MUST READ
Big union crowd says it is starting now on 2024 election campaign
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
June 20, 2023
Interrupted repeatedly by chants of “Let’s go Joe!” and “Four more years!” from an energized crowd of 1,500-2,000 unionists, Democratic President Joe Biden welcomed the endorsement of almost all of the nation’s unions at a rousing speech in Philadelphia. It was the earliest presidential endorsement in AFL-CIO history. Biden’s speech was heavy on the improved economy and heavy on comparing today with the economic and medical disaster—the coronavirus pandemic—he confronted on entering the Oval Office. Biden didn’t mention disruptive social issues his Republican foes use to divide and conquer voters, especially white working-class voters. Unionists were enthusiastic, but with one caution: Those interviewed, from leaders such as AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Teachers President Randi Weingarten to rank-and-file activists, agreed Biden’s achievement-oriented message has yet to resonate with many voters, and that as the nation’s unionists it is their responsibility to help make it hum.
POLITICS
Biden highlights solid backing from key Democratic factions
Roll Call
By Daniela Altimari
June 20, 2023
“There’s absolutely no question that Joe Biden is the most pro-union president in our lifetimes,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a statement. “From bringing manufacturing jobs home to America to protecting our pensions and making historic investments in infrastructure, clean energy and education, we’ve never seen a president work so tirelessly to rebuild our economy from the bottom up and middle out. We’ve never seen a president more forcefully advocate for workers’ fundamental right to join a union. Now, it’s time to finish the job.”
JOINING TOGETHER
Machinists’ union voting Wednesday on Spirit AeroSystems contract
MSN
By KWCH Staff
June 20, 2023
Machinists with one of Wichita’s largest employers will vote Wednesday on a proposed contract that could avert a potential strike. The current contract between Spirit AeroSystems and International Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Local 839 (District 70) expires Friday, June 23. The offer on which union members are expected to vote next Wednesday, June 21, includes a guaranteed 16% pay increase over the course of the contract. With other factors added in, that increase could add up to 34%. The contract would continue the “core and enhanced” health insurance plans. The contract offered also includes voluntary Sunday overtime work, nearly a 15% increase in retirement benefits, increased paid time off and a one-time $7,500 ratification bonus if the contract is approved on the initial vote.
Deadline
By David Robb
June 20, 2023
The 50-day-old Writers Guild strike has now reached the halfway point of the guild’s 100-day strike of 2007-08, and tomorrow it will be one-third as long as the 153-day strike of 1988 – the longest in the guild’s history. On Wednesday, the guild will suspend picketing for the day in Los Angeles to stage a “March and Rally for a Fair Contract,” which kicks off at 10 am at Pan Pacific Park and ends at the La Brea Tar Pits, where representatives from the WGA, SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild, IATSE, the Teamsters and the American Federation of Musicians will speak to striking writers and their supporters.
Support fair wages for workers at Hotel Murano in Tacoma
The Stand
June 20, 2023
Workers and their families at the Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma are fighting for a fair contract that includes much-needed raises and affordable health care to keep up with the rising cost of living. Housekeepers, cooks, servers and bartenders who are hourly employees at the Murano are currently some of the lowest paid hotel workers in the Tacoma area.
IN THE STATES
Illinois unions made significant gains in recently ended legislative session
Labor Tribune
By Elizabeth Donald
June 19, 2023
Illinois unions made big steps in the recently ended legislative session, a statement from Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea and Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney proudly points out. “The list of successes is long, and we tackled issues that impact working families from creating new opportunities to increase pay equity and transparency with the Equal Pay Scale Act to new prevailing wage provisions and safety protections for our essential workers in the transit industry,” Drea wrote in the statement.