MUST READ
Black and Latino workers die on the job at disproportionate rates, new report shows
NBC New
By Char Adams
April 25, 2024
“The alarming disparities in workplace fatalities among workers of color are unacceptable, symptomatic of deeply ingrained racial inequity and the need to pay increased attention to the dangerous industries that treat workers as disposable,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a statement.
POLITICS
The Newcomer From the Shop Floor
The American Prospect
By Luke Goldstein
April 25, 2024
“This is my first time in Washington,” Dan Osborn told me at a rooftop cocktail event earlier this month. He said it as a statement of fact, but it’s a humblebrag for his outsider campaign for U.S. Senate in Nebraska. A union leader who organized the 2021 Kellogg strike, Osborn is a first-time candidate running as an independent, and with no Democrat in the race, he’s the sole challenger to unseat two-term Republican Deb Fischer.
The end of noncompete agreements? What the impact could be in Iowa
Des Moines Register
By Kevin Baskins
April 25, 2024
"Noncompete agreements keep workers trapped from finding better opportunities, can force workers to move to stay in their industry and can come with large penalties," said Peter Hird, secretary treasurer of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. "Nationally and locally, Democrats and Republicans have seen this as a problem and proposed legislation. This is not a partisan issue and we are thankful for the Federal Trade Commission's work on this rule."
U.S. labor secretary says UAW win at Tennessee Volkswagen plant shows southern workers back unions
AP
By Jeff Amy
April 25, 2024
Workers at auto plants in the South should be free to unionize without pressure from employers or anti-union governors, acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su said Thursday, even as some southern states pass laws to inhibit organized labor. “That choice belongs to the worker, free from intervention, either by the employer or by politicians, free from retaliation and threats,” Su told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday in Atlanta. “And what we are seeing is that workers who were thought to be too vulnerable to assert that right are doing it, and they’re doing it here in the South.” The United Auto Workers union vowed a broad campaign to organize southern auto assembly plants after winning lucrative new contracts in a confrontation with Detroit’s automakers. Last week, 73% of those voting at a Volkswagen AG plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee chose to join the UAW. It was the union’s first in a Southern assembly plant owned by a foreign automaker.
LABOR AND ECONOMY
After strike, mine workers union pushes reform proposals before Warrior Met Coal stockholders
AL.com
By William Thornton
April 25, 2024
The United Mine Workers of America, along with the AFL-CIO, presented stockholders of Warrior Met Coal Thursday with a package of proposals it says would eliminate some of the conditions that resulted in Alabama’s longest strike. Warrior Met Coal held its shareholders meeting today and voted on several measures. Results will be announced later. UMWA International President Cecil Roberts told the meeting that, if the company had been able to maintain its pre-strike, pre-COVID production levels, it would have made $1.3 billion in additional revenue. “As we meet here today, Warrior Met’s mine workers are 2,000 feet underground, performing skilled and dangerous labor, to provide for their families, their communities and the stockholders of the company,” Roberts said. “They deserve competitive wages and benefits for their hard work, and yet Warrior Met has still not reached an agreement with the mine workers.”
ORGANIZING
University of Maryland Medical Center doctors push to unionize, a first in the state
The Baltimore Banner
By Cody Boteler and Emily Sullivan
April 25, 2024
A group of doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center have petitioned to form a union that would represent just over 900 resident physicians and fellows, according to union organizers. Ari Goldstein, a member of the union’s organizing committee, said the group delivered a letter to the medical center’s management Thursday afternoon asking for recognition. Organizers said they had a brief, congenial meeting with management after delivering the letter. “We’re one of the main engines that make the hospital work, along with nurses, along with techs,” Goldstein said. “The hospital has to have us to function.” Organizers said a “super majority” of workers who would be in the union have signed cards indicating their commitment, but declined to give an exact number. The residents and fellows at UMMC have organized with the American Federation of Teachers — Maryland.
KU faculty union wins election with vast majority of vote
The Lawrence Times
By Lawrence Times
April 25, 2024
The University of Kansas faculty union has won its election. “Just minutes ago, the final vote was counted at the Labor Department in Topeka — and we’re thrilled to report that with 86% voting ‘YES,’ United Academics of KU has won an overwhelming victory!” according to a tweet from the union just before noon Thursday.
JOINING TOGETHER
Trib Live
By Bill Schackner
April 25, 2024
The union representing 3,400 University of Pittsburgh faculty has tentatively agreed with the school administration on their first labor contract — a pact running through June 30, 2026. The United Steelworkers union announced the deal late Thursday and said it included what it calls “historic language on wages and job security for both full- and part-time workers” on the main Oakland campus and four branches, including Pitt Greensburg, Johnstown, Bradford and Titusville.
