During the month of June, IFPTE celebrates PRIDE Month. We honour our Union Sisters and Brothers whose leadership and solidarity continue to strengthen the labor movement across Canada and the United States. As part of PRIDE Month, a leader from GAO Employees Organization/IFPTE Local 1921, Rah Cantatore, will be profiled by the AFL-CIO on June 9. Let’s all honor Rah as well as our other Siblings by viewing a profile each day of PRIDE Month!
PRIDE in Our Solidarity
Each June, PRIDE Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the diversity that strengthens our workplaces, unions, and communities. It is also a time to recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ workers and the progress achieved through decades of advocacy, solidarity, and collective action. This PRIDE Month, the Canadian Labour Congress and the AFL-CIO are highlighting the experiences and contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ workers while reflecting on the importance of building workplaces free from discrimination, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect
IFPTE Thanks Rep. Norcross and House Armed Services Committee Members For Approving FY27 NDAA That Restores Bargaining Rights at DOD
On Thursday, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) held a full committee “markup” where Representatives on the HASC voted on amendments to the bill past midnight. IFPTE weighed in with a letter requesting HASC Members vote to approve Rep. Donald Norcross’s (D-NJ) amendment to nullify the Department of Defense’s implementation of EO 14251, which strips bargaining rights of over 1.3 million federal workers, including 750,000 at DOD. Just before midnight, HASC took a recorded vote on the amendment and with a bipartisan 30-26 margin, the Norcross amendment was included in the House NDAA bill. Reps. Mike Turner (R-OH), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), and Donald Bacon (R-NE) voted with all HASC Democrats to approve the amendment.
Society of United Professionals Celebrate Milestone Week in Saskatoon
This week the Society of United Professionals (SUP/IFPTE Local 160) celebrated an important milestone in Saskatoon, bringing together members, local leaders, and guests for a series of events focused on growth, representation, and member engagement. The week featured Board meetings, the official opening of the Society’s new Saskatoon office, and a special event welcoming members of Local 222 (City of Saskatoon) and their families to the Society. The new office represents the Society’s long-term commitment to supporting members in Saskatchewan and strengthening its presence in Western Canada. It will serve as a hub for member services, local union activities, and community engagement.
IFPTE Attends Labor Event in Support of Graham Platner for Senate
Secretary-Treasurer, Gay Henson, and Legislative Director, Faraz Khan, attended a labor-backed event this week in Washington, DC in support of the candidacy of Graham Platner to represent the citizens of Maine in the United States Senate. The event was sponsored by several Unions and comes after the Maine Labor Movement’s May 12th unified endorsement.
IFPTE Proudly Endorses Adam Smith for Washington’s 9th Congressional District
IFPTE is proud to again endorse Congressman Adam Smith for reelection to continue to represent the citizens of Washington’s 9th Congressional District. Smith, who is a longtime friend to IFPTE, particularly SPEEA/IFPTE Local 2001, Local 12 and Local 8A, is the top Democrat on the all-powerful House Armed Services Committee, and is positioned to take over as Chairman if the mid-term elections result in control of the House of Representatives shifting over to the Democratic side.
Building a Strong, Accessible Future for Every Worker
As National AccessAbility Week is observed across Canada from May 31 to June 6, unions are reaffirming their commitment to building workplaces that are inclusive, accessible, and free from barriers. Whether through collective bargaining, workplace advocacy, disability accommodations, or public policy initiatives, organized labour continues to play an important role in ensuring that every worker has the opportunity to participate fully and safely in the workplace.
TAKE ACTION, TELL CONGRESS
IFPTE Urges Congress to Block Trump Administration from Accessing Personal Medical Data of Federal Workers
IFPTE responded this week to efforts by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to unilaterally implement a rule forcing health insurers to disclose the individualized, personal medical information of current and former federal employees to the Trump Administration. In asking both Congressional appropriators and authorizers to come together in a bipartisan way to prevent the Administration from accessing this data, IFPTE reinforced to lawmakers that, “Medical records invoke core cannons of personal, social, psychological, cultural, and religious privacy that are absolutely sacred to all Americans.” Read IFPTE’s letter to key Capitol Hill lawmakers and join IFPTE’s member mobilization letter writing campaign here.
SAVE THE DATE!!!
IFPTE 62nd Convention
Toronto, ON, Canada
July 19-22, 2027
IFPTE Local 400 