08/01/2024 - 11:30am
Uniting the Power of Working People: What Working People Are Doing This Week
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:
AFGE:
AFSCME:
Alliance for Retired Americans:
07/31/2024 - 11:00am
From Day One: 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.
SAG-AFTRA Calls Strike Against Major Video Game Companies After Nearly 2 Years Of Contract Talks: “SAG-AFTRA is going on strike again. This time, the union is calling a work stoppage against the major video game companies after nearly two years of trying to renegotiate its Interactive Media Agreement. The decision to hit the picket lines comes 10 months after the union’s initial strike authorization vote. The strike goes into effect July 26 at 12:01 a.m. The 10 companies facing the strike are Activision Productions Inc., Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Epic Games, Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Take 2 Productions Inc., VoiceWorks Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc.”
Cincinnati Metro, ATU Local 627 Agree to New Three-Year Labor Contract: “Cincinnati Metro and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 627 have successfully negotiated and approved a new three-year labor contract. The new agreement offers increased wages and benefits for Cincinnati Metro's dedicated fixed-route union staff, which includes bus operators, maintenance workers and associated support staff. ‘[Cincinnati] Metro’s operators and mechanics are the backbone of our system, which serves the community every day,’ said Darryl Haley, general manager and CEO of Cincinnati Metro. ‘This new contract recognizes the dedication and hard work of our team members and helps continued efforts to attract the very best as we build our talent in this fiercely competitive labor market.’”
Essential Clinic and Hospital Providers Vote to Unionize Across Northeast Minnesota: “More than 400 nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin voted to unionize in an effort to gain leverage over how they practice medicine at their Essentia Health clinics and hospitals. The Minnesota Nurses Association announced Monday night that the group voted overwhelmingly to join its union. Essentia countered with plans to appeal a federal labor ruling and possibly undercut the entire organizing movement. ‘We will and often do have to sacrifice ourselves and our families to care for those that have placed their lives in our hands,’ said nurse practitioner Eric Griffith, who accused his health system of preying on providers' compassion by forcing them to care for more patients with less time and resources. ‘It is time to tell Essentia that enough is enough.’”
Disneyland, Employees Avert Strike with Tentative Contract Deal: “Disneyland and its employees said they had reached a tentative contract deal, averting what could have been the first major work stoppage at the Anaheim theme park in 40 years. Members of the Master Services Council—an alliance of unions representing custodians, ride operators, candy makers, merchandise clerks and other Disneyland employees—on Friday voted 99% in support of a walkout. On Wednesday, the unions’ bargaining committee said it had reached an agreement with Walt Disney Co.”
AFL-CIO Unanimously Endorses Kamala Harris for President: “Following a vote of its Executive Council, which represents 60 unions and 12.5 million workers, yesterday the AFL-CIO unanimously endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president in the 2024 election. ‘From day one, Vice President Kamala Harris has been a true partner in leading the most pro-labor administration in history,’ said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.”
For the First Time Since It Was Founded in 1870, The Salt Lake Tribune Has a Union: “With overwhelming support across the newsroom, leadership at The Salt Lake Tribune agreed to voluntarily accept the petition from the Salt Lake News Guild to form a union, marking the first time in the publication’s 154-year history that employees will be unionized. ‘This is a watershed moment for The Tribune and its employees,’ members of the guild organizing committee said. ‘As a nonprofit newsroom, our first commitment is to informing our community. The journalists and production team are the lifeblood of The Tribune and there is no question that readers will benefit when we are organized and our work is respected and valued.’”
Unions Applaud ‘Most Pro-Union President in History’ Following Biden’s Decision to End Campaign: “A bevy of federal labor leaders on Sunday expressed gratitude for President Biden’s career of public service in defense of the federal workforce in the hours following Biden’s announcement that he will bow out of the 2024 presidential campaign. Dogged by concerns about his continued fitness for office for another four years, fueled by a calamitous presidential debate performance last month, Biden said that he would continue to serve until his term ends next January. He quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him, and she appears to be the presumptive nominee, as the Democratic party quickly rallied around her Monday.”
