Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
JOINING TOGETHER
How Union Workers Build the Middle Class
Counterpunch
By David Mccall
Nov. 2, 2023
Unions not only deliver wage growth, quality benefits, and retirement security for members but sick leave, predictable shift scheduling, and other quality-of-life enhancements, according to a new report from the U.S. Treasury Department that cites labor’s role in growing economic equality. By fighting for fairness, the researchers added, unions stamp out discrimination, favoritism, and pay disparities tied to gender and race. Well-compensated union workers, in turn, support small businesses, schools, and other amenities needed to sustain strong communities. All of this explains why public support for unions surged to record levels in recent years and why, according to a recent Gallup poll, Americans want to see workers exercise even greater collective power in coming years.
Culinary gives resorts until Nov. 10 to avert ‘largest hospitality workers strike in history’
Nevada Current
By Michael Lyle
Nov. 2, 2023
Culinary Workers Local 226 officials said resorts have until next Friday to put forward a contract that meets wage demands, secures worker protections against automation replacing jobs, and mandates daily room cleanings or around 35,000 union workers will commence a strike. After months of negotiating with MGM Resorts, Caesars, Resorts World and Wynn, Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge announced on Thursday that the union has officially set a deadline for Nov. 10 at 5 a.m. One of MGM’s properties, the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, would be exempt from a strike since MGM only acquired it last year the contract is not up for renewal.
Scholastic Union Walks Out Over Wages
Publishers Weekly
By Sophia Stewart
Nov. 2, 2023
Unionized workers at Scholastic staged a one-day work stoppage on November 1 following the children's publisher's rejection of the Scholastic Union's proposal for annual raises. Members of the Scholastic Union, all of whom belong to the company's magazine division, did not report to work on Wednesday, and instead held a picket outside Scholastic's corporate headquarters in Soho starting at 1 p.m. The union, which was formed in 1937, currently has 82 members, who are represented by the News Guild of New York.
Newsroom staff at Bend Bulletin and Redmond Spokesman form union
Northwest Labor Press
By Mallory Gruben
Nov. 2, 2023
Newsroom workers at the Bend Bulletin and Redmond Spokesman are on track to become Oregon’s second group of union journalists. The two publications are owned by EO Media Group, a private family-owned publishing company that runs 15 newspapers and two magazines in Oregon. The Bulletin is a daily newspaper that covers Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties. The Spokesman is a weekly newspaper covering the City of Redmond. Because their coverage area overlaps, articles and photos from workers at one paper often appear in the other. At least 11 of the 14 reporters, photographers, and news assistants at the two papers signed union cards asking for the NewsGuild to represent them. Newly formed Central Oregon NewsGuild would be part of the NewsGuild, a division of Communication Workers of America.
Workers at Walt Disney Animation Studios vote to unionize under Animation Guild
Los Angeles Times
By Christi Carras
Nov. 2, 2023
Production workers at Walt Disney Animation Studios have voted to unionize under the Animation Guild, the union announced Wednesday on X. Production coordinators, managers and supervisors at Disney Animation are poised to be represented by IATSE Local 839, a branch of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Sixty-three of the 68 workers who participated in the election voted in favor of union representation, according to the National Labor Relations Board.
Striking Memphis workers get NYC support amid national union uptick
Tennessee Lookout
By Lonnie Lee Hood
Nov. 2, 2023
After nearly five months of organizing, about 140 members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Local 390G are still striking in Memphis and recently took their fight for better wages and benefits to New York City, rallying outside the International Food and Flavors (IFF) headquarters. The members of BCTGM have been on strike since June 4, at which time the union said in a press statement they hoped to negotiate a fair contract with the strikers’ employer. Prior to the strike, workers had been subject to the terms of an expired contract for more than a year. At IFF, employees manufacture soy protein products used by Nestle and Abbott Nutrition in baby formula, pet food and other food and beverage products. Members have been utilizing a strike fund to help pay bills, and some have taken temporary jobs to make ends meet in the meantime. Cedric Wilson, Local 390G president and IFF worker, said about 40 people attended the NYC rally on Oct. 19 — including workers from United Auto Workers Local 3039 and the AFL-CIO.
Thousands of Las Vegas Strip hotel workers at 18 casinos could go on strike
ABC News
By Rio Yamat
Nov. 2, 2023
Tens of thousands of Las Vegas hotel workers set a deadline Thursday for a sweeping strike, threatening major disruptions to the city's economic backbone that could coincide with the Strip's inaugural Formula 1 races later this month. The Culinary Workers Union said about 35,000 members whose contracts expired earlier this year are ready and willing to walk off the job at 18 casinos if deals aren't reached by Nov. 10 with casino giants MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts.
Reed College workers vote to join OPEIU Local 11
Northwest Labor Press
By Don Mcintosh
Nov. 2, 2023
Student workers in the Reed College dorms voted 36-2 to unionize in ballots counted Oct. 27. The 44 workers are known as housing advisors. They live in the dorms, plan social events, and connect dorm residents with resources on campus. They’ll be represented by Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 11.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
UMC nurses seeking union say hospital ignoring safety, staffing complaints
WWNO
By Drew Costley
Nov. 2, 2023
She is one of a group of nurses who are trying to form a union at UMC. They filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board earlier this month, seeking to join the National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of National Nurses United. The group seeks to represent 750 registered nurses at the hospital. Nurses are demanding increased staffing through better pay and benefits, enough supplies to treat patients, a safer workplace and a voice in the hospital’s decision-making process.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
AFL-CIO taking Adopt a Family applications
KQ2
By Noel Hardin
Nov. 2, 2023
The AFL-CIO Community Services branch in St. Joseph is hosting 'Adopt-A-Family', where anyone can volunteer to help impoverished families who can't afford Christmas presents this year. This year will mark the program's 40th anniversary, and it has grown a lot since it first started. Last year, the program served over 800 families, consisting of over 2,600 individuals who all needed help.
Carnegie Hall joins AFM Local 674 to offer free music in education classes
Mountain Messenger
By Staff
Nov. 2, 2023
As part of its commitment to lifelong learning, Carnegie Hall offers a series of classes and workshops to enlighten and inspire learners of all ages. In November, Carnegie Hall will offer a pair of free music classes presented by American Federation of Musicians Local 674. Sound Reinforcement: Set Up, Adjustment, Settings, Pitfalls will take place Saturday, Nov. 4 and Singing: Vocal Coaching and Technique on Saturday, Nov. 18. Both classes begin at 11 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. Hosted by the AFM Local 674 Music in Education Series, the Sound Reinforcement workshop will teach the basics of running sound and will feature guest teaching artists Thomas Taylor and Gary Williams.
Northwest Labor Press
By Don Mcintosh
Nov. 2, 2023
Until now, the friendly competition has been between about a dozen construction union training programs, but this year 21 unions or union training centers are competing. The organization that collects the most 32- to 45-gallon garbage bags full of toys will get a union-made trophy to keep and display for the year, as well as recognition in the Northwest Labor Press and on social media. Last year’s first place winner was the Ironworkers, with second place going to NECA-IBEW and third place to Operating Engineers Local 701. As always, the big winners are parents and kids who have gifts delivered to their doorsteps by union volunteers.