In the Community

Building Solidarity

To connect more rank-and-file union members with the AFLCIO, the Federation hosted three large events in 2022. First, in February, the Federation hosted Union Night with the Dropkick Murphys. Over 200 union members and allies took advantage of discounted tickets and access to a pre-show party. Attendees could also purchase an exclusive AFL-CIO/Dropkick Murphys t-shirt.

More than a thousand union members and family attended Union Appreciation Day at Progressive Field. Union members had access to reduced ticket prices and food/merchandise vouchers. In addition, a private event space with complimentary snacks and drinks was available before the game. AFM Local 4 President Leonard DiCosimo sang the National Anthem.

The Federation hosted Blue Collar Worker night in December with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Attendees took advantage of discounted tickets and early entry for player warmups. Progressive Field and Rocket Mortgage are both unionized entertainment venues that were built and renovated by members of the Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council.

ALU’s Chris Smalls Visits Cleveland

The Federation welcomed Amazon Labor Union (ALU) President and Organizer Chris Smalls to Cleveland in June, fresh off his history-making victory at the JFK8 Amazon Fulfilment Center on Staten Island. Smalls spent several days in Greater Cleveland in June, highlighted by a forum at UAW Local 1250 in Brook Park. Several hundred union members and allies attended the Forum on Organizing for the 21st Century and Beyond. Smalls shared his long-term vision with attendees, focusing on a workers-first approach and uniting

workers based on their shared interests regardless of political affiliation. In addition, Joey Desatnik, who had recently been discharged from the Cleveland 2 Amazon Fulfillment Center, shared his experiences. The following day, Smalls visited three area Starbucks stores, including stops at the University Circle and Clifton Blvd. stores where workers had recently filed to form a union. His final stop was at the W. 6th St. Starbucks store, where workers unanimously agreed to unionize two weeks earlier.

AFM Local 4 Performances

The Cleveland Federation of Musicians, AFM Local 4, continued its strong partnership with the Federation in 2022. Local 4 hosted and performed at the May 28 Workers Memorial Day ceremony at Garfield Church. When President Biden came to Cleveland on July 6 to tout his work on bolstering multiemployer pensions, Local 4 performed several patriotic songs, including “Hail to the Chief.” Local 4 members also performed at the Federation’s Labor Day Party at the Bop Stop at the Music Settlement on September 3.