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SAG-AFTRA National Board Decisively Approves TV/Theatrical Deal
LOS ANGELES, California, May 12 -- The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) issued the following news release on May 11, 2026:
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SAG-AFTRA National Board Decisively Approves TV/Theatrical Deal
The SAG-AFTRA National Board met today in a special videoconference meeting and decisively voted to approve the tentative agreement reached for the 2026 TV/Theatrical Contracts. The agreement will now be submitted to the membership for ratification with the board's recommendation for a "yes" vote.
The parties have committed to merging the SAG-Producers
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LOS ANGELES, California, May 12 -- The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) issued the following news release on May 11, 2026:
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SAG-AFTRA National Board Decisively Approves TV/Theatrical Deal
The SAG-AFTRA National Board met today in a special videoconference meeting and decisively voted to approve the tentative agreement reached for the 2026 TV/Theatrical Contracts. The agreement will now be submitted to the membership for ratification with the board's recommendation for a "yes" vote.
The parties have committed to merging the SAG-ProducersPension Plan and AFTRA Retirement Fund into a single merged plan with an additional 1% to the contribution rate effective on the target completion date of January 1, 2028. The merger will increase contribution rates and improve benefits for both SAG and AFTRA participants.
Additionally, the agreement builds on our existing guidelines around AI including new provisions strengthening consent and compensation and establishing new and enhanced guardrails on synthetics including:
* Agreement to a principle strongly favoring human performances.
* Producers do not intend to use a synthetic in a human role that would otherwise be performed by a human unless the synthetic brings "significant additional value" to the motion picture.
* Performers' digital replicas are now protected from crossing a picket line during a strike.
* Protections for minors on the use of their digital replica.
* Producers must have an articulable business reason to scan someone for a digital replica.
Minimum wage rates will increase by 3% annually (compounded) from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030. The health plan contribution rate will increase by 1% effective July 1, 2026, there will be a one-time increase to the quarterly eligibility premiums, and the earnings thresholds will increase by an additional 1% (at 3% per year instead of 2%) over the term of the agreement.
The full summary of the tentative agreement can be read HERE.
"Today the SAG-AFTRA National Board reviewed the TV/Theatrical Contracts reached with the AMPTP. The board approved the agreement in a decisive vote, and with a recommendation that members vote 'yes' on the contract.
"Now, it is the members turn to learn about the tentative agreement. The ratification ballots will be in the mail shortly and it is my earnest desire that there will be full participation.
"In my view, this is a very strong deal that builds on the gains of 2023. It is a structural agreement that confronts the realities of streaming economics, artificial intelligence, digital identity, pension stability, data transparency, and the increasingly fragmented nature of employment in our business.
"I am proud and pleased to send it to the membership with my full support for ratification.
"This would not have been possible without the extraordinary work of our volunteer member negotiating committee including Los Angeles Local Vice Chair David Jolliffe, New York Local Vice Chair Linda Powell, Committee of Locals Vice Chair Eric Goins and our negotiating staff team led by National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Lead Negotiator Ray Rodriguez," said SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin.
"This contract is a testament to the incredible unity and determination of our members, and I am proud to deliver an agreement that results in meaningful gains across the board, from benefit plans to artificial intelligence to residuals, and beyond. I especially want to thank President Astin and the members of the negotiating committee, Ray Rodriguez, our Chief Contracts Officer, and Jessica Johnson, our National Director of Entertainment Contracts, and the negotiating staff, for their outstanding leadership throughout these negotiations. I look forward to seeing these gains locked in for our members," said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
Other highlights include:
* Improved residuals and contributions when television programs and theatrical motion pictures move to subscription streaming (SVOD) platforms.
* A provision requiring producers to make as many virtual auditions available as necessary to accommodate anyone who prefers them over self-tape for many categories of television roles.
* A new higher scale for recurring weekly performers and guest stars engaged on more than 60% of episodes in a season.
* Improvements on relocation allowances for series regulars.
* Eliminate the Group 9+ rate for dancers and apply the "Group 3-8" rates to all groups of three or more.
* Improvements in casting protections and a commitment, subject to legal review, to fund a new casting platform with a SAG-AFTRA Producers Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund (IACF) grant.
