Today's AFL-CIO Press Clips
MUST READ
United Auto Workers files federal labor charges against Trump, Musk
The Washington Post
By Lauren Kaori Gurley
Aug. 13, 2024
“That was illegal union-busting in real time, and they should be held accountable,” Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest federation of labor unions, said in a statement Tuesday about the live stream. The federation, of which the UAW is an affiliate, endorsed Harris last month.
POLITICS
Tim Walz to kick off solo campaign tour in L.A.
Los Angeles Times
By Faith E. Pinho
Aug. 13, 2024
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is kicking off his first solo campaign stop as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate Tuesday with a speech to a labor group in Los Angeles. Walz will speak at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees convention. This year’s annual gathering for the union is themed around a “fearless” agenda. “Tim’s a good friend to our union, someone who’s always put the interest of working people front and center,” AFSCME President Lee Saunders said in a speech Monday.
Walz gives remarks at labor union convention in Los Angeles
The Hill
By TheHill.com
Aug. 13, 2024
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addressed members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union at their convention in Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon. The visit by the Democratic vice presidential candidate comes as the Harris-Walz ticket looks to solidify its base, including with organized labor. AFSCME is one of several major labor organizations, including other constituent unions within the AFL-CIO, that have given strong support to the Democratic Party ticket.
‘He has a proven track record’: behind Tim Walz’s appeal to workers
The Guardian
By Steven Greenhouse
Aug. 13, 2024
Vice-presidential picks have little effect on who wins a presidential election, many political scientists say. Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’s choice as her running mate, could prove the exception to that rule. Not least because of his track record of successfully appealing to working people. Angelo Ferritto, president of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, voiced confidence that Walz will help the vice-president win in three pivotal states: Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin: “I strongly believe that Governor Walz will help the ticket. He has a proven track record of accomplishing things for working people.”
Walz, Harris seeking to shore up labor support, woo working class
The Washington Post
By Staff
Aug. 13, 2024
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) plans to address union members in Los Angeles on Tuesday in his first solo campaign stop. The appearance by Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate at a convention of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is part of an effort by the Democratic ticket to bolster support from organized labor as former president Donald Trump also makes a play for working-class voters. Harris has recorded a message to play at the convention. Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), have advertised no public events Tuesday.
Kamala Harris Takes Nine Point Lead Over Donald Trump in Wisconsin Poll
Newsweek
By Martha McHardy
Aug. 13, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris is leading former President Donald Trump by nine percentage points in a key battleground state, according to a new poll. The survey, conducted by the Independent Center between August 8 and August 11, reveals that Harris received 51 percent of the vote among respondents in Wisconsin, compared to Trump's 42 percent in a head-to-head matchup. Harris is also leading Trump by five percentage points in Michigan, securing 49 percent of the vote to the former president's 43 percent; and in Pennsylvania by 4 percentage points with 49 percent to Trump's 45 percent.
Live Election Updates: Walz to Make First Solo Campaign Stop at Union Gathering
The New York Times
By Staff
Aug. 13, 2024
Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota will address the AFSCME convention in Los Angeles, his first appearance without Vice President Kamala Harris since joining the ticket. Former President Donald J. Trump spent a Twitter discussion with Elon Musk on Monday night repeating familiar talking points.
Walz to address AFSCME workers at their convention in Los Angeles (Audio)
NPR
By Andrea Hsu and Steve Inskeep
Aug. 13, 2024
In his first solo campaign experience, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will address a prominent public sector union to highlight both his own and Vice President Kamala Harris' support for workers.
Exclusive: Harris to detail plans to cut costs in key policy speech in North Carolina
Reuters
By Trevor Hunnicutt
Aug. 13, 2024
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver on Friday the first policy-centered speech in her new role as Democratic presidential candidate, tackling ways to lower costs, a concern that routinely tops voters' lists. Harris will travel to Raleigh, in North Carolina, a state Democrats remain hopeful they can flip this election, to outline a plan "to lower costs for middle-class families and take on corporate price-gouging," a campaign official said.
UAW files labor charges against Trump and Musk, alleging worker intimidation
The Hill
By Taylor Giorno
Aug. 13, 2024
The AFL-CIO, a federation of 60 national and international labor unions, posted its own criticism of the conversation on X, saying, “Scab recognize scab.”
UAW hits Musk, Trump with federal labor charges over union busting comments
CNBC
By Rebecca Picciotto and Lora Kolodny
Aug. 13, 2024
The United Auto Workers on Tuesday filed federal labor charges with the National Labor Relations Board against former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk for publicly applauding the practice of firing employees who threaten to strike.
