One of Rick Snyder’s first acts as governor was to sign a major overhaul of Michigan tax law, hitting individual taxpayers with $1.4 billion in new taxes. At the same time, Snyder delivered $1.8 billion in tax breaks to rich CEOs and wealthy corporations – even those that ship our jobs overseas. Michigan’s working families…
News from theMetro Detroit AFL-CIO FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 27, 2014 Contact: Roger Kerson, roger@rkcommunications.net 734.645.0535 MEDIA ADVISORY: Vice President Joe Biden to Deliver Remarks at Detroit Labor Day Celebration Monday, Sept. 1st DETROIT – Vice President Joe Biden will visit Detroit to deliver kickoff remarks at the city’s Labor Day parade gathering on September 1st. The annual event, which attracts participants from across southeastern…
USW Women of Steel Lobby Day Women of Steel engage legislators to discuss road funding in Michigan. On May 20, 2014 women from the United Steel Workers Union assembled in Lansing to meet with legislators to discuss road funding in Michigan. The day began with an informative training to prepare the women to speak…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kristopher Banks 313.595.6564, kbanks@miaflcio.org Michigan AFL-CIO Statement on Senate Passage of Minimum Wage Bill Working families applaud the bi-partisan support for fair wages despite Gov. Snyder’s indifference.
When we organize we WIN! The Huron Valley Central Labor council got an early start on organizing activities this electoral cycle. When a transportation millage was put on the ballot for the May 6th election the Huron Valley Central Labor council saw this as an opportunity to engage it’s members about an issue that would…
For Immediate Release Contact: Sara Wallenfang 269-290-2523; swallenfang@aflcio.org Statement from Michigan State AFL-CIO President Karla Swift on Sen. Jones’ Minimum Wage Proposal Senator Jones’ minimum wage bill is an insult to thousands of Michigan workers who are struggling to get by. This proposal is not adequate to lift families out of poverty, and it…
Media Advisory for Monday, April 28 Contact: Sara Wallenfang 269-290-2523; swallenfang@aflcio.org Workers and Community Members to Honor Michigan Workers Who Died on the Job Community Calls for Good Jobs and Safe Jobs for All Working People (Lansing, MI)– On Monday, April 28 at noon, working families and local officials will gather at Wentworth Park for a ceremony…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Wallenfang swallenfang@aflcio.org Michigan CEOs Paid 171 Times Average Worker, 455 Times Minimum Wage Worker 2014 Executive PayWatch exposes high paid CEOs in the low wage economy www.PayWatch.org (Michigan; April 15, 2014) – According to the AFL-CIO’s 2014 Executive PayWatch website, the average CEO of a company based in Michigan made $7,004,386, which…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, April 4, 2014 Contact: Kristopher Banks 313-595-6564 , kbanks@miaflcio.org Statement from Michigan AFL-CIO President Karla Swift on Terri Lynn Land’s So-called Plan for Michigan Manufacturing “Michiganders cannot trust Terri Lynn Land because she supports an anti-middle class agenda that would hurt our workers, undercut Michigan manufacturing, and send good paying…
Monday, March 31, 2014 Media Release Union Teachers at Detroit’s Largest Charter School Win Unprecedented Settlement While Hundreds of Students, Parents, and Teachers Watch Film About César Chávez DETROIT – On César Chávez’s Birthday, teachers at César Chávez Academy (CCA), Detroit’s largest charter school won an impressive settlement that will return educators to the…
Beth Kelly is the Campaigns Director for the Michigan AFL-CIO. In 2018 she served as Field Director for Senator Stabenow’s re-election campaign through the Michigan Democratic Party. Before joining Team Stabenow, Beth was the Executive Director at Emerge Michigan, an organization focused on changing the face of politics by recruiting, training and providing a powerful network for Democratic women to run for office. At Emerge Michigan, Beth oversaw the state’s only in-depth, six month, 70-hour, training program providing aspiring female leaders with cutting-edge tools and training to run for elected office and elevate themselves in our political system. In that time, Michigan went from being ranked 35th in the country for women represented at the state level to 12th. State Senator Mallory McMorrow and State Representative Kyra Harris are both graduates of Emerge Michigan.
Beth led the Member Political Fellowship program for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) from 2009-2012. During her time at SEIU, Beth advanced the goal to train rank and file union members to lobby Congress and elect politicians who support working families. The sole non-elected speaker at the press conference to introduce the Senate’s version of the Affordable Care Act was an SEIU member Beth personally trained. From 2005-2007, Beth worked for Congressman Daniel Lipinski in various capacities. Beth is a member of Laborers’ Local 355.
Micheal is Organizing Director at the Michigan AFL-CIO. Born and raised in Lansing, Micheal’s work in the labor movement, progressive issues and education reform has kept him active across the state.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, he served 2 years as an AmeriCorps VISTA working to address students’ achievement issues in Ann Arbor Public high schools. Since then, Micheal has been very active in nonpartisan campaigns, organizing students on college campuses nationwide, local community building and sustainability drives, and a host of other exciting work! Micheal is excited to contribute to a dedicated team and help engage activists and workers in support of Michigan’s working families. Micheal is a member of UAW Local 1981.
