Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Minneapolis Airport Food Service Workers Reach Tentative Deal; Secure Highest Wages in Airport’s History

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Food service workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 17, at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport have reached a tentative contract agreement that averts a potential strike during the busy Thanksgiving travel week. 

“We have a tentative agreement that averts the HMS Host Thanksgiving Week strike. It is an historic agreement that includes the HIGHEST wage increases ever won at the airport,” the union said in a statement. HMS Host operates dining venues at dozens of airports across the country.

The deal comes after more than a year of bargaining, according to the union, and covers approximately 250 workers. The deal includes a tip line for fast food and barista workers for the first time; a higher tipped benefit rate; historic wage increases for cooks, utility workers and engineers; and access to affordable dependent health insurance.

“This agreement is a long time coming,” said Victor Arreole, a cook who works for HMSHost. “We fought for more than a year to win back what we lost during the pandemic, and we’re finally getting the wages and benefits our families deserve. This contract is going to change lives.” 

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 11/25/2025 - 10:39

‘Reading Opens the World’: The Working People Weekly List

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.

If Condé Nast Can Illegally Fire Me, No Union Worker Is Safe: “Condé Nast illegally fired me from Bon Appétit for posing questions to a human resources manager. On November 5, I was part of an effort by our union to get answers about layoffs. Two days earlier, Condé announced the near-shuttering of Teen Vogue, which entailed letting go of eight people. My termination and that of three of my coworkers were clearly retaliatory, and if Condé can get away with this—and with President Donald Trump sabotaging the National Labor Relations Board, the company appears to be betting that it can—it will send a message to unions and employers across our industry that the foundations of labor law are collapsing. Since 1935, United States law has provided a clear set of rights to workers. The National Labor Relations Act—the legal scaffolding for the US labor movement—guarantees workers the right to organize unions and demonstrate in the workplace without retaliation from their bosses. The act also created the National Labor Relations Board to enforce labor law and hold both employers and unions accountable to their obligations under the act.”

Hundreds Rally for Postdoc Union: “Postdoc speakers emphasized high cost of living, job precarity, and lack of workplace protections as reasons why they want to unionize. They hope to follow in the footsteps of the Yale grad student-teacher union, Local 33, which won recognition in 2023, in a union election that received over 91% support. In moments, Wednesday’s rally seemed to transform into a block party, as DJ Tootskee mixed pop hits and machines pumped iridescent bubbles into the air. Organizers passed out glow sticks, hand warmers, and UNITE HERE-branded beanies and shirts. A long line formed for the Jitterbus, parked across from Yale’s Old Campus.”

AFT President Randi Weingarten Visits St. Louis Public Schools’ Literacy Program: “Randi Weingarten, national president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), visited Jefferson Elementary in the St. Louis Public Schools district last week to support the ‘Reading Opens the World in the Lou’ program, a partnership aimed at fostering early literacy skills for students and their families. The Nov. 13 event included an opportunity for students to pick out free books, enjoy a snack and hear a story, while parents, teachers and union members shared their experiences. The reading initiative is part of AFT’s ‘Reading Opens the World’ campaign, which has distributed nearly 10 million free books in cooperation with First Book to students, families and educators serving in Title I schools and programs.”

‘No Contract, No Coffee’: What to Know About the Starbucks Workers’ Strike in 65 U.S. Cities: “Since 13 November, unionized baristas at Starbucks have been on strike. More than 2,000 workers are now on the picket line across 65 cities around the US. The open-ended unfair labor practice strike was launched on Starbucks’ ‘red cup day’, which typically hails the start of the lucrative holiday trading season at the coffee chain. Starbucks and Starbucks Workers United, the union, have been bargaining over the chain’s first union contract. But these talks stalled over economic elements of the contract. Each side has blamed the other. Starbucks Workers United has also filed dozens of unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board throughout its organizing campaign, including one in December, alleging that the chain had failed to bargain in good faith, and undermined the representative status of the union.”

Workers at One of Ohio’s Largest Library Systems Set to Unionize: “Workers from one of the biggest library systems in Ohio are establishing a labor union focused on improvements they say need to happen in areas such as wages and paid time off. Employees with the Columbus Metropolitan Library have been working to form a union for the better part of a year, according to members participating in the effort, and planning to unionize with the Ohio Federation of Teachers.”

