MUST READ
New AFL-CIO Guide Shows How Trump Agenda Would Be 'Catastrophic' for Workers
Common Dreams
By Brett Wilkins
July 19, 2024
"In his first term as president, Donald Trump was a disaster for workers and our unions, governing exclusively for the wealthy and well-connected," AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler said in a statement Thursday. "The Trump Project 2025 Agenda lays out his plan to turbocharge his anti-worker policies, eliminate or control unions, and eviscerate labor laws and workers' contracts," she continued. "A second Trump term would put everything we've fought for—good jobs, fair wages, healthcare, retirement security, worker safety—on the chopping block. "This new online tool is an essential part of our massive voter education campaign to reach every union household with critical information about the stakes of this election," Shuler added. "Union voters could be the difference-makers in this election, and the AFL-CIO and affiliated unions have a plan to mobilize tens of thousands of grassroots activists across every community to get the message out and vote."
POLITICS
Trump’s pitch to unions belies anti-worker policies in Project 2025
Nevada Current
By Dana Gentry
July 19, 2024
“As the head of over 120 unions representing 150,000 members, the Nevada State AFL-CIO strongly opposes Trump’s Project 2025 plan to undermine the decades of hard work and representation our membership has tirelessly fought for,” says Susie Martinez, executive secretary-treasurer of the Nevada AFL-CIO. “As a union we stand committed to defending the rights of working-class members and oppose any policy that undermines their ability to achieve fair wages, representation, and improved working conditions.”
Project 2025: Trump’s real platform is bad news for workers
People’s World
By Mark Gruenberg
July 19, 2024
Organized labor blew the whistle on Project 2025 at a press conference during the convention, and in a tweet before that. But when you delve into its details, Project 2025 is even worse than what AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler warned about. Would “exterminate and eliminate my union” “If you’re a working person out there asking yourself ‘Who should I vote for?’ then ask ‘Does this Project 2025 make my life better?’” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a July 17 press conference during the GOP convention in Milwaukee. Would “these extremists exterminate and eliminate my union?” She added the right wing would “take away my ability to bargain a union contract, or to go on strike.” “And will my life be better because Trump lets my company force me to work overtime?” “Some would love for workers to take Trump at his word & forget what he did as president,” the federation tweeted the day before the press conference. “But we didn’t forget. And Project 2025 shows he’ll pick up right where he left off: Dissolving unions, gutting worker protections, & defunding whole parts of the government people rely on.”
AFL-CIO says J.D. Vance, Trump’s VP pick, is no friend of labor
Northwest Labor Press
By Don McIntosh
July 19, 2024
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler criticized Donald Trump’s choice of running mate in a statement just hours after the July 15 announcement that J.D. Vance would join the ticket as candidate for vice president. “Senator JD Vance likes to play union supporter on the picket line,” Shuler said in the statement, “but his record proves that to be a sham. He has introduced legislation to allow bosses to bypass their workers’ unions with phony corporate-run unions, disparaged striking UAW members while collecting hefty donations from one of the major auto companies, watered down safety protections for rail workers at the request of industry lobbyists, and opposed the landmark Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would end union-busting ‘right to work’ laws and make it easier for workers to form unions and win strong contracts.”
UAW knocks Trump after critical RNC remarks: ‘A scab and a billionaire’
The Hill
By Taylor Giorno
July 19, 2024
“@realDonaldTrump is a scab and a billionaire and that’s who he represents. We know which side we’re on. Not his,” the UAW wrote. The UAW endorsed President Biden in January, as both candidates vied for the support of major unions ahead of the 2024 election. The endorsement followed Biden’s historic visit to the picket line in Michigan during the six-week UAW strike against three major automakers last fall, a first for a sitting president.
