JOINING TOGETHER
L.A. hotel workers pause strike, return to jobs, but no agreement reached
The Washington Post
By Lauren Kaori Gurley
July 5, 2023
Thousands of hotel housekeepers, cooks and receptionists in Los Angeles returned to work Wednesday morning after a three-day strike over pay and benefits, that coincided with a long Fourth of July holiday weekend when thousands of visitors descended on the area for festivities and conventions. The strike is on pause, with workers back on the job, according to Unite Here Local 11, the union representing tens of thousands of hospitality workers in Southern California. However, with no contract deal in place, workers at dozens of major Los Angeles hotels who have already authorized the strikes could walk out again at any moment.
Striking WGA “Stands In Solidarity” With SAG-AFTRA’s Bid For Fair Contract
Deadline
By David Robb
July 5, 2023
The Writers Guild of America said Wednesday that “we stand in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA as they bargain for a contract that truly works for all their members.” It’s the first comment the WGA has made on the SAG-AFTRA talks since the actors’ union last week extended its contract until July 12 to allow negotiations for a new film and TV contract to continue. “We will not comment on those negotiations while they are still in progress,” the WGA negotiating committee said in its message to members today. “But we will be back to you, at the appropriate time, to discuss where we are and where we go from there.”
St. Louis Public Radio Votes To Unionize.
Inside Radio
By Staff
July 5, 2023
St. Louis Public Radio, which operates University of Missouri-St. Louis' news/talk KWMU (90.7), has become Missouri's first public media union, as nearly 80% of its guild members voted in favor of unionization. The unit, represented by the Communications Workers of America, includes 37 full- and part-time non-managerial journalists, producers, on-air talent, and marketing professionals. The vote came five months after the station initially submitted a statement of interest in joining a bargaining unit, with goals of compensation equity, commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, and career growth, among other employment protections.
Lunds & Byerlys workers secure ‘historic’ contract win
Grocery Dive
By Catherine Douglas Moran
July 5, 2023
Unionized workers at Lunds & Byerlys ratified on Saturday a “historic” contract that came just days after threatening an unfair labor practices strike, which was set to take place last week, the local union announced. The agreement provides wage increases to the chain’s 2,500 workers across 22 stores, particularly benefiting part-time and custodial positions, said United Food & Commercial Workers Local 663, which represents those workers.
Preparing For Possible Strike, SAG-AFTRA Surveys Members About How They Can Help Out
Deadline
By David Robb
July 5, 2023
SAG-AFTRA, saying that it’s “preparing for a potential TV/theatrical/streaming strike,” is asking members to take a survey about if and how they’d like to volunteer in the event a walkout is called. “By taking this survey, you’re not obligating yourself to help, but it will help us make informed decisions about our members and resources if we ever need to ask for your assistance,” the guild said in an email sent to members tonight. “SAG-AFTRA may soon call for a strike – a work stoppage to put pressure on AMPTP companies to give us a fair deal on new TV/Theatrical Contracts,” the survey says. “Part of waging a successful strike is picketing, where members peacefully protest outside of struck companies’ work locations to draw public attention to our cause, shut down production, and discourage strikebreakers. We need as many volunteers as possible to be effective.”
Machinists Ratify Contract at Airplane Parts Supplier, But Expose Rift with Union Leadership
Labor Notes
By Luis Feliz Leon
July 5, 2023
Six thousand Machinists working for Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas, ratified a new four-year contract last week, returning to work today. The company had locked workers out on June 22, two days before their strike. The new four-year deal includes wage increases of 26 to 39 percent over the life of the contract, depending on the yearly cost-of-living adjustment. The deal also includes a COLA capped at 3.5 percent and a $3,000 signing bonus. Workers also won annual increases of around $2 per hour to the IAM pension fund, including 401(k) matches of 50 cents for every dollar up to 4 percent of employee contributions. It also reverts back to the previous health insurance and out-of-pocket prescription costs.
IN THE STATES
Letting 14-year-olds serve alcohol not a big change, legislators say
The Cap Times
By Abigail Leavins
July 5, 2023
In a statement, Stephanie Bloomingdale, president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, objected to the bill, noting “The solution cannot be placed on the backs of our children. This is bad legislation for which there should be no last call.”
Hazel Hawkins nurses to host town hall
Benito Link
By Benito Link Staff
July 5, 2023
Registered nurses at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital will hold a town hall on Thursday, July 6, to discuss the future of San Benito County’s only acute-care hospital and why nurses took a no confidence vote in the Board of Directors of the San Benito Health Care District after the decided to file for bankruptcy. “Threatening to invalidate nurse contracts is union-busting, plain and simple, and a slap in the face to the frontline workers who put their lives and their families’ lives on the line for our community during the pandemic,” said Jean Cohen, the executive officer of the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council. “Cutting nurse benefits is a short-sighted move. Not only does it trample on the sacrifices made by health care workers, but as the largest employer in Hollister, this union-busting move jeopardizes our local economy and patient care.”