MUST READ
Pass PRO Act to Empower Workers, Protect Rights, Says Amnesty International
YubaNet.com
By Amnesty International
April 29, 2021
“The PRO Act is one of the most consequential pieces of US human rights legislation in our lifetimes. It will strengthen workers’ ability to come together and demand a fair share of the wealth we create—boosting wages, securing better health care and rooting out discrimination,” said Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO. “The past year has laid bare the enormous injustices facing millions of the United States’ working people who keep the country afloat. We cannot allow those systemic failures to persist for another moment.”
PRO Act Energizes Union Movement After Bessemer Loss
Cheddar News
By Associated Press
April 29, 2021
The AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the U.S., has launched a seven-figure advertising campaign targeting states represented by Democratic senators who are still on the fence about the bill.
“We’re taking nothing for granted," said John Weber, a spokesperson for AFL-CIO. "The PRO Act is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen working people's rights on the job. That's why we're mobilizing every tool we have to make sure the Senate hears us loud and clear on both sides of the aisle."
POLITICS
Biden takes key steps to restore America's federal government in first 100 days (Opinion)
The Hill
By Everett Kelley
April 29, 2021
As we mark the first 100 days of the Biden-Harris administration, the Americans who have dedicated their lives to public service in the federal government have a lot to celebrate. In just over two months in office, I’m proud to report that President Biden has not only worked with my union, AFGE, to fulfill those promises, but has exceeded them — setting the stage for a revitalized federal workforce that will be able to partner with the administration to improve on the services we deliver to the American people.
US: Pass PRO Act to Empower Workers, Protect Rights
Human Rights Watch
April 29, 2021
The United States Senate should pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), five human rights and labor groups said today in releasing a question-and-answer document about the issue. The Senate should seize on a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle rampant economic inequality by empowering workers and building a more just and human rights-based economy.
JOINING TOGETHER
Maine Medical Center nurses vote to unionize
WMTW
April 29, 2021
In the culmination of a closely-watched months-long labor battle, registered nurses at Maine’s largest hospital, Maine Medical Center, voted Thursday to form their first union. The Maine Med RNs voted 1,001 - 750 in a mail ballot election counted by the National Labor Relations Board, a 57% margin, according to National Nurses United. “It’s a new day for nurses and patients across Maine,” said MSNA President Cokie Giles, RN, in a statement. “I am thrilled for my colleagues at Maine Med, for their resolve to win a collective voice for their patients and their community. And I look forward to working with you for the future of high-quality patient care for all Maine residents.”
Eater
By Naomi Waxman
April 29, 2021
InIn March, workers at Colectivo Coffee, a Wisconsin-based roaster and cafe chain with five locations in Chicago, cast their ballots on unionization. The result, which came in early April, wasn’t what union organizers had hoped for: The vote ended in a tie, but with a number of challenged ballots. The effort’s not dead yet, as workers and management will have a chance to argue whether to include or exclude those ballots at a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) hearing, which could take place in the next few months. More than a year has passed since Colectivo employees began efforts to unionize their workplace. Spurred in large part by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have called for changes including enhanced coronavirus safety protocols, consistent schedules, and formalized communication channels with management.
Maine Med nurses vote to unionize, beat union-busting campaign
Maine Beacon
By Dan Neumann
April 29, 2021
“Their solidarity, courage and strength throughout this pandemic and in the face of an expensive anti-union campaign by hospital management is remarkable and an inspiration to all workers,” said Cynthia Phinney, president of the Maine AFL-CIO. “This is a historic union victory at the largest hospital in northern New England. We hope other health care workers in Maine will become inspired and organize together to win a voice in their workplaces.”
GIG ECONOMY
Exclusive: U.S. Labor Secretary says most gig workers should be classified as employees
Reuters
By Nandita Bose
April 29, 2021
President Joe Biden’s top labor official said most gig workers in the United States should be classified as “employees” deserving of related benefits, in what could be a policy shift that is likely to raise costs for companies that depend on contractors such as Uber and Lyft.
IN THE STATES
West Chester trustee honored for military service, courage shown during meeting
News Local 12
By WKRC
April 27, 2021
The Dayton and Cincinnati labor councils gave Wong a certificate of commendation. It's for his military service and the courage he showed at a trustee meeting in March that made headlines across the globe. During the meeting, Wong stood up and bared the scars on his chest he received while serving in the military as a response to discrimination he's faced.
