Cincinnati
AFL-CIO
Labor Council
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This Week With AFL-CIO President, Liz Shuler
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National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo announced that she will ask the board to rule that mandatory meetings, such as captive audience meetings, are a violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
Places like Amazon barely give workers time to use the bathroom, but force them to spend time attending anti-union meetings. These are the same corporations that claim there’s no money for raises while they spend large sums on anti-union lawyers.
Big corporations need to stop trying to find loopholes and should instead sit down and engage in good-faith negotiations with workers that benefit both working people and employers.
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We’re not going to let outdated labor laws stand in our way of organizing and growing our power. The labor movement always adapts and adjusts to the obstacles in our way.
Just look at Amazon, where workers at a warehouse in New York won a union, the first in the company’s history, as their siblings in Bessemer, Alabama, are in striking distance of doing the same with the RWDSU-UFCW. In the face of one of the richest, most anti-union corporations, victory at Amazon proves when working people unite in the fight for justice, anything is possible.
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On Tuesday 4/5/22, I spoke to North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) annual Legislative Conference about the moment we are in, and I can tell you the labor movement is ready to seize the opportunities ahead of us to secure a better future for working people.
The bipartisan infrastructure law is helping us create millions of good jobs fixing roads and bridges, ports and airports and so much more.
We need to shape this investment for generations to come and make sure that the strong labor standards we have attached to the bill are used to ensure the money is spent in ways that benefit working people.
No one is better at training a diverse workforce than the labor movement. We have unlimited potential to recruit and train a workforce who will expand the voices of working people and provide workers with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow.
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On Wednesday 4/7/22, President Biden spoke directly to working people at the 2022 NABTU Legislative Conference.
“It’s good to be home,” Biden said, as he promoted good middle-class jobs as a high-priority goal. “The reason there’s a middle class is unions,” he continued.
The best way to create more good middle-class jobs is to focus on the Workers First Agenda of enforcing labor law, lowering costs for working families, securing better health care, investing in education, energy and manufacturing supply chain union jobs.
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Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmed
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Over the past month, thousands of us signed petitions, wrote letters and called our senators.
And now…we celebrate!
The Senate just voted to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. She will be the first Black woman to serve as an associate justice on the Supreme Court.
Judge Jackson also has a strong track record of fighting for working people and protecting our rights in the workplace.
The historic confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court ushers in a new era for our country, and we congratulate her on this extraordinary achievement. Throughout her confirmation hearings, Judge Jackson demonstrated why she is more than deserving of a seat on the bench. She personified grace and integrity in the face of many outrageous attacks on her character and impeccable credentials. Judge Jackson has the experience, temperament and commitment to ensure the judicial fairness we need in an associate justice. Her intellect, legal knowledge and record of upholding justice under the law will be invaluable as she makes decisions that directly impact the lives of working people, and champions equal rights. Judge Jackson’s life story and the milestone she has reached send a potent message to women and girls across this nation that nothing—not even a seat on our highest court—is out of their reach.
Judge Jackson’s confirmation is a victory for our democracy and our nation, and we look forward to her serving on the bench for a very long time.
Thank you to everyone who took action. This victory is ours!
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The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW) filed objections over online retail giant Amazon’s conduct during the most recent unionization vote at the company’s Bessemer, Alabama, location. RWDSU-UFCW charges that Amazon interfered with its employees’ right to a free and fair election under the National Labor Relations Act. RWDSU-UFCW requests that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) schedule a hearing to determine if the results of the election should be set aside.
A previous election in Bessemer was set aside last year after the NLRB found that Amazon acted illegally. RWDSU-UFCW charges that Amazon has done it again.
“Workers at Amazon have endured a needlessly long and aggressive fight to unionize their workplace, with Amazon doing everything it can to spread misinformation and deceive workers,” said RWDSU-UFCW President Stuart Appelbaum. “The company violated the law in the first election, and did so again in this re-run election, without any doubt. We will continue to hold Amazon accountable and ensure workers’ voices are heard. We are filing objections on Amazon’s behavior during this election, which include countless attempts to intimidate workers, even going so far as to terminate and suspend workers who supported the union. Amazon’s behavior must not go unchallenged, and workers in Bessemer, Alabama must have their rights protected under the law. We urge the NLRB to carefully review our objections and ensure no company, not even with the bottomless pockets of Amazon, is allowed to act above the law.”
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The New Yorker: How to Unionize at Amazon
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How to Unionize at Amazon
On Staten Island, it made all the difference that the union was independent and led by workers from the warehouse, not managed by a large, outside organization.
