JOINING TOGETHER
TruStage Workers march and rally on day 485 without a contract
Channel 3000
By Courtney Bingham
July 29, 2023
It's been exactly 485 days since well over 450 TruStage employees had a contract in place. Members of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 39 held a march and rally in downtown Madison on Saturday morning to further their call for action. They said they're fighting for job security, fair compensation, diversity and inclusion, access to quality and affordable health care, and no cuts to their retirement benefits. As stated on their website, OPEIU Local 39 is a progressive Union that represents over 3,000 people living and working in and around Madison. The Union has been bargaining a contract with TruStage since January 2022.
Tentative union agreement averts strike at 6 Twin Cities area Kowalski's grocery stores
Star Tribune
By Gita Sitaramiah
July 28, 2023
Kowalski's Markets and the union representing 600 of its grocery workers at six west-metro stores came to a tentative agreement Friday, averting a three-day unfair labor practices strike planned for next week. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 called off the strike that would have started Aug. 4 at the Hennepin, Lyndale, Parkview, Eagan, Eden Prairie and Excelsior stores. The tentative agreement is a two-year contract providing significant raises for part-time and full-time positions. It also secures worker-driven healthcare, according to the union, rather than a Kowalski's health insurance proposal.
Negotiations are ongoing between Yakima Valley College and faculty union over expired contract
Yakima Herald-Republic
By Vanessa Ontiveros
July 30, 2023
Negotiations continue between Yakima Valley College and its faculty union, the American Federation of Teachers Local 1485, after their collective bargaining agreement expired June 30. Negotiations are expected to continue for months, according to YVC and union sources. Until a new CBA is reached, the terms and conditions of the most recent agreement remain in place, said YVC President Linda Kaminski. “Negotiating a CBA can be a lengthy process taking many months due to scheduling issues and other critical responsibilities,” Kaminski said in a statement to the Yakima Herald-Republic.
Union members vote to grant strike authorization at Frontier
WBOY
By Alexandra Weaver
July 28, 2023
Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) at Frontier Communications in West Virginia and Ashburn, Virginia voted to grant strike authorization to union leaders on Friday. The CWA began contract negotiations with Frontier Communications last month. The union represents about 1,400 Frontier employees. Its current contract is set to expire on Aug. 5. Union leaders now have the authority to call a strike if negotiations between CWA and the telecom company fail to reach a settlement.
IN THE STATES
Community rallies after sign posted on door of Topeka post office
WIBW
By Sarah Motter and Lane Gillespie
July 30, 2023
A sign posted to the door of the Sherwood Carrier Annex Post Office at 6120 SW 29th St. has sparked tension in the community. The members of the union gathered at the intersection of 29th Street and Wanamaker Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. voicing their displeasure. “Businesses and customers are going to have to travel now to Gage on Woodhull to do their mail and buy their stamps,” Penny Oliver, State Vice President of the American Postal Workers Union, said. “Elderly are having their prescriptions delayed in the mail, and it’s causing concern for the postal customers. It’s an inconvenience to them and we believe it’s a disservice.
What the SAG-AFTRA strike means for Minnesota
MPR News
By Gracie Stockton and Phil Picardi
July 28, 2023
There’s a good chance you’ve got a SAG-AFTRA member living in your apartment building, down your street or in your community. And as the national actors’ strike enters its third week, Minnesota members are asking for support and solidarity. Casey Lewis, president-elect of the Twin Cities local SAG-AFTRA board, was a guest on Morning Edition. There’s a solidarity rally at noon Friday at the AFL-CIO headquarters in St. Paul. Lewis says members of both unions, as well as the WGA, will be there in support.