JOINING TOGETHER
United Center concession workers vote in favor of new contract
CBS Chicago
By Jeramie Bizzle
March 18, 2023
Food and beverage workers at the United Center just voted to ratify a new contract with Levy restaurants. It was a 98% yes vote by members of UNITE HERE Local 1. The deal includes raises, new health insurance coverage, paid parental leave, and increased pension contributions.
St. Paul public works: Negotiations set for Monday as strike looms
Fox 9
By FOX 9 Staff
March 19, 2023
St. Paul city negotiators are set to meet with union representatives on Monday as the threat of a city workers strike looms in Minnesota's capital city. Earlier this month, union members for Tri-Council of IUOE Local 49, Teamsters 120, and Laborers 363, voted to authorize a strike as negotiations had stalled.
Fortune
By Jonathan Mattise And The Associated Press
March 16, 2023
Several dozen workers among thousands at a Nissan factory in Tennessee will hold a long-delayed vote on whether to unionize Thursday. Those leading the drive hope for an elusive win at a foreign-owned auto assembly plant in the traditionally anti-union South. Since plant workers first reached out to the machinists union in 2020, some supporters have quit, others retired and some moved on to unionized workplaces elsewhere, said Tim Wright, grand lodge representative for southern territory with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
Ski patrollers struggle to afford mountain towns. Will unions help?
Washington Post
By Karin Brulliard
March 17, 2023
But this winter, they are doing the work for notably more pay: The Purgatory Ski Patrol recently formed a union, which bargained for higher hourly wages under a contract signed just before ski season opened. The patrol is part of a high-altitude labor movement burgeoning as ski resorts have consolidated and crowds have swelled, stressing working conditions for patrollers who are trained first responders — the ranks at Purgatory include many emergency medical technicians, paramedics and a doctor — and are often paid little more than minimum wage. In the past two years, patrollers at Colorado’s Breckenridge and Montana’s Big Sky resorts also have unionized, and the patrol at Loveland Ski Resort, also in Colorado, has taken steps to do so. They join existing unions at pricey mountains including Telluride, Aspen and Park City in Utah, the latter of which nearly went on strike last year before coming to an agreement with owner Vail Resorts after 50 bargaining sessions.
UO begins negotiations with graduate employee union
KLCC
By Nathan Wilk
March 17, 2023
The University of Oregon began negotiations Friday with a union of its graduate employees. In the morning, union supporters demonstrated on campus. The university currently pays graduate students to teach courses and do academic research. But union representatives say wages haven’t kept up with rising costs of living in Eugene. "We are not compensated fairly for that labor in a way that allows us to have a dignified standard of living," said Teresa Caprioglio, treasurer for UO’s Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation, which represents over 1,400 employees. "And those of us who are not privileged enough to come from generational wealth don't have a way to make up that gap."
Loudoun County Transit workers end strike, will return to work March 20
Loudoun Times
By Coy Ferrell
March 17, 2023
The Loudoun County Transit workers who have been on strike since Jan. 11 will return to work Monday, March 20, according to a March 17 letter sent by the union representing the employees. The letter was signed by Amalgamated Transit Union negotiator John Lyons to an attorney representing Keolis North America, the private company contracted by the county to run the bus system. "On behalf of every striking [Amalgamated Transit Union] Local 689 member, our members unconditionally offer to return to work, effective Monday March 20th," the letter said. "This letter does not constitute acceptance of any contractual offers, nor does the Union hereby waive any rights under the law."
‘SNL’ Strike Threat Lifted for Now as Postproduction Workers Reach Tentative Deal With Management
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
March 17, 2023
An impasse on contract negotiations that led to postproduction workers threatening a strike has been resolved, at least for now, as labor and NBCUniversal management have reached a tentative deal. The workers, who had been negotiating their first contract as a union allied with the Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG), had previously set a deadline of April 1. If a deal wasn’t reached by that date, workers vowed to strike the live NBC comedy series.
Union representing Peoria Public Library employees plans Tuesday informational picket
25News Now
By 25News Now
March 17, 2023
AFSCME Local 3464, the union that represents staff at the Peoria Public Library, is slated to hold an informational picket from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Tuesday outside the main library at 107 N.E. Monroe. The union says in a release they are doing this because of the slow movement in negotiations as well as the City of Peoria’s plan to provide $20 million in bonds to help the Peoria Civic Center. Library staff have been bargaining for three months without a contract “in an effort to secure living wages and dignity in the workplace.”
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
City of Bangor recognizes ‘National Transit Drivers Appreciation Day’
WABI
By Bryan Sidelinger
March 17, 2023
Saturday is National Transit Driver Day and is a time to celebrate the public service our public transit vehicle operators provide. Friday, the City of Bangor held a special ceremony for transit drivers at the new Transit Center in Pickering Square. Bangor City Councilor Clare Davitt urged citizens to recognize the city’s drivers and ride the busses, and drivers say they’re grateful to have a day named specifically for them. “To have a day dedicated just to us, especially after the last three years with the driver shortage, is really humbling and very touching,” said Union Steward for ATU 714 Tiffany Lister. “Because people recognize the amazing job that my coworkers have done of stepping up and trying to keep the system rolling for the people that need it.” National Transit Driver Appreciation Day was started in 2009 as “Bus Driver Appreciation Day,” and became Transit Driver Appreciation Day in 2014.