By E. Tammy Kim
April 7, 2022
The day after a group of Amazon warehouse workers on Staten Island voted to form a union—potentially one of the biggest labor victories since the nineteen-thirties—their gargantuan gray warehouse, stamped with the company’s yellow arrow swoosh, looked as unremarkable as ever. A nearby creek sparkled in the sun. Prime container trucks growled along Gulf Avenue. The only thing out of the ordinary was in the warehouse parking lot. Large white tents, the kind you might see at a wedding, were being pulled down and carted away by men in fluorescent vests. For five days in late March, the National Labor Relations Board had run a union election underneath those tents. The thousands of men and women who work in fulfillment center JFK8, on day and night shifts, full and part time, had the chance to vote. Read More
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Take Action to Help Ukraine |
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Where to Donate:
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Ukraine Fund - People in Ukraine are in grave danger of physical harm, families have fled their homes seeking refuge in neighboring countries, and others are sheltering from bombs falling in major cities. The ITUC’s Ukrainian member organizations FPU and KVPU are providing support to families who desperately need assistance with: food and water provisions, medical supplies, hygiene items. You can help Ukraine’s workers and their families by donating to the ITUC’s emergency fundraising appeal. All funds donated will be passed on to our two member organizations to support their humanitarian work in Ukraine.
People in Need Ukraine - People in Need Ukraine provides a wide variety of emergency services, recently they sent the first convoy of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid as requested by reps of Lviv in western Ukraine that included sleeping bags, mats, and other goods either for free or at a great discount. They also provided aid to internally displaced people, such as aid, shelter, insulated tents for displaced children, and basic needs, e.g. food, water, hygiene products. They also receive donations from USAID, WFP, EU and other legit donors.
Ukrainian Red Cross Society - They are part of the Red Cross and help civilians with emergency assistance. The link also provides information on donations and usage of donations. (Please note that the English website takes a bit longer to load).
Caritas Ukraine - Began their work in 1992 after Ukraine declared independence providing humanitarian assistance. Currently providing support to internally-displaced people on the move with essential items, such as food, drinking water and personal hygiene kits and shelter, safe transport for displaced families. Click on link to learn more and make the donation.
Razom for Ukraine - New York City-based organization that organizes the provision of humanitarian aid and conducts informational work in the US. They are a volunteer-run organization with a low overhead similar to United Help Ukraine, but in my view more able to handle larger sums of money. They have been active since Maidan and have raised $1.05 million in the last two weeks.
Other Actions:
- Divest public pension fund assets from investments with ties to Russia.
- Educate your members about Ukraine and the work of the labor movement
- Pass a local resolution of solidarity
- Participate in local prayer vigils
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Biden/Harris Administration Make Investments To Improve Schools With Union Labor |
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Vice President Kamala Harris is announced the Biden-Harris Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure to upgrade our public schools with modern, clean, energy efficient facilities and transportation—delivering health and learning benefits to children and school communities, saving school districts money, and creating good union jobs. The plan activates the entire federal government in leveraging investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure law and American Rescue Plan to advance solutions including energy efficiency retrofits, electric school buses, and resilient design.
The action plan will save schools and taxpayers money. Public K-12 districts spend roughly $8 billion a year on energy bills — the second largest expense after teacher salaries. Energy efficiency improvements to HVAC systems, lighting, insulation, and other energy upgrades can not only protect the health of our children, but also unlock significant savings to go toward students and learning. Off-the-shelf improvements can provide energy savings of 10 to 30 percent and broader upgrades can unlock even more savings for years to come – all while creating opportunities for good paying union jobs for electricians, carpenters, painters, sheet metal workers, plumbers and pipefitters, and more.
School improvements provide critical training opportunities for building an effective workforce. Large school projects often last multiple years and draw upon a large mix of trades. This continuity of training and employment makes them ideal opportunities for pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs that lead directly to good-paying careers. And when done alongside the President’s Justice40 Initiative, these investments will prioritize under-resourced schools while also investing in communities that can benefit from long-term training and employment.
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Sacco Slams Jones Act Opponents for ‘Nonsensical’ Claims on Gas Prices |
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America’s workers are feeling the pinch at the gas pump, but we don’t need anti-worker policies to fix the problem. In a new column, Seafarers (SIU) President Michael Sacco countered arguments from some pundits that America’s freight cabotage law, the Jones Act, should be waived in response to skyrocketing fuel prices.
“Whenever I believe that Jones Act critics have hit a new low, they slither even lower,” Sacco said. “Let’s get a couple of things crystal clear. There is plenty of U.S.-flag vessel capacity to handle any voyages transporting oil within the United States. And—here’s the real news—a waiver of the Jones Act for gasoline would only benefit oil traders.” He explained that the Jones Act has protected mariners and our nation’s security for more than a century.
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NABTU Legislative Conference Celebrates Wins, Sets Upcoming Agenda |
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North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) held its 2022 Legislative Conference this week and took the time to celebrate a year of victories from its 14 craft union affiliates. In addition to President Biden’s remarks, conference attendees heard from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh (LIUNA), numerous members of Congress, labor leaders and other champions for working people.
NABTU President Sean McGarvey (IUPAT) thanked the members for their hard work on many issues in the past year, from the continuing COVID-19 pandemic to keeping critical infrastructure working. NABTU members did “whatever it takes” to get the job done. “In the face of paralyzing fear and anxiety, you did it heroically, humbly and without fanfare,” McGarvey said. “Your fortitude throughout is one of the proudest moments in our history.”
The conference also focused on the present, with the annual Call-to-Action Service Day and by raising funds to support Ukrainian refugees, and the future, by focusing on NABTU’s upcoming priorities during an important election year.
