JOINING TOGETHER
Boeing's Largest Union Pushes for 40% Pay Hike
Newsweek
By Jesus Mesa
June 27, 2024
Boeing's largest union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), is demanding a 40 percent pay increase over the next three to four years for its 32,000 members. The call comes in response to the ongoing 737 Max crisis, which has caused significant manufacturing issues and labor tensions. The union's current request is partly rooted in a contentious 2014 agreement where workers sacrificed pensions and accepted minimal raises. That deal left many union members feeling disenfranchised and eager for better terms as the existing contract nears its expiration. "Our goal is to negotiate a contract that we as a union leadership and our members can accept. We don't take going on strike lightly. But we're willing to do it," said Jon Holden, president of IAM District 751.
The next entertainment industry strike could be over AI and video games
NBC News
By The Associated Press
June 27, 2024
For more than a year and a half, leaders of Hollywood’s actors union have been negotiating with video game companies over a new contract that covers the performers who bring their titles to life. But while negotiators with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have made gains in bargaining over wages and job safety in their video game contract, or interactive media agreement, leaders say talks have stalled over a key issue: protections over the use of artificial intelligence. “It is the major obstacle to having an agreement, and this contract area has been for quite some time,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s executive director. “The fundamental issue is, at this moment, an unwillingness by this bargaining group to provide an equal level of protection from the dangers of AI for all our members.”
Hollywood's video game actors want to avoid a strike. The sticking point in their talks? AI
ABC News
By Sarah Parvini
June 26, 2024
For more than a year and a half, leaders of Hollywood's actors union have been negotiating with video game companies over a new contract that covers the performers who bring their titles to life. But while negotiators with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have made gains in bargaining over wages and job safety in their video game contract, or interactive media agreement, leaders say talks have stalled over a key issue: protections over the use of artificial intelligence. “It is the major obstacle to having an agreement, and this contract area has been for quite some time,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA's executive director. “The fundamental issue is, at this moment, an unwillingness by this bargaining group to provide an equal level of protection from the dangers of AI for all our members.”
Versant Power union workers negotiating higher wages as contract nears expiration
WABI
By WABI News Desk
June 27, 2024
Versant Power union employees are currently in contract negotiations with the company. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1837 represents hundreds of workers at Versant Power from Bangor to Fort Kent. The union, which represents lineworkers, customer service representatives, and other essential utility personnel began negotiations in April. They’ve requested federal mediation to secure a fair contract that prioritizes the safety and well-being of workers and long-term savings for ratepayers.
Kroger union members ratify new contract, increasing hourly wages
WXYZ Detroit
By Kellen Voss
June 27, 2024
Kroger's unionized employees in Michigan and members of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 951 ratified a new labor contract earlier this week, which increases hourly wages and invests in benefits for employees.
Gemtron employees remain on strike nearly two months after negotiations stalled
WTHI-TV
By Ben Verbanic
June 27, 2024
Workers with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades remain on strike nearly eight weeks after contract negotiations with their employer, Gemtron, stalled. News Ten previously covered this strike when it began back in May. Since then, strikers have remained outside of the Gemtron facility 24/7. They claim that Gemtron is attempting to remove their pensions and other earned benefits. Strikers tell News 10 that they will remain on strike until Gemtron re-opens negotiations. "There have been no negotiations. What they offered us to begin with is all that they have come back with," says Gemtron employee Otto Lay.
Machinist union strikes for 5 days at NASA’s Stennis Space Center over wages, benefits
Sun Herald
By John Buzbee
June 27, 2024
Around 200 union members working at NASA’s Stennis Space Center went on a strike for five days before the union voted to settle on Monday evening, accepting a compromise deal. The strike lasted for five workdays, said John Piatt, a business representative for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union.
Park workers announce potential strike over July 4 weekend
Southwest Voices
By Melody Hoffmann
June 27, 2024
“The choice is yours, Al Bangoura, do the right thing,” AJ Lange with LIUNA Local 363, the union which represents park workers, said on Tuesday afternoon. Minneapolis Park & Rec Board workers picketed outside the superintendent's house in a seemingly final pitch to the board to negotiate a fair union contract with the workers or face over 300 workers going on strike during one the busiest weekends for Minneapolis parks. One of the sticking points between the union and the board is what the workers are paid. According to LUINA 363, which represents over 300 Park & Recreation Board workers, similar jobs in suburban areas make $7 more an hour. The Park & Rec Board said it seeks to provide a 10.25% increase in pay over the next three years.
Common Council OKs contract amendment to raise AFSCME members' pay
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
By Benjamin Joe
June 26, 2024
The city’s Highways and Parks division is looking for six to eight more employees and applicants may be pleased to know that the pay for those positions will be increasing, provided the deal is approved by current employees represented by AFSCME. With a 6-0 vote, the Common Council signed off on an amendment to the city’s collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local 855, providing a $2 an hour increase for all members effective next Monday, and another $2 an hour raise on Jan. 1.Mayor John Lombardi said he hopes the increased pay rates will help the city attract more applicants for vacant posts in Highways and Parks.
“We're not conceding anything”: Cornell University and United Auto Workers Bargain for New Contract
Ithaca.com
By Dorothy France-Miller
June 27, 2024
Cornell University and the United Auto Workers are currently negotiating the terms for their 2024-2026 contract. The UAW — which recently won significant wage and benefit gains in the Detroit automaker industry — is a union representing about 1,400 employees across diverse industries, including dining workers, gardeners, custodians, transportation and more. While the current contract between Cornell University and UAW Local 2300 — which represents Cornell service and maintenance workers — is set to expire June 30, there are a number of later bargaining dates in case the discussions are extended further.
