POLITICS
As Federal Cash Flows to Unions, Democrats Hope to Reap the Rewards
The New York Times
By Jonathan Weisman
Feb. 10, 2023
President Biden and the Democrats who pushed those provisions are hoping that more union members will bring more political strength for unions after decades of decline. White working-class voters, even union members, have sided with Republicans on social issues, and still tend to see the G.O.P. as their economic ally, as well.
LABOR AND ECONOMY
Women lost more jobs early in the pandemic. They’re also returning faster.
The Washington Post
By Abha Bhattarai and Luis Melgar
Feb. 12, 2023
Although women bore the brunt of early pandemic job losses, many, like Feliciano, are rushing back into the labor force at higher rates than their male counterparts. The percentage of working-age women in the labor force has nearly recovered from pre-pandemic levels, whereas men still have more ground to make up. When compared to the pandemic low point in April 2020, women’s labor force participation rates are up by 3.4 percentage points, while for men it’s 2.1 percentage points.
JOINING TOGETHER
Nurses At The George Washington University Hospital Are Organizing A Union
DCist
By Margaret Barthel
Feb. 13, 2023
Registered nurses at the George Washington University Hospital are working to form a union, with the D.C. Nurses Association as its bargaining representative, according to DCNA executive director Edward Smith. “We are driven by a desire to provide the safest, most compassionate and most patient-centered care possible,” organizers said in a statement. “Unfortunately, repeated attempts to work personally and directly with hospital leadership have failed to yield lasting systemic improvements.” Smith said the nurses are announcing the unionizing effort publicly after DCNA heard over the weekend that management had discovered the campaign.
IN THE STATES
Barnes wins third term as MDP chair, party endorses repealing Right to Work
Michigan Advance
By Ken Coleman
Feb. 12, 2023
“The Michigan AFL-CIO applauds the Michigan Democratic Party for affirming its commitment to restoring worker freedom in Michigan,” said Ron Bieber, AFL-CIO president. “The rights of working people have been under attack for decades at the hands of politicians bought and paid for by Betsy DeVos and the megarich.
UNION BUSTING
LaGuardia Airport Workers Claim Anti-Union Retaliation
Documented NY
By Amir Khafagy
Feb. 10, 2023
On Thursday afternoon, dozens of LaGuardia Airport workers employed by the major airline contractor Swissport USA, many of whom are immigrants, rallied outside the airport’s Marine Air Terminal to announce filing unfair practice labor charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
INTERNATIONAL
Brazil’s Lula includes AFL-CIO union leadership in his state visit
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
Feb. 13, 2023
“It was a privilege to host” Lula at AFL-CIO headquarters, the federation statement said. “Lula has spent his entire life fighting for the working class as both a union and political leader. He knows the future of Brazil and the United States depends on dismantling systemic inequality, building worker power, and fighting racial and economic injustice.