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Working People Caravan to Alabama in Support of Striking Mine Workers at Warrior |
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Members of the Mine Workers (UMWA) at Warrior Met Coal in Alabama have been on strike for one year, demanding a fair contract that honors the heavy sacrifices they made to make the company profitable. Today, members were joined by their families, labor leaders and other allies in McCalla, Alabama, to kick off the Caravan to Warrior.
Groups of union members from across the country hit the highways and crossed state lines to join their brothers, sisters and siblings in McCalla to show Warrior that not only will the workers not give up, but they also have the support and solidarity from working people and leaders well beyond Alabama.
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AFT’s Weingarten in Poland to Meet with Educators and Ukrainian Refugees |
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Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), is in Poland today to see firsthand the work being done to support refugee women and children from Ukraine. Weingarten was invited by the Polish teachers union, ZNP, and she will meet with refugee teachers and students from Ukraine and educators and health care workers from Poland. Weingarten is visiting Polish classrooms that have taken in students from Ukraine, and meeting with Ukrainian refugee teachers in Poland who are connecting remotely with their students who remain in Ukraine or who are living outside of Ukraine since the Russian invasion began.
Through the AFT's partnership with First Book, Weingarten is delivering children’s books and language-appropriate educational materials to the Polish schools that are integrating Ukrainian teachers and students. The AFT has raised $100,000 to send to ZNP, the Ukrainian teachers union VPONU, and other humanitarian and labor groups. The priorities for these funds will be to help the ZNP union that is housing refugee children who crossed the border without parents, integrating Ukrainian children into Polish schools and supporting the needs of Ukrainian teachers and students still in Ukraine.
“We stand in solidarity with our fellow educators and healthcare workers in the Ukrainian and Polish labor movement; with the educators, students and families across the border in Ukraine; and with their democratic government in this moment of their trial and need,” Weingarten said. “Our visit will shine a light, not only on the impact of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war, but on the persistence, compassion and bravery of the teachers dedicated to protecting and helping their kids learn amid Russia’s heinous attack, wherever they might be in the region.”
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UNITE HERE Members in the Senate Cafeteria Rally Against Mass Layoff Threat |
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Workers in the U.S. Senate cafeteria were joined today by working people, supporters and allies in a rally protesting mass layoffs. They are calling on members of the Senate, whom they serve every day, to show their support as workers fight to protect their jobs, which some have held for decades. The U.S. Capitol has started to reopen and tours are returning, yet workers in the cafeteria, who have continued to work throughout the pandemic, could now be forced out.
Last year, the Senate cafeteria workers joined together and were recognized as members of UNITE HERE Local 23. They are bargaining with their employer, Restaurant Associates, whose parent company is Compass Group, for a union contract that includes fair wages, affordable health insurance, a pension and job security. Their reasonable requests were met with the threat of mass layoffs.
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ALPA Applauds Recommendations to Make Airline Industry More Inclusive |
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The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) commended the Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB) last week for the recommendations in its final report on how to make the airline piloting profession accessible to all while maintaining the highest level of safety. The report’s recommendations include creating an inclusive culture, and removing barriers to the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in aviation.
“We applaud the WIAAB—which includes ALPA National Membership Committee chair Capt. Kandy Bernskoetter—for providing these comprehensive recommendations that recognize a strong, diverse workforce is critical to the continued leadership of the aviation industry in the United States,” said Capt. Joe DePete (not pictured), president of ALPA. “Rather than acceding to suggestions by a few to roll back pilot qualification standards or weaken crew-complement requirements that have kept flying safe, we must open doors of opportunity and double down on safety.”
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IAFF Foundation Expands Mission to Include More Philanthropy |
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“IAFF members are on the frontlines every day, putting the needs of others before their own,” said IAFF General President Edward Kelly. “But what happens when they are the ones who need help? The IAFF Foundation is here to assist our members following natural disasters, burn injuries and occupational illness, as well as to provide scholarships to children of fallen fire fighters and assist families attending the annual Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial service.”
The foundation relies on charitable contributions to fund its mission to help firefighters as a way to help those who help others. Contributions go to fund disaster relief, the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, burn support, survivor scholarships, behavioral health and wellness, occupational cancer support and other important goals.
To learn more and contribute to the IAFF Foundation, visit its new website.
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Boilermakers Refocus on Carbon Capture Technologies After International Conference |
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Cory Channon (pictured above, left), special assistant to Boilermakers International President Newton B. Jones, attended the U.N. Climate Change Conference and is promoting carbon capture as the best way to achieve smart and realistic success in reducing carbon emissions and thus climate change. He said the enemy isn’t fossil fuels like gas and coal, but rather carbon dioxide. Carbon capture technologies are the key to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The technologies already work and are improving all the time.
Natural Resources Canada convened a group to work to achieve Canada’s goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 40% by 2030. In order for that goal to be met, Channon said all the sectors that emit greenhouse gasses need to move to carbon capture if they want to see meaningful reductions. Action needs to be taken sooner rather than later to not only protect the environment, but to keep these industries strong as the long-term effects of climate change grow more impactful. Channon hopes that Canada’s efforts will serve as an example for the United States and other countries.