Lake Oswego workers rally for better wages
Lake Oswego Review
By Corey Buchanan
June 26, 2024
Wanting a better offer from the city of Lake Oswego amid labor negotiations, workers within the Lake Oswego Municipal Employees Association belted out “more than praise, we need a raise,” “living wages, living city” and other chants during a rally held at City Hall Wednesday, June 26. The municipal employee association represents 166 workers within the city government (it doesn’t include management, fire or police) and has negotiated over a new contract with city leaders over the last few months. Along with the rally, the association recently sent out a petition signed by 144 members asking for a better contract. Association President Scott Symer also testified in front of the City Council earlier this month.
El Paso nurses rally for better contracts, care at medical centers
KFOX14
By David Ibave
June 26, 2024
El Paso nurses demanded changes to their contracts that could lead to better pay, improved work environment, and nurse retention rates. Nurses from Las Palmas Medical Center and Del Sol Medical Center held a rally Wednesday evening at Las Palmas, near UTEP, to protest their contracts. "We're fighting for safer conditions for patients, better work environments for nurses, and increased wages," said Las Palmas Registered Nurse Alexis Vernon.
LABOR AND TECHNOLOGY
Healthcare Brew
By Tom McKay
June 26, 2024
The largest nursing union in the US, National Nurses United (NNU), is sounding the alarm about the use of AI in healthcare. In April, the union’s affiliate California Nurses Association (CNA) protested an AI conference helmed by managed care consortium Kaiser Permanente. Like workers in other sectors who are worried about AI encroachment, the nurses fear that the tech is contributing to the devaluation of their skills amid what they say is already a “chronic” understaffing crisis, nurses reported in an NNU survey of 2,300 registered nurses and members in early 2024.
POLITICS
Michigan labor unions take stand against Trump
The ‘Gander
By Kyle Kaminski
June 27, 2024
According to a 2020 report from the nonprofit consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen, 200,000 American jobs were offshored during Trump’s presidency, and he awarded more than $425 billion in federal contracts to several major corporations that were responsible for doing so.The Trump administration also repeatedly opposed legislation to increase the federal minimum wage, as well as changed the rules for who qualifies for overtime pay—making more than 8 million workers ineligible and costing them a combined $1 billion annually in lost wages. “[Under Trump], there was a whole period of time of nothing,” said Paul VanOss, business manager at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 58. “But when Biden got there, he started making those things happen, and the roll continued. … Factories were getting built. People in Detroit were going back to work. I mean, we’re really up and running now.”
ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND CLIMATE
Electric vehicles a boon for Nevada’s economy, workers and environment, say groups
Nevada Current
By Jeniffer Solis
June 27, 2024
Electric vehicles are gaining ground in Nevada, with new cheaper models and federal incentives enticing drivers away from gasoline-dependent transportation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to soon issue updated pollution limits for new passenger cars and trucks that could slash billions of tons of planet-warming carbon dioxide pollution. And in Nevada, the push for widespread electric-car adoption by President Joe Biden could also be a boon for the state economy.
ORGANIZING
Colorado Springs orchestra votes to unionize
The Gazette
By Jennifer Mulson
June 27, 2024
After years of effort, Chamber Orchestra of the Springs musicians recently gave a hearty yes to unionize. The musicians will be represented by Local 154 of the American Federation of Musicians, also known as Pikes Peak Musicians Association, the same union of professional musicians that has represented Colorado Springs Philharmonic musicians for decades. “We’re feeling really good. Being able to formalize and organize the musicians’ voice is important,” said the orchestra’s Executive Director Jacob Pope. “It feels like a professional standard. Every orchestra in the country that is professional, for the most part, is unionized. It feels like a long overdue step we’re excited to take.”
IN THE STATES
'Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans' turns in 138,000 signatures for ballot initiative
Nebraska Public Media
By Brian Beach
June 27, 2024
Supporters of the Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans ballot initiative delivered more than 138,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s office Thursday morning to be verified. The group needed around 90,000 total verified signatures, representing 7% of the state’s registered voters, in order to make it on the November ballot. “Today we are one step closer to ensuring that all working Nebraskans can earn and use paid sick time when they need it, so that makes today a day of celebration,” said Jo Giles, who leads the Women’s Fund of Omaha. Sue Martin, the president of the Nebraska State AFL-CIO union, said that has forced many workers to choose between their health and a paycheck. “Overcoming this injustice is the key reason why the Nebraska labor movement joined in signature collection to put this issue on the ballot for Nebraska workers to decide,” she said.
LABOR AND COMMUNITY
Local Labor Unions Donate to Food Shelves
Fox21
By Jenna VanSickle
June 27, 2024
The Duluth Central Labor Body wrapped up a month-long food drive on Thursday. The drive benefitted Second Harvest Northland, CHUM, and Union Gospel Mission Duluth. Each organization took home eight boxes full of non-perishable donations. These included canned goods, cereal, and even Girl Scout cookies. The Duluth Central Labor Body has participated in food drives in the past said AFL-CIO Community Services Director Cody Cusick, but this is the first time they’ve hosted their own. “I was really blown away, honestly, by the way our community stepped up,” said Cusick. “I didn’t really know what to expect with it being the first year, but I am beyond thrilled to see that so much food got donated. Really happy to be able to give it over to these great organizations.”
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