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 Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 627 ratified a new three-year contract. The contract covers Cincinnati Metro's dedicated fixed-route union staff, which includes bus operators, maintenance workers and associated support staff. It includes increased wages of 13% over three years, improvements to operator work schedules, improved vacation for employees, a new partnership with the ATU on Cincinnati Metro’s Joint Maintenance Training Committee and other benefits.

"We are proud to have reached this agreement, which will not only benefit hardworking employees, but also contribute to the overall success of [Cincinnati] Metro," said Frank Harper, president of Local 627. "This contract recognizes the importance of our union members and the vital role they play in serving the community." 

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 Communications Workers of America (CWA) ratified a new contract with the Optimum brand of Altice USA. The new contract was secured after the workers voted to authorize a strike in May. That strike didn't happen, and the new three-year contract covers workers throughout West Virginia. The workers secured raises of 7.69% over the life of the contract.

“I’m really proud of what we were able to negotiate to make Optimum a better place to work,” said Patrick Adkins, a member of the CWA bargaining committee. “When we fought for our first union contract, we were able to win job security and important rights at work, like our first grievance procedure. Because of the foundation we built in our first union contract, we were able to really focus on improving the standard of living for our families with the wage increases we’ve earned.”

Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.

Actors' Equity:

NEA & NEH funding is critical to creating jobs for union creative professionals & supports enriching programs across the US. Rep. Brecheen wants to cut funding by $48 million for each agency. 

Tell your Congressperson to VOTE NO on the Brecheen’s amendments. 

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.

Earlier this month, thanks to the hard work of Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA/AFSCME Local 52) members and staff, Alaska’s wildland firefighters received a critical pay increase that will help recruit and retain workers who serve an important role in protecting the state against wildfires.

ASEA represents about 106 wildland fire and resource technicians and wildland forestry technicians who are employed by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Fire Protection. As of July 1, per the new agreement between the state and the union, members have secured an incentive pay increase of 30% above their base hourly rate, a hazard pay increase from 15% to 25% in four-hour increments and a 5% cost-of-living adjustment. Additionally, the contract now reflects that members are eligible for hazard pay any time they take part in or help firefighting operations or are exposed to firefighting hazards. This is a massive win for wildland firefighters, who have cited low pay as a key cause of the forestry division’s long-standing recruitment and retention problems, which in turn puts Alaska residents at risk.

“I hope this news aids in the recruitment and retention of more firefighters in the Division of Forestry so you have the support you need to continue doing the critical and important work you do to protect lives and property,” ASEA Executive Director Heidi Drygas wrote in an email to members.

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 Actors' Equity Association (Equity)and the Off-Broadway League ratified a new four-year contract. The new agreement goes into effect July 28 and goes through 2028. The contract provides salary increases, changes to overtime calculation, increased compensation and requirements for understudies and stage managers, continued and expanded opportunities for digital exhibition of league productions, expanded time off and sick leave provisions, expanded diversity, equity and inclusion protections, and safe and sanitary provisions.

“These last few years have been an incredibly challenging time for our entire industry, and our members worked diligently to come up with solutions and new flexible models that would support a thriving Off-Broadway scene, and create more work opportunities. We found a true partnership with our Equity co-chairs, and are pleased we found common ground and reached a new four-year deal together,” said the league's Negotiating Team Co-Chairs Pamela Adams, Dean Carpenter, Joey Monda and Evan O'Brient.

It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on X (formerly Twitter).

Alaska AFL-CIO:

International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 302 Apprentice Lyndon Tulimasealii shares his journey through the apprenticeship program. #1u #UnionStrong 

"Everyone that I have asked wishes they joined the union a lot sooner." - Lyndon Tulimasealii pic.twitter.com/c1p4LKiEit

— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) July 16, 2024

California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:

We are ALL IN for @VP Kamala Harris for President! https://t.co/9wxS13UPW5 pic.twitter.com/UW6RdRboVm

— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) July 23, 2024

Colorado AFL-CIO:

Listen to the Labor Exchange on KGNU TONIGHT 6:00 PM 88.5 FM Boulder 1390 AM Denver https://t.co/ir0dxFol2w…

Tonight we hear from labor voices across the country as part of the the @laborradionet, a group focused on promoting podcasts and radio shows about work and workers.

— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) July 22, 2024

Florida AFL-CIO:

President Biden has been the most pro-labor president in generations. With our deepest gratitude, thank you for your service, and your patriotism.

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

Kalamazoo Planned Parenthood Workers Win Union Election in Historic First: Workers at Planned Parenthood’s Kalamazoo Health Center made history last week by voting to form a union with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951, making them the first to do so in west Michigan. The bargaining unit is composed of eight medical assistants at the medical center. Through joining UFCW, the staff is aiming to improve the workplaces so they can provide the best care possible for their patients. “I was happy to have a hand in organizing our clinic and to put my ‘yes’ vote in the ballot box for representation with the UFCW,” said staff member Deedee Rounds in a Local 951 media release. “My personal motivation was to strengthen the position of working-class people in my workplace. Without working people, the crops don’t grow, the trains don’t run and, in this instance, the clinics don’t open.”

Civic News Co. Staff Unanimously Ratify New Contract: Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members who work for Civic News Company unanimously voted on Monday to ratify their second contract since unionizing. The Civic News Guild unit includes reporters, story editors, engagement team and visuals staff at nonprofit publications like Chalkbeat, Votebeat and Healthbeat, which is set to launch this summer. The two-and-a-half year deal includes major wins for workers, including dedicated sick leave time, increased paid parental leave, new provisions around artificial intelligence, regular yearly raises, higher minimum starting salaries and more. “We’re proud to see our members at Chalkbeat, Votebeat and Healthbeat win a strong new contract. These members create essential news resources across vital topics, and they deserve union protections that reflect how important their work is,” WGAE President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said.

San Diego Convention Center Workers Secure TA, Averting Strike Before Comic-Con: San Diego Convention Center food and beverage workers, who are represented by UNITE HERE Local 30, reached a tentative agreement (TA) on Friday, averting a potential strike two weeks before the largest annual pop-culture convention was set to open. UNITE HERE’s negotiations have been with Sodexo Live, a food and beverage services company contracted by the convention center for events like San Diego Comic-Con, which draws in more than 135,000 attendees. The old contract covering 650 cooks, dishwashers, bartenders, servers, baristas and food concession workers at the event space expired on June 30 and, two days prior to the TA, more than 99% of members had voted in favor of authorizing a strike if they didn’t get a fair deal. And their unwavering commitment to one another has paid off: the TA ensures massive pay raises among other wins. Under the new agreement, non-tipped workers will get a $3-an-hour increase each year over the lifetime of the contract—that means the overall percentage wage boost for staff will range from 55% to 67%. The union also secured health benefits for a number of staff who currently don’t work enough hours to qualify for health insurance and an agreement related to a defined pension benefit plan. “We are happy to report that we just settled an amazing contract for our members,” Local 30 President Brigette Browning said. “We need to schedule ratification, but we are confident it will be approved by the membership.”

Biden Signs Fire Grants and Safety Act, Sending Millions to Local Departments: President Biden signed the Fire Grants and Safety Act last week, reauthorizing millions of dollars in grants for fire departments across the United States that will fund staffing, training and equipment. The bill reauthorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants through fiscal year 2028 and extends the sunset for the programs to September 2030. Through nearly $700 million in annual funding, fire departments around the country rely on this assistance to hire and retain firefighters, buy modern equipment and provide training to keep members safe. The Fire Fighters (IAFF) union has worked tirelessly alongside lawmakers to ensure this legislative victory for both firefighters and the countless communities they serve. “To be sure, AFG and SAFER grants have saved the lives of people in every state, including the lives of firefighters,” said IAFF General President Edward Kelly. “These are critical funding sources that ensure our communities are protected by properly staffed, appropriately equipped fire departments. We are grateful to President Biden for his leadership and dedication to the fire service, and to Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Tom Carper (D-DE) and Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and Thomas Kean (R-NJ) for their efforts getting this bill across the finish line and to the President’s desk.”

