JOINING TOGETHER
Philadelphia Museum of Art workers hold 1-day strike for better wages, benefits
Philly Voice
By Maggie Mancini
Sept. 16, 2022
Unionized workers at the Philadelphia Museum of Art began a one-day "unfair practices" strike Friday morning amid ongoing negotiations with museum leadership on their first collective bargaining agreement. The decision comes less than three weeks after AFSCME Local 397 members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike and filed eight unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming that museum management engaged in union-busting practices during contract negotiations.
Peoria teacher's union reaches tentative contract agreement with Peoria Public Schools
WCBU
By Tim Shelley
Sept. 16, 2022
The Peoria Federation of Teachers has reached a tentative agreement with Peoria Public Schools on a new three-year contract. The deal was announced in a joint statement Thursday night by the union and district. Details of the agreement won't be released until the deal is ratified by the union. Bargaining began back in March. Teachers have worked under an expired contract since the start of this school year. The union had overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike.
Major League baseball players joining AFL-CIO; Minor Leaguers seeking to organize
Labor Tribune
Sept. 18, 2022
Baseball fans were delighted with dual news last week affecting America’s favorite pastime: A unionization drive among Minor League baseball players was launched by the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) in an effort to bring equity to young players. Affiliation with the AFL-CIO by the MLB Players Association itself was announced Sept. 7. The MLPBA is formally affiliating with the AFL-CIO and will join the AFL-CIO’s newly formed Sports Council whose membership includes NFL Players Association, the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association, the United Soccer League Players Association-CWA, the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association and the newly organized United Football Players Association-USW. “The MLBPA and every single one of its 1,200 players have a home in our movement because this union understands and lives the meaning of the word solidarity by leveraging the power of sports and helping others,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Together, with our 12.5 million members, we will bring our strength to their fights, including working to organize 5,400 minor league players.”
Nurses' union at UM remain at odds with university as negotiating continues
WEMU
By Josh Hakala
Sept. 19, 2022
The nurses at the University of Michigan continue to negotiate with university leadership with a strike possibility remaining on the table. The nurses have been working without a contract since July 1st. The union has accused the university of breaking labor laws and has filed a lawsuit over the university’s refusal to discuss workload ratios. Michigan Medicine says they are planning to ensure safe staffing levels if a work stoppage occurs. Joey Andrews from the AFL-CIO says this case could be a bellwether for future labor disputes involving hospital workers when it comes to nurse-to-patient ratios.