POLITICS
‘Amazon, here we come’: Biden boosts warehouse unionization efforts
CNBC
By Annie Palmer
April 6, 2022
President Joe Biden on Wednesday expressed support for efforts to unionize Amazon workers, after one of the company’s warehouses voted to join a union last week. “The choice to join a union belongs to workers alone,” Biden said in remarks at the national conference of North America’s Building Trades Unions. “By the way, Amazon, here we come. Watch.”
Biden Appears to Show Support for Amazon Workers Who Voted to Unionize
The New York Times
By Katie Rogers and Karen Weise
April 6, 2022
In remarks to a national conference of unionized trade workers, Mr. Biden spoke directly to one of the world’s most powerful companies and defended the right of employees to unionize. “The choice to join a union belongs to workers alone,” he said during remarks at the national conference of North America’s Building Trades Unions. “By the way, Amazon, here we come. Watch.” Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said the president was merely expressing his longstanding support for collective bargaining and unions.
Biden signals support for Amazon workers' unionization efforts: 'Amazon, here we come'
CNN
By Maegan Vazquez and Donald Judd
April 6, 2022
Speaking to thousands of labor leaders in Washington on Wednesday, Biden asserted that "unions are about, in my view, dignity and respect for people who bust their neck," noting that his White House's task force for "Worker Organization and Empowerment" was established "to make sure the choice to join a union belongs to workers alone."
INFRASTRUCTURE
AFL-CIO’s Shuler envisions a more diverse construction workforce
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
April 6, 2022
Democratic President Joe Biden’s five-year $1.2 trillion Infrastructure And Jobs Act presents building trades unions with “a golden opportunity” to grow, but “it’s up to us” to shape the future U.S. construction workforce, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler says. Shuler did not delve into construction worker demographics but a survey of the crowd showed what she’s talking about. The delegates were overwhelmingly white, male and middle-aged or older. Within a few years, most will be ready to retire. That’s not going to be the composition of the future construction workforce, Shuler and other speakers said, and unions must adjust themselves, their goals, their structures, and their opportunities to accommodate the new wave of workers. “What is going to happen next?” asked Shuler, who got a huge roar as she entered the hall and made her way to the podium, escorted by workers from her home state, Oregon. “It is up to us to shape this investment and take advantage of the strong labor standards we attached,” to the law. “And it’s up to us to supply the workforce: Women, people of color, of the formerly institutionalized, people who may not realize the power of a union."
JOINING TOGETHER
IDA Voluntarily Recognizes Union Of Rank-And-File Employees, Setting Stage For Contract Negotiations
Deadline
By Matthew Carey
April 6, 2022
The International Documentary Association has formally granted voluntary recognition to a union formed by rank-and-file employees, eliminating a bone of contention between workers and management. The IDA’s board had for weeks signaled support for the unionization effort by employees calling themselves Documentary Workers United, but until this week it had not signed a formal document acknowledging the DWU, affiliated with Communications Workers of America Local 9003, as the official bargaining representative of workers below the level of senior director.
Unions rally for striking Alabama miners
AL.com
By William Thornton
April 6, 2022
Representatives of labor unions from around the country were expected today at Tannehill State Park for a rally in support of striking coal miners with the United Mine Workers of America. The miners began a strike more than a year ago against Warrior Met Coal in Brookwood. The UMWA organized a caravan today to show support for the miners, who union leadership said last week now number around 900. Members of the United Auto Workers, United Food and Commercial Workers, Association of Flight Attendants, and Unite Here were expected at the event.
Hundreds of Howard University hospital workers plan to strike over low wages
NPR
By Jonathan Franklin
April 6, 2022
Hundreds of workers at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., say they are planning a one-day strike next week over complaints of low wages. The District of Columbia Nurses Association (DCNA), the labor union representing over 300 nurses, pharmacists and social workers, said the workers are understaffed and underpaid — and as such, they are demanding a fair contract and safe staffing in order to protect patients. The union argued that nurses and other licensed healthcare professionals working at the hospital have also been understaffed throughout the pandemic. The strike is scheduled for April 11 at 7:30 a.m., according to DCNA.
Hollywood’s biggest union strikes deal with advertisers on new commercials contract
Los Angeles Times
By Anousha Sakoui
April 6, 2022
Hollywood’s biggest union, representing about 160,000 actors and other performers, has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with a group representing advertisers. SAG-AFTRA, whose members include actors, dancers and broadcast journalists, said late Tuesday its national board would vote this weekend on a proposed television and audio commercials contract. The union did not release details of the agreement negotiated with the Joint Policy Committee (JPC), which represents advertisers and advertising agencies in collective bargaining with unions.
IN THE STATES
'It's unbelievable': St. Louis labor leaders report unprecedented interest in unionization
KSDK
By Sara Machi
April 6, 2022
"In Buffalo, in Seattle, and Arizona," she said listing some of the approximately 150 company-owned coffee locations to file unionization forms. With 23 employees, the Hanley staff filed their intention to unionize Monday, joining three other St. Louis stores to do so. "We have more activity now than I have had in my 34 years on staff. It's unbelievable," UFCW Local 655 President David Cook said.
WisPolitics.com
“The Wisconsin labor movement proudly stands in solidarity with our sisters and brothers of UAW Local 1472 on strike at Vollrath in Sheboygan for a fair and just contract,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “UAW Local 1472 members are holding the line to protect our American middle class and standing up for fair wages and benefits. We urge Vollrath to come back to the table and negotiate in good faith with meaningful proposals to reach a mutually agreeable contract. It’s never easy to go on strike. The brave members of UAW Local 1472 are coming together and taking courageous action to protect and advance good jobs in our local communities across Wisconsin.”