News

IFPTE Letter Supporting House WRDA Bill Cites Favorable Provisions on Boundary Realignment and Cites Concerns about Wasteful Army Corps Office Relocations and Lack of Transparency

This week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) and the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee both passed their respective Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) bills with unanimous bipartisan support.

Government, Infrastructure, Labor RightsCandace RhettJuly 17, 2026WRDA, USACE

MFL Calls for Action to Address Growing Epidemic of Workplace Violence

The Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL), of which TEAM/IFPTE Local 161 and WAPSO/IFPTE Local 162 are affiliates, have released a new report examining the growing epidemic of workplace violence across the province and offering practical solutions to better protect workers.

Canada, Labor RightsCandace RhettJuly 16, 2026MFL, workplace violence

Society of United Professionals Young Professionals Network Hosts Ottawa Social Event

Members of the Young Professionals Network (YPN) from the Society of United Professionals (SUP/IFPTE Local 160) hosted a social event at Level One Pub in Ottawa, Canada bringing together Society members from the Ottawa region for an evening of networking and socializing.

Canada, EnergyCandace RhettJuly 16, 2026SUP, YPN social

IFPTE Local 20 Members Ratify New Contract with PG&E, Including Highest-Ever Wage Increases

Members of the Engineers and Scientists of California, IFPTE Local 20, voted this week to ratify a contract with Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Energy, Labor RightsCandace RhettJuly 16, 2026Local 20, PG&E, contract win

CCPA: Workers need a stronger yellow-card system in CUSMA

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) has published a new article calling for stronger labour protections under CUSMA, arguing that workers across Canada, the United States, and Mexico deserve a more effective mechanism for remedying labour rights violations.

Canada, Government, Labor RightsCandace RhettJuly 10, 2026CCPA, CUSMA, labour protections

“We’re Ready for Action” – July SPEEA Spotlite Reports on Contract Negotiations, H.O.P.E. Award Winner, Angela Hottle

The latest edition of the award-winning Union newsletter, the SPEEA Spotlite, was released on July 1st, informing SPEEA’s 16k-plus members about the Union’s negotiations with the Boeing Company for the prof and tech members employed by the aerospace company.

Aerospace, Labor RightsCandace RhettJuly 9, 2026SPEEA Spotlite

IFPTE Mourns the Loss of Vonda McDaniel, President of the Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, AFL-CIO Executive Council Member

IFPTE is sad to report that our great friend and Union Sister, Vonda McDaniel, passed away unexpectedly last Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee.

Labor RightsCandace RhettJuly 6, 2026Vonda McDaniel

Working People Across North America Need a Workers-First Trade Policy

IFPTE issued the following statement on the U.S-Mexico-Canada (USMCA or CUSMA) trade agreement’s six-year review period, commencing on July 1, 2026.

Government, Labor RightsCandace RhettJuly 1, 2026USMCA 2026

Society/Local 160 Stands Proud at Pride Toronto 2026

The Society of United Professionals/Local 160 (the Society) proudly joined Pride Toronto over the weekend standing alongside over 3 million participants in support of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and reaffirming the union's commitment to equity, inclusion, and human rights.

CanadaCandace RhettJuly 1, 2026SUP, PRIDE Toronto 2026

Society/Local 160 President Meets with Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce

The Society of United Professionals/Local 160 President Rebecca Caron met with Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce last week to discuss the province's plans for expanding nuclear energy and the workforce needed to support it.

Canada, GovernmentCandace RhettJuly 1, 2026SUP, Minister of Energy

IFPTE Provides Comments Opposing the Trump Administration’s Employee Nondisclosure Agreement

IFPTE International joined several IFPTE Locals, including Local 777, rank-and-file members and others in the labor movement in providing comments last week in opposition to the Trump Administration’s efforts to force federal workers to sign nondisclosure agreements.

Government, Labor RightsCandace RhettJuly 1, 2026NDA proposal, comments

SPEEA Local 2001 Starts Bargaining with Boeing

Negotiators for SPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001 began formal contract talks with Boeing on July 1.

Aerospace, Labor RightsCandace RhettJuly 1, 2026SPEEA, 2026 negotiations

IFPTE Local 8A Successfully Organizes NOAA Fisheries Workers

Workers employed by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fisheries Pacific Islands Region in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and CNMI voted overwhelmingly last week to be represented by IFPTE Local 8A.

Government, Labor RightsCandace RhettJuly 1, 2026Local 8A, NOAA

SPEEA Members Participate in Seattle Pride Parade

SPEEA members showed up strong for Seattle’s 52nd annual Pride Parade, which took place on Sunday, June 28th.

AerospaceCandace RhettJuly 1, 2026SPEEA, Pride Parade

NAIJ/IFPTE Judicial Council 2 President Shares Union's Perspective On Mass Firings, "Whipsaw by Politics," and Structural Issues of Immigration Court

Speaking in her capacity as President of the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ), IFPTE Judicial Council 2, Judge Holly D’Andrea talked to The New York Times’ The Daily podcast to discuss the political, structural, and resource pressures that the immigration judges and the the immigration court faces.

Immigration, GovernmentFaraz KhanJune 26, 2026NAIJ, immigration judges

Society Board Member, Sharon Archer, Receives Bromley Armstrong Award

The Society of United Professionals/IFPTE Local 160 proudly celebrates Executive Board member Sharon Archer on receiving the Individual Recognition for Indigenous Activism Award at the Bromley Armstrong Awards.

Canada, Labor RightsCandace RhettJune 25, 2026SUP, Sharon Archer, Bromley Armstrong Award

Nuclear Energy is a Win for Workers, the Economy, and the Environment

The Society of United Professionals applauds the federal government’s release this week of Canada’s Nuclear Energy Strategy, calling it the most significant federal commitment to nuclear workers and clean energy in a generation.

Canada, Government, Labor RightsCandace RhettJune 25, 2026SUP, Nuclear Energy Strategy

Biggs, Henson Talk State of the Labor Movement on The Valley Labor Report

President Matt Biggs and Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson joined Valley Labor Report host, Jacob Morrison, earlier this month in Minneapolis while attending the AFL-CIO convention.

Labor RightsCandace RhettJune 25, 2026Labor Valley Report, Biggs, Henson

SPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001 Issues Letter of Solidarity for Hotel Workers on Strike

SPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001’s Executive Board issued a letter of support to UNITE HERE Local 8, representing the Hilton workers at Embassy Suites, Seattle.