Worker Wins: Local Elections Matter
Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
Union Families Congratulate Chris Taylor on Wisconsin Supreme Court Victory: Wisconsin State AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale released the following statement on the election of Judge Chris Taylor to the Wisconsin Supreme Court: Congratulations to Judge Chris Taylor on her victory and election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and congratulations to our entire Wisconsin labor movement that proudly stood by her every step of the way. Working people came together and sent a clear message: we want a Supreme Court that protects the rights and freedoms of us all. We have confidence Justice Chris Taylor will bring independence and fair judicial review to the court. Congratulations are also in order to all of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO endorsed candidates who won in local races around the state [last night]. Local elections matter and working people are continuing to vote for a Wisconsin that advances the rights and well-being of hard working families. Momentum continues to build for November as Wisconsin voters call for an economy that works for working people.
IATSE and The Juilliard School Reach Tentative Agreement for Production Staff: Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) members who work in production roles at The Juilliard School have secured a tentative agreement. The new deal covers more than 100 theatrical production workers at the educational institution. Workers initially voted to join IATSE last year, with near unanimous support for the organizing effort. “This contract is setting a new standard for wage equity across production crafts,” said Meredith Prouty-Due, a costume design coordinator. “We are excited to be embarking on this new chapter with Juilliard and the IATSE.” “We came together as a collective of artisans and craftspeople across disciplines committed to lifting up our colleagues,” said A.J. Cote, the lead carpenter. “This contract further unifies our commitment to each other and our work. Every person working under the collective bargaining agreement now has representation and a path to benefits, and it guarantees future workers a voice in their workplace.”
Allina Health Clinicians Reach Historic First Tentative Agreement: Doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners—who are members of Doctors Council-Service Employees International Union (SEIU)—have reached a powerful first tentative agreement with management at Allina Health. The deal would cover over 600 members in Minnesota and Wisconsin and comes more than two years after they first voted to form the largest private sector health care provider union in the country. Highlights of the agreement include increased autonomy for providers, safety improvements, fair pay, protections around parental leave, medical leave and more. “This hard-fought tentative agreement gives us protections—in writing—we could only dream about when starting the process to unionize nearly four years ago,” said Dr. Katherine Oyster, a family practice obstetrician at Allina Cottage Grove. “This contract goes a long way to help us provide the care we know our patients need and provides sustainability to a career plagued with burnout. This agreement will keep quality providers at Allina and help our community.”
Sage and Coombe Architects Workers Ratify Contact: Members of Architectural Workers United (AWU)—an affiliate of IAM Union—who work at New York-based firm Sage and Coombe Architects (SCA) have unanimously voted to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement. The SCA Union bargaining unit won voluntary recognition with AWU in 2023 and is the second U.S. studio in the private architecture industry to successfully form a union. In a field of work where long hours are common and union contracts are not, members are celebrating a deal that will give them a powerful voice on the job. “Today, after unanimous ratification by the union, the collective bargaining agreement at Sage and Coombe Architects takes effect,” AWU said in a social media post. “This is the culmination of countless hours of organizing, brainstorming, and collaboration. This contract, the second in the industry, sets a standard for workers at Sage and Coombe and beyond. A heartfelt thanks to everyone at Sage and Coombe for their work to raise the bar of this profession.”
TWU Celebrates Federal Judge Tossing Out Brightline’s Union-Busting Lawsuit: A federal judge has dismissed a Brightline railroad lawsuit that attempted to overturn the results of a National Mediation Board election where onboard staff voted to join the Transport Workers Union (TWU). Attendants at the high-speed passenger rail voted to form a union in January 2025 after an aggressive union-busting campaign from management. Brightline attempted to argue that the National Mediation Board lacked jurisdiction to conduct and certify the union election because the company isn’t a rail carrier. U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles of the U.S. District Court of Southern Florida rejected this complaint, citing the Railway Labor Act and federal grant conditions. “This is a huge victory for the workers and the TWU,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen in a press statement. “Brightline should finally realize it has reached the end of the line. The railroad’s multi-year attempt to silence its workers and deny them the right to negotiate for fair wages and benefits has been nothing short of shameful.” “Brightline can now stop wasting money on high-priced lawyers who tried to overturn our members’ right to join the TWU,” said TWU Rail Division Director John Feltz. “The company should now use its resources to provide our members a contract that provides a fair living wage and better benefits for them and their families.”
Court of Appeals Affirms First Amendment Protections in Excessive Form Lawsuit: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled last week that The NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America (TNG-CWA) and other co-plaintiffs are likely to succeed in a lawsuit filed against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over use of excessive force. In June 2025, The NewsGuild-CWA, Los Angeles Press Club, three journalists, two individual protesters and a legal observer sued DHS over retaliatory use of force during U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests in Southern California that punished and suppressed their exercise of First Amendment-protected rights. Judge Ronald M. Gould affirmed in the Wednesday opinion that there was ample evidence to support the claim that reporters, legal observers and protest attendees were subjected to excessive force by federal agents for documenting and speaking out about government abuses. “We applaud the decision by the Ninth Circuit in affirming everyone’s right to a free press and the right to peacefully protest,” said TNG-CWA President Jon Schleuss. “Federal agents attacked journalists, peaceful protesters and legal observers, and the union of journalists will not let that stand. We’re proud to stand with the ACLU, the Los Angeles Press Club and our own members in this lawsuit to protect the First Amendment rights of everyone on American soil.”