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Photo Contest: Climate and Energy Jobs Through the Eyes of Union Members
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The contest is open to any union member who sees their work as a climate job—whether you’re driving or fixing electric buses, working on wind turbines, teaching students about the climate crisis, cleaning up after climate-related disasters, working on green buildings, installing solar, operating water systems or doing anything else that relates to climate change.
Click here to learn more and submit your photos by July 31.
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An Update from OH AFL-CIO Southwest Rep |
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Brothers and Sisters, please review the new updates from the Ohio AFL-CIO. This weeks update will cover Primaries 2022, Labor 2022 and our new Campaign Team!
Redistricting update from the Ohio AFL CIO
The following is an update of the state legislative and congressional map making based on information and insights we obtained today. This remains a fluid situation where we will continue to obtain intelligence from our legal and policy sources and report out based on the latest and best information we can gather.
CONGRESSIONAL MAP
The second map passed by the Republicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission is before the Ohio Supreme Court as the plaintiffs argue that this map is also unconstitutional and does not adhere to the amendment that voters passed in 2018. The Ohio Supreme Court provided its timeline for hearing the case, which falls outside of a timeline to utilize a new map for a 2022 Primary Election. Therefore, this second Congressional map is the one that we be utilized for the May 3, 2022 Primary Election (voting begins on April 5 for the May 3 Primary Election). The Court will continue its legal proceedings, with the plaintiffs’ hope that a new, constitutionally sound map will be in place for the 2024 Election Cycle.
STATE LEGISLATIVE MAPS
The fourth set of state House and Senate maps were passed on March 28 by the Republicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission. Not only are these maps being litigated, but the Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice has required the Republicans on the Commission to present to the court by April 4 why they should not be held in contempt for disregarding the directive on how to proceed in developing the maps. Therefore, the May 3, 2022 Primary Election will not include state legislative races.
As the legal process plays out in the Ohio Supreme Court, the sixth circuit federal court is now engaged and heard arguments this week, where the Republicans were asking the court to implement the third set of state legislative maps (ones that were struck down by the Ohio Supreme Court). The three-judge panel did not grant this request, however, if the state legislative map case is not settled by April 20, the federal court will reconvene on that date and consider selecting and implementing state House and Senate maps with a Primary Election date of August 2.
Labor 2022
As we follow the redistricting fight, we will be engaging our members with Sen. Tim Ryan Postcards, and other actions/information for Ohio AFL-CIO endorsed candidates. We will update you all when new endorsements come in. Voting for the 1st Primary Date May 3, 2022, has official started April 4, 2022. The 2nd (PROJECTED) Primary Date is August 2, 2022
Races on the May 3rd ballot:
- Governor,
- Attorney General,
- Auditor of State,
- Secretary of State,
- Treasurer of State,
- Ohio Supreme Court,
- U.S Senate,
- U.S. Representative to Congress,
- Additional Judicial and municipal candidates
Races on Aug 2, 2022 ballot:
- State Senator
- State Representative
- Member of State Central Committee
Campaign Team
Brothers and Sisters, as discussed at our last delegate meeting, the Cincinnati AFL-CIO has organized a campaign team to build our political program and build comrade! This group is made up of numerous unions in our CLC and WE NEED YOU! Our Campaign team is the first of its kind in the state and with your participation we will win BIG in November! Our group reviews the campaign plan proposal, current political landscape, and expertise on local union membership. It is imperative that we continue to expand this team and build a dynamic program! If you would like to join the Campaign team please contact Southwest State Rep Julien Johnson @ 614-312-4507 or email him at jjohson@ohaflcio.org
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Early Vote Starts Today For First of Two Primary Elections |
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Early vote has begun for Ohio's primary election for statewide, county and Congressional candidates as well as levies. Because the Republicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission keep drawing state legislative maps that the Ohio Supreme Court strikes down, the state legislative primary will occur later this year.
While we will be voting on Congressional candidates, the districts that appear on this ballot are currently being litigated with the Ohio Supreme Court and may likely change for the 2024 election.
"It's a shame what is happening in Ohio. The Republicans on the Redistricting Commission have had nearly a year to come up with legal state and federal legislative maps and have used that time to create confusion and division rather than follow the Constitutional Amendments Ohioans voted to pass to end gerrymandering," said Ohio ALF-CIO Tim Burga. "We will keep doing our part to ensure the practice of illegal, partisan gerrymandering ends in Ohio."
The Ohio AFL-CIO has five endorsed candidates on the ballot now, Tim Ryan for U.S. Senate, Shontel Brown, Joyce Beatty and Marcy Kaptur for U.S. House of Representatives and Judge Jennifer Brunner for Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice. More endorsements are forthcoming and will be announced in these News Briefs.
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Infrastructure Spending You Can See |
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As we have reported, President Biden’s Infrastructure bill provides unprecedented funding for roads, bridges, transportation, lead pipe replacement, broadband and ports. The Ohio AFL-CIO is monitoring and tracking how this money is moving as it becomes appropriated in state.
To this end, last week Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks testified before an Ohio House Committee that Ohio will be investing nearly $2 billion on 829 projects across the state. 222 projects will be aimed directly at improving safety on Ohio roads. ODOT says crews will improve 661 bridges and 7,626 miles of pavement, enough to cover the distance from Columbus to London, England and back.
