POLITICS
AFL-CIO: Speaker Mike Johnson Does Not Stand with Workers
Common Dreams
By Staff
Oct. 26, 2023
Statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on Mike Johnson becoming the new speaker of the House of Representatives: Now that Rep. Mike Johnson has been elected the new speaker of the House of Representatives, Republicans in the House are talking about a return to “the business of legislating.” Workers across the country have a simple question: Legislating for whom? If Speaker Johnson’s atrocious record is any indication, his election will mean more legislating for wealthy corporations and attacking the health, safety and well-being of America’s working people.
LABOR AND ECONOMY
The Top 9 Moments From the 2023 CAP IDEAS Conference
American Progress
By Audrey Smith and Abby Alexander
Oct. 26, 2023
As worker organizing surges nationwide, we heard directly from the front lines of the labor movement on how to achieve justice on the job. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler spoke with union leaders Buddy Maxwell of United Auto Workers, the Rev. Ryan Brown of Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (C.A.U.S.E.), and Ande Hernandez of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) on how to lead the fight for stronger workforce protections.
JOINING TOGETHER
National union leader joins health care workers at PeaceHealth on picket line
The Columbian
By Amy Libby and Chrissy Booker
Oct. 26, 2023
Hundreds of health care workers at PeaceHealth were joined on the picket lines today by a national union leader as the strike at Vancouver’s hospital entered its fourth day. The crowd at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center turned into a choir on Thursday afternoon as workers sang along to hits like Michael Jackson’s “Beat it” and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” before speakers took to the stage. Randi Weingarten, president of the 1.7 million-member American Federation of Teachers, a national union that represents teachers, federal, state and local government employees and other health care professionals, spoke at Thursday afternoon’s rally outside the hospital at 92nd Avenue and Mill Plain Boulevard in central Vancouver.
Pasadena Now
By City News Service
Oct. 26, 2023
Striking hotel workers and their supporters, numbering in the thousands, marched through downtown Los Angeles Wednesday in the union’s largest single-day labor action since rotating work stoppages began in early July. Participants in the march organized by Unite Here Local 11 gathered Wednesday morning at Pershing Square, and the crowd quickly swelled, with many people being dropped off by buses. In a statement Tuesday, union officials said the march would include workers from 50 hotels, although it was unclear exactly how many different hotels were actually impacted. The union’s Maria Hernandez said Tuesday that Unite Here workers were on strike this week at the Pasadena Hilton; the Hyatt Place Pasadena; the DoubleTree San Pedro; the Hotel Maya in Long Beach; and the Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point.
SAG-AFTRA Responds to Studios, as Some Progress Seen Toward Ending Strike
Variety
By Gene Maddaus
Oct. 26, 2023
SAG-AFTRA delivered its response Thursday to the latest proposal from the major studios, as the two sides appeared to be making progress toward ending the actors strike. The sides are expected to pick up negotiations again on Friday. Both sides are trying to avoid another breakdown in talks, and each one has a strong incentive to get to a deal.
Columbia College adjunct faculty vote to strike
The Chicago Crusader
By Illinois Federation of Teachers
Oct. 26, 2023
The nearly 600 members of the Columbia Faculty Union (CFAC, IFT/AFT/AFL-CIO Local 6602) announced today that they have overwhelmingly voted to strike. More than 81% of members voted, with 88% voting YES to strike. The faculty are expected to determine the start date of their strike later today. The vote makes it crystal clear that Columbia College’s adjunct faculty have had enough with the gross fiscal mismanagement and selfish priorities of college President Kim’s administration, which continues to put profits above the needs of students, faculty, and the institution.
KTNV
By Joe Moeller
Oct. 26, 2023
Culinary Union leaders are gearing up to meet with Caesars Entertainment for yet another round of bargaining. This will be the first bargaining session since dozens of members were detained and cited at Wednesday's rally and "civil disobedience" that shut down parts of the Strip. I was on scene at the rally, speaking to multiple union members.