Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
APPRENTICESHIPS
Plumbers & Steamfitters Union Recruiting Apprentices In The HV
Patch
By Lanning Taliaferro
Jan. 23, 2024
The local Plumbers & Steamfitters union will conduct a brief recruitment drive from Feb. 20 through March 4 for 20 Plumber & Steamfitter apprentices and five Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic apprentices in four Hudson Valley counties. Applications must be obtained in person and filled out at Local Union #21, which is located at 1024 McKinley Street in Peekskill.
LABOR AND ECONOMY
US union membership rate hits fresh record low in 2023 -Labor Dept
Reuters
By Dan Burns
Jan. 23, 2024
"Although union density remained flat in 2023, that doesn’t reflect the surging momentum that working people have carried into this year," AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a statement. "Waves of workers across industries and geography are joining unions despite vicious union-busting campaigns by large corporations."
ORGANIZING
Condé Nast union workers walk out following layoff announcement
Axios
By Sara Fischer
Jan. 23, 2024
Roughly 400 members of the unionized staff at several Condé Nast brands, including Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair, are walking off the job Tuesday in New York City, the NewsGuild of New York said.
Why it matters: The strike comes months after Condé Nast said it would lay off approximately 5% of its staff, or roughly 300 people.
Hollywood Unions Show Solidarity As American Federation Of Musicians Enters Negotiations With AMPTP
Deadline
By Katie Campione
Jan. 23, 2024
The Hollywood unions are throwing their support behind the American Federation of Musicians as it begins its contract negotiations with the studios. The AFM entered into negotiations with the AMPTP for its new collective bargaining agreement on Monday, fighting for many of the same things the WGA and SAG-AFTRA did during last year’s dual strikes, including AI protections, increased wages, and improved streaming residuals.
Greenpoint's She Wolf Bakery Workers Latest to Unionize
BK Reader
By Megan McGibney
Jan. 23, 2024
Bakers in Greenpoint are cooking up a plan to unionize, one of the many employee groups in the city to do so in recent years. Employees of She Wolf Bakery told their owner on Thursday they filed to unionize with the National Labor Relations Board in representation with Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU). The 23 bakery workers signed RWDSU authorization cards and asked their bosses to recognize their union.
Cal State Professors Reach Tentative Deal to End Strike
The New York Times
By Soumya Karlamangla
Jan. 23, 2024
The California State University system and the union representing thousands of professors and lecturers reached a tentative deal on Monday to raise wages, ending what was the largest strike by university faculty members in U.S. history. The deal, announced by both sides on Monday night, came just hours after the California Faculty Association, the union that represents 29,000 professors, lecturers, librarians, counselors and coaches, began what was planned as a five-day walkout across the 23 C.S.U. campuses, which serve nearly 460,000 students.
“Shamebridge”: UNITE HERE Local 11 Launches Boycott of Aimbridge Hospitality
Business Wire
By Staff
Jan. 22, 2024
On the first day of the American Lodging and Investment Summit, UNITE HERE Local 11 members announced a boycott of Aimbridge Hospitality, the largest third-party hotel operator in the world, until the company agrees to sign a fair contract at its union properties in Southern California.
Union Strong, Union Proud: CWA Local 1032 demands a contract in Warren County
Tap into Phillipsburg
By Alley Shubert
Jan. 23, 2024
Nearly thirty-five employees with the Warren County Division of Temporary Assistance and Social Services (TASS) marched outside to hold an informational picket for salary negotiations on the afternoon of Monday, January 22, 2024. TASS employees Courtney Meixsell, Michelle Zignoli, and Julie Gonzalez, who are stewards of CWA Local 1032 and members of the Union Bargaining Committee, led the march of all-female employees. In unison, the crowd chanted the words, “We demand a contract!” They also want the contract fair, and they want it now.
More than 400 Condé Nast staffers stage one-day walkout to protest layoffs
CNN Business
By Liam Reilly
Jan. 23, 2024
More than 400 staffers at Condé Nast, the parent company of prestigious publications including Vanity Fair, Vogue and GQ, walked off the job Tuesday in a historic 24-hour work stoppage over the company’s plan to lay off staff. The daylong walkout, intentionally timed on the day of the Academy Awards nominations, is in protest of what the NewsGuild of New York described as “unlawful handling of layoff negotiations and bad-faith bargaining.”
JOINING TOGETHER
Flight Attendants Call For Union Vote At ‘Hot Shop’ Breeze Airways
Forbes
By Ted Reed
Jan. 23, 2024
Two weeks after announcing a campaign to organize Breeze Airways flight attendants, the Association of Flight Attendants said has filed for an election with the National Mediation Board. Breeze is “a hot shop,” said AFA President Sara Nelson, using an organizing term that refers to workplaces where employees are eager to organize. She said a high proportion of the carrier’s approximately 600 flight attendants have worked at other airlines, while others are from Gen Z, young people also known as post-millennials.
Anne Hathaway Walks Out of Vanity Fair Photo Shoot in Solidarity With Condé Nast Union Work Stoppage (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety
By Marc Malkin
Jan. 23, 2024
Anne Hathaway walked out of a Vanity Fair photo shoot Tuesday morning in support of the Condé Nast Union walk out. Nearly 400 union members who work at Condé Nast are currently holding a 24-hour work stoppage to protest negotiation practices they claim are unlawful. Hathaway was unaware of the work stoppage when she arrived at the New York City photo shoot. She was still in hair and makeup when her team was notified by a staffer from SAG-AFTRA to advise Hathaway to support the work stoppage.
STATE LEGISLATION
Indiana USW Members Lobby at Statehouse in Favor of Multiple Bills
WIBC
By Sam Fritz
Jan. 23, 2024
USW members stood on the steps of the Statehouse chanting word of support just short of 11:00 a.m. before filing in to go through security. The legislation being discussed includes: H.B. 1246 – This House Bill addresses workers compensation and the ability for an individual to choose their own health care provider for injuries sustained on the job. Currently, employers would select the healthcare provider for on the job injuries. H.B.1246 would allow for the worker to receive temporary or permanent assistance from their preferred healthcare provider with the company covering the costs. H.B. 1247 – Aims to repeal the “Right to Work” which allows for individuals to work a union job without having to pay dues into unionwhile still receiving collective bargaining protections. Repealing the Right to Work would mean that employers of union-represented facilities would require all employees to pay union dues as a part of their employment. Even if the employee did not wish to join the union, they would be required to pay an “agency fee” or “fair share fee” which would go toward non-political activities and provide benefits to all employees.
IN THE STATES
Detroit bus routes to see service enhancements, increased frequency, officials say
The Detroit News
By Myesha Johnson
Jan, 22, 2024
Monday marks boosts for Detroit bus routes, including increased frequency and additional runs, city officials said. The Detroit Department of Transportation made the announcement Sunday, saying the 9-Jefferson route will be greatly affected and is possible because of an effort to hire more bus operators in recent months.