A group of Michigan unions have filed a lawsuit against a law that allows corporations, but not unions, to use payroll deductions for contributions to political action committees.  The sweeping election law also banned elected officials in local governments from talking about ballot proposals or millage issues in the 60 days before an…

  The five-year apprenticeship program that is jointly run by the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA) of New York and Steamfitters Local 638 was recently honored for its contributions to the workforce of New York City and its efforts to improve the region’s environmental stability.  An award was presented to the program at the second…

  The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a historic complaint on behalf of port truckers working as independent contractors for Intermodal Bridge Transport (IBT).  The complaint, issued by Region 21 of the NLRB, claims that managers and supervisors for IBT made illegal threats against drivers they viewed as pro-union. It could…

  Over the weekend, members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) performed volunteer work in communities across the United States and Canada as part of the union’s Community Day of Action.  The event resulted in thousands of volunteers renovating shelters, community centers, youth athletic fields, low-income…

  In California, five defendants have been charged with multiple crimes stemming from their plan to commit insurance fraud and avoid paying prevailing wages on public works projects.  Together, the group defrauded the state of $635,000. For their role in the plan the SoCal criminals have been charged with 32 counts of taking and receiving…

  U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) recently joined U.S. Secretary of Labor, Thomas E. Perez, and the director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Celia Munoz, to discuss the benefits of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and how they helped the Navy save $267 million on a recent construction project at the Kitsap-Bangor base.  Joining…

  Speaking at the North America’s Building Trades Union (NABTU) legislative conference, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo vowed to stand with union labor and reject legislation that is unfair to workers.  His speech, ahead of one given by the NABTU’s endorsed presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, signalled his position on the…

  A new report from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute shows that Illinois union members get $6 back for every dollar they contribute in dues.  The report is timely considering the ongoing anti-union crusade of Gov. Bruce Rauner and his anti-worker “Turnaround Agenda.”   The full report, “The Application and Impact of Labor Union…

  Two Verizon employees in Maryland claim they were struck by a Porsche driven by a company attorney last week while they were on the picket line.  The company denies the incident. The story came from the Communications Workers of America (CWA) newsletter, “Report from the Front Lines.”  The incident allegedly involved two CWA Local…

  On Monday, North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) began their annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C. 3,000 delegates representing more than a dozen trades were in attendance to network, hear remarks from lawmakers and industry leaders, and attend workshops so they can return to their local unions with new resources…

  A state court judge threw out Wisconsin’s “Right-to-Work” law in a case brought forward by the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, Machinists Local Lodge 1061, and United Steelworkers District 2. The ruling sets up a state Supreme Court showdown which will put the entrenched dark money interests that run the state’s political scene on public…

  A bill that would drastically change the journeyman-to-apprentice ratio on Michigan construction sites in the electrical profession has passed the State Senate and awaits the signature of Gov. Rick Snyder.  In January, the House version of the bill, HB 4813, passed by a 58-48 margin.  HB 4813, opposed by the Michigan Building and…