Today's AFL-CIO press clips
EDITOR'S NOTE: Kudos to Bruce Maples at Forward Kentucky. His Louisville publication made the press clips again. Check out Trump's pro-union message is ruse. Bruce is an associate member of Kentucky 120 United-AFT.
POLITICS
Biden Says Trump’s Tax Cuts and Tariffs Would Be ‘a Major Mistake’
The New York Times
By Zolan Kanno-Youngs
Dec. 10, 2024
President Biden said on Tuesday that President-elect Donald J. Trump’s plans to impose tax cuts for the wealthy and sweeping tariffs would be “a major mistake,” while warning that the incoming president would face blowback from Republicans if he moved to unwind the Biden agenda. During what the White House billed as a “legacy speech,” Mr. Biden for nearly 40 minutes defended his proposals to reshape American manufacturing and cautioned that Mr. Trump’s economic vision would hurt working-class Americans.
Biden to warn against another Trump tax cut, hail his own economic successes
Reuters
By Andrea Shalal
Dec. 10, 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden will warn against further tax cuts for the wealthy and a reprise of Republican "trickle-down economics" during Donald Trump's second term in what could be his final speech on the economy on Tuesday, a White House official said. Biden will argue in the speech, which comes a month after bruising election defeats for the Democrats driven by voters' concerns about inflation, that his push to boost investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and neglected communities averted a bigger economic crisis and laid the groundwork for continued economic growth, the official said.
Democrats, advocates urge Biden to sign ERA before end of term
The Hill
By Cheyanne M. Daniels
Dec. 10, 2024
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) led a coalition of fellow legislators and advocates Tuesday in calling on President Biden to certify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) before his term ends in January. Citing the incoming Trump administration and soon-to-be GOP controlled House and Senate, Bush said “lives are on the line” if the ERA is not passed. “The publication of the Equal Rights Amendment may be long overdue, but the stakes for gender equality have never been higher,” the outgoing lawmaker said from outside the Capitol on Tuesday.
Biden: Trump’s tax and tariffs plans are a ‘major mistake’
Politico
By Adam Cancryn
Dec. 10, 2024
President Joe Biden on Tuesday took direct aim at President-elect Donald Trump’s economic agenda, denigrating his plan to impose sweeping tariffs and cut taxes as a “major mistake” that will weaken the economy. In a speech at the Brookings Institution, Biden warned that Trump’s plans would largely benefit the wealthy, reversing what he described as progress made over the last four years toward strengthening the working class.
DOJ v. DEI: Trump's Justice Department likely to target diversity programs
Reuters
By Andrew Goudsward
Dec. 10, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump is set to challenge policies aimed at boosting diversity at companies and universities when he takes office next month, throwing the weight of the U.S. government behind growing conservative opposition to such practices. The Justice Department and other federal agencies are likely to start investigations and bring lawsuits over diversity, equity and inclusion policies as they argue that many of those practices violate anti-discrimination laws.
A federal union pushes back after congressional leaders and DOGE call out teleworking
Politico
By Kevin Bogardus
Dec. 10, 2024
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 800,000 federal and Washington city workers, said assertions that staffers are abusing work-from-home flexibility are serving as cover for Republican lawmakers to try to tear down the government. "Exaggerating the number of federal employees who telework and portraying those who do as failing to show up for work is a deliberate attempt to demean the federal workforce and justify the wholesale privatization of public-sector jobs," AFGE said on its website. The union added, "AFGE believes that facts matter, and that lawmakers should be guided by the facts when making decisions that affect the lives of their constituents."
Trump’s pro-union messaging is a ruse
Forward Kentucky
By Berry Craig
Dec. 10, 2024
“Trump’s decision to select a more pro-worker labor secretary could be more of a messaging maneuver than a substantive one,” Vox’s Li Zhou wrote of lame duck Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore). She’s president-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Labor.
Impasse deepens over U.S. Steel takeover as government review nears end
The Washington Post
By David J. Lynch and Jeff Stein
Dec. 10, 2024
Instead, McCall, who has opposed the deal since it was announced one year ago, dismissed the detailed offer as “unenforceable” and reiterated his opposition. “We recognize the offer is a good deal for [U.S. Steel] CEO David Burritt and some of his top executive management team and the institutional stockholders,” McCall said in a Dec. 3 video. “However, the union does not think it’s a good deal for workers.”
NLRB
La Colombe baristas allege retaliatory firings
Axios
By Monica Eng and Carrie Shepherd
Dec. 10. 2024
Baristas at La Colombe's West Loop coffee shop tell Axios they were fired for union activities, and at least one says they have filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. Why it matters: Former and current staff members told Axios the staff cuts, from 11 to 6 employees, have shocked the remaining workers and forced staff to reduce operating hours at the popular West Randolph cafe.