* 12.55% increases to scale minimums over four years.
* Additional 1% contribution rate to fund the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan.
* 1% increase to SAG-AFTRA Pension Plan upon merger, with a Jan. 1, 2028 target date.
* Substantial gains towards parity between the East and West Coast background zones.
* Establishment of a parental leave fund.
* Representation of and contract coverage for choreographers.
* A provision we've spent many years pushing for: producers will display the SAG-AFTRA logo in the end credits.
Member informational meetings are being scheduled and additional details will be available at sagaftra.org/contracts2026 in the coming days.
Postcards will be mailed on Thursday, May 14, 2026 to eligible SAG-AFTRA members, and they will have until 5 p.m. PDT on June 4, 2026 to cast their vote on ratification.
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About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.
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Original text here: https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-national-board-decisively-approves-tvtheatrical-deal
[Category: Union]
Over 3,500 Telecommunications Workers and Allies Call on Trump Administration to Ensure Reliable 911 Service and Safeguard the Future of Phone Service
WASHINGTON, May 11 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Communications Workers of America posted the following news release:
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Over 3,500 Telecommunications Workers and Allies Call on Trump Administration to Ensure Reliable 911 Service and Safeguard the Future of Phone Service
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In a public petition to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), telecommunications workers demand the agency update its oversight rules for the 21st century.
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -As carriers phase out traditional phone service over copper wires, Americans risk losing public oversight of voice service altogether.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 11 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO Communications Workers of America posted the following news release:
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Over 3,500 Telecommunications Workers and Allies Call on Trump Administration to Ensure Reliable 911 Service and Safeguard the Future of Phone Service
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In a public petition to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), telecommunications workers demand the agency update its oversight rules for the 21st century.
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -As carriers phase out traditional phone service over copper wires, Americans risk losing public oversight of voice service altogether.To ensure reliable service for all and protect good, union jobs, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) submitted a public petition to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the agency to classify Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as a "common carrier" telecom service under Title II of the Communications Act. The petition was signed by over 3,500 people across the country, including nearly 1,700 telecommunications workers who are members of CWA.
While a majority of phone calls are now completed over the internet as opposed to traditional copper wire, the federal government still exercises oversight of those calls under legacy rules. As legacy networks are phased out, the federal government is set to lose this oversight authority and will be unable to require large providers to ensure service quality or to interconnect with other providers. The end result could be large gaps in vital services, including emergency 911 calls.
"There have been many changes since I first started working in the telecommunications industry decades ago. But what hasn't changed in over two decades is how the FCC regulates phone service over the internet," said Claude Cummings Jr., President of the Communications Workers of America. "CWA is dedicated to reversing decades of deregulation and achieving democratic oversight of the communications networks of the 21st century. Classifying VoIP as a common carrier is a key part of that strategy."
"As a worker in the telecommunications industry, I've seen firsthand how the lack of federal oversight on VoIP impacts my community, for example, the increased risk of outages," said CWA Maryland State Broadband Lead Marcus Chambers. "My neighbors don't understand the risks when their phone service over VoIP is not regulated like a traditional connection. They just expect that their phone will work if they need to call 911 or make another vital call. It's time for the FCC to take action so that phone calls over the internet are regulated in the same way as phone calls placed over traditional copper wire."
About CWA : The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.
cwa-union.org @cwaunion
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Original text here: https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/over-3500-telecommunications-workers-and-allies-call-trump-administration-ensure
IAM Union Calls on Leonardo DRS to End Lockout of West Plains Workers and Return to Fair Negotiations
UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland, May 11 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers issued the following news release:
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IAM Union Calls on Leonardo DRS to End Lockout of West Plains Workers and Return to Fair Negotiations
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WEST PLAINS, Mo., May 11, 2026 - The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is calling on Leonardo DRS to immediately end its lockout of more than 285 IAM Local 2782 (District 9) members in West Plains, Mo., and return to the bargaining table with a commitment to reach a fair agreement that
... Show Full Article
UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland, May 11 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers issued the following news release:
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IAM Union Calls on Leonardo DRS to End Lockout of West Plains Workers and Return to Fair Negotiations
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WEST PLAINS, Mo., May 11, 2026 - The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is calling on Leonardo DRS to immediately end its lockout of more than 285 IAM Local 2782 (District 9) members in West Plains, Mo., and return to the bargaining table with a commitment to reach a fair agreement thatrespects workers.