UAW Hits Trump, Musk With Federal Labor Charges Over Effort to 'Intimidate Workers'
Common Dreams
By Jake Johnson
Aug. 13, 2024
The United Auto Workers announced Tuesday that it filed federal labor charges against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk after the former president heaped praise on the world's richest man for firing striking workers. During a rambling and lie-filled conversation on X—the social media platform owned by Musk—Trump hailed the Tesla CEO as "the greatest cutter." "I mean, I look at what you do. You walk in, you just say: 'You want to quit?' They go on strike—I won't mention the name of the company—but they go on strike," Trump said as Musk—who is backing the GOP nominee—laughed. "And you say: 'That's okay, you're all gone.'" The UAW argued Tuesday that Trump and Musk's remarks during the conversation, which was viewed live by more than a million people, amounted to "illegal attempts to threaten and intimidate workers who stand up for themselves by engaging in protected concerted activity, such as strikes."
Georgia union advocates praise Biden labor policy, rally behind Harris-Walz
WABE
Marlon Hyde and Meimei Xu
Aug. 13, 2024
Just over 5% of Georgia’s workforce are members of a union. That’s still almost 250,000 people – and potential voters. In 2020, Democrats won the state by less than 12,000 votes. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will need to win the labor vote as they continue to battle over Georgia. Union members say they believe Harris will continue President Joe Biden’s track record on labor. Delta workers rallied for unionization with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union (IAM) in July near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. McClain, who formerly served as the president of the Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council of the AFL-CIO, said unions help raise the standards for wages and benefits even for non-union workers. “I want people to understand that if you have a pro-union or a pro-labor president, that means that everybody is gonna rise,” he said.
Walz launches 5-state fundraising blitz in LA, warns Trump will wage ‘war’ on working people
AP
By Michael R. Blood
Aug. 13, 2024
In his first solo appearance as the Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz warned cheering union members Tuesday that Donald Trump would wage war on working people and threaten Medicare and Social Security as he kicked off a five-state fundraising swing. Speaking in a cavernous, dimly lit ballroom to thousands of members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — many dressed in green union T-shirts, and waving Harris-Walz placards — Walz said he and Vice President Kamala Harris want to spread collective bargaining and other worker protections to “every state in the union.”
LABOR AND ECONOMY
WCBS Radio, the Soundtrack of Countless Cab Rides, Goes Quiet
The New York Times
By Corey Kilgannon
Aug. 13, 2024
The Writers Guild of America East, which represents part of the WCBS newsroom, said that 23 staff members it represents were being laid off. Sam Wheeler, the guild’s executive director, called the closing of the station “a giant loss for New York City and the news industry at large” and criticized Audacy’s decision as “another example of consolidation by a major media conglomerate, which ultimately deprives the public of critical local news stories with different perspectives.”
ORGANIZING
Maryland cannabis retailer’s employees unionize, citing poor working conditions
MJ Biz Daily
By MJBizDaily Staff
Aug. 12, 2024
Employees of The Apothecarium Dispensary in Cumberland, Maryland, voted 25-0 to form a union with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 27. The Apothecarium’s retail workers unionized “to address longstanding issues, including poor wages, unaffordable benefits, safety concerns and a lack of support from the parent company, TerrAscend Corp.,” the union said in a news release.
Workers at Bookmans in east Tucson seek union representation
Tucson.com
By David Wichner
Aug. 12, 2024
Workers at Bookmans Entertainment Exchange’s East location at Speedway and Wilmot Road have filed a petition for union representation with the National Labor Relations Board. The workers at the used book and media store are seeking to be represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 99, and the NLRB is expected to set an election date in the coming weeks, the union said. The Bookmans workers would be the first in the bookstore industry in Arizona to unionize, amid a union movement at bookstores elsewhere, the UFCW said.
NEGOTIATIONS & STRIKES
Greenwich hotel workers authorize strike a day after New Haven workers vote
Hartford Courant
By Staff Report
Aug. 13, 2024
Hotel workers at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich have voted to authorize a strike, a vote that came a day after workers at a Connecticut Omni hotel also took such a vote, according to the union. The union said the Hyatt workers “say that after months of unsuccessful negotiations, they’re tired of waiting for raises, better workloads, and protections for work associated with providing guest services and amenities.” The vote covers 133 Hyatt Regency Greenwich workers with Local 217–UNITE HERE and “it gives the union’s negotiating committee the authority to call a strike at any time after the contract expires later this month,” the union said. Local 217 is New Haven-based. Hotel workers recently voted with 93 out of 120 workers voting to authorize a strike at Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, according to the Local 217-UNITE HERE union. It does not mean a job action will take place, but authorized a strike for workers who are seeking “raises, better workloads, and work protections,” according to the union.
