LABOR AND ECONOMY
Unemployment Is Low. Inflation Is Falling. But What Comes Next?
The New York Times
By Ben Casselman
April 14, 2023
“For this tiny moment, we finally see what a labor market is supposed to do,” said William Spriggs, a Howard University professor and chief economist for the A.F.L.-C.I.O. And the workers benefiting most from the labor market’s current strength, he said, will be the ones who suffer most from a recession. “You should see from this moment what you are truly risking,” Mr. Spriggs said. With inflation already falling, he said, there is no reason for policymakers to take that risk. “The labor market is finally hitting its stride,” he said. “And instead of celebrating and saying, ‘This is fantastic,’ we have the Fed hanging over everybody and casting shade on this unbelievable set of circumstances and saying, ‘Actually this is bad.’”
JOINING TOGETHER
Maui healthcare workers vote to ratify new contract, ending months-long strike
KITV
By KITV Web Staff
April 14, 2023
Hundreds of healthcare workers have voted for a new contract, ending a months-long strike that began February 22, 2023. Nearly 500 frontline healthcare workers at Kaiser’s Maui Health System voted on Friday to ratify a new three-year contract, ending the nearly two-month strike. Members of the United Public Workers AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO voted 87% in favor of the new agreement.
Rutgers University strike suspended after tentative deal reached
CBS News New York
By Kristie Keleshian and Jennifer Bisram
April 15, 2023
The historic strike at Rutgers University is reportedly over as a tentative deal clears the way for thousands of teachers and students to go back to work and back to class. Just after midnight Saturday morning, a tentative agreement was reached after a historic five-day strike at New Jersey's state university. Class will be back in session for the school's 67,000 students starting Monday.
IN THE STATES
The Workers’ Mic (Audio)
WGN
By Ben Anderson
April 16, 2023
This week is a packed show on The Workers’ Mic as Ken Edwards and Ed Maher host a prestigious panel of worker advocates. IL Department of Labor Acting Director Jane Flanagan, Illinois State Representative Marcus Evans Jr., Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea, and Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Pat Devaney join the show to share the upcoming Workers’ Memorial Day being recognized along with recent developments in child labor.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Hawaii's unions join together for a 'Labor of Love' project at Dole Middle School
KITV
By KITV4 Digital Team
April 15, 2023
Over 300 volunteers from 23 unions, teachers, staff, students, businesses, and community partners volunteered at Dole Intermediate School on Saturday, April 15th. Each year, the Hawaii State American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (Hawaii AFL-CIO) Labor Community Services Program selects a Title 1 public school to support. Hawaii State AFL-CIO President Randy Perreira says, “At a time when our community is facing ever-increasing costs and new challenges, Hawaii’s labor unions remain committed to fighting to raise living conditions and improve the quality of life for all citizens. Our Labor of Love project is where all unions bring their talents and resources together to improve a school in need. Today our union members proudly demonstrate that labor unions in Hawaii are more relevant than ever as we showcase our skills and commitment as valuable members of our local community.”