Production Assistants Working on Netflix’s ‘The Four Seasons’ File for Union Election: “Production assistants and assistants on Netflix’s ‘The Four Seasons’ are looking to unionize. The group is filing for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board with the goal of joining a union aligned with LiUNA Local 724, the Hollywood laborers’ group. Production Assistants United, a grassroots organizing movement, is helping organize the group and received a supermajority of signed union authorization cards from crew members on the show in October.”

According to the Updated Financial Numbers, WNBA Players Are Woefully Underpaid: “Through an economist’s lens, Allan Ingraham looked at WNBA salaries three ways—based on the media rights deal, team valuations, and revenue split. Each showed that players were being paid far less than fair market value. The average salary in the WNBA last season was $107,000, according to Her Hoops Stats. By Ingraham’s analysis, it should be no less than $750,000. To explain how those numbers ended up so far apart, he took a look backward at the league’s last collective bargaining agreement.”

UPTE-CWA 9119 and UC Reach Tentative Contract Agreement: “The University of California and labor union University Professional and Technical Employees CWA 9119 announced a tentative agreement on terms for a new contract on Nov. 8, after 17 months of bargaining and three weeks of mediation. ‘Both parties acknowledge and appreciate the collaborative spirit that allowed us to move forward and reach a resolution that supports our valuable employees and the University of California’s mission of excellence,’ the joint statement read. UPTE-CWA 9119 represents approximately 20,000 UC employees in healthcare, clinical lab research, and technical positions. The union is now holding a vote among its members to ratify the terms of the tentative agreement. On Nov. 12, the union held a public virtual town hall and Q&A to inform UPTE members about the terms of the agreement ahead of the vote.”

City of Jackson Expected to Sign New Contract with Firefighters’ Union: “Jackson city leaders and fire officials are set to announce a major public safety agreement this week. The city is expected to sign a new contract on Wednesday with the Jackson firefighters’ union, IAFF Local 87, which will mark the end of years of negotiations. The deal strengthens support for the city’s 186 firefighters and EMTs and is expected to help with recruitment. Officials will also dedicate a new fire engine and highlight planned station upgrades aimed at improving safety for firefighters and the community.”

Hollywood Guilds Make Historic Push to Unionize YouTube Content Studio Theorist Media: “In 2025, many Hollywood unions are facing existential questions about how to survive in a rapidly changing media environment. As film and television studios consolidate and cut costs, opportunities are diminishing for organized labor in traditional Hollywood—while the balance of power in entertainment is shifting toward predominantly non-union spaces like YouTube and TikTok. A new organizing drive from the Motion Picture Editors Guild and the Writers Guild of America West strives to make inroads in the exploding creator economy. The labor groups are attempting to unionize Theorist Media, the digital media production company behind popular YouTube channels like The Game Theorists, The Food Theorists, The Film Theorists and others, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.”

Minneapolis Teachers Ratify Contract Deal with District. Here Are Some Highlights from the Agreement: “Minneapolis teachers approved a contract deal with the public school district Saturday, ending months of tense negotiations that culminated with a threat to strike. ‘We are [pleased] to announce that our members have voted to ratify our tentative agreements!’ the Minneapolis Federation of Educators union wrote in an online post. The two-year agreement, which covers three separate union contracts, follows seven months of talks and averts what could have been the district’s second strike since 2022. That year, Minneapolis teachers picketed for nearly three weeks.”

24,000 Nurses with California Nurses Association Reach Deal with UC: “The University of California and the California Nurses Association reached a tentative four-year agreement for nearly 24,000 nurses that includes ‘meaningful pay and benefit increases’ across the university’s 19 medical centers and campuses, the two sides announced on Sunday, Nov. 16. As part of the terms of the deal, CNA canceled its two-day, systemwide strike, which was planned for Nov. 17–18 at UC campuses.”

New York City Ballet and the American Guild of Musical Artists Reach Tentative Contract Agreement: “New York City Ballet (NYCB) and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), the union representing NYCB’s dancers and stage managers, will move forward with a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract. AGMA artists have voted in favor of the agreement, which now awaits ratification by the AGMA Board of Governors at its November 24 monthly meeting.”

New Oklahoma AFL-CIO President Says State Labor Movement Is Growing: “New Oklahoma AFL-CIO President Forrest Bennett says the state’s labor movement is gaining momentum and bringing workers together across political lines, according to an interview with Scott Mitchell. The comments come as Bennett steps into one of Oklahoma’s largest labor leadership roles, representing thousands of workers in trades and industries statewide. Bennett’s shift from policymaker to labor organizer highlights growing conversations around economic pressures and workforce conditions.”

