JOINING TOGETHER
Kellogg's strike ends after workers vote to ratify new contract
CBS News
December 22, 2021
Kellogg's employees who have been on strike since early October have voted to ratify a tentative labor contract at the company's four U.S. cereal plants. The contract covers approximately 1,400 workers represented by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union at plants in Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Echoing that statement was AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler, who also announced the end of the monthslong strike as a victory for workers. "Working people stood their ground, and working people won," Shuler tweeted.
Sun Country Airlines pilots approve new contract
Star Tribune
By Gita Sitaramiah
December 21, 2021
Sun Country Airlines pilots on Tuesday approved a new contract that gives them a significant pay increase and an improved scheduling model for the airline's future growth. Of the 361 eligible voters, 331 voted in favor of the agreement reached earlier this month by its union, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and the Twin Cities-based carrier. Will Outlaw, a spokesman for the pilots' union, said Sun Country pilots have been the lowest paid in the industry and the raises bring them in line with their peers. "I'm super excited," he said. "It's what this company needed to execute its business plan to grow and to attract and retain pilots."
Hundreds Of LAX Food Workers To Hold Strike Wednesday
CBS Los Angeles
By CBSLA Staff
December 22, 2021
Hundreds of Los Angeles International Airport food workers who are in the middle of union contract negotiations are expected to hold an all-day strike Wednesday. The workers, members of Unite Here Local 11, are expected to hold a strike in Terminal 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are striking against airport concessions giant HMS Host. The union says many of their long-term workers have not received a raise for more than three years as a result of a long-term labor dispute. On Monday, according to the union, workers in the American Airlines Admirals lounge overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike. The food workers are also planning to stage a walkout at some point.
Strike At Kellogg Comes To A Close; Workers To Return Monday
News On 6
By Associated Press
December 22, 2021
A strike at Kellogg that has gone on since early October has ended after workers voted to ratify a new labor contract at the company’s four U.S. cereal plants. The contract covers approximately 1,400 workers represented by the union at plants in Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union said the contract is a win for workers. “This agreement makes gains and does not include any concessions,” union President Anthony Shelton said in a prepared statement. Members of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union voted on the new offer over the weekend. The offer includes cost-of-living adjustments and a $1.10 per hour raise for all employees.
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Applauds BCTGM Union Victory at Kellogg’s
Times Leader
December 22, 2021
The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) recently announced the final vote on the new contract for workers on strike at Kellogg’s. For more than eleven weeks, roughly 1,400 workers at four locations across the country have walked the picket line for fair wages and an end to discriminatory workplace practices. The officers of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO have issued the following statements in response to the union members’ decision: “The BCTGM union members at Kellogg’s have shown the country the real power of solidarity. After more than two months on strike, workers in Lancaster, PA; Battle Creek, MI; Omaha, NE; and Memphis, TN have approved a new contract. Their victory fights back against the unfair two-tiered wage system and wins higher wages for all workers,” remarked President Rick Bloomingdale.
The Art Newspaper
By Anni Irish
January 22, 2021
In 2019, employees at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles elected to form a union, which the institution’s management then voluntarily recognised, avoiding much of the typically combative campaigning that comes with such efforts. Despite this early victory for organisers, contract negotiations between the union and museum officials have dragged. On December 6th, two years to the day after management announced it would recognise the union and after months of waiting, union workers finally got an offer from museum officials in response to their contract proposal, but it was not what they had hoped for.
IN THE STATES
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Joins Governor Wolf in Call to Raise the Minimum Wage
KPVI
By PA AFL-CIO
December 22, 2021
Governor Tom Wolf has urged legislators to raise the minimum wage. The officers of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, President Rick Bloomingdale and Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder, made the following statements: "As 2021 passes into 2022, it is unconscionable that Pennsylvania's minimum wage is still $7.25 while more than 40% of Pennsylvanians struggle to make ends meet. The Pennsylvania General Assembly must act to finally put our Commonwealth on a path forward," stated President Rick Bloomingdale. "Since the start of the pandemic, essential workers have been called heroes, even those who receive the lowest pay. Instead of treating these workers like zeroes, it's time our legislators finally put meaning behind their words. It's time to raise the minimum wage," added Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder.
LABOR AND ECONOMY
Alvin Vincent, Jr. Named Executive Director of Actors' Equity Association
Broadway World
By Nicole Rosky
December 22, 2021
Actors' Equity Association, the national union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has named Alvin Vincent, Jr. to be its 12th executive director. He assumes the role on February 1. Vincent joins Equity from the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union, where he most recently served as International Vice President and Mid-Atlantic Region Director since 2005. Since joining UFCW as a member in 1988 and then as an organizer on staff in 1990, Vincent has been a tireless advocate for workers and social justice. He was identified by executive leadership for crucial projects due to his adept ability to quickly build strong labor organizations, grow dynamic teams and maximize the power of workers' voices. "When we started this process, I expected that we would hire a new ED from within our industry. But Al Vincent won me over as soon as we met him," said Actors' Equity Association President Kate Shindle. "I am incredibly compelled by his passion for effective, targeted communication and messaging, commitment to organizational transparency and accountability, creative approach to problem solving, and above all, his desire to create true belonging, inclusion, safety and fairness. He believes to his marrow in the dignity of workers, and the inherent respect that artist workers deserve. I truly believe that we are about to enter a momentous era, and that we are incredibly fortunate to welcome Al Vincent to Equity."
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
About 50 families remain to be adopted for Christmas
News-Press Now
By News-Press Now
December 22, 2021
With just a few days left before the holiday, the Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program has 54 families still in need of help. While considerably more than in years past at this point, the AFL-CIO staff is hopeful that getting everyone adopted is possible based on the number of adopters and donors the agency has seen in the past two days. “One thing we have learned over the years is when you ask this community for help, an amazing number of folks step up into whatever role you need,” Executive Director Nichi Seckinger said. “Thankfully the tide is turning and we feel much better about our odds at this point.”
South Fire, Middletown Elks members celebrate success of Adopt-A-Family program
The Middletown Press
By Press Staff
December 22, 2021
Members of the South Fire District IAFF Local 3918 and Middletown Elks Lodge 771 held a welcome reception for families and volunteers who took part in the annual Adopt-A-Family program. The evening’s festivities were kicked off by a visit and welcome remarks from Deputy Mayor Vincent Loffredo. The program is a joint venture, which included Connecticut Valley police, who were among those who assisted families in need during the holiday season, according to a press release.