Press Releases

DPE has media staff in Washington, D.C. to handle inquiries from journalists on issues related to professionals in unions. To schedule an interview with a member of the DPE staff, contact Katie Barrows at kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org or call 202-638-0320 ext. 15 or 202-549-5991.

Katie Barrows 1/31/23 Katie Barrows 1/31/23

DPE Commends USTR’s Report on Notorious Markets for Highlighting the Impact Content Theft has on Creative Professionals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2023 - Today, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its latest report that highlights prominent and illustrative examples of online and physical markets that reportedly engage in, facilitate, overlook, or benefit from substantial copyright piracy or trademark counterfeiting. Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement in response to the report, the 2022 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy:

“I commend Ambassador Tai and USTR for using the 2022 Notorious Markets List to examine the impact online content theft has on U.S. workers. Additionally, I appreciate the report’s acknowledgment that this is an issue directly affecting the members of DPE’s affiliate unions in the arts, entertainment, and media industries.

Union creative professionals rely on adequate and effective copyright protection to earn a fair return on their work. Many members of DPE’s affiliate unions in the arts and entertainment industries earn collectively bargained pay and contributions to their health insurance and pension plans from the sales and licensing of films, TV shows, music, and other content they help create. Revenue from authorized sales and licensing also funds the projects of tomorrow that union creative professionals count on for future jobs. As the 2022 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy makes clear, content theft is pervasive and it hurts working people.

DPE remains ready to support USTR and the Biden-Harris Administration as they pursue a worker-centered trade policy that provides the strong copyright protections that middle-class creative professionals need to secure their livelihoods in today’s digital era. ”

About DPE

The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) is a coalition of 24 unions representing over four million professional and technical union members. DPE affiliate unions represent professionals in over 300 occupations in education and healthcare; science, engineering, and technology; legal, business, and management; media, entertainment, and the arts; and public administration.

Katie Barrows 1/19/23 Katie Barrows 1/19/23

Professionals Union Membership Remains Constant in 2022

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2023 - Professional union membership saw a slight increase in 2022 growing to 6.27 million from 6.24 million in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report on union membership. However, union density among professionals dipped due to rising employment across the U.S. economy to 10.5 percent in 2022 from 11 percent in 2021. Overall union membership rose about 1.9 percent from 2021 to 2022.

Although union membership among professionals as a whole did not surge in 2022, professionals still formed new unions. Professionals formed their first unions at big-name companies, like REI, Medieval Times, and Apple, as well as at well-known nonprofits, animation studios, and creative arts productions.

“Many professionals realize that by joining together in union they gain the power to negotiate for higher wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions,” said Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) Jennifer Dorning. “I congratulate all the professionals who joined together in union last year. While organizing is hard work, the lasting change that occurs when professionals gain a voice in workplace decisions is well worth the effort.”

In 2022, union professionals continued to be employed at high levels in the public sector, and in the education and healthcare fields. Specifically:

67 percent of union professionals were in the public sector;
47 percent of union professionals were in education; and
17 percent of union professionals were in healthcare.

In addition, professional union membership increased in occupations and industries with potential for continued growth, including architecture and engineering; community and social service; and art, design, entertainment, sports, and media.

“To grow as a labor movement, we need to continue to support organizing in all areas of the economy, including traditionally unorganized sectors. Union organizing has surged in recent years, and I’m hopeful that more professionals will be encouraged to exercise their workplace rights this year,” said Dorning.

About DPE

Katie Barrows 12/23/22 Katie Barrows 12/23/22

DPE Applauds FY23 Omnibus Legislation, Celebrates Federal Arts and NLRB Funding Increases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2022 - The Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) omnibus appropriations bill is headed to the president’s desk to become law after passing the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. This legislation contains numerous victories for union creative professionals, including increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) at $207 million each and for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) at $310.23 million.

“Increasing NEA and NEH funding to $207 million each for FY23 was a top priority for creative professionals and their unions due to the agencies’ critical role in supporting good-paying, family-supporting jobs in every state and congressional district,” said Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning. “This victory would not have been achieved without the grassroots advocacy of union creative professionals. $207 million in FY23 funding brings us an important step closer to our goal of a historical full funding level of $331 million, or $1 per capita, for both the NEA and NEH. I commend Representative Chellie Pingree and Senator Jeff Merkley for their championing of arts funding, and I am grateful for the bipartisan supporters of the arts and arts professionals in both the House and Senate.”

