Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
JOINING TOGETHER
Shakespeare Theatre Production Staff Hold Vote On Unionization
DCist.
By Elliot C. Williams
July 26, 2022
The stagehands, costume and set designers, electricians, audio engineers, and other production staffers at Shakespeare Theatre Company voted to unionize Monday, the result of an organizing effort that began years ago and intensified amid allegations of unfair labor practices during the pandemic. The theater company’s employees voted 23 in favor and 6 against, with a mix of in-person and mailed-in ballots counted by the National Labor Relations Board. The group is represented by IATSE Local 22, the local stagehands union.
Book Soup, West Hollywood’s storied bookstore, unionizes amid a larger organizing wave
Los Angeles Times
By Dorany Pineda
July 26, 2022
The employees of Book Soup, West Hollywood’s self-proclaimed “bookseller to the great and infamous,” are embarking on a new chapter as members of a union. Last month Vroman’s, which owns the bookstore, voluntarily recognized its employees’ union, marking a big victory for the dozen or so booksellers who will be represented. Victor Serrano, organizing coordinator for the Communications Workers of America District 9, with which Book Soup’s union is affiliated, said unionizing at smaller businesses like independent bookstores is a relatively new phenomenon.
Vernon approves new contracts with unions
Journal Inquirer
By Ben Crnic
July 26, 2022
The town has approved two three-year agreements with unions representing town employees from several departments, officials announced. The contracts, approved and signed last week, were made with AFSCME Locals 818 and 1471, which represent staff in the town’s Social Services, Information Technology, Finance, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Water Pollution Control, and Land Use departments.
Chicago-area concrete producers, engineers union reach tentative agreement to end strike
Construction Dive
By Zachary Phillips
July 26, 2022
A weekslong concrete workers strike that has snarled some Chicago-area construction projects appears to have ended yesterday. The Local 150 chapter of the International Union of Operating Engineers announced last night it reached a tentative agreement with the Chicago Area Aggregate Producers Association. The 300-worker strike began June 7.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Union Plus to Award $185,000 to Union Members in Celebration of Labor Day
PR Newswire
July 26, 2022
Union Plus is proud to announce that our annual Labor Day celebration, Unions Power America, is back and bigger than ever. Union Plus will be giving away a total of $185,000 in cash prizes through the Unions Power America Contest and Sweepstakes in honor of exceptional union workers who make our country strong. "Union members are America's heroes," reflects Mitch Stevens, Union Plus president, "and Union Plus is proud to honor them this, and every Labor Day with the Unions Power America Contest, Sweepstakes and Labor Day event. Recent efforts and victories by workers to unionize their workplaces remind us that unions are for, and built by, hardworking, extraordinary people. Unions and their members are the backbone of our nation and it is Union Plus' great privilege to celebrate their vital contribution to our communities."
Santa Fe Opera Announces Free Opera In The Park Screenings & More
Los Alamos Daily Post
By Carol A. Clark
July 26, 2022
The Santa Fe Opera (SFO) has announced the return of free Opera in the Park screenings in Albuquerque and Santa Fe and Radio Broadcasts with 95.5 KHFM Classical Public Radio. Artist appearances are made possible through the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Musicians. Additional information about the events can be found online