MUST READ
Flush With Federal Money, Strings Attached, a Deep South Factory Votes to Unionize
The New York Times
By Jonathan Weisman
May 12, 2023
“This is just a bellwether for the future, particularly in the South, where working people have been ignored,” Liz Shuler, president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., said Friday evening after the vote. “We are now in a place where we have the investments coming in and a strategy for lifting up wages and protections for a good high-road future.”
JOINING TOGETHER
Pilots at United picket for higher pay as pressure builds before summer travel season
6ABC
By The Associated Press
May 13, 2023
"We still have a long ways to go to resolve some of the issues at the table," said Garth Thompson, chair of the United wing of the Air Line Pilots Association. Thompson said discussion about wages has been held up while the two sides negotiate over scheduling, including the union's wish to limit United's ability to make pilots work on their days off.
Blue Bird workers in Fort Valley vote to join United Steelworkers Union
WMGT
By Andrew Willis
May 12, 2023
Workers at the Blue Bird Corporation in Fort Valley voted on Friday to join the United Steelworkers (USW) union, with approximately 1,400 workers becoming part of the USW after a successful organizing effort. United Steelworkers International President Tom Conway welcomed the Blue Bird workers. “We’re proud that Blue Bird workers chose to join our union,” Conway said. “We’re ready to help them bargain a fair contract that accounts for their contributions to the company’s success.”
'We did well all the way around': Augusta steel workers finalize new contract
News Center Maine
By Elle Ousfar
May 14, 2023
Steelworkers in Augusta are celebrating what they're calling a successful resolution in their fight for fair wages, better health insurance, and a pension program. Ironworkers Local 807 voted Monday to solidify a new three-year contract with Cives Steel in Augusta that satisfied the worker's concerns, Maine AFL-CIO spokesperson Andy O'Brien said in a news release. "The wages were a lot better than what workers at the other Cives shop in Virginia got. We improved our vacation, we got an extra holiday and way more money than we’d ever gotten in our retirement,” Tim Dunlap, the chief steward for Ironworkers 807, said. “We did well all the way around."
Carnegie Museums workers union announces tentative contract agreement
WESA
By Bill O'Driscoll
May 14, 2023
The United Museum Workers Union on Saturday announced it had reached a tentative contract agreement with the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. The more-than-500 union members are scheduled to vote this week on whether to ratify the contract. The union represents curators, scientists, art handlers, educators, gallery attendants, grant writers and other workers at the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural history, The Andy Warhol Museum, and the Carnegie Science Center. It was formed in 2020 and has been in negotiations with the museum since September 2021.
IN THE STATES
Ohio Republicans ramp up their attack on democracy
People’s World
By John Bachtell
May 12, 2023
“The entire labor movement in Ohio stands in opposition to this attempt to circumvent voters. We will mobilize and defeat this attack and protect the sacred principle of one person, one vote and preserve majority rule in Ohio,” declared Ohio AFL-CIO president Tim Burga.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
NJ Nurses Demand Safe Staffing Law In Hospitals: 'Stop The Bleeding'
Patch
By Eric Kiefer
May 12, 2023
“Our nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system,” NJ AFL-CIO President Charlie Wowkanech said. “But current staffing levels are threatening our health care system’s ability to provide the level of care we need, and it is taking its toll on already strained health care workers.” “Unfortunately, some hospitals are opposed to improving staffing ratios because they are choosing to prioritize profits, even as we reach a post-pandemic health care staffing crisis point,” Wowkanech added. “[This bill] would establish the fair patient-to-nurse ratios we need to improve our health care system.”
NJ Nurses Safe Staffing Drive Picks up Momentum
Insider NJ
By Bob Hennelly
May 14, 2023
“Our nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system. But current staffing levels are threatening our healthcare system’s ability to provide the level of care we need, and it is taking its toll on already strained healthcare workers,” declared New Jersey State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Brennan. “Unfortunately, some hospitals are opposed to improving staffing ratios because they are choosing to prioritize profits, even as we reach a post-pandemic healthcare staffing crisis point.” The renewed push for safe staffing legislation has the support from JNESO District Council 1 IUOE-AFL-CIO, 1199J AFSCME, United Steel Workers Local 4-200, and Shore Nurses Union/NYSNA which all turned out members last week.