Today's AFL-CIO press clips
MUST READ
Harris campaign failed to connect with working class, US union federation says
The Guardian
By Michael Sainato
Nov. 16, 2024
Liz Shuler, president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), said the Democrat’s bid for the White House did not resonate with working-class people who remain “very much economically insecure”. In an interview with the Guardian, she described a “disconnect” between the day-to-day experiences of those struggling to make ends meet, and efforts by the Harris campaign to highlight a “set of accomplishments and track record” under Joe Biden’s administration. “When you’re struggling to put food on the table, and you’re still dealing with inflation … the messaging that Trump was saying was effective,” Shuler said. Donald Trump’s campaign framed the election around whether voters were better four years ago – before he left office – than they are now, she noted. “And a lot of people answered that question: ‘yes.’”
NBC News
By Alex Seitz-Wald
Nov. 18, 2024
“The narrative that he was able to craft was almost right out of the labor unions’ playbook in terms of focusing on the economy and jobs, bringing manufacturing jobs back, getting tough on China, making sure that working families can put more money in their pocket,” said Liz Shuler, the president of the AFL-CIO, the massive labor federation that includes 60 unions that together represent 12 million people. Shuler said that message, from a billionaire who has stiffed workers and fell far short on promised job creation, is bogus — “He talks a good game but never delivers” — but she could not deny its power at the polls.
POLITICS
Educators rally to protect Black students from Trump policies
Spokesman-Recorder
By Aziah Siid
Nov. 17, 2024
Larger entities like the AFT have long fought attacks on public education, with its 1.8 million members rallying for equitable school funding, safe school facilities, higher teacher pay, and adequate school staffing. “We’ve been fighting a blueprint for Project 2025 in Florida for a couple of years now,” said Frederick Ingram, secretary-treasurer for the American Federation of Teachers. “They’re trying to do an all-out assault on public education, defund our public schools, ban books, close libraries, make it difficult for teachers to teach honest and true history, oversized classrooms, an inundation of testing about your program that seeks to take students out of the public sector into private schools, parochial schools, and charter schools.”
LABOR AND ECONOMY
Laborers union to offer 12 weeks maternity leave
Northwest Labor Press
By Anna Del Savio
Nov. 15, 2024
The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) will begin offering 12 weeks of maternity leave benefits starting Jan. 1, 2025. New mothers will be eligible for up to $800 per week for 12 weeks. Laborers Local 737 Business Manager Zack Culver said he hopes the new benefits will encourage more women to apply to join the Laborers union and that they’ll help retain female members who may otherwise leave the workforce when they have children.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS
Hundreds of hospitality workers pushing for new five-year union contract at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
KTNV
By Shakeria Hawkins
Nov. 15, 2024
A 24/7 picket line is in place outside Virgin Hotel, where 700 hospitality workers are expected to walk off the job as they continue asking for a new five-year union contract to get better wages. It is the Culinary Union's first open-ended strike in 22 years. Workers started Friday at 5 a.m. and said they will stay until an agreement is reached.
Workers at Three Rite Aid Stores to See Gains After Union, Company Reach Tentative Agreement
Pasadena Now
By City News Service
Nov. 16, 2024
The union representing more than 3,500 Rite Aid workers across Southern California reached a tentative agreement Friday with the pharmacy chain on a new contract “that delivers wage increases for every member, protections for our health benefits and secures our pension,” the union announced. The company operates three stores in Pasadena — at 1038 E. Colorado Blvd., 1421 E. Washington Blvd., and 3745 E. Foothill Blvd. (and a fourth local location in South Pasadena). Further details of the tentative agreement “will be shared with the public after our membership has had a chance to review and vote on their contract,” according to a statement from United Food and Commercial Workers locals 8GS, 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442.
Striking Benton County workers march from courthouse to city hall
KVAL
By News Staff
Nov. 15, 2024
Day three of the strike in Benton County saw hundreds of workers across multiple departments on the picket lines Friday. “This union is stronger than they ever thought we were,” said Joseph Moore with AFSCME Benton County. “They've tried to silo us. They've tried to cause division between us. And this right here sent a major statement to their bargaining team, that they can carry back to the BOC this morning when they meet later today.”
Strike at Franz bakery in Springfield
Northwest Labor Press
By Anna Del Savio
Nov. 15, 2024
Roughly 180 workers at Franz Bakery in Springfield have been on strike since Oct. 31. Workers are seeking higher wages, more advance notice on their schedules, and safety and training improvements. “The company doesn’t want to hear ‘safety.’ They don’t want to hear ‘change.’ They don’t want to talk about improvements of any kind,” Franz Bakery sanitation worker and union negotiating committee member Brad Currier told the Labor Press. Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) Local 114 represents the workers. On Oct. 31, they voted to authorize a strike and walked off the job.
