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AFGE Hosts First Responder Mental Health Roundtable with Congressman Sorensen, Community Leaders, and Advocates
WASHINGTON, April 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE Hosts First Responder Mental Health Roundtable with Congressman Sorensen, Community Leaders, and Advocates
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Leaders call on Congress for urgent action to support First Responders and break the stigma around mental health
Moline, IL -The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), in partnership with Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and The Gray Matters Collective, convened a roundtable last week to address the urgent mental health challenges
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WASHINGTON, April 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE Hosts First Responder Mental Health Roundtable with Congressman Sorensen, Community Leaders, and Advocates
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Leaders call on Congress for urgent action to support First Responders and break the stigma around mental health
Moline, IL -The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), in partnership with Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and The Gray Matters Collective, convened a roundtable last week to address the urgent mental health challengesfacing first responders. The event brought together union leaders, mental health advocates, and community experts for a frank discussion on trauma, stigma, and the critical need for change.
The roundtable featured AFGE District 7 National Vice President Jason Anderson, AFGE Local 4070 President Jon Zumkehr, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17), and Haley DeGreve, Founder and President of The Gray Matters Collective. Participants shared personal stories and powerful data, highlighting the staggering rates of trauma, PTSD, and suicide among first responders.
What came out of this week's roundtable was not just discussion. It was a clear call to action. First responders are being pushed to their limits by systems that demand everything from them and give far too little in return. If we are serious about supporting them, we have to move beyond awareness and toward structural change, which means expanding access to care, protecting their rights, and building a culture where asking for help is met with support, not stigma.
One of the centerpieces of the discussion was a proposed "safe harbor" program. The initiative would allow first responders to self-report mental health struggles without having the added fear of losing their jobs. "The main reason a lot of people don't come forward is fear of losing their job. Knowing when you recover your job is still there-I firmly believe this would save lives," said Jon Zumkehr, President of AFGE Local 4070.
Haley DeGreve, who has dedicated her life to suicide prevention, spoke candidly: "On August 28, 2019, I had a plan to end my life. I know now, that is not the solution. The average person may experience one or two critical incidents in their lifetime. First responders-especially correctional officers-face hundreds over a 20-year career. The trauma is relentless, and the stigma of seeking help remains strong. We MUST dismantle this stigma, improve care, and let them know it's okay not to be okay."
Michelle Schwarz, widow of corrections officer Blake Schwarz, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the event: "Everyone kind of collaborated and worked together to come up with bills that are going to help officers in the future so they can come home to their families and not feel like they're alone going through this. Every first responder experiences traumatic events, so they all need help in some way, shape, or form."
"Suicide rates and mental health incidents in first responders continue to rise, and until there are laws in place which drive better policies around these issues, then you will continue to see those numbers rise" said AFGE District 7 National Vice President Jason Anderson. "I have talked to so many first responders who have said that they would be more inclined to seek the help and treatment they need if they knew there was a program in place that protected their job while healing and recovering.
AFGE calls on lawmakers, agencies, and communities to act now to protect those who protect us. "The time is now for change," DeGreve urged. "Let our officers know they have help, and that we do CARE."
Statement from Senator Duckworth (IL):
"Our brave first responders do heroic work every day to keep our communities safe and save lives, we are so grateful for their dedication," said U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. "This work is incredibly difficult-our first responders are under immense amounts of stress and we must be doing more to support their mental health. I'm grateful to AFGE District 7 for hosting this important conversation, and I will keep doing everything I can at the federal level to bring in more resources to support our first responders."
Statement from Congressman Sorensen (IL-17)
"Our first responders show up for us on our hardest days-but too often, they're left to carry that weight alone," said Congressman Eric Sorensen. "Hearing directly from them about the mental health challenges they face was powerful and necessary. We need to do more to support the people who protect our communities, and I'm committed to working alongside them to make sure they have the resources, care, and support they deserve."
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/0953fa2fff1f40e197823d7edc1d8f5c.aspx
Customer Service Workers at DirecTV Vote to Authorize Strike
WASHINGTON, April 7 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Communications Workers of America posted the following news release:
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Customer Service Workers at DirecTV Vote to Authorize Strike
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An overwhelming majority of customer service DirecTV workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) vote to strike if necessary for fair working conditions, more than a few seconds between calls, and secure wages.
Huntington, W.Va. - DirecTV workers, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), have overwhelmingly voted to give union leaders the authority to call a strike
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WASHINGTON, April 7 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Communications Workers of America posted the following news release:
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Customer Service Workers at DirecTV Vote to Authorize Strike
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An overwhelming majority of customer service DirecTV workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) vote to strike if necessary for fair working conditions, more than a few seconds between calls, and secure wages.