Vallejo City Council Approves New Contract with IBEW: The Vallejo City Council last week approved with near unanimity a new contract with the Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1245, which was overwhelmingly ratified by membership days prior. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) secures key wins like wage increases, improvements to medical benefits and more. Council members approved a two-part resolution—which recognized the tentative agreement and passed a notice of intent to amend the city’s 2024–25 budget and salary plan—and also took an opportunity to commend the dedication of city workers. The union credits this hard-won victory after months of negotiations to members’ commitment to making strong appearances at City Council meetings and to an outpouring of support from labor and faith allies in the community. “It’s a great day,” Local 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean said. “This is a victory that belongs to the hard-working men and women of the City of Vallejo and everyone who supported them.”

Workers at Second Better Buzz Location Vote to Join UFCW: Baristas, trainers and shift supervisors at the Better Buzz Coffee’s Mira Mesa location voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 135 on Monday, a second victory for workers at the regional coffee chain since May. Mira Mesa staff and their union member peers at the flagship Hillcrest location are organized under the name Better Buzz United. Workers have cited concerns about wages, benefits, scheduling and overall workplace safety as primary reasons for seeking union representation. These exciting and consecutive successes at Mira Mesa and Hillcrest are part of a larger effort to give workers the power to improve their conditions and wages as Better Buzz Coffee—which is one of the largest local coffee chains in San Diego County—rapidly expands across Southern California, Arizona and Nevada. “It’s a shame that a company boasting about its rapid expansion and plans to further grow continues to neglect the workers who are the lifeblood of their business,” Local 135 Organizing Director Maribel Mckinze said. “The employees at Better Buzz Mira Mesa have shown the strength workers have when they unite to fight for what they have rightfully earned. While the company has its plans for expansion, so does the union.”

Defenders of Wildlife Union Stage 2-Day Unfair Labor Practice Strike: Staff at Defenders of Wildlife, a national conservation nonprofit, held a two-day unfair labor practice (ULP) strike this week in response to management’s refusal to bargain in good faith—the first strike in the organization’s 77-year history. Workers voted overwhelmingly to join Defenders United—which is part of Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 2—in 2021. Last October, Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Clark unilaterally revoked union members’ annual merit increases while giving nonbargaining unit staff the usual wage bump. Additionally, two months prior, management also refused to extend new parental leave benefits to union-represented workers. In response, the union filed ULP charges over the withdrawn raises and lack of access to new benefits, which are pending an investigation by the National Labor Relations Board. In recent negotiations, management has further insulted workers by insisting on a previously unannounced “salary cap” that would prevent at least seven bargaining unit members from receiving any raise—ever again. After voting in favor of strike authorization, staff picketed on July 9 and 10 in front of Defenders of Wildlife’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., in an effort to persuade management to bargain in good faith and restore union members’ access to raises and improved leave. Workers were joined on the picket line by other local union members as well as AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Enough is enough,” said Kathleen Callaghy, a member of Defenders United’s Contract Action Team. “We work hard every day trying to save America’s wildlife, earning salaries that don’t keep pace with inflation. Withholding raises and extended maternity and bereavement leave specifically from unionized workers—the lowest paid staff in the organization—is, to us, clear discrimination and retaliation against unionized staff.” Sign the Petition: Tell Defenders of Wildlife Management to Bargain in Good Faith.

Tags: Organizing

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.

Workers at Bethesda Game Studios voted to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The workers consist of 241 developers, artists, engineers, programmers and designers who have either signed a union authorization card or indicated that they wanted union representation via an online portal. Microsoft has recognized the union.

“We are so excited to announce our union at Bethesda Game Studio and join the movement sweeping across the video game industry. It is clear that every worker can benefit from bringing democracy into the workplace and securing a protected voice on the job. We’re thrilled to get down to brass tacks and win a fair contract, proving that our unity is a source of real power to positively shape our working conditions, our lives, and the company as a whole,” said Mandi Parker, senior system designer and member of CWA.

The unionization at Bethesda is the latest in a surge of organization at video game companies, following Sega of America, Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax, Tender Claws and more.

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.

UAW Slams Trump After He Criticizes Leader at RNC: “The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) slammed Donald Trump after he said its leader, Shawn Fain, should be fired for letting car makers build factories outside the country during his remarks at the Republican National Convention (RNC) Thursday night. The union clapped back in a post on X, formerly Twitter, shortly after, writing, ‘@realDonaldTrump is a scab and a billionaire and that’s who he represents. We know which side we’re on. Not his.’”

