BlueCollarWriter Labor News Update

Labor News

From Reflections, a publication of Yale Divinity School: The Christian Case for Union OrganizingEDITOR'S NOTE: This article is four years old but it is still timely because the religious right is still demonizing unions as un-Christian. By BEN CROSBY• A huddle of nervous hotel workers, mostly Latina women, meet in a Roman Catholic church basement to discuss forming a union. • A Lutheran minister spends a few hours walking the picket line with striking food service workers and gives a benediction through a bullhorn on a freezing morning.

The UAW’s Victory Can Serve as a ModelWhen the UAW won the historic union election at Volkswagen in Chattanooga this past Friday, it did something that many labor experts said couldn’t be

The stunning rebirth of the American labor movementOn Friday, Volkswagen employees in Chattanooga, Tennessee, voted overwhelmingly to join the United Auto Workers union. This is a truly big deal. The mainstream media — most of whom no longer have labor reporters — have barely mentioned it, but I believe it marks a major turning point for organized l...

A unionized Volkswagen plant in Tennessee could mean big things for workers nationwideThe UAW is unlocking worker power in the South. An expert explains why it matters.

The anti-union South is starting to crack | CNN BusinessFor five decades, the southern United States has been an attractive location for foreign automakers to open plants thanks to generous tax breaks and cheaper, non-union labor.

Opinion | The Volkswagen Union Win Shows That Labor Is Becoming a Bigger TentRepublicans tried to quash the union drive with partisanship. It didn’t work.

Most Of Alabama Wants UnionsThis follows a recent UAW victory at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant

AFL-CIO Daily Brief: Volkswagen Workers in Tennessee Pass Historic Vote to Join UnionTop Cut:

Minneapolis teachers union to vote on strike authorizationMembers of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers will vote Thursday and Friday on whether to walk out if they can't reach a contract with Minneapolis Public Schools.

Union: Contract Talks With CNH Manufacturing in Fargo "Intense" - KVRR Local NewsFARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – Contract negotiations are described by a union leader as “intense” as the union representing production workers at the CNH Manufacturing Plant in Fargo continue. The contract, covering about 800 hourly employees, expires on Sunday. A union representative says Local 2525 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is seeking higher pay, and health care...

K&M TIRE WORKERS SECURE FIRST TEAMSTERS CONTRACTWorkers Win Significant Wage Increases, Grievance Procedure, Sick Days DEKALB, Ill., April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of Teamsters Local 330 have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with K&M Tire. The contract covers 43 drivers and warehouse workers at the Dekalb facility. "K&M Tire Teamsters have prevailed after an aggressive anti-union campaign from their employer, and now, they have their first union contract that will provide fairness, dignity, and respect," said Dominic Romanazzi, President of Local 330 in Elgin. "We could not be more thrilled to have helped these dedicated employees secure a strong first contract that rewards them for their hard work."

University of Michigan lecturers' union votes to authorize strikeThe union representing non-tenure track faculty at the University of Michigan has voted to authorize a strike.

UChicago Medicine Residents and Fellows to Hold Union ElectionOn April 1, about 650 of over 1,000 UChicago Medicine residents and fellows signed an election petition to join the Committee of Interns and Residents labor union.

Workers Memorial Day service to honor unions, laborersThe Greater Terre Haute Branch of NAACP, the Central Wabash Valley Building and Construction Trades Council and the Eugene V. Debs Museum will sponsor a Workers Memorial Day service from

Southwest Airlines flight attendants ratify a contract that will raise pay about 33% over 4 yearsSouthwest Airlines flight attendants have ratified a new contract that will boost their...

Schaumburg approves 3-year contract with public works union Schaumburg trustees have approved a new three-year contract with the village’s unionized engineering and public works employees that’s retroactive to May 1, 2023. Under the contract, employees ear...

SU food service, library workers vote to recognize unionThe union will work to improve pay rates, “unhealthy” working conditions and worker-manager relations for library and food service workers.

