LABOR LEADERS
Seafarers International Union President Emeritus Mike Sacco has died
Labor Tribune
By Staff
Dec. 29, 2023
Seafarers International Union President Emeritus Michael Sacco passed away on Dec. 28, 2023 in St. Louis, surrounded by his family. He was 86 years old and passed away from natural causes. Brother Sacco was the longest-serving president in Seafarers (SIU) history, having led the organization from 1988 until his retirement in February 2023, a period spanning nearly 35 years. “Mike’s leadership at the Seafarers International Union benefited generations of merchant mariners and all working people,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in an article announcing Sacco’s retirement in March 2023. “Mike led his union with integrity and a fighting spirit that he learned as a rank-and-file member.” SIU President David Heindel described Sacco in the same article as “an inspiration to members and officials alike.”
JOINING TOGETHER
Pasadena hotel workers strike ahead of Rose Parade and bowl game
NBC Los Angeles
By Staff
Dec. 31, 2023
Cooks, room attendants and other workers at the Hilton Pasadena and Hyatt Place Pasadena hotels walked off the job at dawn Sunday as Pasadena gets ready to host the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game on New Year's Day, union officials said. Workers across Los Angeles hotels have been engaged in ongoing labor disputes with employers since July, in what the Unite Here Local 11 union calls the largest hotel worker strike in modern history. The workers' primary goals include wage increases to keep pace with the soaring cost of housing in Los Angeles, quality and affordable health insurance and humane workloads, according to Unite Here Local 11, which staged walkouts at hotels across Southern California and Arizona over the summer.
Alamo Drafthouse employees vote to unionize at Colorado location, push for union at another
CBS Colorado
By Austen Erblat
Jan. 1, 2024
The Communications Workers of America, which employees are unionizing with, says the company has unlawfully fired three people involved in unionization efforts, as well as other "union busting" activities, such as "targeted enforcement of previously unenforced policies and schedule manipulation," changing employee policies in an "illegal and reactionary manner" and "changing attendance policies."
LABOR AND ECONOMY
Blue-collar workers won big in 2023, defying bleak predictions
The Washington Post
By Lauren Kaori Gurley
Dec. 30, 2023
A year that started out with bleak prospects, including a widely predicted recession, shaped up to be a boon for the average American worker — and one of the most triumphant for organized labor in a generation. More than 525,000 workers in the United States walked off the job in 2023, according to Bloomberg Law’s database of work stoppages, making it one of the three biggest strike years since 1990. Many of those strikes led to big concessions from employers, such as the landmark deal reached by the UAW in October.
POLITICS
Vice President Harris, Acting Labor Secretary Coming to Nevada
2 News
By Meg Kinnard
Dec. 30, 2023
Vice President Kamala Harris and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su will visit Las Vegas next week. Their visit is set for January 3rd. During the visit Acting Secretary Su will deliver remarks to and meet with workers who are part of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226. They will discuss the union's new contracts and the Biden administration's work with labor.
Biden rule mandates Project Labor Agreements on major federal building projects
Labor Tribune
By Staff
Jan. 1, 2024
President Joe Biden and Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su on Dec. 18 announced a new game-changing federal rule that, according to the AFL-CIO, will not only benefit workers, but also make our tax dollars go further by making construction projects more efficient. The rule mandates the use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for large federal construction projects that cost $35 million or more. In expanding the use of PLAs, contractors and subcontractors will have to negotiate with unions to set terms for project construction – ensuring that the safety and dignity of workers are prioritized on the jobsites.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
New local IBEW leader makes community involvement the focus
WTRF
By Colin Roose
Dec. 29, 2023
Between iron-air batteries and hydrogen hubs, local unions have a new world to face…and one IBEW leader is up to the challenge. Kevan Brown is the new Business Manager and Financial Secretary of Local 246 in Steubenville. As a former Executive Board Member and President, he’s no stranger to the chapter, with his father, grandfather, and uncles all card-carrying members as well. “Our members live in the community. We want to work in the community. All the new industry that’s coming to our area. We’re here for it…with our customers, with our contractors, and anyone who’s new to the area we’re willing to work with you and see what we can do for you.”
Spirit of giving comes alive at CLUW Holiday Party
Labor Tribune
By Staff
Jan. 1, 2024
Union sisters gathered for giving at the St. Louis Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) Annual Holiday Party here Dec. 3 at Machinist Lodge 837. To help local mothers and children fleeing abusive situations, guests filled the tables with personal items, including diapers, tampons, dental and hair products. The event included food and drinks and live music by Nikki Glenn, a member of Musicians Local 2-197.
RAISING WAGES
New York State ushers in 2024 with a minimum wage increase
WHAM
By Daniel Finkelstein
Dec. 30, 2023
Effective Monday, Jan. 1, New York State will increase its minimum wage to $16 per hour for workers in New York City, and $15 for those in the rest of the state. The two-year plan will raise the minimum hourly wage to $17 in New York City, and $16 throughout the rest of the state by 2026.