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Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Fred Meyer Workers Agree to New 3-Year Contract After Strike Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. Thousands of Portland-area Fred Meyer employees went on strike in early September. Members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 555, the largest private sector union in Oregon, voted "overwhelmingly" to ratify a new three-year contract. The contract covers 4,500 workers for Fred Meyer and QFC stores in Oregon and southwest Washington. The contract provides higher wages, stronger health care, stable retirement and allows the union to better address contract violations."This agreement ensures significant wage increases, maintains industry-leading healthcare coverage, enhances dental benefits, and strengthens retirement security for more than 11,000 workers," Local 555 said."This contract is a victory for members of Local 555, who showed strength and solidarity throughout the entire fight," said Dan Clay, president of UFCW Local 555. "It was won by union workers coming together and by a community standing with them." Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 10/29/2024 - 09:53Continue reading→

Get Out the Vote: In the States Roundup It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on X (formerly Twitter). Alaska AFL-CIO:Life gets busy. Plan to vote at a time that best suits you! 🗳️Click the link below to find an early voting location near you. https://t.co/VxxbMInGim— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) October 25, 2024Arizona AFL-CIO:This morning we joined our fellow #UnionSiblings for a Labor Rally and canvass launch at Arizona Education Assiciation in support of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz!— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) October 12, 2024California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:It was great seeing so many union volunteers & elected officials out walking for @WillRollinsCA — Eight of our @californialabor Vice Presidents made it out today! Big turnout from @udw_union @CFTunion @CSEA_Now @UFCW @CAFirefighters @TheIronworkers @IBEW & more! pic.twitter.com/BISEsZEGij— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) October 26, 2024Colorado AFL-CIO:Did you know union members get a free t-shirt when they volunteer with us? 👻 Join us today, link in bio pic.twitter.com/G9ZtOs63gp— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) October 24, 2024Connecticut AFL-CIO:Union members are getting out the vote for pro-worker candidates in Waterbury today! #LaborVotes #GOTV pic.twitter.com/YLHYAdHJDa— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) October 26, 2024Florida AFL-CIO:Early voting for the 2024 general election has started in several counties this morning. If you haven't voted already, find a convenient early voting location close to you at https://t.co/EugzngMA1S!— Florida AFL-CIO (@FLAFLCIO) October 21, 2024Georgia State AFL-CIO:Need a ride to the polls? Union members and workers' rights supporters, get your voice heard. Rides provided by Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda from early voting to November 5, 2024. Schedule at https://t.co/a3DqfGznS0. 💪 #YourVoteMatters #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/xg7BggVpEb— Georgia AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOGeorgia) October 15, 2024Illinois AFL-CIO:A big weekend in Rockford for their 5th annual Labor Recognition Banquet. Thank you RUL President Sara Dorner, IL AFL-CIO President Tim Drea and UAW President Shawn Fain for reminding us that labor wins when we harness the power of a unified movement and voice. #1u pic.twitter.com/Tq4B7FUqQU— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) October 28, 2024Maine AFL-CIO:Today one of union canvassers knocked on our 20,000th door of the campaign season! Our goal is to knock on 25,000 doors to talk to voters about pro-labor legislative candidates in key battleground districts by the election. pic.twitter.com/PX2FJM0Ybq— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) October 24, 2024Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Working people are ready to elect @KamalaHarris, @JoyceCraigNH, @MaggieG603, and @ChrisPappasNH in New Hampshire! Huge crowd on the doors in Nashua this morning with the @NHAFLCIO #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/MH6RbQASs5— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) October 26, 2024Michigan State AFL-CIO:This is what standing with union workers looks like. While Trump trashes Detroit, insults auto workers, and brags about denying workers overtime, Kamala Harris is fighting to save the livelihood of the working class. https://t.co/RMjc7EbkIE— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) October 17, 2024Minnesota AFL-CIO:Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham writes: "Project 2025 calls for rolling back more than a century of progress that created America’s middle class. In effect, the American Dream could become a nightmare for working people." https://t.co/nxT7S9F0vS #BetterInAUnion— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) October 28, 2024Missouri AFL-CIO:We had a great labor walk last weekend for @Shirleymata60 and @MaggieforMO! pic.twitter.com/sntNLgPDw1— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) October 27, 2024Montana State AFL-CIO:In the 2022 election, 6% of the Montana electorate effectively elected 88% of our State House, and 36 candidates had no opponent in the General election. That’s why we need elections that put voters first. For more information visit: https://t.co/jk4tIOFO8L #mtpol #mtnews pic.twitter.com/khXjDfcWW0— Montana AFL-CIO (@MTaflcio) October 24, 2024Nevada State AFL-CIO:“We are the ones who knock on doors!” What a treat to have Breaking Bad’s @BryanCranston help kickoff one of our final canvass launches. 9 days left and we’re giving it everything we’ve got for the #HarrisWalz ticket 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/orLEdt8mks— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) October 27, 2024New York State AFL-CIO:At least 140 Trump advisers contributed to Project 2025. See how the plan would impact workers: https://t.co/i1RPsRIgSU— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) October 27, 2024North Carolina State AFL-CIO:We want the best education and the brightest future for our children, but how will Trump's #Project2025 impact kids in North Carolina? Let’s break it down. