1,900 in the last year alone, making a mockery of the Government's promise of 6,500 extra teachers. If they continue down this path, they will lock in high class sizes and the harm caused by a decade and a half of neglect, overcrowding and underfunding. This has left school staff burnt out and schools running on empty.
"There is no room for complacency. The Government must properly fund schools and implement the fully-funded, above-inflation pay rises and improvements in workload that are urgently needed to tackle teacher shortages and protect our education service."
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Original text here: https://neu.org.uk/latest/press-releases/national-pupil-projections-provide-opportunity-reduce-class-sizes?_locale=en
[Category: Union]
AFL-CIO: The Labor Movement Rejects the President's Agenda to Deny Working People's Fundamental Rights
WASHINGTON, July 17 -- The AFL-CIO issued the following statement by President Liz Shuler:
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AFL-CIO: The Labor Movement Rejects the President's Agenda to Deny Working People's Fundamental Rights
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement in response to President Trump's national address on elections:
Tonight, President Trump pushed years-old, thoroughly debunked, alarmingly dangerous conspiracy theories in an effort to undermine our elections and deny Americans their fundamental freedoms. The purpose is clear: divide, scare and intimidate working people to stop the election
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WASHINGTON, July 17 -- The AFL-CIO issued the following statement by President Liz Shuler:
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AFL-CIO: The Labor Movement Rejects the President's Agenda to Deny Working People's Fundamental Rights
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement in response to President Trump's national address on elections:
Tonight, President Trump pushed years-old, thoroughly debunked, alarmingly dangerous conspiracy theories in an effort to undermine our elections and deny Americans their fundamental freedoms. The purpose is clear: divide, scare and intimidate working people to stop the electionof public officials who will hold the rich and powerful accountable for their greed.
It's also a blatant attempt to distract from the fact that everything is too expensive, working people are struggling, and his administration's policies are only making it worse.
The labor movement rejects any attempt by the President of the United States or anyone else to weaken our democracy. We demand a government where elected leaders answer to working people--not billionaires, corporate CEOs or special interests.
Every day until November, the AFL-CIO and our affiliated unions are organizing and mobilizing, in our communities and to the ballot box, to turn out union voters and elect pro-worker candidates.
We're using our boots on the ground in every corner of this nation to run an extensive election protection program that ensures every vote is counted and every voice is heard. And we are standing up for one another--with the strength and solidarity of the workers who built this country--to defend the fundamental freedoms of all working people.
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Original text here: https://aflcio.org/press/releases/afl-cio-labor-movement-rejects-presidents-agenda-deny-working-peoples-fundamental
[Category: Union]
NEU Comment on Government's New Social Media Restrictions for 16-17 Year Olds
LONDON, England, July 16 -- The National Education Union issued the following statement by General Secretary Daniel Kebede:
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NEU comment on Government's new social media restrictions for 16-17 year olds
Commenting on the Government announcement that includes curfews for social media use and measures on addictive features, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"It is vital that raising the social media age limit to 16 does not create a cliff edge for older teenagers. Measures such as default nighttime curfews and switching off addictive features are an
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LONDON, England, July 16 -- The National Education Union issued the following statement by General Secretary Daniel Kebede:
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NEU comment on Government's new social media restrictions for 16-17 year olds
Commenting on the Government announcement that includes curfews for social media use and measures on addictive features, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"It is vital that raising the social media age limit to 16 does not create a cliff edge for older teenagers. Measures such as default nighttime curfews and switching off addictive features are animportant step towards making social media safer for 16- and 17-year-olds. But we must also give young people the digital literacy and online citizenship skills they need to navigate these platforms safely.
"AI chatbots can provide unreliable, inaccurate and, at times, dangerous advice to children and young people. Promoting healthier online habits and tackling these emerging risks is essential, so today's measures are a welcome progress in the right direction.
