MUST READ
UAW strikes against all Big Three automakers for first time in history
The Washington Post
By Jeanne Whalen and Lauren Kaori Gurley
Sept. 15, 2023
The United Auto Workers union launched a historic strike on Friday against all three of Detroit’s biggest automakers after its contracts expired, with the first picket lines at a Ford plant in Wayne, Mich., a General Motors plant in Wentzville, Mo., and a Stellantis plant in Toledo, Ohio. “This is our generation’s defining moment,” Fain said in a Facebook Live address to union members on Thursday night, less than two hours before the deadline. “The money is there. The cause is righteous. The world is watching. And th UAW is ready to stand up.” Fain said the union would initially stop work at targeted locations at each company, in what he called a “stand-up strike,” and broaden the action to additional factories if talks remain unsuccessful.
JOINING TOGETHER
The UAW launches a historic strike against all Big 3 automakers
NPR
By Danielle Kaye
Sept. 15, 2023
A historic strike at the Detroit Three automakers is now underway. For the first time ever, the United Auto Workers union is striking against all Big Three automakers at once, after it failed to clinch a deal on a new contract by the 11:59 p.m. deadline on Thursday. But the strike won't involve all of the nearly 150,000 union members who work at the three automakers walking off their jobs en masse. Instead, workers at three Midwest auto plants — a General Motors assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri, a Stellantis assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio, and part of a Ford plant in Wayne, Mich. -- were the first to walk off the job under UAW president Shawn Fain's "stand up strike" strategy.
Decatur teaching assistants, security officers rally for a fair contract
WCIA
By Cole Henke
Sept. 14, 2023
Decatur Public Schools teaching assistants and security officers rallied outside of the school board meeting this week, calling for a fair contract from the district. Both unions have been in negotiations with the district since April, and they have been without a contract since their old one ended in June. “We’re talking about fair contract,” said Michelle Mitchell, President of the Decatur Federation of Teaching Assistants. “That’s what we’re talking about. A fair contract in order to help us to sustain being here and to help our students to be the best that they can be.”
Wood River workers ratify contract with Phillips 66, averting strike
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
By Reuters
Sept. 14, 2023
Unionized refinery workers at Phillips 66’s 356,000 barrel per day Wood River refinery in Roxana ratified a contract with the refiner in late-stage negotiations, union leaders said on Wednesday. A majority of about 370 operators in the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399 voted Wednesday to accept the proposal, averting a potential strike, the union officials said.
Culinary Workers Union strike soon possible as negotiation deadline nears
KTNV
By Abel Garcia
Sept. 14, 2023
Las Vegas hospitality workers say they are close to a breaking point. The Culinary Workers Union and resort companies have until late September to finish contract negotiations or the union will hold a strike vote. I spoke with a hotel worker who says long hours and a heavy workload are affecting her quality of life. When I go home, I don't have energy, not at all, to take care of my family, I just want to lay down."
Workers of Seattle-based Homegrown strike over contract negotiations
The Seattle Times
By Renata Geraldo
Sept. 14, 2023
About 150 workers at six locations of Seattle-based sandwich maker Homegrown went on strike Thursday over contract negotiations between their newly formed union and the company. As of Thursday afternoon, it was unclear if the strike would continue until the weekend.
Blue Cross Blue Shield UAW workers strike in Marquette
Upper Michigan’s Source
By TV6 News Team, Justin Van't Hof and Stephen DeLadurantaye
Sept. 14, 2023
Blue Cross Blue Shield workers took to the picket line in Marquette Thursday afternoon. The workers are represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. The UAW entered into negotiations with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan earlier this summer. On Sept. 12 the UAW and Blue Cross Blue Shield failed to reach an agreement causing the strike statewide.
IN THE STATES
Deadline
By David Robb
Sept. 14, 2023
A bill that would make striking workers in California eligible to receive up to $450 a week in unemployment insurance benefits passed in the state Senate on Thursday by a vote of 27-12. Senate Bill 799, which passed in the state Assembly last month, now heads to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who can either sign it into law or veto it.