New United Mine Workers of America President Brian Sanson Discusses the Industry: “The United Mine Workers of America has a new president, the first in three decades. Brian Sanson was sworn in late last month, and he takes office at a crucial time for the coal industry and its workers. The Trump administration has promised to boost mining and roll back regulations. Brian Sanson, the new president of the United Mine Workers joins us in our studios.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/24/2025 - 13:59

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: ATU Bus Drivers Get Big Raises in New Island Transit Contract

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1576 bus drivers and dispatchers who work for Island Transit in Washington state secured a large wage hike under a new three-year agreement between the union and the agency.

Under the contract, workers will receive a 17% wage adjustment, plus a 3% cost of living increase. They will get another 3% cost of living increase next year and then another 3% the year after that. With the raises, the starting wage for transit operators is now at $27.70 and the individual would earn $37.78 an hour after eight years on the job. The starting wage for a dispatcher is $29.35 and the hourly wage after eight years is $39.79. The new salaries are more in line with similar agencies in the region.

ATU celebrated the deal on social media, calling it “a big contract win for our Local 1576 Island Transit members.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/24/2025 - 09:51

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: IAM Union Local 2789 Members Ratify Strong New Contract at John Deere in Georgia

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

IAM Union Local 2789 members at John Deere’s facility in Augusta, Georgia, voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new four-year collective bargaining agreement that the union said is the strongest contract the workers have seen in more than 20 years.

“We kept the focus where it needed to be—on getting our members the contract they deserve,” said IAM District 243 Business Representative Cal Nachimson.

The new agreement delivers the following wins: annual general wage increases of 4%, 3%, 2% and 2%; the end of lump-sum wage years; all paid time off now paid at full hourly rate, replacing a costly percentage formula; two new personal vacation days functioning as sick leave; a $3,000 ratification bonus; increases to shift differential, Health Savings Account contributions, 401(k) match and a safety shoe allowance; no insurance premium increases over the life of the contract; Veterans Day added as a paid holiday; improvements to work schedules and production incentives; and the addition of Machinists Custom Choices supplemental insurance.

“This agreement shows what workers can achieve when they stand together,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “Taking the time and effort to fix long-time issues with improvements like this is something to be very proud of. This contract reflects the true value of their labor.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 11/21/2025 - 10:15

Worker Wins: A Life-Changing Contract

Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.

IAM Union Local 2789 Members Ratify Strong New Contract at John Deere in Georgia: IAM Union (IAM) Local 2789 members at John Deere’s facility in Augusta, Georgia, voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new four-year collective bargaining agreement that the union said is the strongest contract the workers have seen in more than 20 years. “We kept the focus where it needed to be—on getting our members the contract they deserve,” said IAM District 243 Business Representative Cal Nachimson. The new agreement delivers the following wins: annual general wage increases of 4%, 3%, 2% and 2%; the end of lump-sum wage years; all paid time off now paid at full hourly rate, replacing a costly percentage formula; two new personal vacation days functioning as sick leave; a $3,000 ratification bonus; increases to shift differential, Health Savings Account contributions, 401(k) match and a safety shoe allowance; no insurance premium increases over the life of the contract; Veterans Day added as a paid holiday; improvements to work schedules and production incentives; and the addition of Machinists Custom Choices supplemental insurance. “This agreement shows what workers can achieve when they stand together,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “Taking the time and effort to fix long-time issues with improvements like this is something to be very proud of. This contract reflects the true value of their labor.”

Louisville Metro Housing Authority Approves New Contract for Maintenance Workers, Members of SEIU: The Louisville Metro Housing Authority (LMHA) Board of Commissioners approved a new four-year collective bargaining agreement with its maintenance workforce, members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) District 32BJ. The union approved the contract earlier this month after months of negotiations. The four-year deal includes fully paid individual health care; more affordable health benefits for workers and their families; stronger job protections; measures to ensure fair overtime and career advancement for maintenance staff, including clearer opportunities for training and advancement within maintenance and custodial positions; commitments to job stability to strengthen the LMHA’s in-house workforce; and clarification on overtime and after-hours coverage to improve service responsiveness. “This is a huge win for all of us and will be life-changing for a lot of people, especially winning employer-paid health insurance,” said Ronnie Holcombe, a maintenance worker and SEIU District 32BJ Bargaining Committee member. “There were members who couldn’t afford health care before. Now we’ll finally have the opportunity to go to the doctor. This contract means extra money in our families’ pockets, which benefits workers and the entire community.”

