Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
JOINING TOGETHER
Deadline
By David Robb
Sept. 6, 2023
With SAG-AFTRA members already on strike against films and TV shows and voting now underway to authorize a separate strike against the video game industry, the guild’s leaders are saying that a dual strike, if it comes to that, “makes sense” because the issues at stake in both contracts “mirror” each other. “These are largely the same fight over the same issues, and members are stronger together,” SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said in their latest message to the guild’s members. “By standing shoulder to shoulder and in solidarity, we multiply our strength and send a clear and unmistakable message to all of our employers: We will not be exploited. Without fair terms that protect our members and respect their contributions, employers should not have the benefit of our members’ services.”
U.S. archbishop lays out 'urgent' need for 'radical solidarity' with working families
National Catholic Reporter
By OSV News
Sept. 1, 2023
The chairman of the U.S. bishops' domestic policy committee said the nation has "urgent work" to do to really show a "radical solidarity with working families" and provide ongoing support for the well-being of all families.
Organized labor feels strong this Labor Day
KGUN9
By Craig Smith
Sept. 4, 2023
The original goal of Labor Day was to honor organized labor and what it contributes to our economy and our society and on Labor Day 2023, members of organized labor can look back on a very busy year. In Tucson’s Kennedy Park, Labor Unions gather to celebrate Labor Day with a traditional picnic and this year they are in a real mood to celebrate.
RWJUH nurses strike remains in bitter stalemate
NJ Biz
By Matthew Fazelpoor
Sept. 6, 2023
The tense standoff between the United Steel Workers 4-200 union – representing more than 1,700 striking nurses – and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital management is now entering its second month, with no end in sight. Under a blazing hot, post-Labor Day sun Sept. 5 the union held a press conference at the picket line — right outside of the New Brunswick hospital. There was a lot on the minds of those who are striking for safer staffing levels, as they criticized hospital leadership for discontinuing striking nurses’ health benefits as of Sept. 1, the use of replacement nurses, and more. New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech spoke after Greenstein and thanked the health care workers for the job they do, stressing his solidarity while being sharply critical of hospital management. “Our day is coming. I’m going to tell you something right now. They may think they’re going to squeeze us because they cut our health care,” said Wowkanech. “They may think they’re going to squeeze us because they brought the scabs in for another 30 days. But they’re going to learn a lesson here in New Brunswick that they’ll never forget – that we’re going to beat them. We’re going to last one day longer.”
On Labor Day, Hollywood guild leaders tout union solidarity
Los Angeles Times
By Brian Contreras
Sept. 4, 2023
Hollywood guild leaders representing striking writers and actors rallied their members on Labor Day by stressing their common cause with other unions. SAG-AFTRA members have been on strike since mid-July in a dispute over streaming pay and automation. But Jodi Long, president of SAG-AFTRA’s Los Angeles local, said actors were not alone on picket lines. “SAG-AFTRA member commitment to this fight, our resolve to stay strong and our unique visibility to the world can serve to not only invigorate the entire labor movement, but also to totally change our industry,” wrote Long, an actor and longtime leader in the union, in an email to members.
UAW leader warns of strike at any Detroit automaker without a new contract deal next week
The Hill
By Miranda Nazzaro
Sept. 6, 2023
The leader of the United Auto Workers (UAW) warned the union will strike at any Detroit automaker that does not reach a new labor agreement by next week. When asked by The Associated Press (AP) if the union would call a strike on any of the companies that do not reach a tentative agreement, UAW President Shawn Fain said, “That’s the plan.” The contracts with the three major automakers — Ford, General Motors and Stellantis — are set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 14. Negotiations between UAW and the Big Three have been ongoing since early July over pay increases, pensions, career security and concerns over the industry’s shift to electric vehicles (EVs), which require fewer workers to make.
More workers striking in 2023 than the previous three decades
NBC San Diego
By Jeanette Quezada
Sept. 4, 2023
Labor Day is not just a three-day weekend, but a holiday that honors the workers for their contribution to our economy. According to this year’s annual labor report, over 270,000 California workers have joined the picket lines since January of this year. Across the country, more workers have participated in striking for their rights in 2023 than during the last three decades.
WGA & SAG-AFTRA To Rally For California Bill That Would Grant Unemployment Insurance To Strikers
Deadline
By David Robb
Sept. 6, 2023
The Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA will rally on Thursday at Amazon Studio in Culver City to highlight their push a bill that would provide unemployment insurance to striking workers in California. Striking writers and actors in New York and New Jersey are already eligible to receive unemployment benefits after 14 days on the picket line, but not in California.
