Jessie Lopez de la Cruz grew up in a family of Mexican migrant workers. From a young age, Lopez de la Cruz worked in the fields across California, experiencing firsthand the grueling living conditions, poverty-level wages, and daily brutal exploitation – conditions farm workers continue fighting today. That changed in 1960 when, inspired by Cesar […]
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Labor Day 2021: UNITE HERE, the 2020 Elections and Beyond
Cross posted from Beyond Chron By Martin J. Bennett Many weeks after Democrats swept the Georgia Senate runoff elections, the right-wing extremists’ January 6th assault on Congress saturated the news cycle. The Capitol insurrection and the debate about an independent and nonpartisan investigation overshadowed the compelling story of how Democrats prevailed in both the November […]
Read MoreHispanic Heritage Month: Linda Chavez-Thompson
Linda Chavez-Thompson is a second-generation American of Mexican descent who began her Labor career in 1967. After leaving school at an early age to pick cotton with her father, she was hired for a secretary position at the Laborers’ local union in Lubbock, Texas. Throughout her career, Chavez-Thompson served as a member of the Board […]
Read MoreWorkers Powered the Defeat of the Recall, and We’re Just Getting Started
To some, the crushing victory over the harmful effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom this week didn’t come as a surprise. After all, it’s California. A recall of a Democratic Governor couldn’t happen here, right? Wrong. When right-wing extremists qualified the recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this year, few were paying attention. […]
Read MoreLatino History is Labor History
This year, California Labor celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by elevating various female leaders in labor movement history. It doesn’t take much to realize how profound their sacrifices have been in creating safer workplaces and a more just country. From the fields of the Central Valley to the highest halls of power in Washington, Latina labor […]
Read MoreWorkers Powered the Campaign to Crush Harmful Recall Effort
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 14, 2021 California Labor Federation Contact: Steve Smith 510-326-4644 ssmith@calaborfed.org Workers Powered the Campaign to Crush Harmful Recall Effort Statement by California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski Tonight our shared values as Californians emerge not just intact, but stronger than ever. By a landslide, Californians rejected calls by right-wing Republicans […]
Read MoreRemembering our Fallen Heroes
As we honor the lives lost on 9/11, we also honor the thousands of first responders who selflessly ran into harm’s way and did all they could to save lives. They did it 20 years ago, and they continue to do it every day.
Read MoreThousands of Union Volunteers Hit Streets In Final Four Days to Get Out Vote for No on Recall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2021 California Labor Federation Contact: Steve Smith 510-326-4644 ssmith@calaborfed.org Thousands of Union Volunteers Hit Streets In Final Four Days to Get Out Vote for No on Recall AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Executive VP Tefere Gebre to Join Final GOTV Push SACRAMENTO – Thousands of union volunteers will knock doors and […]
Read MoreNorthstate labor union celebrates Labor Day with picnic in the park
This article originally appeared on ABC7 KRCR. By Aaron Spurlock, Mike Mangas ANDERSON, Calif. — COVID-19 closed it down for a year but the Labor Day Picnic was back in Anderson River Park on Monday for the thirty-fifth time. The band was back together, and so were union members and their families to enjoy the […]
Read MoreThis Labor Day, California Workers Say NO to the Anti-Union Recall
Labor Day is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of workers. But this year feels much different. Over the last year, working people have risked everything to keep our communities safe. From essential workers on the frontlines treating COVID patients, to those who put themselves in jeopardy to provide the services and goods we needed […]
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