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Union Reaches Tentative Contract Agreement: Members of AFSCME Council 31 and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry have reached a tentative agreement ahead of a looming strike date. “After a long but productive bargaining session on Monday, Nov. 17, union and management representatives reached a tentative agreement on a first union contract at Griffin Museum of Science & Industry,” said the union and museum management in a joint statement. “In the coming days, union members will attend worksite meetings to review terms of the tentative agreement and vote on its ratification.” A timeline for the contract ratification vote hasn't been set yet. The contract would cover more than 120 employees in the guest experience, guest operations and education departments. Workers had previously voted to authorize a strike that would start Nov. 29 if no agreement was reached. The workers, members of Council 31, are seeking higher wages and better benefits, including holiday pay for part-time workers, premium pay for bilingual employees, and paid parental leave.

Labor Movement Achieves Bipartisan Majority, Forces Vote to Restore Federal Workers’ Union Rights:  A discharge petition on the Protect America’s Workforce Act (H.R. 2550) reached 218 signatures yesterday, mandating the House of Representatives vote on restoring union rights to federal workers within seven legislative days. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Reps. Jared Golden (ME-02) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), reverses President Trump’s executive order stripping union rights from 1 million federal workers. In the months since, the Trump administration has escalated its attack, stripping collective bargaining rights further and unilaterally canceling union contracts for more than 400,000 federal workers. These Trump administration DOGE/Project 2025 attacks on federal workers have already had cascading effects on the critical services Americans depend on, from increased wait times and staffing shortages at VA hospitals to threats to food safety and disaster response. With signatures from Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Nick LaLota (NY-01), the Protect America’s Workforce Act is now guaranteed a vote on the House floor. If it passes, the bill would be the first legislation to directly overturn a Trump administration executive order in this term. “The labor movement fought back against the largest act of union-busting in American history by doing what we do best: organizing. Working people built a bipartisan coalition to restore union rights to federal workers in the face of unprecedented attacks on our freedoms. We commend every Democrat and Republican who signed the discharge petition to bring the Protect America’s Workforce Act to a vote, but the fight isn’t over,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.  “Speaker Johnson has run out of excuses to delay a vote on this legislation to restore federal workers’ rights. It’s time to bring the Protect America’s Workforce Act to a vote and restore federal workers’ right to collectively bargain and have a voice on the job.”  Read the full statement.

News Workers in Lancaster, Harrisburg Ratify First Union Contract; Secure Raises, More Affordable Health Care: Nine months after voting to organize a union, journalists at LNP | LancasterOnline and public radio partner WITF in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, overwhelmingly ratified their first union contract. 
“For an employer of this size to make these improvements and make their employees’ lives better says a lot about Pennon [LNP’s owner],” said Bill Ross, executive director of The NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia. “They didn’t talk about finances (during negotiations). They didn’t cry the blues. They listened and put money on the table, even severance pay.” The contract includes a health plan that offers substantially lower deductibles and monthly premiums; a minimum salary of $50,700 for full-time employees; a 3% pay increase in July for all members; a $1,000 signing bonus; 12 weeks of parental leave at 75% pay; and one week of severance pay for every year of service, up to eight weeks. “As a 40-year employee of the company, I never thought I’d see this happen,” said social media creator Claudia Esbenshade. “The staff works hard to bring the news of Lancaster to its readers, and this contract can make many of them feel more secure in their positions, pay and benefits.”

Minneapolis Teachers Ratify Contract with School District: Members of the Minneapolis Federation of Educators, an affiliate of both the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), approved a contract deal with the public school district, ending the threat of strike. The two-year agreement, which covers three separate union contracts, follows seven months of talks. The deal now must be approved by the school board. “We are [pleased] to announce that our members have voted to ratify our tentative agreements!” the Minneapolis Federation of Educators wrote in an online post. The new contract will shrink class sizes, create manageable special education caseloads, and raise pay by 2% this year, followed by a 2% in the 2026–27 school year.

