Posts tagged Rashida Tlaib

    Commentary: Will Unions Stick with Democrats in Michigan?

    May 3, 2026 // In a crowd of over 7,000 delegates, labor looked small and concentrated, occupying a wing just off the main convention hall through much of the proceedings. The UAW claimed that its delegation made up more than 10 percent of the assembled group at the convention—more than 700 people—but even by the union’s own numbers, this constitutes an admission of shrinking influence. Its members lacked the presence of mind or cohesion to counter the booing directed at Acker and Representative Haley Stevens. This hard-left shift is forcing traditional Michigan unions to choose between their historic affinity for the Democratic Party or a new, more moderate option. Many traditional unions, including 24 locals, along with several prominent pro-union Democrats and one former Michigan AFL-CIO president, have already defected to former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s independent gubernatorial campaign.

    Congressional progressives introduce $25 federal minimum wage plan

    April 28, 2026 // Noah Finley, National Federation of Independent Business Illinois state director, has argued both the previous increase and new proposal would be harmful to businesses across the state. “Our members here in Illinois, they've been really struggling with the $15 an hour minimum wage in the state. That has been a huge burden for them,” Finley said. “They've had to cut back on employees. They've had to raise their prices. So, this is bad for workers, it's bad for consumers and it's bad for small businesses.”

    Ford employee who heckled Trump got suspended from his job

    January 19, 2026 // A message seeking comment from Ford to confirm if the worker was fired or suspended was not immediately returned on Tuesday evening. The worker has since been identified by the Washington Post as 40-year-old TJ Sabula, a line worker and member of UAW Local 600. Sabula told the paper he has "no regrets" about what happened at the factory. "I don't feel as though fate looks upon you often, and when it does, you better be ready to seize the opportunity," Sabula told the Post. "And today I think I did that."

    OP-ED: BIDEN IS INVESTING IN GREEN ENERGY ACROSS THE SOUTH — THROWING SWING STATE UNION WORKERS UNDER THE BUS

    July 12, 2023 // The success of the climate program will require continued federal commitment. Biden is placing a bet that clean energy investments could ultimately work the same way as the military-industrial complex. The military and its allied contractors have made sure to set up bases and/or manufacturing facilities in nearly every congressional district in the country, with extra attention paid to areas represented by key lawmakers. That has produced durable support for ever-expanding military budgets. Whether the same could be accomplished for the clean energy industry is an open question, but so far, Republicans from districts that have won federal awards have nevertheless voted to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, which funds the tax breaks. By subsidizing the decline of union jobs, the Biden administration risks empowering lawmakers who will then move to end the subsidies altogether. “The total lack of consideration for workers could certainly make the difference in 2024.” “What Biden is doing is politically insane, environmentally bankrupt, and it’s poor economics,” Larry Cohen, former president of the Communications Workers of America and board member of Our Revolution, told The Intercept.

    Labor unions expand into legislator offices

    January 23, 2023 // “Unionizing staffers in legislative offices makes no sense because it creates more problems than it solves,” says Brigette Herbst, senior organizing director for AFFT and a former state legislative staffer, “How does unionization work with the long and unpredictable hours during a legislative session? How will elected officials handle untrustworthy staffers? Union organizers haven’t answered these important questions.” Labor unions have also turned their focus to legislative staffers at the state level.

    Rep. Tlaib tells striking Great Lakes Coffee workers they deserve better

    February 28, 2022 // U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib joined more than 200 people who rallied in support of striking Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co. workers in Detroit on Wednesday, telling the baristas and cooks they deserve better pay and work conditions.