Tag

Organized Labor

All articles tagged with #organized labor

politics1 year ago

Trump Nominates Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican from Oregon, as Labor Secretary. This nomination is seen as a strategic move to strengthen Trump's appeal among organized labor and working-class voters, following his electoral victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. Chavez-DeRemer is the second Hispanic person nominated to Trump's Cabinet, alongside Sen. Marco Rubio. The choice defies expectations of a more anti-union pick, suggesting a nuanced approach to labor relations.

politics1 year ago

"State of the Union Guest List Highlights Diverse Representation and Organized Labor"

United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain has been invited to attend President Biden's State of the Union address, symbolizing the administration's support for organized labor after the UAW endorsed Biden's re-election campaign. The White House also invited other individuals representing various themes and policies to be addressed in the speech. Biden has emphasized his pro-union stance and highlighted the UAW's strike against major automakers, while labor unions have achieved significant successes in the past year.

labor-rights2 years ago

Wells Fargo Makes History as First Major US Bank with Unionized Branch

Employees at a Wells Fargo bank in New Mexico have voted to unionize, marking the first attempt by workers at a major U.S. bank to organize in the modern era. The move comes amidst a wave of unionization efforts across various industries, with workers at Starbucks, Apple stores, and Amazon warehouses also seeking to organize. The Wells Fargo employees cite issues such as understaffing, low pay, and mismanagement as reasons for unionizing. This development reflects a growing momentum for organized labor to expand into sectors that have not traditionally been represented by unions.

business2 years ago

Microsoft Embraces Unionization, Converts Gaming Staff from Temps to Full-Time Employees

Microsoft is converting a group of subcontracted temps into unionized employees, defying industry norms and expanding organized labor's presence at the company. This move follows Microsoft's agreement in January to collectively bargain with a labor union representing quality assurance workers at one of its video game studios. Union contract negotiations have been ongoing since April.

politics2 years ago

"Biden's Support for UAW Strike Sparks Controversy and Questions"

President Joe Biden visited a picket line in Michigan to show support for striking auto workers, becoming the first modern president to do so. Biden encouraged the workers to continue fighting for better wages, expressing his belief that they deserve a significant raise. Former President Donald Trump criticized Biden's visit as a PR stunt. Biden's visit highlights his pro-union stance and support for worker organizing efforts. The UAW strike, now in its 12th day, remains a challenge for the Biden administration as it addresses concerns about the transition to electric vehicles.

labor-relations2 years ago

Hollywood Writers' Strike Ends with Tentative Deal, Boosting Stocks

The Writers Guild of America (W.G.A.) has reached a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios on a new contract, ending a 146-day strike by over 11,000 screenwriters. The deal, which is expected to be voted on by members on Tuesday, includes provisions for residual payments from streaming, minimum staffing of shows, and limits on the use of artificial intelligence. The strike, coupled with the SAG-AFTRA walkout, has caused significant financial losses for studios, with estimates suggesting they could lose up to $1.6 billion in global ticket sales. The success of the W.G.A. in securing favorable terms reflects the growing strength of unions and organized labor in various industries.

labor-relations2 years ago

Massive Strike Looms as LA City Workers Prepare to Shut Down the City

Over 11,000 Los Angeles city employees, including sanitation workers, airport employees, and street services, plan to go on a one-day strike in an effort to "shut down" the city. The strike, organized by SEIU Local 721, comes after what the union describes as "bad faith bargaining" by city administrators who have failed to address issues such as worker resources and vacancies in crucial roles. This marks the first strike of its kind for Local 721 in over 40 years and adds to the wave of organized labor activity across the city and country.

politicseconomy2 years ago

"Biden's Philadelphia Visit: Green Jobs, Labor Support, and Economic Agenda"

