JOINING TOGETHER
Western Maine transit drivers win union election
Bangor Daily News
By Christopher Burns
Nov. 30, 2023
The transit drivers for the Lewiston-Auburn Citylink bus service have won their union election. The drivers, who work for Western Maine Transportation Services, which manages Citylink, are now unionized with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 714, according to the Maine AFL-CIO. The ATU 714 represents nearly 150 transit drivers, mechanics and other staff at the Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit, Community Connector in Bangor, the Greater Portland Metro bus line, the Regional Transportation Program in Portland and Western Maine Transit.
Library system and union reach tentative contract
Columbia Missourian
By Ceilidh Kern
Nov. 30, 2023
After more than a year of negotiations, the Daniel Boone Regional Library administration and Daniel Boone Regional Library Workers United (DBRLWU) reached a tentative agreement Thursday on a three-year contract that addresses employee concerns. The proposed contract will now go to the DBRL Board of Trustees and union employees for approval. The tentative agreement was reached after the two sides settled on issues surrounding wages, health care, union rights and the use of subcontractors and volunteers.
‘HCA is failing us’: Union nurses rally at Tampa office ahead of contract negotiations
WFLA
By Rachel Tucker
Nov. 30, 2023
National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU) expects more than 100 registered nurses to attend a rally at HCA Healthcare’s Tampa office on Thursday. The union, which represents over 10,000 HCA nurses, said the rally aims “to send a message to management” ahead of upcoming contract negotiations, according to a news release from NNOC/NNU. “Nurses say their protest is intended to send a message to management about nurse unity and solidarity in the face of mismanagement at their hospitals across the country,” the release stated.
The Art Newspaper
By Anni Irish
Nov. 30, 2023
Faculty at the University of the Arts (UArts) in Philadelphia have held multiple events on campus recently to bring attention to their prolonged contract negotiations with management, which have been ongoing since March 2021. On 31 October, union members staged a public picket to mark three years since they voted to unionise with a 99% majority to become part of the United Academics of Philadelphia (UAP) Local 9608, a chapter of the American Federation of Teachers.
IN THE STATES
West Virginia AFL-CIO describes sorrow over death of its former president, Kenny Perdue
WV Metro News
By Brad McElhinny
Nov. 30, 2023
West Virginia’s largest labor organization said its members are devastated over the sudden death of former President Kenny Perdue. “Kenny was tireless in his efforts to protect and serve West Virginia working families, having spent four decades working in the labor movement and close to 20 years with the West Virginia AFL-CIO,” stated West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword, who served alongside Perdue and then succeeded him as president. “He was a mentor, who inspired me with his work ethic, integrity and kindness. Even more importantly, he was the shining light of his family, and our hearts go out to all his loved ones, his wife, Dusty, his daughters, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. Our collective hearts are broken – we will miss our dear friend.”