MUST READ
SAG-AFTRA committee approves deal with studios to end historic strike
Los Angeles Times
By Meg James, Wendy Lee and Christi Carras
Nov. 8, 2023
SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee has approved a tentative deal with the major studios that would end a nearly four-month-long strike that has sidelined thousands of workers and hobbled much of Los Angeles’ signature entertainment industry. The unanimous vote came Wednesday after a tense week. SAG-AFTRA leaders worked feverishly for days to improve terms of the proposed labor contract offered by the media companies, which bargain through the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The union said the 118-day strike would officially end at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
Las Vegas Unions and Caesars Reach Tentative Agreement as Strike Looms
The New York Times
By Kurtis Lee
Nov. 8, 2023
Unions representing hospitality workers in Las Vegas reached a tentative agreement on Wednesday with one of the city’s three major resort operators, two days before a strike deadline that loomed just as tourists arrive for a major sporting event. Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, which are affiliates of UNITE HERE, announced the tentative agreement on a five-year contract with Caesars Entertainment. Negotiations with MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts are continuing.
JOINING TOGETHER
Caesars reaches deal with Las Vegas union to avoid strike
CNBC
By Contessa Brewer
Nov. 8, 2023
A strike is off the table for nearly 10,000 Caesars Entertainment
union workers on the Las Vegas strip. The Culinary Union said it took 20 straight hours of negotiations to produce a tentative deal for a new five-year contract, two days before a deadline for a walkout.
Hollywood actors, studios reach deal to end strike
KTLA
By Travis Schlepp
Nov. 8, 2023
The union representing thousands of film and television actors has agreed in principle to a deal with the motion picture studios, signaling the coming end of a four-month strike that brought the industry to a standstill. According to an email sent to members Wednesday evening, the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee approved a tentative deal with the major film studios. The three-year contract agreement must be approved by votes from the union’s board and its members in the coming days, but the leadership declared the strike will end at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, bringing an end to the high-profile work stoppage.
Yamhill County, employees reach agreement
Yamhill News-Register
By Paul Daquilante
Nov. 8, 2023
Yamhill County and the Yamhill County Employee Association reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract late on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 7. The two sides continued to mediate earlier in the day, and the Board of Commissioners held an executive session Tuesday afternoon to discuss labor negotiations. County Administrator/Budget Officer Ken Huffer confirmed the two sides had come to the agreement, but added the contract must still be ratified by AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) Local 1422 and the commissioners.
Canton Symphony Orchestra musicians vote to authorize strike
Ideastream Public Media
By Kabir Bhatia
Nov. 8, 2023
Musicians with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, still reeling from the loss of their longtime maestro, have voted to authorize a strike. The union representing more than 70 players in Canton is still negotiating with the orchestra through a federal mediator. The musicians’ posted this statement below on social media: The Musicians of the Canton Symphony Orchestra (Canton, OH), members of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 111 have overwhelmingly authorized a strike. The authorization allows the Union to declare a strike should it deem necessary, although the musicians’ Orchestra Committee will continue to negotiate with the Canton Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA), using the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
Las Vegas hotel workers union reaches tentative deal with Caesars, but threat of strike still looms
ABC News
By Rio Yamat
Nov. 8, 2023
The labor union representing tens of thousands of Las Vegas hospitality workers announced Wednesday that it has reached a tentative deal with casino giant Caesars Entertainment, a major breakthrough that could help avert an unprecedented strike at more than a dozen hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. The announcement came after months of tense negotiations and just days before the Culinary Workers Union's deadline for a strike. The union said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the agreement toward a five-year contract for about 10,000 workers came after 20 straight hours of negotiations.
STRIKE OVER: Actors Make a Deal With Studios After 118 Days
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
Nov. 8, 2023
After a grueling 118 days on strike, SAG-AFTRA has officially reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract with studios, a move that is heralding the end of the 2023 actors strike. The SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Committee approved the agreement in a unanimous vote on Wednesday, SAG-AFTRA announced. The strike will end at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. On Friday, the deal will go to the union’s national board for approval.
Alameda County food bank workers vote to unionize
The Oakland Side
By Holly McDede
Nov. 8, 2023
Workers at the Alameda County Community Food Bank voted to unionize on Tuesday, with a majority agreeing to join the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 29. Sixty-nine employees participated according to the food bank, with over 80% voting in favor, according to both the union and the food bank. Workers across a range of positions, from warehouse associates to program coordinators, are hoping that unionizing will improve equity as well as increase pay and solidarity among staff.
SAG-AFTRA actors’ union reaches tentative labor agreement with Hollywood studios
CNBC
By Sarah Whitten
Nov. 8, 2023
Hollywood’s actors and studios have a preliminary labor agreement. “In a unanimous vote this afternoon, the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Committee approved a tentative agreement with the AMPTP bringing an end to the 118-day strike,” the actors guild said in a statement, adding that the strike will officially end at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. The tentative deal will go to the union’s national board Friday for “review and consideration,” the statement said, and added that further details will be released following the meeting.
IN THE STATES
Massachusetts AFL-CIO's first woman president takes the helm
WBUR
By Rupa Shenoy and Laney Ruckstuhl
Nov. 8, 2023
Massachusetts' largest federation of unions has a new president. Chrissy Lynch takes the helm of the state AFL-CIO during a big moment for labor. She's also the first woman to head the organization. Lynch joined WBUR's Morning Edition host Rupa Shenoy to talk more about this.
AFT president visits Yonkers schools to encourage careers in education
News 12 WestChester
By Katerina Belales
Nov. 8, 2023
High school students at Saunders Trades and Technical High School in Yonkers had a notable visitor early this morning. American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten, paid a visit to commend the school's pathway programs. Weingarten was joined by Yonkers Teachers Union president Samantha Rosada-Ciriello and Yonkers Superintendent Dr. Luis Rodriguez for a tour of the school, providing a hands-on experience of the programs that equip students for future careers. This tour is part of the AFT's yearlong, $5 million "Real Solutions for Kids and Communities" campaign dedicated to supporting the programs essential for children's recovery and growth.