“Furthermore, the omnibus increases funding for the NLRB by $25 million. This is the agency’s first funding increase in 10 years, and it is needed to keep Board staff on the job to enforce private sector professionals’ workplace rights,” said Dorning.

The FY23 omnibus legislation also includes important funding increases for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

“Union journalists and creative professionals work directly for public media stations and help create the content that stations distribute. Public broadcasting has earned its bipartisan support among the American people because of the high-quality, educational content that these union members deliver to people in every corner of the country,” said Dorning.

Finally, Congress did not come to an agreement on a tax package, meaning the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA) will not become law this Congress.

“I applaud Congress for coming together to pass FY23 omnibus legislation. While it is disappointing that tax fairness for entertainment workers will not be restored by this Congress, union creative professionals remain committed to passing PATPA in the next Congress,” said Dorning.

About DPE

Katie Barrows 12/6/22 Katie Barrows 12/6/22

Entertainment Unions Urge Congress to Restore Tax Fairness for the Industry’s Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2022 - Americans will soon start gathering their receipts and documents to prepare their taxes, and entertainment workers anticipate owing unnecessarily burdensome amounts in taxes because they are unable to deduct required work expenses. In a letter sent today, unions of entertainment workers affiliated with the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) call on Congress to restore tax fairness for these middle-class creative professionals by passing the bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA), S. 2872/H.R. 4750.

“Entertainment workers should not be punished by the tax code for seeking employment,” said DPE President Jennifer Dorning. “We urge Congress to fix this problem by passing the bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act.”

Most entertainment workers spend 20 to 30 percent of their income on necessary work expenses, including transportation to auditions, talent agents, and equipment. Up until 2019, these common work expenses were deductible.

PATPA allows entertainment workers to deduct essential work expenses by updating the Qualified Performing Artist (QPA) deduction. QPA is a provision of the tax law that allows eligible entertainment workers the option to take an “above-the-line” deduction for certain unreimbursed expenses. Currently, the adjusted gross income threshold for the QPA deduction is $16,000, a level unchanged since QPA’s inception in 1986 under President Reagan. PATPA would raise the threshold of the QPA deduction to $100,000 for single taxpayers and $200,000 for joint filers to help ensure middle-class entertainment workers qualify for the deduction.

The ability to claim the QPA deduction would have a meaningful impact on the lives of entertainment workers and their families. According to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at the Actors’ Equity office in New York, a Pennsylvania sound engineer would realize a tax savings of over $4,500, a Nevada actor would pay $1,500 less in taxes, and a New York musician would save $3,000 under PATPA.

“After their industry was completely shut down by the pandemic, entertainment workers are still trying to get back on their feet,” said Dorning. “PATPA will put money back in the hands of entertainment workers to help them pay their rent, put food on the table, and contribute to their local economies.”

The labor organizations calling for the passage of PATPA include:

Actors’ Equity Association
American Federation of Musicians
American Guild of Musical Artists
Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO
Directors Guild of America
Guild of Italian American Actors
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts
Office and Professional Employees International Union
Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
Writers Guild of America, East

About DPE

Katie Barrows 11/15/22 Katie Barrows 11/15/22

National Survey Finds More Professionals Want a Union

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2022 - The percentage of non-union professionals who want to form a union in their workplace increased to 65 percent in 2022, according to a survey commissioned by the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE). Additionally, 63 percent of those who would support a union at work said they would talk to their coworkers about forming a union in the next year.

DPE last commissioned a survey of non-union professionals' attitudes towards unions in 2016. Then, 60 percent of professionals surveyed said they would support a proposal for a union.

“Professionals continue to want a union,” said DPE President Jennifer Dorning. “Even before the pandemic a majority of professionals were supportive of forming a union in their workplace, and now, with changes in work and the economy, more professionals recognize the need for a legally protected say in workplace decisions with a union.”

