JOINING TOGETHER
'Our crews deserve better': Seth Rogen and Ryan Reynolds share support for film industry workers
Vancouver is Awesome
By Elana Shepert
September 28, 2021
Advocates are sounding the alarm about working conditions in the film industry and two popular Vancouver actors are sharing their support. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) recently announced that it is preparing for a nationwide strike authorization vote citing unsafe working hours, poor wages for workers in the lowest-paid crafts, and inadequate breaks. It also noted that workers on some “new media" streaming projects are paid less, despite working on productions with equivalent budgets. Vancouver's own Hollywood heavyweights Seth Rogen and Ryan Reynolds have shared their support for film workers.
Hollywood strike could be coming
NW Labor Press
By Don McIntosh
September 29, 2021
National contract negotiations between TV and film producers and the union IATSE are near impasse, and members are expected to take a strike vote any day. The talks cover a pair of national contracts that set wages and conditions for 60,000 behind-the-scenes production workers in more than 30 specialties, from set designers and prop makers to gaffers and set painters. The contracts expired July 31, and were extended to Sept. 10 by mutual agreement. But talks broke down Sept. 3 and have not resumed, and no further negotiations were scheduled as of when this issue went to press.
Yale and local Labor unions arrive at tentative contract agreement
Yale Daily News
By Sai Rayala
September 28, 2021
After nearly 15 months of negotiations, Yale University and two local labor unions have reached a tentative agreement for a five-year labor contract. University officials announced on Monday that Yale had reached a tentative labor deal with union representatives from Local 34 and 35 UNITE HERE. The two unions represent Yale’s service, clerical, technical and maintenance workers. The agreement covers more than 5,000 unionized staff members working in research, administrative, clinical, dining hospitality, facilities and plant positions at Yale. The contracts were a point of contention during the “Yale: Respect New Haven” car rally in May, when union members called on Yale not to cut salaries and benefits.
TRANSPORTATION
Air rage: Airline workers share growing concerns at town hall near O'Hare
ABC 7
By Jesse Kirsch
September 29, 2021
Airline industry union workers gathered near O'Hare International Airport Wednesday to sharing concerns about the growing threat of "air rage." For months, many of us have watched air rage incidents caught on video. But the airline industry's frontline workers are much closer to the threat, and sometimes, they are the victims. Flight attendants, pilots, ramp agents and even terminal baristas were represented at the air rage town hall as the group called for increased federal oversight from the department of justice and the FAA.
NLRB
NLRB Asserts That ‘Certain’ College Athletes Are Employees
Inside Higher Ed
By Doug Lederman
September 29, 2021
The general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board issued a memo Wednesday asserting that “certain” college and university athletes are employees and should have the right to unionize, among other protections. “Players at academic institutions perform services for institutions in return for compensation and subject to their control,” Jennifer Abruzzo wrote. Federal laws and NLRB policies, she continued, “fully support the conclusion that certain Players at Academic Institutions are statutory employees, who have the right to act collectively to improve their terms and conditions of employment.”
CORONAVIRUS
Nurses say hospitals rarely in compliance with OSHA's new COVID-19 protections
Fierce Healthcare
By Dave Muoio
September 29, 2021
Nurses frequently report that their hospital employers have initially fallen short of the emergency temporary standard issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The standard was released in early June and went into effect across July. It requires workplace safety requirements—such as the provision of personal protective equipment—for workers in healthcare settings that treat suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases. “COVID cases are surging to their highest levels yet in some areas of the country, and some ICUs are over capacity,” Bonnie Castillo, executive director of NNU, said in a statement. “Nurses need optimal personal protective equipment. Health care employers must notify nurses as soon as possible when they are exposed and make it easier for RNs and other health care workers to get tested.” NNU’s survey was conducted between June 1 and July 21 and included unionized members and non-union nurses living in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
IN THE STATES
Trainor and Nunez: Build Back Better offers Oregonians hope (Opinion)
Portland Tribune
By Graham Trainor and Diana Nunez
September 29, 2021
The ongoing impacts of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and income inequality are plain to see. You need only to look out the window to see workers toiling in wildfire smoke, and communities suffering from decades of divestment in infrastructure and public health. These impacts are felt first and worst by Oregon's workers and frontline communities. It is vital that our leaders seize every opportunity to drive union job creation and economic recovery through investment in climate action and the care economy. The "Build Back Better Act" under consideration in Congress right now is an unprecedented opportunity to do just that.