MUST READ
VP Harris meets with leaders on AI and civil rights concerns
The Grio
By Gerren Keith Gaynor
July 13, 2023
“The public sector has been a pathway for disproportionately Black workers to access the middle class, and AI is being talked about right now as a way to make government, quote, more efficient,” said Shuler. “That would have a huge impact on the public sector and a disproportionate impact on workers of color.”
JOINING TOGETHER
Hollywood actors poised to strike after SAG-AFTRA contract expires with no deal
Los Angeles Times
By Anousha Sakoui
July 13, 2023
SAG-AFTRA leaders said early Thursday that the guild’s negotiating committee had voted unanimously to recommend to the union’s national board of directors that they formally approve a strike action, which could begin as early as Friday with pickets likely to take place in Los Angeles, New York and other cities. “SAG-AFTRA negotiated in good faith and was eager to reach a deal that sufficiently addressed performer needs, but the AMPTP’s responses to the union’s most important proposals have been insulting and disrespectful of our massive contributions to this industry,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher in a statement. “The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us.”
Actors set to strike after talks with major studios and streaming services fail
CNN
By Chris Isidore
July 13, 2023
A union representing about 160,000 Hollywood actors is poised to go on strike after talks with major studios and streaming services have failed. It will be the first time its members have stopped work on movie and television productions since 1980, after a final day of negotiations on Wednesday did not produce an agreement. Fran Drescher, president of SAG-AFTRA, the union, said in a statement the studio management’s offers were “insulting and disrespectful.”
On Strike: Orange County Hotel Workers Picket For Better Pay
Voice of OC
By Erika Taylor
July 13, 2023
Their chants could be heard echoing throughout Anaheim’s Hotel Way as they pushed for pay increases: “¡Sí, se puede!” “You know what’s disgusting? Union busting.” Hotel workers in Anaheim – home to the Disneyland resort that helps fuel the city’s economy – picketed outside the Hilton and Sheraton Park Hotels this week, demanding better pay and benefits to help afford the rent. Employees also picketed in Irvine and Los Angeles on Tuesday. This week’s walk out was part of the second round of rolling strikes in Southern California that kicked off just before July 4 following stalled contract negotiations between hoteliers and Unite Here Local 11, the union representing workers.
Union workers at 4 metro area Half Price Books stores go on strike
KSTP
By KSTP
July 13, 2023
Unionized workers at four Twin Cities metro-area Half Price Book stores have gone on strike, causing the stores to temporarily close. Thursday, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Locals 1189 and 663 launched their strike, saying the company failed to approach negotiations with enough respect. The strike affects the locations in St. Paul, Blaine, Roseville and St. Louis Park.
San Jose city workers say they're ready to strike if necessary
CBS Bay Area
By CBS San Francisco
July 13, 2023
Frustration and uncertainty loom among the more than 4,000 City Employees who are prepared to go on strike if their unions fail to reach a contract agreement. "They're unaware that they have a city who cares about filling our vacancies to the point that public services can get delivered again," explained John Tucker, a representative of MEF-AFSCME Local 101.
IATSE Votes to Ratify Touring Agreement, Securing Improvements for Crews
Broadway World
By Stephi Wild
July 13, 2023
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) has announced that they have voted to the ratify the Bus & Truck Touring Agreement, with 86% of votes cast in favor.The ratified agreement includes crucial improvements such as single occupancy housing, a critical change from previous terms requiring touring crew members to share rooms. The agreement also includes additional compensation for moving shows between cities more than twice per week and for load-ins on the same day as a matinee performance.
Actors union going on strike after contract negotiations fail
CBS News Boston
By Brandon Truitt
July 13, 2023
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors on TV and in movies, voted to go on strike Thursday after failing to come to a deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). This means for the first time since the 1960's, both writers and actors unions will be on strike at the same time.
NLRB
OPEIU: Federal Labor Board finds TruStage violated labor law
Wis Politics
By Staff
July 13, 2023
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has determined that TruStage, formerly CUNA Mutual Group, has violated federal labor law on at least two counts. The NLRB notified both TruStage and the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 39, the Union representing more than 450 workers at TruStage, of their findings on Wednesday, July 12th. The NLRB found merit in OPEIU 39’s Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges that TruStage unlawfully withheld information it was required to provide the Union in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. Chief Steward Joe Evica noted in a message to union members, “The Employer purposefully obstructed and violated our contract, before and during contract negotiations, and have done so knowing that they violated the law.”
IN THE STATES
Mills signs bill curbing employer intimidation during union drives
Maine Beacon
By Dan Neumann
July 13, 2023
Gov. Janet Mills signed legislation on Tuesday that will bar employers from retaliating against workers who refuse to attend anti-union meetings. “This simple bill will make the workplace less intimidating for workers who are joining together and forming unions,” Maine AFL-CIO executive director Matt Schlobohm said in a statement after the signing. “These mandatory meetings are held by the employer during work hours to pressure employees against forming a union, interrogate workers, sew division and disseminate anti-union materials designed to mislead and intimidate workers. These captive audience meetings are often conducted by high-priced union avoidance firms.”