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…
LANSING – Today the Michigan AFL-CIO released the following statement on President Obama’s new overtime rule, which will benefit 100,000 Michigan workers: “This new rule will help 100,000 Michigan workers get the overtime pay they deserve,” said Ron Bieber, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “Restoring overtime protections and putting more money in working families’ pockets…
Fast Track legislation makes it easier to ship Michigan jobs overseas LANSING – Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber issued the following statement today, following U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg’s votes to advance so-called “Fast Track” legislation. “Tim Walberg has a long record of supporting unfair trade deals and outsourcing, and today’s vote is another reminder that…
HB 4052 Gives More Power to Lansing Politicians, Special Interests LANSING – Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber issued the following statement today on House Bill 4052, which advanced to the floor of the Michigan Senate following a vote in the Competitiveness Committee. “This is blatant power grab by Lansing Republicans, plain and simple,” said Bieber.…
Largest pay increase since financial crisis www.PayWatch.org LANSING – According to the AFL-CIO’s annual Executive PayWatch report, Michigan S&P 500 CEOs made an average of $14,296,525 in 2014 – 339 times more than the average Michigan worker, who earns $42,162 per year. The report also reveals that Michigan CEOs made 843 times more than minimum…
LANSING – Tomorrow local workers, officials, and community members will gather for Workers Memorial Day events in Detroit, Escanaba, Negaunee, and Iron Mountain to commemorate workers who have died or suffered illness or injuries while on the job. “On April 28, union members across Michigan will observe Workers Memorial Day,” said Karla Swift, President of…
LANSING – Michigan AFL-CIO President Karla Swift issued the following statement today in response to the introduction of Trade Promotion Authority legislation in Congress: “Michigan workers know a bad trade deal when they see one. For decades, we’ve seen how corporate-driven trade deals like NAFTA have devastated our communities through lost jobs and lower…
At 15.8 percent, Michigan trails only Wisconsin and Nevada LANSING – At 15.8 percent, Michigan had the nation’s third highest unemployment rate for African Americans in 2014, according to a new analysis from Economic Policy Institute economist Valerie Wilson. In Projected Decline in Unemployment in 2015 Won’t Lift Blacks Out of the Recession-carved Crater, Wilson…
Bill eliminates key safety protections following workplace injury, death LANSING – Today the Michigan AFL-CIO strongly condemned new legislation introduced by Republican Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton) this month that would eliminate key safety protections for employees who are injured or killed on the job. Senate Bill 213 weakens the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act…
Proposal will create good jobs, make Michigan roads safer LANSING – Today the Michigan AFL-CIO announced that it is formally endorsing the Safe Roads Yes campaign. In a column published in The Detroit News, Michigan AFL-CIO President Karla Swift explained that Proposal 1 “is a critical initiative that will make our roads safer and create…
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.