IAM Local 2782 (District 9)-represented workers were locked out by the company after voting to reject a proposed contract that failed to provide fair wage increases and unsustainable (or unworkable) increases in healthcare costs. Workers were sent home with pay prior to the contract's expiration, and the company officially began the lockout at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, following the contract's expiration.
Members had also voted to authorize a strike if a fair contract reflecting their needs was not reached.
"These workers showed up in good faith, ready to negotiate a contract that reflects their value and contributions," said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. "Instead of working toward a fair contract, the company chose to lock them out. That is unacceptable. The IAM Union is calling on Leonardo DRS to end this lockout immediately and return to negotiations with a commitment to reaching a fair agreement that respects these workers and the critical work they perform."
"IAM Local 2782 members are united and determined to secure a contract that reflects their worth," said IAM District 9 Directing Business Representative Jason Tetidrick. "Locking out these workers only delays progress and puts unnecessary strain on working families in this community. The path forward is clear: end the lockout, respect these workers, and negotiate a fair agreement."
"Our members made it clear that the proposal on the table did not meet their needs," said IAM District 9 Business Representative BJ Wear. "Rather than addressing those concerns, the company escalated the situation by locking them out. This is about fairness, fair wages, affordable benefits, and reasonable working conditions. We are ready to get back to the table and reach an agreement, but it takes a real commitment from the company to do so."
The IAM Union stands firmly with Local 2782 members and urges Leonardo DRS to end the lockout and engage in meaningful negotiations that deliver a fair contract for workers.
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Original text here: https://www.goiam.org/news/iam-union-calls-on-leonardo-drs-to-end-lockout-of-west-plains-workers-and-return-to-fair-negotiations/
AFSCME's Saunders on National Law Enforcement Week: We honor their sacrifice -- and we'll keep fighting for everything they deserve
WASHINGTON, May 10 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) issued the following news release:
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AFSCME's Saunders on National Law Enforcement Week: We honor their sacrifice -- and we'll keep fighting for everything they deserve
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AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in recognition of National Law Enforcement Week, May 10 to 16, 2026:
"This week, we honor the brave AFSCME members serving in law enforcement who risk their lives every day to protect our communities and remember those who made the ultimate
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 10 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) issued the following news release:
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AFSCME's Saunders on National Law Enforcement Week: We honor their sacrifice -- and we'll keep fighting for everything they deserve
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AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in recognition of National Law Enforcement Week, May 10 to 16, 2026:
"This week, we honor the brave AFSCME members serving in law enforcement who risk their lives every day to protect our communities and remember those who made the ultimatesacrifice in the line of duty.
"These public service workers dedicate themselves to keeping our communities safe in times of crisis. But too often, their mission is made harder by workplace obstacles like inadequate training that undermines readiness, safety, morale and well-being, making a dangerous job even more difficult and contributing to burnout. They deserve the policies that will ensure they make it home safely to their families at the end of their shifts."
"AFSCME is proud to represent nearly 100,000 public safety personnel in more than 40 states and Puerto Rico. Our commitment to law enforcement doesn't end when this week does. AFSCME members will keep fighting for the pay, benefits, staffing and respect these officers have earned."
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Original text here: http://origin-afscme.bytrilogy.com/press/releases/2026/saunders-on-national-law-enforcement-week-we-honor-their-sacrifice-and-well-keep-fighting-for-everything-they-deserve
Nurses demand Supreme Court put an end to attacks on patients' reproductive health care decisions
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, May 8 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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Nurses demand Supreme Court put an end to attacks on patients' reproductive health care decisions
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As the legal battle continues over access to Mifepristone, commonly known as the abortion pill, National Nurses United (NNU), the nation's largest union of registered nurses, demands an end to what nurses say is "an all-out class war against health care for women." On May 4, the Supreme Court restored nationwide access to mifepristone by mail, pausing until at least May 11 a lower-court
... Show Full Article
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, May 8 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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Nurses demand Supreme Court put an end to attacks on patients' reproductive health care decisions
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As the legal battle continues over access to Mifepristone, commonly known as the abortion pill, National Nurses United (NNU), the nation's largest union of registered nurses, demands an end to what nurses say is "an all-out class war against health care for women." On May 4, the Supreme Court restored nationwide access to mifepristone by mail, pausing until at least May 11 a lower-courtruling in Louisiana v. FDA that had restricted it.