Wesleyan graduate student workers appeal to university for union recognitionOrganizers hope the union "will be a rising tide that lifts all boats,” according to a letter sent to university President Michael Roth.

El Paso nurses rally, begin union negotiations with HCAEL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Nurses in El Paso will hold a rally as they begin contract negotiations with the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA). Nurses from Las Palmas Medical Center and Del Sol Med…

Delta Air Lines, facing another union attempt to organize flight attendants, is raising their payDelta Air Lines is raising pay for flight attendants and other nonunion workers by 5%

Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.aflcio.org/2024/4/22/fight-goes-working-people-weekly-list

Union Busting is Disgusting

Tennessee's GOP governor says Volkswagen plant workers made a mistake in union voteTennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee says he thinks workers at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga made a mistake by voting to unionize under the United Auto Workers in a landslide election

Southern Autoworkers Call B.S. on Republican Anti-Union AgitpropThat Volkswagen vote in Tennessee was step one. Step two may come next month in Alabama. Yet Southern GOP governors stand pat.

JetBlue Faces Charge That It Intimidates Workers Who Seek To OrganizeAs the TWU seeks to organize JetBlue mechanics and dispatchers, it has won backing from 160 members of Congress, who have charged the carrier with interfering.

NLRB News & Decisions

Summary of NLRB Decisions for Week of April 15 - 19, 2024

Amazon warehouse workers in Alabama might get a third try at unionizingFederal officials threw out the first vote, ruling that Amazon improperly interfered. The results of the second vote remain inconclusive. The federal government now determines what happens next.

Podcast Workers File Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against iHeartMediaStaffers who are unionized with the Writers Guild of America East are alleging that management has engaged in intimidating behavior and encroached on their rights to discuss their working conditions and their union during break periods.

Victory for union workers at Apple Store in Penn Square MallUnion workers at the Apple Store in Penn Square Mall have won a significant victory over the Apple corporation [APPL] over an unfair labor practice.

Steelworkers union files unfair labor practice charges against PittThis comes after the University of Pittsburgh administration failed to respond to the union’s requests of information for their contract bargaining, according to a press release

Ivy League Asks NLRB to Review and Reverse Dartmouth Union DecisionThe Ivy League seeks to submit an amicus brief to the NLRB and advocate the agency should not recognize Dartmouth men's basketball players' union.

Politics, Legislation & Government

Biden rule grants overtime pay to 4 million US workersThe administration of U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday unveiled a rule extending mandatory overtime pay to an estimated 4 million salaried workers, going even further than an Obama-era rule that was struck down in court.

White House calls on pension funds to adopt stronger labor standards Five major pension funds have already committed more than $1 trillion in capital requiring robust labor standards in private-equity investments.

Biden’s 401(k) Advice Rule Finalized Over Wall Street ObjectionsThe US Labor Department has released a closely watched rule that will expand strict fiduciary standards of conduct to cover more retirement plan advisers, and has already drawn ire from Wall Street.

Biden Labor Department Finalizes Pro-Worker Rules on Overtime, Retirement Savings | Common Dreams"Democrats are delivering for working people!" declared Rep. Pramila Jayapal as the AFL-CIO noted that GOP ex-President Donald Trump "gutted the rules that required overtime pay for millions of workers."

FAA probes union claims Boeing retaliated against two engineers in 2022 | SaltWireBy David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday it is investigating a union's claims that Boeing retaliated ...

After union pushback, House DFL cuts proposal to change first week of new leave program to unpaid • Minnesota ReformerHouse Democrats on Wednesday evening walked back a proposal that would have made the first week of Minnesota’s new paid family and medical leave program unpaid unless the worker could show that they had less than 80 hours of paid time off from their employer. Minnesota’s new paid leave program was a key Democratic victory […]

Biden scores major union backing as its leaders attack Trump | CNN PoliticsJoe Biden will land a major union endorsement Wednesday from North America’s Building Trades Unions, whose leaders say the president has his infrastructure bill largely to thank for it.