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/2YcBTJNHoO— NC State AFL-CIO // #CountMeIn (@NCStateAFLCIO) October 25, 2024Ohio AFL-CIO:It's never too early to talk about re-electing @SherrodBrown. Thanks to these @UAW members who were up at at the plant gates at 6am to talk with their coworkers about Sherrod and voting #YesOnIssue1 to end gerrymandering in #Ohio pic.twitter.com/1M4N7tkoRV— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) October 28, 2024Oregon AFL-CIO:The Oregon AFL-CIO is proud to endorse @RepTawnaSanchez for Oregon's 43rd House District.Learn about all of Oregon's labor endorsed candidates at https://t.co/B1B90w7Rqn.#ORpol #Labor2024 #Election2024 #Endorsement pic.twitter.com/xGrnZjyHWq— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) October 28, 2024Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:Thank you to card-carrying union member Dr. Jill Biden for helping us GOTV with the Delaware County CLC, @PFTLocal3, and @UFT!When we vote, we WIN!#labor2024 pic.twitter.com/gxLKUthhpT— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) October 26, 2024Texas AFL-CIO:Reminder: ALL workers – regardless of race, religion, or immigration status – deserve a living wage, the right to collectively bargain, and freedom from exploitation.Don’t let billionaires like Trump and Elon Musk divide us. We are strongest when we stand together.— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) October 28, 2024Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:An evergreen reminder from @IAM751’s Jon Holden:“All workers deserve a defined-benefit pension. It is a righteous fight to try to win it back.”🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/mqV5Ll45bE— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) October 24, 2024Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:“Our union rights are definitely under attack, but not just union rights. All of our rights are under attack,” Freeman said. “We can’t let this man back in office.” https://t.co/7HFArljOEm— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) October 28, 2024 Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 10/28/2024 - 10:29Continue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Musicians at Baltimore Chamber Orchestra Reach New Labor Agreement Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story. After 15 months of negotiations, musicians at the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (BCO) ratified of a new two-year collective bargaining agreement. The musicians are represented by the Musicians’ Association of Metropolitan Baltimore, American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 40-543. The new agreement has updated how the orchestra runs operations, including the creation of assistant principal positions within the orchestra’s string sections, more equitable practices to the orchestra’s audition policies, and standardizing the minimum number of players in each section of the orchestra.“The BCO’s musicians are grateful for the collaborative spirit in which this contract was negotiated,” said BCO’s principal viola and member of the BCO Players’ Committee, Chiara Kingsley-Dieguez. “While there is still more work to be done, this agreement is an excellent first step toward our goal of ensuring fair and equitable treatment of our musicians. We believe our orchestra has a very bright future and we look forward to working together with BCO’s management and board in the years ahead to accomplish our shared goal of presenting concerts of the highest musical quality in an environment that is warm and welcoming to everyone in our community.” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 10/28/2024 - 10:03Continue reading→

Worker Wins: Our Workers Help Move America Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life. IBEW Reaches Tentative Agreement with CSX, Norfolk Southern: The Electrical Workers (IBEW) announced that the union had reached a new five-year tentative agreement (TA) on Tuesday with rail-based freight transportation company CSX and Norfolk Southern, one of the country’s largest freight railroad operators. The TA covers approximately 4,000 workers and is subject to a ratification vote by membership. Highlights include an 18.77% compound wage increase over the lifetime of the deal, improvements to vacation benefits, and a new option for workers to carry over a certain amount of unused paid sick days. “This new agreement is a historic step forward for rail workers across the nation, and I’m proud of the efforts of IBEW railroad members in helping secure a fair deal,” said IBEW International President Kenneth Cooper. “Our workers help move America, and this agreement recognizes the value they bring to the rail industry.”Austin Journalists to Vote on New Contract After 21-Hour Mediation with Gannett: After multiple years of bargaining and a final 21-hour marathon session, members of the Austin NewsGuild who work for the Austin American-Statesman in Texas have finally reached a TA with parent company Gannett. The unit is part of The NewsGuild-CWA and includes journalists and other newsroom staff who won their union election in February 2021. Members overcame Gannett’s union-busting and delay tactics and are now celebrating a major milestone in their organizing efforts. The deal includes improved minimum salaries, general wage increases, frozen health insurance premiums, job protections and more. “We are thrilled to be able to turn the page on this part of our Guild history,” said Nicole Villalpando, chair of the Austin NewsGuild. “Our members worked incredibly hard to make this happen. We went without raises, picketed, social media shamed the company, went on strike with 100% participation twice, and phone zapped the CEO to make this happen.”Machinists Members Vote to Accept Latest Textron Aviation Contract Proposal: Members of Machinists (IAM) Local 774 voted to ratify a new five-year agreement on Sunday with Textron Aviation, successfully ending a monthlong strike. The agreement covers nearly 5,000 members across three campuses in Wichita, Kansas, and secures victories in major areas of concern for workers. Highlights of the deal include a 31% overall increase in wages throughout the lifetime of the contract, new insurance premium increase caps at 3%, longevity bonuses and much more. “Our skilled members in Wichita know what it takes to make Textron Aviation products just like they know how to stick together for what’s right,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “The dedication it takes to stand up with your Brothers and Sisters to fight for what you deserve is admirable, and the entire IAM is beyond proud of Local 774.” “Our members know what matters to them and used their voices as the essential tool to gain more,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “Textron Aviation is a powerhouse in today’s market and needed to offer more. I am proud of our members in Wichita—they stood strong and won for their families and communities.”