LABOR AND ECONOMY
Twin complaints signal new FTC strategy to rein in tech industry
The Washington Post
By Cat Zakrzewski, Naomi Nix and Shannon Liao
Dec. 8, 2022
The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday took its most aggressive actions since Lina Khan became chair to rein in the power of Big Tech, pursuing a lawsuit to block Microsoft’s acquisition of a game developer on the same day it opened arguments in another case against Meta’s purchase of a virtual reality start-up.
JOINING TOGETHER
GM battery plant workers vote to unionize with UAW, a key win for labor as industry shifts to EVs
CNBC
By Michael Wayland
Dec. 9, 2022
Workers at a General Motors
joint venture battery plant in northeast Ohio overwhelmingly voted in favor of representation with the United Auto Workers, the union said early Friday. The vote was being closely watched as such battery plants are viewed as crucial for automakers to transition from traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines to all-electric cars and trucks. Several other multi-billion dollar plants from GM and other automakers are under construction in the U.S. The UAW reports roughly 98% of votes cast were in favor for the union. The count was 710 votes in support of UAW representation; 16 against; and one was void. The National Labor Relations Board, which was overseeing the election, did not immediately respond for comment.
Wis Business
Dec. 8, 2022
“The Wisconsin labor movement proudly stands in solidarity with AFSCME Locals 1205 and 1558 as they prepare to strike on December 23 if a mutually agreeable contract agreement is not reached before then,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “Wisconsin workers who work at the Red Cross staffing blood drives provide an essential service that enhances the health, safety, and well-being of countless communities across our state. Quality wages and a fair union contract help ensure workers are effectively trained and remain in their position to improve over years of service. The men and women of the labor movement stand shoulder to shoulder with Red Cross workers in the fight for a fair contract.”
CNN Business
By Oliver Darcy
Dec. 8, 2022
A 24-hour strike at The New York Times, a historic demonstration in which more than 1,100 employees are expected to participate, began Thursday at midnight, after management and the union representing staffers failed to reach an agreement for a new contract after more than a year and a half of negotiating. The NewsGuild of New York, which represents journalists and other staffers at The Times, said in a statement that the walkout was “due to the company’s failure to bargain in good faith, reach a fair contract agreement with the workers, and meet their demands.”
Why 250 book industry workers are on strike at a publishing giant
Fast Company
By Kim Kelly
Dec. 8, 2022
The HarperCollins Union, which represents more than 250 employees, has been on strike since November 10. HarperCollins is the only one of the Big Five publishers (which also include Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, and Macmillan) with a unionized workforce, which it’s had for more than 80 years.
RETIREMENT SECURITY
Biden unveils $36B for one of America’s largest and most troubled pension funds
Yahoo! Finance
By Ben Werschkul
Dec. 8, 2022
"One cannot underestimate the significance of this assistance for basic economic security and dignity for union workers in their retirement years," Gene Sperling, the Biden aide who oversees the enactment of the American Rescue Plan, reportedly told Midwestern reporters Thursday on a conference call. President Biden is set to make the formal announcement Thursday afternoon at the White House while flanked by figures like Teamster President Sean O’Brien, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. The effort has long been championed on Capitol Hill by figures like Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).