POLITICS
Dems support, most Republicans cool to PRO Act labor law overhaul
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
March 9, 2023
Senate Labor Committee Democrats gave strong support, but all but two of its Republicans ranged from cool to hostile as three top union leaders strongly pushed for enacting the Protect The Right To Organize (PRO) Act. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Service Employees President Mary Kay Henry, and Teamsters President Sean O’Brien said the comprehensive pro-worker rewrite of U.S. labor law is needed to, as Shuler put it, enact “simple steps to ensure fairness” in workplaces. It also would be a boon to workers and their families, union and non-union, Shuler said. “If you enjoy the weekend…unions made it happen. If you get overtime pay…unions got it done,” she said. “Unions are the single most powerful tool we have to demand the fair, just and equitable treatment of workers. “Unions are the counterweight. The data is overwhelming: Workplaces with unions provide more predictable schedules, safer workplaces, and better benefits,” she declared.
JOINING TOGETHER
Striking Grad Students Reach Tentative Agreement With Temple University
NBC 10 Philadelphia
By David Chang and Associated Press
March 9, 2023
Striking graduate student teaching and research assistants reached a tentative agreement with Temple University, putting them on the verge of finally ending a walkout that has lasted longer than a month. The Temple University Graduate Students Association (TUGSA), the labor union for teaching and research assistants at Temple in Philadelphia, tweeted the announcement Thursday night. Union members will vote on the agreement on Friday.
‘SNL’ Postproduction Workers Date Potential Strike as Negotiations Proceed
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
March 9, 2023
As negotiations for their first contract have hit the skids, postproduction workers at Saturday Night Live are preparing for a strike. In a series of tweets on Thursday, the union representing these workers — The Motion Picture Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700) — described bargaining sessions that haven’t come close to addressing the concerns of the group, a set of 12-20 crew members that primarily work on the show’s pretaped sketches. “NBCU has refused fair compensation, refused to commit to maintaining existing health benefits, & refused to show SNL’s post crew the respect they deserve,” the union, representing the group of film editors, editors, assistant editor and media managers, alleged in their messages. “NBCU wants to shut us up – so we will yell louder. Plan to join us on the picket line April 1st.”
St. Paul snowplow drivers, parks and water employees could strike in 10 days
Star Tribune
By Tim Harlow
March 9, 2023
Snowplow drivers along with workers in St. Paul's parks, water and sewer employees could walk off the job in 10 days if they don't reach a contract settlement with the city. Workers represented by the Tri-Council of IUOE Local 49, Teamsters 120 and Laborers 363 voted unanimously Wednesday night to authorize a strike, according to a posting on the union's website.
Minnesota Historical Society employees win pay boost in tentative contract agreement
Star Tribune
By Kelly Smith
March 9, 2023
Minnesota Historical Society employees have won pay raises in the first-ever tentative agreement reached between their new union and the St. Paul-based nonprofit organization. After about 10 months of negotiating, the two sides reached a tentative agreement this week on a three-year contract that includes, on average, 8% pay raises immediately and a hike in the hourly minimum wage from about $15 to $18, according to the union.
340-plus RNs at Adventist Lodi Memorial vote to join California Nurses Association union
The Sacramento Bee
By Cathie Anderson
March 9, 2023
The nation’s largest union of registered nurses, the California Nurses Association, announced Thursday evening that RNs at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial had voted overwhelmingly to join the labor organization. More than 340 RNs work at Lodi Memorial. They will be able to begin collective bargaining for the first time after their vote is certified by the National Labor Relations Board. “The registered nurses’ vote to join CNA is a great win for our hospital and our community,” said Yvonne Knaggs, a registered nurse at Lodi Memorial. “We are patients’ strongest advocates. Nurses from all departments need to be able to speak up because protecting our patients must come first. Building RN power through a strong union is the answer we’ve been looking for.”
Workers from Spreckels Sugar Company go on strike
KYMA
By Karina Bazarte
March 9, 2023
Workers at Spreckels Sugar Company in Brawley are on strike as employees are claiming the company made multiple unfair labor practices. There were around 200 workers protesting with signs that said "unfair labor practice employees on strike." The President of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 135 (UFCW) says workers and Spreckels Sugar negotiated a retirement plan. But then the retirement plan changed without the workers' knowledge.
IN THE STATES
Newly Empowered Michigan Democrats Move on Labor, Gay Rights and Guns
The New York Times
By Mitch Smith and Ernesto Londoño
March 9, 2023
In the course of a single afternoon and evening, and despite loud objections from many Republicans, the Michigan House of Representatives voted to repeal a right-to-work law loathed by labor unions, expand background checks for gun purchases and enshrine civil rights protections for L.G.B.T.Q. people in state law. On the other side of the Capitol, the State Senate voted to repeal an abortion ban that is unenforceable but still on the books. Some of the legislation must still be voted on in the other chamber, and all of it would have to be signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, to take effect.