"For too long, social media companies have been free to profit from children's attention while disrupting their education, harming their wellbeing and exposing them to content they are not ready to see. By banning social media for under-16s and introducing these safeguards, the Government is taking an important step towards giving children back their childhoods."
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Original text here: https://neu.org.uk/latest/press-releases/neu-comment-governments-new-social-media-restrictions-16-17-year-olds?_locale=en
[Category: Union]
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 3 Minnesota Incumbents for Reelection to Congress
WASHINGTON, July 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 3 Minnesota Incumbents for Reelection to Congress
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AFGE says Reps. Morrison, McCollum, and Omar have 100% voting records on issues vital to AFGE members and all federal workers
EAGAN, Minn. - The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of three members of Congress for reelection to the U.S. House representing Minnesota in the 2026 elections. The statewide primary is Aug. 11, and
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WASHINGTON, July 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 3 Minnesota Incumbents for Reelection to Congress
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AFGE says Reps. Morrison, McCollum, and Omar have 100% voting records on issues vital to AFGE members and all federal workers
EAGAN, Minn. - The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of three members of Congress for reelection to the U.S. House representing Minnesota in the 2026 elections. The statewide primary is Aug. 11, andthe general election is Nov. 3.
The three incumbents being endorsed are Reps. Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Betty McCollum (MN-04), and Ilhan Omar (MN-05).
Over the past year, these representatives have maintained a 100% voting record in support of AFGE members, standing strong during some of the most aggressive union-busting attacks on federal employees in American history. At every turn, they have stood side by side with federal workers, defending their rights to collectively bargain and advocating for the dignity and respect they deserve on the job.
In a period of unprecedented challenges for federal workers, these lawmakers have consistently demonstrated that they have workers' backs.
"At a time when federal workers were under attack, Representatives Morrison, McCollum, and Omar stood shoulder to shoulder with our members," AFGE District 8 National Vice President Ruark Hotopp said. "They didn't just support us in Washington - they reached out, they listened, and they showed they truly care about the people behind the jobs. That's why AFGE is proud to endorse them for reelection."
More than 31,600 federal employees live in Minnesota - caring for veterans, supporting the military, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE represents more than 42,600 federal employees in District 8, which includes Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/9fa24450c58549dc958df984eb0935dc.aspx
AFT's Weingarten Delivers Major National Address Ahead of Midterms
WASHINGTON, July 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
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AFT's Weingarten Delivers Major National Address Ahead of Midterms
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WASHINGTON -Calling out the obscene explosion of billionaire wealth at the same time most American households live paycheck to paycheck, AFT President Randi Weingarten urged the union's 1.88 million members to get out the vote and hit the streets for the upcoming midterms, to reverse the growing power imbalance poisoning American democracy.
In a blockbuster keynote before 3,000 fired-up delegates
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WASHINGTON, July 16 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
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AFT's Weingarten Delivers Major National Address Ahead of Midterms
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WASHINGTON -Calling out the obscene explosion of billionaire wealth at the same time most American households live paycheck to paycheck, AFT President Randi Weingarten urged the union's 1.88 million members to get out the vote and hit the streets for the upcoming midterms, to reverse the growing power imbalance poisoning American democracy.
In a blockbuster keynote before 3,000 fired-up delegatesat the national union's 89th biennial convention, Weingarten said "mind-blowing" wealth and income inequality was at the root of America's woes, but that the countervailing power of the labor movement could halt the aristocratic turn in the 111 days before Nov. 3.
"This election will decide whether we are a country governed by the people or ruled by the powerful. A country of opportunity or oligarchy. A country whose people live in freedom or in fear," Weingarten said.
The top 1 percent of Americans now have as much as the bottom 90 percent-a yawning gap that diminishes the lives of everyone. Skyrocketing housing, healthcare and gas prices, combined with ruinous tariffs and anemic wage growth, have only deepened the nation's cost-of-living crisis.
