Today's AFL-CIO press clips
MUST LISTEN
Lee Saunders: Flexing union muscle
Axios
By Niala Boodhoo
March 14, 2024
U.S. workers today have enormous momentum and leverage. 2023 was a year of walkouts, with the number of U.S. workers on strike more than doubling. Lee Saunders is president of AFSCME, one of the country's largest unions, and he says with workers engaged as never before, this is the moment to make progress for American labor. A look at the power of workers in 2024, and how one union leader wants to wield it.
MUST READ
Passage of voting rights urged
The Tennessee Tribune
By V.S. Santoni
March 14, 2024
The AFL-CIO, America’s largest federation of labor unions, has voiced its support for the reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the Senate. Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond emphasized the significance of this legislation, especially as the nation commemorates the anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” and the historic Selma to Montgomery marches. Redmond underscored the Act’s homage to the late Rep. John Lewis, a stalwart champion of civil rights, and its pivotal role in fostering a more inclusive democracy. He highlighted the labor movement’s enduring commitment to social and economic justice, recognizing the inseparable link between voting rights and these foundational principles. “The labor movement has a long history of advocating for social and economic justice, and the right to vote is inseparable from these principles,” Redmond remarked.
POLITICS
Biden is coming out in opposition to plans to sell US Steel to a Japanese company
AP News
By Josh Boak
March 14, 2024
President Joe Biden is coming out in opposition to the planned sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel of Japan, saying in a statement to be released Thursday that the U.S. needs to “maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers.” In a statement obtained in advance by The Associated Press, Biden adds: “U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated.”
ORGANIZING
On-air employees at WJET-TV, WFXP-TV in Erie set to hold union certification vote
Go Erie
By David Bruce
March 13, 2024
On-air employees at Erie's WJET-TV and WFXP-TV will hold a union certification vote Thursday, the culmination of a months-long process to organize. About 16 workers at the Erie television stations who appear on camera are eligible to vote, including news anchors, reporters, meteorologists, special contributors and special projects coordinators, according to the National Labor Relations Board. If approved, the employees would join the Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO. Their employer, Nexstar Media Group, would have to recognize the union as the exclusive bargaining agent of the group.
Ohio University faculty formally file for a union election
Athens County Independent
By Dani Kington
March 14, 2024
In a major milestone for organized labor at Ohio University, faculty formally filed for a union election last Friday. OU, meanwhile, declined organizers’ request to remain neutral in the process. OU Chief of Staff Carly Leatherwood confirmed that the university received formal notice of organizers’ filing with the Ohio State Employment Relations Board. She declined to comment further.
Salem Hospital physicians vote overwhelmingly to unionize
Boston Globe
By Katie Johnston
March 14, 2024
Physicians at Salem Hospital voted overwhelmingly to unionize Wednesday, part of a growing number of doctors organizing amid concerns the health care industry is becoming increasingly corporate and physicians’ authority is dwindling. The 112 physicians at Salem Hospital, part of Mass General Brigham, are now represented by Council 93 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The Salem doctors are the first of the 7,500 attending physicians in the state’s largest health care system to form a union — and the second group of doctors overall after 2,300 MGB residents and fellows in training organized last year.
OMCA Voluntarily Recognizes Union of OMCA Workers United
KQED
By Olivia Cruz Mayeda
March 14, 2024
The Oakland Museum of California voluntarily recognized OMCA Workers United, the museum’s first union, on Thursday. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 57 will now act as the bargaining representative and union for over 60 museum employees. In February, a group of museum workers announced their plans to form a union and its intention to seek better wages, affordable health benefits and a voice in anti-racist practices.
OPB and KMHD staff form union with SAG-AFTRA
KOIN
By Jenna Deml
March 14, 2024
Employees with Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) and KHMD Jazz Radio are officially forming a union with SAG-AFTRA. According to a press release from SAG-AFTRA, over 80% of OPB and KMHD’s content creators – including on-air staff, hosts, reporters, audio and video producers – signed the petition to unionize, delivering it to OPB management on Thursday.
