POLITICS
Sister Campbell, Trumka, 15 others receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Catholic News Service
By Catholic News Service
July 7, 2022
Trumka was president of the AFL-CIO from 2009 until his death in August 2021. The faith of Trumka, a Catholic born to a Polish father and an Italian mother, helped shape a lifelong career in the labor movement. He led the 12.5-million-member AFL-CIO through more than a decade of difficulties, as the percentage of U.S. workers represented by unions continued a slow but steady erosion. Those who were in unions frequently faced unresponsive employers — and workers who organized for union representation faced hostility and threats of firing and job loss. “No one did more work for American workers than he did,” Biden said of Trumka. “His work was synonymous with the word that defined his life: dignity, dignity that comes with a good-paying job that builds a good and decent middle-class life.” Calling Trumka’s advocacy for workers as “fierce,” Biden said that his friend of 30 years constantly tried “to do what was right for working people” by fighting for fair wages and protecting their pensions.
JOINING TOGETHER
Actors' Equity Association Releases Statement in Support of Victory Gardens Theater Workers
Broadway World
By Chloe Rabinowitz
July 8, 2022
"As the events surrounding Victory Gardens Theater and its Board of Directors' failed stewardship have been made public this week, union staff and leadership have been in continual contact with the stage managers and actors working on the production of cullud wattah. Actors' Equity Association stands fully in support of our members, and their right to a safe work environment - as well as the right of all workers to work in a safe environment free from harassment, discrimination and bullying.
"It is deeply disheartening to see an organization that has very publicly wrestled with institutional racism in recent memory again be perceived as unable to support workers of color without whom Victory Gardens Theater could neither exist nor thrive.
Nurses union ratifies new 3-year contract with University of California
ABC 7
By City News Service
July 10, 2022
The California Nurses Association and the University of California have agreed on a new three-year contract that was ratified by a majority of the more than 17,000 nurses who work in UC medical and student health facilities, both sides announced. The agreement takes effect immediately and will run through Oct. 31, 2025. The prior contract was set to expire this fall.
Writers Guild East Files Grievance With CBS News Over Backpay (Exclusive)
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
July 8, 2022
The Writers Guild of America East has filed a grievance with CBS News over alleged unpaid backpay nearly two months after members ratified a new three-year contract with the division. “During our negotiations we made it clear to management that Guild members at CBS News are angry and frustrated, that they have felt undervalued and overworked for a long time,” WGA East executive director Lowell Peterson said in a statement. “Despite this, our bargaining committee and members focused on reaching a reasonable agreement, which we achieved with a lot of membership effort and support. The one thing the company had to get right was implementation of the pay increases in the agreement, and this has failed.” He added, “Members are telling us this feels like the very last straw.”
Union steelworkers nearing second month of lockout with Collins Aerospace
WVVA
By Ben Schwartz
July 10, 2022
More than 240 steelworkers in Monroe County remained locked out of their jobs with Collins Aerospace on Friday, as the union workers neared the two-month mark of failed contract negotiations. “It’s only brought us closer together as a union,” said Lisa Wilson. Spirits remained high on Friday however, as workers on the picket line said they have no plans of calling it quits. “Too far, too long,” said Brian Morrison. “There ain’t no way we’re doing that.”
FAX bus drivers considering strike after failed negotiations with City of Fresno
Fox 26 News
By Marie Edinger
July 10, 2022
Workers with the Fresno Area Express – or FAX – are deciding whether to strike. Those workers are holding a vote Sunday starting at 6:00 p.m. They expect to have results in by 9:00 p.m. ATU, a union representing FAX bus drivers, says the City of Fresno is considering changing the drivers’ contracts to only get overtime after 40 hours in a workweek, rather than 8 hours in a day. “We don’t want to strike and leave our riders out to dry, but the City has refused to bargain in good faith. Our bus operators are driving more for less pay, and now management wants to have unlimited access to view all onboard video camera footage,” said Local President Luis Montoya-Alcazar. “These erratic schedules with the City’s new overtime plan and operators worried that big brother is looking over their shoulder leads to fatigued bus operators making the roads less safe for everyone. We are giving our fed-up bus operators the opportunity to make their voices heard with this strike authorization vote.”
UAW solidarity: John Deere union members join CNH Industrial workers on the picket line
WQAD
By Jenna Webster
July 10, 2022
It's been over two months since about 430 members of the United Auto Workers Union at the Case New Holland Industrial plant in Burlington went on strike. It marks the largest walkout in Iowa since UAW members working at John Deere went on strike for 35 days last fall. About 600 UAW members at a CNH plant in Racine, Wisconsin, also went on strike on Monday, May 2, in search of a better deal with the agriculture and construction equipment company. Sunday, July 10, marked day 65 of the strike. John Deere UAW members from the Quad Cities traveled to Burlington on Sunday to join the CNH workers on the picket lines. "We're here to support them and give them the community support that we had during our strike. And just to show them that they're not alone," said Local 865 President David Thompson. "We want the public to realize that our labor struggle is their struggle as well... We want to see them get a fair contract and be competitive and earn a living and retire with dignity."