Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
ORGANIZING
Journalists at New York Daily News Walk Off Job for a Day
The New York Times
By Katie Robertson
Jan. 25, 2024
Journalists at The New York Daily News walked off the job on Thursday for the first time in more than three decades. Newsroom workers at The Daily News Union, which formed in 2021, are in negotiations for their first contract. The union called a one-day work stoppage to protest staffing cuts, as well as a new policy that requires workers to get advance approval for overtime.
Forbes Union Stages 3-Day Work Stoppage in Protest of Stalled Negotiations
The Wrap
By Natalie Korach
Jan. 25, 2024
According to the guild, Forbes staffers have been fighting for two years for a “first contract, only to be met with tired, union-busting tactics by Forbes management.” On Thursday, the NewsGuild of New York filed an unfair labor practice charge on behalf of the Forbes Union, “or the company’s interference with protected union activity, discrimination based on protected union activity, and refusing to bargain in good faith.”
IndyStar, News Guild reach two-year agreement
Indy Star
By Tim Evans and Eric Larsen
Jan. 25, 2024
The Indianapolis Star and the union representing the newspaper's reporters and photographers have reached an agreement on a new two-year contract. The deal, which raises base salaries and also includes annual across-the-board pay increases, culminated more than three years of negotiations between the Gannett-owned newspaper and Indianapolis News Guild. "We're thrilled to have reached an agreement after more than three years at the table. The biggest win is our economics package, which will benefit every member of our bargaining unit," said Jenna Watson, president of TNG-CWA Local 34070 and a veteran photographer at IndyStar.
Several Wisconsin Rapids Ocean Spray employees petition to unionize
WXOW
By Isak Dinesen
Jan. 25, 2024
Several dozen Ocean Spray employees in Wisconsin Rapids are demanding better working conditions. Many could be seen standing outside their plant looking to garner support for their cause Wednesday, as people entered the facility for their shift. The workers are looking to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 965, which is based out of Madison. "What we're seeing right now is free speech and people saying, 'Hey, we support your decision either way. If you want to organize and become a union, we're here to support you,'" said Dillon Gorman, the Business Manager with IBEW LU 965.
Trulieve Magnolia Employees Unionize in First-Ever Election for Arizona Cannabis Agriculture Workers
Cannabis Business Times
By Melissa Schiller
Jan. 25, 2024
n Thursday, January 25, workers at the Trulieve Cannabis Corp central Phoenix production facility voted 37-4 in favor of unionizing with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 99. The successful union election at Trulieve Magnolia is the first for Arizona agricultural workers in the cannabis industry, and only the second-ever union election to be administered by the Arizona Agricultural Labor Relations Board (AERB). Established in 1993, the AERB’s statutes are patterned after the National Labor Relations Act, which specifically excludes agricultural workers from its jurisdiction. The last and only time workers petitioned for union recognition through the board was in the year 2000 when workers at the Eurofresh tomato hothouse in Willcox voted to join UFCW Local 99.
Emerson RAs unanimously vote to unionize
The Berkeley Beacon
By Olivia LeDuc
Jan. 24, 2024
In a unanimous 67-0 vote, Emerson residential assistants voted to unionize after Wednesday’s election held by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), becoming the first unionized student workers at the college. The vote was cast by 83 percent of the RAs that represent the Boston campus. Now, RAs will be represented under the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153 and will get a seat at the table to begin the bargaining process of their contract with the college.
AFSCME still bargaining after 8 months
The Daily Eastern News
By Cam'ron Hardy
Jan. 24, 2024
Agreements on discipline and health and safety have been made between Eastern’s administration and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), but negotiations regarding pay continue after eight months. AFSCME consists of the clerical/technical unit, building services and food services workers. Kim Pope, the President of AFSCME Local 981 and the office manager for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been leading the negotiations.