For specific demographic groups, support for forming a union was even higher, with 82 percent of Black or African American respondents and 76 percent of Hispanic or Latino respondents saying they would support a union proposal in their workplace. Young professionals also viewed unionizing more favorably with 74 percent of respondents 21 to 34 years old saying they would approve of an effort to form a union in their workplace.

Professionals employed in education and healthcare had the highest levels of union support among specific occupation groups, with 75 percent of education professionals and 71 percent of healthcare professionals saying they would approve a proposal for a union in their workplace. Computer and math professionals’ support for joining together in union has increased drastically over the years. DPE first surveyed computer and math professionals in 2005 and found that 33 percent would support a union in their workplace. In 2016, computer and math professionals’ union support increased to 59 percent, and now it has reached 62 percent.

Other key survey findings include:

78 percent of professionals would be in favor of joining together in union to improve salaries and raises.
Of professionals who were not required to perform in-person work during the first year of the pandemic, 69 percent said it was important that their union would work to improve work from home policies.
When it came to professionals’ attitudes towards management, nearly 45 percent of respondents were dissatisfied with the salaries paid to executives compared to their own.
A majority of those surveyed knew at most only a little about unions.

“Worker activism and the many recent organizing wins have helped return unions to the center of the national conversation about how Americans can improve their workplaces and their lives,” said Dorning. “However, too many professionals still don’t know how to take steps to form their own union in their workplace, which means we still have work to do to educate employees about the process of joining together in union and the benefits of a union contract.”

DPE commissioned the research firm Clarity Campaign Labs to conduct the scientific survey of non-union professionals in late summer 2022. The survey contains responses from a representative sample of over 1,800 non-union professionals from across the U.S.

About DPE

Katie Barrows 10/3/22 Katie Barrows 10/3/22

DPE Commends President Biden Declaring October National Arts and Humanities Month, Reestablishing the Committee on Arts and Humanities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2022 - President Biden has released a proclamation declaring October National Arts and Humanities Month for 2022. Additionally, President Biden has issued an executive order to promote the arts, humanities, museum and library services by reestablishing the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities and directing cooperation among Federal agencies and offices.

DPE President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement in response to President Biden’s arts and humanities proclamation and executive order:

“I am thrilled President Biden is again recognizing the importance of the arts and humanities to both America’s society and economy in his proclamation on National Arts and Humanities Month in October, and for issuing an Executive Order on Promoting the Arts, the Humanities, and Museum and Library Services.

An executive order on the arts, humanities, and museum and library services is welcome news for the members of many DPE affiliate unions who play an essential role in powering this sector. Specifically, union creative professionals make art on stage, on screen, in the recording studio, and behind the scenes, while museum and library union professionals provide the public with access to and information about the world around us. Building out a national strategy to advance the arts and humanities will have real value for these professionals, the American public, and local economies who benefit from the sector’s positive economic spillover effect.

The arts and humanities are responsible for more than five million jobs and over four percent of the United States’ GDP. Support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is critical to ensuring these jobs provide creative professionals with a family-supporting living in every state, and that all Americans can access artistic and educational content. DPE and our affiliate unions are committed to funding the NEA and NEH at $331 million each, or $1 per capita to expand employment opportunities and community access. Additionally, DPE is dedicated to fostering a more representative arts and humanities sector by continuing to advocate for policies aimed at creating diverse talent pipelines and incentivizing diversity in hiring in creative industries.

President Biden’s executive order also reestablishes and renews the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, and I urge him to ensure that union arts and humanities professionals have seats on this important advisory committee.

DPE applauds the Biden-Harris Administration’s recognition of the arts and humanities, and remains deeply committed to helping continue its efforts to lift up and build out this important sector.”

About DPE

Katie Barrows 6/29/22 Katie Barrows 6/29/22

DPE Commends House Appropriations Approval of NEA and NEH Funding, Looks Forward to Funding Bill Passage by the Full House and Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2022 - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee voted to approve the FY 2023 Interior Appropriations Bill, which includes $207 million in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) each. The bill now moves to the floor for consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives. Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement in response to the approved federal arts funding levels:

“We commend the House Appropriations Committee for approving $207 million in funding for the NEA and NEH each for FY 2023. Increased funding is needed to ensure that the agencies can continue to support good-paying, family-supporting jobs in every state and congressional district for creative professionals, including the members of DPE’s unions. $207 million is also an important step toward the goal of a historical full funding level of $331 million, or $1 per capita, for both the NEA and NEH.

