Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
JOINING TOGETHER
Workers Strike at Medicare, ACA Call Centers
Medpage Today
By Sophie Putka
Aug. 9, 2022
Federally contracted call center workers who provide customer service for Medicare and Affordable Care Act health plans went on strike on Monday over poor working conditions, including insufficient sick leave and limited bathroom breaks. Employees of Maximus, the nation's largest federal call center contractor, held a two-hour picket and a day-long strike Monday at four locations: Bogalusa, Louisiana; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Chester, Virginia; and London, Kentucky. Workers partnered with the AFL-CIO and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to negotiate with Maximus.
'We felt relief': Hilton housekeepers return to work with new contract
Hawaii Public Radio
By Casey Harlow
Aug. 9, 2022
The return of daily room cleanings was the main issue for the state's largest hospitality workers union, UNITE HERE! Local 5. The union's contract with some of Waikīkī's largest hotels expired in June.
Last month, Local 5 and the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort reached a new two-year agreement. The new contract not only brings back daily room cleanings, but also increases worker wages and contributes to the union's health fund — which was depleted in the last two years.
A Chicago theater’s staff unionizes amid protests of its board of directors
Los Angeles Times
By Ashley Lee
Aug. 9, 2022
The staff at Victory Gardens Theater have begun the process to unionize, The Times has learned. It’s the latest move in an ongoing standoff between the storied Chicago institution’s employees and board of directors, the latter of whom have drawn criticism for recent decisions regarding its artistic leadership and financial investments. The group of 16 employees — which includes front-of-house staff, stagehands and arts administrators — filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board last week. They are represented by three IATSE locals: Stagehands Local 2, Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 750, and Wardrobe Local 769.
IN THE STATES
Voters face 'Right to Work' addition to Tennessee constitution
News Channel 5
By Kelsey Gibbs
Aug. 9, 2022
On the November ballot, voters will see the push for changes in the Tennessee constitution. There's a push asking voters to "Vote Yes" on Amendment 1, which will make it harder for lawmakers to change the current Right to Work law. Voters will decide whether Tennessee's Right to Work law should be enshrined in the state constitution. Right to Work says employers cannot require workers to join a union and pay dues in order to obtain or keep their jobs. Alyssa Hansen, with the Tennessee AFL-CIO, relayed that's not a good position for employees. "I don't think it's normal. Tennessee's right-to-work law has been on the books for 75 years. In those 75 years there has never once been an effort, even when Democrats were in control, to repeal it," Hansen said. AFL-CIO and the Tennessee Democrat party are pushing a campaign asking voters to vote no.
UNION BUSTING
Hypocrisy At Amy’s Kitchen: Can A Food Company Be Truly Sustainable When It Comes To Worker Rights?
Forbes
By Michele Simon
Aug. 9, 2022
This news comes on the heels of the company announcing a plant closure in San Jose, California that is resulting in 331 workers being laid off. The plant was just opened last March to much fanfare, so the closure came as a surprise. The company says inflation and supply chain challenges were to blame for increasing losses at the facility. But a representative from the union UNITE HERE, which was trying to organize the plant, says the closure was retaliation for the unionizing efforts. Amy’s Kitchen has hired a consulting firm known for its union-busting tactics.