Worker Wins: ‘We Made Many Important Gains’

Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.

Hearst Magazines Union Ratifies New Contract: Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members at Hearst Magazines have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement. This victory came after members delivered a strike pledge signed by more than 85% of the unit and participated in walkouts and rallies calling for a fair contract. The agreement covers staff across 29 different Hearst Magazines publications, including major titles like Cosmopolitan, Elle, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping. Strong economic gains in the contract will help ensure that WGAE members can continue to deliver informative and entertaining content that generates billions in profits every year. “We made many important gains—better raises, higher wage floors, and an improved 401k match—for members of our unit with this contract,” The Hearst Magazines Union bargaining committee said. “We also know there is still a great deal of work to be done to make Hearst Magazines a place we can all be proud of. We hope this ratification sends a clear message to management that we are only getting stronger and mo

Nurses at NewYork–Presbyterian Ratify Agreement, Ending Historic Strike: After 41 days spent walking picket lines, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) members who work at NewYork–Presbyterian voted overwhelmingly to ratify their new three-year contract, ending the union’s historic strike. This strike was the biggest and longest nurses’ work stoppage in New York City in decades. NYSNA members went toe-to-toe with some of the richest private employers, enduring union-busting, drawn out negotiations and freezing temperatures, and won. “This is a proud moment for our union,” said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans. “15,000 NYSNA nurses went out on strike, and finally all 15,000 will be returning to the bedside. We are so happy with the wins we achieved, and now the fight to enforce these contracts and hold our employers accountable begins. NYSNA nurses showed what it means to advocate for patients, and this moment will go down in history as a win for our communities, in the fight for healthcare justice, and for the labor movement.”

PSA Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Agreement: Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) members reached a tentative agreement on Thursday for a new three-year contract with PSA Airlines. The regional airline is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, that operates flights under the American Eagle brand. The deal includes a 30% to 50% increase in compensation over the lifetime of the contract, scheduling improvements, increased flexibility and other critical wins. “PSA Flight Attendants save lives every day and serve as the face of American Eagle in ever increasingly difficult conditions,” said Lee Wilkes, president of AFA-CWA PSA. “This tentative agreement starts to recognize what we do every single flight to get people to their destination safely. We fought extremely hard to set a new industry standard for contract duration.” “PSA Flight Attendants need these improvements and we fought hard to get them in their hands for a ratification vote,” said Sara Nelson, international president of AFA-CWA. “Although it was extremely difficult bargaining with PSA, American CEO Robert Isom demonstrated his longstanding commitment to recognize the work of frontline employees who make it possible for American to fly. We appreciate his direct engagement to make this agreement possible.”

Volkswagen Workers Ratify First Union Contract at Major Southern Auto Plant: In a powerful victory, UAW members who work for Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have voted by 96% to ratify their first union contract. The contract is a major milestone in Southern union organizing and delivers a number of powerful, life-changing wins. This includes a 20% wage increase, health care cost reductions, job security guarantees, an enforceable grievance procedure and much more. “This victory shows what happens when workers stand up and refuse to be ignored. We didn’t just win better wages and raise standards at our plant—we forced respect onto the table and got it all in writing,” said Yogi Peoples, a bargaining committee member. “Our victory here at Volkswagen should send a message to autoworkers everywhere: don’t let management divide you. When workers fight together—united and unafraid—we can beat the odds and win!” “This is just the beginning,” said Chattanooga Area Labor Council President Geoffrey Meldahl. “No more business as usual. Working people are sick and tired of begging for scraps to keep their lights on while the richest of the rich buy themselves yet another mega yacht. The future of the south is union strong!” “This isn’t just a win for Chattanooga autoworkers,” Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council President Billy Dycus said. “It’s a win for our entire state because these workers have proven that when we band together, Southern workers have the power to win the wages, affordable healthcare, job security and respect we all deserve.”