Posts tagged Baltimore

    Baltimore union leadership faces shake-up as DPW workers push for change

    August 26, 2025 // AFSCME Local 44 represents employees at several city agencies, including the Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, and Department of Transportation. Several DPW previously voiced their frustration with Local 44 over safety conditions within the agency and their pay. “The Union, we don't have a union. You know, we really, really don't because they totally aren't 100% for us,” said Reginald Nobel during a previous interview with FOX45 News. “Yeah, they're totally for their self.

    City security guards protest ‘unfair labor practices,’ ‘shoddy work conditions’

    July 21, 2025 // Workers said they are prepared to strike as early as next week if the company isn't willing to negotiate. They laid out their demands in a rally on Tuesday, July 15, at city hall. "We think that a company that gets $45 million from the city since 2017 should be able to do better for the workers and the people of Baltimore who actually fill those contracts," said Jaime Contreres, the executive vice president of labor union 32BJ.

    Supreme Court clears way for Trump to downsize the federal workforce

    July 10, 2025 // The labor unions and nonprofit groups that sued over the downsizing offered the justices several examples of what would happen if it were allowed to take effect, including cuts of 40% to 50% at several agencies. Baltimore, Chicago and San Francisco were among cities that also sued. “Today’s decision has dealt a serious blow to our democracy and puts services that the American people rely on in grave jeopardy. This decision does not change the simple and clear fact that reorganizing government functions and laying off federal workers en masse haphazardly without any congressional approval is not allowed by our Constitution,” the parties that sued said in a joint statement.

    Unions, cities, nonprofits sue to block Trump workforce cuts

    May 1, 2025 // Musk has tempered his original goal for DOGE to slash $1 trillion from government spending, saying this month it was on track to cut $150 billion this year. The Trump administration has faced more than 200 lawsuits challenging its policies, with a significant number calling the president's directives unconstitutional. The case is American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO et al v Trump et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 25-03698.

    Anne Arundel Community College professors unionize for more clarity, structure

    April 1, 2025 // The union, called Riverhawk Educators United, earned recognition from the state employee relations board late last week with 62% of faculty in support. Now, the group will start negotiating its first official contract. Nicole Williams, chair of the human services department, said she’s hoping the union will bring more structure and clarity. “We have policies, but we need more policies. There's structure, but we need more structure,” Williams told WYPR.

    Contentious labor strike at Perryville Ikea Distribution Center ends after more than two months

    January 23, 2025 // After more than two months, a worker's strike at the Ikea Distribution Center in Cecil County has come to an end. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM - Local I460 - District 4) ratified a new labor contract for about 320 members.

    Costco’s unionized workers vote to authorize a strike

    January 20, 2025 // Costco workers affiliated with the Teamsters union have voted in favor of going on strike. The strike will start if no deal is reached by the January 31 deadline. Teamsters president Sean O'Brien has pledged to win "the strongest contract in Costco's history."

    Ports strike would leave Walmart, Ikea, Home Depot with few import options, union warns

    September 29, 2024 // These companies are among the leading importers at the 14 major ports that an ILA strike would impact, according to ImportGenius. Overall, between 43%-49% of all U.S. imports and billions of dollars in trade monthly are at stake as the union moves closer to the Oct. 1 deadline for a new contract, over which talks between the union and ports management broke down in June and have not resumed. Cruise operations at ports would continue. “To stop trade entering the U.S. on such a large-scale, even for short period of time, is highly-damaging to the economy so government intervention will be needed to bring the matter to a resolution for the good of the nation,” warned Peter Sand, chief shipping analyst at Xeneta. “A strike lasting just one week will impact schedules for ships leaving the Far East on voyages to the U.S. in late December and throughout January.”

    Strikes start at top hotel chains; housekeepers seek higher wages, daily room cleaning

    September 2, 2024 // The union hopes to build on its recent success in southern California, where after repeated strikes it won significant wage hikes, increased employer contributions to pensions, and fair workload guarantees in a new contract with 34 hotels. Under the contract, housekeepers at most hotels will earn $35 an hour by July 2027. The American Hotel And Lodging Association says 80% of its member hotels report staffing shortages, and 50% cite housekeeping as their most critical hiring need. Kevin Carey, the association's interim president and CEO, says hotels are doing all they can to attract workers. According to the association's surveys, 86% of hoteliers have increased wages over the past six months, and many have offered more flexibility with hours or expanded benefits. The association says wages for hotel workers have risen 26% since the pandemic.