The Weekly Download

“In this blogcast, Burnes Center for Social Change Senior Fellow Seth Harris is joined by Shannon Lederer, the director of immigration policy for the AFL-CIO and Lety Salcedo, an immigration campaign director for the SEIU. Watch now to hear about the current state of immigration in the U.S. and how it relates to labor. Also learn about the economic side of immigration as well as how immigration and labor are viewed in the political landscape.”

“No one goes into public service to get rich. But as public-sector pay falls farther behind private-sector pay, all of us—not just workers and their families—suffer as positions go unfilled, experienced staff leave, and essential services deteriorate. This problem has long-term consequences. For instance, fewer young people choose to become teachers, which impacts the quality of education for future generations of citizens and workers.”

“Brian Petruska can’t help but sound alarmed by the possibility of another Donald Trump presidency. He’s still witnessing the legal fallout from Trump’s first term. ‘We’re looking at going back to pre-1930s labor law in this country,’ Petruska, a lawyer for the Laborers’ International Union of North America, told HuffPost. ‘I’m not exaggerating. That’s literally what’s happening.’ Petruska was referring to efforts by employers — including Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and a surrogate for Trump amid his 2024 White House bid — to wreck the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency established in 1935 that enforces collective bargaining rights. Corporations like Musk’s SpaceX are challenging the constitutionality of the NLRB’s structure to defend themselves against charges of unfair labor practices. Some Trump-appointed judges have already shown they’re receptive to the companies’ argument, and the question could end up before the Supreme Court, where a conservative supermajority shaped by Trump would decide the board’s fate.”

“During the six years Estela Tirado has worked in a salad restaurant in Minneapolis, she has had every job you can imagine: washing dishes, prepping food, working the cash register, and a combination of the above. Despite her hard work, she does not get sufficient paid time off to spend with her six-year-old son, Freddy, who likes to draw and go to the park, and spends the evenings doing homework. ‘If my son gets sick, I have to use PTO, but when he’s on vacation during summer time, and out of school, I don’t have hours for vacation,’ she explains. This is just one issue Tirado is hoping can be rectified through the creation of a Labor Standards Board, which workers have been fighting to pass in Minneapolis for more than two years. With roots in the Progressive Era, such boards bring together representatives of workers, community members, and business, with the goal of boosting labor standards in specific industries. They are designed not only to improve conditions, but to give workers a voice, including those like Tirado, who do not have unions, but certainly have the will to fight for a better life.” 

“As class solidarity arises from alienation and exploitation under capitalism, workers have various means of achieving economic democracy. Historically, labor unions served as the primary organizational tactic for workers to leverage their power; however, engaging in repeating contract cycles does not fundamentally shift ownership or resolve class conflict. Worker cooperatives present another opportunity to build worker power through collective ownership of the workplace. Although this strategy shifts the fundamental ownership dynamic, it raises new challenges and limitations. In this blog post, adapted from my literature review on unions and cooperative development, I argue that unions and worker cooperatives can compensate for each other’s limitations while utilizing their respective strengths. Bridging these traditions of unions and worker co-ops opens collaborative possibilities for a stronger labor movement that fights private employers while building frameworks to transfer ownership.”

“Unemployment insurance (UI) benefits do not reach all eligible workers, even though they are designed to support unemployed workers and their families, as well as the economy as a whole, during economic downturns. Access to UI benefits has been a challenge for all workers, but especially workers of color, workers with less formal education, lower-paid workers, younger workers, and workers with disabilities, who have all been less likely to apply for, and receive, benefits, even when potentially eligible. Community-based organizations—particularly those focused on worker issues and led by workers, such as unions and worker centers—can act as trusted intermediaries to help workers interact with government employees and systems to better understand how to complete applications and claim benefits. Through this process, workers can also learn about their labor and employment rights and develop stronger interests in workplace collective action.”

“Journalists at Military.com voted unanimously 10-0 to unionize in a balloting that was tallied last Thursday. They will join the Washington-Baltimore News Guild Local 32035 of The NewsGuild-CWA. The Military.com News Guild filed to form a union in August, seeking voluntary recognition from Monster Worldwide, the corporate owner that recently merged with Career Builder. The unionization effort came after workers at one of Military.com’s main competitors, Military Times, also unionized with The NewsGuild-CWA in June of this year as the Sightline Media Guild.”

“This summer, workers at Bernheimer Architecture in New York City became the first private sector architects in the US to ratify a union contract. An architect at the firm explains their road to a first collective bargaining agreement.”

“Only four of Trader Joe’s nearly 600 stores have unionized. Beginning with the Hadley, Mass., store in 2022, these four locals have joined an independent union, Trader Joe’s United (TJU), despite facing intense pushback and retaliation from the corporation. Alec Plant is a crew member at Chicago’s Lincoln Avenue location and an active member of TJU. He and his comrades may have won their union fight, but they remain locked in a demanding and potentially years-long battle to become officially certified. In this episode [of the Working People podcast], Plant discusses workers’ continued struggle to unionize against a powerful corporation, the labor movement’s resurgence, the far-reaching impact of Covid-19 and how customers and allies can continue to support their cause.”

“Today, the UAW released a powerful new video calling out Stellantis for failing to honor its commitments to UAW members and criticizing CEO Carlos Tavares for mismanaging the company. The release coincides with a one-day general strike by Italian unions to protest Stellantis’ significant production cuts and the broader impact on metalworkers across Italy.”

