Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
LABOR AND ECONOMY
Unionization increased by 200,000 in 2022
Economic Policy Institute
By Heidi Shierholz, Margaret Poydock, and Celine McNicholas
Jan. 19, 2023
We analyzed recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB 2022) and found the following: Overall unionization levels and rates
In 2022, more than 16 million workers in the United States were represented by a union—an increase of 200,000 from 2021. At the same time, the share of workers represented by a union declined from 11.6% to 11.3%. How is it possible that unionization levels increased but unionization rates decreased in 2022? The answer is straightforward: More jobs were unionized, but nonunion jobs were added at a faster rate.
Union membership drops to new low despite organizing wave
The Hill
By Karl Evers-Hillstrom
Jan. 19, 2023
The AFL-CIO said that the figures “don’t capture” the recent surge in organizing. The nation’s largest labor federation said that those efforts will result in significant union member growth in the coming years. “In 2022, we saw working people rising up despite often illegal opposition from companies that would rather pay union-busting firms millions than give workers a seat at the table,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a statement. “The wave of organizing will continue to gather steam in 2023 and beyond despite broken labor laws that rig the system against workers.” Unions are pushing lawmakers to make it easier for workers to organize, pointing to data that shows strong support for unions. An August Gallup poll found that 71 percent of Americans approve of unions, the highest figure in 57 years.
JOINING TOGETHER
Ingredion and Union reach tentative agreement on a 4 year contract
KCRG
By KCRG Staff
Jan. 19, 2023
After striking workers on the picket line for more than 170 days, Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International Union (BCGTM) and Ingredion officials said they reached a tentative agreement on a new 4-year contract. Mike Moore, who is the president for the BCTGM Local 100G Union, said he plans on having his members vote on the contract this Sunday. If 51% of its around 115 members vote to approve the deal, the strike will officially end. Moore said this agreement happened over the last two days of negotiations and didn’t believe the strike needed to last more than six months. He said the process has been stressful for him and his members.
Striking HarperCollins Workers Rally Outside Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp
Vice
By Claire Woodcock
Jan. 19, 2023
After 50 days of striking to demand a fair contract, over 100 unionized HarperCollins workers took their picket line over to the New York headquarters of News Corporation, the publishing giant’s parent company. “Union busting is part of their game,” Olga Brudastova, president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2110, told Motherboard before the rally on Wednesday. “We’ve been bargaining for over a year at this point, and I guess it's on brand for [HarperCollins] to continue with this stance.”
New Haven alders approve contracts for nurses and administrators
The Middletown Press
By Mark Zaretsky
Jan. 19, 2023
Two of the seven open labor contracts simmering a year ago are open no more. New contracts for 45 public health nurses and more than 100 public school administrators now are settled as a result of a unanimous approval vote this week by the Board of Alders. For both city officials and officials from nurses' union, AFSCME Local 1303-467, which had worked without a contract — and raises — since 2020, a new 6-year contract that applies retroactively beginning with the 2020 fiscal year, that's something to celebrate.
Hundreds picket at Station Casinos office over stalled union contract
Las Vegas Review-Journal
By McKenna Ross
Jan. 19, 2023
Hundreds of people carrying large signs tried to capture the public’s attention outside of Station Casinos’ corporate headquarters on Thursday. Picketers from the Culinary union, partners from the Nevada AFL-CIO and current and former Station Casinos employees held signs that called the operator of Red Rock Resort, Palace Station, Green Valley Ranch Resort and other properties “unfair.” Meanwhile, banners on the company’s building touted it as a top gaming employer offering family health benefits. The public push by Culinary Local 226 was meant to bring attention to its long-stalled effort toward having a first-time union contract for the casino company’s employees.
Hawaiian Airlines’ pilots to vote on new contract
Flight Global
By Pilar Wolfsteller
Jan. 19, 2023
Hawaiian Airlines’ pilots have come to a tentative agreement with the airline on a new four-year contract. The pilots are represented by union Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). ALPA said on 18 January that the new deal includes “substantial pay increases”, as well as “current industry-leading rates” for the airline’s new cargo operation, which it announced in October.
IN THE STATES
'Future women of welding' competition in Louisville bringing more girls into the trade
WLKY
By Addie Meiners
Jan. 19, 2023
More than 40 high school girls from around Kentucky competed in the first-ever 'Future Women in Welding' competition held in Louisville on Thursday. Pleasure Ridge Park high school, which is home to the welding academy in JCPS, put on the event at the UA Local 502 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Technicians union hall.
Insider NJ
Jan. 19, 2023
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is proud to announce that Brother Sam Ferraino, UFCW Local 360 President and graduate of our Labor Candidate School, has been appointed to the Woodbury City Council.
Brother Ferraino has a strong track record of fighting to make a difference for working families. Ferraino also serves as President of the Southern New Jersey Central Labor Council.
Coalition: Raising awareness of Wisconsin’s worker’s compensation system
Wis Business
Jan. 19, 2023
Prominent Wisconsin labor leader President Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the AFL-CIO of Wisconsin and longtime Wisconsin Manufactures & Commerce official James Buchen have both announced their organization’s involvement in the Worker’s Comp Works Coalition during last month’s public hearing of the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council. The newly formed coalition represents an incredibly diverse group of individuals, employers, trade associations and policy makers working to protect Wisconsin’s workers compensation system. The coalition’s members represent more than 5,000 Wisconsin employers and more than 750,000 workers in the state.
INCOME INEQUALITY
Kroger Union files class action lawsuit alleging widespread wage theft
ABC13 News
By Caitlyn Frolo
Jan. 19, 2023
A group of Kroger associates from the Mid-Atlantic region have filed a class action lawsuit in federal court in Richmond. The lawsuit filed on Thursday alleges their employer has engaged in widespread wage theft resulting from repeated and ongoing problems with payroll. The plaintiffs are Kroger employees, most of whom are members of the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 Union, which represents approximately 13,000 Kroger associates in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. “This is wage theft, plain and simple. When you work for an employer, you should be compensated completely and correctly for every minute you work, and if you aren’t, then your employer is stealing from you,” said UFCW Local 400 President Mark Federici.