Minneapolis public schools and teachers reach tentative contract agreement to avert potential strike
Star Tribune
By Tim Harlow
April 25, 2024
Minneapolis Public Schools and the union representing teachers have reached a tentative contract agreement, avoiding a strike authorization vote that had been scheduled for Thursday and Friday. However, the vote is still on for support staff in the district, who negotiate a separate contract from the teachers. The news of the agreement between the district and the teachers chapter of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers came early Thursday after a long bargaining session that started Wednesday night.
Aramark concessions workers go on second strike at Wells Fargo Center ahead of Sixers-Knicks Game 3
The Philadelphia Inquirer
By Lizzy McLellan Ravitch
April 25, 2024
As the Sixers prepare to take the court in Philadelphia for another playoff game, concessions workers at Wells Fargo Center are going on strike for the second time this month. The roughly 400 members of Unite Here Local 274 who work at the arena, employees of Aramark, called a work stoppage Thursday morning. Unlike the single-day strike on April 9, the union said this strike will continue until further notice.
WEMU
By Taylor Bowie
April 25, 2024
The University of Michigan’s Lecturers’ Union has approved a strike authorization. The authorization means that the union has the option to go on strike as bargaining with the university goes forward. The key issue the union is navigating involves the menial salary increases for lecturers on the Flint and Dearborn campuses.
Actors' Equity Association Sets Deadline for Development Agreement
Broadway World
By Chloe Rabinowitz
April 25, 2024
Actors’ Equity Association has advised The Broadway League of its intention to cease issuing contracts for work on the Development Agreement starting June 17 if meaningful progress is not made in negotiations by that date. The Development Agreement is used for the development of new works by Broadway League producers, usually prior to an intended Production Contract engagement. This season alone, shows that relied on the Development Agreement on their road to Broadway include Days of Wine and Roses, The Great Gatsby, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Harmony, The Heart of Rock and Roll, How to Dance in Ohio, Lempicka, The Notebook, Once Upon a One More Time, The Outsiders, Suffs, Water for Elephants and The Wiz. Equity and the Broadway League have been in negotiations since January 22, 2024, and the current agreement expired on February 11.
Lawrence Community Shelter board votes to ratify collective bargaining agreement with staff union
The Lawrence Times
By Mackenzie Clark
April 25, 2024
The Lawrence Community Shelter board of directors on Thursday evening voted to ratify the first collective bargaining agreement with the unionized staff. “This agreement symbolizes not only a written document, but also the strength of collective action and the belief and a brighter future for everyone involved,” said Bella Kurtz, LCS staff member and union member. Kurtz said the new contract includes pay raises starting at $20 per hour for all staff members, flexible holidays to accommodate diverse traditions, paid FMLA and parental leave, and a combined PTO rule and employer contributions to the retirement fund. The board moved into executive session to discuss the proposed collective bargaining agreement for a little more than an hour before coming back and making a motion to approve the CBA. LCS staff members announced in October that they were unionizing with CWA Local 6400. The move came right around the same time the City of Lawrence, Douglas County and the shelter announced that the shelter was moving to a system of shared governance. In December, the union announced that 21 staff members had voted unanimously to unionize. Six eligible staff members did not cast ballots.
Nurses picketing outside Danbury Hospital
NBC Connecticut
By Staff
April 25, 2024
Nurses are holding an informal picket outside of Danbury Hospital Thursday amid contract negotiations and said they are asking for support to improve working conditions in the hospital. The Danbury Nurses Union Unit 47, AFT Local 5047, which represents about 600 registered nurses at Danbury Hospital, said union leaders have tried to resolve issues that they say are making the area’s patient care crisis worse.
They are looking for the public’s support as they work to negotiate with Nuvance Health, which owns Danbury Hospital.
Deadline
By Katie Campione
April 25, 2024
The Studio Teachers (IATSE Local 884) have struck a tentative deal with the studios. Local 884 came to a preliminary agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on craft-specific issues after a final day of bargaining on Friday, Deadline confirmed. They are the 12th of IATSE’s west coast studio locals to wrap talks with the AMPTP.
El Paso nurses rally for improved conditions, patient care in HCA contract talks
KFOX14
By Drew Pittock
April 25, 2024
Nurses from Las Palmas and Del Sol Medical Centers held a rally Thursday, ahead of new union contract negotiations with national hospital chain and facility owner, HCA. National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU) organized a rally Thursday outside Las Palmas Medical Center to bring attention to patient care and working conditions at the facility, as the group begins negotiating a new union contract with hospital owner HCA, a for-profit company that operates more than 180 hospitals across the country. NNOC/NNU represents nearly 450 nurses at Las Palmas Medical Center and more than 460 nurses at Del Sol Medical Center, totaling more than 900 nurses who are employed by HCA facilities in El Paso.
