MUST READ
Shuler: Labor’s historic political effort paid off, will continue
The Stand
Nov. 9, 2022
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler released the following statement Wednesday morning on the 2022 midterm elections: While it may be days or weeks until every vote is counted and we know the full results of this election, it’s clear the tireless organizing efforts of working people to engage voters in one-on-one discussions about the issues that matter made a critical difference this year in many races. No matter the outcome after all the votes are counted, working people know the fight isn’t over; in fact, it’s just getting started. The foundation that unions built through our 365-day-a-year political organizing campaign will engage voters every day through 2024 and beyond to create an economy that works for all of us.
JOINING TOGETHER
New USW contract increases wages and pensions, bolsters health insurance
NWI Times
By Joseph S. Pete
Nov. 9, 2022
The United Steelworkers union says its new tentative contract with U.S. Steel will improve pay, pensions and health insurance. The four-year deal that still must be ratified by members covers 13,000 steelworkers, including at Gary Works and the Midwest Plant in Portage. USW District 7 Director Michael Millsap, who chaired the negotiations, said the tentative agreement was unanimously recommended by the bargaining committee. He credited workers' solidarity for getting a new contract done.
Hopkins Dining employees demand University provide job security
The Johns Hopkins Newsletter
By Helen Lacey
Nov. 9, 2022
Hopkins Dining employees held a picket line demonstration on Nov. 2 to protest the treatment of food service workers at the University. The Hopkins Dining union, represented by UNITE HERE Local 7, presented their finalized negotiations to the University on Nov. 4. Earlier this year, the University established a new dining program to take food service employees in-house. Previously all food service employees were employed by contract. Roxie Herbekian is the president of UNITE HERE Local 7. In an interview with The News-Letter, Herbekian stated that negotiations with the University regarding wages, insurance, vacation time and sick leave for food service employees are going well. According to her, the contentious issue is job security.
Peoria government employee union waves a red flag about working conditions
WCBU
By Jessica Moreano
Nov. 9, 2022
Anyone who was in attendance at Tuesday’s City Council meeting noticed the sea of green AFSCME shirts representing an unusually large audience compared to the attendance council meetings typically bring in. The American Federation of State County & Municipal Employee (AFSCME) Local 3464 is a union representing employees of the City of Peoria, the Peoria Public Library, the Peoria Civic Center, and the Peoria Housing Authority. Matthew Hayes, a local city worker, introduced the group's concerns to the Council during the public comment portion of the meeting. “Tonight, our union members have gathered here to voice some of our issues and make our presence known,” he stated. “For years now, the union has been weak from high turnover rates, minimal staffing, increased workloads, lack of wage compensation, and other departmental issues leading to a work environment that doesn’t fit the needs of its employees.” AFSCME Local 3464 claims that their workers have been “faced with request after request to make do with less,” and that the “city government has used every crisis to cut city services and staff.”
IN THE STATES
Illinois voters approve Worker's Rights Amendment to state constitution
ABC7
By ABC7 Chicago Digital Team
Nov. 9, 2022
Illinois voters decided issues in referendums on Election Day. They voted in favor of amending the Illinois constitution, to guarantee workers' rights to bargain collectively. "From day one, the Vote Yes for Workers' Rights campaign has been based on the simple idea that every Illinois worker deserves better," Tim Drea, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO and Vote Yes for Workers' Rights chair said. "Better pay, stronger benefits, and safer workplaces don't just help workers thrive; they strengthen our state and keep us all safe.
Wisconsin AFL-CIO: Working people power Evers, Kaul to victory in Wisconsin
Wis Politics
Nov. 9, 2022
“Congratulations to Governor Tony Evers, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, Attorney General Josh Kaul and all the union-approved candidates that won election last night in Wisconsin. Since day one of his administration, Governor Evers has stood with and fought for the working people of Wisconsin. He invested in infrastructure, cracked down on worker misclassification and payroll fraud, protected safe licensing standards and focused on getting families clean drinking water. Governor Evers’ strong record of delivering for the people of Wisconsin won him a second term alongside his new Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, a former public health nurse who deeply understands the importance of unions.