POLITICS
China’s Solar Dominance Presents Biden With an Ugly Dilemma
The New York Times
By Ana Swanson and Brad Plumer
April 20, 2021
“As the U.S. seeks to address climate change, we must not allow the Chinese Communist Party to use forced labor to meet our nation’s needs,” Richard L. Trumka, the president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., wrote in a letter on March 12 urging the Biden administration to block imports of solar products containing polysilicon from the Xinjiang region.
West Virginia's Sen. Manchin backs PRO Act, hopes bill will have bipartisan support
WV News
By Charles Young
April 20, 2021
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., recently announced he would co-sponsor the Senate version of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act of 2021, which would expand protections related to employees’ rights to unionize and collectively bargain in the workplace. Josh Sword, president of the West Virginia AFL-CIO, which represents more than 575 affiliated unions in the state, issued a statement praising Manchin supporting the PRO Act. “The PRO Act is how we build a better future for West Virginia’s working people,” Sword said. “We will continue to advocate for this monumental legislation, now with Sen. Manchin’s support behind us.”
Why The PRO-Act Is Key To Racial Justice And Economic Democracy
Forbes
By Errol Schweizer
April 20, 2021
The initial results for RWDSU’s high profile organizing drive at an Amazon facility in Bessemer, Alabama demonstrate the extent that labor laws favor employers during unionization efforts. The historic campaign also illustrates the struggles that working class people of color face in achieving economic justice in the fast growing fulfilment and logistics sector. And more presciently, the campaign highlights the need for better legal protections for such workers seeking to unionize, namely passage of The PRO-Act. In a video press conference on April 9, RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum recognized the efforts of the Bessemer workers while pointing out, “The results demonstrate the powerful impact of employer intimidation and interference. Amazon misled and tried to manipulate workers. They took full advantage of terrible labor laws.”
Just 3 Democrats Stand in the Way of the PRO Act Coming to the Senate Floor for a Vote
In These Times
By Jeff Schuhrke
April 21, 2021
Well aware of these obstacles, the coalition to pass the PRO Act is preparing to ramp up the pressure. The AFL-CIO is planning a week of action beginning April 26 and culminating on May Day, which will kick off a summer of organizing and mobilizing to get the legislation across the finish line. Organizers say over 1,000 events to demand passage of the PRO Act are scheduled all over the country as part of the week of action, including rallies, town halls and car caravans.
CORONAVIRUS
Unions Use Their Advocacy Skills To Get COVID-19 Vaccines In Members’ Arms
KPBS
By Claire Trageser
April 21, 2021
Lili Novarino had been looking for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment everywhere with no luck. Then, she turned to an organization she often turns to for help: her union. “The union organized clinics for different employees,” said Novarino, a Vons worker for 30 years and member of the local United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). “I signed up on my phone, done.”
Stellantis to distribute vaccines to employees and family at Metro Detroit union halls
The Detroit News
By Breana Noble
April 21, 2021
Stellantis NV on Wednesday said it will begin administering COVID-19 vaccines at certain United Auto Workers union halls starting Friday to its employees and their families in Metro Detroit as the state leads the nation in adding new cases per capita. “We continue to encourage our members to take advantage of efforts to be vaccinated and appreciate these efforts working with Stellantis on these vaccination sites in UAW Local Union Halls for our members," UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada said in a statement.
LABOR AND ECONOMY
U.S. Poverty Rate Rose to Pandemic High Ahead of New Stimulus
Bloomberg
By Alexandre Tanzi
April 20, 2021
The U.S. poverty rate rose to 11.7% in March, the highest level yet during the pandemic following an increase in the latter part of last year as many government benefits expired, a study showed.
The March 2021 estimates indicate that without additional aid many in the U.S. continued to suffer from the economic impacts from Covid-19, according to research released Tuesday by economists Jeehoon Han, from Zhejiang University, Bruce Meyer, from the University of Chicago, and James Sullivan of the University of Notre Dame. The projections didn’t capture benefits provided by the American Rescue Plan signed last month. Their study showed that a decline in poverty levels through June last year can mostly be accounted for one-time stimulus checks issued at the beginning of the health crisis. The rates started rising again in the second part of 2020, particularly among Blacks, children and those with a high school education or less, the economists said.
IN THE STATES
Laid off UTHSC workers looking for help from Shelby County Commission
WMC
By Kelly Roberts
April 21, 2021
Workers still reeling from sudden layoffs by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center are asking Shelby County Commissioners to help push the school to reverse those layoffs. Jeffrey Lichtenstein with Memphis West Tennessee AFL-CIO Central Labor Council said these layoffs targeted facility workers with plans to outsource those positions. When the layoffs happened on March 12, 17 positions were open at UTHSC, and at the time the school said the laid-off employees were urged to apply for those positions.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
Bill to protect health care workers against violent workplace attacks passes the House
WSB-TV
By Nicole Carr
April 21, 2021
“The pandemic of workplace violence has actually been going on for decades, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exasperated it,” said Bonnie Castillo, a registered nurse and executive director of National Nurses United.