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Recent News

Our Revolution Aims to Topple TPP

Bernie Sanders has launched a full on attack of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pack through his new organization, Our Revolution. The organization is hoping to generate 50,000 calls to the US House. The group is urging people to call 1-844-311-2016 to be connected with their representative at the capitol. It is expected that President Obama will ask Congress to vote on the pact before his term of office ends.

“If TPP passes Congress, that’s it. It can’t be changed. TPP can’t be canceled unless all 12 nations pull out,” says Our Revolution Chair Larry Cohen.

TPP is opposed by Americans across the political spectrum. Donald Trump supporters dislike its impact on domestic jobs, while Hillary Clinton supporters dislike its corporate-friendly secret tribunals that can overrule national laws that protect the public. Our Revolution highlighted five problem with the agreement: 1) Outsourcing more jobs overseas; 2) US courts will be overruled; 3) Prescription drug prices will go up; 4) Environmental protection will be set back; 5) The agreement cannot be repealed.

Recent News

Labor Groups Stand with Native Americans in Opposition to Dakota Access Pipeline

The Labor Coalition for Community Action has announced its support for Native Americans in protesting against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and defending Native lands from exploitation by corporations and the US government. Though pipeline proponents cite it would bring 4,500 jobs, the DAPL also threatens tribal sovereignty, sacred burial grounds, and the water supply of the Standing Rock Sioux and potentially 17 million others.

“We remain committed to fighting the corporate interests that back this project and name this pipeline ‘a pipeline of greed.’ We challenge the labor movement to strategize on how to better engage and include Native people and other marginalized populations into the labor movement as a whole,” the Labor Coalition said in a press release. “Lastly, we applaud the many labor unions working to create a new economy with good green jobs and more sustainable employment opportunities for all. We also encourage stakeholders—labor unions including the building trades, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, and others who would be impacted—to come together to discuss a collective resolution.”

The Labor Coalition for Community Action includes the AFL-CIO constituency groups: A. Phillip Randolph Institute, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, the Coalition of Black Trace Unionists, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, and Pride at Work.

Recent News

Labor Deal Moves Work to Canada from Mexico

Canada’s auto union reached a tentative agreement with General Motors Co. that saves Canadian jobs and investments from moving to Mexico. Under the agreement, GM will invest about Can $400 million to upgrade its flex line and build a new vehicle in Oshawa, Ontario, and another Can $120 million in an engine and transmission plant in St. Catharines, Ontario. The agreement avoided a possible strike. The more than 23,000 workers at GM, Ford Motor Company, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV had made securing investment and production at Canadian plants the focus of their negotiations.

Recent News

Foreign Fisherman Mistreated on American Boats

Following a scathing AP report about the plight of foreign workers on American fishing vessels working out of Hawaii, state and federal lawmakers are promising to reform laws that allow the mistreatment of the workers. Mostly from impoverished Southeast Asia and Pacific Island nations, the men are able to live and work on the ships without a visa so long as they don’t set foot on shore. The AP report revealed instances of human trafficking, tuberculosis, food shortages, unsanitary conditions, and being paid as little as 70 cents per hour.

Whole Foods has halted all purchases of seafood from ships with foreign crew until it’s clear the men are being treated fairly. In addition, the Hawaii Seafood Council said that, starting October 1, the Honolulu Fish Auction would sell only fish from boats that have adopted its new, standardized contract aimed at assuring no forced labor exists onboard.

Recent News

Right to Work (for Less) Amendment on Virginia Ballot

This November Virginians will vote on a proposed amendment that would put the provisions of the Virginia right to work (for less) law into state constitution. Passage of the amendment would make the right to work more permanent. While the General Assembly can change a law, a constitutional provision can only be changed by another constitutional amendment. The Virginia AFL-CIO says the proposed amendment is unnecessary and would make the law almost impossible reverse, adding that the amendment “is designed by a handful of powerful corporate interests to silence the voices of working Virginians.”

Carlos Santana
Recent News

Carlos Santana Holds Benefit for Mexican Medical Facilities

Carlos SantanaPRS Signature artist and AFM member Carlos Santana of Local 6 (San Francisco, CA) is holding a unique fundraising event at to benefit healthcare facilities serving two areas in Mexico. Through Santana’s nonprofit Milagro Foundation, funds will support the Santana Telehealth Project and benefit both the Santuario de Luz pediatric medical clinic in the town of Autlan, Mexico, and the Hospital Infantil de las Californias in Tijuana. Santana was born in Autlan and his family moved to Tijuana when he was a child.