SAG-AFTRA National Board Approves the Corporate/Educational & Non-Broadcast Contract: The SAG-AFTRA National Board voted to ratify the tentative agreement for the 2025 Corporate/Educational & Non-Broadcast (Co/Ed) Contract, covering work on corporate and educational media projects, including training videos and industrial films. The agreement delivers a 9% increase to performer rates, along with a 1.5% increase to employer contributions to the AFTRA Retirement Fund. The agreement also enhances protections for minors and establishes artificial intelligence provisions in line with the union’s broader approach to safeguarding members’ rights in evolving production environments. The contract will take effect on Dec. 15. “This agreement is a real step forward for the people who make this contract shine,” said SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin. “The agreement shows that respect, safety and fair compensation aren’t just ideals, they can be real, tangible improvements in our members’ day-to-day lives. I’m grateful to our negotiating team and staff for making this deal possible.” “The new gains in the Co/Ed Contract strengthen the framework that supports the work our members do under this agreement,” SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said. “With each negotiation, we’ve expanded their protections and benefits, and this contract builds on that progress in a way that’s tailored to the specialized nature of this work. These improvements give our members the stability they need to focus on their work.”

Staffers at Iconic D.C. Concert Venues Win Voluntary Union Recognition: Workers at renowned Washington, D.C., music venues have secured voluntary recognition of their efforts to organize with UNITE HERE Local 25. The workers will next move on to negotiate their first union contract with IMP. The workers include production, food service, box office and door staff at IMP venues: the 9:30 Club, The Anthem, The Atlantis and Lincoln Theatre. They first petitioned IMP last month and their efforts were assisted by IATSE locals 22 and 868. “IMP venues are world-class venues, but some workers are scheduled inconsistently, juggle multiple jobs, and earn wages as low as $18.25 per hour, which is just 30 cents above D.C.’s minimum wage,” the workers said in an online statement. “The work can be sometimes dangerous or stressful, with workers lifting heavy materials, supporting patrons who have serious emergencies, and catching crowd surfers. For production workers, especially the riggers who work high above the stage, the work carries other risks from high voltage, items falling, and the uncertainties that come from always dealing with concert tours bringing with them different equipment in varying states of repair.”

The NewsGuild of New York Reaches Tentative First Contract Agreement for Journalists at the Daily News: Journalists at the New York Daily News reached a tentative agreement with the paper’s owner, Alden Global Capital, for a first contract. The union members still must vote to ratify the contract. The NewsGuild of New York, an affiliate of The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA), represents the tabloid’s print, digital and photo employees. “I could not be prouder of everyone in the Daily News Union who made this possible,” said Michael Sheridan, unit chair of the Daily News Union. “Winning the first contract for the Daily News’ workers in more than 30 years was an uphill battle. From the historic walkout to distributing flyers and organizing rallies, it was a Herculean effort. But it never would have happened without the dedicated efforts of dozens of people, including those who have left the News for bigger and better things.” The contract includes minimum salaries of $60,000 at ratification and $63,000 by May 2026; minimum salaries of $75,000 for senior reporters and senior content editors; annual raises at ratification of 3% across the board and another 3% across-the-board increase in May 2026; expanded benefits for part-timers, including health care coverage for the first time; protection of the current flexible time-off plan for those who currently have it and for any new hires in the sports department going forward; preservation of retirement benefits and enhanced paid leave; just cause protections that guarantee due process and representation should a worker face discipline or termination; performance reviews that take stock rather than presaging disciplinary action; stronger health and safety protections for reporters and photographers regarding harassment, assignment safety, trauma and other risks; training requirements for new programs, processes and protocols; creation of a Labor Management Committee to address workplace issues; the establishment of rights and legal protections for source confidentiality; and the creation of editorial integrity protocols and protections against advertiser and third-party interests. “This tentative agreement is the direct result of our Daily News Union members’ perseverance and determination to fight for the worth of their work covering this great city of ours,” said Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York. “Winning this contract means our journalists will be able to continue to report on the news that New Yorkers need to stay aware, safe and informed. New York needs its Hometown Paper and its Hometown Journalists more than ever.” 