Union leader endorsing Biden: ‘We’re not gonna waste a lot of time’ on Trump supportersThe president of North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) said Wednesday his union will not “waste a lot of time” with supporters of former President Trump as it gives President B…

Biden repeatedly jabs Trump during address to construction workers unionLive updates from the 2024 campaign trail with the latest news on presidential candidates, polls, primaries and more.

From Daily Kos: History’s most pro-union president delivers 2 more big wins for workersBy MARK SUMNERThe Federal Trade Commission issued a new rule Tuesday imposing a nationwide ban on noncompete agreements that prevent employees from quitting their jobs and going to work for “competitor” companies. The rule doesn’t go into full effect for 120 days, but existing noncompetes are now unenforceable for most workers.

Court Acts to Close Out Two-Decade Old Union GrievanceIn a case notable for the length of time it spent in what often is a lengthy labor-management process, a federal appeals court has told a trial judge to

AFL-CIO: Global warming a union issue because it’s a workers’ issueWASHINGTON - The ongoing story of global warming is littered with ravaged livelihoods, devastated towns, and lost lives. It chronicles a tragic plight for everyone in its path, and it’s a narrative that fossil fuel interests would prefer to sweep under the rug.

Local unions celebrate Federal Trade Commission vote to ban noncompete agreementsIn one move, the Federal Trade Commission voted to ban noncompete agreements, which prevent millions of workers from taking a job at a competitor for a specific period of time.

This ex-GOP state schools chief is now running for governor with teachers union backingJennnifer McCormick, the presumptive Democratic nominee for Indiana governor, vowed to defend public schools as the only inclusive system of education in the state. She faces an uphill battle in a state dominated by the GOP.

Alabama House passes bill designed to deter employers from voluntarily recognizing unionsAlabama House passes bill designed to deter employers from voluntarily recognizing unions

MSHA chief says new silica rule is personal - WV MetroNewsChris Williamson is a native of Mingo County and watched many neighbors and family members struggle with breathing ailments for years. He said an improved safety standard for the industry on silica was sorely needed as those ailments appear in younger and younger miners.

Mon Commission contacted about 'organizing efforts' in assessor's office - Dominion PostMORGANTOWN — There appears to be at least some talk of unionizing the Monongalia County Assessor’s office. The Dominion Post obtained an email dated April 12 submitted […]

IOWA TEAMSTERS DEFEAT UNION-BUSTING BILLPublic Sector Teamsters' Opposition to SF2374 Kills the Bill DES MOINES, Iowa, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Intense and sustained opposition by Iowa Teamsters to SF2374, legislation that would gut public sector unions, led to the bill's final defeat at the close of the legislative session on Saturday. The bill, originally introduced by Senators Adrian Dickey (R-Packwood) and Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig) in February 2024, received strong public pushback from Iowa Teamsters, including the Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Teamsters, Joint Councils 25 and 32, and Locals 90, 120, 238, 371, 554, and 710.

Labor’s 2024 Legislative Priorities Reflect the Urgency to Shape the Future of Work for all Californians - California Labor FederationLabor’s 2024 Legislative Priorities Reflect the Urgency to Shape the Future of Work for all Californians California Labor Federation Sponsors Bills to Limit Job Loss from AI and Automation; Attach Labor Standards to Public Subsidies; Protect Essential Public Services and Service Workers; Protect Workers Exercising their Rights on the Job. Sacramento, CA – (Wednesday, April […]

Washington D.C. Copyright Society to Host 'Labor Unions and Creators' Panel with AFM, SAG-AFTRA, WGA, moreJoin the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the COPYRIGHT SOCIETY for an evening hybrid program discussing how labor unions represent creators. When: May 6, 2024 at 6:00pm – 8:0…

Lawmakers OK bill blocking state incentives to companies that voluntarily recognize unionsMONTGOMERY — Alabama lawmakers voted Tuesday to withhold economic incentives from companies that voluntarily recognize a union instead of holding a secret ballot election.