New AFL-CIO Guide Shows How Trump Agenda Would Be 'Catastrophic' for Workers: “‘In his first term as president, Donald Trump was a disaster for workers and our unions, governing exclusively for the wealthy and well-connected,’ AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler said in a statement Thursday. ‘The Trump Project 2025 Agenda lays out his plan to turbocharge his anti-worker policies, eliminate or control unions, and eviscerate labor laws and workers' contracts,’ she continued. ‘A second Trump term would put everything we've fought for—good jobs, fair wages, healthcare, retirement security, worker safety—on the chopping block. ‘This new online tool is an essential part of our massive voter education campaign to reach every union household with critical information about the stakes of this election,’ Shuler added. ‘Union voters could be the difference-makers in this election, and the AFL-CIO and affiliated unions have a plan to mobilize tens of thousands of grassroots activists across every community to get the message out and vote.’”
Top Labor Department Official Touts Blue Bird Buses, Union Pact: “The acting U.S. secretary of labor came to Blue Bird’s school bus factory in Fort Valley on Friday in a visit that melded support for organized labor with the high-stakes, high-dollar promotion of low-emission energy policy. Julie Su watched as company and union representatives signed the first contract negotiated by Blue Bird with the United Steelworkers Union, a pact that will provide hefty raises to many workers, as well as safety guarantees and expanded retirement benefits.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 07/29/2024 - 10:23
07/30/2024 - 10:00pm
Calling All Labor Activists: In the States Roundup
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:
California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:
Florida AFL-CIO:
07/30/2024 - 3:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Gate Gourmet’s Airline Catering Workers Reach TA, Averting Strike
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.
More than 8,000 airline catering workers employed by catering subcontractor Gate Gourmet at 30 airports have a new tentative agreement (TA) that was reached late Friday night, averting a potential strike that could have kicked off as soon as July 30.
These workers are represented by a coalition of labor unions—including UNITE HERE; the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM); the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW); and the Teamsters—called the Employee Representatives’ Council. They prepare, pack, and deliver food and beverages to aircraft departing airports across mainland U.S. and Hawaii, an essential role in commercial air travel that requires skill in provisions to keep flights running smoothly. Despite the fact that Gate Gourmet is the world’s largest independent provider of airline catering services, members reported struggling with low wages and lack of access to quality, affordable health care. After more than six years in bargaining sessions, and intervention by the National Mediation Board, workers now have a tentative contract. However, the unions report there are several details that still need to be hammered out before the deal can be finalized.
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 07/30/2024 - 10:04
07/29/2024 - 3:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Microsoft’s World of Warcraft Workers Vote to Form Union
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 on the team behind World of Warcraft—one of the most popular video games in the world—voted to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA), creating the first wall-to-wall union at Activision Blizzard and the largest wall-to-wall union at a Microsoft-owned studio.
On Wednesday, a neutral arbitrator confirmed that a majority of staff had either signed a union authorization card or indicated via an online portal that they wanted union representation. The bargaining unit, World of Warcraft Gamemakers Guild-CWA (WoWGG-CWA), organized under the labor neutrality agreement forged in 2022 between CWA and Microsoft, which took effect upon the completion of the company’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Members work as designers, engineers, producers, artists, quality assurance testers and other game developers for the multiplayer role-playing game that was originally released in 2004.
“What we’ve accomplished at World of Warcraft is just the beginning,” said Eric Lanham, a test analyst and member of WoWGG-CWA. “My colleagues and I are embarking on a quest to secure better pay, benefits and job security through a strong union contract. We know that when workers have a protected voice, it’s a win-win for employee standards, the studio and World of Warcraft fans looking for the best gaming experience.…Like the legendary heroes of Azeroth, our union is forged in the fires of perseverance and resilience, and together, we will stand strong as the Alliance and the Horde to ensure a bright future for all.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 07/29/2024 - 10:11
07/29/2024 - 3:00pm
Worker Wins: Working People Are Front and Center in Policymaking
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
Shoppers Grocery Workers Ratify New Contract: Workers at grocery store chain Shoppers, represented by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400, overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new contract last week. The vote was a powerful endorsement of the bargaining advisory committee’s efforts, with 98% of members in favor of this new agreement, which contained a number of huge wins. The new two-year deal includes better pay scales, a fully funded pension, no out-of-pocket health care cost increases or other changes to health coverage, and more. In addition, the collective bargaining agreement also has new language to develop procedures, training and protocols that would protect workers in case of a shooting or other similar in-store violence emergencies. The new contract took effect retroactively on July 14, 2024, and expires July 11, 2026.
