IN THE STATES
Oregon Historical Society unveils the state’s History Makers of 2023
KOIN
By Jashayla Pettigrew
March 13, 2023
The Oregon Historical Society has named the 2023 Oregon History Makers Awards’ honorees, all of which have been influential in their respective industries — from sports to hospitality management. According to the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations that she currently serves, Milwaukie native Liz Shuler “grew up in a union household.” Her parents both worked for Portland General Electric, and her father was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Shuler later began working for IBEW’s Local Union 125, before joining AFL-CIO. AFL-CIO covers 60 unions with about 12.5 million members. Shuler was elected as the federation’s first female president in June 2022 and has continued advocating for the labor movement with her new position.
JOINING TOGETHER
RNs gathered Monday in east Tucson to advocate for safer standards
KVOA
By Zachary Jackson
March 13, 2023
Registered nurses held a rally at Carondelet St. Joseph's on Monday. National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United announced the rally was held to highlight their patient safety concerns, including short-staffing and management attempting to silence RNs who advocate for safer standards.
Agreement reached between United Steelworkers union, Graphic Packaging Paper Mill
KSLA
By Fred Gamble
March 13, 2023
A tentative contract has been approved between the United Steelworkers union and Graphic Packaging Paper Mill in Domino, Texas. In February, workers here voted down a contract offer paving the way for a possible strike. On Monday, March 13, a union representative said a revised contract was presented and the union workers overwhelmingly said yes to the company’s terms.
Temple grad students overwhelmingly ratify agreement, ending their six-week strike
The Philadelphia Inquirer
By Susan Snyder
March 13, 2023
After the union rejected a proposal last month, an agreement between Temple and its striking graduate students this time was approved by a vast majority of members, officially ending the six-week strike that has disrupted operations at the 33,600-student university. Results of the vote were released late Monday afternoon by the Temple University Graduate Students Association, which represents 750 graduate student teaching and research assistants. With more than three-quarters of members voting, 98% said yes to the new four-year contract, hammered out during meetings last week.
Rutgers faculty authorizes a strike as negotiations continue
WHYY
By P. Kenneth Burns
March 13, 2023
A possibility of a strike is lingering over the administration of Rutgers University as it tries to negotiate a deal with two unions representing the school’s educators. Members of Rutgers AAUP-AFT and Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union voted Friday to authorize a strike following a 10-day vote. Rutgers AAUP-AFT represents full-time faculty, graduate workers, postdoctoral associates, and counselors, while the Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union represents part-time lecturers. A strike authorization does not mean that the educators will walk from the classroom. While students are on spring break this week, the two sides will be at the negotiating table.
Ahead of contract fight, PCC workers demand better pay and conditions
The Seattle Times
By Lauren Rosenblatt
March 13, 2023
“We need a living wage to spend on food and rent and our other expenses,” Lee-Kenniz said at a rally Monday outside the downtown store where she works. “The pay and conditions at PCC are not acceptable. Period.” In light of the skyrocketing cost of living and management’s decision to trim staffing, unionized workers at PCC stores across the state are asking the co-op to come to the bargaining table early. Their contract is set to expire at the end of the year. PCC workers are a part of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 3000, which represents workers in Washington, northeast Oregon and northern Idaho. PCC union members signed a contract with management in December 2019.
Living Desert zookeepers call for higher wages amid $90M capital campaign
Desert Sun
By Erin Rode
March 13, 2023
But zookeepers at The Living Desert say not enough of the zoo’s cash is flowing to the people who take care of those rhinos, lions, and other animals at the Palm Desert zoo. The zoo’s animal care workers voted to unionize in February, citing concerns that their wages haven’t kept up with the rising cost of living in the Coachella Valley. The Living Desert Animal Care Union won its election on Feb. 9, with 28 votes for the union and two votes against. The union is under the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 36, and the new union is now meeting with legal counsel and collecting input from members before moving forward on negotiating a contract with The Living Desert, according to Barlow.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
“Women of Steel” hosting blood drive Tuesday March 14th
The Virginian Review
By Virginian Review Staff
March 13, 2023
The Women of Steel with USW Local Union 8-490 and Low Moor Converting Plant, are sponsoring the blood drive scheduled for Tuesday, March 14th, 12 – 6 p.m. at the First Christian Life Center located at 231 E. Fudge St., Covington (parking in rear). Based on initial research, this may be the first time any USW Women of Steel have sponsored a blood drive in the U.S.A. The Women of Steel are proud to do things to help and give back to the community.