The new class of billionaires and trillionaires have the power to write policy, undo social progress, warp financial markets, monopolize the media, buy elections and undermine democracy, Weingarten noted. "But this is what they don't have-the power of the people to bargain together, to protest together, to vote together, to act together to bring about change-real, lasting, life-improving change."
Unions are the vehicle. "We use our power for good-against chaos, cruelty and corruption. We care, we fight and we show up-for a better life for all. Oh, and one more thing: We get shit done!"
Weingarten announced a comprehensive midterms political strategy that would mobilize the 1.3 million AFT members and their families who live in districts and states with competitive races in November. Alongside the AFL-CIO, the union has a goal of reaching 2 million new voters this cycle. A 50,000-strong "Democracy Defenders" election protection program will ensure that people can exercise their right to vote free from ballot box intimidation. She urged candidates to embrace the economic and social policies the union is fighting for: increasing the minimum wage to $25, a working families tax cut paid for by millionaires and more funding for public schools and colleges, while reversing cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Weingarten, first elected in 2008, noted that during her tenure the AFT-the fastest-growing union in the AFL-CIO-has become a "bigger, badder, big-hearted union." AFT membership now sits at a record 1,875,222 members, with thousands of workers across 3,786 affiliates flocking to join even in the face of cynical attacks from far-right groups that refuse to disclose their billionaire donors. Since its last convention in 2024, the union has organized 179 new units with nearly 60,000 members from Hawaii to Maine.
The AFT has won a slew of material victories over the last two years for its members and the American people. It secured $78 billion in student debt forgiveness through borrower advocacy and filed more than 25 lawsuits to stop the White House's war on civil rights, free speech and immigrants and its cuts to K-12 and higher education funding. The union has launched major national higher education and healthcare campaigns and fought for AI protections for kids and training for teachers. And it has distributed 11 million books to parents and kids as part of its wildly popular Reading Opens the World initiative.
Weingarten, who published the New York Times -bestseller Why Fascists Fear Teachers last year, catalogued the Trump administration's dire threats to democracy that are tearing at America's rights and freedoms. The president is weaponizing the justice system, sending masked agents into cities to brutalize immigrants and obstructing free and fair elections-all while abusing his office to enrich himself and his family.
She slammed Trump's farcical, failed attempt to turn America's 250th birthday into a political rally while continuing to deny responsibility for the Jan., 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
"Mr. President, you don't own July Fourth, you own Jan. 6," Weingarten said.
She concluded with a passionate call to arms: "Do we want a future where billionaires and a trillionaire continue to grow their wealth at the expense of working people, or one where working people earn a decent wage, support their family and take a vacation once in a while?
"Do we want a future in which classrooms lack resources and life-changing research is abandoned, or one in which we nurture the potential of every student and we continue to lead the world in bold discoveries?
"Do we want a future where big healthcare corporations put profits over people, or one in which every person-every person-has access to healthcare, and healthcare professionals have the resources, staffing and power to help their patients?
"Do we want a future ruled by tech bros and robots, or a future grounded in dignity and humanity?
"Do we want a future in which elections are rigged to maintain one-party control and government is for sale to the highest bidder, or one in which every person's vote matters and government serves the people?"
"That," Weingarten said, "is what's at stake in November 2026."
The full speech can be viewed here and downloaded here.
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Original text here: https://www.aft.org/press-release/afts-weingarten-delivers-major-national-address-ahead-midterms
Brooklyn Bowl Stagehands Vote to Join IATSE Local 4
NEW YORK, July 15 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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Brooklyn Bowl Stagehands Vote to Join IATSE Local 4
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Brooklyn, NY -Production workers at Brooklyn Bowl's flagship Williamsburg location voted 15-1 to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 4, Tuesday. The newly formed bargaining unit covers 24 production workers at the popular Brooklyn venue.
