IFPTE, AFL-CIO and CLC Issue Statements Honoring Black History Month
IFPTE released a statement on February 1st honoring Black History Month, stating that, “Sadly, the hard-fought rights that were achieved by the Civil Rights and Labor Movements decades ago are being eroded and outright eliminated by not only the most powerful politicians in our society, but also our courts…This year’s Black History Month is as important as it has ever been, and is a time for those of us in the Labor Movement to reinforce and recommit to fighting to reverse these attacks.”
IFPTE Commits to Halting Schedule P/C Which Seeks to Undermine Merit-Based Nonpartisan Civil Service and Government for the People
In response to the Office of Personnel Management issuing the Schedule P/C final rule, IFPTE President Matt Biggs commented that Schedule P/C “jeopardizes the stability and effectiveness of the federal agencies the public depends on every day and undermines the data and evidence-based missions that federal employees perform. It would also undermine Congress’s ability to perform meaningful oversight by silencing the expertise of federal employees. IFPTE is committed to opposing its implementation in federal court and advocating for the enactment of the Saving the Civil Service Act.” If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
IFPTE Applauds the Launch of the Bipartisan Federal Workforce Caucus and Calls on Members of Congress from Both Sides of the Aisle to Stand Up for America’s Civil Service Workforce
This week, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Congressman James Walkinshaw (D-VA) launched the Federal Workforce Caucus, a Congressional caucus committed to protecting and strengthening America’s civil service workforce. If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
Partial Government Shutdown Short-livered – IFPTE Requests the House Pass Five FY26 Appropriations Bills and Ensure Administration Respects the Law and Constitution
The House came back to Washington on Monday and voted on Tuesday to end the four-day partial government shutdown. In a letter to House lawmakers before Tuesday’s vote, IFPTE wrote that, “We urge you not to hold five appropriations bills from enactment while Congress and the American public seek to ensure accountability, oversight, and justice for overbroad DHS immigration enforcement operations that have resulted in too many tragic outcomes. If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
Layoffs Averted for Members of TEAM/IFPTE Local 161
Members of TEAM/IFPTE Local 161 can breathe a sigh of relief, with Bell Canada announcing this week that its plans to eliminate 46 more jobs from the bargaining unit have been cancelled. Bell did not provide a reason to the union for cancelling the downsizing, nor did it confirm whether more job cuts are planned for later this year, although some TEAM members fear that may be the case. But for now, at least, layoffs have been averted. If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
Union Says Boeing Violated Contract; Seeks ‘No Layoff’ Guarantee for 787 Engineers
“SPEEA and Boeing had a meeting of our Joint Workforce Committee on Thursday, January 29th,” said SPEEA executive director Ray Goforth. “The committee’s purpose is for Boeing to provide SPEEA with guidance on how company decisions impact our membership, including any possible work movement. At that meeting, Boeing informed SPEEA that there were no company decisions in the foreseeable future that would impact work statement or employment levels for SPEEA members. “Thus, it was with great surprise and disappointment that Boeing unilaterally announced to our members the very next morning that the remaining 787 engineering work would be moved to South Carolina,” Goforth said. If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
Society Applauds Completion of Darlington Nuclear Reactor Refurbishment
This week, the Society of United Professionals/IFPTE Local 160 President, Rebecca Caron, was present for the Ontario government’s announcement of the successful completion of the refurbishment of the Darlington Unit 4 nuclear reactor, which will return to service four months ahead of schedule and $150 million under budget. If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
Calling All Candidates – Join IFPTE’s Black and Racialized Professionals Committee
The Committee, which was unanimously approved at the 2024 IFPTE Convention through passage of Resolution 15, titled “Black and Racialized Professionals Committee,” is tasked with advancing and advocating for “issues faced in the union, the workplace, and the communities where we live.” If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
Canada’s Unions Say Workers Must Be At the Centre of National Trade Strategy
Canadian labour leaders from the private and public sector met in Ottawa this week to demand an end to trade policies that put corporate interests ahead of workers, and to call for a worker-centered trade and economic strategy and a seat at the decision-making table. Read more from the CLC here, and from Yahoo News here.
Registration for IFPTE’s 2026 Legislative Conference is still open; late fees apply. The deadline for booking sleeping rooms has closed; however, rooms may still be available but not at IFPTE’s rate. Contact crhett@ifpte.org if you need assistance. Conference information can be found here.
SAVE THE DATE!!!
IFPTE 62nd Convention
Toronto, ON, Canada
July 19-22, 2027
IFPTE Local 400 