9.02.24 – Labor Day 2024

Monday, September 2, 2024

The push for increased union representation is gaining momentum, with the labor sector achieving more victories in recent years than in the past decade. An impressive 75% of private-sector organizing efforts from mid-2023 to mid-2024 have resulted in successful union wins!

Nearly 28,000 American Airlines Flight Attendants joined together to stand up for the contract we deserve. We took action by proudly wearing our red APFA solidarity pins and lanyards, participating in nationwide pickets, and personally reaching out to our congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. We made our voices heard! If you haven’t already, please cast your Tentative Agreement vote today!

The surge in election petitions with the federal National Labor Relations Board has reversed a decade-long decline, reaching a level not seen since 2015, with current win rates surpassing any since 2005. Academic and healthcare workers have spearheaded new organizing efforts. For instance, hundreds of full-time, non-tenure track faculty at New York University voted to join the United Auto Workers (UAW) in February. The win secured another victory for organized labor on college campuses, which have also seen a surge of undergraduate and graduate students unionizing.

“UAW workers in higher education are standing up and winning major improvements all across the United States, raising the standards for all academic workers,” said UAW President Shawn Fain in a statement. ”We applaud NYU contract faculty for taking this major step towards winning the pay, benefits and respect they deserve, and we’ve got their back.”

It’s inspiring to note the significant victories of private-sector workers in their recent election campaigns, spanning various industries, including transportation, warehousing, education, and healthcare. The increasing union activity is uplifting, with a notable rise in petitions, successful elections, and impactful strikes, particularly in the automotive and film sectors. This sustained momentum, which was initially seen as temporary, continues to demonstrate its enduring strength, paving the way for a brighter future.

Today, we celebrate the remarkable legacy of those who passionately advocated for fairness and justice for the working class. APFA is fully dedicated to harnessing the recent surge in union support within the labor movement and championing the rights of the hardworking frontline workers who form the backbone of corporate prosperity. This positive momentum in the labor movement fills us with hope, joy, and optimism for the future.