Featured Stories
National Education Union: Reading for Pleasure Report Shows the Importance of Developing a Love of Reading
LONDON, England, July 18 -- The National Education Union issued the following statement by July 17, 2026, General Secretary Daniel Kebede:
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Reading for Pleasure report shows the importance of developing a love of reading
Commenting on the Education Committee report Reading for Pleasure, published today, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"This report highlights the crucial work teachers and schools do to develop a love of reading from early years upwards
"It rightly identifies that competing curriculum demands are a major factor in the long-term decline
... Show Full Article
LONDON, England, July 18 -- The National Education Union issued the following statement by July 17, 2026, General Secretary Daniel Kebede:
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Reading for Pleasure report shows the importance of developing a love of reading
Commenting on the Education Committee report Reading for Pleasure, published today, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"This report highlights the crucial work teachers and schools do to develop a love of reading from early years upwards
"It rightly identifies that competing curriculum demands are a major factor in the long-term declinein reading for pleasure among children, alongside rising poverty and lack of access to libraries.
"Increased school funding is needed so that the true potential of school libraries can be unleashed. These vital resources need up-to-date, diverse, high-quality books and professionally trained staff, rather than relying on overstretched teachers or volunteers.
"The current focus on reading proficiency over pleasure, combined with an overloaded curriculum and heavy focus on assessment, crowds out opportunities to show children the joy of reading.
"To rebalance this focus, SATs must be ended and the proposed Year 8 reading test - which will worsen the issues the report highlights - must be stopped in its tracks. Only then will we see a system that focusses on engagement, identity and enjoyment - as the report calls for.
"However, without urgent action on school funding, pay and teacher workload these recommendations will have a limited impact and we will miss a golden opportunity to support a generation to develop a life-long love of reading."
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Original text here: https://neu.org.uk/latest/press-releases/reading-pleasure-report-shows-importance-developing-love-reading?_locale=en
[Category: Union]
National Education Union: Oak National Academy Funding Increase
LONDON, England, July 18 -- The National Education Union issued the following statement by General Secretary Daniel Kebede:
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Oak National Academy funding increase
Commenting on the announcement of increased annual funding for Oak National Academy, to pound sterling22.8 million for 2026/27, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"The government cannot plead poverty and shortchange schools on funding the pay offer to teachers, when projects like Oak continue to be kept alive.
"This is another example of government attempting to micromanage from the centre.
... Show Full Article
LONDON, England, July 18 -- The National Education Union issued the following statement by General Secretary Daniel Kebede:
* * *
Oak National Academy funding increase
Commenting on the announcement of increased annual funding for Oak National Academy, to pound sterling22.8 million for 2026/27, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"The government cannot plead poverty and shortchange schools on funding the pay offer to teachers, when projects like Oak continue to be kept alive.
"This is another example of government attempting to micromanage from the centre.If the new Prime Minister wants to show a shift away from centralised power, with decision making in hands locally, then moving away from Oak would do that.
"Too much money has already been wasted, and schools simply don't rate what Oak provides. It is a narrow and uninspiring model and should be a thing of the past. We need a clean break and a trust put in schools to use funding to make their own judgements on the teaching materials most likely to benefit young people."
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Original text here: https://neu.org.uk/latest/press-releases/oak-national-academy-funding-increase?_locale=en
[Category: Union]
NEU Snap Poll Confirms Teachers are Ready to Take Action on Pay and Funding
LONDON, England, July 18 -- The National Education Union issued the following news release:
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NEU snap poll confirms teachers are ready to take action on pay and funding
In an online snap poll, conducted this week, teacher members of the National Education Union who work in maintained schools in England were asked their views of the government's plan to only partially fund the pay offer of 3.5 per cent for 2026/27 and 3 per cent for 2027/28.
NEU pressure to date has resulted in the government shifting ground, from an unfunded to partially funded pay offer, and to an offer of 6.5 per cent
... Show Full Article
LONDON, England, July 18 -- The National Education Union issued the following news release:
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NEU snap poll confirms teachers are ready to take action on pay and funding
In an online snap poll, conducted this week, teacher members of the National Education Union who work in maintained schools in England were asked their views of the government's plan to only partially fund the pay offer of 3.5 per cent for 2026/27 and 3 per cent for 2027/28.
NEU pressure to date has resulted in the government shifting ground, from an unfunded to partially funded pay offer, and to an offer of 6.5 per centover two years rather than three. However, the government expects schools to find 'efficiencies' in their budgets to cover the remaining 1.1 per cent of the pay offer for 2026/27, which amounts to pound sterling460 million. Heads were informed of this on 1 July, leaving little time to plan budgets.
A snap poll of NEU members, conducted this week, found strong support for action on pay and funding.
* 97 per cent believe it is unacceptable that their school will have to find the money to make up the shortfall in government funding for the pay rise.
* The vast majority of those polled (89 per cent) said they would be prepared to take strike action to ensure any pay award is fully funded.
