Today's AFL-CIO press clips
POLITICS
Harris Has Votes Needed to Be Democrats’ Nominee, D.N.C. Says
The New York Times
By Nicholas Nehamas and Reid J. Epstein
Aug. 2, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris has won enough delegates to secure the Democratic Party’s nomination, the Democratic National Committee said on Friday, setting up Ms. Harris to become the first Black woman and person of South Asian heritage to earn the top spot on a major political ticket for president. Jaime Harrison, the party chair, said Ms. Harris’s nomination would become official after the party’s highly unusual, virtual roll call vote ends on Monday. He made the announcement during an online meeting for supporters while delegates were still voting in a virtual process devised to formally name the Democratic nominee before the party’s convention this month.
Why Kamala Harris Has A Chance To Make History As A Policymaker
HuffPost
By Jonathan Cohn
Aug. 3, 2024
“She invested time into getting to know these workers, largely women, in the state of California,” Jayapal told HuffPost. “I think these people could really see themselves in her, and she could see herself in them. And so every time she spoke … on domestic work, on child care, on paid leave, as a Black and South Asian woman, she was able to connect to that work and to the idea that this is the work that makes all other work possible.”
Trump claims he’s pro-worker. Project 2025 will gut labor rights
The Guardian
By Steven Greenhouse
Aug. 4, 2024
Donald Trump proclaimed he was for “all the forgotten men and women”, in his acceptance speech at the Republican convention. His vice-presidential pick JD Vance consistently portrays himself as a pro-worker populist. But an analysis of the labor chapter of Project 2025 – an ambitious rightwing plan to guide the next Republican presidency – found it has little to offer them. Project 2025’s labor section proposes hardly anything to improve workers’ wages and working conditions. It is, however, chock full of recommendations that would boost corporate profits, undercut labor unions and advance the rightwing culture war.
UAW leader says Trump would send the labor movement into reverse if he's elected again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Tom Krisher
Aug. 2, 2024
Putting Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the Democratic ticket increases the Democrats’ chance of winning Michigan and keeping the White House in November, the head of the United Auto Workers union says. In an interview Friday with The Associated Press, Shawn Fain said former President Donald Trump is beholden to billionaires, knows nothing about the auto industry and would send the labor movement into reverse if he's elected again.
MANUFACTURING
Transportation Secretary Buttigieg touts homegrown EV manufacturing, union jobs at Kokomo stop
Indiana Capital Chronicle
By Leslie Bonilla Muñiz
Aug. 2, 2024
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a South Bend native, said the nation has entered a “manufacturing renaissance” in Kokomo on Friday. He also touted job creation under President Joe Biden as part of a Midwest tour promoting Biden’s “Investing in America” platform. “You know, there’s been a lot of talk that came to this region … over the years, but nobody in my lifetime has followed through, from Washington, the way that this administration has,” Buttigieg said. He eschewed the region’s “Rust Belt” title, calling it a “Battery Belt” thanks to recent investments.
ORGANIZING
Workers at 4 Café Ceres locations vote to unionize
Bring Me the News
By Dustin Nelson
Aug. 4, 2024
Baristas at Café Ceres have voted to unionize with Unite Here 17. The union, which represents service industry workers in Minnesota, announced the results of the election on Saturday, Aug. 3. Workers at four Café Ceres locations, as well as Colita, informed Chef Daniel Del Prado's DDP Restaurant Group of their intention to unionize in June. The company did not voluntarily recognize either union, forcing a vote overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Blizzard's Union Wants To "Embolden" Other Developers
The Gamer
By Rhiannon Bevan
Aug. 2, 2024
July was a historic month for workers' rights in the gaming industry. Firstly, all US-based Bethesda devs unionised, forming the first wall-to-wall union at a Microsoft-owned company. They weren’t alone in this for long, as World of Warcraft developers at Blizzard quickly joined them, forming their own union of more than 500 workers. It’s no coincidence that these are both Microsoft-owned studios. During its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the company signed a neutrality agreement, agreeing to work "collaboratively" with workers who want to organise. This protected all of its employees in their unionisation efforts, letting them freely communicate with one another.
NEGOTIATIONS & STRIKES
Hollywood Teamsters and other crew unions ratify new contracts
Los Angeles Times
By Christi Carras
Aug. 2, 2024
A coalition of labor unions representing drivers, location managers, animal trainers, electricians, plumbers and other Hollywood crew members have ratified new three-year agreements with the major studios. Six different groups of craftspeople each approved their respective agreements on Thursday, all by ratification votes of more than 92%. The below-the-line workers are represented by the Hollywood Basic Crafts, a team of unions led by Teamsters Local 399.