IKEA Distribution Center workers in Perryville enter strike
The Baltimore Sun
By Kiersten Hacker
Nov. 15, 2024
Workers at the IKEA Distribution Center in Perryville launched a strike against their employer Friday, saying that they are seeking fair wages and seniority protections. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 460, District 4, voted Thursday against the company’s proposed contract and to begin a strike. The work stoppage started at midnight with about 320 workers walking off the job and union members picketed line outside the facility.
SAG-AFTRA's newest agreement secures protections for video game dub actors
Game Developer
By Justin Carter
Nov. 15, 2024
SAG-AFTRA has locked down another deal, this time for the benefit of video game localizers. The actors union established an Independent Interactive Localization Agreement (IILA), which covers localization of games first made in a non-English language. Its terms are similar to the budget-based tier agreement for indie developers established back in February: under the IILA, localizers have AI protections and expanded voiceprint and session options for "both principal and atmospheric roles, as compared to the original Localization Agreement."
Strike by workers at a casino near the Las Vegas Strip enters 2nd day
ABC News
By The Associated Press
Nov. 16, 2024
A walkout by hundreds of hospitality workers at a casino near the Las Vegas Strip entered its second day with union members willing to undergo the financial hardships of being out of work as they wait for a new contract. The work stoppage launched Friday at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is the first open-ended strike in 22 years for the Culinary Workers Union, the largest labor union in Nevada, with about 60,000 members. Union members were on the picket line again on Saturday.
Rail carriers, SMART-MD reach labor pact
Progressive Railroading
By Staff
Nov. 15, 2024
The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) yesterday announced it reached a tentative agreement with the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers–Mechanical Department (SMART-MD). The tentative pact is the third that the NCCC has announced this week: NCCC announced similar agreements with the Transportation Communications Union (TCU) and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC).
JOINING TOGETHER
Union alleges unfair labor practices at local credit union, demand contract changes
WPSD
By Melanie Antonitis
Nov. 15, 2024
Area workers called for changes to their contracts Friday as they picketed in Mayfield. The United Steel Workers, a union that represents employees at several companies in the region, picketed in front of Your Hometown Federal Credit Union — its employees are represented by that union.
IN THE STATES
Local production company unveils new stages
WWAY TV
By Ava Dorn
Nov. 14, 2024
Dark Horse Stages revealed their newest additions this afternoon—two state-of-the-art production stages that will bring more than 40,000 square feet of studio space. This summer, the company rebranded to Dark Horse Stages Inc. in preparation for the completion of Stages 3 and 4. Marybe McMillan, President of North Carolina’s AFL-CIO, voiced her excitement about the new stages. “We are thrilled with this stage opening. Because growth in the film industry equals more good jobs. The talented film technicians and craftspeople of the international alliance are the people behind entertainment. Unseen—but essential to the success of every production.”
We need solidarity now more than ever
Northwest Labor Press
By Graham Trainor
Nov. 15, 2024
And here in Oregon, we are proud of that work paying off as we further strengthened the pro-union, pro-worker wall we’ve built on the West Coast. We helped ensure our Congressional delegation reflected the Oregon that we’re so proud of — five incredible pro-worker women leaders, three of which are former union members. Labor-endorsed candidates won all statewide races.
Local economist breaks down uptick in Western Oregon labor strikes
KEZI
By Aaron Arellano
Nov. 16, 2024
There have been at least four different strikes across Douglas, Lane, Linn and Benton Counties over the past 2 months, and there may be an economic indication as to why it's happening, according to a local labor economist. Brian Rooney is a regional labor economist for the Oregon Employment Department who specializes in Lane and Douglas counties. He believes there are several reasons why the area is experiencing a high volume of labor strikes.
APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINING
Business Insider
By Christine Ji
Nov. 17, 2024
The office environment became tedious to Snyder. He disliked the formal dress code and the inability to unplug from work. He switched jobs, this time to an e-commerce startup. However, Snyder still wasn't satisfied with the work, which felt incredibly similar to his previous job. Snyder was taking his laptop on vacation, and his phone was constantly blown up with emails. That was until Snyder talked to a friend of a friend who happened to be an electrician. Snyder, now 43 years old, has been an electrician for the last six years, and he's never looked back. "As a union electrician, my life is a million times better," he said. "Six years in, and I'm still learning all the time, making more than I did before, and often have fun at work."
Union apprenticeships provide students with skilled trade options
The Alpena News
By Gabriel S. Martinez
Nov. 16, 2024
Community colleges are partnering with labor unions to provide specialized education and hands-on experience as the primary option for students who want a career in a skilled trade. Brandy Johnson, the president of the Michigan Community College Association, said the schools provide academic credit to students in recognition of their apprenticeship experiences.