Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
MUST READ
The bosses still aren’t back in charge
Vox
By Rani Molla
March 24, 2023
“The people who are actually making the lattes and restocking the grocery shelves and shipping all those packages that enabled us to stay home are rising up and saying we’re not going to take it anymore,” Shuler said.
Michigan Repeals ‘Right-To-Work’ Law In Historic Win For Unions
Huff Post
By
Dave Jamieson
March 24, 2023
Unions hailed the repeal on Friday. Rob Bieber, head of the Michigan AFL-CIO, said the state had “restored the balance of power” for workers.
“After decades of attacks on working people, it’s a new day in Michigan, and the future is bright,” Bieber said in a statement.
JOINING TOGETHER
St. Paul snowplow drivers approve contract with city, averting strike
Star Tribune
By Katie Galioto
March 24, 2023
A trio of St. Paul unions voted to ratify a contract with the city Thursday evening, averting a strike authorized by snowplow drivers and parks, water and sewer employees. Workers represented by the Tri-Council of IUOE Local 49, Teamsters 120 and Laborers 363 voted March 8 to allow a strike if they did not reach an agreement with the city following a 10-day cooling period mandated by the state. The unions could have started striking last Monday.
U of M graduate instructors approve strike authorization
Michigan Advance
By Anna Gustafson
March 24, 2023
Faced with steep cost of living increases, including burdensome rents, unionized graduate student workers at the University of Michigan voted Thursday night to authorize a strike should union leaders determine it’s necessary in an effort to secure increased wages in their new contract. Ninety-five percent of the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) AFT Local 3500 members backed a work stoppage, with union leaders saying in a press release that the move comes after “four months of being stonewalled at the bargaining table by the University of Michigan.” The vote allows GEO’s leadership to call a strike if contract negotiations fully break down. Graduate workers and U of M administration are continuing their negotiations Friday.
University of Maine graduate student workers push to form union
News Center Maine
By Carly D'Eon
March 24, 2023
Graduate student workers at the University of Maine are saying enough is enough. Dozens of students and faculty members gathered Friday afternoon at the MLK Plaza on campus in Orono to rally in support of forming a union. The union will be known as the University of Maine Graduate Workers Union-UAW.
IN THE STATES
Gov. Whitmer Signs Bills Repealing ‘Right-to-Work’, Restoring ‘Prevailing Wage’
9and10 News
By AP
March 24, 2023
Michigan, long known as a mainstay of organized labor, became the first state in decades to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work” that was passed over a decade ago by a Republican-controlled Legislature. The state’s “right-to-work” law had allowed those in unionized workplaces to opt out of paying union dues and fees. Its repeal is seen as a major victory for organized labor with union membership reaching an all-time low last year.
Michigan strikes right-to-work law detested by unions
Politico
By Nick Niedzwiadek
March 24, 2023
Weiss is among the more than 40 percent of state House Democrats — 24 out of 56 — who have been members of a union, according to data from the Michigan AFL-CIO. “That’s the difference between having a legislative majority that has your back and wants to expand workers’ rights, as opposed to being in the minority and having a legislature that was to suppress workers’ rights,” Ron Bieber, the head of the Michigan AFL-CIO, said in an interview.
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire commemoration in Manhattan
New York Daily News
By Jillian Delaney
March 25, 2023
Dozens gathered ahead of the 112th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire to commemorate the 146 lives lost on March 25, 1911. Mainly immigrant women and girls, the workers were locked inside the factory when a vicious fire broke out, and were left to make a horrific decision: stay in the burning factory, or jump 10 stories. Their sacrifice ultimately led to a union movement that fought for better regulations for workers and fire safety precautions in workspaces. See the photos of the tribute from March 24, 2023, hosted by the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
'There’s no place for it': AFL-CIO condemns two bills geared towards Tennessee unions
News Channel 5
By Chris Davis
March 24, 2023
Two bills are moving through the Tennessee General Assembly that could have big impacts on unions in Tennessee. "I think it could really be a major unintended consequence," said Alyssa Hansen, said communications and political director for the TN AFL-CIO.
Governor Whitmer signs right to work repeal
WILX
By WILX News 10
March 24, 2023
“After decades of anti-worker attacks, Michigan has restored the balance of power for working people by passing laws to protect their freedom to bargain for the good wages, good benefits, and safe workplaces they deserve,” said Ron Bieber, President of Michigan AFL-CIO. “Ten years ago, Governor Whitmer was standing side by side with well over ten thousand working people who showed up in Lansing to protest the devastating attack on their rights. Today, she has demonstrated yet again her unwavering commitment to putting working families first. After decades of attacks on working people, it’s a new day in Michigan, and the future is bright.”
Unions praise Whitmer for signing Right to Work repeal, prevailing wage restoration bills
Michigan Advance
By Laina G. Stebbins
March 24, 2023
“After decades of anti-worker attacks, Michigan has restored the balance of power for working people by passing laws to protect their freedom to bargain for the good wages, good benefits, and safe workplaces they deserve,” said Ron Bieber, president of Michigan AFL-CIO. “Ten years ago, Governor Whitmer was standing side by side with well over ten thousand working people who showed up in Lansing to protest the devastating attack on their rights. Today, she has demonstrated yet again her unwavering commitment to putting working families first. After decades of attacks on working people, it’s a new day in Michigan, and the future is bright.”
POLITICS
Pro-labor? Biden aims to prove it with unionized 2024 staff
AP News
By Will Weissert and Zeke Miller
March 23, 2023
Joe Biden likes to say he’s the most pro-union president in U.S. history. When he announces his expected reelection campaign in the coming weeks, he’ll get the chance to prove it to his own staffers. Workers on his 2024 campaign will be unionized, political allies say, making him the first president to run a reelection campaign with staff represented by a union. That means hammering out a collectively bargained agreement that could establish salary minimums, set work hours and offer overtime pay, among other things, easing the demands on a workforce that has historically been required to put in long hours for meager pay and guaranteed joblessness after Election Day.
LABOR AND ECONOMY
Pay transparency is spreading. Here’s what you need to know
AP News
By Cora Lewis
March 20, 2023
U.S. employers are increasingly posting salary ranges for job openings, even in states where it’s not required by law, according to analysts with several major job search websites. Following new legislation in New York City, California, Washington, Colorado, and elsewhere, employers across the country are becoming more transparent about pay in order to stay competitive with companies in states that require employers to post salary ranges, experts say. A tight labor market and significant increase in remote work have also contributed to the rise.