Austin, Texas (Nov. 14, 2018) – Employees at Texas’s largest independent bookstore, BookPeople, have voted for representation by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 277.

The group of 80 booksellers, event staff and inventory managers at the Austin bookstore are devoted to creating a thriving business for their community. They sought to unionize to ensure that includes a dignified living and voice in the workplace for all BookPeople employees.

“BookPeople has been part of my life since 1998,” said employee Staci Gray. “It is a magical place that has provided me with so many amazing people who are a part of my family. I want BookPeople to thrive so that these wonderful people can also make a living wage.”

To put the blue wave in context, 46,466,425 people voted for Democratic Senate candidates and 33,239,469 people voted for Republican Senate candidates, resulting in Democrats losing a net 2 seats in the senate. 

While that might not be considered a blue wave, millions of working people mobilized to vote for representatives who support their issues. Yesterday’s midterm results mean there will not be a rollback of Social Security or the elimination of safeguards for the millions of Americans with pre-existing health conditions.

With more women and people of color in history now taking their place in the House and anti-worker governors such as Scott Walker roundly voted out of office, the working people of this nation have made it clear they want leaders who reflect them and their values and who will work to protect their hard-fought rights and freedoms.

The most important midterm election in modern history is tomorrow. Are you ready to vote?

So much is at stake at the ballot box on Tuesday: the protection of workers’ rights, the future of Social Security, the expansion of healthcare coverage and so much more. It is so important that working people, union and non-union, make their way to the polls tomorrow, Nov. 6, to ensure their voices are heard loud and clear.

We cannot afford to have our rights rolled back any further, the benefits we’ve earned and paid into to be slashed or the healthcare coverage of working people with pre-existing conditions to be jeopardized. We cannot afford tax breaks for the top 1 percent while working- and middle-class taxpayers pick up the slack. We cannot afford to have anti-worker politicians representing corporations and billionaires — not working people — in the halls of government.

Visit myunionmyvote.org to find your polling place and make sure you’re prepared for Election Day tomorrow. Know how to get to the polls. Find out who your candidates are. Make your vote count. And remember to bring a friend, family member or co-worker to the polls with you!

Tomorrow’s the day! Do you know where your polling place is? Find out at myunionmyvote.org to make your plan to #VOTE tomorrow on #ElectionDay. #1u #OPEIU #GOTV #UnionStrong

Dear OPEIU member:

As ferocious attacks on workers’ rights, on our healthcare and livelihoods ramp up, we have one question: When will it end?

Tuesday, Nov. 6 marks one of the most consequential midterm elections in modern history. Candidates who support the interests and values of working people are on the ballot at all levels of government. Working people have the opportunity to turn the tides on Nov. 6 by casting their ballots and ushering into office candidates who understand, appreciate and respect the vital contributions working people across the nation make each and every day.

Now is the time to start planning for Election Day. Do you know where to vote? How to get there? Who you’re voting for? The AFL-CIO has created a website for union members,myunionmyvote.org, to help you craft your plan to get to the polls on Nov. 6.

If we don’t have a seat at the table, the saying goes, then we’re on the menu. That is why Tuesday’s election is so consequential. Working people need advocates in the halls of government at the local, state, and federal levels — now more than ever. Will you help them get there, so they can help us?

Visit myunionmyvote.org to make your plan to vote on Election Day, Nov. 6, 2018.

Whether you’re looking for credit card rewards, a low intro APR, or protection from fraud liability, the Union Plus Credit Card program has a credit card option to fit your lifestyle.

Learn more: https://unionplus.deals/union0dc46

There is nothing spookier in October than non-union made #Halloween candy. Support friends of #OPEIU @BCTGM and @UFCW by buying #UnionMade candy for the holiday. Full list can be found here -> https://aflcio.org/Halloween #1u #solidarity #aflcio

 

Searching high and low for a better deal on your auto insurance policy? Compare quotes with the Union Plus Auto Insurance Program! Union members get special savings on auto insurance through SnapQuote® offered by MetLife Auto & Home®.

Learn more: https://unionplus.deals/union6c1b7 

The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, stands strongly in support of Marriott hotel workers on strike in major cities throughout the country who are fighting for a fair and livable wage and safe working conditions. OPEIU supports these workers in their fight for a better future, and believes they are 100 percent correct when they say one job should be enough to provide for themselves and their families.

Marriott, which now owns Starwood properties such as Sheraton and Westin, is more than big enough to provide jobs that are safe with wages and benefits that are sufficient for its employees to live on.

OPEIU publicly pledges to support Marriott hotel workers by not eating, sleeping or meeting at any Marriott during a boycott and/or strike, and will encourage our members to do the same. We further pledge to respect women and not engage or tolerate harassment of hotel workers in any form.

 

Representatives from 13 OPEIU local unions and aviation bargaining units in the U.S. and Canada’s helicopter and emergency rescue industry met Sept. 28-30 in Chicago to discuss and plan future organization within OPEIU. The representatives of the former Professional Helicopter Pilots Association (PHPA) voted to dissolve the organization as it stands. The broader group then voted to establish the OPEIU Aviation Council to include all bargaining units under one umbrella – pilots, SARs, AMEs, flight medical personnel, dispatchers, flight instructors, weather personnel, etc. This new council will work to support our membership regarding collective bargaining, safety, job security, organizing new units and resources to meet challenges facing our industries. The group left energized and looking forward to working together to strengthen the representation of our members and fighting to improve the wages and working conditions of all people working in our represented groups.