IN THE STATES
More than 4 million salaried workers made eligible for overtime pay
WILX
By Riley Connell
April 24, 2024
Michigan’s worker’s rights organizations are taking the new overtime rule as a win. In a statement to News 10, the Michigan AFL-CIO, representing a number of labor unions in the state, said salaried workers clocking long hours are often exploited, adding that “strong overtime protections are at the core of what the labor movement fights for.” “The Biden administration’s action to expand overtime protections to 4 million American workers is a game changer,” said President Ron Bieber. “Especially in Michigan, where hundreds of thousands of workers will now be guaranteed compensation when they are forced to spend additional time away from their families.”
Workers Memorial to be observed in North Dakota communities (Opinion)
The Jamestown Sun
By Landis Larson
More than 50 years ago, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, promising that every worker has the right to a safe job. Working people have fought hard to make that promise a reality — winning protections that have made jobs safer and saved thousands of lives. This week of Workers Memorial, working people in communities around the state will gather to commemorate those loved ones who have died, become injured or made ill because of their job.
Lima UAW and AFL-CIO members hold a news conference speaking out against Bernie Moreno
Hometown Stations
By Casey Mulcahy
April 25, 2024
Members of the Lima UAW and AFL-CIO held a news conference on Thursday concerning candidates for Ohio's spot in the U.S. Senate this coming election. The workers called out 2024 Republican nominee Bernie Moreno and how they say he has lied about business decisions in the past and does not go to bat for auto workers.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
National Association of Letter Carriers to conduct Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive May 11
Fox55
By Kymmi Amato
April 25, 2024
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will conduct its national Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 11. The food drive is the country's largest single-day food drive. Residents are asked to leave their donations of non-perishable food items next to their mailbox before the delivery of mail on May 11. Letter carriers will collect these items as they deliver mail along their postal routes and distribute them to local sites. The donation is given to Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County's Neighborhood Food Network of 21 food pantries.
Poughkeepsie firefighters partner with artist for autism awareness
Mid Hudson News
By Staff
April 25, 2024
The City of Poughkeepsie professional firefighters of IAFF Local 596 have teamed up with an artist to raise money for an autism program at Marist College. The “Best Buddies” program at Marist is an organization that works to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities while promoting inclusion. According to the Marist Best Buddies web page, the chapter meets with “Buddies” who have special needs and live in the Poughkeepsie area.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
Workers Memorial Day: Agencies mourn, AFL-CIO releases report
Safety + Health Magazine
By Staff
April 25, 2024
“Despite workers’ hard-won safety and health rights, this report shows the fight is far from over,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a press release. “Too many workers face retaliation for reporting unsafe working conditions or injuries, while low penalties fail to deter employers from following the law.” The report also emphasizes that Latino and Black workers are dying at disproportionate rates. “Black workers are facing the highest job fatality rates in nearly 15 years and Latino workers continue to face the greatest risk of dying on the job, compared to all other workers,” the press release states. Adds AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond: “This report exposes an urgent crisis for workers of color and reaffirms what we’ve long known: When we talk about justice for workers, we must prioritize racial equity.”
Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect
The Stand
By Staff
April 25, 2024
Ahead of Workers Memorial Day on April 28, the AFL-CIO released its 33rd annual report, Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect. This annual report serves as a national and state-by-state profile of worker safety and health, offering direction to policymakers and regulatory bodies as they strive to address the scourge of working people facing death, injury and illness at work. “Despite workers’ hard-won safety and health rights, this report shows the fight is far from over,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Too many workers face retaliation for reporting unsafe working conditions or injuries, while low penalties fail to deter employers from following the law. The alarming disparities in workplace fatalities among workers of color are unacceptable, symptomatic of deeply ingrained racial inequity and the need to pay increased attention to the dangerous industries that treat workers as disposable. As we honor those who have fallen this Workers Memorial Day, we remain committed to holding corporations accountable so that all jobs are safe jobs—where every worker can return home safely at the end of the day.” “This report exposes an urgent crisis for workers of color and reaffirms what we’ve long known: When we talk about justice for workers, we must prioritize racial equity,” said AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond. “The fact that Black and Latino workers continue to die on the job at disproportionate rates demands a reckoning with the failure of employers to protect them. We must honor the lives lost on the job with action, as we recommit ourselves to advancing safety, health and equity for all workers.”