In the following statement, continuing NNU's ongoing fight for reproductive health care justice, nurses demand that national access to mifepristone and all abortion services be restored long term :
"As patient advocates, nurses have an obligation to resist unjust laws that put the health and safety of our patients in jeopardy. Mifepristone has been proven safe and effective by hundreds of studies over the past 20 years, and we will not stand by and let individual states or the Supreme Court ignore that science. We will not accept a world in which our patients have no bodily autonomy and nurses have to fear for our patients' lives or for our own licenses and livelihoods because of the criminalization of scientifically proven, medically necessary care. As a union made up of predominantly women, we are both the patients and providers, and profoundly harmed by government interference in our personal medical decisions. Abortion is health care -period.
When Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, health care decisions that were once made between our patients and their health care providers were put into the hands of individual states like Louisiana, where elected officials (who are not medical clinicians) pushed through strict abortion bans. But nurses know that making lifesaving health care illegal does not lessen our patients' need for that care. Because mifepristone was available to our patients through the mail, countless lives have been saved, including in states with restrictive abortion bans.
We will not allow elected officials in states like Louisiana to now claim they have somehow been harmed by our patients finding ways to continue to make their own private health care decisions. Nurses demand that when the Supreme Court's temporary stay ends on Monday, the court rule in the interest of saving lives across the United States. Mifepristone must remain accessible in the long term.
Further, nurses demand an end to the broader far-right project to advance an all-out class war on gender justice in health care. While we fight attacks on reproductive health care, we were appalled to see the Department of Justice recently issue more than 20 subpoenas to health care providers nationwide, demanding the private medical records of minor patients who have received gender affirming care. The medical evidence overwhelmingly supports the safety and efficacy of gender-affirming care, and elected officials with no medical background should not be making medical decisions.
Every person deserves to live in a healthy society, with Medicare for All and more. Nurses will continue fighting to demand elected officials focus on improving our patients' lives and access to health care, not on investing in warfare abroad, and in culture wars here at home to advance their own political careers."
National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/nurses-demand-supreme-court-put-an-end-to-attacks-on-patients-reproductive-health-care
AFT's Weingarten on the Virginia Supreme Court's decision overturning redistricting referendum results
WASHINGTON, May 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
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AFT's Weingarten on the Virginia Supreme Court's decision overturning redistricting referendum results
AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement in response to the Virginia Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Commonwealth's April 21 special election on redistricting.
"The Virginia Supreme Court's decision puts politics over the will of the people. A vote cast by millions across the Commonwealth should supersede other redistricting efforts by state
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
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AFT's Weingarten on the Virginia Supreme Court's decision overturning redistricting referendum results
AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement in response to the Virginia Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Commonwealth's April 21 special election on redistricting.
"The Virginia Supreme Court's decision puts politics over the will of the people. A vote cast by millions across the Commonwealth should supersede other redistricting efforts by statelegislators. But here, when the voters decide to redistrict, they are told they can't by the very same court that allowed the issue to move forward. And when Republican-led state legislatures change the rules mid-election, even suspending elections or ignoring tornado warnings to disenfranchise Black voters, that's allowed. This is a signal that something is wrong in America. The people of this country should be allowed to decide who represents them, not a mid-decade gerrymander started by a president afraid that his policies are so unpopular he would lose a congressional majority."
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Original text here: https://www.aft.org/press-release/afts-weingarten-virginia-supreme-courts-decision-overturning-redistricting-referendum
AFGE Endorses 4 Alabama Lawmakers Ahead of Statewide Primary
WASHINGTON, May 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE Endorses 4 Alabama Lawmakers Ahead of Statewide Primary
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Largest federal employee union says working families can count on these lawmakers to fight for them
RIVERDALE, Ga. - The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of four Alabama lawmakers who are running for office during the 2026 midterm elections. The statewide primary is May 19, and the general election is Nov. 3.