The presentation highlighted several major projects around the state – including the Brent Spence Bridge. Fueling the sheer number of projects slated for this construction season is an additional $400 million in federal spending from the Infrastructure plan. Marchbanks also spoke on the historic spending to expand Ohio’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Thanks to the Infrastructure package and Ohio investments, over the next several years the Department of Transportation will spend $7.5 billion on electric vehicle charging infrastructure, $5 billion for electric and hybrid school busses, $65 billion to modernize our power grid and $140 million over the next 5 years for Ohio electric vehicle chargers.
Also provided in the bipartisan Infrastructure law is billions of dollars in grants to plug orphaned oil and gas wells. Ohio could see a sizeable chunk of that money and plans to spend well over $600 million on the program through 2035. After productive meetings with both the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, and the Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Mary Mertz, President Burga believes that this “Davis Bacon” work can spur a new generation of union workers dedicated to this industry.
The Biden administration has been very clear- they want the jobs being created with this increased infrastructure spending to be good union jobs. Because of the massive increase in the scope of this work, ODNR is retooling and rethinking their approach on how to implement and execute this work over the next decade and into the future. In doing so, ODNR recently published a “Request for Qualifications” (RFQ) seeking construction project managers to begin the process with a budget of $28 million.
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April 6th, 2022 Delegate Meeting |
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Presentation of City Proclamation: His Honor, the Mayor of The City of Cincinnati, Aftab Pureval and Councilperson Mark Jeffreys.
- Presentation the Mayors/City Proclamation in support of the USPS to NALC Branch 43 and APWU Local 164
- Receiving the Awards:
- APWU Local 164 (Postal Workers), President Jim Sizemore
- NALC Branch 43 (Letter Carriers), Natasha Weaver, NALC Branch 43 Delegate
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Labor Day Weekend 2022 Update - A Great Day at the Great American Ballpark with the Great American Pastime, Celebrating Great Americans!
Pictured from left to right: Carmen (Alberini) Zerhusen, Director of Group Sales & Development, Aaron Eisel, Vice President of Tickets and Business Development, and Nick Geraci, Group Account Executive at Cincinnati Reds
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Special Guest: Judge Marilyn Zayas
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Recognition and Installation of new Delegates: Natasha Weaver, NALC Branch 43 and Greg Thomas, OPEIU 375
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Apprenticeship Career Fair |
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This Apprenticeship Career Fair is FREE for all to attend! .. Looking for a career change. You have the opportunity to be the next generation of skilled craft workers in the Union Building Trades. www.earnandlearn.com/careerfair
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2022 Worker's Memorial Day |
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The 2022 Worker's Memorial is rapidly approaching... This year's commemoration will air Thursday evening, April 28, 6:00 PM.
It is being produced in collaboration with UAW Local 647, 863, and CAP Council. It will be a fully produced video production that will feature special guests (in order of appearance): UAW Region 2B Director Wayne Blanchard | Host, Denise DalVera | Springboro High School Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard | National Anthem and Lift Every Voice and Sing, Dr. Jillian Harrison-Jones Music Director, MUSE Cincinnati's Women’s Choir | UAW Local 863 Chaplaincy Chair, Russ McQueen | Mayor, Aftab Pureval | State Representatives, Brigid Kelly and Jessica Miranda | Ohio AFL-CIO President, Tim Burga | Cincinnati AFL-CIO President and Business Manager, Plumbers, Pipefitters and MES Local 392, Bill Froehle | Our keynote speakers will be US Representative, Tim Ryan and US Senator, Sherrod Brown.
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Get Your Foursome Together for the
35th Annual Cincinnati AFL-CIO Golf Outing!
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Meet the Supreme Court Candidates |
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U.S Senator Sherrod Brown: Working For Working People!
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Headlines from Ohio
Thousands of Ohioans have contacted Sherrod worried about missing mail -- everything from paychecks to prescriptions. Sherrod joined Congress in passing sweeping Postal Service reforms and President Biden signed them into law, shoring up the USPS’ financial future, making delivery more timely and efficient, and ensuring delivery six days a week.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to the Supreme Court, making her the first Black woman to serve on our country’s highest court and the first public defender.
State of the Race(s) in Ohio
OH-SEN UPDATE: A recent GOP debate in the Senate primary nearly devolved into a physical altercation between Mike Gibbons and Josh Mandel. Clearly, this is a race to the bottom. It highlights why it’s so important that we elect leaders like Tim Ryan who are focused on delivering for Ohioans.
