This is a cross post from AFT:

AFT President Randi Weingarten returned today from Egypt, where she met in Cairo with leaders of Egyptian unions instrumental in the recent political and governmental changes there. She noted that AFT, as part of its recognition of the vital role of public employees around the world, has joined with the Council of Global Unions in the worldwide “Quality Public Services—Action Now!” campaign. That effort was launched last week on United Nations Public Service Day.

AFL-CIO Community Services Director Will Fischer sends this report from the Lehigh Valley (Pa.) Labor Council.

Since 1999 in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, the local labor movement has been helping teenagers and pre-teens develop leadership, teamwork and planning skills through TeenWorks. Developed by former AFL-CIO Community Service Liaison Ron Achey and funded entirely by Lehigh valley unions, TeenWorks allows young people to decide how to allocate grants for and plan community service projects.

Jennifer Wright Dorr of Union Plus reports on financial aid available to union members facing hardships from the recent severe weather.

Union members who are facing financial hardship due to the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, and who participate in Union Plus programs, may be eligible for financial help.

Global unions are reaching out to Japanese workers and their families following the massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan, likely claimed more than 10,000 lives and left half a million people homeless.