Jobs, Business & Economy

Many older adults think they will never retire and worry about making ends meet, study findsEveryday expenses and housing costs, including rent and mortgage payments, are the biggest reasons why people are unable to save for retirement.

The Making and Unmaking of the American DreamThe New York Times’ David Leonhardt has written a compelling overview of the improbable rise and spectacular fall of the New Deal order. But he understates the difficulty in reviving a form of American social democracy.

TEAMSTERS LOCAL 705 MEMBERS WIN RACIAL DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT AGAINST DHL EXPRESS/PRNewswire/ -- Members of Teamsters Local 705 have won a $8.7 million racial discrimination lawsuit against DHL Express. The suit, filed in 2010 by the US...

The UAW's decade-long fight to form a union at VW's Chattanooga plant (Update) : Planet Money(Note: This episode originally ran in 2023.)Union membership in the U.S. has been declining for decades. But, in 2022, support for unions among Americans was the highest it's been in decades. This dissonance is due, in part, to the difficulties of one important phase in the life cycle of a union: setting up a union in the first place. One place where that has been particularly clear is at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.Back in 2008, Volkswagen announced that they would be setting up production in the United States after a 20-year absence. They planned to build a new auto manufacturing plant in Chattanooga. Volkswagen has plants all over the world, all of which have some kind of worker representation, and the company said that it wanted that for Chattanooga too. So, the United Auto Workers, the union that traditionally represents auto workers, thought they would be able to successfully unionize this plant. They were wrong.In this episode, we tell the story of the UAW's 10-year fight to unionize the Chattanooga plant. And, what other unions can learn from how badly that fight went for labor. This episode was hosted by Amanda Aronczyk and Nick Fountain. It was produced by Willa Rubin. It was engineered by Josephine Nyounai, fact-checked by Sierra Juarez, and edited by Keith Romer. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.

Starbucks Loses Union Battle At Flagship Store Amid Ongoing Labor FightA circuit court sided with unionized Starbucks workers in Seattle, one day after the Supreme Court heard oral arguments about a separate union dispute at a cafe in Tennessee.

Starbucks resumes bargaining with union after two sides thaw relationshipIn February, Starbucks and Workers United said they found a "constructive path forward," marking a major strategic pivot for the coffee giant.

Teamsters union endorses activist Ancora in Norfolk Southern proxy fightThe activist at Norfolk Southern won support of the Teamsters union, a key endorsement as Ancora seeks to convince shareholders their plan is the right option.

Kroger analyst: Shareholders could benefit if Albertsons deal is canceled - Cincinnati Business Courier“(Kroger) investors would probably be disappointed if the deal closes at this point,” Kelly wrote.

Molson Coors downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Citi - TipRanks.comCiti downgraded Molson Coors to Sell from Neutral with a price target of $56, down from $66. The company is starting to cycle a record year in 2023, which “greatly<...

Labor History in 2:00 🎧

Union Yes: Organize for a Better Life

Wage Data Shows When Workers Organize and Fight 'It Pays Off—Literally'Union contracts negotiated in 2023 earned workers wage increases they haven't seen in over 35 years.

Unions build wealth, narrow racial wealth gapsNew analysis of federal data shows unions increase wealth for all, particularly groups that historically had less wealth The following is from the Center for American Progress: WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 21, 2024) — As union membership continues to surge across the United States, newly released data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances […]

Union employees are about $100,000 richer than nonunion workers, according to the Fed, as labor movement continues its winning streakA union is especially important in addressing the wealth gaps based on race and education, study finds

Form a Union!

Organizing a union in your workplace is about getting more rights and more power. Thousands of working people—all across the country and in all kinds of jobs—organize unions every year because unions are the best way to secure the things you care about.

VIDEO: It’s Better in a UnionWe are more committed than ever to ensuring every worker who wants a union has a fair shot at joining one. Last year, we asked you to share your story about why #ItsBetterInAUnion—and wow, were you incredible. We’ve taken your voices and created an inspiring new video.

Contact a Union Organizer

aflcio.org/formaunion/contact

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