Huntington, W.Va. - DirecTV workers, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), have overwhelmingly voted to give union leaders the authority to call a strikeif negotiations between CWA and the company fail to reach a fair agreement.
The strike authorization vote comes as CWA's contract with DirecTV, covering nearly 300 customer service call center workers in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Minnesota, and Colorado, expired on February 14, 2026.
Top priorities for workers at the bargaining table include higher wages, lower health care costs, and fair working conditions-including the ability to take their hard-earned days off and take reasonable breaks between calls. The union members demonstrated their commitment to these goals by voting to reject a tentative agreement on March 27 that was insufficient in providing fair working conditions for local workers.
"We are the workers DirecTV customers contact when they have problems using the service," said Dallas Morgan, a Customer Service Representative at DirecTV and member of CWA Local 2009 in Huntington, W.V. "The results of the strike authorization vote send a clear message to DirecTV that if the company values the work we provide to the company, they would get serious about negotiating a contract that allows us to take more than a ten-second break in between calls and secures wages that reflect the real cost of living."
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.
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Original text here: https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/customer-service-workers-directv-vote-authorize-strike
IATSE, Juilliard School Reach Tentative Agreement for Production Staff
NEW YORK, April 6 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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IATSE and The Juilliard School Reach Tentative Agreement for Production Staff
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The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and The Juilliard School have announced a tentative agreement concluding collective bargaining negotiations with production staff who support the school's performances.
The tentative contract reflects ongoing good-faith engagement and mutual respect between the parties. The agreement covers more than 100
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NEW YORK, April 6 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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IATSE and The Juilliard School Reach Tentative Agreement for Production Staff
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The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and The Juilliard School have announced a tentative agreement concluding collective bargaining negotiations with production staff who support the school's performances.
The tentative contract reflects ongoing good-faith engagement and mutual respect between the parties. The agreement covers more than 100theatrical production workers at the school.
"This contract is setting a new standard for wage equity across production crafts," said Meredith Prouty-Due, Costume Design Coordinator. "We are excited to be embarking on this new chapter with Juilliard and the IATSE."
"We came together as a collective of artisans and craftspeople across disciplines committed to lifting up our colleagues," said A.J. Cote, Lead Carpenter. "This contract further unifies our commitment to each other and our work. Every person working under the collective bargaining agreement now has representation and a path to benefits, and it guarantees future workers a voice in their workplace."
As an educational institution, Juilliard's stages are training grounds, where student performances are directly tied to their curriculum. Production professionals play an integral role in supporting that educational environment.
"The mission of The Juilliard School is to cultivate excellence through the highest caliber of education in music, dance, and drama for talented students from around the world, which involves extensive performance experience supported by production professionals," said Thom Widmann, Senior Director of Production, on behalf of The Juilliard School. "We are glad to have reached a tentative agreement with the IATSE, which represents the team that contributes to the performance environment, helping our students to develop their craft."
IATSE and The Juilliard School look forward to completing the ratification process and continuing their collaboration in support of Juilliard's educational mission.
The tentative agreement will take effect upon ratification.
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Original text here: https://iatse.net/iatse-and-the-juilliard-school-reach-tentative-agreement-for-production-staff/
CMC Nurses Stand up for Union Rights, File Charges Against Hospital Management for Violating Federal Labor Law
WASHINGTON, April 6 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Communications Workers of America posted the following news release:
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CMC Nurses Stand up for Union Rights, File Charges Against Hospital Management for Violating Federal Labor Law
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ITHACA, N.Y. -The Communications Workers of America (CWA) union has filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Cayuga Medical Center (CMC) for violating federal labor law and the rights of union nurses at CMC.
CWA alleges that CMC management has unlawfully threatened and surveilled nurses, retaliated against a nurse, maintained
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 6 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Communications Workers of America posted the following news release:
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CMC Nurses Stand up for Union Rights, File Charges Against Hospital Management for Violating Federal Labor Law
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ITHACA, N.Y. -The Communications Workers of America (CWA) union has filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Cayuga Medical Center (CMC) for violating federal labor law and the rights of union nurses at CMC.
CWA alleges that CMC management has unlawfully threatened and surveilled nurses, retaliated against a nurse, maintainedunlawful work rules to prohibit nurses from discussing their union efforts, and bargained in bad faith by refusing to meet with the nurses' bargaining committee at reasonable times, as required by federal law, and by closing the East Campus Cancer Center without notice or the opportunity to bargain.
