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Thousands picket in Las Vegas as negotiations continue between Culinary Union, resorts
8 News Now
By Victoria Saha
Oct. 12, 2023
Thousands of Culinary Union workers picketed on the Las Vegas Strip Thursday as contract negotiations continue with some of the entertainment capital of the world’s largest resorts. Union members say they are concerned about receiving fewer hours, resulting in less pay. Jose Mesa Torres, a union member, told reporters he believes resort operators “need to share” their profits. “We built this city, and we deserve to thrive in this city,” Bethany Khan, a spokesperson for the Culinary Union, said. “A good contract would enable that.”
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Labor groups rally at Bangor dealerships to support striking auto workers
WABI
By Grace Bradley
Oct. 12, 2023
Labor groups came out to local car dealerships in solidarity with The United Auto Workers (UAW) who are currently on strike across the country. Activists distributed leaflets and letters to passersby and the dealerships to educate the public and share the striking workers’ message. “Workers at the United Auto Workers, who build cars and make parts and are in production at the three major auto plants for GM, Ford, and Stellantis, have been on strike for at least since mid-September,” explains Legislative & Political Director of Maine AFL-CIO Adam Goode. “Companies that they work for made $250 billion in the last 10 years. They want to make sure that when there’s record profits, that there’s record contracts, that the workers are getting a slice of that profit pie that the companies have been getting in the last 10 years.”
Actors Union Negotiations With Studios Break Down
LAist
By Robert Garrova
Oct. 12, 2023
In an update to members after midnight on Thursday, SAG-AFTRA negotiators said they were profoundly disappointed to announce that talks had broken down after several days of negotiating with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The performers and studios are still locking horns over wage increases, protections around the use of artificial intelligence and digital replicas, among other provisions.
Hormel meatpackers approve new contract, ending months of negotiations
Star Tribune
By Trey Mewes
Oct. 12, 2023
A week after its union struck a deal with Hormel Foods Corp., meatpackers at the Fortune 500 company have approved the agreement. Union officials announced the vote late Wednesday, calling the new contract "historic" and highlighting $3-$6 an hour wage increases for workers at plants in Austin, Minn., as well as Wisconsin, Iowa and Georgia. "They deserve it," United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 President Rena Wong said Thursday. "They've been working so hard, not just these last few years of the pandemic but for so long. It's really satisfying that that work is being recognized."
UAW union at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant joins national auto strike. Here's what to know
Courier Journal
By Olivia Evans
Oct. 12, 2023
It's been nearly a month since the UAW called a strike against the Detroit Three automakers — Ford Motor Co., General Motors, and Stellantis, formerly Chrysler Fiat brands — after failing to reach a new agreement before the current collective bargaining contract expired at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14. Since then, UAW, the union representing roughly 150,000 autoworkers nationally, has called more than 30,000 of its workers out on strike all across the country. On Wednesday, workers in Louisville were called to join the strike in a surprise hit at one of Ford's most profitable plants.
Detroit casino workers prep for possible strike as contract expiration nears
The Detroit News
By Candice Williams
Oct. 12, 2023
Dozens of Detroit’s casino workers prepared picket signs and wore union shirts Thursday afternoon as they called for higher wages and to maintain their health care benefits amid negotiations with the city's three gaming houses to replace contracts that expire next week. “The casinos used to be the best job in the hospitality industry and we are continuing to fight to make sure that that is the case,” said Nia Winston, president of UNITE HERE Local 24, during a press conference Thursday at the Michigan Conference of Teamsters Welfare Fund building. “And I just cannot imagine that we are here today just asking for the basic demands from these employers who we helped keep afloat for two and a half decades.”
'One job should be enough': MIA catering workers march for higher wages
WLRN
By Julia Cooper
Oct. 12, 2023
Dozens of workers who prepare in−flight food and beverages for airlines at Miami International Airport this week marched for higher wages, saying they can’t afford to live in South Florida anymore. Wednesday’s march was organized by UNITE HERE Local 355, a union representing nearly 7,000 employees who work at airports, hotels, casinos, stadiums and arenas in the region.
Workers at Alameda County Community Food Bank move to unionize
CBS Bay Area
By Kenny Choi
Oct. 12, 2023
Workers at one of the largest food banks in the Bay Area are seeking to unionize. The workers were hoping that management at Alameda County Community Food Bank would voluntarily recognize the union, but even with this setback, they are still optimistic about the process. Workers will get to the collective bargaining table and be represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 29. The unionization could happen within the next month, pending the official vote.
Moline approves new contract with AFSCME, includes paid parental leave
Quad-City Times
By Grace Kinnicutt
Oct. 12, 2023
Moline officials approved a three-year contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1132. Council members approved the new agreement during a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 10. The new agreement is in effect through Dec. 31, 2025.