April 20, 2026

Union Now Is America's New Strike Fund

Source: American Prospect

The new nonprofit will put money directly into the hands of workers so they can fight harder and win bigger.

by Whitney Curry Wimbish April 20, 2026

NEW YORK – The American labor movement will soon have something it’s never had before: a centralized strike fund.

Union Now, the new nonprofit and brainchild of Association of Flight Attendants-CWA International President Sara Nelson, began officially fundraising at a kickoff rally on Sunday, April 12th, in Manhattan. National leaders of the Democratic left were there in support; both Bernie Sanders and Zohran Mamdani made rousing speeches, which suggests that the supporters Union Now hopes to enlist will go beyond those who are already union activists.

More from Whitney Curry Wimbish

The Union Now fund will be a centralized, national clearinghouse to get money directly into the hands of workers, Nelson told the Prospect. Too often, workers want to organize but can’t because of money. Some are working two jobs so don’t have the time; some get fired illegally for attempting to organize. Funds from Union Now will supplement the incomes of those still employed so they can spend time organizing rather than on that second job, Nelson said, and financially support those who have been illegally fired while they contest the dismissal or get a new job. Grant applications will be available following the inaugural fundraising; Union Now is deciding how it will approve grants and is considering using a workers’ council to do so.

The nonprofit is keeping its overhead as low as possible, Nelson said, and will assess the level of funds raised over the next four to six weeks. The plan is to then send the money to workers fighting to organize and win contracts.


Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) waves to attendees at the Union Now rally held at Terminal 5 in New York City, April 12, 2026. Credit: Neil Constantine/NurPhoto via AP

Read more: https://prospect.org/2026/04/20/union-now-americas-new-strike-fund/

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Donate to the fund here at ActBlue: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/unionnow



To contribute by check, wire/ACH, or stocks visit https://www.unionnow.org/more-ways-to-give

April 4, 2026

ATTENTION Terms of Service...The DU has added an exception to the Support Democrats rule

Inside politics is not pretty. There are still smoke filled rooms making plans within plans.

For the Nebraska Primary Tuesday May 11, we have a DU link for Cindy Burbank for US Senate. Cindy is a Democrat running against a Republican in a Democratic suit, William J Forbes. William supports Trump, and is anti-abortion etc. It is imperative that Cindy wins the Primary. You can donate to Cindy here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4burbank26

There is a Independent in this Senate race, Dan Osborn. He won't appear on the Primary ballot. He will be on the November ballot by petition. He is polling very well against Senator Ricketts. Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb has publicly stated, "We are supporting Dan Osborn". Dan has been endorsed by many prominent Democrats. Because of that, we have an ActBlue link for Osborn here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/duforosborn26

Dan is not a spoiler candidate. He came within 7 points of upsetting Senator Fischer in 24, in bright red Nebraska. That was one of the closest Senate races in the country. The Nebraska Democratic Party endorsed Dan Osborn for the 2024 Senate race. The goal is to prevent Ricketts from winning. Dan's victory would mean one fewer Trump-supporting Republican in the Senate. Latest polling on Dan: https://www.osbornforsenate.com/impactpoll

I'd say more about Dan and the plans within plans, but I can't until AFTER Dan is officially on the ballot this summer. It is no secret Republicans are going to try to remove Dan from the ballot through the courts.

The DU has added an exception to the Support Democrats rule allowing us to support Dan.

Your DU ActBlue team

Political

Support Democrats
Do not post support for Republicans or independent/third-party "spoiler" candidates. Do not state that you are not going to vote, or that you will write-in a candidate that is not on the ballot, or that you intend to vote for any candidate other than the official Democratic nominee in any general election where a Democrat is on the ballot. Do not post anything that smears Democrats generally, or that is intended to dissuade people from supporting the Democratic Party or its candidates. Don't argue there is no difference between Republicans and Democrats.

Why we have this rule: Democratic Underground is an online community for politically liberal people who understand the importance of working together to elect more Democrats and fewer Republicans to all levels of American government, and as such we expect our members to support and vote for Democrats at election time. Rare exceptions are granted at the sole discretion of the DU Administrators. (Current exceptions: Dan Osborn for U.S. Senate, Nebraska)

March 31, 2026

Meet the NEW DU ActBlue team members

Over the weekend I posted that I'm at the point that I need help with our ActBlue donation links.

scipan and berniesandersmittens answered the call. And we hit the ground running. We have already made great strides. Our first link will be going up later today. Please welcome the new team members with a nice comment.

OS

October 14, 2025

Living with my dementia

Most of you know I have a dementia (FTD) problem. I was diagnosed in 2014. Life expectancy was 10 years. So I'm doing pretty good. I believe the Trazodone is helping by slowing the advance of the disease. There is research to back this up.