UAW's leaders in WNY prepare for a potential strike against the Big 3 automakers
WGRZ
By Ron Plants
Sept. 6, 2023
There is a developing story which could greatly impact the Western New York economy. It involves the ongoing labor negotiations underway between the United Auto Workers union, with nearly 150,00 members, and the Big Three Automakers — GM, Ford, and Stellantis, which makes Chrysler vehicles in the United States. 2 On Your Side sat down Wednesday with local UAW leaders as the drive for a new contract goes down to the wire with a possible strike. Ray Jensen Junior is the Assistant Director of UAW Region 9. He puts it this way in regards to the negotiations: "If the companies can't come to their senses, then we're definitely going to go on strike."
IN THE STATES
We’re better off thanks to unions (Opinion)
Anchorage Daily News
By Joelle Hall
Sept. 4, 2023
It is the time of year when Alaskans are fishing, berry picking, and preparing for the winter ahead. It is also a time when we celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers. This Labor Day, I’d like to communicate one thing to Alaska’s working families: Life is better in a union. Being a union member means access to a good, sustainable job in the industries of the future. It means earning wages that help us afford a home and keep up with rising rents. It means critical benefits like affordable health care. It means a voice on the job, and it means knowing that your retirement is secure. Our future — and the future of our families — is better in a union.
Denver 7
By Brandon Richard
Sept. 4, 2023
As the nation marks Labor Day, workers in Colorado and beyond are demanding better pay and conditions. Workers in several industries, including healthcare employees, television and film writers, actors, flight attendants, and pilots, are either striking or threatening to strike amid labor agreement negotiations.
California’s Hot Labor Summer Is Not Over Yet
The New York Times
By Soumya Karlamangla
Sept. 5, 2023
Summer may be on its last legs, but California’s hot labor summer certainly isn’t. It’s been an exceptionally busy few months for labor actions in the Golden State, with dozens of strikes since May across a wide range of occupations, including housekeepers, Los Angeles city workers, McDonalds employees and dockworkers. The walkouts by tens of thousands of Hollywood actors and writers — together, the nation’s biggest strike in years — are still going strong.
Annual Labor Day picnic in Boise celebrates union workers
KTVB
By Jude Binkley
Sept. 4, 2023
For many, Labor Day is a holiday to enjoy time away from work and celebrate workers and worker's rights. Many workers came together to do just that at Kristin Armstrong Park, as the Boise Central Trades and Labor Council hosted their annual Labor Day picnic. Grills have been firing up for picnic since 1980, when it was started as a way to bring together and celebrate workers, according to Boise Central Trades and Labor Council president Leland Heinbach, who is also a third generation plumber and pipefitter union member.
Reno Labor Fest: Celebrating America’s union workforce
Kolo TV
By Nick Doyle
Sept. 4, 2023
The Northern Nevada Central Labor Council is hosting the 2nd annual Labor Festival at Idlewild Park. The festival is a family friendly environment where you can gain hands-on experience and learn from a variety of local union representatives. While learning new trades, you can ask representatives about their day-to-day job and the benefits that are attached with it. All of the proceeds will support the NNCLC’s member assistance program that provides workers with tools, boots, and resources to get started with their career.
Oregon union workers celebrate Labor Day
KEZI
By Jennifer Singh
Sept. 4, 2023
Oregon’s unions gathered at picnics and events across Oregon to celebrate the work of union workers throughout the past year. Lane County Central Labor Chapter hosted their 24th annual Labor Day picnic, and celebrated accomplishments of the past year and the public support for unions being at record levels according to the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations.
Workers gather to celebrate the true meaning of Labor Day
WFAA
By Tiffany Liou
Sept. 4, 2023
Labor Day is a time when many people gather and celebrate with family and friends, but there is a deeper history behind the holiday. It dates back to the late 1800's when the organized labor movement began, according to the Department of Labor. Activists then pushed to recognize American workers. They fought for fair working conditions and made known the social and economic impact of laborers.
Labor Day represents progress and resilience, but there’s still work to be done (Opinion)
Salt Lake Tribune
By Jeff Worthington
Sept. 4, 2023
Labor Day holds a special significance for labor workers. It is a day to celebrate the sacrifices and achievements of our forefathers in the labor movement in the United States. Labor Day was first recognized as a federal holiday in 1894, after years of struggle by labor unions to secure better working conditions and fair wages for workers.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
Unionized nursing homes 78% more likely to report workplace injury and illness data, study finds
Medical Press
By George Washington University
Sept. 5, 2023
Nursing homes that unionize are more likely to report workplace injury and illness data to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a study published in the journal Health Affairs says. "Unionization led to a 78% increase in employer compliance with OSHA's requirement to report workplace injury and illness data," said the lead author of the study, Adam Dean, professor of political science at the George Washington University. "Reporting such information helps make nursing homes safer."