On September 9–10, RWDSU members at TreeHouse Foods in Farmers Branch, Texas took an important step forward by exercising language in their collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The TreeHouse CBA includes a provision requiring training for stewards and supervisors, conducted by the Federal Mediation Conciliation Services (FMCS), with the company covering costs and lost wages. But in practice, this clause has not recently been regularly utilized. This year, the RWDSU Tennessee District Council made sure that changed. With FMCS unable to provide the training under the current administration, the National Mediation Conciliation Services (NMCS) stepped in.

At the iconic Bloomingdale’s flagship store on 59th Street in New York City, union pride starts on day one. Thanks to RWDSU Local 3 United Storeworkers’ strong union contract, every new hire receives a personal introduction to their union rights, protections, and the power of collective action the moment they begin their journey on the job.

RWDSU Local 110 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, continues to lead with strong education, organizing, and preparation efforts across the worksites it represents. From steward trainings at Quaker Oats and onboarding new leaders at Coles Quality Foods, to bargaining prep at General Mills and honoring fallen workers on Workers Memorial Day, the Local is building power and solidarity across the board. With strong contract language, strategic planning, and strong partnerships like those with the University of Iowa Labor Center, Local 110 is proving that even in Right-to-Work states, union strength starts with informed, empowered leadership.

Local 1102 ran two successful shop stewards trainings at the RWDSU HQ in NYC recently.