POLITICS
Biden vetoes bill against joint employer rule
Restaurant Dive
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne
May 3, 2024
President Joe Biden vetoed a Congressional Review Act measure to overturn the National Labor Relations Board rule broadening joint employer liability, fulfilling a promise made in January, the White House announced Friday. The CRA measure passed the Senate in a nearly party-line vote in April, and passed the House of Representatives in a largely, but somewhat less, polarized vote in January. The veto saves the NLRB’s rule legislatively, but the regulation was vacated by a federal judge in Texas in March, though it may yet be appealed. The NLRB’s rule expands the bargaining obligations and liabilities of employers that reserve control of essential conditions of employment or exercises such control indirectly.
How changes to 'non-compete' agreements and overtime pay could affect workers
My Journal Courier
By Cathy Bussewitz and Mae Anderson
May 5, 2024
For millions of American workers, the federal government has taken two actions that could bestow potentially far-reaching benefits. In one move, the Federal Trade Commission voted to ban non-compete agreements, which bar millions of workers from leaving their employers to join a competitor or start a rival business for a specific period of time. The FTC's move, which is already being challenged in court, would mean that such employees could apply for jobs they weren't previously eligible to seek. In a second move, the Biden administration finalized a rule that will make millions more salaried workers eligible for overtime pay. The rule significantly raises the salary level that workers could earn and still qualify for overtime. On the social media site X, the AFL-CIO labor organization said the rules will "restore and extend overtime protections for hard-working Americans."
ORGANIZING
Penn grad students vote to unionize their 4,000-person workforce after two decades of attempts
The Philadelphia Inquirer
By Lizzy McLellan Ravitch
May 3, 2024
After more than two decades, graduate student workers at the University of Pennsylvania have voted to form a union. The vote was 95% in favor of the union, with 1,904 of the 3,700 eligible voters turning out, Graduate Employees Together University of Pennsylvania (GET-UP) announced Friday afternoon. They will join the United Auto Workers, which represents student workers at several other universities across the United States. It may be the largest-ever private-sector union formed in Philadelphia, according to research by leaders at the AFL-CIO Philadelphia Council.
Middle Rio Grande irrigation workers unionize
Albuquerque Journal
By John Leacock
May 3, 2024
Irrigation workers at the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District voted to form a union with AFSCME Council 18 on Tuesday, according to a news release from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in New Mexico. Council 18 is the umbrella organization for the various city, county, and state locals affiliated with AFSCME.
JOINING TOGETHER
Company responds as Vincennes workers go on strike
WTHITV
By Chris Essex
May 3, 2024
The company involved in a Vincennes strike has responded. The company involved in a Vincennes strike has responded. On Thursday, News 10's Ben Verbanic told you about a strike at Gemtron in Vincennes. The company's workers with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades went on strike Wednesday. Gemtron is a glass manufacturer. Striking employees told News 10 that recent contract negotiations turned sour.
Park City’s Ski Patrol Association continues negotiations with Vail Resorts after agreement expires
Town Lift
By Marina Knight
May 3, 2024
The Collective Bargaining Agreement between Vail Resorts and the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA) expired on April 30. The two sides began meeting at the beginning of April to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement, according to the Park City association. “Meetings have been productive, with positive back and forth discussions between the sides and the exchange of multiple proposals and counterproposals. Despite progress made over the past month, significant work remains before an agreement is reached,” PCPSPA said in a statement.
Deadline
By Katie Campione
May 3, 2024
One week down, many to go. IATSE was rejoined at the negotiating table this week by Teamsters Local 399 and the rest of the Hollywood Basic Crafts to continue bargaining with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on collective benefit plans. This is the first time that the below-the-line unions have been at the table together since March, when they kicked off talks by linking arms to propose provisions to the shared Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans.
Vail Resorts and ski patrol union negotiate collective bargaining agreement as old contract expires
Park Record
By Park Record Staff
May 3, 2024
The collective bargaining agreement between Vail Resorts and the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA) expired at 11:59 p.m. on April 30, according to a press release from the Ski Patrol side of negotiations. The two sides began meeting at the beginning of April to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement. Meetings have been productive, the PCPSPA release said, with positive back-and-forth discussions between the sides and the exchange of multiple proposals and counterproposals. Despite progress made over the past month, significant work remains before an agreement is reached.
