Posts tagged wage increase
The UAW vs. The Big Three: Why the union’s wish list isn’t ‘going to happen’
August 15, 2023 // The UAW's wish list would amount to $25 billion-$30 billion per automaker over the life of the contract. "That adds $35 to $40 per hour to active labor cost — an increase of roughly 60%," the source said. The impact being that automakers would return to the "bankruptcy era" and more than double the labor costs for GM, Ford, and Stellantis versus non-union automakers like Tesla (TSLA).
Blandin Paper Strike Ends After Union Ratifies New Contract Agreement
August 14, 2023 // The previous contract expired June 30, and 166 employees represented by Teamsters Local 346 went on strike on July 15. UPM Blandin general manager Scott Juidici said in a statement that the agreement helps position the mill for the future and that he is looking forward to “restarting operations in a safe and efficient manner.” Jeff Oveson, the president of Teamsters Local 346, tells Lakeland News that members narrowly accepted the offer. He says no one wins in a strike, but they feel like they “did well.”
Summer of labor: Why unions win pay hikes and new clout
August 10, 2023 // This year’s bargaining sessions tell the story. The mere threat of a strike won longshoremen, UPS drivers, and other blue-collar workers big pay raises. The 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America, by contrast, have been on strike since May. Last month, the actors union joined them on the picket line. It’s the first time the two have jointly struck the studios since 1960 and the most closely watched labor action of the year. Almost 3 in 4 Americans say they’re aware of the strike, according to a Los Angeles Times poll released Aug. 3. Among the issues are revenues from web streaming and the use of AI to generate actors’ likenesses.
Illinois’ new deal with AFSCME union to cost taxpayers an additional $620 million
July 27, 2023 // In 2022, the Illinois Comptroller's salary database shows all state employees combined were paid over $6 billion. That's more than $200 million more than the $5.8 billion spent in 2021. Hill said along with the new contract, workers will also receive bonuses. "Current employees of AFSCME are going to get stipends of $1,200 upon the ratification of the agreement," Hill said. "Not only are there going to be wage gains in excess of what the private sector is getting and what the state can afford, but we are also going to be giving out apparent bonuses to members." Pritzker said the negotiations with AFSCME were fair. "I’m thankful for a productive negotiation that led to a contract which recognizes the valuable contributions of state employees and makes government more efficient," Pritzker said.
Workers At Beloved D.C. Sandwich Shop Compliments Only Seek To Unionize
July 19, 2023 // Employees of beloved D.C. sandwich shop Compliments Only are trying to form a union and seeking a $21 per hour wage. In late June, a majority of the workers — eight out of an estimated ten employees — first asked owners Pete Sitcov and Emily Cipes to recognize their union, but they declined, according to multiple workers. They went public with their union drive this past weekend, when employees, including several who walked off mid-shift, demonstrated at the Dupont Circle sandwich shop.
Potential rail union strike could shut down Metro-North this fall
July 11, 2023 // The union said trains cannot function without inspectors, which means a potential strike could disrupt the commute of many Metro-North Railroad riders. In a recent tweet, the TWU of America said the vote to approve a strike upon release from mediation was nearly unanimous. The tweet also said, “Make no mistake, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is on a strike trajectory at the nation's second largest commuter rail system."
UPS, Teamsters accuse each other of walking away from contract talks
July 6, 2023 // The Teamsters Union said on Wednesday United Parcel Service "walked away" from negotiations over a new contract, a claim the shipping giant denied, lobbing its own accusation that the union had stopped negotiating. The two sides traded salvos in early morning statements as they attempt an agreement to prevent a strike when the current contract, which covers some 340,000 workers, expires at the end of the month.
Weyerhaeuser union worker strike enters 11th day with no end in sight
September 27, 2022 // Additionally, Weyerhaeuser insists employee retirement benefits will remain intact, including pension benefits for eligible employees. But as for health care premiums, the company says they are not asking for anything outside of the norm for other Weyerhaeuser employees in the U.S. “We have offered to pay 97% of the health care premium, with employees responsible for only 3% to start,” Weyerhaeuser said. “This amounts to about $17 per month for single employees and about $46 per month for employees with families. We believe this is more than fair, and the breadth and quality of coverage available through our health care plan remains unchanged.”
Report: Kroger eyes possibility of Ohio employee strike
September 19, 2022 // "It's business as usual at Kroger. A strike authorization doesn't mean a strike. Associates should continue to report to work as scheduled." WBNS also quoted the Kroger statement as saying: "The fully recommended agreement on our last best and final offer showed our commitment to the whole person, providing wage increases, high-quality, affordable health care, and a pension benefit for retirement.