Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
LABOR AND ECONOMY
TikTok Bans Medieval Times Union Account Following Trademark Complaint
HuffPost
By Dave Jamieson
Jan. 31, 2023
Erin Zapcic woke up Saturday morning to some unwelcome notifications on social media. Zapcic, an actor who plays a queen at Medieval Times in Buena Park, California, also helps run Facebook and TikTok accounts for the new union representing workers at her castle. The notification from Facebook concerned a post by the union account that called on the famed dinner-theater chain to pay a living wage. “Your post has been reported for trademark infringement,” it read, according to a screenshot Zapcic shared with HuffPost. “No one else can see your post. It was reported by Perico Montaner.”
JOINING TOGETHER
Hundreds of Portland city employees prepare to strike Thursday over wages, other working conditions
OPB
By Alex Zielinski
Feb. 1, 2023
More than 600 Portland city employees are prepared to strike Thursday after nearly a year of contract negotiations ground to a halt. The strike could broadly impact city operations, as Laborers Local 483 includes workers in the Portland Bureau of Transportation, the Bureau of Environmental Services, and Portland Parks and Recreation. Those employees are responsible for addressing sewage leaks, removing debris from city streets, cleaning biohazard waste dumped at city parks, and clearing streets of ice and snow, among other tasks.
Whitney Union Protests at Luxe Museum Party as Contract Negotiations Lag
ART News
By Tessa Solomon
Feb. 1, 2023
Last night, as guests of the Whitney Museum enjoyed the return of its annual fundraising party, unionized workers of the institution rallied by the entrance to protest as they continue to negotiate a contract. The temperature dropped from cold to freezing while Whitney staff and their supporters brandished signs (“Honk to Support the Whitney” and “Union Strong”) and handed out flyers that explained why, after having voted to unionize in August 2021, a contract still has not been finalized. Negotiations between the Whitney union and museum leadership began in November 2021, after around 200 workers voted overwhelmingly to affiliate themselves with the Technical, Office and Professional Union Local 2110 UAW, which also represents employees of the Museum of Modern Art and the New Museum. According to the union, the negotiations have stalled on issues including healthcare and retirement benefits, job security for full-time and part-time staff, and wages. The union contends that Whitney leadership has proposed determining yearly wage increases without bargaining.
Concession Workers Vote to Authorize Strike at United Center: ‘Show Me at That Table You Care'
NBC 5 Chicago
By Kate Chappell
Feb. 1, 2023
Hundreds of workers who operate food and beverage concession stands at the United Center are preparing for the picket line after members of UNITE HERE Local 1, a labor union that represents more than 16,000 hospitality workers in the Chicago area, voted Tuesday in favor of authorizing a strike. "We’ve been without a contract for over two years now, and we feel that’s way too long," said Jamie O’Neill, a stand manager.
Interfaith group calls on Warrior Met Coal to end 22-month miner’s strike
AL.com
By William Thornton
Feb. 1, 2023
A group of about 150 leaders of various faiths are calling on Warrior Met Coal to settle its ongoing strike with the United Mine Workers of America, which is still going on after 22 months. Signed by about 150 people representing several religions, the letter demands the strike end immediately “in an equitable and just manner.” “The company is causing the suffering of over 800 families who are not able to pay rent, eat properly, take care of their health, buy school items for their children, resulting in workers enduring unnecessary hardships for the last 18 months,” the letter reads.
WGA East & HuffPost Reach Deal On New Contract, Avert Threatened Strike
Deadline
By David Robb
Feb. 1, 2023
The WGA East and HuffPost have reached an agreement on a new three-year contract, averting a threatened strike. The guild’s contract with the online news outlet had been set to expire last night at midnight, and 98% of its 91 writers and editors had signed a pledge vowing to strike if a fair deal wasn’t reached.
IN THE STATES
Push for unemployment insurance for hourly employees
WDIO
By Amanda Stanton
Feb. 1, 2023
Testimonies like these express that narrative of the Minnesota AFL-CIO president, Bernie Burnham’s, constituents. In Wednesday’s presser, Burnham’s noted, “We are here today in support of House File 20 Senate File 32 legislation that allows school employees to access unemployment insurance. This legislation will not only make our unemployment system fairer but also help address the current staffing crisis and ensure Minnesota’s students have the support they need.”
UNION BUSTING
Workers allege REI aims to stymie unionizing in Berkeley, Cleveland, NYC
Fox 2
By Keith Burbank
Feb. 1, 2023
REI in Berkeley allegedly retaliated against workers over the weekend by firing 10 as contract negotiations continue with the company, the workers' union alleged. Two of the 10 fired were bargaining team members. Union workers are trying to negotiate their first union contract at the store in Berkeley. All of the non-management workers are represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5, which announced Wednesday that it has filed three unfair labor practice (ULP) charges against REI. "They don't want to be held accountable to their own standards," said Jim Araby, strategic campaigns director for UFCW Local 5. Union leaders allege that REI has engaged not only in retaliation but has negotiated directly with employees during contract negotiations and made changes unilaterally while negotiating the contract.