INFRASTRUCTURE
How the infrastructure bill impacts Ohio bridges
Spectrum News
By Ryan Schmelz
November 9, 2021
Dan O’Malley has been working in the labor movement since the day he graduated college. He represents the labor union North Shore AFL CIO, and like many, he’s driven over the roads connecting the Cleveland suburbs of Lakewood and Rockey River. He said the bridge needs help. “We have over 100,000 vehicles that cross over this bridge every day, and it’s in bad shape. You can almost see it,” said O’Malley, “National organizations which study these list it among the top traveled bridges in the country that are in deteriorating condition, so we really can’t wait any longer.”
The infrastructure bill’s passage is a huge win for Alaska (Opinion)
Anchorage Daily News
By Joelle Hall
November 10, 2021
The recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is a historic achievement and an unparalleled investment in our state. We want to thank each member of our congressional delegation for putting working Alaskans first and voting for this critical, much-needed legislation.
Infrastructure bill to bring $8 billion to Missouri
EMissourian
By William Skipworth
November 10, 2021
The bill is expected to give Missouri $6.5 billion for roads, up to $99 million for electric vehicle charging stations, $100 million for broadband internet infrastructure and $674 million to improve public transportation, according to an analysis by McClatchy’s Washington, D.C., bureau. “This is going to be a huge step forward,” said Jake Hummel, president of Missouri AFL-CIO, a federation of the state’s unions. “It’s really a once-in-a-generation investment in our future, and I’m very excited for it.” Hummel said the investment could turn Missouri into a “transportation and logistics hub” for the country. “This is going to be a big wake-up call for businesses that are hopefully looking to relocate to places where they can easily distribute goods,” he said. “This is going to be a shot in the arm to not just the construction industry but also to the manufacturing base in the state of Missouri.”
UNION BUSTING
Starbucks Anti-Union Blitz in High Gear as Buffalo Employees Begin Historic Vote
Common Dreams
By Julia Conley
November 11, 2021
AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler tweeted on Tuesday that the corporation has used a number of tactics in the anti-union playbook, including "holding anti-union meetings framed as listening sessions" and telling workers, "Our benefits are already good." "Starbucks will do everything it can to stop Workers United's organizing drive in Buffalo," Shuler tweeted, referring to the affiliate of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) which more than 100 Starbucks workers in the Buffalo area are voting on whether to join.
JOINING TOGETHER
America’s Judges Are Putting My Life on the Line (Opinion)
The New York Times
By Sara Nelson
November 11, 2021
Workers are flexing collective power in major strikes, workplace actions and organizing drives, as they are forced to fight battles that labor won decades earlier: over workplace safety, an eight-hour day, vacation, sick leave, a living wage, health care and retirement security. But even as workers build power and wield it, we are thwarted by laws and judges who reliably side with corporations over workers. America needs more judges who understand and support the rights of workers. For too long, the courts have sided with corporations over labor, fundamentally and perniciously reshaping American law, life and liberty.
U.S. workers have been striking in startling numbers. Will that continue?
The Washington Post
By Jasmine Kerrissey and Judy Stepan-Norris
November 11, 2021
U.S. workers are doing something we haven’t seen much of in the last three decades: striking. Roughly 25,000 workers have recently walked off their jobs and joined picket lines, earning October 2021 the nickname #striketober. Are these strikes likely to spread? Our research on union activity over the past century has identified several major factors affecting union and strike dynamics. How today’s strikes develop will likely depend on these factors.
Sparrow Health System union authorizes strike vote as bargaining unravels
Lansing State Journal
By Kristen Jordan Shamus
November 10, 2021
A strike authorization vote has been scheduled for Nov. 16-21 for 2,200 members of Sparrow Health System's largest bargaining unit after months of negotiations began to unravel this week. Workers in the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital, a local of the Michigan Nurses Association, have been without a contract since Oct. 31, and say critically low staffing threatens patient care at the Lansing-based health system, which operates seven mid-Michigan hospitals.
Kaiser health care workers in Hawaii plan strike this month
AP
November 9, 2021
Nearly 2,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers in Hawaii plan to strike later this month over wages and staffing concerns. UNITE HERE Local 5 said the strike due to begin Nov. 22 would affect 20 facilities across Hawaii. Thousands of Kaiser health care workers in California have already said they will strike starting Monday. Local 5 spokesperson Bryant de Venecia said Wednesday that negotiations were continuing. Kaiser and the Alliance of Health Care Unions began national bargaining in April. Local 5 has been negotiating some Hawaii-specific issues with Kaiser as well.
Strathmore reaches agreement with ticket-sellers to end two-year standoff
The Washington Post
By Peggy McGlone
November 11, 2021
After a two-year stalemate that sparked a feud with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Strathmore has reached a tentative agreement with its unionized box office staff that extends their contract through June 2024. The agreement between the venue and members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 868, who authorized a strike in June, preserves full- and part-time jobs and includes minor wage increases, the union said. Members will vote on ratification Monday evening.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
LA County helps feed veterans and their families with food drive
ABC7
By Marc Cota-Robles
November 11, 2021
Volunteers in Long Beach showed their appreciation for veterans on Thursday by hosting a food drive. The event was held at Veterans Memorial Stadium and was hosted by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor in partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Since the start of the pandemic, the L.A. County Federation of Labor has helped feed more than 700,000 people. "It's very important not to forget them," said president of the L.A. County Federation of Labor Ron Herrera. "I mean they served our nation, they protected our rights, you know, abroad. Some of them here on our home turf, but it's very important that we look out for them."
Firefighters to hold annual Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 24
The Monroe News
By Dean Cousino
November 10, 2021
City of Monroe firefighters will hold their annual pre-Thanksgiving holiday dinners for the homeless, less fortunate and needy Nov. 24 at the former St. Joseph Parish Hall that is part of the Oaks Victory Village campus. The dinner is put on by members of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 326, AFL-CIO. They have hosted the supper for more than 25 years on the day before Thanksgiving, said Chad Hudson, a firefighter-paramedic who is chairing the event for the third year.