SMART drivers' union agrees to new contract, becoming highest-paid in the state
Detroit Free Press
By Liam Rappleye
Aug. 2, 2024
SMART bus drivers just became the highest-paid bus operators in the state of Michigan after a new contract between the Amalgamated Transit Union and the SMART board was ratified on Thursday. According to a release from SMART, the ATU shook hands on a new contract that includes a 32% wage increase, an enhanced 401(a) retirement plan, health care improvements and a strong tuition and student loan repayment program. The wage increase will come in two parts, with an immediate 24% increase followed by an 8% increase at the start of the new year.
SMART and ATU Seal Landmark Contract Boosting Bus Operator Benefits
Michigan Chronicle
By Ebony JJ Curry
Aug. 4, 2024
SMART has successfully negotiated a significant contract with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), signaling a major step forward for bus operators and regional transit. This new agreement brings a 32% wage increase, enhanced retirement plans, improved health benefits, and educational support for SMART bus drivers. Effective immediately, the contract includes a 24% wage increase with an additional 8% raise set for January 1, 2025. These changes make SMART operators among the highest-paid in Michigan. Additionally, a new 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan for new employees features a significantly shortened vesting period, ensuring long-term financial security.
'A win for workers and the company': Hanover Foods avoids strike, settles on new contract
Evening Sun
By Harrison Jones
Aug. 2, 2024
A new contract has been ratified for union workers at Hanover Foods, narrowly avoiding a strike. According to releases from Hanover Foods, as well as from the union, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, the company and employees reached the agreement on Wednesday, July 31, after an extended period of negotiations. The prior contract for the company's union employees had expired at the beginning of the year, and workers had twice unanimously voted to reject proposals from the company, which had cut benefits and salary increases.
Reno area plumbers, pipefitters union vote to strike
2 News Nevada
By Staff
Aug. 2, 2024
Reno area Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 350 have voted to strike after the union rejected proposed wage agreements with Nevada Association of Mechanical Contractors. “We’ve agreed to the wage-increase request they proposed during negotiations,” said Craig Madole, with the Nevada Association of Mechanical Contractors. “We’re concerned about the impacts to residential and commercial construction projects across northern Nevada and we’re ready to get back to the negotiating table so we can keep building Nevada’s future.”
WAMC
By Dave Lucas
Aug. 2, 2024
Heading into the weekend without a new contract in place, unionized nurses at Albany Medical Center continue to sound the alarm about short-staffing. In 2018, staffing issues, benefits and raises drove more than 2,000 nurses at Albany Medical Center to vote for union representation by the New York State Nurses Association. The nurses say hospital management has failed to follow the state’s staffing laws and failed to listen to frontline caregivers who say staffing levels are unsafe and lead to nurse burnout and high turnover. Their union contract expired July 31st. Hospital officials point out that NYSNA has rejected more than 20 proposals over 14 negotiating sessions. Albany Med says it made a final proposal on Wednesday, also rejected. Labor and delivery nurse Jennifer Kiehle said "I've been here for three months now trying to negotiate a contract over several negotiating sessions. Our number one priority is and always has been, safe staffing at this hospital, and we now are in a crisis at this hospital of staffing."
JTRAN employees expected to strike soon if no deal is reached with their management company
WAPT
By Kyndall Jones
Aug. 2, 2024
JTRAN and union workers are threatening to strike by Aug. 18 if their demands are not met by the company that manages them. According to Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, MV Transportation manages JTRAN employees. Amalgamated Transit Union President Charles Tornes said some of the issues employees are expressing include being punished for calling out due to sickness, drivers not having uniform allowances and some even using second-hand uniforms.
“If it comes to it”: UAW official says Cornell workers may strike on student move-in day
The Ithaca Voice
By Jimmy Jordan
Aug. 2, 2024
With only about two weeks before Cornell University’s student move-in day, over a thousand workers that keep the Ivy League campus running could go on strike if their union’s demands are not met in what has become a heated labor contract negotiation. The United Auto Workers (UAW) has continued to turn up the temperature on contract negotiations with Cornell after the union’s bargaining team has repeatedly shot down what it calls “insulting” offers from the university. The UAW has held rallies nearly every weekday for the past two weeks, and has now filed seven unfair labor lawsuits with the National Labor Relations Board. The suits allege that Cornell has retaliated against workers for participating in union activities, discriminating against union members, failing to bargain in good faith and interfering with workers’ rights to organize.
