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We’re not just talking about mental health in Illinois — we’re bringing the conversation directly into Union Halls like Plumbers Local 130.
Tradespeople from across the industry came together to speak openly about the stress, pressure, and stigma that too many workers face in silence. Electricians, Ironworkers, Plumbers, and Mental Health Professionals shared real experiences and collaborated to bring back to their unions to create a stronger, more effective approach to mental health support in the trades.
This is how we start changing the narrative — together.
#MentalHealth #UnionStrong #ConstructionIndustry #ChicagoUnions
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When the labor movement puts members first, we all win.
Painters District Council 30 recently launched their Building Union Member Power training series. In the last month, they've hosted trainings for members in Morton, Aurora, and Elgin.
Participating members learned about the values of the union, its history, and opportunities to become more involved through committee service and political action, pathways to leadership, and giving back to the community.
#UnionStrong #1u
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Home care workers are scraping by while companies rake in profits. Kayla, a homeware worker, told WAND News about the time she walked into her client's home and found them lying on the bathroom floor. The client had tried to take a shower on her own, and she was laying there for about 45 minutes before Kayla arrived.
DOA home care workers in Illinois feel low pay is forcing them out of the field, leaving more than 20,000 seniors without home-assisted care. These workers are fighting for a $2 rate increase -- a small price to pay for the wellbeing of our seniors.
www.wandtv.com/news/illinois/illinois-home-care-workers-push-for-pay-raise-as-thousands-of-senior...
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Advocate Health is throwing a 50th anniversary gala for Good Samaritan Hospital this weekend, where skilled maintenance workers have been waiting over 14 months for their union to be recognized. What's fair about that? We say union busting is disgusting.
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#ThrowbackThursday to Addie Wyatt on the cover of Time Magazine. Addie was a union activist, civil rights leader, and a religious minister. Born in Brookhaven, Mississippi, Addie was part of the Great Migration north, coming to Chicago at age 6.
In 1941, she applied for a typist position at Armour & Company but was limited to the meat canning line. She soon became a United Packinghouse Workers' leader, was active with the Amalgamated Meat Cutters, today's United Food & Commercial Workers.
Addie helped found the Coalition of Labor Union Women, was active in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, and was co-pastor with her husband Claude of the Vernon Park Church of God.
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LABOR is LABOR. Whether you're setting steel on a high rise or playing the trumpet, work is work. The myth of the "starving artist" is just that - a myth. Artists deserve a family sustaining wage just like any other profession. That's why the union movement fights for everyone -- whether you're a musician, a writer, an iron worker, a nurse or a zookeeper. We believe in a world where people aren't scraping to get by but actually thriving.
www.wbez.org/arts-culture/2026/05/11/chicago-arts-census-survey-salary-health-economics-creative-...
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Illinois AFL-CIO Reflects on Life and Legacy of Barbara Flynn Currie, Contributions to Illinois’ Working Families
Springfield, IL — Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea and Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney released the following statement: The Illinois labor movement is saddened by the passing of the Honorable Barbara Flynn Currie, a pioneering lawmaker and the first woman to serve as Majority Leader in the Illinois House of Representatives at a time when women were […]
2026 Workers’ Memorial Day Events
Join working families as they observe Workers Memorial Day on April 28. Pledge to continue the fight for SAFE JOBS NOW. Alton – The Greater Madison County Federation of Labor Workers Memorial program will be held Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00pm at Gordon Moore Park, at the Workers Memorial Site, Highway 140, in Alton Illinois. […]
Mid-Illinois Labor Council “Modernizes the Movement,” Electing New Officers
Decatur, IL – Last night, Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea swore in the Mid-Illinois Labor Council’s nine new officers, who affirmed their commitment to advocating for union members and their families. The newly inaugurated leadership emphasized building strong partnerships with community organizations and engaging in political campaigns aimed at improving the lives of working people. The […]
Illinois AFL-CIO Honors IDOL Director, Two General Assembly Members At “Labor Salutes” Award Ceremony
Springfield – Tonight, the Illinois AFL-CIO honored three Illinois leaders for their outstanding contributions to the state’s labor movement at its annual “Labor Salutes” awards ceremony. “The Illinois labor movement is proud to stand behind these three leaders who have spent their entire careers relentlessly fighting for working families,” stated Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea. […]