JOINING TOGETHER
IATSE Receives Solidarity Pledge From Global Entertainment Unions As Contract Talks Begin
Deadline
By Nancy Tartaglione
March 14, 2024
“Your fight is our fight,” entertainment unions around the world have told IATSE, pledging their support for the group as it kicks off bargaining with Hollywood producers on a new Basic Agreement. Initial talks began last week, and a return to negotiations with the AMPTP is set for March 18. The current contract expires on July 31. The unions speaking up today are affiliates of UNI Global Union and represent 500,000 workers in 140 unions and guilds across the media, entertainment and arts sector worldwide. IATSE is also a UNI Global Union affiliate.
Boeing back in bargaining – first time in 16 years
Northwest Labor Press
By Don McIntosh
March 14, 2024
A lot of eyes will be on the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) this year as it takes part in one of the most significant labor negotiations of recent times. Boeing is one of just two major commercial aircraft makers in the world. It’s an export powerhouse and a standard-bearer for American industrial and technological achievement. It’s also a company that’s overdue for a course correction.
STATE LEGISLATION
Workplace Wins in Washington: A look at the 2024 legislative session
Northwest Labor Press
By Mallory Gruben
March 14, 2024
A well-watched union-backed bill that would have extended unemployment benefits to striking workers missed a cutoff deadline and died during the 2024 Washington State legislative session. But state lawmakers passed several other measures to improve workplaces and bolster workers rights. Here’s a roundup of what did and didn’t pass: No more captive audience meetings No longer can employers in Washington use the classic anti-union tactic of requiring workers to attend “captive audience” meetings where managers share their opinions on unionization or political or religious matters. SB 5778 gives workers free choice to skip those meetings. And if they opt out, their employer is prohibited from threatening, disciplining, or firing them for it. SB 5778 passed the Senate 28-20 and the House 55-41.
Sanitary conditions for menstruation and lactation in construction HB 2266 requires that construction sites provide free feminine hygiene products and reasonable, clean places for nursing mothers to lactate. It was backed by the Laborers International Union, Ironworkers Local 86, Bricklayers Local 1, IBEW Local 46, the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. It passed the Senate unanimously, and the House voted 78-18 two days before the session ended.
IN THE STATES
PA Democrats planning ‘Don’t Trust Dave’ campaign
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
By Kim Lyons
March 13, 2024
The campaign will start with a press conference in Harrisburg on Friday, where state Rep. David Madsen (D-Dauphin) and Pennsylvania AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer George Piasecki will discuss McCormick’s record with regard to workers, according to PA Democrats. The organization said details about which elected officials would be participating and other details about future events were not yet available.
Northwest Labor Press
By Don McIntosh
March 14, 2024
Spread out over the entryway at the Oregon Labor Center, an inspiring new mural took shape this January. The project was a collaboration between Oregon AFL-CIO communications director Russell Sanders and a talented union sign painter, Bob Hansen. Hansen, a member of Painters Local 1094, took Sanders’ concepts and executed them on the wall in the state labor federation’s chosen hue of Pantone green. Hansen is an experienced artist and owner of INKNIFE, a local sign painting company. The mural draws from recent Oregon labor rallies and is meant to capture the current moment and inspire visitors to the state AFL-CIO headquarters, located at 3645 SE 32nd Ave.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
El Paso Electric and IBEW Local 960 awarded
El Paso Inc.
By El Paso Inc. Staff
March 14, 2024
The Edison Electric Institute, the trade association for investor-owned electric utilities in the United States, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union presented the Edwin D. Hill Award to El Paso Electric Company and IBEW Local 960. The award recognizes efforts to advance state and local initiatives on behalf of EEI’s member electric companies and IBEW members. El Paso Electric and Local 960 were recognized in part for their efforts to “help present a clear vision for El Paso’s energy grid” while educating “local leaders and customers about a risky and complex ballot initiative (Proposition K),” according to a news release.