MUST READ
Renewed support for unions belies anti-labor laws in most states (Opinion)
The Hill
By Everett Kelley
Jan. 3, 2022
Unions rarely have been more popular than they are today, but anti-union labor laws are keeping union membership numbers artificially low by making it harder for workers who want to form or join a union to do so. Indeed, a 2021 Gallup poll found that 68% of Americans approve of labor unions—the highest percentage since 1965. Support is even higher among young adults (ages 18-34), at 71 percent. That support is translating into action as workers across the country are getting organized and fighting for better wages and working conditions.
IN THE STATES
Richard Womack sworn in to most diverse Delaware County Council in history
Daily Times
By Pete Bannan
Jan. 4, 2022
We’re all going to be a family, we all have to work together for the betterment of Delaware County,” Womack said. ”That’s what I am committed to do is to work with everyone to make Delaware County a lot better and a better place to be.” Womack comes to council from serving on the Darby Township Board of Commissioners since 2009, where he was vice president of the board in 2015 and president in 2018. He has also served as an advisor to the president for community and religious affairs for the National AFL-CIO.
Connecticut launches $34M relief program for certain essential workers
WTNH
By Rich Coppola
Jan. 4, 2022
The pandemic may have caused many of us to change our definition of a hero. From the start, essential workers took care of our health, bagged our groceries, provided transportation and more. “We call these people heroes and we need to start treating them like heroes,” said Ed Hawthorne, Connecticut AFL-CIO president. “They showed up when a lot of us were able to stay home and stay safe. They were required to show up, to go to work every single day.” Help is on the way. Through the Connecticut Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Fund, the state has set aside $34 million for essential workers who lived in Connecticut, contracted COVID-19, became sick and were unable to work or died between March 10, 2020 and July 20, 2021.
JOINING TOGETHER
Colorado Public Radio
By Matt Bloom
Jan. 4, 2022
Denver and Colorado Springs-area King Soopers and City Market grocery workers voted overwhelmingly Monday to authorize a strike against the supermarket chain, adding pressure to ongoing contract negotiations set to wrap up this week. More than 97 percent of Denver union members voted Sunday to authorize a strike in response to alleged unfair labor practices. At least 95 percent of Colorado Springs members voted in favor Monday. “It’s evident that workers are fed up,” said Kim Cordova, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents roughly 17,000 King Soopers and City Market retail and butcher workers in the state. “They’re upset with their employer with the way they’ve handled negotiations and the lack of respect the company has for them.” The vote allows the union power to call a strike if bargaining members are unable to reach a deal with the company.
Student Researchers Union is now being recognized by the University of California
The Highlander
By Amaray Alvarez -
Jan. 4, 2022
Following a rally that took place in October and an intent to strike, as of Dec. 9, 2021, the Student Researchers United-United Auto Workers union is now being formally recognized by the University of California. The UAW union, created on May 24, 2021, supports 17,000 graduate student researchers and student teachers across the UC system. The SRs and teaching assistants help the universities with research, student development, mentorship and more. “This decision is a credit to the thousands of student researchers who, during COVID, organized for the right to negotiate with UC as equals,” said Jess Banks, a student researcher in the mathematics department at UC Berkeley.
King Soopers and union employees continue negotiations as strike looms
The Denver Channel
By Micah Smith
Jan. 4, 2022
As negotiations continue between United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 and King Soopers corporate leaders, thousands of union grocery workers are preparing to strike. On Tuesday morning, union workers have voted to authorize a strike in the Denver and Boulder areas. “They've committed a lot of unfair labor practices,” UFCW Local 7 member Kenneth Sanchez said. Sanchez has been a King Soopers employee for ten years and said union members are demanding better pay, affordable health care, and a safer work environment.