MUST READ
Congress Finally Scrounges Up Some Money For Workers' Rights
Huff Post
By Dave Jamieson
Dec. 20, 2022
A sweeping government spending deal reached in the Senate early Tuesday would bring a much-needed funding boost to the agency that oversees collective bargaining in the private sector. Labor unions have spent recent weeks pressing lawmakers to steer more money to the National Labor Relations Board, which conducts union elections and investigates unfair labor practices. The agency’s leaders recently said its financial situation had grown so dire that it would have to furlough employees, endangering its mission to protect workers’ rights. Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO labor federation, said Tuesday that funding the labor board was a “workers’ rights issue.” “For every employee who has faced retaliation, harassment or surveillance simply for wanting to join a union, strengthening the NLRB will make a difference,” Shuler said on Twitter.
POLITICS
Congress Finally Scrounges Up Some Money For Workers
Birmingham Daily Journal
By Richard Wineguard
Dec. 20, 2022
Labor unions have spent recent weeks pressing lawmakers to steer more money to the National Labor Relations Board, which conducts union elections and investigates unfair labor practices. The agency’s leaders recently said its financial situation had grown so dire that it would have to furlough employees, endangering its mission to protect workers’ rights. Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO labor federation, said Tuesday that funding the labor board was a “workers’ rights issue.” “For every employee who has faced retaliation, harassment or surveillance simply for wanting to join a union, strengthening the NLRB will make a difference,” Shuler said on Twitter.
JOINING TOGETHER
‘We want to work’: Newspaper Guild says Post-Gazette continues to bargain in bad faith
By Noelle Mateer and Joshua Axelrod
Dec. 20, 2022
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette continued to bargain in bad faith with the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh on Tuesday. It was the guild’s fourth session meeting with the company since the union went on strike Oct. 18. The guild brought forward concessions on company policies regarding job security and layoffs. The company offered no counterproposal. No date was set for a fifth bargaining session. “Today was more of the same for the company,” said Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh President Zack Tanner. “They’re not willing to commit to us actually having jobs. They want the ability to hire and fire as they please. That’s just unacceptable to us.”
UC graduate student academic workers reach tentative pact, ratification vote underway
People’s World
By Marilyn Bechtel
Dec. 20, 2022
After many months of bargaining and five weeks on picket lines at University of California campuses throughout the state, Academic Student Employee and Student Researcher bargaining teams announced Dec. 16 that they have reached tentative agreement with the university. Ratification votes will take place through Dec. 23.
IN THE STATES
Illinois AFL-CIO welcomes Orenic as coalitions director
Illinois Business Journal
By Editor
Dec. 20, 2022
Frances Orenic has joined the Illinois AFL-CIO as Coalitions Director, working primarily on political and legislative initiatives as well as special projects. “The Illinois AFL-CIO is thrilled to have Frances joining our team,” remarked President Tim Drea. “Frances has been steeped in the labor movement from a young age and understands the diverse needs of working families fighting for equitable wages, safety conditions and the ability to bargain. We are confident that Frances will bring a unique perspective to the table and ensure that we are building coalitions to advance the needs of working Illinoisans.”
Wis Politics
Dec. 20, 2022
Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale released the following statement: “Shame on Ascension for announcing the closure of the only Labor and Delivery Unit on Milwaukee’s southside at St. Francis Hospital just days before Christmas. This abrupt and short-sighted decision will leave expecting families on the southside without a safe and accessible hospital to receive essential birthing and postnatal services. The decision also means layoffs for dozens of hardworking union members with the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, AFT (WFNHP). We join together with the WFNHP, AFT to call on Ascension to fully fund the Labor and Delivery Unit at St. Francis Hospital.”