This morning, after I let the dogs out, I started my morning routine. First thing, I started on the local paper, the Omaha World Herald. I didn't have any coffee yet. I don't have coffee until Marta comes downstairs. I saw the story about Dan Osborn. I rushed to post it in LBN. Problem was it was an opinion page. In my morning fog, I missed that.

Once I realized what I had done, I self deleted the LBN post. I have reposted it here in GD: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220719369

With my dementia, I'm going to make a mistake or two from time to time. Just remember, I don't do these things on purpose. Thanks for understanding.

OS

August 5, 2025

I was at Rep. Floods town hall yesterday, my photo made the Lincoln paper (Dial up warning) UPDATED

Here I am in my JFK shirt. The guy next to me is a rabid Republican.



FULL photo spread: http://archive.today/zgqjP

Original pay link: https://journalstar.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/collection_5cfdbd91-e885-446e-b61c-334484a1f551.html#1


Written story: http://archive.today/4Fy7A

Original pay link:https://journalstar.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_471f8bcd-6046-4bb4-9da8-6e9d4804e5b6.html

UPDATE!
By request, here is the shirt I'm wearing:

Get it here: https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/50709176-jfk-for-president-1960-vintage-john-f-kennedy

April 5, 2025

Thousands upon thousands protest in Omaha a few PIX and more

The event lasted 2 hours. We had a wonderful time. Omaha World Herald photos at the bottom. There had to be 5,000 to 6,000 people gathered to protest Trump!

OS

My neighbor Carl and I. I'm in the gray jacket with a Biden hat.
https://mightytext.net/zaePVr




One side of the highway
https://mightytext.net/zOu7P2



The other side
https://mightytext.net/zdbS9m



The bridge over the highway
https://mightytext.net/zJfoji



A small part of the crowd
https://mightytext.net/z0q9Cv



As we were leaving
https://mightytext.net/z5GjZ1



Photos: Protestors gather in Omaha for nationwide movement against Trump administration

Megan Nielsen Apr 5, 2025 Updated 10 mins ago

Protestors gather as part of a nationwide movement to voice discontent with President Trump's administration at Memorial Park in Omaha on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Organizers of the Omaha protest are calling on Trump and Elon Musk to take their hands off the programs that middle class and working families rely on and asking elected officials to take a stand. Over 1,000 protests were planned across the country Saturday.

Several more OWH photos here: http://archive.today/x7l0U

Original OWH link: https://omaha.com/news/local/collection_848764e1-c940-44dc-934a-9b0d48c4f187.html#9

July 20, 2024

I just found out that.......

I've been nominated for a NATIONAL labor award in recognition of a lifetime of service to the labor cause! Our Omaha Steve's Labor Group is a part of it: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1117

You will know the results as soon as I do.

Edit: Winners announced on Labor Day!

OS

July 2, 2024

Congratulations DU we have now raised over $ 2.9 million for Democratic candidates on ActBlue

The first candidate we raised $ for was Bernie 8 years ago. It was $77,149 raised from 2,108 contributions. We got a thank-you letter from Bernie.

Look how far we have come.

My DU stats header below.

June 28, 2024

$ 2.7 million

That is how much the DU has raised for the Biden/Harris team over two election cycles. Last night alone was $25,937.00. 144 donors seemed to think Joe won.

Edit to add a donation link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4biden

I was at a watch party with about 100 other people in a standing room only crowd. In the post debate discussions I heard, everyone thought Joe WON! I certainly do.

Last night was not a knock-out punch. Joe might have seemed off his game compared to the State of the Union address. It seems a cold was partly to blame. Last night was not the end of Joe. The choice is not the lessor of two evils. It is a choice between good and evil.

I'm the host of the labor forum. I have not heard of any wavering in labor's support of Joe. That support is door knockers, money, phone calls, and sweat.

I am solidly in Joe's corner. He has earned another four years in office.

In solidarity,

OS

May 24, 2024

HERE IT IS... my post #100,000

WOW. I hit the milestone. It took me almost 20 years to get to this point.

From mistakes I made I have lost a few DU friends. Saying I'm sorry probably won't reestablish friendship with those many DUers. I am sorry for the mistakes I've made. There have been too many to list.

High points for me on the DU include sharing my diagnosis for dementia several years ago. I'm still going strong. Having the Labor Group named after me. Raising $2.4 million for Biden/Harris 4 years ago. Lots of nature pictures I used to post. Being a long time host. Meeting Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and talking about the DU. You get the idea. Feel free to add to this list.

I doubt I'll have another 20 years on the DU. That doesn't mean I won't try.

In solidarity,

OS