MUST READ
The USMCA and the way forward for trade policy
Brookings
By Liz Shuler
Feb. 28, 2022
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) advocates every day for a global economy that benefits working people in every country, safeguards a livable planet, and bolsters democracy. But this isn’t possible without a fairer global trade model. Signed into law on Jan. 29, 2020, the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) is such a model, and the first major trade agreement the AFL-CIO has supported in nearly 20 years. As president of the AFL-CIO, I am often asked how we came to support the USMCA after opposing the original North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and many subsequent trade deals.
IN THE STATES
Fight over postal vehicle production continues for union, may roll on in Wisconsin Senate race
WUWM
By Chuck Quirmbach
Feb. 28, 2022
Milwaukee-based AFL-CIO state President Stephanie Bloomingdale led the crowd of about 250 people in one of the chants. "Make it here, make it here, and make it union!" Bloomingdale exclaimed, as the crowd responded.
Maine labor unions to form climate change panel
Central Maine
By Edward D. Murphy
Feb. 28, 2022
Addressing climate change not only poses a challenge to society, it also offers opportunities to address inequality and strengthen the workforce, Maine labor unions argue. Unions including the Maine AFL-CIO, electrical workers and teachers will announce Tuesday that they are forming the Maine Labor Climate Council to ensure that union workers play a key role in the work of preparing the state for climate change – and staving off some of the more drastic impacts of a warming planet – while creating a more diverse workforce. “We really feel that the labor movement has to have a role in this,” said Matt Schlobohm, executive director of the Maine AFL-CIO.
JOINING TOGETHER
Fordham University Graduate Workers Are Unionizing
Jacobin
By Alex N. Press
Feb. 28, 2022
The graduate workers at the New York City school are organizing with the Communication Workers of America (CWA), which also represents graduate workers at SUNY. Their union, Fordham Graduate Student Workers (FGSW), delivered a letter to Fordham president Fr Joseph M. McShane today requesting voluntary recognition of what they estimate is a roughly 350-person bargaining unit. They have filed for a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election should Fordham refuse to voluntarily recognize the union. The union drive is the latest in a spate of organizing efforts in higher education, which is as beleaguered as it’s ever been, with Department of Labor numbers showing that around 650,000 people lost their jobs in higher education just in 2020.
SoCal grocery store workers rally in Tustin as contracts are set to expire March 6
ABC7
By Jessica De Nova
Feb. 28, 2022
Hundreds of unionized grocery store employees rallied outside a Ralphs in Tustin Monday as bargaining continued on their contract set to expire March 6. The group of about 300 members was just a fraction of the 60,000 workers across Southern California at Ralphs, Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons, Stater Brothers and Gelson's stores affected by the contract. Negotiations were underway Monday, and UFCW Local 324 President, Andrea Zinder, said it was time these essential workers got what they earned. "We have a tremendous support from the customers who know what the workers have been through so I don't think the companies want to see us go out on strike," Zinder said. "But they've got to do the right thing by the workers in this contract. It is our turn." At the top of their requests is a wage increase, followed by improved safety, security and staffing and predictable scheduling.
SAG-AFTRA union reaches settlement with New York Public Radio
Current
By Leigh Giangreco
Feb. 28, 2022
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union and New York Public Radio reached a settlement this week that withdraws an unfair labor practice claim filed with the National Labor Relations Board. The settlement includes “an extension of just cause protections to reporters and on-air hosts; a one-time 3% wage increase in July 2022 for all bargaining unit employees making under $100,000 per year; enhancements to NYPR’s parental leave policy; and a resolution of claims brought by the union regarding personnel issues pertaining to individual staff members,” a NYPR press release stated. SAG-AFTRA filed charges of numerous unfair labor practices in May 2021, a month after NYPR laid off 14 staffers.
VOTING RIGHTS
Only one location approved to open for first three days of early voting, but that could change
Commercial Appeal
By Katherine Burgess
Feb. 28, 2022
Jeffrey Lichtenstein, executive secretary for the Memphis and West Tennessee AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, said adding this to an earlier decision to reduce precincts "would deepen the reduction of access." "On behalf of folks who just can’t go whenever and for whom early voting is how they’re able to vote … we strongly encourage you to vote no against this resolution or amend it to expand early voting to all locations on all days," Lichtenstein said.