‘Drunk Shakespeare’ Cast and Crew Ratify First Contract: Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) and Brass Jar Productions have ratified the first union contract covering actors, stage managers, servers, bartenders and bar managers who are part of the popular show “Drunk Shakespeare” and its seasonal companion production “Drunk Dracula.” In “Drunk Shakespeare” performances, one of five actors has five shots of whiskey and then attempts to perform a major role in a Shakespearean play. The new agreement establishes important practices around workplace safety, job definitions, terms of employment and job security so performers and crew can continue to entertain audiences around the country. Drunk Shakespeare United members will now accrue health benefits, vacation and sick leave—with many workers seeing wage increases and better income stability. “Huzzah! Seeing Drunk Shakespeare United ratify their first union contract is thrilling!” said Equity President Brooke Shields. “The spirit of collaboration our members brought to the table was met in kind by their employer, and while the process wasn’t always easy, it was definitely worthwhile.”Omni Hotel Workers in Boston Ratify Historic New Contract: UNITE HERE Local 26 members unanimously voted to ratify a new contract on Sunday after months of negotiations and about a week with nearly 700 workers on strike at Omni Hotels in Boston. Members who work at the Omni Boston Seaport and Omni Parker House hotels began an open-ended strike last week to secure fair wages, better benefits and improved job security. And now, hospitality workers are celebrating a historic deal that includes $10-an-hour wage increases over the lifetime of the contract and more. This victory comes as thousands of other UNITE HERE members continue fighting for the same goals across several major cities. “For me, the most important aspect of this new contract is that everyone will get meaningful raises,” said James “Smitty” Smith, a banquet server at the Omni Parker House, in a UNITE HERE press release. “I’m glad that Omni came to the table in good faith, and we finally reached an agreement. But we’re not done until we’re all done, in Boston and everywhere else.”Montana Cannabis Workers Make History by Joining UFCW: Cannabis workers at two Honey Sour dispensaries in uptown and downtown Butte, Montana, late last month voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1889. This election victory marks the first time Montana cannabis workers have successfully organized since the legalization of cannabis in the state three years ago. Staff initially reached out to the union with concerns about workplace safety issues—including mold and lack of running water—job security, customer well-being and more. Now members are looking forward to bargaining with Honey Sour to secure the fair working conditions that reflect their dedication and expertise. “I am incredibly proud to announce this historic achievement for us cannabis workers in Montana,” said Milo Vukovich, a Honey Sour dispensary worker. “Through today’s victory, we hope that we can pave the way for all cannabis workers in the state to receive the representation and benefits they deserve. This milestone shows just how powerful we are when we stand together, regardless of the industry.”United Health Professionals of New Mexico Members Ratify Contract: Members of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) affiliate, United Health Professionals of New Mexico (UHPNM), ratified a contract Sunday with the University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center (UNM SRMC). The union includes nurses and other health professionals who work at UNM SRMC and have been fighting for better working conditions and improved patient safety. Highlights of the agreement include wins like wage increases, job protections, the establishment of a labor-management committee that will look into safe staffing ratios and other ways to improve patient healing conditions, and more. “This contract represents basic respect for hospital professionals who work tirelessly for their patients,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “It shouldn’t have been so hard to get to this place, and the workers’ tenacity and the public’s support for their current or future caregivers moved the needle and resulted in this contract. We need hospitals to work collaboratively with their front-line workers and respect their input. When that happens, workers and patients are better off.”Asheville, North Carolina, Nurses Reach New Contract Agreement: This week, National Nurses United (NNU)–represented registered nurses (RNs) at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, voted to ratify a new three-year contract, winning measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention. This victory comes just over a month after RNs voted to authorize a strike against the HCA facility. Highlights of the new contract include substantial wage increases that will improve nurse recruitment and retention, a new program that will enhance staffing practices to ensure that nurses can take their meal and rest breaks during their shifts, new measures that will ensure nurses are “floated” (temporarily reassigned) to units similar to their normal specialty and more. “We are excited to have this new contract and ensure that our hospital is on a path to taking the best possible care of our patients and community,” said Huns Brown, an RN working in Mission Hospital’s pulmonary progressive care unit. “The devastation Hurricane Helene brought to our region underscores how Mission being the best possible version of itself is more important than ever.” Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 10/25/2024 - 13:00Continue reading→