Hollywood Crew Members Ratify New IATSE Contract: “Film and TV crew members have ratified a new three-year contract with the entertainment companies following a relatively smooth bargaining period on the heels of two major Hollywood strikes. Members of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) approved the new Hollywood Basic Agreement this week by a ratification vote of 85.9% to 14.1%, with a ‘historically high’ turnout, according to the union. The basic agreement covers some 50,000 below-the-line workers based primarily in Los Angeles, including cinematographers, costume designers, set decorators, editors and lighting technicians. Union members also ratified the Area Standards Agreement, which covers 20,000 tradespeople working in other production hubs across the United States.”

U.S. Union Organizing and Unions’ Election Wins Are Surging, NLRB Says: “Unions are filing petitions to hold elections and winning them at rates not seen in decades, according to data released by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Wednesday, likely a reflection of the agency’s adoption of policies favored by unions during the Biden administration. The board in a release said it has already received more than 2,600 union election petitions during the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30, surpassing the total for the full previous fiscal year. NLRB regional offices have seen a 32% increase in the number of petitions filed compared with this time last year, the agency said.”

Support for Unions Growing Strong Among Young Workers: “Support for organized labor is at a high not seen since the 1960s, with 71% of Americans saying they approve of unions, according to Gallup. Among members of Generation Z, unions have a 64.3% approval rating, according to the Center for American Progress.”

The Rise of the ‘Union Curious’: “Americans’ approval of unions and willingness to vote for them at their workplaces have increased although union membership has continued to drop in recent years. Even more remarkable than the growth of union support has been the decline of outright opposition to unions and the rise of the ‘union curious.’ A large generational divide that was not apparent even a few years ago is emerging. Workers ages 30 and younger are far more likely than older workers to report both support for and uncertainty about unionization.”

Union Reaches Tentative Agreement with Altice/Optimum in West Virginia: “Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) employed by Universal Cable Holdings, LLC, part of Altice USA, Inc., have reached a tentative agreement with their employer for a new contract covering CWA-represented employees working under the Optimum brand in West Virginia. The new agreement includes 7.69% compounded wage increase over the three-year contract as well as new minimum salaries for technicians, resulting in an average wage increase of 10.6% in the highest-populated technician title. A ratification vote is being scheduled.”

Civic News Company Writers Unanimously Ratify New 2.5-Year Contract: “The writers at Civic News Company have a new deal. The 29-member bargaining unit, which is represented by the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), unanimously voted to ratify their second contract since unionizing. The two-and-a-half-year contract includes ‘major improvements’ to paid sick leave, salary minimums and short-term disability, the guild says. ‘We’re proud to see our members at Chalkbeat, Votebeat and Healthbeat win a strong new contract. These members create essential news resources across vital topics, and they deserve union protections that reflect how important their work is,’ WGAE President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement.”

Met Council AFSCME Workers Vote to Authorize Strike: “More than 700 employees of the Metropolitan Council could go on strike. AFSCME Council 5 and AFSCME Local 668 say 94% of union members voted to authorize a strike after not being able to reach an agreement on a contract. The hundreds of union employees represent many divisions of the Met Council, including wastewater workers, Metro Transit accident investigators, payroll, information technology and more.”

Eugene Symphony Announces Three-Year Contract with American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 689: “The board of directors at the Eugene Symphony has ratified a new three-year contract with its 82 players. The contract includes pay rises and provision to begin hiring for vacant positions and takes the orchestra through to 2027. By the end of the contract, players will have received annual raises totaling 10.5%. At present, 18 chairs in the orchestra are vacant, and hiring processes to fill those jobs will begin immediately. The contract also makes provision for greater flexibility, allowing smaller groups of players to perform concerts in the community.”

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.

Workers at Planned Parenthood’s Kalamazoo Health Center became the first Planned Parenthood site in West Michigan to unionize. They will be represented by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951. They will start negotiating their first contract and they say union representation is a step in the right direction toward a lasting career.

“I was happy to have a hand in organizing our clinic and to put my ‘yes’ vote in the ballot box for representation with the UFCW,” said Deedee Rounds, medical assistant at Kalamazoo Planned Parenthood. “My personal motivation was to strengthen the position of working-class people in my workplace. Without working people, the crops don’t grow, the trains don’t run, and in this instance, the clinics don’t open.”