JOINING TOGETHER
SAG-AFTRA members authorize nationwide strike of actors
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
June 6, 2023
With a 98% “yes” vote, SAG-AFTRA members authorized their board to call a strike if bargaining with their bosses, the nation’s TV, movie, and streaming video moguls, doesn’t produce a new contract. The June 5 vote in a heavy turnout of nearly 65,000 members, arms the board with a show of strength just before talks open on a new pact. The current contract expires at the end of June.
LA County supervisors to throw formal support behind writers' strike
ABC7
By City News Service
June 6, 2023
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is expected to formally throw its support behind the Writers Guild of America on Tuesday, as the strike by more than 11,500 WGA members against Hollywood studios continues. "The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unequivocally stands in solidarity with the WGA and believe their negotiation positions to be reasonable and necessary," according to a motion by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Kathryn Barger.
Peoria Public Library, union workers heading to mediation
WCBU
By Joe Deacon
June 6, 2023
The Peoria Public Library and the union representing many of its employees are headed into two days of labor mediation sessions beginning Wednesday. Workers have been without a contract since the beginning of the year, and discussions over a new agreement have reached an impasse. Dozens of library workers represented by AFSCME Local 3464 staged an informational picket Saturday outside the Peoria Public Library’s North Branch during the kickoff for the summer reading program.
Film and TV actors set up strike at end of June, potentially crippling entertainment industry
CBS News
By Irina Ivanova
June 6, 2023
Hollywood and TV writers have been on strike for the past month — and now, actors have signaled they're willing to join picket lines for their own battle. On Monday, members of SAG-AFTRA, which represents film and TV actors, voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if they don't reach a deal with major entertainment company studios by June 30. Nearly 98% of voting members were in favor of the strike, SAG-AFTRA said. The union and studios begin negotiations on Wednesday.
Rochester Public Transit avoids major service disruptions
KIMT3
By Max Haslow
June 6, 2023
Med City buses will keep running their routes for now. A tentative agreement was reached yesterday between Transdev, the company who operates Rochester's transit services, and the Local 1005 of the Amalgamated Transit Worker Union. The strike was supposed to begin yesterday, but the two sides came together to work out a new contract with transit workers.
IN THE STATES
GM announcement, groundbreaking mark more than $1 billion investment in Flint
Michigan Advance
By Jon King
June 6, 2023
Mike Booth, the United Auto Workers vice president who heads the union’s GM department, lauded the investment in the Flint facilities. “When business is booming as it has been for the past decade — due to the hard work of UAW members — the company should continue to invest in its workforce,” Booth said. “It is good to see that GM recognizes the hard work you, the UAW membership, contribute to the success of this company. We are proud that UAW-GM members will continue to build quality, union-made products here in the USA.”
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Macomb firefighters participate in Comerica Park stair climb for charity
Macomb Daily
By Nicole Tuttle
June 6, 2023
Macomb Township Fire was among the teams, individuals and volunteers that participated in the American Lung Association Fight For Air Climb – Detroit at Comerica Park. The eight-person team raised $820 for the American Lung Association. “Our climb started at 11 a.m. There were departments from all over the state of Michigan, different IAFF Locals and paid on call members participated,” Dumas said.