Trump’s sleeper of an acceptance speech full of hatred and threats
People’s World
By John Wojcik and Mark Gruenberg
July 19, 2024
“In his first term as president, Donald Trump was a disaster for workers and our unions, governing exclusively for the wealthy and well-connected,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a statement even before Trump spoke. His second-term agenda is “a plan to turbocharge his anti-worker policies, eliminate or control unions, and eviscerate labor laws and workers’ contracts.” She promised unions would fight back with “a plan to mobilize tens of thousands of grassroots activists across every community to get the message out and vote.” During the speech, Unite HERE President Gwen Mills tweeted: “Donald Trump and some of the most far-right, anti-labor thought leadership gathered in Milwaukee for the RNC. The dangerous, fringe ideas laid out as their vision for America threaten the very foundation of workers’ rights & undermine the progress we’ve fought for.
ORGANIZING
In Changing Theater Landscape, Labor Organizing Picks Up Pace
The Hollywood Reporter
By Caitlin Huston
July 20, 2024
IATSE has been organizing workers Off-Broadway in a push for greater benefits and a say in the changing theater landscape. Thus far, workers at commercial productions of Titanique and Little Shop of Horrors have won organizing victories, as have the nonprofit Vineyard Theatre and Atlantic Theater Company, which has developed notable shows such as The Band’s Visit and Kimberly Akimbo, and the Public Theater, one of the largest nonprofit theater companies in the country and the starting point for productions such as Hamilton and A Chorus Line.
Bethesda Game Studios workers unionize under Communications Workers of America
Games Beat
By Dean Takahashi
July 19, 2024
Bethesda Game Studios workers have voted to join the Communications Workers of America, forming the first wall-to-wall union at a Microsoft video game studio. The workers, consisting of 241 developers, artists, engineers, programmers and designers have either signed a union authorization card or indicated that they wanted union representation via an online portal. Microsoft has recognized the union.
Bethesda Officially Becomes the First Microsoft Game Studio to Fully Unionize
IGN
By Kat Bailey
July 19, 2024
Bethesda Game Studios is officially the first Microsoft game developer to full unionize under the Communication Workers of America (CWA), forming a "wall-to-wall" union of developers including artists, engineers, programmers and designers. Microsoft has recognized the union. The union was confirmed after 241 developers either signed a union authorization card or indicated that they wanted unionization via an online portal. It follows Bethesda Games Studios Montreal's unionization in late June and the unionization of roughly 300 quality assurance workers within Zenimax, which is Bethesda's parent company.
JOINING TOGETHER
Top Labor Department official touts Blue Bird buses, union pact
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Michael E. Kanell
July 19, 2024
The acting U.S. secretary of labor came to Blue Bird’s school bus factory in Fort Valley on Friday in a visit that melded support for organized labor with the high-stakes, high-dollar promotion of low-emission energy policy. Julie Su watched as company and union representatives signed the first contract negotiated by Blue Bird with the United Steelworkers Union, a pact that will provide hefty raises to many workers, as well as safety guarantees and expanded retirement benefits.
Thousands of Disneyland workers vote to authorize a strike
NBC News
By Daniel Arkin
July 20, 2024
Four unions representing more than 14,000 workers at Disney’s theme parks and resort properties in Southern California announced late Friday that members have voted to authorize a strike by an overwhelming majority, citing alleged unfair labor practices during contract negotiations. The thousands of workers at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, the Downtown Disney retail district and Disney-owned hotels authorized a walkout, the unions announced. The authorization doesn’t mean a strike will happen immediately, and both sides could reach a deal that averts a walkout. If a strike does occur, it would be the first at Disneyland in 40 years.
US Labor Secretary celebrates new union for Fort Valley electric bus manufacturers
WGXA News
By Jordan Stevenson
July 19, 2024
The United States Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su and other officials joined the Blue Bird Company's electric bus manufacturing workers to celebrate their union contract on Friday. According to a release, the union is paving the way to improvements in wages, health and safety for more than 1,500 United Steelworkers employees. On Friday, union workers expressed their gratitude to Secretary Su for her continued support throughout the contract's development.
