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Hollywood and TV/Radio Artists in Tough Talks and More Bargaining News |
Tough negotiations still are under way between Hollywood studios and television and radio artists, and more news from the ”Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 900 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
NEGOTIATIONS
AFTRA, Hollywood Studios: The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) announced in an e-mail to its membership that challenging issues remained, as the negotiations with Hollywood studios continue on a contract covering some prime-time TV shows. “We are confronting a number of challenging issues, and a resolution may not be quick or easy,” AFTRA President Roberta Riordan said. Central issues include a push by studios to gain full control of clips containing the images of actors for use on the Internet.
IAFF, New York City: One day after an arbitration panel awarded New York City’s police officers a raise amounting to 9.7 percent over two years, the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York/Fire Fighters Local 94 announced that it would exercise its option to reopen its contract covering the same two years, 2004 to 2006. The firefighters received raises of less than 3 percent the first year and 3.15 percent the second year in that now-expired contract.
TWU, American Airlines: Mechanics and ground workers at American Airlines, represented by the Transport Workers (TWU), voted to reject the company’s offer for a two-year contract. TWU President James Little said he may seek arbitration.
WORK STOPPAGES AND ACTIONS
UAW, Foxwoods: Casino workers, represented by the UAW, and their supporters gathered near the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Connecticut for two days of protests against the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe’s refusal to bargain. The union won an election last fall to represent table game dealers at Foxwoods. The tribe, which owns the casino, has challenged the union election several times, saying federal labor law does not apply to a casino on tribal land, despite court rulings stating otherwise.
UAW, General Motors: In Lansing, Mich., 3,300 striking UAW Local 602 workers at General Motors Corp. (GM) ratified a new contract with the company, causing production to resume. The plant makes the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia. GM and the UAW reached a national contract agreement last fall, but local unions negotiate work rules and other issues.
UAW, General Motors: Some 2,500 members of UAW Local 31 at GM’s Fairfax, Kan., assembly plant have approved a new contract, ending a nearly three-week strike. The work stoppage began May 5, after the parties failed to reach an agreement on work rules. The plant makes the Chevrolet Malibu and the Saturn Aura. Local President Jeff Manning said, “We told everyone from the get-go that we were out here to retain what we had and we did that.”
CWA/IBEW, Verizon: Telephone employees, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the Electrical Workers (IBEW), will spearhead a day of action across Massachusetts to protest efforts by Verizon and many other employers to force workers to pay more for their health insurance premiums or increase co-pays and deductibles.
AFSCME, Onondaga County, N.Y.: Some 3,351 Onondaga County, N.Y., workers, represented by Civil Service Employees Association-AFSCME (CSEA-AFSCME) Local 834, plan to protest slow contract negotiations by passing out leaflets outside of the county office building.
AFSCME, University of California: Some 500 workers who clean floors, trim grass and prepare food at the University of California, Riverside, represented by AFSCME Local 3299, are voting on whether to authorize a strike. The union is seeking an increase in the minimum wage for its workers, pay increases based on seniority and wages that are competitive with those at other colleges.
USW, Latrobe Specialty Steel: Some 360 locked-out workers, represented by the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1537, at Latrobe Specialty Steel Co. in Pennsylvania, are discussing a counteroffer that would give workers a $1.70-an-hour raise spread over three years.
CWA, Jackson, Miss.: About 50 Jackson, Miss., city workers, represented by the Mississippi Alliance of State Employees/CWA, rallied at City Hall as part of a campaign for higher wages. City workers last received an annual pay raise of $500 in 2006.
SETTLEMENTS
USW, Bath Iron Works: In Maine, some 3,400 mechanics, fitters, welders, painters and electricians at Bath Iron Works, represented by the Machinists (IAM) Local S6, approved a new four-year contract that gives workers 3.5 percent to 4 percent annual pay hikes while increasing pension contributions.
CNA/NNOC, Doctors Medical Center: Some 900 nurses at Doctors Medical Center of Modesto, Calif., represented by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC), reached a four-year tentative agreement. The contract would establish a wage system that provides for annual raises based on years of service and education.
UAW, Hamilton Sundstrand: More than 400 hourly workers at Hamilton Sundstrand in Rockford, Ill., represented by UAW Local 592, ratified a new three-year contract by a vote of 92 percent in favor.
Disclaimer: This information is being provided for your information only. As it is compiled from published news reports, not from individual unions, we cannot vouch for either its completeness or accuracy; readers who desire further information should directly contact the union involved.
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