The more than 1700 nurses work throughout the hospital, in many cases providing care for some of the most complex cases in the state.

Their most recent contract expired on June 30, after several months of bargaining. The parties then extended it through July 21.

Workers provided the hospital’s management with notice of their intent to strike on July 24.

“Our members remain deeply committed to our patients,” said Local 4-200 President Judy Danella. “However, we must address urgent concerns, like staffing. We need enough nurses on each shift, on each floor, so we can devote more time to each patient and keep ourselves safe on the job.”

#EdisonNJ #UnitedSteelworkersUSW

The local is comprised of more than 1700 members who work as nurses throughout the hospital. Their most recent contract expired on June 30 after several months of bargaining.

The group voted on July 10 to grant the union the authority to call the unfair labor practices strike and last week voted down a tentative agreement.

“Short staffing remains a major concern for all of the nurses,” said Local 4-200 President Judy Danella, “This is not a step we take lightly, but we have reached a breaking point. We have to stand up for ourselves and our patients.”

Members also continue to have concerns about other critical issues, including reining in rising insurance costs.

#WashingtonDC #UnitedSteelworkersUSW

The USW encouraged Chevron to return to the bargaining table, but it refused, forcing workers to give notice of their intent to begin an unfair labor practice strike on March 21 at 12:01 a.m.

The previous contract between Chevron and USW Local 5 expired February 1, and members have since been working on a rolling 24-hour extension.

“It’s disappointing that Chevron would walk away from the table instead of bargaining in good faith with its dedicated work force,” said Mike Smith, chair of the USW’s National Oil Bargaining Program.

The USW reached a pattern agreement with the oil industry on wages and working conditions on February 25, but each of the approximately 200 participating units also bargain over local issues before ratifying their individual contracts.

#SanFranciscoCA #SanFransiscoCA #PeoplesStruggles #Strikes #UnitedSteelworkersUSW #oilWorkers

Negotiations started on October 26, 2021, and union members had been working without a contract since the previous agreement expired on November 20. Sherwin-Williams refused to enter into an extension agreement.

Terrell Williams, president of United Steelworkers Local 14919 states, “All we are asking for is a fair and just contract that keeps up with inflation and provides economic sustainability and security for our members.”

When the parties last met on February 10 and 11, the company reiterated its previous substandard offer, reflecting no progress on their part. Sherwin-Williams is not available to meet again until later this month, and the USW requested the assistance of a federal mediator.

Sherwin-Williams just broke ground for a new headquarters complex in downtown Cleveland and announced the construction of a state-of-the-art research and development center in Brecksville. These projects have a price tag of over $600 million, and both received government assistance.

#PittsburghPA #strike #UnitedSteelworkersUSW

Debbie Blakeley, a recreation aide at the Kane Ross Center facility in Ross Township, said that workers voted to join the USW in order to pursue workplace rights and a voice on the job as well as stronger wages and benefits.

“Respect is a big thing for all of us,” said Blakeley, who has worked at the Kane Centers for 37 years. “I’m looking forward to working with the union to get what we deserve, because we all work really hard.”

The bargaining unit will consist of certified nurse assistants, licensed practical nurses, recreation aides, dietary and housekeeping workers, and material handlers at the Allegheny County-run assisted living and senior facilities in McKeesport, Glen Hazel, Ross Township and Scott Township.

The union vote, which began on December 15, 2021, was certified through the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. The new bargaining committee will enter negotiations for a first contract as USW members in the coming weeks.

“We’ve been striving all year to make this election happen, and I am so glad we can now move on to the work of bargaining a fair contract,” said Desirae Beatty, who has been with Kane for 17 years as a certified nursing assistant. “We have shown the county and Kane that we can organize and move as one, and we are ready for a positive change.”

Kane workers will now join the nearly 150 other Allegheny County workers represented by the USW and the more than 50,000 other USW-represented health care workers across North America.

#PittsburghPA #PeoplesStruggles #unionization #UnitedSteelworkersUSW

Fenner Dunlop unilaterally broke off talks to request a Ministry of Labor-sponsored contract vote. It was later turned down by 79%. The 60 workers are represented by United Steelworkers (USW) Local 7949 and make conveyor belts for mining operations.

Contract talks have been ongoing since late last year for a new collective agreement. In January, USW members voted 95% in favor of strike action if necessary, in a strong demonstration of support for their bargaining committee.

“At the beginning of negotiations, the company came with seven pages of concessions that would affect nearly every area of life at work, including repercussions for workers’ families,” said Dale Hogg, USW staff representative and lead negotiator. Some of the biggest issues continue to be related to paid sick days (short-term disability plan) and shift premiums that provide additional compensation for irregular shifts.

“As governments are being pushed to legislate paid sick days, it is unacceptable that this company is trying to whittle away the time that workers need, if they get sick,” said Marty Warren, USW District 6 Director (Ontario and Atlantic provinces). “This is especially galling in the context of a global pandemic.”

On Friday afternoon, February 15, workers were escorted out of the workplace, or called and told to not come in. Picket lines have since been set up outside the facility at 700 Ecclestone Drive in Bracebridge.