* Three quarters (76 per cent) said they would be prepared to take strike action to win an improved pay offer this year.
The survey was conducted between 11-17 July.
Informed by the findings of this poll, the National Education Union's executive has this week reaffirmed plans to proceed to a formal ballot of members in the autumn term on pay and funding.
The question on the formal ballot paper is to be confirmed, but the executive agreed it should be over a substantial increase in school funding and significant steps towards pay restoration. As previously announced, the ballot will launch on 3 October and close on 15 December.
Commenting on the findings of this snap poll, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"We are at a crunch point. For well over a decade, schools have been asked to do more with less.
"The NEU has argued for and won more pay and funding, but it is not enough. Nothing short of a fully funded pay award and substantial progress towards pay restoration is needed, and our members agree.
"We want to fix chronic underfunding in our schools. It means bigger class sizes and crumbling buildings. It means teachers driven out of the profession. It impacts children's learning and parents can see that. The government's ambitions for SEND children cannot be met in the present circumstances.
"The incoming Prime Minister must look with fresh eyes at the state in which successive governments have left the education system. There is still time to plug the gap with the pound sterling460m that is missing, but we need to see a substantial increase in school funding more broadly as well as significant steps towards pay restoration.
"It is very clear that teachers will not put up with yet another government ducking their responsibilities. It is time to save education and we will."
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Original text here: https://neu.org.uk/latest/press-releases/neu-snap-poll-confirms-teachers-are-ready-take-action-pay-and-funding?_locale=en
[Category: Union]
NALC designates printers for distribution of campaign literature by mail
WASHINGTON, July 17 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO National Association of Letter Carriers issued the following news:
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NALC designates printers for distribution of campaign literature by mail
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Upon request, candidates for national office may make arrangement for distribution of campaign literature by mail, at the candidate's expense.
Candidates must make a request for the preparation of any mailing lists for their literature in writing to the NALC secretary-treasurer. The written request must include a breakdown of the mailing list identifying the distribution (i.e., all members,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 17 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO National Association of Letter Carriers issued the following news:
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NALC designates printers for distribution of campaign literature by mail
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Upon request, candidates for national office may make arrangement for distribution of campaign literature by mail, at the candidate's expense.
Candidates must make a request for the preparation of any mailing lists for their literature in writing to the NALC secretary-treasurer. The written request must include a breakdown of the mailing list identifying the distribution (i.e., all members,partial list, active separate from retirees, etc.). The written request also must include the date of the mailing.
The cost for a mailing list is $50 each. Candidates must pay NALC directly.
The list will not be mailed directly to the candidate. Lists will be given only to NALC's designated printer for campaign literature. NALC has designated The Kelly Companies and Mosaic, both of Cheverly, MD, as printers for campaign literature. Their contact information:
* The Kelly Companies, Primary contact: Marley Bechtel, mbechtel@thekellycompanies.com, 301-386-8287; Secondary contact: Shannon Kelly, Shannonkelly@thekellycompanies.com, 240-750-9249
* Mosaic, Tom Patterson, tpatterson@mosaic.buzz, 202-497-7600
Candidates may have their election materials printed at another printer and use either of NALC's designated printers solely for mailing. If using another printer, all mailings must be pre-packaged, sealed and have adequate postage. NALC's designated printer will affix the address and distribute into the mail stream. There will be a fee for distribution of the literature via mail by the printer.
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Original text here: https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-designates-printers-for-distribution-of-campaign-literature-by-mail
Information on Wildfire and Smoke Air Quality Concerns
DETROIT, Michigan, July 17 [Category: Union] -- The United Automobile Workers posted the following news:
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Information on Wildfire and Smoke Air Quality Concerns
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Wildland fire smoke presents a major hazard to workers and the public. Right now, parts of the United States and Canada have extremely high levels of ozone and particulate matter in the air due to the ongoing wildland fires. The continued excessive heat only makes the situation more hazardous for workers. This is not just a hazard for people outdoors, wildland fire smoke exposure can happen indoors, too, through open doors and
... Show Full Article
DETROIT, Michigan, July 17 [Category: Union] -- The United Automobile Workers posted the following news:
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Information on Wildfire and Smoke Air Quality Concerns
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Wildland fire smoke presents a major hazard to workers and the public. Right now, parts of the United States and Canada have extremely high levels of ozone and particulate matter in the air due to the ongoing wildland fires. The continued excessive heat only makes the situation more hazardous for workers. This is not just a hazard for people outdoors, wildland fire smoke exposure can happen indoors, too, through open doors andwindows and through HVAC systems which cannot filter this number of particles.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) is a range of air quality from "Good" to "Hazardous" based on levels of particulates in the air. Each level carries greater risks for workers and members of the public, especially those who are older or have underlying health conditions. The Michigan Department of Health and Human services has a helpful chart displaying the EPA Air quality and guidelines for each level:
