Folks,
Greetings from the Burgh, where we are making some fundraising momentum.
19% Towards Our Grant Replacement Goal
Good news folks. We are 19% of the way towards our goal to replace the money lost from a major grant due to a Trump cut.
NY Gov Blames Trump for Not Blocking Long Island Rail Strike
New York Governor Kathy Huchol has repeatedly faced protests and criticism from union leaders for being out-of-touch with unions.
Now, rather than reaching a settlement with 3,500 Long Island Railroad (LIRR) employees on strike, she is blaming President Trump for not using his federal authority to stop the strike. Huchol says that the strike could have been prevented if Trump had not released the union and the MTA, which runs the LIRR, from mediation by the National Mediation Board last fall.
However, union leaders disagree with Huchol’s characterization.
"The National Mediation Board ... when they gave us the release from mediation, the board members were two Biden-appointed members that gave us the approval to be released," James Louis, the national vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, told =USA Today. "It's more of the 'let's blame politics on this.' The only person I can point the finger on is the MTA."
For more, check out USA Today.
Mamdani MIA from LIRR Strike
Throughout his tenure as New York City’s Mayor, Mamdani has repeatedly walked picket lines throughout the city. However, with the Long Island Railroad out on strike, Mamdani is now MIA. From the non-profit newsroom The Gothamist:
Mamdani marched with striking Starbucks baristas in December and New York State Nurses Association nurses in January.
But openly supporting the railroad strike now could erode Mamdani’s leverage in future negotiations with the city’s teachers, police officers or other municipal unions.
“ He's not exactly the employer, but he's sort of adjacent to that,” Freeman said.
Freeman noted Mamdani still needs to secure billions of dollars in funding for the city in the ongoing state budget process and doesn’t want to antagonize Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Hochul has said meeting the union’s contract demands could translate to an 8% fare hike.
“ The governor has stuck her neck out in a strong position, saying that what the unions are asking for is something that can't be done,” Freeman said.
Mamdani, he said, “may not want to pick a fight with the governor on this particular issue.”
For more, check out the Gothamist.
California Fast Food Council Hasn’t Met in a Year
In 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a union-backing bill creating a government council to oversee wages and working conditions for fast-food workers.The board has the power to raise wages annually at fast-food restaurants owned by corporations with more than 60 restaurants nationwide.
However, according to a report in CalMatters, the Fast Food Council did not meet in 2025, has yet to meet in 2026, and lacks a chair person. Governor Newsom refused to answer questions about the council, but workers say that he must take steps to revive the council.
“I want to tell (the governor) to finish the job he started,” Julieta Garcia, a cook at a Pizza Hut in Los Angeles, told CalMatters through a translator. “Leave a good legacy for this generation and the future generation, so you can be recognized as a leader who gave fast-food workers a chance.”
For more, check out CalMatters.
Donate to Help Hold Democrats Accountable
Last week, Payday Report covered how Virginia’s Democratic Governor vetoed expanding collective bargaining rights to public employees. We also covered how the Democratic Governor of Colorado intends to veto the abolition of Colorado’s hybrid “right-to-work” system, as well as Democratic betrayals in LA and Chicago.
(See our special newsletter on Democratic betrayals of labor in the era of Trump)
With election season coming up, many left-leaning news organizations are going light on Democrats, but Payday intends to hold them accountable.
Workers Painting DC Reflecting Pool Blue Could Face Health Risks
Trump is facing criticism for ordering that the bottom of the reflecting pool outside of the Lincoln Memorial be painted blue. The contract was awarded without any bidding process and expected to exceed $12 million.
Now, union representatives are concerned that the rushed process could be exposing workers to hazardous chemicals, especially since the no-bid contract means that the work is being done non-union.
“The chemicals are hazardous,” Herbert Zaldivar, a union organizer with the Painters Union told the Guardian. “My concern is usually the level of risk when it’s rushed. Are workers taking the rightful steps to protect themselves?”
For more, check out the Guardian.
Independent Mexican Union Leader Dies
Finally, Payday Report mourns the death of Juan Linares Montufar, a leader of the National Union of Mine, Metal, Steel and Allied Workers of the Mexican Republic (“Los Mineros”). A courageous union leader, he fought corrupt state-controlled unions, building an international solidarity movement to their cause.
The Steelworkers issued a statement mourning his death:
“The United Steelworkers in Canada and the United States mourn the loss of Los Mineros leader Juan Linares Montufar, who was imprisoned for more than two years by the right-wing government of President Felipe Calderon as part of a campaign to crush the independent union. A USW delegation visited Linares in prison, and after an international protest campaign, charges were dropped and he was released in February 2011.
“Our union extends our deepest condolences to the family of Brother Linares; to Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, President and General Secretary of Los Mineros; and to all the members of the union on this sad occasion.
“As we fight together for justice, we will continue to be inspired by Juan’s example.”
To read the full statement in both Spanish and English, go to the Steelworkers website.
News & Headlines Elsewhere
- Kenyan protesters light bonfires during public transport strike over fuel prices
- Thousands of U.S. countertop workers could have damaged lungs, safety expert says
- Despite threats, Maryland sheriffs quickly dropped 287(g) agreements with ICE
- 50 young Hollywood workers tell all: ‘My bank account is so sad’
- Immigrants reportedly held in ICE Jails despite agreeing to leave U.S.
- Finally, as ICE raids spread fear, media for immigrants is also blossoming.
Alright folks, that’s all for today. Keep sending tips, complaints, comments, and cooking recipes to melk@paydayreport.com