USW Local 7949 President Melissa Puccini Lott said that community support for USW members has been strong and the locked-out workers have appreciated it.

“This situation is relatable for many people,” said Puccini Lott. “Our members work hard, often at strange hours, and expect a fair contract and to be able to provide for themselves and their families. Fenner Dunlop has been chipping away at morale for years and this is just the latest issue. The company needs to end this lockout and get back to the table.”

Currently, there are no talks scheduled.

#BracebridgeONCanada #BracebridgeON #PeoplesStruggles #UnitedSteelworkersUSW

After workers at the Macon plant last year overcame Kumho’s oppressive anti-union campaign and voted to join the USW, the company filed several groundless objections in an effort to overturn the election.

The NLRB regional director dismissed some of those objections months ago, citing the lack of evidence.

In a report issued November 10, NLRB Hearing Officer Brenna C. Schertz discredited the remaining objections. She determined that one company witness fabricated testimony and scolded Kumho for presenting “nonsensical” evidence and making allegations that were “wholly without merit.”

Schertz recommended overruling all of Kumho’s objections and certifying the workers’ election. The decision now rests with the NLRB regional director.

“Since the start of the organizing campaign, Kumho has employed every underhanded tactic possible to thwart the election, break the will of its workers and silence them,” said USW District 9 Director Daniel Flippo.

#MaconGA #PeoplesStruggles #UnitedSteelworkersUSW #KumhoTire

The group, working under the banner of the United Museum Workers, announced their organizing drive on June 29 and are now seeking a formal vote through the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

“Our movement began with concerns about transparency and limited career opportunities, but it now has even greater urgency as it’s expanded to address furloughs, pay cuts, and safety issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Katie Pirilla, an art handler at the Carnegie Museum of Art. “Workers continued organizing throughout the pandemic and found renewed strength in our fight for a safe museum for employees and the public alike.”

By filing for a certification election, the United Museum Workers seek to create a wall-to-wall collective bargaining unit comprising the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, the Carnegie Science Center, the Andy Warhol Museum, and central administrative staff.

“Our group represents a diverse range of departments, duties, interests and ideas, but what all of us need is a seat at the table and a voice in the museum’s decision-making process,” said Ryan Martin, a sales associate in the Carnegie Museum of Art gift shop. “The founder of our museums, Andrew Carnegie, made his fortunes on the backs of thousands of workers who labored for low pay in extremely hazardous conditions. We intend to honor this legacy by voting for union representation.”

#PittsburghPA #PeoplesStruggles #UnitedSteelworkersUSW

On August 11 the National Labor Relations Board declared the union drive victorious after processing the final 13 ballots from an election last fall.

Workers sought USW representation to fight low wages, hazardous working conditions and abusive treatment at Kumho, which ruthlessly harassed and bullied union supporters in an attempt to derail the organizing campaign.

“These workers voted to unionize even though Kumho tried every underhanded, despicable stunt it possibly could to violate their rights and poison the election results,” noted USW District 9 Director Daniel Flippo.

In 2017, Kumho workers narrowly lost an initial election on the heels of Kumho’s vicious union-busting campaign, which included threats against USW supporters. Kumho’s conduct was so egregious that Administrative Law Judge Arthur J. Amchan not only ordered a new election but took the extraordinary step of ordering the company to read workers a list of its numerous labor law violations.

While awaiting the final results of last fall’s election, conditions at Kumho only got worse. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the company failed to implement commonsense safety measures.

“In forming a union and holding Kumho to account,” Flippo said, “these workers will help set stronger pay and workplace standards for the whole industry.”

#MaconGA #unions #UnitedSteelworkersUSW #KumhoTire #unionbusting

On August 11 the National Labor Relations Board declared the union drive victorious after processing the final 13 ballots from an election last fall.

Workers sought USW representation to fight low wages, hazardous working conditions and abusive treatment at Kumho, which ruthlessly harassed and bullied union supporters in an attempt to derail the organizing campaign.

“These workers voted to unionize even though Kumho tried every underhanded, despicable stunt it possibly could to violate their rights and poison the election results,” noted USW District 9 Director Daniel Flippo.

In 2017, Kumho workers narrowly lost an initial election on the heels of Kumho’s vicious union-busting campaign, which included threats against USW supporters. Kumho’s conduct was so egregious that Administrative Law Judge Arthur J. Amchan not only ordered a new election but took the extraordinary step of ordering the company to read workers a list of its numerous labor law violations.

While awaiting the final results of last fall’s election, conditions at Kumho only got worse. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the company failed to implement commonsense safety measures.

“In forming a union and holding Kumho to account,” Flippo said, “these workers will help set stronger pay and workplace standards for the whole industry.”

#MaconGA #unions #UnitedSteelworkersUSW #KumhoTire #unionbusting

Alcoa informed the retirees by letter on December 4 that it would eliminate life insurance coverage effective December 31, 2019. The company included with the letter a check equal to a fraction of the face value of their life insurance coverage and a federal 1099 tax form, since the payment would be taxable.