ORGANIZING
Year in Review: Wave of campus labor organization continues with three new unions at Penn
The Daily Pennsylvanian
By Emily Scolnick
Dec. 10, 2024
From graduate student workers to local baristas, an unprecedented wave of campus labor organization continued across the Penn community in 2024. The past year saw the formation of three new campus unions, one historic union contract ratification, and increased momentum in negotiations between the University and campus labor groups. Penn has also faced allegations of union-busting tactics and bad-faith negotiations with unionized campus workers.
More local school bus workers join union
WAFB 9
By Michael Simoneaux
Dec. 9, 2024
More local school bus workers with the First Student Transportation Company have decided to join a union. According to Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1546 President, George DeCuir, the latest workers to join are contracted by the Zachary Community School District through the First Student Transportation Company. The decision from the Zachary workers comes days after their counterparts at the Central Community School System did the same thing, citing months of concern about working conditions. “Proper PPE, the unguaranteed hours, lifting up on heavy equipment, dealing with adverse situations with parents on their personal devices. Things of that sort,” DeCuir said.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS
Strike Ends at the Strand as Union, Management Reach Tentative Agreement
Publishers Weekly
By John Maher
Dec. 10, 2024
The Strand Book Store has reached a tentative contract agreement with its staff union, which is represented by United Auto Workers Local 2179, putting an end to a strike that stretched through the weekend and much of Monday, December 9. Should the contract be ratified, it would last through Aug 31, 2028, adding an additional year to a contract that was previously three years long, said Will Bobrowski, the former Strand employee and current second VP at UAW Local 2179.
City of Duluth AFSCME workers vote to authorize strike
WDIO
By WDIO
Dec. 10, 2024
AFSCME Local 66 workers with the City of Duluth voted to reject the City’s settlement offer and authorized a strike during a meeting on Tuesday, December 10. According to the Union, the City had previously walked away from a contract mediation on November 26 that left workers with an offer that they deemed unacceptable. AFSCME Local 66 represents more than 500 city workers including library workers, utility workers, gas and water maintenance, snowplow drivers, inspectors, police records staff, and many others.
San Francisco Symphony and Musicians Extend Contract Through January 18
Symphony.org
By Staff
Dec. 10, 2024
In Monday’s (12/9) San Francisco Chronicle, Aidin Vaziri writes, “The San Francisco Symphony has reached an agreement with its musicians to extend their current collective bargaining agreement through Jan. 18, maintaining all existing terms and conditions…. The temporary extension comes as talks continue between the Symphony’s administration and Musicians Union Local 6 of the American Federation of Musicians, which represents the orchestra players.
Striking hotel workers in San Francisco ask major healthcare conference attendees to stay away
KTVU
By Ruth Dusseault
Dec. 9, 2024
Striking San Francisco hotel workers are attempting to discourage people from attending a major healthcare conference in January. Housekeepers, cooks, dishwashers, servers, bartenders and other members of the union, Unite Here Local 2, are reaching out to attendees of the invitation-only J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference to be held Jan. 13-16 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel.
The Imprint
By Colleen Connolly
Dec. 9, 2024
Hennepin County and its child protection workers have reached a tentative contract agreement after a four-month negotiation that centered on wage increases, training and protective gear for cases involving domestic violence, and reimbursement for use of employees’ cars and work performed from their homes. The tentative agreement is now before union members for approval. It includes a 4% salary increase each year for the next three years, with some employees receiving an additional 3% pay raise based on merit. Extra pay for night and weekend work will also increase.
Striking San Francisco hotel workers urge J.P. Morgan health conference attendees to stay away
CBS News
By CBS/Bay City News Service
Dec. 10, 2024
Striking San Francisco hotel workers are attempting to discourage people from attending a major healthcare conference in January. Housekeepers, cooks, dishwashers, servers, bartenders and other members of the union, Unite Here Local 2, are reaching out to attendees of the invitation-only J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference to be held Jan. 13-16 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel. The conference is billed as a global symposium that includes health and technology industry leaders and members of the investment community. Union spokesperson Ted Waechter said 10,000 people took part in the conference last year. He said the union first reached out to J.P. Morgan in late September asking them to cancel.
'Top dogs in the region': New union contract adds major raise for Evansville firefighters
Courier & Press
By Sarah Loesch
Dec. 10, 2024
A new three-year contract for city firefighters will bring a hefty pay increase in 2025. Evansville City Council members unanimously approved a resolution ratifying the new agreement between the city and the International Association of Firefighters Local No. 357 to bring 7% raises for employees next year. The contract also includes 4% raises in 2026 and 2027. This directly mirrors the contract approved in late October for the Evansville Police Department. The contract begins Jan. 1, 2025, and ends Dec. 31, 2027. Local 357 President Larry Zuber said EFD has lost members to other fire departments and corporate jobs in recent years. Some didn't even make it through training.