Arborists in Virginia Make History with Vote to Join IAM: Arborists working at Truetimber in Richmond, Virginia, have become the first residential tree care workers in the country to be represented by a union after voting to join the Machinists (IAM). Tree care industry workers serve a vital role in managing tree growth in our communities, so homes and public infrastructure are safe, and often work alongside power linemen to restore stability after storms or other severe weather. However, there are few regulations governing safety standards for arborists or what sort of credentials are required to start a tree care business. Truetimber staff began organizing after the company’s founder broke a promise to sell the business to workers and instead sold it to a private equity firm. Once new ownership took over, the profit-sharing program was scrapped with no notice, prompting workers to reach out to IAM Local 10 (District 2020) and start organizing their co-workers. Despite management’s attempt to union-bust, 80% of the prospective bargaining unit members signed cards within two weeks, and ultimately an overwhelming majority of arborists voted to join the union. “I would advise any workers who are seeking respect and a voice on the job to contact your local union rep and get a conversation started,” said IAM member Nathan Salle. “In all honesty, it was a stressful time at work, but in the end, it was gratifying and uplifting to see the unity of everyone shown through the percentage of employees who voted for the union. If you are feeling unheard and disrespected at work, I would encourage other workers to reach out to one another on a safe platform and start discussing joining a union and reaching out to a union rep to learn more about what the process would look like.”
Pineapple Street Studios Union Ratifies First Contract: Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members who work for Pineapple Street Studios overwhelmingly voted to ratify their first contract Monday, gaining critical protections against artificial intelligence (AI) and other wins. The bargaining unit includes producers, editors, engineers and other staff who make possible award-winning podcasts such as “Classy,” Wondery’s 'Ghost Story,'” Paper Kite’s “Million Dollar Advice” and HBO’s “Succession Podcast.” When broadcasting company Audacy acquired Pineapple Street Studios in 2019, workers cited this as a major turning point in their organizing efforts and announced their intent to join WGAE in 2022. This January, Audacy filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and laid off 25% of its staff at Pineapple Street. But workers remained committed to securing a first agreement and that dedication has paid off. The new contract includes victories like increased minimum starting salary, better severance payments, successorship language that requires any new employer to bargain with the union in the event of a sale, language that ensures that generative AI will not be allowed to be used to perform bargaining unit work without the express consent of the union, and more. “After nearly a year and a half of negotiations, we are thrilled to have a contract that sets industry standards in both pay and policy,” said Pineapple Street Union member Emerald O’Brien. “While this contract is exceptional in many ways, we feel strongly that, in an industry dominated by massive corporations, no podcast worker should be receiving less than what we’ve been able to agree to here.”
Bethesda Officially Becomes the First Microsoft Game Studio to Fully Unionize: Workers at Bethesda Game Studios—a developer that has produced popular titles such as Elder Scrolls, Fallout and Starfield—have joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA), forming the first wall-to-wall union at a Microsoft video game studio. Microsoft has voluntarily recognized the unit, which includes 241 developers, artists, engineers, programmers and designers. Staff in Maryland will be members of CWA Local 2108, and those based in Texas will join CWA Local 6215. They join the ranks of other video game workers at Sega of America, Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax Media Inc. and Tender Claws who also have joined CWA as part of the union’s Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) initiative. “We are so excited to announce our union at Bethesda Game Studios and join the movement sweeping across the video game industry,” said Mandi Parker, a senior system designer and CWA member. “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.”
Alaska State Employees Association Wins Big Pay Bumps for Wildland Firefighters: Thanks to the hard work of Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA/AFSCME Local 52) members and staff, Alaska’s wildland firefighters this month 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 longstanding 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.
