POLITICS
Service workers brace for no income or backpay if government shuts down
The Washington Post
By Derek Hawkins
Nov. 13, 2023
“There are a lot of long-term problems that are compounding, one after another, that our members are not able to dig out of,” said Marlene Patrick-Cooper, president of UNITE HERE, the union that represents Capitol Hill hospitality workers. “Any small amount of missed wages can lead to further crisis.”
New federal rule could allow millions of workers to more easily unionize at big companies
PBS
By Dee-Ann Durbin
Nov. 13, 2023
A new federal rule that goes into effect next month could make it easier for millions of workers to form unions at big companies like McDonald’s. But it’s already facing significant pushback from businesses and some members of Congress. The rule — announced late last month by the National Labor Relations Board — sets new standards for determining when two companies should be considered “joint employers” under the National Labor Relations Act.
JOINING TOGETHER
Nurses picket at Fremont hospital over patient safety, benefits changes
NBC Bay Area
By Bob Redell
Nov. 13, 2023
Nurses are accusing a Bay Area hospital of jeopardizing the safety of their patients. Registered nurses at Washington Hospital in Fremont will hold an informational picket on Monday to protest unsafe and disrespectful proposals from management during contract negotiations. There are more than 800 nurses at Washington Hospital currently in contract negotiations. The nurses, who are members of California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU), are especially concerned about a proposal by management related to "floating," which is the redirection of staff nurses from their assigned units to short-staffed units. The hospital’s proposal would force nurses to work in units that have different competencies and equipment without adequate training, risking patient safety, the union says.
SAG-AFTRA to begin voting Tuesday on tentative deal with studios
CBS Los Angeles
BY KCAL-News staff
Nov. 20, 2023
Members of SAG-AFTRA will begin voting Tuesday on the union's tentative three-year contract with Hollywood studios that ended the 118-day actors' strike. The union's national board of directors approved the agreement on an 86% to 14% vote Friday, and is encouraging members to vote "yes." Voting by an estimated 160,000 members is expected to continue through the first week of December. The tentative deal was announced Wednesday, and the union's walkout officially ended at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
IN THE STATES
Organization renews push to end subminimum wage ahead of legislative session
WMAR
By Jeff Morgan
Nov. 13, 2023
"The time for workers is right now. I mean we're seeing that in response to the pandemic. Workers who know their worth and want to be recognized for that worth. I mean the subminimum wage is just deplorable. The word subminimum should let you know that," said Courtney Jenkins AFL-CIO metro president.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
United Way Community Campaign underway
Labor Tribune
By Tim Rowden
Nov. 13, 2023
The United Way’s annual fundraising campaign is underway and Sonja Gholston-Byrd, vice president of Labor Engagement, is encouraging area unions and members to donate to continue helping our own. With the recently ended United Auto Workers strike and layoffs at U.S. Steel’s Granite City steelworks, the need for United Way assistance has been great this year and is expected to continue, even as some members go back to work. “When people get back on their jobs they still have bills coming in and they still have financial needs,” Gholston-Byrd said. “We need to reach our goals so we’ll be readily available.”
Local steel workers giving away coats for kids
13 ABC
By Jake Pietrasz
Nov. 13, 2023
The Coats for Kids giveaway will take place on Nov. 18 at the USW Local 1-346 Union Hall located at 2910 Consaul St. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and will run for as long as there are items to pass out. The WOS committee will be giving away coats of all sizes for kids of all ages as well as pairs of gloves and hats. “Our goal for the ‘Coats for Kids’ is to ensure that no child in our area goes without a coat during the winter season,” said USW Local 1-346 Women of Steel.