Entries by Paul Becker

LABOR LEADERS CONDEMN ARREST OF UNION HEAD IN L.A. ICE RAIDS

Labor unions around the US rallied together June 8 to demand the release of a labor leader arrested and injured during Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles. David Huerta, president of Service Employees International Union California and SEIU United Service Workers West, was serving as a community observer during an ICE raid […]

SOME LATEST WINS FOR WORKERS

Below are listed some recent lesser-known examples of wins for working people as listed by the AFL-CIO in late May. Northwestern University Food Service Workers Ratify New Contract: After a 12-day strike this year, members of UNITE HERE Local 1 who staff dining facilities at Northwestern University have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. Cooks, cashiers, dishwashers and […]

AFTER TRUMP TAKEOVER, KENNEDY CENTER WORKERS VOTE TO UNIONIZE

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has long been Washington, D.C.’s premiere stage for the arts and culture — originating with a 1958 act of Congress to advance artistic excellence as a symbol of U.S. cultural soft power. But under the second Donald Trump administration, the center has become the backdrop for much harder political conflict, as well as […]

FLIGHT ATTENDANT UNION REACHES TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH UNITED AIRLINES

After five years without a pay raise, United Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), and United Airlines reached an historic tentative agreement for 28,000 Flight Attendants. The agreement includes: Industry-leading compensation Hotel, scheduling, reserve and other improvements In the first year alone, Flight Attendants will gain 40% of total economic […]

WRITERS GUILD 2023 STRIKE INSPIRES OTHERS TO ORGANIZE

The strike of members of the Hollywood Writers Guild two years ago brought some big gains for writers but has also brought an additional effect. Inspired by the writers, about 22,000 of the entertainment industry’s lowest paid workers have organized, led by the newly-formed Production Assistants United. They include early career workers like production and […]

APRIL BITS AND PIECES

AFT SUES ADMINISTRATION OVER VIRTUAL SHUTDOWN OF LABOR MEDIATION SERVICE The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and 10 other unions have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in an effort to prevent the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS)’s dismantling. FMCS is a federal agency that mediates labor disputes in both public and private sectors and […]

TRUMP TRIES TO END BARGAINING CONTRACTS WITH FEDERAL UNIONS

In its latest union busting attempt the Trump administration is suing the American Federation of Government Employees to invalidate its collective bargaining contract. Using an obscure provision of the law, President Trump issued an executive order March 27 excluding  government agencies from long-standing unionization rights if he determines that those agencies are primarily engaged in […]