U of R union facilities employees plan to strike next week
Spectrum News
By Keegan Trunick
Aug. 13, 2024
Another group of local union employees say they are planning to go on strike. A representative of the facilities group at the University of Rochester says they plan to strike from 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19. to the end of the day on Tuesday, Aug 20. The employees are part of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 158.
AT&T faces local union strike after former employee claims unjust termination
ABC 3340
By Olivia Gauthier
Aug. 13, 2024
The local Communications Workers of America Union is currently on strike against AT&T. Union 3902 says a woman by the name of Shelecia Meadows, a former wire technician, was unjustly terminated. Meadows was laid off on Friday, August 9th. The union grievance strike began August 10th.
The Animation Guild starts negotiating with studios
Kidscreen
By Sadhana Bharanidharan
Aug. 13, 2024
Following a weekend of solidarity events, The Animation Guild (IATSE 839) officially began its contract negotiations yesterday with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. TAG members and supporters turned out in droves at a rally in Burbank on Saturday (August 10), with support also pouring in online through the #StandWithAnimation hashtag. Industry veterans like Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack), James Baxter (The Lion King), Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) and Rebecca Sugar (Steven Universe) were among an estimated 2000-plus attendees—more than double the crowd that showed up for a previous rally in March 2022. “To look out at this sea of people the weekend before we actually go in for negotiations was really inspiring,” says storyboard artist Kaitrin Snodgrass (My Little Pony: A New Generation). TAG is representing roughly 6,000 animation professionals (including artists, technicians, writers and production workers mostly based in LA) in these crucial negotiations that will boil down to three key issues—generative AI, outsourcing of work and widespread layoffs.
SAG-AFTRA Video Game Performers Set Disney Picket Line for Thursday
The Wrap
By Ross A. Lincoln
Aug. 13, 2024
SAG-AFTRA video game actors will mark the start of the fourth week since declaring a strike with a picket line against Disney on Thursday, Aug. 15. Participants will demonstrate outside Disney Character Voices, located at 2600 W. Olive Avenue in Burbank (91505), from 9:00 a.m. to noon. There are parking structures located nearby on Frederick, as well as 2-hour street parking available in various nearby locations. The picket line will be attended by Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee chair Sarah Elmaleh and committee members Andi Norris, Seth Allyn Austin as well as SAG-AFTRA leadership including National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. Other SAG-AFTRA members, labor allies and video game fans are expected as well.
Lordstown teachers prepare to picket
Tribune Chronicle
By Bob Coupland
Aug. 12, 2024
The Lordstown Local School District’s teachers union has approved issuing a 10-day strike notice as the district prepares for the start of the 2024-25 academic year on Sept. 3. Superintendent Greg Bonamase said in a statement that the administration was informed that the Lordstown Teachers Association voted to authorize the issuance of a 10-day strike notice arising from the labor impasse with the Lordstown Board of Education. The strike notice authorization means the union membership has given the bargaining unit the go-ahead to call a strike if its members see fit.
JOINING TOGETHER
KSDK
By Laura Barczewski
Aug. 13, 2024
The unions that represent St. Louis Public Schools faculty and staff came out with a joint statement ahead of the first school board meeting since the superintendent was placed on leave. The joint statement came from the five unions that represent thousands of workers in St. Louis Public Schools: St. Louis Association of School Administrators, Local 44, AFL-CIO; American Federation of Teachers, Local 420, AFL-CIO; LiUNA Laborers’ Union, Local 42; Missouri National Education Association; and SEIU Local 1 Missouri Division.
STATE LEGISLATION
Paid sick leave issue will be on November's ballot
Nebraska Public Media
By Meghan O'Brien
Aug. 13, 2024
A proposal requiring businesses to offer paid sick leave will be on the November ballot. The Nebraska Secretary of State verified 97,557 signatures from supporters for the measure on Tuesday. If passed, Nebraska businesses will be required to offer at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
Congress works to protect mail carriers from violent attacks
Fox5 DC
By Sierra Fox
Aug. 12, 2024
Congress is moving to address the growing problem of violence against U.S. postal workers with new legislation aimed at enhancing their safety. Lawmakers are currently reviewing the "Protect Our Letter Carriers Act," a bipartisan bill designed to curb the rising number of attacks on letter carriers across the country. Brian Renfroe, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers, notes that the threat to postal workers has dramatically increased in recent years. "Letter carriers could walk down even the meanest streets of America, and nobody messed with us. Unfortunately, that really changed a few years ago," Renfroe said.