In addition, the funding approved today by House Appropriators enables both the NEA and NEH to hire Chief Diversity Officers, roles that will boost the agencies’ capability to support opportunities for underrepresented people to develop skills, experience, and professional connections. DPE and its affiliated unions in the arts, entertainment, and media industries advocated for the creation of these senior positions because we know diversity is a strength and essential to the long-term sustainability of the creative sectors.

As the annual appropriations process moves forward, we call on the House and Senate to approve the $207 million in FY 23 funding for the NEA and NEH.”

About DPE

Katie Barrows 6/8/22 Katie Barrows 6/8/22

DPE Celebrates the Creation of Chief Diversity Officers for the NEA, NEH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2022 - Today, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chair Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Chair Shelly Lowe announced that their respective agencies will create a Chief Diversity Officer position. The announcement was made at the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies hearing on fiscal year 2023 budget requests for the arts and humanities. Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement on the establishment of Chief Diversity Officers for the NEA and NEH:

“The move to hire Chief Diversity Officers at the NEA and NEH is a win for creative professionals. DPE and its affiliated unions in the arts, entertainment, and media industries advocated for the creation of these senior positions because we know diversity is a strength and essential to the long-term sustainability of the creative sectors. We applaud Chairs Jackson and Lowe for moving quickly to create more inclusive arts, entertainment, and media industries through the work of their agencies.

In February 2021, we released our Policy Agenda for Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Arts, Entertainment, and Media Industries, which includes recommendations aimed at creating diverse talent pipelines and incentivizing diversity in hiring in creative industries. We called for Chief Diversity Officers at the NEA and NEH because officers can boost the agencies’ capability to support performances and programs that offer underrepresented people an opportunity to develop skills, experience, and professional connections.

We look forward to working with the NEA and NEH Chief Diversity Officers as part of our longtime engagement with these important agencies. We continue to call on Congress to fully fund the NEA and NEH at $331 million, or $1 per capita.”

About DPE

Katie Barrows 3/18/22 Katie Barrows 3/18/22

DPE Applauds the House’s Passage of the CROWN Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2022 - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed with bipartisan support H.R. 2116, the Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, legislation which prohibits race-based hair discrimination, in a vote of 235-189. Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement in response to the bill’s passage:

“DPE and our affiliated unions in the arts, entertainment, and media industries made passage of the CROWN Act a pillar of our Policy Agenda for Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in these industries because no person should face discrimination for their natural hair, on or off stage. We applaud the House’s passage of this important legislation and thank the members who voted yes. Now it is the U.S. Senate’s turn to take action in order to send this important legislation to President Biden’s desk. We will continue our advocacy until the CROWN Act is the law of the land.”

In February 2021, DPE affiliates representing creative professionals released their Policy Agenda for Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Arts, Entertainment, and Media Industries. The agenda details legislative action the unions are pursuing to help make their industries more representative.

About DPE

Katie Barrows 3/2/22 Katie Barrows 3/2/22

DPE Commends the Re-Introduction of the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2022—Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning issued the following statement in response to the introduction of the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2022:

“I applaud Senators Dick Durbin and Chuck Grassley for re-introducing the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act. I also thank Senators Blumenthal, Brown, Hagerty, Sanders, and Tuberville for joining as original co-sponsors. This bipartisan bill would go a long way toward improving the H-1B visa program so that it works for U.S. professionals and the people employed on H-1B visas, not just employers.

The H-1B guest worker visa has an important role to play in our economy, but for too long it has failed to live up to its original purpose. Today, employers regularly use the H-1B program to lower standards for middle-class professionals, outsource and offshore good jobs, and pay H-1B workers below market wages in arrangements where employers control their lives.

Congressional action is urgently needed to fix the H-1B visa program. Additionally, administrative steps can and should be pursued to stop employer abuse of the H-1B program, including adopting a wage-based visa allocation process and updating the prevailing wage levels.

DPE calls on Congress to pass the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act and send it to President Biden’s desk to become law.”