President Biden visited the Philly Shipyard to court organized labor and promote green jobs, emphasizing that unions will play a crucial role in building America's renewable energy future. However, tensions are rising between unions and companies as the economy evolves, with concerns about AI, clean energy, and e-commerce impacting traditional work. Major unions, including the Writers Guild, Screen Actors Guild, United Auto Workers, and Teamsters, are considering strikes over issues such as streaming revenues, job protections in new industries, and fair pay. While Biden supports collective bargaining, a series of strikes could harm the economy and his reelection chances. The president is focused on expanding unionization into new industries and attracting younger workers to the labor movement. Unions played a significant role in Biden's election victory, but he also aims to compete in sunbelt states where investments in new industries are being made. The AFL-CIO believes that Biden's investments in manufacturing, infrastructure, and clean energy will lead to more union jobs.

entertainmentlabor2 years ago

Hollywood's Double Strike: A Spotlight on Fran Drescher and Bob Odenkirk's Words

Fran Drescher, the Jewish president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), is leading a strike against studios over their treatment of actors in the age of digital streaming. Drescher, known for her brashness and Jewish identity, joins a long line of Jewish women labor activists who have fought for justice in various industries. The strike, which has effectively halted Hollywood production, aims to address issues of economic fairness, residuals, the use of artificial intelligence, and the shift to self-taping. Drescher and the guild are demanding a better deal for actors and are prepared to continue the strike until their demands are met.

labor-law2 years ago

Supreme Court delivers multiple blows to organized labor in recent rulings.

The US Supreme Court has made it easier for employers to sue over strikes that cause property destruction, siding with a concrete business in Washington state that sued the union representing its truck drivers after a work stoppage. The 8-1 decision overturned a lower court's ruling that said the lawsuit filed by Glacier Northwest Inc against a local affiliate of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters was preempted by a US law called the National Labor Relations Act. The ruling is likely to cause confusion among lower courts about how preemption under the National Labor Relations Act should apply in future cases and risks erosion of the right to strike.

politics2 years ago

Chicago's Mayoral Race: Education, Policing, and the Environment at the Forefront.

The Chicago mayoral race between Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson has pitted the powerful Chicago Teachers Union against the Fraternal Order of Police, which has endorsed Vallas. The police union's president, John Catanzara, has been criticized for his incendiary views and ties to former President Donald Trump. The race has divided organized labor in the city, with unions representing firefighters, ironworkers, elevator constructors, plumbers, and electricians backing Vallas, while service workers, nurses, and government employees support Johnson. The runoff election takes place on April 4.

politics2 years ago

Michigan Repeals 'Right-to-Work' Law, Sparks Debate.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer repealed the state's "right-to-work" law and restored the prevailing wage policy, marking a significant win for organized labor. The Michigan Republican Party faced controversy after publishing a tweet comparing Democrats' gun violence legislation to Nazi Germany's actions during the Holocaust. Party Chair Kristina Karamo also made headlines for her outspoken views and conspiracy theories. Meanwhile, anger over power outages in Michigan continues, with regulators finalizing a rule to increase credits for customers who endured days without electricity.

politics2 years ago

Michigan Repeals 'Right-to-Work' Law, Boosts Unions.

Michigan has become the first state in decades to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work” that allowed those in unionized workplaces to opt out of paying union dues and fees. The repeal is seen as a major victory for organized labor with union membership reaching an all-time low last year. The state also restored a prevailing wage law that had been repealed by Republicans in 2018. The legislation was signed by Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who promised to veto bills designed to cut out the public’s right of referendum.

politicslabor2 years ago

Michigan Senate considers repeal of right-to-work laws.

The Michigan Senate has passed a bill to repeal the state's right-to-work laws, which allow workers to opt out of union membership and dues payments. The bill now goes to the state's House for final approval, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she will sign it. If signed into law, Michigan will be the first state to repeal a right-to-work law in nearly six decades. Business groups in Michigan have opposed repealing the laws, saying it would remove workers' freedom to decide whether to affiliate with unions and pay union dues.

politics2 years ago

Michigan Senate Repeals Right-to-Work Law in Victory for Organized Labor

The Michigan Senate has passed a bill to repeal the state's right-to-work law, which allows employees in unionized jobs to opt out of membership and paying dues. The bill will now go to the state House, where it must agree on the final language. If passed, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she will sign the bill into law. Supporters of the bill argue that the right-to-work law has harmed workers' wages and rights, while opponents say it has made the state's businesses more competitive.