Ryan is Director of Legislative Affairs at the Michigan AFL-CIO. Ryan has more than a decade of legislative experience working for both the Michigan State House and Senate, including as Senior Communications Advisor for the Senate Democratic Caucus under the leadership of Gretchen Whitmer. Ryan has also worked on state and local level campaigns and currently serves as an Ingham County Commissioner.
A lifelong Michigan resident, Ryan was born in Lansing and is a graduate of Albion College. He lives in Lansing’s Westside Neighborhood with his husband, Cody. He has worked on the board of local non-profit organizations focused on LGBTQ rights including Michigan Pride and Suits in the City. Ryan is a member of UAW Local 1981.
Daryl Newman is a skilled political organizer and grassroots activist and the youngest person ever elected to the Office of Secretary-Treasurer of the Michigan State AFL-CIO.
Immediately prior, he served as Member Mobilizer for the American Federation of Teachers, Michigan. At a time when classroom teachers and all educational employees are under attack from forces that would gut our public educational system, Daryl worked to make sure their voices were heard in Lansing.
The son of a union postal worker and a teacher in the Detroit Public Schools, Daryl learned the value of trade unionism early on.
Upon his graduation from Michigan State University, Daryl found a talent for political organizing. He went to work for candidates and campaigns that shared his values, and rose quickly to positions of responsibility. As state political director of the Michigan Democratic Party, Daryl mobilized for key victories even in highly competitive races. Since 2000, he has been involved in every coordinated presidential campaign and has helped ensure that Michigan voters elected a labor-endorsed candidate. His career at the Michigan Democratic Party is notable as he was the youngest political director of a state Democratic Party organization in the country during his tenure. Daryl is a member of AFT Michigan.
Ron Bieber is President of the Michigan AFL-CIO. Ron has dedicated his entire career to fighting for working families. Ron is a third-generation UAW member, and the son of former UAW President Owen Bieber. Prior to his election as President of the Michigan AFL-CIO, he served as Director of the UAW’s Community Action Program, and before that, as Assistant Director of the UAW’s General Motors Department.
Bieber joined UAW Local 730 at age 18, after hiring into General Motors Metal Fabricating plant in Wyoming, Michigan. He currently lives in Grand Blanc with his wife, Patti. Ron is a member of UAW Local 659.
Emma was born in Michigan and raised on Grosse Ile, an island about 30 minutes south of Detroit. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising and Multimedia Design from Central Michigan University. Following graduation, she worked as a Graphic Designer for the University of Michigan in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Emma is an experienced Graphic Designer with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. She loves to be with her family and friends. Some of her hobbies include golfing and calligraphy.
Zinnia is Operations Director at the Michigan AFL-CIO. Zinnia is a seasoned political professional having worked for the Hon. John D. Dingell for 14 years. She has significant experience in fundraising, communications, event planning and grassroots. Zinnia started working for Congressman Dingell while she was still completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, and served as the Administrator of Mr. Dingell’s year round political operations until his retirement.
Zinnia is a proud first generation Chaldean American and lifelong Michigander. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. Zinnia is a member of UAW Local 1981. She enjoys traveling and the Detroit Tigers.
Derek is Chief of Staff at the Michigan AFL-CIO. In addition to his work at the Michigan AFL-CIO, Derek currently serves as Mayor of the City of Jackson. He was first elected to the City Council in 2011.
Prior to joining the Michigan AFL-CIO, Derek was District Administrator to Congressman John Dingell, the longest-serving Member of Congress in American history. Derek is an Eagle Scout, and a Partner with the Truman National Security Project. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.
Stephanie Glidden is an experienced, resourceful, and effective political and legislative staffer who has worked for multiple political candidates throughout Michigan and spent time in both the House and Senate.
Most recently she was a senior staffer and regional field director for Gretchen Driskell for Congress. She is a graduate from Central Michigan University – Fire Up! – and the daughter of a union carpenter. Stephanie is also a proud member of UAW Local 1981.
Email: sglidden@miaflcio.org
Patty is Secretary to the Health and Safety Director. Patty was hired into the Michigan AFL-CIO in 1969 by then President August (Gus) Scholle.
She has held the following positions: Jr. Bookkeeper, Legislative Secretary, Staff Secretary, Secretary to Secretary-Treasurer Walter Oliver and Secretary to Presidents William C. Marshall, Frank D. Garrison and Mark Gaffney.
She is currently the Recording Secretary for Union Label and Service Trades Department and the Secretary to Health and Safety Director Derrick Quinney.
Stephanie is Controller at the Michigan AFL-CIO. Stephanie was raised to be union. It was her mother, Judy Pike, a longtime OPEIU member and employee of the Michigan State AFL-CIO, that instilled her with union values like social justice, collective bargaining, and solidarity. Employed with the Michigan State AFL-CIO since 2008 as the Executive Secretary to the Secretary-Treasurer, Stephanie is proud to be carrying on the union tradition as a member of OPEIU Local 459.
Meg is the Executive Secretary, and has worked at the MI AFL-CIO for over 5 years.
She is a proud member of OPEIU Local 459 for over 9 years, working at both the MI AFL-CIO and Lansing Auto Makers Credit Union. Meg has two wonderful children, and plans to continue her career with the MI AFL-CIO, and help people understand that so-called Right to Work is wrong for working families.