"The administration's actions feel disrespectful of our legal rights, and it concerns me that there is such opposition to something that statistically will improve outcomes for patients," said Shane Snyder, In-Patient Wound RN. "We voted overwhelmingly to unionize months ago, but we still haven't formally started negotiations. We want to start bargaining our contract, and I urge management to stop delaying and work with us to find a compromise."
In unfair labor practice charges filed with the NLRB, CWA alleges that CMC management retaliated against a nurse by interfering with her outside employment. Other charges detail instances of threats or surveillance. A nurse reported being berated by management for discussing the union. Management allegedly used surveillance cameras to track a nurse putting out union flyers and threatened her for doing so.
"I'm disappointed and saddened that hospital leadership is choosing to not work in partnership with our union," said Jacki Thompson, a 4N Educator. "Unionizing has provided us with an incredible opportunity to work collaboratively on problems inherent in healthcare, both nationally and locally. Instead, we are facing harassment and intimidation tactics, which only distract us from the work of patient care. The nurses want to move forward and are ready to sit down at the table with CMC leadership to negotiate a union contract that strengthens our workforce and continues the mission of the hospital."
CMC nurses built their union as Cayuga United-CWA and voted 82 percent in favor to authorize CWA as their union in an NLRB election in January, overcoming a union-busting campaign run by hired consultants.
Nurses began organizing because of deteriorating conditions that impact both their working conditions and patient care. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses have seen increasing short-staffing that can leave them caring for an unsustainable number of patients, compromising patient care and worker safety. Cayuga United-CWA represents more than 350 registered nurses at Cayuga Medical Center.
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.
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Original text here: https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/cmc-nurses-stand-union-rights-file-charges-against-hospital-management-violating
Actors' Equity Association Endorses Chris Pappas for United States Senate
NEW YORK, April 6 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Actors Equity Association issued the following news release:
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Actors' Equity Association Endorses Chris Pappas for United States Senate
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New York - Actors' Equity Association's National Council has voted to endorse Chris Pappas for United States Senate, on behalf of the more than 51,000 actors and stage managers working in live entertainment.
"As a member of the House, Chris Pappas has been fiercely dedicated to labor issues," said Al Vincent Jr., executive director of Actors' Equity Association. "We at Equity have been impressed by
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NEW YORK, April 6 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Actors Equity Association issued the following news release:
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Actors' Equity Association Endorses Chris Pappas for United States Senate
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New York - Actors' Equity Association's National Council has voted to endorse Chris Pappas for United States Senate, on behalf of the more than 51,000 actors and stage managers working in live entertainment.
"As a member of the House, Chris Pappas has been fiercely dedicated to labor issues," said Al Vincent Jr., executive director of Actors' Equity Association. "We at Equity have been impressed byRep. Pappas's interest in Equity's legislative priorities, and we know as he heads to the Senate that he'll have our back, and the backs of workers across industries."
"Like all workers, the actors and stage managers who bring joy to thousands of audience members each night deserve fair wages, strong benefits, and safe working conditions," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "I'm honored to have the support of Actors' Equity Association in this campaign and I'll continue fighting to protect their rights, support the arts, and deliver for working people in the U.S. Senate."
The move marks Equity's first endorsement for a political candidate in the state of New Hampshire.
Equity's public policy priorities include defending and protecting the right to collectively bargain, a prevailing wage in the arts, racial justice, a strong minimum wage, stronger federal and state arts funding, gun violence prevention, universal federal health care, tax fairness and LGBTQ non-discrimination protections.
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. www.actorsequity.org #EquityWorks
April 6, 2026
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Original text here: https://www.actorsequity.org/news/PR/2026/04/06/actors-equity-association-endorses-chris-pappas-for-united-states-senate
Teamsters Reach Strong Settlement with UPS on Driver Severance Packages
WASHINGTON, April 5 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
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Teamsters Reach Strong Settlement with UPS on Driver Severance Packages
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After months of urging United Parcel Service (UPS) to honor its Teamsters contract and return to the bargaining table over unilateral driver buyouts, UPS on Sunday agreed to terms on a new settlement with the Teamsters National Negotiating Committee -capping severance offers while rewarding and protecting the seniority of Teamsters drivers.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien successfully
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WASHINGTON, April 5 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
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Teamsters Reach Strong Settlement with UPS on Driver Severance Packages
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After months of urging United Parcel Service (UPS) to honor its Teamsters contract and return to the bargaining table over unilateral driver buyouts, UPS on Sunday agreed to terms on a new settlement with the Teamsters National Negotiating Committee -capping severance offers while rewarding and protecting the seniority of Teamsters drivers.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien successfullypushed UPS into negotiations in the wake of national grievances filed against the package giant over its Driver Choice Program (DCP), which UPS pursued in February without agreement from the union. Those grievances forced UPS to withdraw the DCP in 13 states in March before ultimately agreeing to negotiate.
