Posts tagged safety
Tesla: UAW seeks to unionize car maker, battle expected with CEO Elon Musk
December 6, 2023 //
COMMENTARY: GIVING CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE: PRIVATE SECTOR UNION TAKES STAND AGAINST THEFT
December 5, 2023 // One union, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 3000, is actually instructing its members to go on strike and protest the reality that store managers are permitting criminality. This past weekend, in fact, hundreds of Macy’s employees walked off the job in several stores in western Washington to raise awareness about shoplifting and lack of security.
DHL Teamsters at CVG overwhelmingly vote to authorize strike
December 4, 2023 // Recently, the General Executive Board of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters authorized an increase in strike benefits for DHL CVG workers should a strike become necessary.
A Labor Strike Over Shoplifting
November 29, 2023 // Ms. Luick says workers at her store “frequently observe shoplifting and even occasional violence,” and “the lack of security affects our customers too.” But when she called 911 about “a repeat shoplifter that even law enforcement was familiar with,” Macy’s suspended her without pay “for nearly three weeks,” she wrote in a letter to the Everett Herald last week. Now Macy’s workers “are afraid to call the police because we worry we’ll get in trouble or even lose our jobs,” she said. Macy’s declined to respond to Ms. Luick’s claims but said “our top priority is to ensure the safety of our colleagues and customers in-store.” UFCW Local 3000 said it filed an unfair labor practice charge against Macy’s over its treatment of Ms. Luick and that the company “eventually provided back pay.”
Calhoun Republic Services Workers Vote to Unionize
November 28, 2023 // "I voted to become a Teamster because I want a voice to better my career,” said six-year Republic employee Michael Shipley, a roll-off driver and organizing committee member. “I am ready to fight for a fair contract to improve our workplace and give us the respect we deserve.” Union organizers claim the company employed several "union-busting" tactics during the process.
Las Vegas hotel and casino workers reach tentative deals to avoid strike
November 13, 2023 // erms of the deals weren't immediately released, but the union says that the proposed five-year contracts will provide workers with historic wage increases, reduced workloads and other unprecedented wins — including mandated daily room cleanings. Before the pandemic, daily room cleanings were routine. Hotel guests could expect fresh bedsheets and new towels by dinnertime if a "Do Not Disturb" sign wasn't hanging on their hotel room doors. But as social distancing became commonplace in 2020, hotels began to cut back on the service. More than three years later, the once industry-wide standard has yet to make a full comeback. Some companies say it's because there are environmental benefits to offering fewer room cleanings, like saving water.
Hospitality workers, Las Vegas casinos in crunch time for labor talks
October 4, 2023 // The Las Vegas unions are among the most powerful in the United States, covering workers who wait tables, clean hotel rooms and prepare food. Their demands mirror similar activity in the shipping, rail and auto industries where employees have sought better compensation due to the higher cost of living as unemployment stays low. "The companies have an opportunity to do the right thing and step up and get a contract done, but if not, there could be a strike any time after that," said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the culinary union. "Any time after October 6th, there could be a strike," he said.
Seattle workers rally for new contract, express outrage over city proposal
September 21, 2023 // Cat Hernandez, a Seattle Dispatcher’s Guild member, highlighted the city’s vocal commitment to equity, race and social justice, challenging city leaders to uphold those stated values in giving city employees a living wage. Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda attended the rally in support of the workers, stressing to the crowd they were not only fighting for fair wages and improved working conditions but also for the city to address its housing problem, affordability and the climate crisis.
Metro Transit workers, including drivers, overwhelmingly vote to authorize strike
September 14, 2023 // While some may be ready to strike, voting to authorize a strike does not mean a strike will happen. But it does give union leadership the ability to call a strike if it becomes necessary, the union said. "The members have the final say in that. They will tell us what they want to do. They have the final vote on the contracts," Timlin said. "It's really how far they are prepared to go on this. That's the reality." Workers are asking for pay raises to include the cost of living, safety solutions, better shift differentials and more one-piece runs. Negotiations with the Metropolitan Council started back in March and contracts expired at the end of July.
Despite rising number of strikes, union memberships remains low
September 7, 2023 // While the rate of work stoppages in 2023 is on pace to break the record set last year, union membership is still lagging at a record-low. So far, there have been 251 strikes in 2023, compared to 417 in 2022, according to data compiled by Cornell University’s Labor Action Tracker. Last year’s 10.1% unionization rate was the lowest on record, however, and workers have a long way to go to reach the 20% rates not seen in 20 years. While no comprehensive data exists detailing the success rate of recent worker strikes or labor disputes nationwide, some union workers have gotten their way this year.