“‘Workers have a constitutional right to organize and advocate for improvements in their wages and working conditions, as well as statutory rights to engage in protected concerted activity under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA),’ the members wrote in a letter to Amazon Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy.”

“San Francisco, Calif. – Hundreds of Marriott hotel workers walked off the job in San Francisco on Friday and Sunday as strikes continued to roil the hotel industry for the seventh consecutive week. Around 2,000 San Francisco hotel workers are now on strike – including at the iconic Palace Hotel, known for its Beaux-Arts architecture – and a total of over 4,400 Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott hotel workers are on strike nationwide.”

“Highland, IL  — Approximately 400 members of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 660 (District 9) are on strike for a fair contract at Eaton Corp., facilities in Highland and Troy, Ill. On Sunday, Oct. 20, IAM Local 660 members voted to reject a contract offer from Eaton management that had insufficient wages to keep pace with inflation and industry standards, high health insurance costs, no improvements to work-life balance, and substandard retirement security. IAM members at Eaton are currently forced to work six day work weeks. The company is also seeking to turn a 30-minute break into two 15-minute breaks, leaving little time to have a meal. Management also wants to eliminate the two 10-minute breaks per shift.”

“After 40 days on strike, 33,000 Machinists rejected an improved contract offer from Boeing by 64 percent on Wednesday. The offer included a 35 percent wage increase over 4 years. Members of Machinists (IAM) District 751 and District W24 build passenger jets and and freighters, including the 737, 767, and 777. Most work at Boeing’s huge factories at Everett and Renton, Washington. ‘It’s a little bit better, but it still needs to go further,’ said Ky Carlson, who was staffing a picket line at Everett on Tuesday, where she would normally be assembling the 777. ‘It's an easy no vote for me,’ said Jon Voss, a mechanic and steward at Renton, where he builds wings for 737, ‘because I know Boeing has multiple offers ready to just throw at us until we finally get what we deserve.’”

“After almost half a year of contract negotiations, public service workers who are members of Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE/AFSCME Council 28) have ratified a new general government contract. Applicable to a majority of the members, the new contract includes strong wage increases, a minimum wage of $18 an hour, and expanded leave, among other things. The two-year agreement came after state employees walked out of their jobs to stand in solidarity with each other and demand fair contracts. The Walkout for Washington, held on Sept. 10, mobilized thousands of our union’s members across the state.”

“On October 10, workers at WLNE in Providence, R.I., who successfully joined NABET-CWA earlier this year, held a successful rally ahead of an upcoming bargaining session. The unit is engaged in its first contract negotiations with owner Standard Media, which purchased the station in 2019.”

“About 30 members of UFCW Local 152 who work at Complete Care at Victoria Commons in North Cape May, N.J., ratified a new contract on Sept. 25. The workers are employed as licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, and in the housekeeping, laundry, and dietary departments, and more. The three-year contract includes a market adjustment in wages retroactive to May 1, 2024, providing some members with a significant wage increase. Additionally, to recognize loyal, long-term workers, those with at least 20 years of service at the time of ratification will now receive an annual longevity bonus of $1,000.”

“On Oct. 9, 35 members of UFCW Local 711 who work at the RISE Dispensary in Henderson, Nev., ratified a first contract that strengthens wages and benefits. Henderson’s RISE Dispensary is owned by Green Thumb Industries. The three-year contract includes guaranteed wage increases, increased benefits for part-timers, faster paid time off accrual, predictable scheduling, and workplace protections.”

“Journalists at the Austin American-Statesman secured a tentative agreement last week after years of negotiations and a marathon 21-hour session with owner Gannett. The deal, which needs to be ratified by members, comes after more than three years of negotiations, numerous unfair labor practices (ULPs) and relentless pressure from Guild members on management.”

“IAFF leaders showcased their collective bargaining victories across the Southern U.S. this week as they united in Atlanta for the 30th annualSouthern Federation of Professional Fire Fighters conference. General President Edward A. Kelly gave the opening address Wednesday morning, encouraging delegates to continue their fight for collective bargaining.”

“WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 17, 2024 – The National Partnership for Women & Families (NPWF) and the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU), IFPTE Local 70, are proud to announce the ratification of their first collective bargaining agreement. National Partnership United (NPU), a chapter within NPEU, was formally recognized in January of 2021 and negotiations for a first contract began later that year. The new contract represents a significant step forward in advancing a fair and equitable workplace, with enhanced protections, transparent processes, and strengthened benefits for all union members.”

“Union officials are urging Labor Department leaders to continue negotiating over return-to-office changes. About 7,500 Labor Department employees will have to report to work in person at least half of their work hours beginning in December. That’s according to an announcement agency leadership made last week. But the National Council of Field Labor Locals, which represents the affected workers, said the announcement was made without completing bargaining obligations. The union is now calling on Congress members to get involved in the dispute and looking at options with the Federal Labor Relations Authority.”

“To someone not completely enmeshed in the state of the entertainment business, the documentary Union might seem like it has the trappings of an attractive nonfiction sales title: a dramatic story arc culminating in a history-making news event, close access to key players, a charismatic central character, glowing reviews and a premiere at a prestigious film festival.”