JOINING TOGETHER
McLaren Workers rally in Bay City amid contract talks
ABC 12
By Kevin Craft
Aug. 16, 2023
A group of McLaren Bay Region workers rallied in Bay City on Wednesday amid ongoing contract talks with the healthcare network. UNITE HERE Local 24's rally happened on Columbus Avenue, next to Central High School. They tell us their contract ended with McLaren in February, and they're seeking safe staffing levels and fair and competitive wages. One member says they're seeing no movement on McLaren's end. So they're doing what they can to raise awareness.
Workers at Art Institute of Chicago, SAIC ratify 4-year union deal
ABC 7
By David Roeder
Aug. 16, 2023
More than 500 workers at the Art Institute of Chicago and its school who were in the vanguard of a union-organizing wave by museum staffers in Chicago have ratified their first contract. By an overwhelming vote, the workers approved a four-year agreement that over its life will increase wages from 12.25% to 16.25%, with lower-paid staff getting the largest percentage gains. The contract approval was announced Tuesday in a joint release from the museum and the workers' union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Philadelphia Orchestra Musicians Showcase Solidarity In Union Shirts
Opera Wire
By Francisco Salazar
Aug. 16, 2023
On August 11, the musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra created a blue sea of solidarity as they took the stage in royal blue union t-shirts, a remarkable show of strength and unity as contract negotiations between Local 77 of the American Federation of Musicians and Philadelphia Orchestra Kimmel Center, Inc (“POKC”) intensify. At the event every single Orchestra member wore their Local 77 t-shirt during the open rehearsal as well as Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and soloist Bruce Liu.
Historic contract for Peoria library workers
People’s World
By Noah Palm
Aug. 16, 2023
In one interview, the President of AFSCME Local 3464 told People’s World “We have people who spoke tonight and last month that had never talked in a public meeting, marched on a picket line, or ever thought to exercise the power that they possess as a member of the working class.” Not going alone, the union also brought a crowd of community supporters which created a standing-room-only situation with a sea of green facing the library board and administration. Farrell commented on how the workers felt about this, saying “They felt empowered…[and] overwhelming support seeing our patrons, community activists, and retirees come out to fill up that small room.”
IN THE STATES
Carrie Clark and MaryBe McMillan: Biden affordable clean energy results are worth recognizing (Opinion)
By Allen Johnson
Aug. 16, 2023
It’s not every day that Washington works and we see tangible results in North Carolina, so when it does, we should pay attention. A year ago today, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) — the largest investment in good-paying, clean energy jobs in the history of our country. And across our state, we are already seeing the remarkable improvements it’s bringing to our lives. Thanks to this affordable clean energy plan, North Carolina has already seen $9.61 billion in investment and helped create or move forward over 4,100 jobs across our state.
Maine business, environmental leaders reflect on one year of Inflation Reduction Act
News Center Maine
By David Guildford
Aug. 16, 2023
"Thanks to the IRA’s resources, and commitments to working people, we’ve got a real shot at powering our state with clean energy while creating thousands of high-quality, often union jobs," said Cynthia Phinney, president of the Maine AFL-CIO.
CIVIL, HUMAN, AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Union support growing for Aug 26 MLK anniversary ‘March on Washington’
People’s World
By Eric Brooks
Aug. 16, 2023
Union support for the Aug 26, 2023, MLK 60th anniversary “March on Washington” is growing. Billed as “Not a commemoration, a continuation,” the event is seeing enthusiasm grow within the ranks of organized labor. With the addition of the National Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), the list of endorses now has a significant union presence. They join a labor contingent that already includes the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Government Employees, AFSCME, American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, the Asian-Pacific-American Labor Alliance, and SEIU.