Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
JOINING TOGETHER
American workers are rediscovering the power of going on strike (Opinion)
MSNBC
By Kate Bahn
Oct. 19, 2022
Dire headlines about inflation are masking one of the biggest economic shifts in the U.S. labor market: After decades of decline, the American labor movement is showing signs of revival. With support for unions increasing, workers have more power as they request better pay and workplace benefits — and this could have a significant impact in reversing the long-standing trend of sluggish wage growth and low job quality for workers, despite increasing productivity and economic growth.
After Unionizing And Picketing, Senate Cafeteria Workers Secure $20 Minimum Wage And Benefits
DCist
By Sarah Y. Kim
Oct. 19, 2022
Cafeteria workers at the U.S. Senate have ratified their first contract, securing a $20 per hour minimum wage and benefits like pension contributions and affordable platinum-level health insurance with coverage for family members. The workers are organized with UNITE HERE Local 23. The union’s contract with the workers’ employer, Restaurant Associates, went into effect Tuesday and will remain in effect until Sept. 30, 2026.
Utility union seeks to organize GE Renewable Energy turbine workers
Times Union
By Larry Rulison
Oct. 19, 2022
One of the largest utility worker unions in the country is trying to organize 135 wind turbine workers at GE Renewable Energy. The move comes after a news report that GE is looking to cut 20 percent of the jobs in the onshore wind division of GE Renewable Energy, according to Reuters. The Utility Workers Union of America, which is part of the AFL-CIO, filed what's known as a "representative petition" with the National Labor Relations Board to be recognized as the labor bargaining unit for wind turbine technicians and specialists who work for GE Renewable Energy.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalists begin strike, as contract impasse continues
WITF
By Patrick Doyle and Julia Zenkevich
Oct. 19, 2022
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalists started a strike at noon on Tuesday, following unmet demands from the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh that the company “end its illegally declared impasse to contract negotiations” and return to the bargaining table with the union.
s the strike began, workers gathered outside the Post-Gazette offices on the North Side to picket. “We want to be doing strong journalism, we want to be reporting for the Pittsburgh region, we don’t want to be out here on the streets doing this,” said Zach Tanner, the president of the local guild. “But we’re doing this to secure a fair contract for the journalists at the Post-Gazette, which will keep the Post-Gazette strong for the region for years to come.”
IATSE, Commercial Producers Reach Deal on TV Contract
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
Oct. 19, 2022
Major crew union IATSE and a group representing producers of commercials have reached a tentative deal on a new three-year contract for TV commercials nationwide. IATSE jointly announced the deal with the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) on Wednesday after negotiations concluded the previous week. The agreement will retroactively extend from Oct. 1, 2022 until Sept. 30, 2025, with new contract language kicking in on Oct. 30. Added IATSE international president Matthew D. Loeb, “I am pleased we were able to not only come to an agreement that provides industry stability and meaningful improvements for our members, but also provide freelance commercial production department workers a fair opportunity to decide for themselves on union representation.”
LABOR AND ECONOMY
Hyundai should address child labor at U.S. suppliers, investor group, unions say
Reuters
By Mica Rosenberg and Kristina Cooke
Oct. 19, 2022
A group that works with union pension funds is pressing Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS) to respond to reports of child labor at U.S. parts suppliers, warning of potential reputational damage to the Korean automaker. SOC Investment Group, which works with union pension funds that have more than $250 billion in assets, sent a sharply worded letter on Wednesday to company chairman Euisun Chung, saying investors were concerned in the wake of a July investigation by Reuters that found child labor at a Hyundai subsidiary in Alabama. In addition, the letter cited a recent federal and state investigation into children working at another Hyundai supplier in the state.
CIVIL, HUMAN, AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS
SAG-AFTRA Urges Senate To Pass Crown Act Barring Discrimination Based On Hair Style Or Texture
Deadline
By Greg Evans
Oct. 19, 2022
SAG-AFTRA is urging Congress to pass the federal Crown Act, designed to prevent unfair workplace treatment of people of color based on hair style or texture. In what it describes as a strongly-worded statement signed by dozens of performers including Kerry Washington, Zoë Kravitz, Rosario Dawson, Don Cheadle, Niecy Nash-Betts, the entertainment and media union says that discrimination based on hair style or texture “is a destructive practice that has alienated and caused irreparable harm to Black Americans.” “The Crown Act is a huge step in ending discrimination based on hair in public education and work spaces,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “People should feel free to style their hair how they feel most comfortable without the threat of prejudice and unequal treatment.”
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Strike for Hunger called a success
Daily Press
Oct. 19, 2022
USW Local 21 thanks community for the success of this year’s USW Women of Steel “Strike for Hunger.” The effort raised $11,327 in cash donations and 1,560 pounds of donated items. Elmer’s County Market and Pat’s Foods hosted the event. Above is the amount collected at Elmer’s County Market.