The newly endorsed candidates are Andrew
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 8 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE Endorses 4 Alabama Lawmakers Ahead of Statewide Primary
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Largest federal employee union says working families can count on these lawmakers to fight for them
RIVERDALE, Ga. - The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of four Alabama lawmakers who are running for office during the 2026 midterm elections. The statewide primary is May 19, and the general election is Nov. 3.
The newly endorsed candidates are AndrewSneed, who is running for election to the U.S. House representing Alabama's Fifth Congressional District; Ron Sparks, who is running for the statewide position of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner; and incumbent Reps. Shomari Figures (CD-2) and Terri Sewell (CD-7).
Andrew Sneed, Fifth Congressional District
Andrew Sneed is a local businessman, a community leader, and a labor ally. He believes in collective bargaining rights for all federal employees and is willing to support all AFGE initiatives once elected.
"Andrew Sneed is an Alabama native, a dedicated union member, and a leader who understands that faith, family, and the dignity of work are the bedrock of our community," AFGE District 5 National Vice President Tatishka Thomas said. "It is with great honor that AFGE District 5 endorses Mr. Andrew Sneed for the U.S. House of Representatives. As a pro-labor champion, Andrew will be a tireless voice for Alabama's 5th District and the working families who keep our country moving."
Ron Sparks, Agriculture and Industries Commissioner
Ron Sparks is running to reclaim the elected position he previously held from 2003-2011. While he was Agriculture Commissioner, Sparks pushed for country-of-origin labeling for food and agricultural products, citing health problems and under-cost dumping associated with imports from certain countries. He also initiated the establishment of state laboratories for expanded testing of food and agricultural products.
"Ron Sparks' journey has always been defined by a deep-seated commitment to his community and his country. From his foundational years in the U.S. Coast Guard to his tenure as a beloved public official, his career is a testament to what it means to lead with integrity. He has never wavered in his support for the working men and women who keep Alabama moving forward," Thomas said. "Ron isn't just a candidate - he is a proven leader who has already delivered for his constituents. We are proud to offer our full endorsement to Mr. Ron Sparks as he seeks to return to the office of Agriculture Commissioner.
Shomari Figures, Second Congressional District
Alabama native and Freshman Rep. Shomari Figures is running for reelection to Congress representing the community where he was raised. After earning his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law, Figures served as a federal law clerk in Missouri before joining President Obama's second term as the domestic director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office.
Figures subsequently served as the White House liaison to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, legislative counsel for Sen. Sherrod Brown, and deputy chief of staff for Attorney General Merrick Garland before resigning to launch his own successful election campaign in 2024.
"Rep. Figures has stood not just with federal workers but with workers in general. His commitment to economic empowerment - focusing on investing in small businesses, childcare, and job creation - helps all workers. That's why AFGE stood with Shomari Figures as a candidate and stands with him now as a congressman for his reelection," Thomas said.
Terri Sewell, Seventh Congressional District
Rep. Terri Sewell is in her eighth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional District. She is one of the first women elected to Congress from Alabama in her own right and the first Black woman to ever serve in the Alabama Congressional delegation.
Sewell sits on the exclusive House Ways and Means Committee and three of its subcommittees, bringing her more than 15 years of experience as a securities and public finance attorney. She was selected ranking member of the Subcommittee on Oversight for the current Congressional session, making her the first Black woman to hold a leadership role since the committee was established in 1789. She also serves on the House Administration Committee, where she's ranking member of the Subcommittee on Elections.
Rep. Sewell has earned AFGE's support due to her extensive record of supporting our union members and organized labor overall.
"Rep. Sewell is committed to her community by fighting for Social Security employees and doing what's right by fighting for seniors, the disabled, and orphaned children. Congresswoman Sewell is the fighter all Alabamians need," Thomas said.
About 62,000 federal employees live and work in Alabama - 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 110,000 federal employees in District 5, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/f340cff67e9242d5919498b6fe9dfb0d.aspx