Lock out looms as Boeing firefighters fight for pay
ABC News
By Beatrice Peterson
May 3, 2024
Boeing's firefighters are set to go on a lock out Saturday after Boeing and the firefighter's union failed to come to an agreement after two-and-a-half months of negotiations, primarily over pay. The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local I-66 Union consists of 125 members in Washington state who work for Boeing and are tasked with responding to any incidents that happen on the Boeing campus.
Union, Case reach contract agreement, averting strike at Fargo manufacturing plant
KVRR
By Jim Monk
May 4, 2024
There will not be a strike by union workers at the Case New Holland plant in Fargo. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 2525 has ratified a new contract with the company. The contract was ratified Saturday morning. The previous six-year contract expired on April 28, but the union and company agreed to extend the contract and continue negotiations.
UAW workers ratify US labor deal with Daimler Truck
Investing.com
By David Shepardson
May 4, 2024
Members of the United Auto Workers on Saturday ratified a new labor contract with Daimler (OTC:MBGAF) Truck that includes at least a 25% general wage increase over the four-year deal. The vote was 94.5% in favor of the new contract, which covers more than 7,300 hourly UAW workers after a tentative agreement was reached in late April, averting a strike at the 11th hour. The contract covers hourly workers at six facilities in southern states where unionization has traditionally been low, including four factories in North Carolina and parts warehouses in Georgia and Tennessee.
STATE LEGISLATION
NJ hospitals opt for profits over patients and nurses. The Legislature must act (Opinion)
NorthJersey.com
By Charles Wowkanech
May 4, 2024
Let’s face it, our health care system is unaffordable for the vast majority of middle class and low-income residents. From outrageous surprise billing for hospital patients, to obscene annual double digit health insurance premium cost increases for both employers and employees, to prescription drug costs that leave us shaking our heads in disbelief at the checkout line, it seems that anytime we need access to our health care system, some health care company has their hand in your wallet taking more and more of your money.
IN THE STATES
NC has long been hostile to unions, but labor may be on the rise (Opinion)
The News & Observer
By Ned Barnett
May 3, 2024
“Working people are standing up and saying, ‘No more,’” MaryBe McMillan, president of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO, said in a Reuters report on a workers rally. ”No more moving companies South to bust unions and pay workers pennies. It is a new day here in the South.”
Mass. teachers union elects person of color as president for the first time
Boston Globe
By Laura Crimaldi
May 4, 2024
The American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts elected Jessica Tang as president in an unanimous vote Saturday, making her the first person of color to lead the union representing 25,000 educators and other workers. Tang, who is Chinese American, was the only candidate nominated for the position, a spokesperson for the organization said. Members elected her during a floor vote at the union’s annual statewide convention in Dorchester.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Stamping Out Hunger: National Association of Letter Carriers announces massive food drive
News 4 San Antonio
By SBG San Antonio Staff Reports
May 4, 2024
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has celebrated its 32nd “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive with the largest single-day food drive in the country. On Saturday, the NALC Alamo Branch 421 asked residents and businesses to donate one pound of non-perishable food per household member to support families in need. NALC hopes to collect at least 500,000 pounds of food on this year’s drive.
LABOR AND ENTERTAINMENT
Actors Equity and City of Los Angeles Celebrate Theo Bikel's 100th Birthday
Broadway World
By Stephi Wild
May 3, 2024
In addition, Actors Equity, the union of all stage actors in the country, has announced they will host a celebration of Bikel’s life early this fall, on Sept 23rd. "“Bikel’s leadership of Actors’ Equity Association and in the broader labor movement made significant progress that continues to benefit workers in the entertainment industry and beyond.”” says David Levy (Director of Communications for Actor’s Equity).
LABOR HISTORY
Overlooked No More: Min Matheson, Labor Leader Who Faced Down Mobsters
The New York Times
By Steven Greenhouse
May 3, 2024
It was in northeastern Pennsylvania that Min Matheson earned her reputation for fearlessness. Over her 20 years as director of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union there, she repeatedly faced down mobsters in her fight for fair wages and safe conditions for women workers. In one incident, she confronted several menacing “tough guys,” as she called them, in Pittston, Pa., where she was marching on a picket line alongside other women. Five foot two and with considerable charisma, Matheson had huge success as a union organizer beginning in the mid-1940s, when she became head of the I.L.G.W.U.’s northeastern Pennsylvania region. At the time, many apparel producers were moving their operations there from New York’s garment district, where wages had risen. The anthracite coal industry that had fueled the region’s economy was in decline, and organized crime played a major role in running the apparel industry, even owning many factories. With men losing their jobs in the mines, the factories offered their wives employment and opportunities to support their families.