University of Chicago Medicine Resident Physicians Ratify First Union Contract: After nearly a year of negotiations, more than 1,000 resident physicians and fellows at the University of Chicago Medical Center voted to ratify the union’s first contract. The workers, represented by the Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU Healthcare (CIR/SEIU), voted overwhelmingly for ratification. The contract provides a 17% overall wage increase distributed over five years, rideshare reimbursements for long shifts, a $9,000 annual stipend that acts as a recruitment incentive for prospective residents, and due process protections designed to ensure that specific departments cannot alter their contracts or programs without staff input. “They definitely made us feel like they weren’t as interested in doing this in a timely way,” said Marin Mazeres, a psychiatry resident and member of the bargaining committee. “There [were] a couple of missed meetings or moments where they essentially left in the middle of meetings while we were still asking questions to them. We had to escalate essentially…by doing a unity break or signing petitions. It resulted in getting two [bargaining] sessions in person that lasted an entire day, which is how we ultimately ended up being able to have this tentative agreement.”

UPTE and the University of California Reach Tentative Contract Agreement for 21,000 Workers: The 21,000 members of the University Professional and Technical Employees-CWA (UPTE-CWA) and the University of California (UC) reached a contract agreement and averted a strike planned for Nov. 17 and 18 that was to be joined by more than 60,000 supporters from two additional UC unions, AFSCME Local 3299 and the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC). UPTE represents research and technical professionals across the UC system. The two sides had been bargaining for the last 17 months, and had been in mediation for three weeks. Details of the tentative contract, which union members still must ratify, are forthcoming. Prior to the agreement UPTE was seeking significant pay increases, predictable and progressive caps on health care premium increases, and improvements in work-life balance, career progression and job security. “The finalized agreement reflects the university’s enduring commitment and UPTE’s advocacy for our employees who play critical roles across the University,” a joint statement from UC and UPTE read. “Both parties acknowledge and appreciate the collaborative spirit that allowed us to move forward and reach a resolution that supports our valuable employees and the University of California’s mission of excellence.” “Our tentative agreement is a hard-won victory for 21,000 healthcare, research, and technical professionals across UC—and one that will benefit millions of UC patients and students, as well as people across the world who benefit from UC’s cutting-edge research,” said Dan Russell, UPTE president and chief negotiator. “We continue to stand with AFSCME and CNA members as they fight and strike for a similar agreement for their members.”

UNITE HERE Members at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston Ratify New Contract, Secure Wage Increases: Food service workers at the George R. Brown Convention Center, members of UNITE HERE Local 23, ratified a new contract with Levy Premium Food Service, which manages the convention center. The new agreement provides improved job security protections and better benefits, and raises the wage floor to $20 an hour with an additional $2 in raises over the life of the contract. This means significant wage increases for nontipped hourly workers, including stewards and warehouse attendants, who are among the lowest paid at the convention center. “I've been close to being evicted because I couldn't sustain myself on the wages I was making before,” said Darryl Thomas, a steward at the George R. Brown Convention Center for almost two years. “These raises will help me to provide for myself and my mother who I support financially. I aspire to go to culinary school and become a chef like both my parents, and now I'm closer to achieving that.” “This contract settlement with Levy is proof that the workers who make tourism possible are done with being left behind,” said Franchesca Caraballo, Texas chapter president of UNITE HERE Local 23. “We are pleased that Levy decided to do the right thing for their workers. Now, nearly 100 more downtown hospitality workers will have sustainable wages that allow them to better care for their families. But we won't stop until hotel and food service workers at the Marriott Marquis and George Bush Airport win the fair wages and contracts they deserve.”

Workers at House of Blues Houston Vote to Join IATSE: Workers at the House of Blues concert venue in Houston voted overwhelmingly last week to join Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 51. The new bargaining unit covers workers in lighting, sound, video, carpentry, props, stage management, hospitality, freight and backstage coordination. Workers reached out to IATSE in August and quickly began discussing how they wanted to build a better working environment. “We came together to form a union because every worker deserves a safe, fair, and respectful workplace,” said stagehand David Allen. “Our goal is simple: to ensure that all employees have adequate working conditions free from favoritism, intimidation, and hostility. We believe that no one should have to choose between their safety and their livelihood.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 11/21/2025 - 11:47

CALL: Tell Your Representative to Pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act

It’s time to get it done for America’s workers.

Thanks to the hard work of working families, union members and our allies, our bipartisan bill to reverse President Trump’s union-busting executive order is getting a vote in Congress. 

That’s right: We’ve got the 218 signatures we need—Democrats AND Republicans—to force Congress to vote on the Protect America’s Workforce Act in the next few weeks. 