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APRIL 08, 2022 - Brown, Thune, Cardin Introduce Legislation to Expand Access to Mental Health Services - READ MORE
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APRIL 08, 2022 - Brown, Duckworth, Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Research on the Neurological Impact of Covid-19 - READ MORE
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APRIL 08, 2022 - Brown Hosts Roundtable Discussion With Chillicothe Veterans - READ MORE
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APRIL 08, 2022 - ICYMI: Brown Highlights Legacy of The Labor Movement in Ken Burns' Digital Documentary - READ MORE
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APRIL 07, 2022 - Brown Appointed to Conference Committee to Negotiate Legislation to Invest in Manufacturing and Address Global Semiconductor Shortage - READ MORE
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APRIL 07, 2022 - Brown Announces More Than $1.1 Million in AmeriCorps Public Health Awards to The Ohio State University - READ MORE
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APRIL 07, 2022 - Brown Votes to Confirm Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson - READ MORE
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APRIL 07, 2022 - Brown, Colleagues Vote Unanimously to Remove Permanent Normal Trade Relations With Russia, Belarus - READ MORE
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APRIL 07, 2022 - Brown Shares Miami Valley Priorities During Dayton Development Coalition Fly-In - READ MORE
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APRIL 07, 2022 - Brown Announces $259 Million for Ohio's Public Transit Systems - READ MORE
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APRIL 07, 2022 - Brown Urges Fed and OCC to Scrutinize Bank Mergers - READ MORE
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APRIL 06, 2022 - Brown Applauds the Nomination of Jaime Lizárraga to the Securities and Exchange Commission - READ MORE
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APRIL 06, 2022 - Brown Commends Punishing New Sanctions on Russia Following Atrocities in Bucha - READ MORE
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APRIL 06, 2022 - Brown Leads Fourth Annual Bipartisan Reading of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 Letter from Birmingham Jail - READ MORE
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APRIL 06, 2022 - Brown Stands With Senate Cafeteria Workers Picketing Layoff Announcement - READ MORE
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APRIL 06, 2022 - Sen. Brown, Reps. Ryan, Kaptur, Brown, Beatty Notify Federal Agencies of Ohio’s Readiness to Accept Ukrainian Refugees - READ MORE
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APRIL 06, 2022 - Brown Discusses Efforts To Protect Teachers From Dipping Into Their Own Paychecks For Classroom Expenses - READ MORE
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APRIL 06, 2022 - ICYMI: At Senate Finance Hearing, Brown Calls for HHS Secretary to Continue Investment in Ohio’s Pediatric, Occupational Safety Workforce - READ MORE
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APRIL 06, 2022 - Brown Chairs Nomination Hearing for Key Treasury and Mint Nominees - READ MORE
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APRIL 05, 2022 - Brown Announces Supports for Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson Following Meeting - READ MORE
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APRIL 05, 2022 - Biden Announces Proposal Based on Brown Legislation to Expand Affordable Health Coverage for Families - READ MORE
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APRIL 05, 2022 - Brown, Bipartisan Group of Colleagues Urge EPA to Update Biofuel Emissions Modeling - READ MORE
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APRIL 05, 2022 - Brown Announces $600,000 for Advanced Manufacturing Training for STEM Educators at Bowling Green State University - READ MORE
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APRIL 05, 2022 - Brown Announces More Than $78,000 For STEM Education at University of Cincinnati - READ MORE
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APRIL 05, 2022 - Brown Announces Nearly $200,000 For Drone Communication Network Research at Miami University - READ MORE
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APRIL 05, 2022 - Brown Announces Nearly $150,000 For STEM Research at The Ohio State University - READ MORE
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APRIL 05, 2022 - Brown: New Insider Trading Legislation Will Ensure Everyone Plays By The Same Rules - READ MORE
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APRIL 04, 2022 - Brown Visits Starbucks Workers Seeking to Unionize - READ MORE
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APRIL 04, 2022 - In Remarks to Transportation Labor Leaders, Brown Discusses Pro-Labor Wins Secured in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - READ MORE
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Freestore Foodbank: Paola and Victoria's life-changing story
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Paola is a loving and caring mother who hit a rough patch. With the rise in food and gas costs, she finds it tough to fully support herself and her high-spirited daughter, Victoria.
When she realized they needed more support than she was able to provide, Paola decided to go to one of Freestore Foodbank’s community partners. The impact the pantry had on Paola and Victoria was life changing. Being able to turn to her local community for help, Paola did not have to worry when or where their next meal was coming from.
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You can help make hungry families like Paola and Victoria happy and healthy by giving them the best gifts of all — Food, Connection and Hope.
Paola’s story is one of the main reasons we are passionate about what we do here at Freestore Foodbank. Be a part of the amazing reason hungry children and families in our community have resources. Give a gift TODAY for Double Your Dollars Day.
Starting NOW through midnight on April 13th, your gift will have double the impact up to $200,000. Thank you for feeding your local community.
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Kurt L. Reiber
President & CEO
Freestore Foodbank
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United Way: These Four Have Been Amazing
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We had a fantastic 35th anniversary celebration of our Alexis de Tocqueville Society last night!
Our Tocqueville members are some of the strongest supporters of United Way. They create a powerful force of good and have changed a lot of lives for the better over the past 35 years.
We honored four last night for their service over the years. These four have been amazing to United Way and to me: (pictured left to right) Julia W. Poston, Steven J. Shifman, Moira Weir, Kelly M. Dehan, Cynthia O. Booth.
