‘Today, Working People Won’: The Working People Weekly List
Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.
Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.
California Bans Employers from Using AI Alone To Fire Workers: “The bill was sponsored by the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO. ‘Workers across California have demanded that our state lead the way in regulating A.I. in our workplaces. And today, we see that begin to happen,’ said California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO President Lorena Gonzalez in a statement.”
NJ Senate Labor Committee Backs Limits on AI Use by Employers: “New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech said at the event that AI could make workplaces more efficient and productive. Without oversight, he said, it also poses risks to jobs, privacy, safety and basic rights.”
Philz Coffee Workers Unionize at Glendale, Torrance Locations: “Workers at Philz Coffee locations in Glendale and Torrance were among employees at four California stores who voted to unionize, the United Food and Commercial Workers [UFCW] union announced Wednesday. Workers at the Glendale and Torrance stores will join UFCW Local 770, while employees at Philz locations in San Francisco and Cupertino will join UFCW Local 5, according to the union.”
Apple Studios Visual Effects Workers Secure First IATSE Contract: “Apple Studios visual effects workers have secured their first IATSE contract. The members won new standards for wages, health care, retirement benefits, working hours, artificial intelligence and workplace safety. The contract establishes minimum rates for every covered title. Annual minimum rate increases will match those negotiated in the IATSE-AMPTP Basic Agreement. In addition, workers also secured minimum-hour guarantees, pay for all hours worked, and overtime protections including holidays and sixth and seventh workdays.”
Penn Libraries Support Staff Ratify Three-Year Union Contract with University: “Penn Libraries’ support staff union reached its latest contract with the University earlier this month. The two parties came to a tentative agreement on Sept. 14, which workers ratified as a three-year contract just over a week later. While bargaining is complete for support staff, other workers who are part of Penn Libraries United are still negotiating for their first contract. The two units are represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local [AFSCME] 590. According to Local 590 President Yvonne Harris, the new contract features ‘several big wins, including the ability of members of 590 to request and be approved for hybrid work schedules’—which previously was not an option.”
Transport Workers Union Local 1, Representing Akron Metro RTA Workers, Ratifies 6-Year Contract: “Transport Workers Union [TWU] Local 1 ratified a six-year contract with Akron Metro RTA that includes a 21% compounded wage increase over the life of the agreement, retroactive pay and a signing bonus, according to a news release. TWU Local 1 workers include 310 bus operators, along with vehicle service workers and clerical workers at Metro RTA. Approximately 85% of the workers voted in favor of the contract, according to the release.”
Oregon University Workers Call Off Strike Monday After Reaching Tentative Agreement: “More than 4,000 workers at seven of Oregon’s public universities will not go on strike after a last-minute deal early Monday morning. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 503, which represents about 4,600 food service workers, custodians, and administrative staff across the state’s seven public universities, tells KATU News that the strike had been called off.”
‘Working People Won’: Unions Score Deal To Shield Federal Workers from Government Shutdown Firings: “A coalition of federal employee unions won a settlement Friday requiring the Trump administration to abandon its policy authorizing mass layoffs during government shutdowns, after unions sued to block the firings of thousands of public servants. ‘Today, working people won,’ American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President Everett Kelley said in a statement. ‘The administration tried to turn a shutdown into an excuse to fire the public servants who kept this country running without a paycheck on payday, and we refused to let it stand. We fought back, we held the line, and they backed down.’”
Faith, Labor and Civil Rights Coalition To Mobilize Southern Voters for November and Beyond: “PNBC [Progressive National Baptist Convention] has coordinated a series of local churches, HBCUs [historically Black colleges and universities] and community centers that will host joint assemblies and organizing activities. AFL-CIO will host rallies in labor halls, bringing together local labor groups in each location as well as recruit and train 50,000 election protection volunteers to monitor polls nationwide. ‘The civil rights community, faith, labor—the longstanding coordination in the fight against America’s original sins has continuously brought us together to fight for freedom and liberation,’ said Alex Rias, AFL-CIO director of civil, human and women’s rights.”
1,600 Communication Workers Ratify Contract To Join UC’s Largest Union: “UC [University of California] communication workers voted Thursday to join a union representing more than 60,000 student employees, researchers and educators across the University. UC Communication, Marketing and Sales Specialists ratified a union contract Thursday to join United Auto Workers [UAW] Local 4811. The contract will cover about 1,600 workers across the UC. The Public Employment Relations Board—a state agency responsible for ensuring fair labor practices—certified ComMaS in March, and the union began contract negotiations with the University in May, according to UC-UAW’s website.”