Memphis union workers prepare to strike ahead of AT&T negotiation deadline
Local Memphis
By Tammy Castany
Aug. 3, 2024
Union workers in the Memphis area employed by AT&T are preparing for an important deadline in negotiations by holding strike watch parties before the current union contract expires tonight. Local union members have been getting ready for the possibility of a strike by holding mobilization trainings and practice pickets. The current union contract, which expires tonight, August 3rd at 11:59 p.m., covers more than 15,000 workers, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union, who are employed by AT&T in the Southeast region. This includes union workers employed in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Announces a New Labor Agreement
Opera Wire
By Afton Wooten
Aug. 4, 2024
“The identification of shared priorities early in our discussions, such as improvements to the audition and tenure process and a desire on both sides for a longer-term contract, established a collaborative spirit that carried throughout the entire negotiation,” said CSO Contrabassoon and Chair of the Players Committee Jennifer Monroe in a press release. “Both sides worked diligently to find common ground on important issues. The Players Committee is grateful to Paul Frankenfeld, President of the American Federation of Musicians Local 1, and musicians’ attorney Barbara Jaccoma and management’s attorney Joanne Bush for their important contributions to the negotiation process. We are also grateful to CSO management for their willingness to understand the musicians’ needs and concerns in finding creative solutions together.”
Union deal approved for thousands of Maryland university workers
WMAR 2
By Jack Watson
Aug. 2, 2024
Pen went to paper Friday on a new contract for folks working for the University System of Maryland, after a nearly two-year-long negotiating process. According to the AFSCME Maryland Council 3 union, the deal includes upwards of 5% or more in pay increases, an increase in the minimum wage from $32k/yr to $38k/yr, better annual leave accrual and health and safety protocols surrounding heat safety and air quality.
UNITE HERE Local 25: Hotel Workers’ Union Calls for Boycott of Grand Hyatt Washington
Morning Star
By Business Wire
Aug. 2, 2024
UNITE HERE Local 25, the hospitality workers union, has called for a boycott ofthe Grand Hyatt Washington. Workers will picket the hotel daily beginning Monday, August 5th accompanied by a giant inflatable rat. UNITE HERE Local 25 organizers have been meeting with workers at the Grand Hyatt, and earlier this month, the Union filed an unfair labor practice charge alleging that Grand Hyatt management illegally surveilled and intimidated workers as they were meeting with organizers.UNITE HERE Local 25 has also filed a wage theft complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor, alleging that Grand Hyatt subcontractor J&B Cleaning is paying below minimum wage for cleaning work done at the Grand Hyatt. The Union picketed the hotel on Tuesday, July 23.
JOINING TOGETHER
Postal Workers Union hold rally in Downtown Medford
KOBI 5
By Kade Stirling
Aug. 3, 2024
Postal workers were out rallying today, raising awareness about the changes to mail processing in Southern Oregon, and how it could effect future elections. Representatives from the Southern Oregon arm of the American Postal Workers Union were joined by members of the community this morning at Vogel Plaza in Medford. They’re demanding the return of postmarking machines, increased transportation between post offices and transfer centers, and a return of mail processing to Medford. The union says the previous election highlighted shortcomings in the changes made to mail processing.
Issues with staffing spark protest at the Embassy Theatre
WANE
By Michael Price
Aug. 4, 2024
he International Alliance of Theatrical Stagehands or (IATSE) Local 146 picketed outside the Embassy Theatre in downtown Fort Wayne on Sunday. Members of IATSE Local 146 told Wane 15 that the Embassy has neglected to contact them to request workers for a show Sunday night, featuring comedian Gary Owen, and three other shows in the last 60 days. According to the union, this is a breach of their contract with the Embassy Theatre, a collective bargaining agreement that is valid through August 31, 2026.
VOTING RIGHTS
Appeals Court Further Narrows Voting Rights Act’s Scope
The New York Times
By Michael Wines and J. David Goodman
Aug. 2, 2024
A federal appeals court further narrowed the scope of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, ruling that members of separate minority groups cannot join together to claim that a political map has been drawn to dilute their voting power. The 12-to-6 ruling on Thursday by the full Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned almost four decades of legal precedent, as well as earlier rulings by a three-judge panel of the same appeals court and, before that, a federal district court. It applies only in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, the three states where the court has jurisdiction. But the decision, which deals with a fairly common issue in redistricting, has national implications. The case involves a district map for county commissioners in Galveston County, Texas.