LABOR AND TECHNOLOGY
IATSE Sees Fears and Promise of Artificial Intelligence: ‘We Want the Spoils’
Variety
By Gene Maddaus
April 3, 2024
When the Writers Guild of America went on strike last May, union leaders argued that artificial intelligence posed an existential threat to writers, painting a picture of a dystopian future in which TV shows might be crafted by one writer and a machine. Ten months later, the tone in Hollywood labor circles has shifted significantly. At a March 3 rally in Los Angeles, Matthew Loeb, international president of IATSE, argued that AI has the potential to make union members’ jobs easier. “We want some of the spoils of artificial intelligence,” Loeb said.
ORGANIZING
Philly college adjuncts fight for stability
Billy Penn at WHYY
By Meir Rinde
April 3, 2024
To draw attention to the struggles of adjunct or “contingent” faculty, instructors from Temple, University of the Arts, Community College of Philadelphia and several other schools will hold a rally outside City Hall on Friday with state Sen. Nikil Saval, state Rep. Rick Krajewski, and other supporters. “We’re keeping the focus on how the most vulnerable faculty are not only experiencing all of the instability and the political pressures that have been leveled at higher ed, but they’re also the ones bearing the brunt of these unnecessary cuts,” said Bradley Philbert, an adjunct at UArts and an officer with the United Academics of Philadelphia, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers union.
‘Make It A Union Town’: Harvard Labor Organizers Discuss Push to Unionize at HLS Event
The Harvard Crimson
By Rachel M. Fields and Caitlyn C. Kukulowicz
April 3, 2024
A panel of four Harvard union leaders discussed the motivations, challenges, and successes of the growing push to unionize Harvard during an event hosted by the Labor and Employment Action Project at Harvard Law School. Moderated by A. Vail Kohnert-Yount, an HLS graduate and the Assistant Director for Region 9A of the United Auto Workers, the event featured panelists J. Gregory Given; an expository writing preceptor and member of Harvard Academic Workers-United Auto Workers; Emma I. Scott, a law lecturer and member of the HAW-UAW HLS Clinical Unit; Travis Cabbell, an Adams resident tutor and member of Harvard Union of Residential Advisors; and Danielle Boudrow, a recording secretary and organizer with the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers. The event was hosted by the Labor and Employment Action Project at HLS, a student group focused on worker advocacy and education around labor and employment issues.
Cannabis delivery firm Eaze may face worker strike in lead-up to 4/20
Green Market Report
By John Schroyer
April 3, 2024
California-based marijuana delivery firm Eaze is facing a possible worker strike in the weeks leading up to April 20 over negotiations with drivers over mileage reimbursement and other outstanding issues, according to the national labor union that represents the workers. Four chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union in California have been negotiating with Eaze on behalf of more than 500 cannabis delivery drivers since last August, according to a statement from the UFCW. Employees recently voted to reject Eaze’s “last, best, and final” contract offer, which it made on March 19. That vote authorizes the UFCW to initiate an employee strike, the union said.
JOINING TOGETHER
Strike ongoing at T&W Stamping in Austintown, workers allege unfair labor practices
WFMJ
By Zach Mosca
April 3, 2024
It's been just over one week since 25 workers at T&W Stamping in Austintown went on strike for alleged unfair labor practices. As of Wednesday, we're told no negotiations have been reached yet and the strike is still going on. According to a press release from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, 25 workers in the Boilmakers Local 1622 union began an unfair labor practice strike on Monday, March 25 to protest illegal actions from T&W.
JetBlue pilots open negotiations over new labor deal
Reuters
By Reuters
April 3, 2024
Nearly 5,000 pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) served a notice to JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O), opens new tab to open negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, the union said on Wednesday. The pilots had negotiated a contract extension with the company at the time it was pursuing the now called-off merger with Spirit Airlines (SAVE.N), opens new tab, the union said.
"We now expect the company to come to the bargaining table prepared to negotiate terms on pay and working conditions in line with the standards and direction of the industry," said Justin Houck, head of the JetBlue ALPA master executive council.
Town approves memorandum of agreement with firefighters
Northern News
By Northern News staff
April 3, 2024
At its regular meeting held on April 2, Kirkland Lake town council approved the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the members of International Association of Fire Fighters’ (IAFF) Local 573. The agreement, which covers the period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2026, was a result of a collaborative negotiation between the Town of Kirkland Lake and the IAFF Local 573 Union Negotiating Team.
STATE LEGISLATION
Washington adds worker protection laws, including ban on mandatory anti-union meetings
My Edmonds News
By Staff
April 3, 2024
Washington workers will soon gain some new rights, including protections against employers holding mandatory meetings on religious and political issues. “In Washington state, we protect that which we value. We value our workers and we value our working families,” said Gov. Jay Inslee, who signed a slate of workplace protection bills on Thursday. The Employee Free Choice Act makes Washington the sixth state to prohibit employers from disciplining or firing employees who refuse to attend “captive audience” meetings, which employers often use as a union-busting tactic.
IN THE STATES
Vermont Senate unanimously passes amendment ensuring workers' right to unionize
Vermont Public
By Bob Kinzel
April 2, 2024
The Vermont Senate on Tuesday gave its unanimous approval to a proposed constitutional amendment that protects the rights of Vermont workers to organize and collectively bargain. The Senate vote is the first step in the constitutional process for this proposed amendment. Backers of the proposal said it ensures the rights of workers are not in any way scaled back by future legislatures or the federal government.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
International Cinematographers Guild, Reel Works Partner for Loader Training Program
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
April 3, 2024
Education and workforce development organization Reel Works has joined forces with the International Cinematographers Guild on its latest initiative for aspiring filmmakers, the IATSE Local 600 loader training program. Between Feb. 6 and March 1, the Brooklyn-based nonprofit schooled 12 New York-based trainees on tasks and skills required of digital and film loaders in the film and television industry. (On entertainment sets, loaders — whose job is often considered a classic entry point into the camera department — are responsible for downloading, carrying and organizing media magazines like film and digital and keeping track of their transportation to and from labs and transfer facilities.) In partnership with Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Empire State Development, the inaugural program guided participants through the ins and outs of downloading digital, 35mm and 16mm film, working through on-set and media loading and supporting the camera crew, among other skills.
RAISING WAGES
Laborers union asks legislature to include $40 minimum wage in 421-a replacement
City & State New York
By Rebecca C. Lewis
April 3, 2024
As the negotiations over a wage deal for a new developer incentive for affordable housing continue, several community groups and a union representing construction workers are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to codify a $40 minimum wage into state law for all construction workers who would work on projects receiving the new tax benefit. In statements shared exclusively with City & State, the Mason Tenders District Council and several employment-focused community groups are asking state officials to ensure that any replacement for the 421-a incentive program for developers includes a $40 minimum wage that would apply to all construction workers, both union and nonunion, who work on projects that benefit from the new program.