Today's AFL-CIO press clips
POLITICS
AFL-CIO Warns House GOP Not to Interfere With Longshoremen's Labor Battle
Common Dreams
By Olivia Rosane
Sept. 27, 2024
The president of the AFL-CIO sent a letter to House Republicans on Thursday asking them not to intervene in contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen's Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which could lead to the first East Coast port strike since 1977 if a deal is not struck by October 1. The letter came in response to another letter sent by Republican lawmakers to U.S. President Joe Biden on September 19, urging him to "find a reasonable resolution to these contract disputes" and to "utilize every authority at its disposal to ensure the continuing flow of goods" if a strike does occur. "Averting a strike is the responsibility of the employers who refuse to offer ILA members a contract that reflects the dignity and value of their labor," AFL-CIO president Elizabeth H. Shuler wrote in response to the GOP representatives. "The fight for a fair contract for longshoremen is the entire labor movement's fight."
'Unreal': Massive pushback after Trump 'admitted he stiffed his workers' at latest rally
Raw Story
By David McAfee
Sept. 29, 2024
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, the national trade union center known as AFL-CIO, said in response, "This isn’t a gaffe and he didn’t just misspeak — Trump said this in Michigan on Friday and Pennsylvania today. Trump cut overtime for millions of Americans as President — and his Project 2025 agenda will do it again."
‘Trump Is a Scab’: Harris Campaign Fumes Over Trump’s Wild Anti-Overtime Rant
The Daily Beast
By Matt Young
Sept. 29, 2024
Harris-Walz 2024 spokesperson Sarafina Chitika latched onto the comments from Trump’s latest rally, saying in a statement emailed to the Daily Beast: “Donald Trump is finally owning up to it: He’s built an entire career on screwing over workers. It’s exactly what he did in the White House—trying to rip away tips and overtime pay for millions of workers–and exactly what he plans to do in a second term.” The campaign added: “Trump is a scab, plain and simple. He is selling snake oil lies in a desperate attempt to trick voters. He can’t be trusted—workers know it, and voters know it. They’ll elect a champion who has their back by voting for Vice President Harris this November.”
Would Trump Go After Workers’ Rights in a Second Term? Look at His Record.
Capital & Main
By Nick Romeo
Sept. 27, 2024
GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, have recently tried to woo unions and working-class voters, but Cemex is just one of several consequential rulings by the Biden-era NLRB that would likely be reversed if Trump wins in November. Under Cemex, companies that commit unfair labor practices in the run-up to an election — such as holding mandatory anti-union meetings or retaliating against pro-union workers — can now be ordered to recognize the union and begin bargaining with it. On September 17, the NLRB’s Region 2-Manhattan office issued a complaint and notice of hearing in a case against Trader Joe’s in Manhattan and sought a bargaining order based on the Cemex ruling. The NLRB complaint alleges a range of unfair labor practices. Trader Joe’s did not respond to a request for comment from Capital & Main.
Harris Keeps Focus on Economy With MSNBC Interview: Sept. 25 Campaign News
The New York Times
By Nicholas NehamasMichael Gold and Jim Tankersley
Sept. 27, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris sat down for an interview with MSNBC that ran on Wednesday night, her second appearance with a major network since becoming the Democratic nominee. It was largely focused on the economy, as was her speech earlier in the day.
ORGANIZING
The votes have been counted: Pitt staff are now part of the USW
Pittsburgh Union Progress
By Pittsburgh Union Progress
Sept. 27, 2024
The United Steelworkers union has some new members. A “strong majority” of staff members at the University of Pittsburgh have voted to join the USW, the union announced on Friday. Those workers, about 6,300 of them, include educators, counselors, advisors, scientists, researchers, and administrative professionals at all five of Pitt’s campuses.
Editorial Staff At RJT Is Organizing
WGTD
By CWA
Sept. 27, 2024
The editorial staff at the Racine Journal Times wants to unionize. They're asking the owners of the paper--Iowa-based Lee Enterprises--to voluntarily allow them to organize. If not, the employees say they'll ask the National Labor Relations Board to order an election. Racine NewsGuild, as they're calling themselves, would operate as a unit of Kenosha Newspaper Guild Local 34159, which has for a number of years represented employees at the Kenosha News. The Guild is affiliated with Communications Workers of America.
Wesleyan University graduate workers successfully form union in Middletown
The Middletown Press
By Cassandra Day
Sept. 27, 2024
Graduate workers at Wesleyan University this week voted 86-7 to support forming a union with the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 153. The Wesleyan Graduate Labor Union includes 114 graduate employees who teach or do research at the college, according to OPEIU Local 153 spokesman Scott Williams.
NEGOTIATIONS & STRIKES
National Symphony Orchestra strike ends after less than a day
The Washington Post
By Michael Andor Brodeur and Janay Kingsberry
Sept. 27, 2024
The musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra went on strike Friday morning, and reached an 18-month labor agreement with the Kennedy Center by midafternoon. The brief strike, which threatened to disrupt the orchestra’s 94th season, followed a unanimous vote to authorize such an action reached by the musicians union Sept. 20. The work stoppage, which lasted approximately four hours, had threatened the orchestra’s Season Opening Gala, scheduled for Saturday. A statement by the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Federation of Musicians, Local 161-710, American Federation of Musicians, thanked the public for its outpouring of support. “We look forward to performing for all of our supporters, patrons, and artists in the days and years to come,” it read.