About DPE

Katie Barrows 2/17/22 Katie Barrows 2/17/22

DPE Applauds the Release of USTR’s Annual Report on Counterfeiting and Piracy Markets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, February 17, 2022 - Today, the Office of the United States Trade Representative released its annual Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy, which identifies examples of the worst online and physical markets for reportedly engaging in and facilitating substantial copyright piracy or trademark counterfeiting. DPE President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement in response to the report:

“We applaud Ambassador Tai and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on the release of the 2021 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy, which brings attention to the effect intellectual property theft has on working people. Many members of DPE’s affiliate unions in the arts and entertainment industries earn collectively bargained pay and contributions to their health insurance and pension plans from the sales and licensing of films, TV shows, music, and other content they help create. The theft and unlicensed use of copyrighted content threatens these middle class professionals’ economic security and the more than five million jobs in the creative sector. DPE continues to advocate for strong copyright protections and enforcement to ensure these professionals are fully compensated for their creative works.

We appreciate USTR’s work on this report and its commitment to help curb intellectual property theft. We hope the report’s findings motivate both private and public entities in the identified markets to take steps to reduce theft and counterfeiting.”

About DPE

Katie Barrows 2/8/22 Katie Barrows 2/8/22

DPE Applauds White House Task Force on Worker Organizing Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2022 - Yesterday, the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment released a report with policy recommendations to promote workers’ rights. The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning put out the following statement in response to the task force’s report:

“We are proud to have an administration in the White House that values worker organizing and collective bargaining. As the task force makes clear, stronger unions help create a healthier, more equitable economy. This report recognizes the federal government’s ability to use its roles as an employer, executor of law, and consumer to promote and support union membership in every industry, from the arts to veterinary medicine. We look forward to working with the task force as it implements the recommendations put forth in this report and develops additional recommended executive actions.

Addressing the challenges associated with organizing a union, including lack of awareness about workplace rights and enforcement of existing labor law, will help more professionals to join together in union - an action we know a majority of Americans would support. Last year, professionals in media, tech, nonprofit, and other sectors formed new unions despite facing many unnecessary obstacles during the organizing process.

Even as the ranks of union professionals grow, the reality is that our outdated labor laws make forming a union more difficult than it should be. That’s why, in addition to the important work of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, Congress must pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.”

About DPE

The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) is a coalition of 24 unions representing over four million professional and technical union members. DPE affiliate unions represent professionals in over 300 occupations in education and healthcare; science, engineering, and technology; legal, business, and management; media, entertainment, and the arts; and public administration.

Katie Barrows 1/21/22 Katie Barrows 1/21/22

Arts, Entertainment, and Media Unions Urge Congress to Pass FY 2022 Funding for the Arts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, January 21, 2022 - Today, the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) sent a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committee leadership urging the passage of a Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 appropriations bill that funds the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH) at $201 million each and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) at $565 million.

DPE President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement on the need for a FY22 appropriations bill that increases federal arts funding:

“DPE and our affiliate unions in the arts, entertainment, and media industries want Congress to know that continued investment in the NEA, NEH, and CPB is essential. These agencies fund programs that help veterans heal from the invisible scars of war, inspire the next generation of creators and innovators, and deliver content that unites people across small towns and big cities. By funding the NEA and NEH at $201 million each and the CPB at $565 million, programs supported by these agencies will be able to reach even more Americans.

Increased federal arts funding will also help get creative professionals, including members of DPE’s affiliate unions, back to work and help economies across the country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. While creative professionals have started to get back on stage and return to sets, industry employment remains below pre-pandemic levels. Increased NEA, NEH, and CPB funding will help ensure that professionals working in the arts and public media can fully return to work. Funding the arts also generates consumer spending at restaurants, hotels, and other local businesses trying to build back from the pandemic.

Simply put, funding the NEA and NEH at $201 million and the CPB at $565 million will help creative professionals earn a living and provide Americans with access to enriching programs that lift up local economies. These funding levels are also an important step toward restoring the NEA to an inflation-adjusted full funding level of $331 million, or $1 per capita.”

