News
07.16.20
IFPTE Welcomes Newly Minted Local 20 ED Francisco "Frankie" Preciado to IFPTE's Family
The Executive Board of the Engineers and Scientists of California (ESC/IFPTE Local 20) announced the addition of Francisco “Frankie” Preciado as the Local’s new executive director. Brother Preciado has a long career in the labor movement, having most recently worked for SEIU Local 2007, and is also well-seasoned in policy advocacy and politics at local and state levels.07.15.20
COVID-19's Impact on Women's Mental Health (WSN Spotlight)
COVID-19 has brought about drastic changes to our daily lives. Changes at work, home and in our communities have left many of us feeling stressed and overwhelmed from juggling increased demands to anticipating what life will look like next week or month while navigating the unknown social, economic and political terrain the pandemic has thrust us into.07.15.20
SPEEA, IAM Union Petition Results in Additional Help for Laid-Off Members
SPEEA/Local 2001 recently teamed up with the International Association of Machinists (IAM) 751 in filing for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), also known as Trade Act, with the U.S. Department of Labor, resulting in additional federal support for SPEEA and IAM members in Washington state and Oregon who were laid off by Boeing.07.15.20
Local 21 Wins Expanded COVID-19 Member Benefits in Contra Costa County
Through aggressive, grass-roots advocacy, IFPTE Local 21 has won major new COVID-19 benefits for their members. The gains in Costra Costa County include significant increases in sick pay and full salaries for non-essential workers through May 31st.07.14.20
OFL Meeting - Organize Now for a Decent Work Future
The Ontario Federation of Labour and the Fight for $15 and Fairness have been co-hosting online meetings every 4 weeks to discuss “The new normal - Winning decent work for all under COVID-19”. The next one is scheduled for July 21 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm EDT.07.14.20
IFPTE Endorses the Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) for Workers Act
In response to the NLRB’s recent decision to force in person voting for union elections during the COVID-19 pandemic, IFPTE endorsed the bipartisan Levin/Fitzpatrick SAFE Workers Act to reverse, “the NLRB prohibition of electronic voting for union elections.”07.10.20
Vallejo Pens Op-Ed: "2008 Offers Key Lessons for COVID Recession"
In an opinion column in the San Francisco Examiner this week comparing the 2008 economic collapse to the current COVID related recession, IFPTE Local 21 President Gus Vallejo wrote that, “leaving in place a municipal financing model that is heavily reliant on sales and use taxes—local politicians left communities unprotected from an economic shutdown event like COVID 19."07.09.20
Action Alert: Manitoba Labour Federation Urges Workers to Tell Premier Pallister That All Workers Deserve a Living Wage
On the heels of a recent court victory nullifying the Pallister government’s public worker pay freeze, Manitoba’s unions are informing the Provincial government that all workers, “deserve to be paid a living wage so they can make ends meet.”07.08.20
Joyce Wants to Take Union Issues to the Kansas Legislature and Needs Our Help
Matthew Joyce, who is running for Kansas’ 81st House District and has been endorsed by both IFPTE and Kansas National Education Association (KNEA), is reaching out to the IFPTE family for support, writing that, “With the endorsement of IFPTE, I am asking for your assistance with my campaign, to elect a union friendly candidate with a one time or monthly donation.”07.07.20
Domestic Violence Against Women Increases During Pandemic (WSN Spotlight)
The Canadian Labour Congress has made a submission to the United Nations on COVID-19 and the increase of domestic violence against women.07.07.20
OFL Says Bill 195 Must Not Go Forward
The Ontario Federation of Labour is cautioning against the Ontario Ford Conservative's proposed Bill 195 that would give themselves special powers and reduce public oversight of emergency orders. Accountability is key when it comes to extending emergency orders--Bill 195 will undermine democracy and workers’ rights.07.06.20
SOLIDARITY ALERT: NAIJ Statement Ahead of Possible Furloughs of USCIS Federal Employees
In a statement decrying the possible furloughs at the US Customs and Immigration Service, NAIJ noted that “preventing [USCIS] from pursuing its mission by furloughs of its workforce is short-sighted and misguided. It harms U.S. citizens who seek to be united with family members, harms U.S. businesses--large and small--in need of workers to fill jobs Americans do not choose to fill, and harms those seeking refuge from persecution abroad.”07.06.20
IFPTE Endorses Nadler, Durbin Corporate Bankruptcy Reform Legislation
In urging all House members and Senators to cosponsor the Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2020, IFPTE informed lawmakers that current bankruptcy laws, “permit, and even sometimes encourage employers to default on what has been earned by workers and abrogate hard fought worker benefits won at the bargaining table, while at the same time awarding corporate executives with huge bonuses.”07.06.20
IFPTE Releases Its 2020 Congressional Endorsements
IFPTE's bipartisan slate of endorsed candidates all meet our union's two simple demands: be pro-worker and pro-IFPTE.07.05.20
IFPTE Applauds Joe Biden’s Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan for Working Families
Dubbed as the “Build Back Better” plan, Joe Biden’s jobs and economic recovery plan relies heavily on, “passing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, providing public service and federal government workers with bargaining rights, and taking other steps to make it easier for workers to organize unions and collectively bargain.07.02.20
As Furloughs and Layoffs Loom, IFPTE Reminds Senate that Fourth COVID Relief Package is Desperately Needed
Ahead of July 4th congressional recess, IFPTE reached out to Senators with economic and safety priorities that are needed in the face of the continuing pandemic and economic crisis.07.02.20
IFPTE Weighs In on Water Resources Development Act of 2020
IFPTE's letter to the House Transportation Committee highlights the improvements in the WRDA that should be maintained in the bill.07.01.20
Ahead of House Passage of Moving America Forward Act, IFPTE Urges Yes Vote
In anticipation of the House’s consideration of H.R. 2, IFPTE sent a letter to lawmakers applauding the bill's forward-looking commitment to funding infrastructure.06.24.20
Asian Solidarity with Black Lives (Webinar)
The Ontario Federation of Labour in partnership with the Toronto & York Region Labour Council, Asian Canadian Labour Alliance, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union will be hosting a webinar discussion titled Asian Solidarity With Black Lives: Dismantling Racial Capitalism.06.23.20
A Feminist Response to COVID-19 (WSN Spotlight)
A group of Canadian feminist organizations have developed a comprehensive guide for actions Canada can take locally and globally in response to the pandemic. The IFPTE Women’s Solidarity Network came across this newly released brief last week and it is definitely a must share item!