The lawsuit was filed as a class action, and three Alcoa retirees have joined the complaint as proposed class representatives. The Wenatchee Aluminum Trades Council, a coalition of unions representing workers at an Alcoa facility in Washington state, is also a plaintiff.

The union is also studying other announcements that the company made regarding the health care benefits for certain retirees effective in 2021.

#WashingtonDC #PeoplesStruggles #UnitedSteelworkersUSW #Alcoa #lifeInsurance

USW District 11 Director Emil Ramirez said that Carley management’s scheme to divide the members of Local 63B by proposing a lower wage tier for new employees and other economic and contract language changes has instead united them in solidarity.

“Carley has broken federal labor laws in its drive to force workers to accept its unfair and unnecessarily concessionary proposals, and we are standing up to demand the fair contract USW members have earned,” Ramirez said. “As one, we will deliver the message to management that our work has dignity and we deserve the company’s respect.”

#BlaineMN #PeoplesStruggles #Strikes #UnitedSteelworkersUSW #CarleyFoundry

USW District 12 Director Robert LaVenture said, “ASARCO’s four-year contract proposal insulted union members at all of the facilities by including no wage increase for nearly two-thirds of workers, freezing the existing pension plan, and more than doubling the out-of-pocket contribution individual workers already pay for health care.” He added, “Working 12-hour shifts in an open-pit mine, smelter or refinery is difficult and dangerous, and ASARCO employees have not had a wage increase in ten years.”

“Management has tested these employees for years, and we’ve met their challenges each step along the way,” LaVenture said. “When we march together for fairness and justice at ASARCO, we are delivering a unified message that the company’s attacks on our livelihoods must end and that we are standing up for respect and dignity from this employer.”

Late in the evening of Friday, October 11, after the counting of ballots, the USW, on behalf of itself and the nine other unions representing ASARCO workers, provided 48 hours’ notice to terminate the extension agreement under which the parties have worked since December 1, 2018.

#TucsonAZ #PeoplesStruggles #Strikes #UnitedSteelworkersUSW

While some legal challenges remain before the election results are official, the initial vote count showed 141 votes for the union and 137 against, with 13 challenged ballots still to be resolved at an upcoming hearing.

About 325 workers would be in the USW bargaining unit at Kumho.

An administrative law judge issued an order in May for a new vote at the Kumho factory after finding that company officials violated workers’ rights during the first election in October 2017.

After that initial vote, which resulted in a narrow defeat for the union, the USW filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board accusing the company of illegal conduct in its effort to suppress the union.

In his ruling, Administrative Law Judge Arthur J. Amchan wrote that the company’s illegal conduct was “pervasive” and that it warranted not only a new election, but the “extraordinary” remedy of requiring company officials to read a notice to employees outlining all of the violations.

Kumho’s violations, Amchan said, included illegally interrogating employees, threatening to fire union supporters, threatening plant closure, and creating an impression of surveillance, among other threats to workers.

#MaconGA #PeoplesStruggles #UnitedSteelworkersUSW #KumhoTirePlant

The aluminum workers strike authorization votes were conducted during meetings at each location over the course of the past two weeks. USW members have continued to work under the terms and conditions of a contract that was set to expire on May 15, 2019, when the USW and Alcoa agreed to a temporary extension, subject to termination by either party with notice.

Formal negotiations between the USW and Alcoa broke off with the company demanding major economic and non-economic concessions.

#WashingtonDC #PeoplesStruggles #strike #Strikes #UnitedSteelworkersUSW #Alcoa

The members of USW Local 13-1 have been bargaining for a new contract with Rohm and Haas over the past several weeks.

“The company’s decision to lock its doors on these hard-working union members is reckless and irresponsible,” said Ruben Garza, director of the union’s District 13, which includes Texas and three neighboring states.

The union and the company had been operating under a 24-hour rolling extension of the current collective bargaining agreement while negotiations on a new contract continued. Dow Chemical Company informed the union last week that it would lock the workers out if they could not reach a deal by 2 p.m. April 22.

For the USW, a sticking point in the negotiations has been the issue of overtime and possible safety and fatigue concerns because of understaffing.

“The USW is committed to making sure that we have consistent and safe staffing levels,” Garza said. “These negotiations are about more than just money. We also must consider the safety and well-being of the workers and the entire community.”

#RohmAndHaasTexasInc #DeerParkTX #PoorPeoplesMovements #Labor #CollectiveBargaining #UnitedSteelworkersUSW #DowChemicalCompany

The contract includes significant wage increases and preserves affordable benefits for about 1200 members of USW Local 12012 and USW Local 12003. The agreement also includes additional health and safety provisions and other protections for the natural gas workers and residents.

Union members, local and state officials, and residents from across the community stood behind the locked-out USW members throughout their seven-month ordeal.

“The bottom line is that when working people stand together and fight for each other, they win,” said USW District 4 Director John Shinn. “This contract is a win for these workers and for the entire community.”

#MilfordMA #Healthcare #UnitedSteelworkersUSW #NationalGrid #protections