MUST READ
AFL-CIO’s MLK Conference emphasizes protecting democracy, politics, organizing
People’s World
By Press Associates
Jan. 13, 2023
For the hundreds of unionists attending the AFL-CIO’s annual Martin Luther King Civil and Human Rights Conference, the right-wing threat to democracy—and to workers’ rights—isn’t over. And, though he wasn’t a scheduled speaker at the event, “Claiming Our Power, Protecting Our Democracy,” this weekend at the Washington (D.C.) Hilton, it’s a threat recognized by the late civil rights leader’s family, too, as his son Martin Luther King III told a D.C. crowd a week ago. After opening speeches Jan. 13 by AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, conference delegates planned to tackle those issues, plus organizing, in small-group panel discussions and general sessions, before heading out for community service and, on Jan. 16, religious services, too.
CIVIL, HUMAN, AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Solidarity Remains an Inspiration for Our Labor Movement
Insider NJ
Jan. 13, 2023
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is proud to honor Dr. Martin Luther, King Jr. and his unwavering commitment to justice, dignity, respect and solidarity with the rights of working people. In fact, Dr. King’s last demonstration of civil disobedience was on behalf of sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, who enlisted his aid during a lengthy strike for job safety, better wages and benefits and union recognition.
POLITICS
The strategist who didn't believe in the red wave
Politico
By Politico Staff
Jan. 13, 2023
In off-the-record conversations and private emails, AFL-CIO political director Michael Podhorzer argued that the pundits focusing exclusively on the fundamentals of the race — Biden’s approval rating and the dismal economic indicators — were missing the bigger picture. Yes, presidents usually lose an average of some two dozen House seats in similar circumstances, but that wasn’t the whole story. While many analysts argued that inflation would be more important than the diffuse issue of democracy, Podhorzer said that was myopic. He was much more right than wrong.
SUPREME COURT
The right to strike in danger at the U.S. Supreme Court
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
Jan. 13, 2023
“The right to strike is on trial today at the U.S. Supreme Court,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler warned in a Jan. 10 tweet about the case, Glacier Northwest, Inc. v Teamsters Local 174. “For nearly a century, federal law has protected workers’ right to strike in order to improve their wages, hours and working conditions.”
JOINING TOGETHER
Inside the VFX Union Brewing in Hollywood
Vulture
By Chris Lee
Jan. 13, 2023
Ben Speight, an organizer at the Animation Guild and the VFX-IATSE, a rapidly growing wing of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (of which Patch is a member) that first formed in 2012, says the industry has grown “exponentially” since the late ’90s and early 2000s, when it consisted of several hundred visual-effects workers. According to the effects and gaming directory site Studio Hog, there are now 582 visual-effects houses worldwide and somewhere between 31,000 and 117,000 workers plying their trade at any given time. VFX industry watchdogs estimate that across TV and film, there is currently about three times the amount of work as there are visual-effects professionals to execute it.
Philly airport food service workers rally for a signed contract
The Philadelphia Tribune
By Tribune Staff Report
Jan. 16, 2023
Dozens of Black, brown and immigrant Philadelphia International Airport food service workers, who are members of UNITE HERE Philly Local 274, picketed and rallied at the airport’s Terminal B on Friday. The workers said they are seeking free health care for over 95% of the workforce and holiday pay for all workers. They were joined by other union members, community supporters, clergy and political allies, including Sen. Nikil Saval, City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas. “This weekend, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He not only fought for civil rights, but he also fought for economic rights,” Johnson said. “The Philadelphia International Airport is the people’s airport. Health care rights are human rights.”
U.S. labor strikes went up almost 50% between 2021 and 2022
Marketplace
By Justin Ho
Jan. 16, 2023
The number of strikes in the United States rose almost 50% between 2021 and 2022, according to Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. That pickup in activity has momentum. In many industries, working conditions have worsened during the pandemic. Cathy Creighton at Cornell said workers are stressed. “And with labor shortages, that exacerbates the stress because you have to do more with a lot less people.” Creighton, who used to be an attorney with the National Labor Relations Board, said going on strike can be risky. In some cases, employers are allowed to permanently replace striking workers. But businesses might think twice about doing that right now, given how hard it’s been to find workers in the first place.
IN THE STATES
New Democratic majority kicks off session with bills axing Right to Work, 1931 abortion ban
Michigan Advance
By Laina G. Stebbins
Jan. 11, 2023
“House Democrats are committed to supporting Michigan families, guaranteeing the rights of all Michiganders are protected and respected, ensuring workers know they are valued, protecting and investing in our future, and promoting safe and strong communities,” House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) said in a statement.
Legendary sound engineer relishes union leadership role
Minnesota Spokesman Recorder
By Tony Kiene
Jan. 6, 2023
In its 129-year history in Minneapolis, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 13 had never elected a business agent who wasn’t a White male. That all changed on November 8, 2022 when Wendell Bell, a 33-year veteran of the Twin Cities music and theater scene, was elected in a landslide. In his new role, Bell, who officially took office Monday, is responsible for a multitude of union business matters from collective bargaining to production values and logistics to payroll and so much more. He is also tasked with helping make sure that the roster of 3,000 IATSE Local 13 workers—a list that includes technicians, carpenters, wardrobe professionals, sound engineers, hairstylists, upriggers, makeup specialists, lighting designers, and other stagehands—are safely and successfully dispatched to staff various productions across the metro area and beyond.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Firefighters providing winter coats to students at two Whatcom County elementary schools
KGMI
By A Smith
Jan. 16, 2023
Local firefighters have stepped up once again to keep kids warm. Operation Warm raised enough money in 2022 to provide over 800 free winter coats to students at two Whatcom County elementary schools. IAFF Local 106 Bellingham and Whatcom Professional Firefighters worked with local businesses to raise money for the cause during the months of October and November.
AMAZON
Amazon Labor Union Certified by U.S. Labor Officials
Vice
By Jules Roscoe
Jan. 12, 2023
The Amazon Labor Union has officially been certified by the National Labor Relations Board, the union announced on Wednesday night. Amazon is now legally obligated to start bargaining a contract in good faith with the ALU, nine months after workers first won their union election at the company’s mammoth JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island.