JOINING TOGETHER
Teen Vogue
By Delaney Parks
Aug. 21, 2023
Whether you use my term or the more formal “Summer of Strikes,” there’s no denying that the US labor movement has come to a boiling point. Starbucks locations across the country have staged daylong strikes to protest some managers allegedly banning Pride decor (Starbucks denied any change in policy), and SAG-AFTRA has joined the Writer’s Guild of America on the picket line. Over 650,000 American workers are either threatening to go on strike or already have done so, according to Bloomberg News. As NewsGuild-CWA president Jon Schleuss told me, workers from more than 100 newsrooms in the US have joined the guild since the beginning of 2018.
Full-time FCC faculty says union would address campus culture, contracts
The Frederick News-Post
By Ceoli Jacoby
Aug. 21, 2023
The full-time faculty at Frederick Community College on Monday filed paperwork with the state Public Employee Relations Board declaring their intent to form a union. A majority of the full-time faculty members voted earlier this week to petition the board for recognition, according to organizers. The board is now tasked with verifying that more than 50% of the employees desire the union to be their exclusive representative. The full-time faculty members at FCC will be represented by the state arm of the American Federation of Teachers, according to AFT-Maryland President Kenya Campbell.
UAW members rally in Warren as contract expiration nears
CBS Detroit
By Luke Laster
Aug. 21, 2023
Hundreds of UAW members gathered for a rally in Warren on Sunday afternoon. The rally, coined "Solidarity Sunday," included multiple members, politicians and UAW President Shawn Fain. The rally took place with contract negotiations nearing its Sept. 14 deadline. "I feel so empowered and more pumped that I can see a better future for myself and my boys," says Local 160 member Jessica Merz, who attended Sunday's rally. "Being with General Motors for 24 years, I've seen a cycle where everyone is lost. Their loyalty and everything for the union. I think, with this new group, I can feel everyone coming back together and being more powerful and empowered."
Orono town workers win union certification
Bangor Daily News
By Christopher Burns
Aug. 21, 2023
Orono town workers have won their union certification bid. In a decision issued on Thursday, the Maine Labor Relations Board ruled that Council 93 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — or AFSCME — had “adequately demonstrated” majority support for unionizing and that the union should be certified. AFSCME Council 93 represents public sector employees in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.
BMHA approves five-year contract agreements with unions
Buffalo News
By Deidre Williams
Aug. 21, 2023
And earlier this week, the BMHA board of commissioners reached agreements with two unions, AFSCME Local 264 and IUOE Local 17-S, on new five-year contracts. It’s the first time in decades that authority employees are not working under expired contracts for an extended period of time, BMHA officials said. The proposals will raise wages for white-collar and blue-collar employees by a total of 17% over the life of the contracts.
King County Metro union increases salaries, training with new 3-year labor deal
My Northwest
By Frank Sumrall
Aug. 21, 2023
King County Metro and its largest union, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587, finalized a new three-year labor contract that increases wages by approximately 17% over the life of the contract. The agreement also includes a lump sum retroactive payment, a retention bonus of $2,500, and a one-time $2,500 ratification signing bonus. The deal was ratified August 15 after both parties reached a tentative agreement in June. Negotiations started in May 2022.
CWA workers still on the job as contract talks continue
WV Metro News
By Chris Lawrence
Aug. 21, 2023
Members of the Communication Workers of America continue working status quo as negotiators work to hammer out the next contract between the union employees and Frontier Communications. J.D. Thompson, President of Local 2001 of the CWA in Charleston, said although the old contract expired Saturday night at midnight, they continued to work because of progress in the bargaining talks. “The bargaining committee came back and reported a good amount of progress had been made on Saturday. I think they just ran out of time,” he explained.
IN THE STATES
Bill to eliminate work permits in Wisconsin comes amid national push to loosen child labor laws
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
By Hope Karnopp
Aug. 21, 2023
Labor groups like the Wisconsin AFL-CIO opposed that effort, arguing permits protect young workers from exploitation and give parents a say in their child's employment. "Work permits are an important piece of safety for children in the workforce, and we are opposed to any further reduction in the age which would require a work permit," AFL-CIO Wisconsin president Stephanie Bloomingdale said in an interview.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Relief fund established help Hawaiian union families
Labor Tribune
By Staff
Aug. 21, 2023
To help the thousands of union families who lost everything in the massive Hawaiian wildfires of last week, the AFL-CIO has launched a special relief fund: Hawaii State AFL-CIO Labor Community Services Program/Hawaii Employees Lifeline Program. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler made a special appeal to unions and union members for donations. For locals, the suggested donation is $2,500; from individuals, whatever you can afford.