U.S. Labor Secretary visits Blue Bird facilities following historic union contract
Yahoo! News
By Lucinda Warnke
July 19, 2024
Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su made a stop in Fort Valley on Friday to celebrate Blue Bird bus factory workers’ approving their first union-negotiated labor contract. Workers approved the contract in May, about a year after they first voted to be represented by the United Steelworkers union. The contract lasts three years and provides more than 1,500 covered workers with at least a 12% raise, with some of the lowest-paid workers receiving raises of at least 40%. The contract also ensures that the company will contribute to a retirement plan for workers, share profits and improve health and safety in the factory.
Supervisors approve 2% supplemental wage increase for union workers
Newton Daily News
By Christopher Braunschweig
July 19, 2024
The Jasper County Board of Supervisors on July 9 approved a 2 percent supplemental wage package for union employees of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2840 and Public Professional and Maintenance Local 2003 (PPME). Two memorandums of understanding were submitted to the board of supervisors for approval, one for each union that was affected. Supervisor Brandon Talsma said now that the county has completed its portion of the deal, it will go back to the individual unions for them to accept or reject the wage package.
NEGOTIATIONS & STRIKES
CNN
By Natasha Chen
July 19, 2024
If the vote passes, as it is virtually certain to do, it’s then up to union leadership to decide whether to hold one. It would be the first at Disney’s original resort in 40 years. Disneyland officials said that there are plans in place that would allow the parks to continue operating with the same expected level of service, in the event of a strike.
Disneyland Park employees vote to authorize potential strike
The Washington Post
By Victoria Bisset and Samantha Chery
July 20, 2024
Disney workers in Southern California overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike as their unions push for increased wages and other measures, arguing that many workers are experiencing food and housing insecurity. Disney Workers Rising — a group of four unions that together represent 14,000 workers at Disneyland, Disney hotels, and nearby attractions Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney — said in a statement Friday that 99 percent of the coalition’s members who voted backed a strike. It did not reveal how many members took part in the vote.
Thousands of Disneyland workers vote to authorize a strike
CNBC
By Staff
July 20, 2024
Four unions representing more than 14,000 workers at Disney’s theme parks and resort properties in Southern California announced late Friday that members have voted to authorize a strike, citing alleged unfair labor practices during contract negotiations. The four unions that represent the workers are the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 83; the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW); the Teamsters Local 495; and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324.
San Diego convention workers ratify big pay raises ahead of Comic-Con
The San Diego Union-Tribune
By Lori Weisberg
July 19, 2024
Convention center workers, who nine days ago were prepared to go on strike, have overwhelmingly approved a new contract that will give them an average wage hike of 60 percent over a four-year period. Unite Here Local 30, which represents the food and beverage workers at the San Diego Convention Center, reported that the contract was ratified by 95 percent of those who voted Thursday. The previous contract covering the 650 workers expired June 30.
Disneyland workers vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike
Los Angeles Times
By Christi Carras
July 21, 2024
Disneyland employees have voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike, paving the way for what could be the first major work stoppage the Anaheim theme park has seen in 40 years. Members of the Master Services Council — an alliance of unions representing custodians, ride operators, candy makers, merchandise clerks and other Disneyland employees — on Friday voted 99% in support of a walkout.
Deadline
By Katie Campione
July 21, 2024
Voice actors may be one step closer to hitting the picket lines after the SAG-AFTRA National Board put the power to call a strike in the hands of National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. On Saturday, the board voted unanimously to allow Crabtree-Ireland to call the strike on services under the Interactive Media Agreement, 10 months after the union’s initial strike authorization vote. Usually, the National Board retains the power to eventually call the work stoppage, making a transfer of power notable.
