AFL-CIO Blog

  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: CVS Workers Ratify Powerful New Agreement
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: CVS Workers Ratify Powerful New 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. Thousands of CVS pharmacists, clerks and technicians, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), in California voted on Friday to ratify a new three-year contract with the pharmacy. The more than 7,000 workers won the new agreement after months of negotiations and an unfair labor practice strike in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Members across eight different locals are celebrating victories like annual wage increases through the life of the contract, more secure staffing levels and a more affordable health care plan. “After countless hours at the bargaining table and a strategic strike in seven Southern California pharmacies protesting the company’s illegal actions, the hard-working members of UFCW stood together for their families and each other and secured a strong contract,” the UFCW locals said in a joint statement. “This contract is a concrete and direct result of the tireless work of the member-led bargaining committee.” Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 11/13/2024 - 11:01 — Nov 13
  • Protesting for Better Staffing Practices: The Working People Weekly List
    Protesting for Better Staffing Practices: 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. How Julie Su Negotiated the End of the Boeing Strike: “While the world braced for the election earlier this week, acting labor secretary Julie Su was busy solving another crisis—helping to end the Boeing strike.” Coastal Bend Nurses Ratify New Union Contract at CCMC: “Nurses at Corpus Christi Medical Center (CCMC) are seeing changes that will help improve workplace practices and all-around patient care. That's thanks to a new three-year contract that was ratified by HCA Management for nurses represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU). More than 700 nurses across Texas will be impacted by the changes. KRIS 6 News previously reported in June that nurses at CCMC protested for better staffing practices.” Staff at Alaska’s Largest Newspaper Approve New Union, Election Results Show: “Newsroom staff at the Anchorage Daily News, the state’s largest newspaper, have voted to unionize, according to election results published Tuesday by the National Labor Relations Board. The vote was 13–4 in favor of unionization, with two eligible voters not participating. The Anchorage News Guild, which will represent newsroom staff, had requested that management voluntarily recognize the union, but the newspaper’s ownership declined and requested the federally managed election.” JT Newsroom Employees' Union is Recognized: “Newsroom employees at the Racine Journal Times are praising their employer for not blocking their attempts to unionize. Less than three weeks after the paper’s editorial staff announced a plan to organize, the Racine NewsGuild was voluntarily recognized by Lee Enterprises as part of the Kenosha Newspaper Guild bargaining unit. The Iowa-based company owns both papers.  The next step is for the Racine NewsGuild to negotiate a contract.” Boeing Strike Ends as Workers Accept New Contract: “Boeing's U.S. West Coast factory workers accepted a new contract offer on Monday, ending a bitter seven-week strike that halted most jet production and deepened a financial crisis at the troubled planemaker. The union said members voted 59% in favor of the new contract, which includes a 38% pay rise over four years, easing pressure on new CEO Kelly Ortberg after two previous offers were voted down in recent weeks.” Pennsylvania Faculty Union Joins National AFT: “The union representing more than 5,000 faculty and coaches across Pennsylvania’s 10 state-owned universities is the latest to affiliate with AFT, a nationwide union of education and other workers. Members of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties approved the affiliation in a three-day election last week. It begins Jan. 1.” Dow Machinists End Strike After Agreeing to New Deal: “The strike involving 77 union machinists at Dow Chemical/Union Carbide in South Charleston is over. Members of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 598 accepted the deal Thursday evening. The new contract ends a 10-day strike. ‘Congratulations to the membership of IAM Local 598 for standing strong for the contract they deserve,’ IAM District 54 President T. Dean Wright Jr. said in a news release. ‘Thanks to their solidarity, we have won a victory for our members, their families and the entire community. I would like to thank the District 54 staff, Local 598 officers, our members and their families, the South Charleston community, and International President Brian Bryant for all of their support.’” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 11/12/2024 - 13:30 — Nov 12
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Nonfiction Production Company McGee Media Ratify First Contract
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Nonfiction Production Company McGee Media Ratify First 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. Workers at McGee Media, the nonfiction production company behind PBS’ "Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.," agreed to their first union contract. The contract covers 25 staffers who work as producers, researchers and archivists, and are now represented by the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE). They unanimously voted to ratify the contract last week. The contract establishes 3% annual wage increases for union members and health care contributions through the Entertainment Industry Flex Plan. The three-year deal also requires 10 vacation days and a minimum of three sick days after two weeks of employment. The deal also includes language covering the use of AI in the workplace: It necessitates advanced notice and “discussion” if AI tools are used by the company. Members of the bargaining committee stated that the contract “sets a new standard for the documentary television industry and reflects the progressive values of McGee Media.” Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 11/12/2024 - 09:51 — Nov 12
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Shedd Aquarium Win Union Election
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Shedd Aquarium Win Union Election 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. Employees at the Shedd Aquarium overwhelmingly voted to join AFSCME Council 31, making them the latest workers at the cultural institution in Chicago who have decided to organize for an improved workplace. More than 75% of workers voted for the formation of Shedd Workers United. The 180-person union includes staff who work in guest relations, learning and community, development, and other departments. Workers initially announced their intent to join AFSCME in April, citing concerns with work-life imbalance, low wages and a lack of communication from management and more. Despite union-busting activities from management, workers remained steadfast in their fight for representation. “We formed our union because we care about our co-workers, we love the aquarium and we want to make it better for all. We won by overcoming management’s divisive anti-union campaign,” the Shedd Workers United organizing committee said. “With our victory, we urge management to take a new approach and respect us as equals as we take our seat at the table to negotiate our first contract.” Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 11/08/2024 - 09:58 — Nov 8
  • Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Alaska’s Largest Newspaper Approve New Union
    Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Alaska’s Largest Newspaper Approve New 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 in the newsroom at the Anchorage Daily News, the state’s largest newspaper, voted 13–4 for a new union. With the vote, the Anchorage Daily News becomes the only union newsroom in Alaska. The workers intend to advocate for fair wages, financial transparency and a sustainable workplace environment. “My generation of reporters, I feel like we just kind of expected to be doormats, and my professors told me—they’re like, look, you’re taking a vow of poverty when you start this career,” said Kyle Hopkins, a longtime reporter. “Nobody expects to get rich or even be anything beyond kind of middle class or even lower middle class, but I just want the people I work with—and myself, if I lose the ProPublica connection—to be able to pay for child care and health care. Just the bare minimum.” Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 11/07/2024 - 10:10 — Nov 7