Today's AFL-CIO press clips
POLITICS
Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey to hold virtual event aimed at battleground states
Reuters
By Stephanie Kelly
Sept. 19, 2024
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris will join celebrity billionaire Oprah Winfrey for an online event with grassroots groups on Thursday to rally support in battleground states. The "Unite for America" event, co-hosted by Winfrey and activist group Win with Black Women, aims to register people to vote and bolster Harris in states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia and Michigan that are set to decide the Nov. 5 election.
Biden to celebrate progress of American economy in Thursday remarks
ABC News
By Michelle Stoddart
Sept. 19, 2024
In remarks on Thursday at the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., President Biden will celebrate the progress of the American economy, but stop short of declaring victory, senior advisors told ABC News on a call previewing the remarks. Biden said in a post on X that he will speak about what the first key rate cut since 2020 and falling inflation "means for Americans."
From Oprah livestream to house parties, Black women marshal unprecedented outreach for Kamala Harris
CNN
By Fredreka Schouten and Rene Marsh
Sept. 19, 2024
Around the country, Harris’ historic candidacy has unleashed a surge of activism among Black women like Thompson, who have long been a key part of the Democratic coalition but are now working overtime to advance the nomination of a woman who also shares their ancestry. On Thursday night, Oprah Winfrey – in collaboration with a group known as Win With Black Women – will hold a massive, virtual rally in the Detroit area, aimed at uniting groups of Harris supporters to turn out the vote. Harris is slated to participate.
U.S. labor secretary helps celebrate union contract at Venetian
Las Vegas Sun
By Kyle Chouinard
Sept. 19, 2024
Standing in front of a sculpture spelling out the word “Love” in the Palazzo-Venetian waterfall atrium, Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su compared the Culinary Union Local 226’s first contract with the Venetian and Palazzo to a marriage. “I’ve never known workers that are trying to organize a union because they don’t want to work with their employer,” Su said Thursday at a contract celebration. “They want the employer to do well, and that shared success is the ... future of the romance that you all solidified here today.”
Biden pitches ‘better choice’ in economic speech, seeking contrast with Trump
The Hill
By Brett Samuels
Sept. 19, 2024
President Biden on Thursday touted what he called a “declaration of progress” after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates, arguing his economic agenda had put the country on strong footing and warning of the risks that could come with a return to former President Trump’s policies. Biden addressed the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., one day after the central bank cut interest rates for the first time since 2020. The president welcomed the Fed’s decision, calling it a “declaration of progress” but not a “declaration of victory.”
Walz accelerates his preparations for upcoming debate with Vance
The Washington Post
By Tyler Pager
Sept. 19, 2024
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, has accelerated his preparations for his Oct. 1 debate with Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), participating in policy sessions and mock debates in his home state and on the road.
ORGANIZING
Disney Springs restaurant workers continue their fight for a union contract
Orlando Weekly
By McKenna Schueler
Sept. 19, 2024
Chefs and servers who work at several of these subcontracted restaurants came together at Local 737’s union hall Wednesday to highlight this “second-class status” as they renew a call for their employers to allow them a fair process to organize a union.
Although upward of 40,000 Disney World employees have been unionized for decades, workers at these subcontracted bars and restaurants at Disney Springs are not. For Sabrina Redditt, a full-time cook at Disney Springs' Morimoto Asia, owned by Delaware North, this means her pay rate of $18 per hour is $5.10 less than what someone employed by Disney earns in her same role. That's equal to a difference of roughly $10,000 a year — a difference that's increasingly weighing on her. “I am a single mom, and at this point, I can't support my family on the wage that I'm making,” Redditt shared candidly, surrounded by a group of about two dozen others wearing red UNITE HERE union shirts.
NEGOTIATIONS & STRIKES
3rd wave of Boston hotel workers go on strike
NBC Boston
By Kaitlin McKinley Becker and Munashe Kwangwari
Sept. 19, 2024
There are more than a thousand Boston hotel workers on strike as a third wave of employees from four hotels walked off the job Thursday morning in the biggest show of protest so far. The hotel workers -- from Omni Parker House, Omni Boston Seaport, Renaissance Boston Seaport, and Westin Boston Seaport -- are fighting for a new contract with what they say are reasonable workloads, fair schedules and substantial wage increases, according to their union, UNITE HERE Local 26. The hotels have previously said they are committed to a fair and reasonable resolution.