About DPE

Katie Barrows 1/20/22 Katie Barrows 1/20/22

Union Membership Held Steady in 2021, Professionals Remained Committed to Workplace Organizing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2022 - The number of professionals in unions held constant in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) report on union membership. Professional union membership hovered at 6.24 million, a negligible change from 6.31 million professional union members in 2020. Professional union density was 11 percent, a slight decline from 11.3 percent in 2020.

Professionals across sectors and industries continued to organize new unions. Nonprofit employees and tech workers kept organizing waves alive in these historically nonunion spaces with wins at the ACLU, the Brookings Institution, Defenders of Wildlife, and Code for America. In industries with a history of unionization, such as higher education and healthcare, professionals also formed new unions.

“Professionals continue to value having power in their workplace to create lasting change,” said Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning. “Still, there are too many professionals who want to form unions but are unable to do so because of the challenges created by outdated U.S. labor law. The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act must be passed to help ensure all workers can exercise their rights.”

Last year was marked by union employees exercising their workplace power at levels unseen in decades. Thousands of workers, including film and production professionals, musicians, and digital journalists, went on strike or prepared to strike. From this action, workers achieved tangible workplace gains of pay increases, better benefits, and improved working conditions.

“In 2021, working people across the country were exposed to the real power that comes from joining together in union, and I hope this inspires more professionals to organize their workplaces in 2022,” said Dorning.

About DPE

Katie Barrows 12/20/21 Katie Barrows 12/20/21

DPE Applauds the Confirmation of Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson as National Endowment for the Arts Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2021 - The U.S. Senate approved Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson as chair of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement in response to Dr. Jackson’s confirmation to lead the NEA:

“I am excited to congratulate Dr. Jackson on her confirmation as chair of the NEA. Through her scholarship and tenure as a member of the National Council on the Arts, Dr. Jackson has demonstrated that she will be a champion for the arts and arts professionals. The NEA plays a pivotal role in the lives of union creative professionals. Many earn their living working on nonprofit productions and performances that receive NEA funding. Still more union creative professionals working now in the commercial parts of the arts, entertainment, and media industries established their careers through NEA-supported work in the nonprofit sector. As the arts recover from the economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, DPE looks forward to working with Dr. Jackson and the NEA to rebuild a more inclusive industry where creative professionals can get back to work in good-paying, family-supporting jobs.”

About DPE

Katie Barrows 12/9/21 Katie Barrows 12/9/21

New Report Finds Mass Wage Theft in the H-1B Visa Program, Demonstrates the Need for Reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2021 - Today, the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) released a report on an analysis of an internal document of HCL Technologies, an Indian outsourcing company and a top user of the H-1B visa program, that finds HCL workers on H-1B visas were underpaid by at least $95 million. The report also reveals that widespread underpayment of H-1B workers is part of HCL’s competitive strategy.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows an employer to hire guest workers who will be employed temporarily in “specialty occupations,” or occupations that typically require at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. The program’s wage standards are so low and the labor protections so weak that employers can and do often displace U.S. professionals with lower paid guest workers. The findings in EPI’s report provide further proof that employers use the H-1B program to cut costs by paying workers less.

“EPI’s report reinforces what we already know - the H-1B visa program is too easily misused by employers to lower wage standards for both H-1B guest workers and U.S. professionals,” said Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO President Jennifer Dorning. “HCL is just one of a number of companies that use the H-1B program to facilitate an outsourcing and offshoring business model, and EPI’s analysis offers a rare look into how this low-road approach comes at the expense of lost wages for workers. The report’s findings further demonstrate the urgent need to reform the H-1B visa program, including raising the wage requirements and updating the process for allocating visas. These administrative actions will curb abuse of the H-1B visa program, ensuring it works for U.S. professionals and the people employed on H-1B visas, not just employers.”

About DPE

The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) is a coalition of 24 unions representing over four million professional and technical union members. DPE affiliate unions represent professionals in over 300 occupations in education and healthcare; science, engineering, and technology; legal, business, and management; media, entertainment, and the arts; and public administration.

Katie Barrows 9/29/21 Katie Barrows 9/29/21

DPE Applauds the Senate Introduction of the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2021 - Today, Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) introduced the Senate version of the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA). This comes after the bill was reintroduced in the House of Representatives in July by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL). The PATPA would update the Qualified Performing Artist (QPA) deduction to correct an unintended consequence of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which caused middle class creative professionals' taxes to drastically increase by preventing the deduction of their work expenses.

Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement in response to the introduction of the PATPA in the Senate:

“The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s elimination of the ability to deduct miscellaneous deductions had a devastating impact on union creative professionals, and addressing this unintentional consequence of the 2017 tax legislation has remained a top priority for DPE and our affiliated unions in the arts, entertainment, and media industries. We commend Senators Warner and Hagerty for introducing this important legislation in the Senate, which will right this wrong.

Many middle class actors, stage managers, dancers, musicians, cinematographers, and other creative professionals spend 20 to 30 percent of their income on necessary expenses to secure and maintain employment. Losing the ability to deduct these work expenses hit many creative professionals hard and caused them financial strife even before the pandemic cut off many creators' income. The PATPA is a needed correction that will restore tax fairness and put money back in the hands of hard-working, creative professionals.

We urge Congress to pass this critical piece of bipartisan legislation and we look forward to President Biden signing the PATPA into law.”

About DPE

Katie Barrows 9/27/21 Katie Barrows 9/27/21

DPE Stands in Solidarity with IATSE Members Demanding a Fair Deal from the AMPTP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
Kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2021 - As a coalition of union professionals, we proudly stand in solidarity with our International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) kin in their push for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the major film and television production companies who employ IATSE members.

IATSE members hold essential roles behind-the-scenes of tv and film productions, and are key to their employers’ success. They deserve a fair contract that addresses basic work standards like reasonable time between shifts, meal breaks, liveable wages, and fair benefits.

We are united with IATSE!

Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) Chair of the General Board
Fedrick Ingram
American Federation of Teachers, Secretary-Treasurer

DPE President
Jennifer Dorning

DPE Treasurer
Everett Kelley
American Federation of Government Employees, National President

About DPE

Katie Barrows 8/20/21 Katie Barrows 8/20/21

DPE Congratulates Newly Elected AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
Kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2021 - Today, the AFL-CIO Executive Committee voted for Liz Shuler to fill the remainder of Richard Trumka’s AFL-CIO presidential term, and for Fred Redmond to fill the remainder of Liz Shuler’s AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer term. Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement in response to the election of Shuler and Redmond:

“DPE congratulates Liz Shuler on her election as AFL-CIO President. I am particularly proud to support Liz as she shatters the glass ceiling to become the first woman to assume the AFL-CIO presidency - a job that she has earned. For more than a decade, Liz was Rich Trumka’s partner, helping provide steady leadership of the federation. Along with her fiscal responsibilities as secretary-treasurer, Liz led the AFL-CIO’s Commission on the Future of Work and Unions and spearheaded the labor movement’s development of the next generation of America’s union activists. Working with Liz on these initiatives and others, I know that she has both the vision and strategy needed to grow a diverse, inclusive labor movement. Today’s union professionals and those organizing their unions tomorrow are going to be well served by Liz Shuler as AFL-CIO President.

DPE also congratulates Fred Redmond on his election as AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer. In his role as a longtime leader of the United Steelworkers, Fred has shown he has the experience needed for this important position. I also celebrate that Fred makes history today as the first Black secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO. Given Fred’s tireless work to improve racial equity in this country and in our labor movement, it is a fitting achievement.

I know that Liz and Fred, along with Tefere Gebre, will make for a dynamic leadership team. DPE stands ready to support them in any way possible as we get back to the work of building an economy that works for all.”

About DPE

Katie Barrows 8/5/21 Katie Barrows 8/5/21

DPE Mourns the Passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Director
P: 202-549-5991
Kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2020 - Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) President Jennifer Dorning released the following statement in response to the news of the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:

“DPE mourns the sudden loss of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. Rich dedicated his life to improving the lives of others, whether they were coal miners or computer programmers. This steadfast commitment to fighting for the dignity of everyday people on and off the job measurably improved the lives of workers in every corner of the economy. Rich also ably led the AFL-CIO, bringing America’s unions together to protect the interests of working families in the midst of generational economic challenges. Union professionals and all working people have lost a true friend and leader. My condolences are with Rich’s relatives, friends, and union family at this difficult time.”

About DPE