Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
JOINING TOGETHER
Netflix Music Supervisors Seek NLRB Election In Order To Be Represented By IATSE
Deadline
By David Robb
Oct. 24, 2022
Music supervisors at Netflix, who are seeking representation by IATSE, today filed for a union certification election with the National Labor Relations Board. According to the union, an “overwhelming majority” of music supervisors currently or recently employed by Netflix requested that the streaming giant voluntarily recognize their union, “a request Netflix has declined.” “Their creative vision is behind some of the most beloved moments in film and television,” IATSE said in a statement. “But, as the importance of music in media has grown, their responsibilities have expanded, their conditions have deteriorated, and their pay has stagnated.”
Unionized GE workers to rally in Schenectady
WAMC
By Dave Lucas
Oct. 24, 2022
Hundreds of unionized General Electric workers from plants around the country are planning to rally Tuesday in Schenectady. They'll be coming from places like Kentucky, Kansas and Massachusetts, marching from IUE-CWA Local 301 Union Hall at 251 State Street to Schenectady GE. There they’ll rally and demand that the nearly $80 billion company reinvest in American workers, stop alleged illegal union busting, and take immediate action to protect jobs, strengthen pay, ensure retirement security, and cut healthcare costs for its domestic workforce.
WDJT
By Stephanie Rodriguez
Oct. 24, 2022
Amalgamated union members demonstrated Monday in front of Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) headquarters as they seek a new contract. "Right now, I'm trying to calm them down from not going on strike. They're ready to walk now. They're ready to walk today," Amalgamated Transit Union Vice President Michael Brown said. "We're not here trying to strike or shut down the city, that's not our goal. Our goal is to get this city moving and to do it in the right way." Union members are hoping for a better contract offer from the transit system when negotiations resume in November, however, a strike could be the next step. "We're serious about this contract, and we're not going to stop until we get what we want," Sandra Cooper, a 16-year employee of MCTS, said. Union members want higher wages to keep up with inflation and the rising cost of living. "We're the biggest city in the state of Wisconsin, but we're the lowest paid in Wisconsin," Brown said.
KALW
By Kyri Nashiem
Oct. 24, 2022
At 7 o’clock this morning, Alta Bates nurses hit the picket lines, at both the Berkeley and Oakland hospitals. High turnover rates, poor working conditions, and allegations of workplace violence are the motives behind this strike. The protests are set to last five days. Immediate changes are being demanded by members of the California Nurses Association, a state affiliate of National Nurses United. They want Sutter Health to ensure that each unit at Alta Bates Hospital has a violence protection plan in place. Advocates also want Sutter to provide workers the resources required to do their jobs properly.
Tentative deal would boost pay for 8,000 Southwest workers
The Washington Post
By Associated Press
Oct. 24, 2022
More than 8,000 customer-service workers at Southwest Airlines would get raises of 16% to 25% over four years under a tentative contract, a sign of cost pressures facing airlines in a tight labor market. The agreement announced Monday faces a ratification vote, however, and the same workers rejected a previous deal that union leaders negotiated in May. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said the new deal has better terms than the rejected agreement and would put people who work at Southwest ticket counters and airport gates at the top of the industry’s pay scale.
Pueblo steelworkers/EVRAZ reach new collective bargaining agreement
KRDO
By Tyler Dumas
Oct. 24, 2022
Union workers at the EVRAZ steel mill in Pueblo have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. Members of USW Local 2102 (production and maintenance workers) and Local 3267 (clerical, technical, and plant protection workers) voted on October 20th, 2022 to accept the agreement. Charles Perko, President of Local 3267 had the following to say about the deal. “The Steelworkers have secured a world-class contract for EVRAZ Pueblo’s union workers”, Perko said. “This is a package unlike anything we’ve seen in the history of the Locals. This contract will not only ensure that our members and their families can continue to enjoy a good life, but will once again set the gold standard for wages and benefits in Southern Colorado."
IN THE STATES
New Jersey State AFL-CIO Urges Senate to Vote for Temporary Worker’s Bill of Rights
Insider NJ
Oct. 24, 2022
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO respectfully urges you to support A1474, the Temporary Worker’s Bill of Rights in concurrence with the Governor’s recommendations. The bill would increase accountability for staffing firms, protect temporary workers against wage theft, pay discrimination and unsafe working conditions, and improve predictability in temporary worker’s schedule. Specifically, as recommended by the Governor, the bill requires staffing firms provide temporary workers equal pay for performing work equal to an employee in addition to requiring staffing agencies to register with the state and disclose certain information related to temporary worker paychecks.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
'An epidemic': Health care workers speak out about being violently attacked on the job
ABC 11
By Samantha Kummerer
Oct. 24, 2022
National Nurses United surveyed more than 2,500 nurses across the nation and found that 48% reported an increase in workplace violence. These incidents have risen to the public attention in the Triangle with a hospital nurse attacked earlier this summer and a Durham nurse practitioner stabbed to death by a patient. Jean Ross, a registered nurse and the president of National Nurses United, said staffing is one of the biggest issues contributing to these incidents. National Nurses United's survey found that 69% reported staffing has gotten worse, a significant increase from surveys conducted last year. "Let's say you're just standing in line at a store, waiting for a clerk to help you, it's frustrating and the longer you stand there, the more frustrated you are," Ross said. "Now, pretend you're a patient, maybe you're in pain. You've got your light on, the nurse can't come there aren't enough nurses."