The EPA runs the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, which provides information that you can use to help protect your health from wildland fire smoke. As of 12 pm Eastern today, this is what the map looked like:
Symptoms and health effects from exposure to wildland fire smoke can vary. Some workers may be at higher risk from wildland fire smoke because of their age or health conditions, such as heart or lung disease. Working long hours or doing physically demanding jobs can also increase risk because heavier breathing causes more smoke to be inhaled. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), exposure to wildland fire smoke can lead to several health effects, including:
* Symptoms such as eye irritation, sore throat, wheeze, and cough,
* Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations,
* Bronchitis and pneumonia,
* Adverse birth outcomes, and
* Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) outcomes
NIOSH also provides information to help employers and workers to take steps to limit exposure to wildland fire smoke. If work must be done in smoky conditions, especially for long periods, or if a worker is sensitive to smoke and experiences health effects, the following measures can help reduce smoke exposure:
* Frequently monitor air quality conditions in the area by visiting the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) US Fire and Smoke Map or the state health department's air
quality website
* Relocate or reschedule work tasks to smoke-free or less smoky areas or times of the day
* Reduce levels of physical activity, especially strenuous and heavy work
* Require and encourage workers to take frequent breaks in places that are free from
smoke
* Limit the worker's smoke exposure by making accommodations for that worker to
perform their duties indoors or in a location that reduces exposure to smoke
The most protective option when air is unhealthy is to stay indoors. To reduce exposure to
wildland fire smoke while working indoors, employers or building managers can:
* Ensure that windows and other building openings such as loading docks are kept closed
to reduce overall smoke exposure inside
* Operate heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the re-circulate
setting or temporarily reduce the amount of outdoor air supplied to the building
* Install the highest efficiency filters recommended by the designer or manufacturer of
the HVAC system.
* Install air cleaners equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or
electrostatic precipitators. Do NOT use ozone or ion generating devices. These can
make air quality worse, especially for people with underlying health conditions.
If workers must be outside, respirators may be one of the easiest, and in some cases the only control to implement for limiting a worker's exposure to the particulate matter in wildland fire smoke. Employers may need to consider alternative controls and solutions when respirators are not easily available.
If an employer requires their employees to use respiratory protection to limit smoke exposure, they must always do it as part of a comprehensive respiratory protection program as required under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134). When respirators are used on a voluntary basis in an occupational setting, employers should follow the OSHA requirements for the voluntary use of respirators.
Things to remember about respirators and other masks:
* Filtering facepiece respirators (like N95 or P100 respirators) only protect against
exposures to particles like the particulate matter in wildland fire smoke. They do not
protect against gases or other non-particle exposures.
* Tight-fitting respirators cannot be used by people with facial hair that interferes with
the face seal.
* Wearing a respirator or mask, especially if it is hot or you are physically active, can
increase the risk of heat-related illness. Take breaks often and drink water.
***
Original text here: https://uaw.org/information-on-wildfire-and-smoke-air-quality-concerns/
Audio Engineers at Three Denver Music Venues Vote to Join IATSE Local 7
NEW YORK, July 17 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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Audio Engineers at Three Denver Music Venues Vote to Join IATSE Local 7
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Denver, CO -Over a dozen Audio Engineers at three of Denver's most prominent independent music venues have voted overwhelmingly to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 7. Workers at The Oriental Theater, The Federal Theatre, and HQ Denver each cast their ballots separately, delivering decisive majorities across all three venues.
The results
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, July 17 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees posted the following news release:
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Audio Engineers at Three Denver Music Venues Vote to Join IATSE Local 7
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Denver, CO -Over a dozen Audio Engineers at three of Denver's most prominent independent music venues have voted overwhelmingly to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 7. Workers at The Oriental Theater, The Federal Theatre, and HQ Denver each cast their ballots separately, delivering decisive majorities across all three venues.
The resultswere as follows:
The Federal Theatre: 11 Yes, 2 No
The Oriental Theater: 5 Yes, 1 No
HQ Denver: 5 Yes, 1 No
(Some workers were eligible to vote in more than one election)
The three venues share common ownership and together represent a significant presence in Denver's independent rock and roll market, operating outside the Live Nation and AEG ecosystem that dominates much of the city's entertainment landscape. The Federal Theatre, which had sat vacant for several years, reopened last year as a music venue, making this organizing victory part of its new chapter.
Workers first reached out to a Local 7 organizer about unionizing the venues following staffing changes at the properties. A majority of authorization cards were collected in early May 2026, and the successful votes followed on June 30th.
"The live music industry has long left its crews behind. Unstable conditions, little to no benefits, and wages that fall well short of what a skilled workforce deserves," said Local 7 President Bryant Preston. "We look forward to sitting down with the employer and getting to work on the issues these workers face every day on the job."
Live event 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/audio-engineers-at-three-denver-music-venues-vote-to-join-iatse-local-7/
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
... Show Full Article
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]