This is an all-hands-on-deck moment to help restore collective bargaining rights to the more than 1 million federal workers. Call your representative now and ask them to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act. Dial 855-493-4407 or fill out this form to receive a call.

Trump’s executive order to gut federal workers’ collective bargaining rights was the worst act of union-busting in American history. Since then, his administration has expanded the order to cover even more workers and canceled the union contracts of nearly half a million federal workers at agencies like the departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services. 

The American people didn’t sign up for this. Approximately 70% of Americans—people with different political positions—support the right to join a union. That’s why we have the support we need to get the Protect America’s Workforce Act across the finish line.

We need every representative—Republican or Democrat—who says they support America’s unions to vote for the Protect America’s Workforce Act and restore federal workers’ union rights. 

So let’s get to work—make a call to your representative today. 

Call 855-493-4407.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/20/2025 - 15:02

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Union Reaches Tentative Contract Agreement

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Members of AFSCME Council 31 and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry have reached a tentative agreement ahead of a looming strike date.

“After a long but productive bargaining session on Monday, Nov. 17, union and management representatives reached a tentative agreement on a first union contract at Griffin Museum of Science & Industry,” said the union and museum management in a joint statement. “In the coming days, union members will attend worksite meetings to review terms of the tentative agreement and vote on its ratification.”

A timeline for the contract ratification vote hasn't been set yet. The contract would cover more than 120 employees in the guest experience, guest operations and education departments. Workers had previously voted to authorize a strike that would start Nov. 29 if no agreement was reached.

The workers, members of Council 31, are seeking higher wages and better benefits, including holiday pay for part-time workers, premium pay for bilingual employees, and paid parental leave.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/20/2025 - 13:19

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Minneapolis Teachers Ratify Contract with School District

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Members of the Minneapolis Federation of Educators, an affiliate of both the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), approved a contract deal with the public school district, ending the threat of strike.

The two-year agreement, which covers three separate union contracts, follows seven months of talks. The deal now must be approved by the school board.

“We are [pleased] to announce that our members have voted to ratify our tentative agreements!” the Minneapolis Federation of Educators wrote in an online post.

The new contract will shrink class sizes, create manageable special education caseloads, and raise pay by 2% this year, followed by a 2% in the 2026–27 school year.

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 11/18/2025 - 13:00

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: News Workers in Lancaster, Harrisburg Ratify First Union Contract; Secure Raises, More Affordable Health Care

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Nine months after voting to organize a union, journalists at LNP | LancasterOnline and public radio partner WITF in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, overwhelmingly ratified their first union contract.

“For an employer of this size to make these improvements and make their employees’ lives better says a lot about Pennon [LNP’s owner],” said Bill Ross, executive director of The NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia. “They didn’t talk about finances (during negotiations). They didn’t cry the blues. They listened and put money on the table, even severance pay.”

The contract includes a health plan that offers substantially lower deductibles and monthly premiums; a minimum salary of $50,700 for full-time employees; a 3% pay increase in July for all members; a $1,000 signing bonus; 12 weeks of parental leave at 75% pay; and one week of severance pay for every year of service, up to eight weeks.

“As a 40-year employee of the company, I never thought I’d see this happen,” said social media creator Claudia Esbenshade. “The staff works hard to bring the news of Lancaster to its readers, and this contract can make many of them feel more secure in their positions, pay and benefits.”

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 11/19/2025 - 10:36

‘This Is Everyone’s Win’: The Working People Weekly List

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.

Starbucks Workers Strike at Dozens of U.S. Stores on ‘Red Cup Day’: “More than a thousand unionized Starbucks workers walked off the job across the country on Thursday, demanding concessions from the coffee chain in their contract negotiations. Starbucks Workers United, the union representing the baristas, said that the strike would affect 65 stores in over 40 cities, and that it was ‘prepared to continue escalating its protests if the company failed to deliver a fair new contract.’”

Breckenridge Ski Patrol Union Plans Tentative Picket Sunday Depending on Negotiations with Vail Resorts: “Breckenridge Ski Patrol Union president Ryan Dineen said his organization is planning a tentative picket at the bottom of the BreckConnect Gondola on Sunday, Nov. 16. The protest is dependent upon the outcome of a Thursday, Nov. 13, bargaining session with Vail Resorts.”

