EDITOR'S NOTE: We call your attention to the story headlined "Amazon, Starbucks Union Organizers Invited to White House." Hogs would have flown before Donald Trump asked a union organizer over a visit. The invitation from the Biden White House is more proof, as if it were needed, that "elections have consquences" as Bill Londrigan is ever reminding us.
MUST READ
Washington DC’s 500 Most Influential People
Washingtonian
By Washingtonian Staff
May 3, 2022
Elected in August after the sudden death of Richard Trumka, Shuler is the first woman to lead the federation in its 66-year history. She advocated for workers’ strikes to place pressure on businesses and politicians.
YOUNG WORKERS
Liz Shuler has faith in young workers
Where to Next
By Acumen America
May 3, 2022
Liz Shuler has spent her career advocating for workers. The first female president of the AFL-CIO helped steer the labor giant—and its many unions—through the pandemic and the upheaval of working conditions. She got her start organizing at a local utility company and never looked back. We talked to her about young workers, picket lines, and building skills at the community level.
POLITICS
Amazon, Starbucks Union Organizers Invited to White House
Bloomberg
By Jordan Fabian and Matt Day
May 3, 2022
Organizers of union drives at Amazon.com Inc. and Starbucks Corp. will visit the White House on Thursday, a show of support by the Biden administration for the movement to unionize workforces at the companies. Vice President Kamala Harris and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh will host Christian Smalls of the Amazon Labor Union as well as officials from unions organizing workers at Starbucks, outdoor retailer REI and the video game publishing company Paizo Inc. among others, according to a White House official.
ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND CLIMATE
Top labor leader selected for New York climate council
Spectrum News 1
By Nick Reisman
May 3, 2022
A top labor organization leader in New York on Tuesday was selected by Gov. Kathy Hochul to serve on the state's panel addressing climate change issues. Longtime New York AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento was appointed to the Climate Action Council, which is in charge of developing policies and recommendations for the overall effort of transitioning the state to cleaner and more renewable forms of fuel and energy. "I am proud to announce that Mario Cilento's extraordinary record of service to working New Yorkers will continue with his appointment to the Climate Action Council," Hochul said. "Confronting the existential threat of climate change will require the contribution of New Yorkers from all walks of life. Organized labor has been a steadfast partner for the State in this fight and Mario will be an exemplary representative for the community."
JOINING TOGETHER
Atlantic City casino workers asking for ‘significant’ pay raise in contract talks
NJ.com
By The Associated Press
May 4, 2022
The main union representing casino workers in Atlantic City is seeking “significant” wage increases in talks that are currently under way. The goal, according to union officials, is to keep workers from falling behind in an economy where labor shortages are increasing salaries in other industries, yet inflation is eating away at consumers’ purchasing power.
D.C. Circulator drivers strike for second day amid negotiations
The Washington Post
By Luz Lazo
May 4, 2022
The union strike follows failed contract negotiations with RATP Dev USA, the company that operates the bus system for D.C.'s Department of Transportation. Union leaders and workers said they will continue the work stoppage until an agreement is reached. “If the company is reasonable and wants to end this quickly, they’d reach a deal today,” said Brian Wivell, a spokesman for ATU Local 689, which represents the more than 150 drivers. “But that’s up to them.”
Shipyard workers approve contract by 70%
NW Labor Press
By Colin Staub
May 4, 2022
Union workers at the Portland and Seattle shipyards approved a three-year agreement with Vigor Marine April 28, after the company offered wages and bonuses significantly higher than in its initial offer. The contract covers 986 workers represented by the AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department, including members of the Boilermakers, IBEW, Painters, Laborers, Sheet Metal, Pipefitters, Machinists, Teamsters and Operating Engineers.
NLRB
The National Labor Relations Board intervenes in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s 5-year labor fight
WESA
By An-Li Herring
May 4, 2022
The National Labor Relations Board has stepped into the bitter labor dispute at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that has stretched on for more than five years. In a complaint issued last week, the board accused managers at the Post-Gazette of refusing to bargain in good faith with the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, which represents the paper’s roughly 100 unionized journalists. Instead, the filing said, the Post-Gazette unilaterally altered policies on matters ranging from wages to hours worked, days off, and insurance coverage. Federal labor law requires the company to negotiate such workplace conditions with the union, the board said in its complaint. It scheduled a hearing on the dispute for September 12 before an administrative law judge.
IN THE STATES
Ryan vs. Vance: All eyes on race for Ohio's open U.S. Senate seat
Local12.com
By David Winter
May 4, 2022
We asked the president of Ohio's AFL-CIO -- a Ryan supporter -- about the Trump factor. “How do you tear away the working class of Ohio from Trump to vote for Ryan?” we asked. Tim Burga answered, “High wage paying jobs, jobs with benefits, jobs with retirement security, jobs with health care. That’s what Tim Ryan is all about.”
Hawaii Legislature passes bill raising minimum wage to $18
Big Rapids Pioneer
By Audrey Mcavoy
May 3, 2022
House Speaker Scott Saiki said a study showing that 42% of Hawaii households struggle to make ends meet was a big factor behind his support for the increase. The Hawaii State AFL-CIO also endorsed going to $18.