INFRASTRUCTURE
Unions, Dems say $1T infrastructure bill a boost for region; GOP says there's pork in there
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
By Julian Routh
November 17, 2021
The $1 trillion infusion into America’s roads, bridges and infrastructure — signed into law by President Joe Biden this week — will create about 40,000 union jobs in Allegheny County over the next few years, politicians and labor leaders said Wednesday. Deeming Western Pennsylvania better positioned than any other region in the nation to benefit from the plan, labor leader Darrin Kelly said over the next decade, “we’re going to see job growth in this region that’s unprecedented.” “People are going to have opportunity and employment that they never had before, not just in our construction field, but our energy field and our truck drivers,” Mr. Kelly, president of the Allegheny/Fayette Central Labor Council, said at a press conference Wednesday on the North Shore.
JOINING TOGETHER
Kellogg’s workers still on strike a month later
News Channel 3
By Jerrita Patterson
November 7, 2021
Nearly 300 Kellogg’s workers in Memphis continue to walk the picket line Sunday as negotiations between the company and the union drag on. It was October 5th when the 274 Memphis Kellogg’s workers walked off the job to walk the picket line. Over the past month, those workers and workers at three other U.S factories began striking when the Union representing the workers and the company were unable to reach a contract agreement.
‘Strikesgiving’? Kroger employees vote to strike as shopping for Turkey Day ramps up
Fast Company
By Clint Rainey
November 17, 2021
Is “Striketober” evolving into a “Strikesgiving”? Besides the ongoing labor strikes at Kellogg (among America’s biggest food companies) and John Deere (America’s biggest farm-equipment manufacturer), and one that Kaiser Permanente (a top U.S. healthcare provider) just averted this week, Houston-area employees at Kroger (America’s largest grocery chain) say they’ve also voted to walk off the job. They number 14,000 workers, and for weeks Kroger and their union—UFCW Local 455—have been locked in heated contract negotiations.
Sky Harbor Airport concession workers vote on possible strike a week before Thanksgiving
AZ Central
By MacKenzie Brower
November 18, 2021
Concession workers and union members at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport voted Thursday — a week before Thanksgiving — whether to strike for receive better wages, health care benefits and retirement plans. Servers, bartenders, baristas, dishwashers and cooks at HMS Host, a provider of food and beverage services at the airport, were casting their ballots until 5 p.m. in Terminals 3 and 4. According to a news release from Unite Here Local 11, which represents the workers, HMS Host is the single largest concessionaire at Sky Harbor and a strike would impact travelers arriving and departing in both Terminals 3 and 4.
John Deere workers approve 3rd contract offer, will end strike
ABC 7
By AP
November 19, 2021
Deere & Co. workers approved a new contract Wednesday that will deliver 10% raises immediately and end a monthlong strike for more than 10,000 employees. "UAW John Deere members did not just unite themselves, they seemed to unite the nation in a struggle for fairness in the workplace," UAW President Ray Curry said in a statement Wednesday night.
Unions hold sympathy strike for Kaiser workers in Northern California
KCRA
By Daniel Macht
November 18, 2021
Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente workers are hitting the picket line on Thursday and Friday, which could impact patients with non-urgent medical appointments or procedures at facilities across Northern California. More than 40,000 workers with SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West and several other unions are striking in support of Local 39 Operating Engineers. Local 39 IUOE represents about 600 operating engineers with Kaiser. The group has been on strike for more than two months.
CIVIL, HUMAN, AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Pronouns matter. How to respect transgender, non-binary people in the workplace
Democrat & Chronicle
By Amorette Miller
November 18, 2021
Pronouns are how we address each other outside of our name. We refer to friends, colleagues, children, family members, strangers, even our pets with their pronouns — they identify us. Transitioning in the workplace can be one of the most challenging endeavors a transgender person can experience. Organizations that are interested in a gender diverse environment seem to understand that embracing all of their employees is good for the organization and its corporate social responsibility. Bess Watts (she/her/hers) is the president of the Pride at Work, AFL-CIO, Rochester Finger Lakes Chapter. She said that often when someone transitions at work, we think about ourselves and the relationship we have with that person instead of what the person is going through and how we can support their transition.