UAW warns of potential strikes at Ford, Stellantis a year after unprecedented work stoppages
CNBC
By Michael Wayland
Sept. 19, 2024
A year after unprecedented strikes by the United Auto Workers against the Detroit automakers, the union is once again threatening work stoppages that could disrupt the U.S. automotive industry. The UAW on Wednesday announced a strike deadline at a Ford Motor tool and die plant that supports the automaker’s Rouge Complex near Detroit – one of two U.S. plants that produce the company’s highly profitable F-150 pickup truck.
Boeing accused of being ‘unprepared’ for federal mediation as strike continues
The Guardian
By Michael Sainato
Sept. 19, 2024
Union officials have accused Boeing of being “unprepared” after talks resumed to end the US’s largest strike. Boeing workers will be joined on picket lines by the president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Brian Bryant on Thursday a day after the company announced plans to furlough “large numbers” of employees.
UAW sets strike deadline at Ford's River Rouge tool and die unit
WION
By Wion Web Desk
Sept. 19, 2024
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union stated on Wednesday that it has set the strike date for Ford’s tool and die unit at River Rouge Complex. It has also been prompted by unjust local contract matters touching on the workforce. Located in Dearborn Michigan, the River Rouge Complex is where Ford has close to 6,000 employees has over 500 in tool and die.
Machinists’ union president rallies striking workers at Boeing’s Gresham facility
Oregon Public Broadcasting
By Geoff Norcross
Sept. 19, 2024
Around 33,000 of Boeing’s unionized workers on the West Coast have been on strike since early Friday. That includes over 1,000 workers in Gresham. The walkout comes as the machinists’ union continues to negotiate toward better wages and pensions.
Workers on strike at 4 more Boston hotels
WHDH
By State House News Service
Sept. 19, 2024
Nearly 1,200 workers at four Boston hotels went on strike Thursday, marking the third string of actions roiling the city’s hospitality sector amid stalled labor contract negotiations. Workers at the Omni Parker House, Omni Boston Seaport, Renaissance Boston Seaport and Westin Boston Seaport are on strike, UNITE HERE Local 26 said Thursday morning. Union members are seeing higher wages and “reasonable workloads” from major hotel companies. It’s the first strike to hit the Parker House, the longest continuously operating hotel in the country, in its history, the union said.
Discussions heat up with Operating Engineers 324, City of Gladwin on DPW contract
Midland Daily News
By Isabelle Pasciolla
Sept. 19, 2024
Discussions are heating up on the Gladwin Department of Public Works union contract — or lack thereof — as the city approaches a mediation date and the union is raising awareness on the streets. Last week, representatives from Operating Engineers Local 324 set up “informational bannering” at two sites in town — one on the corner of State Street and the other in front of City Hall. These demonstrations involved setting up a large inflatable “Corporate Fat Cat” and a banner stating “Gladwin DPW workers over 440 days without a contract. Value your employees!”
Union Textron Aviation workers vote on new contract Saturday
KAKE
By Nick Nelson
Sept. 17, 2024
The Local Lodge 774 negotiating committee recommends accepting the new proposed contract from Textron Aviation. "After a final review of the company’s best and final offer and letters of understanding, the negotiating committee recommends accepting the proposed tentative agreement for ratification," the committee said in a statement posted online.
AT&T Southeast Workers End Month-Long Strike
Labor Notes
By Dan DiMaggio
Sept. 19, 2024
Seventeen thousand AT&T workers in the Southeast returned to work September 16 following a month-long strike. Members of the Communications Workers (CWA) in nine states from Kentucky to Florida walked out on an unfair labor practice strike August 16 over accusations the telecom giant was bargaining in bad faith. The strike included technicians, call center workers, and others who build and maintain the AT&T network. AT&T pulled in $24 billion in profits in 2023. CWA represents over 150,000 AT&T workers in the U.S., scattered across more than a dozen collective bargaining agreements. As we went to print, workers were to vote on whether to ratify the five-year agreement.