Opened in 2009, Brooklyn Bowl Williamsburg has grown into one of New York City's premier live music destinations, hosting
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NEW YORK, July 15 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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Brooklyn Bowl Stagehands Vote to Join IATSE Local 4
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Brooklyn, NY -Production workers at Brooklyn Bowl's flagship Williamsburg location voted 15-1 to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 4, Tuesday. The newly formed bargaining unit covers 24 production workers at the popular Brooklyn venue.
Opened in 2009, Brooklyn Bowl Williamsburg has grown into one of New York City's premier live music destinations, hostingup to 1,000 guests and welcoming notable acts including Les Claypool, The Roots, and Elvis Costello, among many others.
The path to this victory began years before the election. Around 2022, Local 4 planted the seed with the crew, and over time, interest grew steadily, with Local 4's leadership providing the support needed to run an effective campaign.
Once a supermajority of workers had signed authorization cards, Local 4 submitted a letter to the employer requesting voluntary recognition, with a response deadline of May 1st. The employer requested an extension to May 15th, which was granted, but provided no further response. Local 4 then filed an RC petition with NLRB Region 29, accompanied by the signed authorization cards, and won the subsequent election by an overwhelming margin.
"This victory shows once again that when workers come together to improve their conditions, anything is possible," said IATSE Special Representative Joseph Juntunen. "Local 4 and the IA stand ready to assist and represent stagehands and workers throughout the entertainment ecosystem to build a stronger future for all."
Crew member Ryan Ramirez put it plainly: "Union representation for me means I have support and protection as a working-class person. Working within an organization that earns when I earn rather than being a red line item against profitability."
This win is part of a broader surge in organizing activity across Local 4's jurisdiction, as workers throughout the live entertainment industry continue to build power on the job. Entertainment workers looking to join together to win better workplaces can head to iatse.net/join to contact an IATSE organizer.
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Original text here: https://iatse.net/brooklyn-bowl-stagehands-vote-to-join-iatse-local-4/
AFL-CIO Demands Accountability After ICE Killings of Workers in Texas, Maine
WASHINGTON, July 15 -- The AFL-CIO issued the following statement by President Liz Shuler:
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AFL-CIO Demands Accountability After ICE Killings of Workers in Texas, Maine
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement in response to the fatal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shootings in Houston and Biddeford, Maine:
Six months after federal agents killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti, ICE continues to kill working people. In just the last week, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed on his way to work in Houston, and now Johan Sebastian Duran Guerrero is dead
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WASHINGTON, July 15 -- The AFL-CIO issued the following statement by President Liz Shuler:
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AFL-CIO Demands Accountability After ICE Killings of Workers in Texas, Maine
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement in response to the fatal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shootings in Houston and Biddeford, Maine:
Six months after federal agents killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti, ICE continues to kill working people. In just the last week, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed on his way to work in Houston, and now Johan Sebastian Duran Guerrero is deadfollowing an ICE operation in Biddeford, Maine. This cannot become the new normal. No one should have to fear that going to work or driving through their communities could become a death sentence. We grieve with the families and everyone harmed by this escalating violence.
These horrific tragedies are the predictable result of a system that has allowed federal immigration agencies to operate with too little accountability and too few safeguards to protect workers, families and communities. Congress must act immediately to establish meaningful guardrails on ICE's operations and strengthen oversight to ensure that officers--and those giving their orders--are held accountable to the law. There must be full, transparent and independent investigations into what happened in Texas and Maine, and active steps taken to prevent further needless loss of life.
The AFL-CIO will continue to stand with immigrant workers, demand accountability, and defend civil and human rights. We will fight for an economy where every worker--no matter where they were born--can work with dignity, return home safely and live free from fear. And we will continue to advocate for a long-overdue pathway to citizenship for the millions of immigrant workers who are essential to our economy, our communities and the strength of our labor movement.
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Original text here: https://aflcio.org/press/releases/afl-cio-demands-accountability-after-ice-killings-workers-texas-maine
[Category: Union]
