Posts tagged Rally
‘I have a pension; they don’t’: Why United Auto Workers are fighting to end a two-tier system for wages and benefits
August 30, 2023 // U.S. automakers over the years have justified tiering as a way to stay competitive because of globalization, Lichtenstein said. “Whether the automakers are doing well [financially] or not, they’ll say the competition, like Toyota, will eat our cake.” But “across the board, the rank-and-file hated [tiering],” said Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University in Detroit. “It was a sore point from Day 1. They viewed it as discriminatory that people were doing same job and getting paid substantially less, and that [some workers were] treated as second-class citizens.”
Sen. John Fetterman, local leaders appear Monday at Erie UE rally attended by hundreds
August 24, 2023 // Fetterman, who concluded the rally with brief remarks, continued to display signs of the stroke he had in May of 2022. Some words came out haltingly and not necessarily in the order that the first-term senator might have intended. But Fetterman received a warm welcome from a friendly crowd as he pledged his continued support for their efforts. Fetterman, who has worked to raise money for the union strike fund, said "One of the most amazing and powerful things ever invented is called a union." UE 506 President Scott Slawson said Monday's crowd "speaks to the power of a U.S. senator." He also praised Fetterman for his support of the union at a time when he's working to overcome his own health challenges.
Actors and writers on strike rally in Philadelphia and Chicago as union action spreads
July 24, 2023 // While Los Angeles and New York are the epicenters of strike actions, there are dozens of mid-sized and small locals across the country representing performers and writers. “We have the same issues,” said Nikki Izanec, president of the Philadelphia SAG-AFTRA local, on her way to Thursday’s rally. “Lots of people pay attention to L.A. and New York, but our issues are the same as theirs.”
Rail workers protest after they say company fired 31 workers for joining union
June 30, 2023 // The lawsuit established a timeline showing how the employees say this all played out. It reads, “Back in April, the Railroad Engineering Services employees voted 39 to 9 to join the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division.” It goes on to specifically reference a group known as “Tie Gang 2,” which it said included 31 of the most passionate union supporters. Fast forward to May, it says the BMWED sent RES its intent to negotiate a first contract. Three days later, it said the Tie Gang 2 was called into a meeting, told it was being disbanded, and that all 31 employees were being fired.
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders hosts rally in Durham to raise minimum wage
June 2, 2023 // Sanders addressed the crowd of supporters virtually because of the debt ceiling vote. Right now, the minimum wage in North Carolina is $7.25. Sanders hopes to raise the minimum wage to $17 an hour. The rally to raise the wage tour will continue over the next couple of days and will make stops in Nashville, TN and Charleston, S.C.
CUNA Mutual Group employees rally ahead of planned strike
May 9, 2023 // If the strike were to move forward it would be a first in the union’s history with the company. It is currently set for May 19th. OPEIU Local 39 represents roughly 450 of the company 4,200 employees.
Sodexo management allegedly orchestrated a ‘no-union’ rally at Rollins College, after workers filed to unionize
May 2, 2023 // Stewart added, quite passionately, that union reps have been harassing employees, following them to their cars, following them after they get off work. “If they don’t stop, I’m going to call the police,” she said. In fact, Sodexo management already has called the police, albeit on student organizers from the University of Central Florida who were issued trespass warnings by Winter Park police for passing out pro-union flyers on the private campus. Union staff have also been kicked off campus by campus security multiple times, according to union staff who Orlando Weekly previously spoke with. Granted, it’s common for union staff and pro-union workers to find time outside of work hours to approach fellow coworkers about unionization during union drives — and that may not always be welcome.
Union strike: Broadway actors plan rally outside DPAC before ‘Beetlejuice’
April 13, 2023 // Broadway could go dark as Actors’ Equity Union, representing actors and stage mangers, has issued a strike threat warning. The Actors’ Equity Union is back at the bargaining table Tuesday with the Broadway League, which oversees the contracts for thousands of touring performers. Kate Shindle, president of the Actors’ Equity Union, said the main reason actors and performers are seeking new contracts is the rising cost of food and housing in the places they visit on tour. Union members get a set allowance to cover those costs and are asking for an increase in that amount. Actors are often dipping into their salary to pay for food and hotel rooms.