AFL-CIO Press Clips: June 16, 2022
MUST WATCH
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on CNN
CNN
June 15, 2022
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler joined Poppy Harlow on CNN to discuss inflation, tariffs and what the labor movement is doing to lift up working people across the country.
POLITICS
Biden’s rousing speech before the AFL-CIO is exactly the message Democrats need (Opinion)
The Washington Post
By Jennifer Rubin
June 15, 2022
At a rousing speech before the AFL-CIO in Philadelphia on Tuesday, he sounded like he used to as vice president and on the campaign trail when he inhabited the persona of “Joe from Scranton.” His delivery was punchier and at times angrier than usual. He mocked and knocked Republicans’ plutocratic economics. And he made a stronger-than-usual case that Republicans are blocking economic progress. He was rewarded with multiple ovations. Biden took his time reminding the audience what a mess the country was when he took office, including Americans “waiting in line for an hour for a box of food.” "That’s what we inherited,” he said.
TRANSPORTATION
Mediation ends in rail contract negotiations; arbitration offered
Trains.com
June 15, 2022
“Because binding arbitration inherently means that rank and file union members will not have the option to vote on their contract — which is their constitutionally mandated right — rail labor will reject the offer of binding arbitration,” Greg Regan, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, said in a Tuesday statement. Unions sought an end to mediation, saying the railroads were not bargaining in good faith. Regan said it is “unfortunate but not surprising” that mediation did not succeed: “The railroads’ offer of a net pay cut and demand for health care concessions are wholly unacceptable.”
Mediation fails in railroad talks; Biden likely to intervene
The Stand
June 15, 2022
After more than two years of fruitless negotiations with the various Class 1 railroads and three weeks of in-person contract talks in Washington, D.C., the National Mediation Board (NMB) on Tuesday declared that a voluntary agreement is not within reach and offered binding arbitration to rail unions. Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, released the following statement on behalf of TTD’s 37 affiliated unions, including all of rail labor, in response to the NMB’s proffer of arbitration: After more than three years of bad faith negotiations by the railroads, it is unfortunate but not surprising that contract agreements were not achieved through voluntary mediation. The railroads’ offer of a net pay cut and demand for health care concessions are wholly unacceptable.
JOINING TOGETHER
Boston teachers rally at schools as contract negotiations heat up
Boston Globe
By Christopher Huffaker
June 15, 2022
Boston Public Schools teachers rallied Wednesday morning at multiple schools ahead of the fourth day of district contract negotiations in a week. Union members held “walk-ins,” entering the campuses at the Charles Sumner School, Curley K-8 School and others to advocate for the union’s vision of special education in the district. After about 10 months without a contract, union president Jessica Tang said the negotiators’ goal is still to reach a tentative agreement by the end of June, prior to the departure of Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, who announced her end-of-school-year resignation in February. “Educators across the city are particularly energized because we are also running out of time to get this done by the end of the school year,” Tang said.
Union authorizes Atlantic City casino strike next month
ABC 6
By AP
June 15, 2022
Atlantic City casino workers on Wednesday authorized their leaders to call a strike against the gambling houses if new contracts are not reached by the beginning of July. Members of Local 54 of the Unite Here union authorized their negotiating committee to call a July 1 strike against the Borgata and the three casinos owned by Caesars Entertainment - Caesars, Harrah's and Tropicana - and a July 3 strike against Hard Rock if new deals are not in place by then.
IN THE STATES
Heat rule meant to protect Oregon workers takes effect Wednesday
Statesman Journal
By Shannon Sollitt
June 15, 2022
A new set of rules meant to protect outdoor workers from extreme heatby requiring employers to provide mandatory breaks, shade, cold water, and training when the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit goes into effect Wednesday. “Oregon’s unions are firmly committed to making sure Oregon OSHA creates the strongest rules possible so that outdoor or indoor workers who are exposed to excessive heat and wildfire smoke are protected as best as possible," Graham Trainor, Oregon AFL-CIO president, said in a March press release. "The stakes are too high for anything less.”