Workers at Two Michigan Auto Supply Chains Join UAW: In the span of 24 hours, workers at Ground Effects and Webasto Detroit both voted in National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) elections to join the UAW. Ground Effects workers make spray-on truck bedliners, in addition to other aftermarket parts and customizations, while members who work for Webasto Detroit produce hard top roofs, primarily for the Ford Bronco. Both sets of auto supply workers came together in their respective facilities to organize for a fair voice on the job. “I’m thrilled we finally won our union. I’ve worked at Webasto for many years. We’re overworked and underpaid. We’re the ones who make money for the company. For too long, we’ve gotten nothing but disrespect from management. I’m ready for some mutual respect,” said Shara Bell, a quality technician for Webasto Detroit. “Ground Effects workers just showed what courage and determination can do,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “These workers stood together and stood strong against the underhanded anti-union tactics coming from the boss and their hired guns. Now, Ground Effects workers will have the right to sit with management as equals and negotiate a contract that gives them the dignity and respect they deserve.”
Harvard Club of Boston Workers Vote to Form Union with UFCW: Workers at the Harvard Club of Boston voted overwhelmingly to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1445 last month, fueled by concerns over the rising cost of living. The bargaining unit covers workers in the dining, wellness, athletics and lodging operations at the membership-based social club for Harvard University alumni. While the exclusive gathering space is filled with the connected and powerful, the staff who are central to the club’s experience have been struggling with low wages, subpar benefits and a lack of fair representation. “Harvard Club has been a good place to work, but recently many of us have been feeling the crunch with our pay not matching the increased cost of living,” said Susana Cabrera, a waitress of 25 years at the club’s Veritas restaurant. “We worked hard to engage our co-workers throughout this process, and we’re overjoyed now that we see the light at the end of the tunnel and a way to improve pay and benefits with the help of the union.” “We are thrilled to welcome these members to our UFCW family,” said Local 1445 President Fernando Lemus. “Harvard Club members pay a premium for the exclusive environment, and these workers make that experience worth their money. We look forward to bargaining a strong contract to ensure they are paid accordingly.”
University of Michigan Student Research Assistants Win Union Election: On Monday, graduate student research assistants (GSRAs) at the University of Michigan voted to join the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO), AFT Local 3550. In 1981, GSRAs were barred from organizing after the Michigan Employment Relations Commission ruled that they were not employees under the Public Employment Relations Act. However, that decision was reversed in 2023, restoring their collective bargaining rights. This victory was a product of decades of campus organizing and now adds more than 2,000 additional members to the GEO bargaining unit. “No matter what job title graduate students hold, we face the same pay, same healthcare, same advisors, and same workplace issues,” said Kevin Zheng, a Ph.D. student in the School of Information. “Furthermore, each of us switch between these positions each semester: I worked as a Fellow last year, as a Research Assistant this year, and will be working as a Graduate Student Instructor in the fall. It only makes sense for us to be represented and organized together under the same union.”
Air Transport International Pilots Ratify Tentative Agreement: Air Transport International (ATI) pilots—represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)—have overwhelmingly voted to ratify a tentative contract. This new collective bargaining agreement comes after nearly six years of negotiations with the global cargo and passenger charter airline. These ALPA members play a critical role in Amazon’s massive logistics network. Highlights of the deal include a 22% pay increase, retention of home-basing, a one-time ratification bonus, improved scheduling and more. “This is truly a quality-of-life contract, and we are glad to have reached the finish line after many years at the bargaining table,” said Capt. Mike Sterling, chair of ATI’s ALPA Master Executive Council. “I’d like to thank all the ATI pilots who have stood with us in solidarity throughout our lengthy negotiations. We are proud to be Amazon’s largest airline, and we hope this new contract will strengthen our relationship with them and our company for years to come.”
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Workers Ratify First Union Contract: Staff at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago—who are represented by AFSCME—have successfully ratified their first union contract. Workers first announced the formation of Museum of Contemporary Art Workers United/AFSCME in February 2024, which was organized with support from AFSCME’s Cultural Workers United campaign. Highlights of the contract include a 12% across-the-board wage increase, additional pay for members assigned bilingual duties, four weeks of paid parental leave, an improved retirement plan and more. “Chicago’s cultural workers are proving that when workers come together, they can win better wages, stronger protections and a voice on the job,” said AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch, who’s also an AFSCME vice president. “With the ratification of their union contract, Museum of Contemporary Art employees have won an agreement that reflects their dedication, rewards their hard work, and gives them a real seat at the table.”