AFL-CIO communications staffer Nora Frederickson sends us this report from New Hampshire.

Following weeks of speculation, William O’Brien, the speaker of the New Hampshire state House, failed to call a vote to override Democratic Gov. John Lynch’s veto of a so-called right to work legislation in a special session today after O’Brien realized he may not have the votes needed to override the veto. After Lynch vetoed H.B. 474 in May, O’Brien has scrambled to catch opponents of the “right to work” for less law off guard, holding unscheduled votes, changing the agendas on session days and bombarding session days with roll-call votes in order to ensure that he can push through an override of the veto.

AFL-CIO Community Services Director Will Fischer describes union volunteer efforts to stretch the limited dollars of Sacramento area nonprofit organizations.

Every year local nonprofit agencies spend thousands of dollars on toilet paper for families in need. That’s money they could be spending on much-needed services that benefit the community. Since 2009, the Sacramento Central Labor Council and the local United Way have partnered to create Toilet Paper Drives to help local nonprofit partners offset costs and redirect the money saved into vital programs.

The voice of America’s workers and middle class rang out loud and clear at the 7th Annual American Rights at Work (ARAW) Awards Celebration earlier this week in Washington, D.C.

AFL-CIO Community Services Director Will Fischer reminds us that residents in the Midwest are still struggling with flood waters—and union members are there to assist them.

As the waters of the Missouri River continue to rise, union members are mobilizing to help and preserve labor landmarks along the river’s bank.

Once again, Republicans are trying to erase the history of America’s working people. In Maine, Republican Gov. Paul LePage has ordered the removal of a 36-foot mural depicting the state’s labor history from the Department of Labor. The 11-panel piece  in part depicts a 1986 paper mill strike and “Rosie the Riveter” at Bath Iron Works. Judy Taylor, an artist based on Mount Desert, won a 2007 competition to create the mural to depict the “History of Labor in the State of Maine.”

The AFL-CIO Executive Council welcomed Veda Shook and Walter Wise as new members today.

Shook took office Jan. 1 as president of the Flight Attendants-CWA, succeeding Patricia Friend, who retired and also resigned from the Executive Council. An AFA-CWA member since 1991, Shook says she plans to keep right on flying. Before her election as president, she served as an AFA-CWA vice president since 2007.