Scarred by pandemic, labor and allies mourn, then mobilize
Chicago Sun-Times
By David Roeder
April 29, 2021
Much of the emphasis from organized labor will be on urging Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. The measure is designed to make it easier to organize workers by, among other things, forbidding employers from forcing staff to hear anti-union arguments. It also would override state “right-to-work” laws that allow unionized employees to skip paying dues.
Workers’ Memorial Day honors those killed on the job in North Dakota & Minnesota
KVRR
By Raya Quttaineh
April 28, 2021
That’s why union leaders, including President of the North Dakota AFL-CIO Landis Larson, are calling on Congress to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. “The PRO Act would be a boon especially for unions because they’re going to do more OSHA safety standards, infectious disease standards which have been sorely lacking during this pandemic, they’re going to keep employers from harassing or firing during organizing campaigns and keep them from interfering,” Larson explained.
PRO Act a generational opportunity for workers' rights | Erik Gerken (Opinion)
Reno Gazette Journal
By Erik Gerken
April 27, 2021
The PRO Act would dramatically increase penalties for employers that violate workers’ rights; protect strikes and other protest activity; streamline the process for reaching a collective bargaining agreement once a union is formed; and so much more. Had the PRO Act been in place, workers and organizers in Alabama believe the vote to organize that Amazon warehouse would have turned out differently. Instead, Amazon and its union-busting contracting company successfully bombarded employees with constant pressure, negative messaging and repeated mandatory work meetings where disinformation could be spread without the opportunity for pro-union rebuttal.
Stateline labor leaders honor workers who have died on the job
WREX
By Nick Landi
April 28, 2021
Labor leaders in the Stateline take time to honor members they have lost on the job. Rockford United Labor and American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL - CIO) held the 50th annual Workers' Memorial Ceremony Wednesday outside the Zeke Giorgi Center in Rockford. The event also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). The act outlines the responsibilities of the employer, supervisor and the worker. Rockford United Labor President Sara Dorner says it is now more important than ever to help keep workers safe due to the pandemic. "In unions, we don't just honor or commemorate," said Dorner. "We mobilize. And so the importance of the Worker's Memorial Ceremony is that we are coming together, like we always do, in solidarity."
North Dakota union leaders make plea for safer workplaces
Inforum
By Barry Amundson
April 28, 2021
Erick Brekke, vice president of the Northern Plains United Labor Council, said the 18 workers from all parts of the state who died on the job last year placed North Dakota at No. 3 in the nation for the most dangerous workplaces, behind only Alaska and Wyoming.
Savannah hosts Workers Memorial Day ceremony for the first time
WJCL
By Dave Williams
April 28, 2021
"All of the reasons why they passed away could have been avoided and that's where the workers' safety comes into play, said Christi Hulme, President of the Savannah Regional Cultural Labor Council. "One thing about unions, we provide ourselves in working with the companies or corporations for workers safety, that's one of our top priorities." This is the first year this ceremony has been held in Savannah, which saw nine workplace deaths in the last year.
In rebuttal: Cynthia Phinney: PRO Act gives workers stronger voice
Sun Journal
By Cynthia Phinney
April 29, 2021
Rep. Josh Morris (R-Turner) recently wrote a confusing and misleading letter to the editor (“PRO Act not good for small businesses,” April 17) about the PRO Act, federal legislation that would allow workers to form unions free from employer harassment, intimidation and coercion. Rep. Morris erroneously claimed that the bill will somehow “give workers less of a say in business management.” Nothing could be further from the truth. The PRO Act actually gives workers a stronger voice in the workplace because it makes it easier to form unions. As we’ve seen during the nurses’ union drive at Maine Medical Center, management waged a vicious anti-union campaign, forcing nurses to attend captive audience meetings, spreading misinformation and pressuring employees to vote against their best interests. As research has shown, unionized hospitals have better patient outcomes than non-union health care facilities because nurses are allowed to more effectively advocate for better patient care and safety without fear of discipline.
AMAZON
Union's evidence in Amazon vote 'could be grounds for overturning election', U.S. Labor Board says
Reuters
By Nandita Bose
April 28, 2021
Evidence submitted by a retail union that raised objections to Amazon.com Inc’s conduct at this month’s union election in Alabama “could be grounds for overturning the vote”, the National Labor Relations Board said on Wednesday. The labor board has overturned several union elections over the years. In 2016, the board overturned an election the United Steelworks union lost by a decisive vote - a decision criticized by large U.S. business lobbies. The NLRB will hold a hearing on May 7 to consider objections filed by the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which failed to secure enough votes from Amazon warehouse workers to form a union. The vote count announced on April 9 showed that workers at Amazon’s Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse rejected the union by a more than 2-to-1 margin.