AMAZON
LEAKED AUDIO: Amazon Union Buster Warns Workers ‘Things Could Become Worse’
Vice
By Jason Koebler and Lauren Kaori Gurley
Feb. 16, 2022
An Amazon union avoidance official told employees at JFK8, Amazon’s largest New York City warehouse, that if they unionize, certain workers could see their salaries reduced to minimum wage, or that negotiations could start with minimum wage as a baseline, according to leaked audio from the mandatory anti-union meeting that took place on Wednesday and was obtained by Motherboard. When describing the collective bargaining process, the union buster explains to workers that “The negotiation phase of the process is called collective bargaining, and in the negotiation, there are no guarantees … you can end up with better, the same, or worse than you already have.”
IN THE STATES
Great Lakes Coffee workers strike, demand clear COVID-19 protocols
The Detroit News
By Melody Baetens
Feb. 16, 2022
Employees at the Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co.'s flagship location in Midtown Detroit went on strike Wednesday morning and enlisted hospitality workers' union Unite Here Local 24 to represent their demands. In addition to clearer safety protocols, baristas and cooks from the coffee shop at Woodward and Alexandrine say they want a fair first contract that has clear COVID-19 guidelines, a starting wage of at least $15 per hour, anti-harassment and anti-discrimination protections, affordable health, dental and vision insurance, and paid time off including sick days and parental leave.
Minimum wage bill that would give power to Nebraska counties stalls in Legislature
ABC8
By McKenzie Johnson
Feb. 16, 2022
A new bill has raised concerns over who has the right to decide on minimum wage and how it could affect communities. The bill was proposed by Sen. Eliott Bostar of Lincoln, and it would give counties the right to set a minimum wage higher than the state minimum wage of $9/hour. A public hearing was held for the bill on Monday by the Legislature’s Business and Labor Committee, but no actions were taken. According to the Nebraska Examiner, Bostar said it doesn’t make sense that the minimum wage is the same “in the middle of Omaha and in the middle of Alliance.” Representatives for the AFL-CIO unions and the Center for Rural Affairs supported this bill, and agree that counties would know what is best for their communities.
INTERNATIONAL
Employer-dominated union ousted at Mexican GM plant
Northwest Labor Press
By Don Mcintosh
Feb. 16, 2022
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler called the SINTTIA win a significant victory not only for workers in Mexico but around the world: “In a democratic union, workers will advocate for higher wages and improved health and safety standards at the Silao facility, helping to set new standards in the automobile industry,” Shuler said in a statement.
EDUCATION
Insider NJ
Feb. 16, 2022
Today, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten announced spring and summer stipends to support Newark Public Schools Red Hawks Riding Teacher Academy where students can enter a dual-enrollment program with Montclair State University. This high school experience with a high-quality teacher preparation program helps create a pipeline to educate, train, prepare and retain future teachers, and to diversify the teacher workforce. These stipends will provide up to $125,000 for students in the program during the 2022 spring and summer terms: “The students of today are the teachers of tomorrow, and there’s a deep yearning among so many high schoolers to serve and give back to the communities where they live,” said Weingarten.
JOINING TOGETHER
Unionizing REI Workers Launch Petition to Combat Company’s Intimidation Campaign
Truthout
By Sharon Zhang
Feb. 16, 2022
Unionizing REI workers in Manhattan have launched a petition requesting that the outdoor equipment company stop its union busting campaign. REI retail workers in SoHo filed to unionize last month after the company refused to voluntarily recognize the union. Even though the company consistently touts its supposed progressive values and cooperative working environment, the company has pulled out intimidation tactics and other anti-union moves in recent weeks.