Latest talks between Boeing and its striking machinists break off without progress, union says
AP News
By Staff
Sept. 28, 2024
The union representing Boeing factory workers who are currently on strike in the Pacific Northwest said contract talks “broke off” with the company after their latest bargaining session. In an update posted on social media platforms X and Facebook, a regional district of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers asserted late Friday that Boeing “would not engage substantively” on key issues important to members — such as higher pay — and didn’t budge on calls to restore a defined-benefit pension that was axed 10 years ago.
Apple Store workers in Oklahoma City ratify union contract
KGOU
By Sierra Pfeifer
Sept. 27, 2024
Retail workers at the Penn Square Mall are celebrating the win of a union agreement with Apple. The Oklahoma City employees voted to ratify their first collectively bargained contract last week, becoming the country's second union of Apple Store workers to strike a deal with the company. With help from the Communications Workers of America Local 6016, union workers negotiated a three-year contract that will improve pay, working conditions and work-life balance.
National Symphony Orchestra musicians reach agreement after Kennedy Center strike
NBC 4
By Sophia Barnes and Darcy Spencer
Sept. 27, 2024
The National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center reached an agreement Friday after musicians went on strike earlier in the day and picketed outside the D.C. landmark. The Kennedy Center said they and NSO musicians reached an 18-month labor agreement. Musicians walked off the job on Friday morning as part of an effort to secure higher pay, according to their union, the DC Federation of Musicians, Local 161-710, American Federation of Musicians.
Following strike, Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale workers ratify new contract
Fox 61
By Dalton Zbierski
Sept. 28, 2024
A new union contract has been overwhelmingly ratified by workers at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, according to a release Saturday from Local 217 – UNITE HERE. The agreement came in response to a four-day strike by 122 workers who walked off the job several weeks ago in pursuit of fair treatment and better working conditions.
Workers are on strike at Philadelphia's major sports venues
The Daily Item
By Ariana Perez-Castells and Jeff Gammage
Sept. 28, 2024
As start time approached for the Phillies’ Monday nightgame, workers who normally would have been inside Citizens Bank Park preparing to serve food and drinks were picketing outside of center field holding signs that read “Don’t tip scabs!” and “On Strike! At Aramark.” Hundreds of unionized concessions workers employed at the Wells Fargo Center, Lincoln Financial Field, and Citizens Bank Park went on strike Monday. The workers have been negotiating for improved benefits and wages from their employer, Aramark. The workers’ union, Unite Here Local 274, which represents about 1,500 Aramark workers across the three venues, encouraged fans not to purchase food or drinks from vendors inside the stadium, according to a statement shared Sunday. Instead, they suggested attendees could “tailgate or grab dinner elsewhere ahead of the game.”
Omni Workers Ratify New 4‑Year Contract
New Haven Independent
By Jabez Choi
Sept. 29, 2024
Two weeks after going on a four-day strike, unionized Omni hotel workers have ratified a new four-year contract. UNITE HERE Local 217 reached that labor accord with management at the 155 Temple St. hotel on Saturday, according to an email press release sent out by Ian Dunn, a spokesperson for Yale’s clerical and technical workers union, UNITE HERE Local 34. The press release includes few details about the substance of the contract.
Unionized First Avenue workers will picket the famous downtown venue
Bring Me the News
By Dustin Nelson
Sept. 27, 2024
Workers from First Avenue's many Twin Cities venues have announced plans to picket the concert venue on Saturday, Sept. 28. It has been nearly a year since First Avenue voluntarily recognized employees' desire to unionize with Unite Here 17. However, the two sides have yet to agree on a contract. The company has more than 200 service and event staff across its venues, which include the Palace Theatre, Turf Club, Fine Line, and Fitzgerald Theater, the union says.
JOINING TOGETHER
Oakland Arena concession workers hold rally to demand higher wages
CBS News
By Veronica Macias
Sept. 29, 2024
Concession workers with UNITE HERE Local 2 Union rallied outside of the Oakland Arena on Saturday nightbefore a shift during an Usher concert demanding better wages and healthcare. Workers, like Robert Preston, have worked with restaurant and hospitality company, Levy, for decades and have seen the departure of the Oakland Raiders, the Golden State Warriors and most recently the Oakland A's. The baseball and basketball seasons gave workers more job security and they earned more at the Coliseum. Now, all concession workers have left to rely on for their livelihood is concerts and events.
IN THE STATES
One killed and multiple UAW picketers injured after truck crashes into group
WILX
By Eisele Hirschel
Sept. 29, 2024
Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber, with whom UAW is affiliated, said, “We are deeply saddened to learn about the tragedy that occurred last night on the picket line at Eaton Aerospace. Striking is a fundamental right, and every worker should feel free to walk the picket line safe from harm. Reckless driving near-strike activity is absolutely unacceptable, and our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and their UAW Local 475 brothers and sisters.”
LABOR LEADERSHIP
William Lucy, stalwart voice for labor and civil rights, dies at 90
The Washington Post
By Harrison Smith
Sept. 27, 2024
As part of his advocacy efforts and trade union work, Mr. Lucy collaborated with mayors, governors, state lawmakers and members of Congress, as well as activists and foreign dignitaries ranging from actor and singer Harry Belafonte to South African President Nelson Mandela. He served on the executive council of the AFL-CIO, was a board member of the NAACP and in 1994 became the first Black president of Public Services International, a global federation of unions that collectively represent some 30 million workers.