Economist Frank Manzo discusses the wins Illinois pre-apprenticeship programs are delivering for workers and the state. Check out how these programs offer a debt-free pathway into high-wage, union careers: https://ow.ly/fbGj50XLanE

At the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, workers just won their first union contract, including paid holidays for part-time employees like Kelli. #UnionMembersMakeTheHolidaysHappen #UnionStrong #1u

Wishing all those celebrating a Merry Christmas!

With every holiday party we attend, every last-minute package we receive, every holiday moment made a little more special with our friends and family — chances are, we have union workers to thank for helping make it happen. Happy Holidays from the IL AFL-CIO!

Carrie Lee Patterson holds four union cards: Actors Equity, SAG-AFTRA, AGMA, and SDC and is active in each one. Listen to Carrie Lee discuss her advocacy work around public transit and the importance of creative unions in our labor movement. https://ow.ly/yYc450XKZgO #1u

Last minute holiday shopping? There's always time to buy #UnionMade! Find your guide here: https://ow.ly/P4l950XL9k1

#ThrowbackThursday to 1979 when 11,000 Chicago Transit Authority workers walked off the job demanding cost of living increases. Five years later, the state enacted the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act to limit public sector sector strikes. #1u #LaborHistory

ICYMI: The Illinois AFL-CIO issued their endorsements for the March 2026 primary election, following the recommendations of more than 100 union delegates from across the state. You can find the complete list here: https://www.ilaflcio.org/release-primary-endorsements-120925/

Union members make the holidays happen. Whether it's serving Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, our Bloomington firefighters are always giving back to their community.

Wishing those observing the first night of Hanukkah a peaceful and happy holiday.

Pride at Work Illinois is hosting its first holiday fundraiser this Sunday at 7PM in Chicago. Join them for bingo to win fabulous prizes from a spa package to cubs tickets to an evening at our favorite union improv -- the Second City!

#ThrowbackThursday to December 5, 1955 when George Meany and Walter Reuther pronounced the merger of the American Federation of Labor, AFL, and the Congress of Industrial Organizations, CIO, in NYC.

We love to see new organizing taking shape right here at home in Illinois. In Sullivan, IL, chorus members at the Little Theatre on the Square will now have access to a union contract, among other improvements, for the first time! That's the union difference.

A century ago, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters launched a union drive against a railroad giant, changing the course of the 20th century and forever entwining the causes of labor and black civil rights. https://jacobin.com/2025/12/pullman-strike-bscp-randolph-civil-rights/

Pride at Work IL is getting into the holiday spirit with drag queen bingo! Join our LGBTQ+ labor movement siblings at Hamburger Mary’s in Chicago on December 14th at 7pm. Reservations are STRONGLY recommended: https://chicago.hamburgermarys.com/

Prices are going up on everything — rent, utilities, groceries, health insurance and more. The Trump administration promised to bring down prices starting on day one. Instead, their economic policies are hurting working people in Illinois and across the country. https://ow.ly/Fba550XBpJ1

Don’t miss out! Register for the 2026 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference in Baltimore, MD on January 15-18. Labor will come together to honor our history and fight for a future that works for ALL working people. Register here: https://ow.ly/478Q50XBpqH

📅 Mark your calendars! Next week from April 29-May 1, we're asking members to take action for one last push to #FixTier2 before the IL General Assembly adjourns its spring session. Keep an eye out for our posts to call or email legislators.

Sen. Durbin is an advocate, a friend and an ally to the working families of Illinois and across this country. His career is defined by standing up for working people and the vulnerable. From his roots in East St. Louis to leadership in the Senate, he has reflected the best of us.

Nexstar and The Hill would rather throw their employees under the bus than stand up to Trump's demand that they lie about his vanity website. Help their union protect press freedom here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/ne...

“Repealing or weakening these investments would slam the brakes on job growth… Doing so would be a catastrophic mistake – not just for our environment, but for our workforce, economy, and household energy costs.” @ilaflcio.bsky.social's Pat Devaney writes in @chicago.suntimes.com ⬇️

Trump's union-busting executive order targeting Federal workers' collective bargaining rights is more than an attack on them -- it's an attack on us all and the government services that millions of Americans rely on. Together with @aflcio.org and all government workers, we will beat this.