“The Ultimate Experience with Carlos Santana” at the House of Blues is co-sponsored by PRS Guitars, the House of Blues, and Casa Noble Tequila. It includes a concert and private cocktail reception with Santana. Each couple attending with get an autographed, limited edition PRS “Corazon” SE Santana electric guitar, as well as enjoy luxury hotel accommodations and front and center seats for the show. Plus their names will be added to the Santana Telehealth Project donor wall in both medical facilities. A limited number of tickets, priced at $7,500 (couple) or $4,000 (individual), are available for the September 24 event.

Santana recently released Santana IV: Live At the House of Blues Las Vegas, available in DVD/CD and digital formats. This release captures the reunion of Santana’s band of the late ’60s and early ’70s. He has a series of shows lined up at the House of Blues.

Recent News

AFM Member’s Foundation Provides Free Education for Music Majors

herb alpert foundationIn August, the Herb Alpert Foundation announced plans to donate $10.1 million to Los Angeles City College (LACC) to create an endowment that will allow all music majors at the school to have a tuition-free education. The gift is the largest ever to an individual Southern California community college, and the second largest in the history of the state.

The school has offered music courses since it was founded in 1929, and in the 1940s was the first college in the country to offer a jazz major. Among former attendees are Charlie Mingus, Jerry Goldsmith, Chet Baker, Lou Adler, and John Williams, a member of Locals 47 and 9-535 (Boston, MA). Alpert’s brother also attended the college.

“I love that LACC has helped so many low income students who have financial challenges but have a strong commitment to education and self-improvement,” says Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) member Herb Alpert. The Herb Alpert Foundation

LACC is one of nine colleges that make up the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). According to the LACCD website, the LACCD educates almost three times as many Latino students and nearly four times as many African-American students as all of the University of California campuses combined. Eighty percent of LACCD students are from underserved populations.

Alpert has often said that one of the greatest satisfactions of his success is being able to give back to others. Through the Herb Alpert Foundation, he and his wife, Lani Hall, work toward their vision of “a world where all young people are blessed with opportunities that allow them to reach their full potential and lead productive and fulfilling lives.”

Recent News

Union Negotiates Raises for Hospital Workers

Members of the health care workers union have successfully negotiated a labor contract with Massachusetts Steward Health Care that will raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2019 and guarantee workers access to affordable health insurance.

The agreement with Steward Health Care, the fifth largest employer in Massachusetts, is the latest victory in SEIU1199’s efforts to increase wages for members. Approximately 5,000 workers at hospitals that include Carney Hospital in Dorchester, Good Samaritan in Brockton, Norwood Hospital, and St. Elizabeth’s in Brighton. Recently, Boston Medical Center and South Boston Community Health Center have also secured agreements.

In Massachusetts, health care represents the largest sector of employment. Tyrék D. Lee, executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East says, “This will have a major effect in the workers’ ability to provide for their families.”  

Recent News

AFL-CIO Calls Trump’s Economic Speech Ironic and Deceitful

Following Donald Trump’s Michigan speech detailing his long-awaited economic plan, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka issued the following statement:

“Donald Trump has spent his life getting rich by hurting working people. Now he returns to Michigan for an economic speech almost one year to the day after he suggested automakers move production from Michigan to states with lower wages. It’s ironic, deceitful, and offensive.

“Donald Trump will say he speaks for all Americans, but his all white, all male, Wall Street banker economic team proves his intentions. Trump has chosen to get his real advice from people just like him—people who have made millions off the backs of hardworking families.

Recent News

Academy Honors AFM Musicians

JoAnn Falletta of Local 125 (Norfolk, VA), music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Virginia Symphony, and legendary saxophonist Wayne Shorter will be inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in October.

Wayne_ShorterA recipient of many of the world’s top conducting awards, Falletta’s recordings have also garnered two Grammy awards and multiple Grammy nominations. She is frequently invited to guest conduct nationally and abroad, with performances in Montreal, Spain, and Finland, as well as recordings with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony. 

Jazz saxophonist Shorter of Local 802 (New York) is equally known for his talent as a composer, with many of his pieces are considered jazz standards. He has played with every major jazz artist and maestro, most notably Miles Davis (along with Local 802 members Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter, and Tony Williams) in the classic Second Great Quintet. In the 1970s, he cofounded the influential jazz fusion band, Weather Report.