JOINING TOGETHER
Unions will hold a three-day hunger strike outside of Los Angeles City Hall
Los Angeles Daily News
By Staff Report
Dec. 10, 2024
In anticipation of the Los Angeles City Council vote on Wednesday, Dec. 9, to increase the minimum wage for tourism workers to $25 per hour, and reaching $30 per hour by 2028, workers represented by Unite Here Local 11 and SEIU-USWW will participate in a three-day hunger strike outside of City Hall. Dozens of airport and hotel workers are expected to take part in the “spiritual journey of foregoing food and drink in hopes of inspiring … city leaders to stand with them and vote for an improved wage and healthcare benefits,” a union contact said.
IN THE STATES
King County Superior Court judge issues permanent injunction on Kroger-Albertsons merger
King 5
By Kipp Robertson
Dec. 10, 2024
The union representing more than 100,000 Albertsons and Kroger stores in the country said it applauded the decisions by two separate judges to halt a $24.6 billion merger of the two companies. “The well-reasoned decisions today by both Courts make plain what union grocery workers have known all along – this mega-merger would be bad for workers who deserve a workplace where they can be paid well for their labor, be safe and be respected," a statement from United Food and Commercial Workers International Union reads.
UFCW Locals’ Coalition Applauds Federal Judge’s Injunction Blocking Kroger-Albertsons Merger
Random Lengths News
By Reporters Desk
Dec. 10, 2024
UFCW local unions representing more than 100,000 grocery store employees working at Albertsons and Kroger-owned stores in 14 states and the District of Columbia Dec. 10 released the following statement applauding the decisions by both a federal judge and a King County judge in Washington state to reject the mega-merger of Kroger and Albertsons:
“The well-reasoned decisions today by both Courts make plain what union grocery workers have known all along – this mega-merger would be bad for workers who deserve a workplace where they can be paid well for their labor, be safe and be respected. It would be disastrous for shoppers who de0serve competition that leads to better choices and lower prices.”
UAW and SEIU throw support behind legislation limiting political contributions from utilities
Michigan Advance
By Kyle Davidson
Dec. 9, 2024
The United Auto Workers (UAW) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have joined a chorus of organizations in Michigan calling for action on bills that would restrict certain corporations from making political contributions, according to a statement from the Taking Back Our Power coalition on Friday. “We are deeply grateful to UAW and SEIU Michigan for their unwavering commitment to defending our democracy against corporate greed and their leadership in rallying labor support behind the overwhelmingly popular Taking Back Our Power legislative package. Their advocacy highlights the urgent need to curb corporate influence in our political system, which has too often drowned out the voices of working-class Michiganders,” said Ponsella Hardaway, who co-chairs the coalition, a collective of environmental and community advocates backing the Taking Back Our Power package.
APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINING
How pre-apprenticeship programs benefit contractors and the industry
Construction Dive
By International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
Dec. 9. 2024
With a societal focus on going to college, entering the trades may not initially seem like a viable pathway to long-term success or financial stability. However, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) is working to change that perception. Through its innovative pre-apprenticeship programs, IUPAT is not only opening doors to the trades but also demonstrating how these opportunities can lead to stable, middle-class careers that benefit workers and their families. For contractors, these programs provide a skilled, prepared workforce ready to meet industry demands.
More women breaking into construction trades in Las Vegas
News 3 LV
By Steve Wolford
Dec. 9, 2024
A growing number of women are entering the construction industry, breaking through the so-called "glass ceiling" not only in boardrooms but also on construction sites across America. According to the Institute for Women's Policy Research, the number of women working in construction increased by more than 28% between 2018 and last year. Locally, more women are securing apprenticeships and becoming electricians, pipe fitters, plumbers, and roofers. A union leader told News 3 that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) 872 have the most women in the trades currently. Las Vegas is reportedly ahead of the national growth in this trend.
LABOR LEADERSHIP
International Cinematographers Guild Names Two New Regional Directors
The Hollywood Reporter
By Katie Kilkenny
Dec. 10, 2024
The International Cinematographers Guild has found two new regional directors: Joey Brenner and Anna Nowlan. The IATSE Local, which represents roughly 10,000 crew members in the camera department and publicists in collective bargaining, announced on Tuesday that it was appointing Brenner to head the central region and Nowlan to lead its eastern region. “We’re thrilled to welcome Joey and Anna into their new roles,” ICG national executive director Alex Tonisson said in a statement. “They are both passionate about representing our members and the need for a strong labor movement in the entertainment industry.”