POLITICS
AFL-CIO plans National Day of Action April 8 for Pro Act
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
April 2, 2021
The AFL-CIO plans a “National Day of Action” on April 8, during the congressional recess, to have workers lobby senators to pass the Protect The Right To Organize (Pro) Act, Postal Workers President Mark Dimondstein announced. If four Democratic holdouts and one independent can be turned around the act will become law. Dimondstein, a member of the federation’s policy-making Executive Council, disclosed the plans for the day of action in a March 30 zoom teleconference with his union’s members. “Get involved with these fights, the fight for voting rights and the fight for workers’ rights,” he urged at the very end of the 1-1/2-hour conference call. He gave no details.
JOINING TOGETHER
As Alabama coal miners strike, Warrior Met has ‘continuity plans’
AL.com
By William Thornton
April 2, 2021
Striking mine workers began picketing Warrior Met Coal last night after weeks of negotiations. According to the United Mine Workers of America, the strike began at 10 p.m. The UMWA issued a strike notice Wednesday, covering more than 1,100 workers at all of the company’s operations, including the No. 4 mine, the No. 5 preparation plant, the No. 7 mine and its central shop. The UMWA also said it filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board relating to Warrior Met’s conduct during negotiations. The current agreement with the union was negotiated as Warrior Met emerged from the bankruptcy proceedings of the former Walter Energy, which declared bankruptcy in 2016.
Alabama miners at Warrior Met Coal Inc. striking
WVTM
By Brea Douglas
April 1, 2021
More than a thousand Alabama coal miners striking for what they call unfair labor practices at Warrior Met Coal Inc. Watch the story above to learn more.
NLRB
Democratic Firm Is Accused of Firing Workers for Speaking Up
Intelligencer
By Sarah Jones
April 1, 2021
Twelve current and former Civis employees say the company’s internal practices fell short of its public promise to be a progressive place to work. “We were working to make Civis live up to the values posted on their website,” says an employee who was fired on October 30. In December, seven of those terminated filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging Civis had illegally fired them for organizing. Last month, the NLRB dismissed the charge. An official for the regional board said its decision owed to a Trump-era precedent, according the attorney who represented the Civis employees, that had raised the standard for workers to prove unlawful retaliation. The seven workers say they plan to appeal this week, placing their hopes in the same Biden administration they helped to elect.
IN THE STATES
Florida labor unions say proposal will lead to 'disaster' for state worker pensions
Tallahassee Democrat
By James Call
April 2, 2021
“The people making these decisions fundamentally do not understand how pensions work," AFL-CIO spokesman Rich Templin said. "And the actions they are taking will prove disastrous." Templin said over the next few days public sector labor union members will call, text, email, and talk in-person to lawmakers about the dangers lurking in the bill.
AMAZON
‘She-Wees’ and Plastic Bags: Amazon’s Pee Scandal Is Much Worse for Women
Vice
By Lauren Kaori Gurley
April 1, 2021
Motherboard spoke to six women who have driven Amazon delivery vans during the past year. Some fast during work hours, even in the heat of the summer, to avoid wasting time finding a bathroom. Others either hold their pee for up to 10 hours, squat over trash bags, or purchase "she-wees," female urinals that cost roughly $13.99, on Amazon.com. An Amazon delivery driver trainer who works out of an Amazon warehouse in South Bend, Indiana, told Motherboard that drivers frequently dump bags or bottles with pee and poop on the side of the road. "I am a trainer for my [delivery company] and I tell all the new girls to invest in a she wee or you will not make it at this job," she said. Motherboard granted the driver anonymity because she feared retaliation from her employer.