Public transit is not just about moving people from one location to another. It’s about connecting communities, supporting local businesses. #UnitedWeMove

@ilaflcio.bsky.social Secretary-Treasurer and AFFI President Emeritus Pat Devaney addressing the membership at #AFFILegCon2025

Thank you @govpritzker.illinois.gov for standing up for working Illinoisans. These cuts would harm millions of hard-working families, including veterans, and gut the services millions of Americans rely on every day. #1u

DOE layoffs are unconstitutional & will face challenges, but even the attempt “exposes [Trump's] reckless disregard for democracy & the rule of law.” -@djmontgomery.bsky.social  📰https://f.mtr.cool/ypbozmqxyc

Diverting billions from our children to pay for tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy is a callous decision that short-changes everyone. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...

Happy International Women’s Day! The precursor to International Women’s Day (National Woman’s Day) was organized by the Ukrainian-born labor activist, suffragist, and author of "The Diary of a Shirtwaist Striker," Theresa Serber Malkiel in New York City on February 28, 1909.

In Illinois, we passed a constitutional amendment to protect workers right to organize and collectively bargain — that should be a fundamental tenant of labor law, not laws that undermine unions and their ability to stand up for workers.

Thank you @budzinski.house.gov for including us in this important conversation!

The dyeing of the Chicago River 💚

No unelected, unchecked corporate executive should decide which government agency does or doesn’t exist or who does or doesn’t get paid.

President Trump promised to support working people. This is him actively defying that promise and extinguishing their voice.

United We Move 🚆🚍💪 -- the Labor Coalition for Public Transit's bill prioritizes safety and efficiency so riders reach their destinations faster, ensures secure transit operations, and promotes the fiscal accountability. Transit keeps our economy moving, and must be funded.

We stand with our union family at AFGE, and all Federal workers holding the line to protect Americans health and safety. #Solidarity ✊

For decades, working people have fought for workplace safety and health protections that make their jobs safer. This new executive order puts all of our progress at risk. This only serves billionaires, not working people. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Amplifying a helpful resource!

I am going on vacation today but Jorts is on patrol until I get back

Thank unions it's Friday.

We’re thrilled to share breaking news: The AFL-CIO and @seiu.org are reuniting with a new, long-term effort to make it easier for workers to win a voice on our jobs with our unions.  There’s power in unity! aflcio.org/press/releas...

☎️CALL YOUR LAWMAKERS ☎️ 🔧🧰 Fix Tier 2🧰🔧

The Social Security Fairness Act ends penalties that harmed retired public employees and will boost benefits for thousands. We love workers winning a fair retirement🥳🎉

Ensuring a fair & secure retirement is how we respect the workers who uplift our communities. And it’s how we recruit and retain the next generation to help our country thrive. The passage of the #SocialSecurityFairnessAct is a huge victory www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

2025 new years resolutions - organize more workers - win contracts with fair pay and better benefits - stand up to billionaires and corporate greed - eat more hot dogs while accomplishing above

Happy new year everybody, let’s all meet at the union organizing meeting in 2025

Illinois will have a new Salary Transparency Law on the books starting January 1, and the minimum wage goes up again. Advocates for Women says laws in the workplace are helping level the field. www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news...

Happy Holidays! ❄️

Reminder: Don't cross the picket line! NO Starbucks while we're on strike!

Starbucks Workers United baristas will begin escalating strikes through Christmas Eve beginning in 3 of Starbucks’ most important markets: Seattle, LA, and Chicago. We are calling on allies to join us at 3 "anchor" picket lines TODAY, Dec. 20th. Each day, we'll announce more locations!

✊ We stand with Teamsters on strike in Skokie and across the U.S.! Despite being a company worth more than $2 trillion, Amazon fails to pay workers enough to make ends meet. Solidarity with workers standing up to corporate greed! #solidarity