McKay's union leader: Road trip showed why Knoxville employees need a labor contract
KNOX News
By Daniel Dassow
July 19, 2024
The McKay's 50th anniversary road trip that challenged fans of the used book and record store to visit all five locations on July 9 − and sent some to the hospital with heat-related illness − was a reminder to union members in Knoxville of why they are bargaining a contract. “People were unprepared for exactly what we were even going to be doing that day," Aaron Hege, a union leader who has worked at McKay's for 27 years, told Knox News. "(McKay's owners) told us very little, other than it was happening."
Disneyland workers are voting on whether to authorize a strike
LAist
By Libby Rainey
July 19, 2024
Disneyland workers are voting today on whether to approve a strike at the theme park as they negotiate a new contract, a move that could also impact guests visiting the park. If the retail workers, candy makers, costumers and other employees do strike, it will be the first time in 40 years. A coalition of unions representing the employees are seeking a more flexible attendance policy, pay raises and an extra bump for people who have worked at the theme park for decades.
Minneapolis park workers reject latest contract offer from park board
KARE 11
By Naasir Akailvi
July 20, 2024
The latest negotiation session between the union representing Minneapolis park workers and the park board concluded without an agreement on Friday. The union, LIUNA Local 363, said 91% of its members voted against the latest offer from the park board. "This overwhelming vote leaves no room for doubt. We're ready to end this strike today, but management needs to stay at the table and show real commitment to bargain. If they step up, we'll have this resolved in no time," said AJ Lange, the business manager for the union in a release.
OHSU’s postdoc researchers reach impasse
Northwest Labor Press
By Don McIntosh
July 19, 2024
A unit of about 250 postdoctoral researchers represented by Oregon AFSCME on July 11 announced an impasse in bargaining over a first contract with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). The two sides have been negotiating since September 2023. OHSU has refused to offer raises of any amount, saying that the researchers already paid according to a federal formula for projects funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health. Once the two sides submitted formal final offers on July 12, a 30-day cooling off period began. After that, under Oregon’s public employee collective bargaining law, the postdoctoral researchers could strike.
Mission Nurses Threaten Strike
Tribune Papers
By Leslee Kulba
July 20, 2024
Unionized nurses at Mission Hospital have threatened to strike if the hospital does not agree to acceptable concessions during the next round of contract negotiations. Mark Klein has been making a lot of public appearances on behalf of the nurses. A vascular access nurse who has been with Mission for half a century, Klein says the hospital has yet to guarantee better protections against patient violence, nurse breaks, adequate staffing levels, and sufficient employee compensation.
NLRB
Sixth unfair labor practice complaint filed against Kingspan over union leader’s firing
Modesto Bee
By Julietta Bisharyan
July 19, 2024
Another unfair labor practice complaint was filed against Kingspan with the National Labor Relations Board last month, marking the sixth charge since last September. The complaint, lodged by the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, contends that the Modesto-area insulation plant retaliated against recently terminated employee, Juan Chavez, for exercising his right to organize a union.
National labor board overrules Indiana company's objections, affirms employees' union vote
Lakeshore Public Media
By Timoria Cunningham
July 19, 2024
The National Labor Relations Board this week overruled a metal powder manufacturing company’s objections to a successful unionization vote by its workers. The ruling means the union will now be able to move forward in the collective bargaining process. Workers at Metal Powder Products in Campbellsburg voted in April to form a union with the Industrial Division of the Communications Workers of America. MPP formally objected to this vote, and claimed CWA made “false” promises to employees and influenced votes. The NLRB overruled the objections and affirmed the workers’ vote.
CIVIL, HUMAN, & WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Texas Metro News
By Texas Metro News
July 19, 2024
At a labor luncheon hosted as part of the NAACP’s national convention, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) President Lee Saunders delivered a speech on the importance of civic activism, especially in this critical election year. During the event, William “Bill” Lucy — a key organizer of the 1968 Memphis Sanitation strike and former secretary-treasurer of AFSCME — was awarded the prestigious NAACP Inaugural Legacy Award, which he accepted via video. In his speech that followed, AFSCME President Saunders outlined the historic organizing work Lucy did to build lasting bridges between civil rights and labor rights.
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