Worker Wins: The Ability to Speak With One Voice

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

New York Immigration Coalition Employees Win Union Recognition: Staff at the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) have secured voluntary recognition from management as members of Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 153. NYIC is a coalition of 200 immigrant and refugee rights organizations across New York State that offer legal assistance, workers’ rights training and other services. The essential workers who make this advocacy possible announced their intention to form NYIC United on June 9 via a letter delivered to management that was signed by 70% of eligible staff. Bargaining unit members cited the need for more protections for immigrant workers, support for their immigration cases, financial transparency and pay equity as core motivators for organizing.

‘Worlds of Fun’ Workers Vote to Form Union with IATSE: Staff at the Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City, Missouri, voted overwhelmingly to join Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 31. The park spans more than 325 acres with multiple rides and other attractions. The new bargaining unit will cover 37 workers across technical services, wardrobe, costuming and creative services departments. This win has been in the making since early last year. Despite a majority of staff submitting signed union authorization cards to the National Labor Relations Board, management moved to contest the composition of the unit and sold the company to new ownership, effectively resetting the organizing campaign.

On-Set Visual Effects Workers on ‘Star Wars’ Productions Join IATSE: U.S.-based visual effects workers engaged directly by “Star Wars” franchise productions have joined the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Staff overwhelmingly supported joining the union—they contributed to major titles like “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” “Ahsoka” and “Starfighter.” Now these newly minted members are looking forward to establishing a fair and strong union contract. “These workers help bring some of the most ambitious stories in entertainment to life, and they deserve a meaningful voice in shaping their working conditions,” said IATSE International President Matthew Loeb in a press release. “We are proud to welcome these visual effects professionals into our proud Union.”

Staff at The Maine Monitor Win Voluntary Recognition: Newsroom workers at The Maine Monitor have joined The News Guild of Maine, The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA) Local 31128, after winning voluntary recognition from management. The publication is the nonpartisan, independent news outlet of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. Staff are organizing in order to ensure that they can continue to deliver the critical reporting their readership depends on. “Our union will be a positive step forward for both union members and the overall organization,” Rose Lundy, senior reporter at The Monitor, said. “The Maine Monitor Union will strengthen our newsroom, make The Monitor more attractive to talented candidates and will give staff the ability to speak with one voice.” “We are thrilled to welcome the workers of The Maine Monitor into our union. This step will strengthen a respected news organization and enable these journalists to continue their important mission in our state,” The News Guild of Maine President Megan Gray said. “Media workers and journalists in Maine have sent a clear message in recent years with campaigns to form and expand our unions: We care deeply about our work, and we will be part of the conversation about the future of the news industry in Maine.”

Temple, Jefferson Resident Physicians Ratify First Contracts: Resident physicians and fellows at the Temple University Health System and Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals—who are represented by the Committee of Interns and Residents-Service Employees International Union (CIR-SEIU)—have overwhelmingly ratified their first union contracts. Participating members at both health systems voted 100% in favor of approving the agreements. The approximately 2,200 Temple and Jefferson physicians provide essential direct patient care at more than 20 hospitals and medical facilities across the greater Philadelphia area. “As physicians, we spend every day advocating for our patients to have the resources and support they need, and many of us are living paycheck-to-paycheck,” said resident physician Linda Li. “Daycare alone took up about 60% of my salary, and I know residents who had to take on more debt just to cover basic living expenses. I’m incredibly proud that we stood together and won a contract that will make a material difference in our lives and for residents who come after us.”

SMART Members at Alstom LA Metrolink Ratify New Agreement: Members of SMART Railroad, Mechanical and Engineering Department (SMART-MD) Local 434 who perform essential maintenance for the Metrolink commuter rail in Los Angeles have ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement. Workers are employed by multinational transport manufacturer Alstom and keep the rail system running. The new four-year contract contains a number of major wins, including 22% pay raises, $5,000 in lump-sum bonuses, and improvements to members’ health and welfare benefits. “Local 434 members at Alstom are essential to public transportation in Los Angeles, and they made it clear during negotiations that they needed a contract that recognized their work. Most importantly, they stood together and spoke with one voice to ensure their demands were heard,” said SMART General President Michael Coleman in a press release. “This agreement demonstrates that unity works. We are proud of our members, proud of our local leadership, and excited to continue building on this momentum.”

AFSCME Members Win First Cost-of-Living Increase for Pennsylvania Retirees in 20 Years: Thanks to the tireless advocacy efforts of working and retired members of AFSCME Council 13, Pennsylvania state employees who retired before 2001 are getting their first cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in over two decades. The fiscal year 2026–27 budget, signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in mid-July, includes COLAs ranging from 15% to 24.5%, depending on beneficiaries’ retirement dates. This long overdue increase will be a critical lifeline as retirees who dedicated their working years to public service weather the current cost-of-living crisis. “Our retirees devoted their careers to serving the people of Pennsylvania, and for far too long they were asked to shoulder the burden of rising costs without any adjustment to their pensions,” said Jeanne Weaver, president of the Retired Public Employees of Pennsylvania Chapter 13. “This victory has been years in the making. While it should have happened much sooner, we are grateful that lawmakers finally recognized the need to provide relief to the men and women who spent their working lives serving this commonwealth.”

Southern California Meat Processors Ratify Strong Contract: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 770 members who work in the beef and poultry departments at Palisades Ranch plant have voted to ratify a three-year contract. Highlights of the deal include wage increases, new shift differentials and lead premiums, improved vacation and sick leave benefits, increased employer health care contributions, and more. “When the company said this was the best they could do, we stood together and voted no. That solidarity brought them back to the table and helped us win better wages, stronger benefits, and protect our break time,” said Local 770 member Luis Torres. “This contract shows the power of a union and what workers can accomplish when we stay united and fight for what we deserve.”

Ashland Specialty Chemicals Workers Ratify New Contract: The Texas City Metal Trades Council announced on Tuesday that members had settled a new contract with Ashland Specialty Chemicals, ending a powerful 42-day unfair labor practice (ULP) strike. Texas City Metal Trades Council is made up of members from Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 564, Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 527, United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) Local 211 and IAM Union (IAM) District 776. More than 70 workers held the line for weeks to fight back against dangerous misclassification and management’s efforts to outsource union work. Their new agreement contains a number of major victories, including a 9.25% wage increase over three years, more vacation days, restored seniority for bidding on new positions and more. “A strike is never easy,” said Lewis Crawford, Local 564 business agent and lead negotiator for the Texas City Metal Trades Council. “It asks everything of our members and their families, and this one asked more than most. We didn’t win every fight at that table—but we won something no contract can put a price on: trust, unity, and a brotherhood forged on that picket line. We’re not just going back to work. We’re going back stronger, together, than the local that walked out 42 days ago.” “We’re proud of the union members who put it all on the line to guarantee safety for themselves and their community,” said Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar. “Their new contract sends a powerful message to working people across Texas: when workers stand united, they win and build a stronger future for themselves and their families.”