MUST READ Actors union vote to authorize a strike next month, possibly joining writers
CNN
By Chris Isidore
June 5, 2023
Members of the union representing television and film actors have voted to authorize a strike against major studios if a new contract isn’t reached by the time their current deal ends on June 30. Members of the Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists “voted 97.91% in favor of a strike authorization ahead of negotiations of the TV/Theatrical Contracts, with nearly 65,000 members casting ballots for a voting percentage of 47.69% of eligible voters,” according to a news release.
JOINING TOGETHER
TrueStage workers suspend strike amid tentative agreement on priority issues
WKOW
By Sierra Rehm
June 5, 2023
Workers at TruStage, formerly known as CUNA Mutual Group, suspended their strike and returned to work Monday. The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) said in a press release that the union and TruStage representatives "tentatively agreed" on priority issues. Some of those issues include job security and remote work flexibility. Though workers agreed on Friday to suspend the strike, they also voted to authorize a work stoppage within the next 30 days if needed because of the "many issues" that remain open.
Hollywood actors set vote to authorize strike with writers still out
CNBC
By Reuters
June 5, 2023
Hollywood’s actors union will announce Monday whether their members authorized a possible strike, a move that would turn up the heat on major film and television studios already grappling with a work stoppage by writers. The SAG-AFTRA union set a Monday deadline for its 160,000 members to vote on whether to give their negotiators the power to call a strike if needed. Talks between the actors union and major studios are scheduled to start on Wednesday.
Hundreds of Gannett Journalists Walk Out
The New York Times
By Katie Robertson
June 5, 2023
Hundreds of journalists for the country’s largest newspaper chain walked off the job on Monday, accusing the company’s chief executive of decimating its local newsrooms, and demanding a change at the top. The walkout was the biggest labor action in Gannett’s history, said the union representing the journalists. It included workers from about two dozen newsrooms, including The Palm Beach Post, The Arizona Republic and The Austin American-Statesman. The demonstrations are expected to continue on Tuesday for some newsrooms. The collective action is timed to coincide with Gannett’s annual shareholder meeting, which is being held on Monday. The NewsGuild, which represents more than 1,000 journalists from Gannett, sent a letter to Gannett shareholders in May urging a vote of no-confidence against Mike Reed, the chief executive and chairman.
Frontier union workers begin contract negotiations
WBOY
By Alexandra Weaver
June 5, 2023
The Communications Workers of America (CWA), which represents about 1,400 Frontier Communications employees in West Virginia and Ashburn, Virginia, Monday entered contract negotiations. In a press release, Vice President of CWA District 2-13 Ed Mooney said that the union wants “a contract that supports quality jobs so we can deliver quality service.”
IN THE STATES
New bill giving more worker protections to freelancers heads to Pritzker’s desk
WCIA
By Danny Connolly
June 5, 2023
Illinois freelancers may have a new law requiring them to receive their payment in a quicker fashion. The AFL-CIO also supports the bill. They argue it could make a big difference to a large amount of the state’s workforce. “39% of the workforce in 2022 was identified as freelance workers,” Frances Orenic, the legislative director for the Illinois AFL-CIO, said. “And of that 74% of those freelance workers at some point or another had said that they were paid late or not paid in the full amount. That’s a huge chunk of the population that would be impacted by this legislation.”
Toledo organizers informing community of new voter ID rules with library event, canvassing
13ABC
By WTVG Staff
June 5, 2023
“Studies have shown restrictions like voter ID and early voting cuts are effective enough to make a significant difference, especially in special elections like this one that’s held on August 8th,” said Erika White, an organizer with Greater Northwest Ohio AFL-CIO. “Making sure we have the greatest participation we can among voting eligible, right, Lucas County residents, results in representation that better reflect this community.”
‘My theory of change is rooted in solidarity’
The Stand
By Don Mcintosh
June 5, 2023
When April Sims got a union job as a child support enforcement officer two decades ago, she was a high school dropout and single mom. She got involved in her union, and over time that became her life’s work, In January, she became her state’s top labor leader, president of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. She shared some of her story with the Labor Press.
INCOME INEQUALITY
MLB is a sport divided by historic payroll disparity -- so what's next?
ESPN
By Jesse Rogers
June 5, 2023
Now, MLB is turning some of its attention back to the economics of the sport. It was only 14 months ago that a brutal labor battle between the league and the MLB Players Association ended with a five-year collective bargaining agreement. Once again, the players were able to secure a system without a hard salary cap, and MLB remains the only one of the four major professional North American sports without some form of hard payroll floor or ceiling. It has led to some dramatic differences in team payrolls and some dramatic effects on the standings as well.