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Today's AFL-CIO press clips

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INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure law expected to boost jobs, economy

Dayton Daily News

By Lynn Hulsey

November 21, 2021

“Not only does it rebuild the country in so many ways that need to be built, but it does it with jobs you can’t outsource,” said Tim Burga, president of the Ohio AFL-CIO. “It’s a tremendous investment in our country and the American worker. And when the AFL-CIO and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce come together and support a piece of legislation like this, that tells you a lot.”

LABOR AND ECONOMY

Poll: 56% Of Black Households Faced Serious Financial Problems In Past Few Months Amid COVID

Black Enterprise

By Jeffrey McKinney

November 20, 2021

“The racial wealth gap is real, and one of its most basic manifestations is not having liquid assets,” says William Spriggs, professor of economics at Howard University and chief economist to the AFL-CIO. Nearly 19% of all households say they lost all their savings during the COVID-19 outbreak, leaving them none to turn to. It is even worse for Black households, as about 31% reported losing all of those funds.

JOINING  TOGETHER

Kellogg’s union and company to resume negotiations

WOWT

By 6 News Staff reports

November 19, 2021

Omaha’s Kellogg’s worker strike is showing signs of progress as both the company and union expect to resume negotiations soon. The report came on Friday. The union announced to its members that the two sides have “tentatively agreed” to resume contract talks on Monday. This report comes 15 days after union members declined Kellogg’s “last, best final offer.” The union demands the company make changes that would increase their benefits and wages.

Restaurant workers at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport vote to authorize strike

KTAR

BY KTAR.COM

November 19, 2021

With Thanksgiving a week away, some Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport restaurant workers are prepared to go on strike “at any point” after union members overwhelmingly voted in favor of a work stoppage. Unite Here Local 11 said a strike was authorized Thursday by a 97% vote as workers push for a deal to improve pay and benefits from HMSHost, the largest concessions operator at the state’s largest airport.

14,000 Kroger workers in Houston could go on strike before Thanksgiving

Houston Chronicle

By Jay R. Jordan

November 19, 2021

Nearly 14,000 Kroger workers in Houston voted last weekend to authorize a strike against the company as negotiations over a new contract continue to stall ahead of the busy Thanksgiving week. The authorization gives United Food and Commercial Workers Local 455 members the nod to walk off the job at a moment's notice — putting pressure on the company and workers to come to terms. As of Tuesday, union members were prepared to strike "within a week," Amanda Drane reported in the Houston Chronicle. 

John Deere workers end strike, reach deal

News10

By Linda Cook

November 21, 2021

The United Auto Workers ratified an agreement with John Deere on Wednesday evening that ended a five-week strike of 10,000 workers. The UAW members, who wanted higher wages, began the strike at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 14. It was their first strike in 35 years. A UAW source told WHBF on Wednesday night the approval vote was 61%. The latest contract maintains the 10% immediate raises the last deal offered, and it makes what the United Auto Workers union called modest changes to Deere’s internal incentive pay program for workers.

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

In need of jobs, northeastern North Carolina sees promise in offshore wind

Energy News Network

By Elizabeth Ouzts

November 18, 2021

And though North Carolina is a so-called right-to-work state, which allows workers to be represented by unions without having to pay dues, the state AFL-CIO is still hopeful that offshore wind could help inject more union jobs into the state’s economy. “It’s so early and it’s so new,” said Aiden Graham, campaign manager for the group, “that nothing is set in stone.” While the AFL-CIO is optimistic about the possibilities for union jobs, those odds increase if federal or state policymakers tie green energy incentives to the opportunity to be in a union.