KALAMAZOO – Students from Western Michigan University gathered on campus today to oppose new legislation introduced by Sen. Margaret O’Brien (R-Portage) that would cut the minimum wage by 15 percent for workers under the age of 20. O’Brien’s bill, SB 250, would cut the wages of 18 and 19-year-old college students who work minimum wage…
Labor Council backs Faris, Helmboldt, Flores, Gray in Battle Creek; Cooney in Kalamazoo BATTLE CREEK – Today the South Central Michigan Labor Council announced its endorsements for the upcoming city commission elections in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. In the election for Battle Creek City Commission, the Labor Council has endorsed Kaytee Faris and Andy Helmboldt…
LANSING – Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber issued the following statement on the death of Lansing firefighter Dennis Rodeman: “This is a truly horrible tragedy. Our union brother Dennis Rodeman dedicated his life to public service, first as a U.S. Marine serving in Iraq, and then as a member of Lansing Area Fire Fighters Local 421.…
Labor Day is almost here, and we wanted to let you know about a few fun Labor Day events coming up in Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Flint, and Detroit. Muskegon: The Muskegon Labor Day parade kicks off at 11am on Monday. There will be a celebration after the parade at the CIO Hall with food, bounce…
LANSING – Today the Michigan AFL-CIO launched an online petition aimed at supporting Grand Rapids transit employees. The state labor federation is gathering signatures from taxpayers telling Peter Varga, CEO of The Rapid, to reach a fair and just contract with members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 836. “Grand Rapids’ hardworking bus drivers deserve a decent…
PUGNACIOUS Adjective PRONOUNCED: pəɡˈnāSHəs MEANING eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight IN A SENTENCE: Donald Trump is known for his moxie and pugnacious rhetoric.
STERN adjective PRONOUNCED: stərn MEANING: serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercise of discipline. IN A SENTENCE: “The employers looked stern as they cut their workers’ wages.”
IRK verb PRONOUNCED: ərk MEANING: To irritate; annoy IN A SENTENCE: “The presidential candidate’s stance on unions irks me”
HAGGARD adjective PRONOUNCED: ˈhaɡərd MEANING: having a gaunt, wasted, or exhausted appearance, as from prolonged suffering, exertion, or anxiety; worn IN A SENTENCE: “Before the labor movement brought us the weekend, haggard workers could be seen everywhere. Scott Walker looks pretty haggard today after a late night spent ruining the middle class.”
GLYPH noun PRONOUNCED: ɡlif MEANING: a hieroglyphic character or symbol; a pictograph IN A SENTENCE: “Don Cherry and Craig Sager’s wardrobes contain many glyphs”
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.