EDUCATION
AFT President Randi Weingarten Delivers Major National Address 'In Defense of Public Education'
Common Dreams
March 28, 2023
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten has issued a clarion call to defend public education, transform learning and support children as the institution comes under existential threat from extremist, culture-war peddling politicians. In an address to the National Press Club, the leader of the 1.7 million-member union urged civil society to fight for the future of public schools and help kids learn in the face of relentless attacks from the far-right intent on dismantling the schools that 90 percent of kids attend."Attacks on public education are not new. The difference today is that the attacks are intended to destroy it. To make it a battlefield, a political cudgel," Weingarten said.
JOINING TOGETHER
Detroit resident physicians file for union recognition
Michigan Advance
By Laina G. Stebbins
March 28, 2023
Adding to the ongoing surge of unionization activity in the last few years, a group of resident physicians in Detroit announced Friday that they have filed union authorization cards with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). This marks the first step of unionization for the health care workers, who work at Detroit Medical Center hospitals and are employed by the nonprofit Detroit Education & Research. The Alliance of Resident Physicians will be the new health care local representing the group, affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers Michigan (AFT), AFL-CIO.
"Go St. Joe" drivers take to the picket line
KQ2
By Jodie O'Brien
March 28, 2023
The sun was shining Monday morning...but that couldn't fool those on the picket line trying to stay warm, "I am cold but it's worth it. My heart is full of love so it's warming me, but man we've got to fight. They're not budging so we need to work," said one protestor on the line. Another Local Amalgamated Transit Union 847 member said, "We gotta stick together that's what unions are for."
Medieval Times’ Sound And Lighting Technicians Plan To Unionize
HuffPost
By Dave Jamieson
March 28, 2023
The rebellion inside Medieval Times’ Southern California castle has spread to another wing. The castle’s sound and lighting technicians informed the company Tuesday that they intend to unionize, filing a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board. The castle’s show cast formed a union of their own last year and have been on strike since February. The workers said they plan to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 504, the union that represents stagehands at Disneyland. In their letter, the workers said they want Medieval Times to pay better attention to safety and increase wages to “meet industry standards.”
NLRB
Apple illegally fired five labor activists, union says
The Washington Post
By Lauren Kaori Gurley
March 28, 2023
Apple fired five union organizers in Kansas City, Mo., in retaliation for union activity, the Communications Workers of America alleged in charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday. The tech giant is one of a handful of high-profile companies, such as Amazon and Starbucks, grappling with a wave of union organizing. Apple retail workers at stores in Towson, Md., and Oklahoma City became the first in the company’s history to unionize last year, as other campaigns have faced setbacks. Apple has held regular meetings at its stores to discuss the pitfalls of joining unions. But the Communications Workers of America, which has a national campaign to organize Apple workers, said the charges are the first the union has filed against Apple for unlawfully terminating retail workers for union activity.
IN THE STATES
Michigan becomes first state in decades to repeal 'right to work' law. Here's what that means.
USA Today
By Sarah Elbeshbishi
March 28, 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,” Ron Bieber, Michigan's AFL-CIO president, said in a statement Friday.
New Washington Labor Council President (Podcast)
PBS
March 18, 2023
Meet April Sims, the new president of the Washington Labor Council and the first ever black woman to lead an AFL/CIO affiliate in any state.