IATSE Members Overwhelmingly Ratify Hollywood Basic and Area Standards Agreements: On Thursday, members of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) overwhelmingly voted to ratify both the 2024–2027 Hollywood Basic Agreement (HBA) and the 2024–2027 Area Standards Agreement (ASA). With historically high turnout, 85.9% of members voted in favor of the HBA, and 87.2% voted in favor of the ASA. The HBA is an umbrella contract covering about 45,000 behind-the-scenes film and television workers located primarily in Los Angeles. The ASA covers approximately 25,000 film and television workers across the United States, excluding Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Chicago. Major wins coming out of bargaining for the HBA deal include high minimum wage increases—7% in the first year, 4% in the second year and 3.5% in the third year—and a $700 million infusion of funding into the union’s health and pension plans. Additionally, the contract also establishes critical language governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and new penalties for long workdays to protect member safety. The ASA deal’s also secured the same wage rate increases, AI regulations, a standardized benefit contribution rate and some of the same penalties on long workdays. “IATSE’s rank-and-file members have spoken, and their will is clear,” said IATSE International President Matthew Loeb. “Between significant wage increases in addition to several craft-specific adjustments, bolstered health and pension benefits with new funding mechanisms, improved safety provisions, critical protections preventing misuse of artificial intelligence from displacing IATSE members and more—the gains secured in these contracts mark a significant step forward for America’s film and TV industry and its workers. This result shows our members agree, and now we must build on what these negotiations achieved.”
Mass. Gov. Maura Healey Swears in Members of Labor Advisory Council: Last week, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey swore in the members of her new Labor Advisory Council, becoming the first governor in the state in more than 50 years to create such a council. The chairs are Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch and UNITE HERE Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo. Gov. Healy announced that she was signing an executive order to create this body to advise her on labor-related issues earlier this year while at the Massachusetts Building Trades Council’s annual convention. It includes representatives from both private- and public-sector workers across a broad range of industries. The other members of the council are Rich MacKinnon (president, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts); Joe Byrne (executive secretary-treasurer, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters); Frank Callahan (president, Massachusetts Building Trades Council); Beth Kontos (former president, American Federation of Teachers [AFT] Massachusetts); Dan Leary (president, Utility Workers [UWUA] Local 369); Joe Bonfiglio (business manager, Massachusetts and Northern New England Laborers’ District Council); Jim Evers Jr. (president and business agent, Amalgamated Transit Union [ATU] Local 589); Steve Finnigan (sub-district director, United Steelworkers [USW] District 4); Fernando Lemus (president, United Food and Commercial Workers [UFCW] Local 1445); Max Page (president, Massachusetts Teachers Association); Tim Foley (executive vice president, SEIU District 1199), Dave Foley (president, SEIU District 509); Chris Cook (president, SEIU/National Association of Government Employees Local 282); Mark Bernard (executive director, AFSCME Council 93); Colleen Glynn (international vice president and business representative, Theatrical Stage Employees [IATSE] Local 11); Lou Antonellis (business manager and financial secretary, Electrical Workers [IBEW] Local 103); Jessica Tang (president, Boston Teachers Union and AFT Massachusetts); and Katie Murphy (president, Massachusetts Nurses Association). “This Labor Advisory Council is representative of Gov. Healey and Lieutenant Gov. Driscoll’s recognition that working people are critical to every aspect of life in Massachusetts,” Lynch said. “I’m proud to be leading this impressive group of leaders who will make sure that the voices of union members and working people are front and center in policymaking.” “The organized labor community in Massachusetts is strong, innovative and diverse—just like this Labor Advisory Council,” said Aramayo. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve as chair and am grateful to Gov. Healey for making this a priority.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Mon, 07/29/2024 - 14:55
07/26/2024 - 8:00pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: ATU Local 627 Members Agree to Three-Year Contract with Cincinnati Metro
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."
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 07/26/2024 - 10:33
07/26/2024 - 1:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Optimum in West Virginia Ratify New 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.
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.”
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 07/25/2024 - 10:06
07/24/2024 - 7:30pm
Fighting Back Against Union Busting: What Working People Are Doing This Week
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:
07/24/2024 - 1:30pm
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Alaska State Employees Association Wins Big Pay Bumps for Wildland Firefighters
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.
Kenneth Quinnell
Wed, 07/24/2024 - 10:17
