LABOR AND ECONOMY
EDITOR'S NOTE: Louisville Courier-Journal journalists have voted to affiliate with Indianapolis NewsGuild Local 34070, the union at the Indianapolis Star. The vote was 22-4. Like the Courier-Journal, the paper is owned by the Gannett media corporation. The NewsGuild is part of the Communications Workers of America. "We are beyond thrilled to announce we overwhelmingly voted in favor of unionizing on a 22-4 vote," the Guild tweeted immediately after the vote. "We won."
Growing number of professional workers support unions
Axios
By Emily Peck
Nov. 17, 2022
In a survey six years ago, 56% of health care workers said they would support a union at work. Then came COVID. The latest: Now, 71% of these workers said they'd support such efforts, according to a survey of more than 1,800 nonunionized professional workers conducted in August and released this week from the AFL-CIO, the U.S. labor federation. Why it matters: Union popularity is at a 57-year-high in the U.S. — but here's a sign that organizing is increasingly viewed positively among a set of workers that's historically been less likely to organize. Less than half of union members in the U.S. are professionals. By the numbers: Support for unionizing rose to 65% from 60% among all professionals, defined as those with at least an associate's degree who hold a job where a degree is required.
JOINING TOGETHER
Starbucks workers strike at more than 100 stores in largest labor action since union campaign
PBS NewsHour
By Dee-Ann Durbin
Nov. 17, 2022
Starbucks workers at more than 100 U.S. stores are on strike Thursday in their largest labor action since a campaign to unionize the company’s stores began late last year. The walkouts coincide with Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day, when the company gives free reusable cups to customers who order a holiday drink. Workers say it’s often one of the busiest days of the year. Starbucks declined to say how many red cups it plans to distribute. Workers say they’re seeking better pay, more consistent schedules and higher staffing levels in busy stores. Stores in 25 states planned to take part in the labor action, according to Starbucks Workers United, the group organizing the effort. Strikers are handing out their own red cups with union logos.
Minnesota Nurses Strike Vote Announced, ‘Hospital Leadership Has Failed Us’
Fox21
By Site Staff
Nov. 17, 2022
A little more than two months ago an estimated 15,000 nurses walked off the job after failing to reach an agreement with hospital executives over staffing and wages. On Thursday, the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) declared its intent to hold a vote on Nov. 30 to do it again. “We have been at the bargaining table for eight long months,” said Mary C. Turner, president of the MNA, at a Thursday press conference to announce the vote. “We have begun to lose faith in the bargaining process… Our hospital leadership has failed us.” “Everyone in Minnesota talks about the importance of health care. Our nurses cannot continue being understaffed,” said Bernie Burnham, president of Minnesota AFL-CIO, in September. “Patients deserve to be treated in a timely manner with dignity and respect.”
Workers at this Kansas City train facility have been striking for 3 weeks, with no end in sight
KCUR
By Savannah Hawley-Bates
Nov. 17, 2022
More than 100 workers at Wabtec have been on strike since Oct. 27 — protesting low wages, misclassification of jobs and safety — and say they aren’t likely to stop anytime soon. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1464 represents 118 members in the Kansas City facility, which remanufactures products for locomotives, and freight and passenger transit cars. For nearly three weeks, the union has been picketing outside of the plant in four-hour shifts from 4:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. — keeping fires going to stay warm in the bitter weather. And as the holiday season approaches, some are worried about how they’ll provide a Thanksgiving meal for their families. “We feel like we need to stand up for what we believe in,” said Robert Watson, a quality technician at Wabtec and one of the captains of the strike. "And we actually believe in this. We believe we deserve more.”
Audacy Recognizes Union Effort At Pineapple Street.
Inside Radio
Nov. 16, 2022
Audacy has formally recognized the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) as the collective bargaining representative for writers, producers, editors, engineers, and others at its Pineapple Street Studios. The vast majority of the 42-member bargaining unit voted in favor of the union last month, citing issues including pay equity and transparency, severance and leave policies, improved health insurance, remote work security, IP rights, and assurances for interns and contractors.
Equity to Hold Times Square Rally While Broadway Talks Continue
American Theatre
By American Theatre Editors
Nov. 17, 2022
This afternoon in Times Square, Broadway actors and stage managers will gather to rally under the cause of what organizers are calling “a fair deal.” Their union, Actors’ Equity Association, has been at the bargaining table with the Broadway League since September over union’s biggest contract, which governs shows on Broadway, as well as Broadway League-produced sit-down shows in other parts of the country. Equity members are specifically looking for changes to rules related to coverage (i.e., understudies, swings, and additional stage managers) as well as scheduling and safe workplaces. The rally will be held at in the theatre district on the pedestrian plaza between Broadway and 7th Ave., between 45th and 46th Streets, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Expected speakers in attendance include Gavin Creel (Into the Woods), NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, Equity 3rd vice president Erin Maureen Koster, and several others.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit reaches 4-year contract with union
CBS Pittsburgh
Nov. 17, 2022
Pittsburgh Regional Transit reached an agreement with the union that represents over 2,000 of its drivers, mechanics and other workers. The agency's board approved a four-year agreement the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 ratified Sunday that includes wage increases, pandemic bonuses and changes to work and discipline rules.
Fiesta Tableware pens three-year union contract
WCHS TV
By Staff
Nov. 16, 2022
The Fiesta Tableware Company has penned a three-year union contract covering about 250 employees, according to company officials. The agreement was announced Wednesday, stating the popular dinnerware producers have joined with the United Steel Workers International Union on behalf of Local 419M.
TARC, union reach 'tentative' agreement, members to vote Nov. 30
WDRB
Nov. 17, 2022
Management with the Transit Authority of River City and leaders of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1447, which represents TARC bus drivers and maintenance workers, have reached a "tentative labor agreement." The 2-year deal includes a 6% wage increase during the first year, followed by a 4% increase the second year, TARC said in a news release late Thursday evening. The agency would also continue paying 95% of employees' health care premiums.
In a nearly unanimous vote, WESA and WYEP workers choose to unionize
WESA
By Zach Hirsch
Nov. 17, 2022
About half of the staff at Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation will soon be represented by SAG-AFTRA, a national union for broadcasters. Workers at WESA and WYEP voted 26 to 1 in favor of joining the union. The ballots went out by mail last month and were counted at the National Labor Relations Board’s office in Pittsburgh on Thursday. “With today’s victory, [employees] begin the exciting process of bargaining their first contract,” SAG-AFTRA said in a press release. “They are hoping to start the process immediately and are looking forward to sitting across the table from the leaders of PCBC to discuss how to create a more equitable organization for workers.”