COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS
Registered nurses at Mission Hospital to hold rally Wednesday
MSN
Feb. 15, 2022
Registered nurses at Mission Hospital in Asheville said they will hold a speak-out on Wednesday, according to the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU). The NNOC/NNU said this rally is to call on state agencies to enforce the North Carolina and federal emergency temporary stands (ETS) aimed at protecting nurses and patients from Covid-19. “As profits soared for HCA over the past two years, nurses suffered unnecessary Covid infections because of improper PPE standards and the lack of infection prevention protocols,” said Elle Kruta, RN in a news release. “While we as union RNs have been fighting HCA’s greed within the hospital every day, we expect our state government to support us in the pursuit of a safer hospital for workers and patients alike. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. The North Carolina Department of Labor’s emergency temporary standard for Covid-19 could have been a game changer for us, if only the state had cared to properly investigate hospitals like Mission that knowingly and purposely broke the law and violated the ETS on a daily basis. It is time for the state agencies to protect nurses and patients.” NNOC/NNU represents 1,400 nurses at Mission Hospital.
JOINING TOGETHER
City council approves bargaining agreement with union, employees set to receive 4% raise
Lancaster Eagle Gazette
By Barrett Lawlis
Feb. 15, 2022
fter 13 months of negotiations, an agreement has been reached between Lancaster's administration and local union representatives. Lancaster City Council voted unanimously to approve the collective bargaining agreement negotiated with the American Federation for State, County, and Municipal Employees Ohio Council 8, Local 3427. Tony Schroth, staff representative for AFSCME Ohio Council 8 and working with Local 3427, said the local union chapter has approved the agreement as well, so once the agreement is "cleaned up," it will be officially signed.
Members of UFCW 1439 and 21 vote to approve historic merger
The Stand
Feb. 15, 2022
In December, the Boards of Directors of UFCW 21 and UFCW 1439 voted to approve a merger agreement and to send the question of a merger to the overall membership. In January, the members of UFCW 1439, who work largely in grocery stores, food processing and other industries in eastern Washington, northeast Oregon and northern Idaho, held their merger votes. Then in February, the membership of UFCW 21, made up of grocery and retail store workers in western Washington as well as health care workers and others all across the state, held their merger votes. The merger was approved overwhelmingly by both memberships.
Sappi union workers rally amid contract negotiations with company
Sun Journal
By Taylor Abbott
Feb. 15, 2022
Dozens of people with signs lined up Tuesday along Route 201 near Sappi Fine Paper North America to support the pulp mill’s largest union as it works to secure what it describes as a fairer employment contract. United Steelworkers Local 9 is the largest of four unions at the mill, serving 475 workers. Members last week rejected the company’s most recent and final contract offer, with 96% opposed. Pat Carleton, president of USW Local 9, said there are several things the union wants in a new contract, including higher wages, better health care options and better care for retired employees. The most recent contract expired in August. Members of the union, along with representatives from the Maine AFL-CIO and others, rallied along the weigh station on Route 201, about a half-mile south of the mill, toting signs demanding fair contracts from one of the region’s largest employers.
IN THE STATES
Wis Politics
Feb. 15, 2022
Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale released the following statement on Governor Tony Evers’ 2022 State of the State Address on February 15, 2022: In a refreshing State of the State, Governor Evers provides a clear roadmap for a thriving Wisconsin with good jobs, improved broadband access, career training, key infrastructure investment, healthy communities, and robust economic opportunity for all. With a focus on supporting the working people of Wisconsin, Governor Evers puts forth in his 2022 State of the State address commonsense policies to help families with rising costs, connect workers with jobs and advance Wisconsin towards a brighter future. By supporting teachers and getting schools the resources they need to thrive, Governor Evers will improve education and create better schools for the next generation. His focus on advancing and improving our infrastructure will create living wage jobs, spur economic development, and build Wisconsin for the future. By expanding emergency medical services, Governor Evers is bolstering the hardworking first responders who provide life-saving care in our communities and ensuring Wisconsinites can have emergency services in our time of need.
Oregon Senate votes to curb mandatory overtime for bakery workers
The Oregonian
By Jamie Goldberg
Feb. 15, 2022
The Oregon Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday in favor of a bill that would prohibit employers from penalizing bakery and tortilla plant workers who refuse to work overtime shifts on short notice. Senate Democrats took up the bill after a request from the Oregon AFL-CIO, the statewide federation of unions which represents over 300,000 workers in Oregon. The narrowly tailored bill would impact 294 employers who employ 5,629 workers in Oregon.
Marybe McMillan: Rare opportunity for Congress to help American competitiveness (Opinion)
Salisbury Post
By Marybe McMillan
Feb. 25, 2022
On behalf of North Carolina workers, this legislation is critical to meet the challenges of the 21st century, lower costs for North Carolinians, and create good-paying jobs here at home. The COMPETES Act will empower North Carolina workers by creating more training opportunities for in-demand skills, while also providing American businesses the chance to build technologies that industries across the country need to innovate and lead in the global economy. As the President of North Carolina AFL-CIO, I advocate for over 100,000 members in the collective fight for good jobs and an economy that works for everyone. By voting against the COMPETES ACT, Congressman Ted Budd has dealt a blow to union members and working people across the state.