‘Castlevania’ Studio Animation Workers Ratify First Union Contract
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
Sept. 19, 2024
Animation workers at Texas’ Powerhouse Animation Studios have overwhelmingly voted to ratify their first union contract. Ninety-six percent of voting members at the Austin-based Castlevania producer supported the pact in a vote, the Animation Guild announced on Tuesday. The Hollywood Reporter has previously reported that the bargaining unit of more than 100 members includes both production workers and artists at the studio, folding in roles such as animator, background designer and production assistant.
Nurses union, Kapiolani Medical Center leadership resume negotiations amid lockout
Island News
By Island News Web Staff
Sept. 19, 2024
Bargaining has resumed for union nurses and leadership at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. The two groups have been going head to head after contract talks failed this time last week. That's when the Hawaii Nurses Association participated in a 24-hour strike. Hospital management responded by locking out the healthcare workers until they accept the latest offer. Some people, Hawaii Sen. Kurt Fevella, R – Ewa Beach, are now calling out Kapiolani, saying the tactic is drastic after learning the union nurses could lose their health care coverage as a result.
New York Philharmonic musicians agree to 30% raise over 3-year contract
Fox 40
By Associated Press
Sept. 19, 2024
The New York Philharmonic and its musicians’ union settled on a collective bargaining agreement Thursday that includes a 30% raise over three years. The deal with Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians calls for raises of about 15% in 2024-25, and 7.5% each in 2025-26 and 2026-27. Base pay will rise to $205,000 by the deal’s final season. Ratification of the new deal is expected to take place Friday, and the contract will run from Saturday through Sept. 20, 2027.
100% of Las Vegas Strip resorts recognize labor unions
KLAS 8
By Ryan Tisminezky
Sept. 19, 2024
A new contract was recently reached between the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and the owners of the Venetian. Now, Local 226 leaders are saying every resort on the Strip recognizes the union. Union leaders speaking at the resort say the new contract was possible thanks to the Venetian’s new ownership.
IN THE STATES
Nebraska organizations rally outside Capitol to address solutions for ‘outdated’ immigration laws
1011 Now
By Lexie Worden
Sept. 18, 2024
“Nebraska can’t afford to lose immigrant neighbors who are already an important part of our communities, and it is in our best interest to continue to welcome additional people who can be a part of our future,” Sue Martin, president and secretary treasurer of Nebraska State AFL-CIO, said.
Why Erie women will rally to celebrate strength, defend freedom and rights on Sept. 28 (Opinion)
Go Erie
By Kristy Gnibus and Raven Clark-Steves
Sept. 19, 2024
Angela Ferritto, the first female president of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and an Erie native, will speak on economic justice and equal pay. Today, women still earn 84 cents for every dollar men make. The gap is even wider for women of color — Black women earn 64 cents, and Latinas just 55 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men.
AFT Leaders to rally In Yakima for democracy
The Stand
By AFT Washington
Sept. 19, 2024
AFT Washington will be holding a rally for democracy and election activity in Yakima on Sunday, September 22nd at noon, as part of the AFT’s 20-state #AFTvotes – Real Solutions For A Better Life bus tour. Leaders of the 1.8 million-member AFT are touring the country to get out the vote and highlight the pivotal issues facing the United States in November. In Yakima, the tour stop will include a rally with speakers Randi Weingarten, President of the AFT, Evelyn DeJesus, Executive Vice President of the AFT, April Sims, President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO and several local and community leaders. Details are still being finalized.
LABOR LEADERSHIP
Writers Guild East Elects New Head of Broadcast and Re-Elects Online Media Leader to Governing Body
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
Sept. 19, 2024
Writers Guild of America East members have re-elected Sara David as vice president of their online media division and appointed Beth Godvik as the new vice president of broadcast, cable and streaming news in their first council election since the union’s 2023 strike concluded. Godvik is taking over on the council for Kathy McGee, who did not run for re-election in the role. Godvik has served on the WGA East Council for two years while David, who ran unopposed, has served on the council for three years. The WGA East Council is the union’s governing body, consisting of 20 council members and five executive officers across three work sectors represented by the union.