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Sincerely,
Moira Weir
President/CEO
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Braver Angels: Three Approaches to Conflict
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Below is an excerpt from my new book: In Search of Braver Angels: Getting Along Together in Troubled Times. The full version is available on Amazon. To see upcoming BA events and media, scroll down to the bottom of this email. Best wishes to you for a happy Sunday. — David
THREE APPROACHES TO CONFLICT
By David Blankenhorn
Social conflict is when groups struggle against each other over social goals or arrangements. I’m engaged in social conflict when my group attempts to resist, oppose, or coerce the will of others. Social conflict is a core feature of modern societies and appears to be a universal or near-universal feature of human groups.
Social conflict can take many forms. Some forms (such as sullen silence) are tacit, while other forms (from verbal debate to organized warfare) are open and explicit.
Conflict is related to competition, but the two are not the same. Competition becomes conflict only when the attention of the competitors is diverted from the objects of competition to each other. Social conflict, then, is when my group seeks to achieve its goals at least in part by preventing other groups from achieving theirs.
Many great thinkers have tried to identify the fundamental sources of social conflict. Saint Augustine, the early Christian writer, traced social conflict to libido dominandi, or the lust to dominate others. The 17th-century political philosopher Thomas Hobbes traced it to man’s innate desire to “do as he pleases.” Hobbes’ fellow philosopher John Locke traced it to humankind’s limited capacity for generosity. The great 19th-century student of American democracy Alexis de Tocqueville pointed to the diminished influence in society of what he called “self-interest rightly understood,” by which he meant the understanding that, in general, what’s good for others is also good for me and mine. Marxists and other writers have emphasized the role of competition for scarce or valuable economic resources. According to many writers, an important engine of social conflict in modern societies is clashing moral values, or strong disagreements over what is good and how we should treat one another.
Is social conflict a blessing or a curse? On the one hand, we could stipulate a moral continuum, with cooperation (the best) on one end of the continuum and conflict (the worst) on the other. In this way of thinking, conflict is clearly something we should be against—the more of it we have, the worse off we become.
Another and likely fuller understanding is that social conflict is not only a universal occurrence in human societies, but is also frequently a healthy and at times necessary occurrence. After all, in many cases social progress is impossible without social conflict. Probably the most important question about social conflict, then, is not whether it exists (it does), or whether we can eliminate it (we can’t), or even whether we should try to eliminate it (we shouldn’t). The real question is how we should approach it.
Our national motto, E pluribus unum, means “from many, one.” It tells us that people from many and often conflicting backgrounds and views can live on this continent in conditions of unprecedented freedom while also thriving together as one people. It tells us neither to deny nor to inflame our differences, but instead to seek to reconcile them at higher levels in order to form what our Constitution calls “a more perfect Union.”
Implicit in our national motto—implicit in the founders’ vision—is a theory of conflict. It seems that there are three basic approaches to conflict, which we can also think of as three stages, from simplest and worst to hardest and best.
1. Submit
In the first approach or stage, we submit to conflict. Conflict is in charge. Some people in this stage ignore conflict, failing to acknowledge that it exists. Others internalize conflict and thus make conflict their cause, becoming both its relentless advocate as well as its captive. Either way, polarization is perpetuated, as conflict dominates society rather than the other way around.
2. Manage
A second approach is when we seek to clarify and manage conflict. By trying to assume good faith in our adversaries and trying to correct partial understandings and false stereotypes, we aim in this stage to achieve actual rather than inflated or imagined disagreement. This better and more difficult approach to dealing with conflict requires both civility in our treatment of one another and a willingness to acknowledge areas of common ground. At least as importantly, insofar as we want conflict not only clarified but also managed for the good of society, this approach also requires the capacity for negotiation, compromise, and mutual accommodation.
3. Transform
A third approach is when we seek to transform conflict. In this approach, we do not avoid or deny conflict. Nor do we become its pliant servant and enabler. Nor do we stop and declare victory once we have understood conflict accurately by using the tools of reason and empathy and managed it pragmatically by using the tools of compromise. In this hardest and yet arguably most fruitful way of dealing with conflict, we try to go beyond polarization and beyond compromise, toward a creative new framing—a higher synthesis—that includes what is valid and helpful on both sides, leading us, together, to a new place in the discussion. This approach depends significantly on epistemological humility, recognizing relationship-building as a valid shaper of identity and viewpoint, and a belief in the equal dignity of every person.
Coming up at Braver Angels
Addressing the forgotten Americans. Our Book Club will discuss how to improve access to economic opportunity for working-class Americans.
Apr. 6 at 8 p.m. ET
Have college degrees become overrated? We’re examining the question of whether higher education is a bridge or a barrier for America’s working class.
Does punishment reduce crime? Join our next debate to examine whether punishment is effective in the criminal justice system.
Apr. 7 at 8 p.m. ET
Upcoming book discussion. Author Kirsten Powers joins the BA Book Club to discuss her new book, “Saving Grace.”
Apr. 21 at 7 p.m. ET
Communicate about race more constructively. Learn how to effectively express your own views on race while listening to others at our new skills workshop.
Apr. 23 at 2 p.m. ET
Bridging the gap in Georgia. Read this column in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution to see how BA members found areas of agreement after participating in an online workshop.
Fearlessly curious conversations. In a discussion with The Bully Pulpit podcast, our Mónica Guzmán shares insights on how to better understand different opinions.
