AFL-CIO Press Clips: June 8, 2022
JOINING TOGETHER
California nurses plan for potential 2nd strike of 2022
Becker's Hospital Review
By Kelly Gooch
June 7, 2022
Nurses at AHMC Seton Medical Center in Daly City, Calif., have voted to authorize their bargaining committee to call a strike, according to the union that represents them. The California Nurses Association represents 300 nurses at Seton. Its members are prepared to strike for a second time this year unless the hospital addresses what the union describes as critical and persistent patient care issues and the closure of vital services, according to a June 6 news release. The nurses went on strike in March. "The last thing we want to do is strike. We love our patients, our hospital and our community, but AHMC has failed all of us and we need to call attention to these critical concerns before it is too late," Michelle Kubota, a registered nurse at Seton, said in the release.
Bargaining rally held for union workers in Bristol
WCYB
By WCYB Staff
June 7, 2022
A bargaining rally was held Tuesday for union workers looking for a fair contract with AT&T. The Communication Workers of America Local 2204 has been in contract with AT&T Mobility trying to bargain for a fair contract. They represent the Lebanon call center and the retail store in Bristol. Dozens of workers were out in an informational picket for several hours.
Firefighters union protests department, demands change
KCTV5
By Greg Payne
June 7, 2022
A local Kansas City, Kansas, firefighters union is speaking out against the city’s department and demanding change. Firefighters and union officials were outside the KCK Fire Department’s headquarters, protesting what they believe are issues within the department. The protest had few to no words, but the message was just as strong. The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 64 union is tired of an administration they say has, in the past, demonstrated a disregard for what in the best interest of both the public and their firefighters. “We would like to see, one, the working conditions within the fire department improve with the greatest concern for the firefighters’ safety and the public’s safety,” said J.J. Simma, President of IAFF Local 64.
TV and movie music supervisors are looking to unionize
WLRN
By Andrew Limbong
June 7, 2022
For an example of what a music supervisor can achieve, just look at the moment Kate Bush is having right now. After her song "Running Up That Hill" was played on the most recent season of the Netflix hit Stranger Things, the song found new life on the charts, and has elicited a rare response from Bush herself. None of that could have happened without a music supervisor (Nora Felder, in this case). Now music supervisors are looking to unionize with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, or IATSE. According to IATSE, 75% of film and television music supervisors have signed authorization cards to join the union. The union says music supervisors want to standardize pay rates in order to tackle discrimination and disparities; gain access to healthcare and retirement plans; and negotiate with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which has not voluntarily recognized the union.
UAW flexes muscle with strike pay hike ahead of Detroit Three talks next year
The Detroit News
By Breana Noble
June 7, 2022
The United Auto Workers on Tuesday increased its weekly strike allowance for members to $400 per week from $275, a signal of strength ahead of the union next year approaching the bargaining table with the Detroit Three automakers, according to experts. The UAW International Executive Board also eliminated a provision that a member receiving unemployment benefits cannot also receive strike pay. Eligibility for the stipend still will begin on the eighth day of a strike. “UAW members who strike are fighting to hold their employers accountable,” UAW President Ray Curry said in a statement. “Our striking members and their families deserve our solidarity, and this increased benefit will help them hold the line.”
RAISING WAGES
Austin City Council considers raising base wage for city workers
Fox 7
By John Krinjak
June 7, 2022
Austin City Council is considering raising the city’s "living wage," the baseline wage for city workers, from $15 to $22 an hour. "We have got to raise the wage for these workers, please," said Carol Guthrie, business manager with AFSCME Local 1624.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
Cinematographers Guild To Host Panels On Safety & Sustainability At Cine Gear Expo
Deadline
By David Robb
June 7, 2022
The International Cinematographers Guild, IATSE Local 600, will host two panel discussions at the Cine Gear Expo on Saturday that will explore on-set safety and sustainability on sets. The Expo, which is being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, runs from June 9-12, offering a wide range of talks, exhibits and master classes on state-of-the-art technology, workflow software, support equipment, and the production services for the entertainment industry.