Condé Nast employees roll out the red carpet for a one-day strike against labor practices
The Grio
By Staff
Jan. 25, 2024
Union workers of Condé Nast brands like Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ and more are protesting the media company’s negotiation conduct. On Tuesday, while the Academy Awards announced the 96th Oscar nominations, over 400 employees across publications staged a 24-hour strike. Frustrated by the conditions, unionized workers organized the walkout and rally outside of the Condé Nast offices in New York City after union negotiations took a turn in light of recent layoffs. In November 2023, Condé Nast’s CEO, Roger Lynch laid off 5% of the company, leaving 300 employees and 94 union members unemployed.
Las Vegas bus drivers inch closer to potential strike
8 News Now
By David Charns
Jan. 25, 2024
The drivers contracted to run RTC buses across the Las Vegas valley could authorize a strike if negotiations fail, union leaders told 8 News Now. The drivers, members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1637, were taking part in a 24-hour vote over a new contract. The vote was scheduled to end at 6 a.m. Friday. RTC contracts with Transdev to provide bus service across southern Nevada. A union official said that rejecting the latest contract offer would ultimately be a strike authorization.
JOINING TOGETHER
Writers Guild East Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against G/O Media Amid Fraught Negotiations
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
Jan. 25, 2024
The Writers Guild of America East has filed an unfair labor practice charge against G/O Media, alleging that the media holding company has been “bargaining in bad faith” in ongoing negotiations over a new labor contract for creative staffers. On Thursday the writers’ union alleged in the complaint to the National Labor Relations Board that the company had “engaged in threatening and intimidating behavior, made threats to cancel agreed upon release time for bargaining committee members, unilaterally cancelled previously agreed upon in-person negotiations with the Union, and failed to proffer management representatives with the authority to reach an agreement.” The WGA East represents 34 creative workers at G/O Media-owned brands The Onion, Onion Labs, The A.V. Club, Deadspin and The Takeout.
STATE LEGISLATION
“If you don’t say anything, nothing gets done:” union members rally to call for change
WIBW
By Tori Whalen
Jan. 24, 2024
Unions supporting working families in the Sunflower state rallied at the statehouse, advocating for legislation strengthening the middle class. About 200 people arrived at the first-floor rotunda to support increasing workers’ compensation, lowering taxes, and increasing the prevailing wage. All measures union members believe will improve millions of Kansas workers’ lives and benefit the lives of every single Kansan — not just union members. “You know, everybody says it is all about unions,’ said Brian Alexander, a union representative. “Well, we are here for everybody. Just because we are here to do labor issues that also helps out the whole community because it supports them as well.” According to IBEW Union 304 member Kim Roberts, some issues and policies union members are speaking for that directly impact communities include safety, the cost of living, and employee treatment. Besides, Roberts firmly believes to inspire change, action must be taken.
IN THE STATES
Union membership growth in Ohio flat in 2023
Signal Cleveland
By Olivera Perkins
Jan. 25, 2024
Despite a slower growth for union membership in 2023, Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga is encouraged. He referenced a poll done last year for the national AFL-CIO showing that 71% of Americans support unions. The results are similar to a Gallup Poll, also released last year, which looked at the same issue.“The steady number of union members in Ohio shows that workers continue to want and demand a union in the workplace despite the best efforts of corporations to thwart union organizing,” Burga wrote in an email to Signal Cleveland. “Workers are fed up with stagnant wages and a lack of dignity and respect on the job, which is precisely why more are interested in joining a union now than ever before.”
UNION BUSTING
Walmart engaged in illegal union busting at California store, U.S. agency says
Reuters
By Daniel Wiessner
Jan. 25, 2024
Walmart (WMT.N), opens new tab has been accused by a U.S. labor agency of using a series of illegal tactics to deter unionizing at a California store. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) said it had issued a complaint late Wednesday alleging Walmart interrogated workers at the Eureka, California, store about their union activities, removed pro-union flyers from a break room and threatened employees who distributed union literature in violation of U.S. labor law.