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RetireMed: Personal Invitation to Be Our Guest at a Reason to Hope
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On behalf of RetireMed, we would like to invite you to be our guest at the Alzheimer's Association Reason to Hope breakfast on April 28 at Cooper Creek Event Center. You'll have an opportunity to network with other area business and HR leaders from 7:15 - 7:45 a.m. Our CEO, Marisa O’Neill, will then share about our partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. The brief one-hour program will talk about dementia's significant impact in the workplace: lost productivity, lost employees, and lost wages.
Did you realize one dollar of every five Medicare dollars deducted from everyone's paycheck goes toward supporting someone with dementia? The figures are staggering.
Please join us to learn more about Alzheimer's disease and the free services that can help your company and your employees. Click on the Save the Date below to learn more and to register. Feel free to bring a guest along (be sure they register too).
We look forward to seeing you there.
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39th Annual Labor-Management Conference: One Week Left for Early Bird Rates
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Join us at this year’s 39th Annual Labor-Management Conference on Building Labor-Management Relationships: Through Cooperation and Knowledge, where experts will share practical, cooperative, and legal information to build and enhance effective labor-management relationships.
The annual conference was borne out of a partnership between NKU and FCMS many years ago to promote Labor-Management cooperation. When Labor and Management work together, they strengthen the region's workforce and its economic competitiveness. Business leaders, labor representatives, and government officials gather at our conference to find effective and valuable approaches to working together.
SHRM and CLE credits for Ohio and Kentucky are pending.
*Must register by April 13, 2022 to receive the early bird registration rate
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LOCATION
Northern Kentucky University
Registration and sessions will take place at the Student Union
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WHEN
May 13, 2023
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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COST
Early Bird: $160*
Late Registration: $175
NLRB Rate: $95
Student Registration: $40
Group Registration (10 tickets): $1,440
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Register Now for Upcoming FMCS Institute Courses! |
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Training for the real-world challenges of labor-management relations and organizational change.
Don't wait! The FMCS Institute's 2022 courses will provide you with the opportunity to expand your conflict resolution and organizational change toolkit by introducing a diverse lineup of targeted and hands-on programs brought to you by experienced instructors and practitioners. Register today for some of our most in-demand courses.
Negotiation Skills (Online) Spring 2022
Negotiation Skills (Online) Summer 2022
Arbitrating in the Federal Sector (Online) Spring 2022
Arbitrating in the Federal Sector (Online) Summer 2022
Becoming A Labor Arbitrator (Online) Spring 2022
Dealing with Difficult People Behaviors (Online) Spring 2022
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National Labor-Management Conference 2022 |
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Join us at The National Labor-Management Conference, and learn the latest about essential bargaining techniques, hear critical updates on the labor and employment landscape, and gain valuable insights into new directions, technology, and trends in the changing world of work.
This is a can't miss event for 2022! You’ll leave inspired to be a change agent within your organization and empowered with the tools, insight, and information to make an impact.
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FREE PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS INCLUDED W/ REGISTRATION
February 25, 2022 - New Bargaining Units: Challenges for Both Sides
Newly organized workplace? Going from an organizing drive to a productive partnership can be challenging. Bring your questions and concerns to this webinar for practical suggestions, ideas, and expert advice that you can choose to use immediately!
Don't miss this value-added workshop and others offered monthly leading up to the general conference.
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Ohio Vaccination Dashboard
The COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard displays the most recent data reported to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) regarding the number of individuals that have started and completed the COVID-19 vaccination series by various demographics and county of residence.
The COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard displays the most recent data reported to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) regarding the number of individuals that have started and completed the COVID-19 vaccination series by various demographics and county of residence. “Vaccination started” indicates that the individual has received at least one valid dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The number listed as “vaccination completed” is a subset of the number included in “vaccination started,” indicating that those individuals within that group have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses and are considered fully immunized. ODH is making COVID-19 data available for public review while also protecting privacy. This dashboard will be updated daily. Please see footnotes below for more details.
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Ohio COVID-19 Dashboard
Overview
ODH is making COVID-19 data available for public review while also protecting patient privacy.
The State of Ohio COVID-19 Dashboard displays the most recent preliminary data reported to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) about cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Ohio by selected demographics and county of residence. Data for cases and hospitalizations is reported to ODH via the Ohio Disease Reporting System (ODRS), and verified mortality data is reported via the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS).
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Below are the current reporting trends from Friday, April 8 for key indicators calculated from data reported to the Ohio Department of Health. These trends are updated daily and are presented by report date. |
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Below is a snapshot of key metrics pulled Friday, April 8, 2022 from daily data reporting to the Ohio Department of Health. These metrics are updated daily. |
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Hamilton County
Cases
187,652
Hospitalizations
6,051
Deaths
2,052
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Clermont County
Cases
51,283
Hospitalizations
1,440
Deaths
549
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Brown County
Cases
11,179
Hospitalizations
107
Deaths
177
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Butler County
Cases
92,752
Hospitalizations
3,189
Deaths
1,144
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Warren County
Cases
57,666
Hospitalizations
1,353
Deaths
581
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Other News For and About Working People: |
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Cincinnati AFL-CIO
Labor Council
President
Executive Secretary-Treasure
Communications & Administrative Associate
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