24 Graduate from Missouri Works Initiative’s Pre-Apprentice Programs in Dual Ceremony: “Twenty-four students graduated from the Missouri Works Initiative’s (MWI) Apprentice Ready in Construction (ARC) and Apprentice Ready in Manufacturing (ARM) programs in a dual ceremony on Nov. 1 at Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 union hall. The programs, supported by the Missouri AFL-CIO, are designed to address critical workforce shortages in the general supply chain, aerospace, manufacturing, transportation and construction sectors. It focuses on bridging the gap between underrepresented, underemployed and unemployed individuals and high-paying union jobs by providing resources, support and access to opportunities to build sustainable careers.”

Governor Pritzker Cuts Ribbon at IATSE Local 2’s New Training Center: “Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 2 Chicago Stagehands to celebrate the opening of their new training center, which was supported by a $5 million grant from the State of Illinois.”

Some Labor Unions Remain Committed to Recruiting Women Despite Policy Rollbacks: “Some labor unions say they're committed to growing the share of women in construction jobs, even as President Trump rolls back policies that opened doors for women.”

Staffers at 9:30 Club, Other Iconic D.C. Concert Venues Win Voluntary Union Recognition from IMP: “Workers at some of the most renown music venues in Washington, D.C., have won their unionization efforts. IMP notified some of its staffers at the 9:30 Club, The Anthem, The Atlantis and Lincoln Theatre Wednesday that the company would voluntarily recognize the employees’ desire to form a union with Unite Here Local 25, Deadline understands. Now, they will move to negotiate their first union contract with IMP.”

‘Workers First’? Don’t Make Us Laugh: “Donald Trump made 30,573 false or misleading statements during his first term, according to The Washington Post. One of the biggest Trump whoppers is his continuing claim that he’s pro-labor. Unions have taken Trump to court over his mass firings of federal employees and stripping away their collective bargaining rights, the latter a move AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler called ‘the single biggest act of union-busting in history.’”

‘This Is Everyone’s Win’: Striking Post-Gazette Workers Celebrate a Big Victory: “Four minutes before placing the call, Pass received notification that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit had denied the newspaper’s appeal of a National Labor Relations Board decision in favor of the strikers. This was a big win for the workers and likely just about the end of the line for the Post-Gazette’s attempts to overturn earlier decisions. The conversation ended quickly. Tanner had much to do in the next few minutes. The striking workers meet online every weekday at 10 a.m. to check in with each other and go over organizing tasks. It was a perfect time to share the good news. At 9:58, Tanner sent out a message to all strikers: ‘Everybody come to this morning’s meeting.’”

Air Traffic Controllers Are Resigning Due to Shutdown Stress, Union President Warns: “The head of the air traffic controllers union said Friday that some members were resigning from their jobs due to the stress inflicted by the government shutdown, worsening the already troubling staffing situation at airports. ‘We’re seeing air traffic controllers resign,’ Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, told CNN.”

Empire Technical Fabrication Voluntarily Recognizes Shop Workers’ Union: “Empire Technical Fabrication, a commercial scenic shop servicing Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional, and touring productions, has voluntarily recognized the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 632 as the collective bargaining representative for shop employees at its Wayne, New Jersey facility. The newly organized bargaining unit includes 30 workers across several classifications, including carpenters, mechanics, logistics specialists, integrators, CNC operators, and fabricators. Both parties worked in tandem to ensure a fair and transparent process, culminating in Empire Technical Fabrication’s voluntary recognition of IATSE Local 632.”

Oklahoma State Rep. Forrest Bennett to Resign as He Takes AFL-CIO Position: “Oklahoma State Representative Forrest Bennett announced he plans to resign from the Oklahoma legislature after being elected president of the Oklahoma State AFL-CIO on Friday. ‘It’s an immense honor, and I’m incredibly grateful to my Union family for the trust they’ve put in me. This is the start of a new chapter. I’ll be going to work full-time for Oklahoma’s unions—helping them grow, engage with policymakers, and build a better future for Oklahoma’s working families.’”

Pima Area Labor Federation Hosts Drive-Through Food Bank; Congresswoman-Elect Adelita Grijalva Assists: “As snap benefits stay paused for millions across the country...including right here in Tucson...local food banks have stepped up to help feed our communities. The Pima Area Labor Federation and AFL-CIO have joined in, hosting a drive-through food bank to support families through the longest government shutdown in U.S. History.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 11/17/2025 - 13:14