Worker Wins: ‘Proud and Thankful’

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

TWU Members Ratify Six-Year Contract with Akron Metro: Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 1 members in Ohio ratified a new six-year contract with Akron Metro last week that contains major economic wins. This powerful deal comes nearly three months after bus operators, vehicle service workers and clerical workers approved a strike authorization. TWU members secured a 21% compounded wage increase over the lifetime of the agreement, a $2,000 signing bonus, retroactive pay and more. “We fought back and drove the economic value of the contract much higher than the bosses ever thought possible,” TWU International President John Samuelsen said. “We put together a strategic campaign with Local 1 leadership, executed the plan, and secured a contract that gives workers the respect and economic advancement they deserve.” “I’m proud of my members,” TWU Local 1 President Wayne Cole said. “They leafleted riders, held rallies, spoke out at Metro Board meetings—and were ready to strike. Once management realized workers were organized and ready to take strike action, they buckled.”

Script Coordinators and Writers’ Room Assistants Win First Contract: Script coordinators and writers’ room assistants working in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have won their card check to join Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 161 and now have their first contract. These craftspeople—who previously worked under the hard-won union wage and protection standards in Los Angeles for years but didn’t have those same protections on the other side of the country—secured coast-to-coast agreement coverage with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) in early August. “We’re proud and thankful to be joining Local 161,” said the organizing committee. “This campaign started back in 2018, stalled several times, but picked up in a meaningful way last year, largely due to a dedicated group of Script Coordinators and supporters on the 161 side. We made our case for why Script Coordinators and Writers’ Room Assistants on the East Coast deserve the same protections our colleagues have in Los Angeles, collected the necessary support from eligible workers, and today we have an agreement with the AMPTP. We’re grateful to every member of Local 161 who welcomed our crafts, and we’re ready to get to work alongside you with the same tenacity we brought to this campaign.”

Workers at Baltimore Animal Shelter Win Union Representation: Staff at the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) have voted overwhelmingly to join AFSCME Maryland Council 3. The BARCS Workers United bargaining unit will represent a wide range of staff, including adoptions counselors, animal care attendants, cat foster coordinators, surgery assistants and others. Staff at the shelter decided to organize for a strong voice on the job after management refused to address important workplace concerns. Now the newly minted union members are ready to bargain for a fair contract that will ensure better pay for the lowest-paid workers, improved protections and safety protocols, respect in the workplace and the power to better advocate for themselves and the communities they serve in support. “As BARCS staff, we give animals a second chance, and today, we gave ourselves a stronger voice to better stand up for the animals and for our fellow co-workers. This is only the first step before negotiations for the betterment of BARCS and Baltimore’s animal welfare system as a whole,” said Taylor Hilton, a BARCS Workers United member and a veterinary technician. “Today’s victory for BARCS workers truly embodies the mission of AFSCME Maryland: to improve conditions for Marylanders so that they can do the important work that keeps our communities running. BARCS employees work tirelessly to provide safety and security to animals in need, and that goes hand in hand with providing safety and security to them,” said Sabeela Ally, executive director of AFSCME Maryland. 

Loft Cinema Workers Unanimously Ratify First CBA: Members of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 415 who work at Loft Cinema in Tucson, Arizona, have voted unanimously to ratify their first union contract. The nonprofit art house cinema has a historic connection to Local 415—Loft projectionists were represented by the union in the first few years of the theater’s operation, but that ended after the theater management changed in the early 1970s. Decades later, current staff have revived their membership and now have a contract that ensures wage increases, expanded paid time off, paid breaks, overtime pay for work on holidays, weekly hours guarantees and more. “We’re very proud of the hard work of the Loft employees during their campaign to unionize and their persistence in bargaining this agreement,” said Local 415 Business Agent Ian Fritz. “Our union is honored to represent them, and I hope their success sends a message to movie theater workers across Tucson that joining a union is every worker’s right.”

Central Maine Medical Center Nurses Vote Overwhelmingly to Form Union: After weathering intense interference from hospital management, registered nurses (RNs) at Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) have voted overwhelmingly to join Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (MSNA/NNOC), an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU). This landslide victory and display of solidarity is especially meaningful given that Prime Healthcare, the hospital’s owner, fired and suspended 20 nurses during the organizing campaign in retaliation for speaking up and fighting for their patients. Now that the election is over, MSNA members will continue to demand the reinstatement of their illegally disciplined coworkers and are preparing to negotiate a first contract that protects their voice on the job. “We are beyond thrilled to win our union election. Prime Healthcare thought they could silence us,” said Aaron McDaniel, an RN in the intensive care unit. “But now we are members of National Nurses Organizing Committee and we will use our voices to speak up loudly for our patients. We’re so proud to join NNOC because we know we will win a contract that will make a drastic difference for our patients and for us as nurses to build a healthier community.”

AutoZone Workers Vote to Join UAW, First for Nationwide Chain: Workers at an AutoZone location in White Plains, New York, have made history by voting to join UAW Local 259, making them the first store at the country’s largest auto parts retailer to organize for a fair contract. Staff cited concerns around low pay and unfair working conditions as core motivators for joining together for a stronger voice on the job. LaborLab—a nonprofit labor rights watchdog organization—and workers identified at least 11 corporate executives, along with several regional and district managers, who appeared at the store leading up to the vote. “It’s like hitting a fly with a mallet,” said Mike DiGuiseppe, Local 259’s vice president. “They’ve had more corporate executive union-busters in the store than workers.” “Our goal is to get compensation, job security, just more things that closely reflect the value that we know that we bring to the company. We’re not getting close to what we’re worth,” said David Valencia, who works at the AutoZone store. “There is no bargaining when you’re alone. They’re only going to bargain when you’re together. So we don’t have a choice. Either we’re going to live in poverty and not be able to pay our bills, or we’re going to do this.”

Cleveland Orchestra Musicians Reach New Agreement, Ending Strike: Members of the Cleveland Federation of Musicians, American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 4 who perform as part of the Cleveland Orchestra, have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement after a three-day work stoppage. The previous contract covering musicians expired at the end of August, and this year’s strike was the first time members have been on the picket line for more than one day since 1980. Highlights of the new deal include annual 5% wage increases, a collective voice in the audition process, improved safety protocols and more. “We want to thank the thousands of supporters who wrote testimonials, signed our petitions, and carried us through a sometimes painful, but very purposeful effort to ensure this great Cleveland Orchestra will continue to attract and retain the finest musicians in the world,” said Elayna Duitman, Negotiating Committee chair and a violinist in the Orchestra for 16 years. “We were able to agree to a fair compensation package, a voice in our auditions and improved safety for our musicians. We look forward to a wonderful new season of music for the Cleveland Orchestra and our audiences.”

Communications Workers Ratify Contract at UC System: UAW Local 4811 members who work as University of California (UC) communication, marketing and sales specialists (ComMaS) have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement. The contract will cover about 1,600 staff across the UC system—they reached a tentative agreement in mid-September. Highlights of the deal include a nearly 28% wage increase, clear guidance around career progression and more. “More and more professional staff are joining UAW 4811 every day, and this is how we will truly meet the moment and fight for the future of public higher education and our work,” said Adra Bowman, a ComMaS bargaining committee member.