Under terms of the strong new settlement, UPS will be limited in the number of severance packages it can offer. Those who wish to accept them will receive $150,000 payments for early retirement. Offers will be made to long-haul feeder drivers and Regular Package Car Drivers based on seniority in all regions of the country. UPS has agreed not to pursue or offer any other severance programs for the life of the current Teamsters National Master Agreement, which does not expire until July 31, 2028.
"UPS never had the contractual right to unilaterally offer driver buyouts, but with enough pressure and member solidarity UPS finally did the right thing by putting its commitments to hardworking Teamsters down in writing," O'Brien said. "Lifelong Teamsters who have given so much of themselves to making UPS the king of parcel delivery will have the right of first refusal on any severance agreements. Union seniority and the rights of all our members will be honored. UPS will no longer have the chance to go around the union without giving Teamsters the respect they deserve at the bargaining table."
The settlement between the Teamsters and UPS caps the total number of severance payments to 7,500 drivers across all job classifications nationwide.
"Rank-and-file Teamsters have given their blood, sweat, tears and, most importantly, their labor to ensure UPS's success for a century. This agreement is a powerful reminder to UPS executives that the Teamsters never want to harm the company's ability to be competitive, but we will also never tolerate any violations of our contract or our members' rights," O'Brien said.
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/2026/04/teamsters-reach-strong-settlement-with-ups-on-driver-severance-packages/
NEA Response to Trump Administration's Proposed 2027 Budget
WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The National Education Association issued the following statement on April 3, 2026:
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NEA response to Trump administration's proposed 2027 budget
The White House today unveiled an outline of the Trump administration's 2027 budget proposal, calling for $73 billion in cuts to domestic spending, jeopardizing critical investments in public education and essential services. The proposal also calls for a $3.2 billion cut to the Department of Education. In response, National Education Association President Becky Pringle released the following statement:
"Trump's budget doesn't
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 4 -- The National Education Association issued the following statement on April 3, 2026:
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NEA response to Trump administration's proposed 2027 budget
The White House today unveiled an outline of the Trump administration's 2027 budget proposal, calling for $73 billion in cuts to domestic spending, jeopardizing critical investments in public education and essential services. The proposal also calls for a $3.2 billion cut to the Department of Education. In response, National Education Association President Becky Pringle released the following statement:
"Trump's budget doesn'tjust confirm what educators already know, but it also exposes an administration that has utterly abandoned working Americans. This administration is sending an unmistakable message: students, educators, and working families do not matter. It turns its back on students with disabilities, students from low-income families, students who live in rural areas -- students that need more support, not less. At a moment when educators are stretched and being asked to do more with less, this proposal rips even more resources away from the classrooms and communities that need them most, all while handing more power and privilege to the wealthy and well-connected.
"By gutting funding for Full-Service Community Schools, Teacher Quality Partnerships, the Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education, and Minority-Serving Institutions, this budget attacks efforts to ensure every student, no matter their race, ZIP code, or family income, can thrive in school and in their community. These programs help educators meet the needs of all students, strengthen pathways into the profession, and support colleges and universities working to expand opportunities for our most underserved students. Eliminating them only deepens existing inequalities.
"This budget isn't abstract. It will have devastating, real-world consequences: children going hungry, families unable to keep the lights on, Americans priced out of even the most basic stability. This is not merely irresponsible; it is cruel. It is a wholesale betrayal of our students, our families, and the very values this country stands for.
"While this budget cuts critical funding for students and schools at every turn, it pours more money into ICE. What ICE causes is fear and trauma. Students and educators are afraid for their own safety -- afraid for their own lives. An administration that prioritizes spending more money to terrorize our schools and communities over funding our schools and communities is not an administration that cares about the needs of the American people.
"Students and educators need a budget that funds and protects public education, safeguards essential programs, and invests in our communities. Not a budget that funds fear."
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Original text here: https://www.nea.org/about-nea/media-center/press-releases/nea-response-trump-administrations-proposed-2027-budget
[Category: Union]
