Steelworkers Ratify New Contract, End 11-Month Lockout—and More Bargaining News
Some 750 United Steelworkers (USW) members ratified a new contract, ending an 11-month lockout, 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 1,400 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
SETTLEMENTS
USW, U.S. Steel: In Canada, members of USW Local 1005 ratified a new contract, ending an 11-month lockout by U.S. Steel. The pact, covering some 750 workers, will run until Oct. 15, 2014.
More Working People Joining Wall Street Protests
Some of New York City’s largest unions and community groups are joining the “Occupy Wall Street” protests. For three weeks a core group of 200 to 300 people have kept a constant vigil on Wall Street to hold the financial industry accountable for the schemes and reckless games that led to the economic collapse. (Follow the action on Twitter with the hashtag #occupyWallStreet.) You can support the protestors by donating so they can buy pizzas to keep up their campaign. To donate, click here.
This morning, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka expressed support for the protests. Earlier this week, more than 700 uniformed pilots, members of the Air Line Pilots (ALPA) , took to the streets outside of Wall Street demanding better pay.
The executive board of the New York Transit Workers Union/Transport Workers Local 100 voted unanimously to support Occupy Wall Street. Local 100 has 38,000 active members and covers 26,000 retirees, according to its website.
Responding to a question after his speech at the Brookings institution this morning, Trumka said: Read the rest of this entry »
ALPA’s Moak, AFT’s Johnson and SMWIA’s Nigro Named to AFL-CIO Executive Council
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The AFL-CIO Executive Council welcomed three new members today: Airline Pilots (ALPA) President Capt. Lee Moak, Lorretta Johnson, executive vice president of AFT and Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA) President Joseph Nigro. The Council also honored three retiring members at its annual August meeting, held this year at the National Labor College (NLC) in Silver Spring, Md.
Johnson chairs the AFT Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel program and policy council and started her career in 1966 as a teacher’s aide at a Baltimore elementary school. She served as president of the Baltimore Teachers Union’s paraprofessional chapter for 35 years.
Moak joined ALPA in 1988 and is a former Marine Corps fighter pilot and Delta Airlines B-767 300 ER captain. A 22-year veteran at Delta, he served three terms as the chairman of the Delta Master Executive Council (MEC), which represents the more than 12,000 Delta pilots. He was elected ALPA President in October.
Nigro comes to the Council after being elected SMWIA president July 1. He served his apprenticeship from 1969 until 1973 in Boston and held several offices in SMWIA Local 17 before beginning his tenure on the international level as assistant to the president in 1999. He was elected SMWIA secretary-treasurer in 2006.
Recently retired SMWIA President Michael Sullivan, former ALPA President Capt. John Prater, and AFT Vice President Laura Rico are retiring from the Council.
Sullivan, who led the SMWIA since 1999, “has gained a well-deserved reputation as both a progressive firebrand and an organizational problem-solver,” the Council said in a statement.
Machinists Sue S.C. Gov. Haley for Opposing Unions—and More Bargaining News
The Machinists union is suing South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for remarks she made about keeping unions out of a Boeing plant, 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 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
LEGAL ACTION
IAM, Boeing: The Machinists (IAM) is suing South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for remarks she made last month about keeping unions out of the Boeing Co. plant in North Charleston. IAM, which represents Boeing workers in other states, says it’s trying to protect the constitutional rights of South Carolina workers.
1,300 Public Employees in Wisconsin Back New Pacts—and More Bargaining News
The 1,300 Dane County, Wis., workers approved new contracts effective through 2014, 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 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
SETTLEMENTS
AFSCME, Dane County: The Dane County Board in Madison, Wis., last week approved contracts covering some 1,300 workers through 2014. The members of AFSCME Council 40 had voted on the contracts earlier that week.
Airline Pilot Finds Out the Benefits of Union Membership
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Jennifer Wright Dorr at Union Plus sends us the following.
Driving home late one night from one of his three jobs, Jack Burnett—a member of Air Line Pilots Local 175—was looking forward to climbing into his bed for a night’s rest before the start of another long workday. But Burnett never made it home that night. He wound up in a hospital bed for three weeks while he recovered from a litany of injuries caused by a drunk driver.
The accident on that June night broke more than 18 bones and shattered his finances, but it also solidified his belief in being a union member. Says Burnett:
I was surprised to learn that Union Plus offered grants to help cover hospital bills. Being eligible to receive a grant helped me out a lot during a tough time. Having the union help me in a time of need has made me really appreciate being a part of a union.
Panel Rules for 35,000 NY Bus and Subway Workers—and More Bargaining News
A panel of judges unanimously ruled that the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority must pay a 3 percent raise to some 35,000 bus and subway workers, 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 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS:
TWU, Metropolitan Transportation Authority: In New York City, a panel of judges unanimously ruled that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority must pay a 3 percent raise to some 35,000 bus and subway workers. The ruling reaffirms last year’s decision by an arbitrator in the ongoing discussion between MTA and Transport Workers (TWU) Local 100.
Pilots at Three Airlines Demand Fair Deals
Pilots at three airlines are demanding that they be treated with respect and that management negotiate a fair deal with them. The pilots for Continental Airlines and United Airlines, which merged last month, are conducting informational pickets to inform passengers of management plans to expand the practice of outsourcing flying to other airlines.
The pilots, members of the Air Line Pilots (ALPA), plan to picket tomorrow in Chicago, home of United. Last week they held informational pickets in Newark, N.J., and Houston, two of Continental’s major hubs. The pilots, who are in contract negotiations with the newly merged airline, say management wants to use outsourced 70-seat jets and nonunion pilots on some regional flights from Continental hubs, a practice the union believes violates the Continental pilots’ current contract.
Crew at ‘Biggest Loser’ Back at Work—and More Bargaining News
Some 50 workers reached a contract agreement and are back on the job at the reality show, “The Biggest Loser,” 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 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
SETTLEMENTS
IATSE, Reveille Productions: Striking crew members of reality show “The Biggest Loser” are back at work after they approved an agreement reached between show producers and the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Some 50 workers went on strike Nov. 8, after producers failed to recognize their decision to have IATSE represent them.
ALPA’s Prater Honored by American Labor Museum
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| ALPA President Capt. John Prater |
Air Line Pilots (ALPA) Capt. John Prater was honored last night as an outstanding labor leader at the annual Sol Stetin Awards Gala. The awards are presented every year by the American Labor Museum, located at the historic Botto House in Haldeon, N.J.
The awards—named in honor of late Textile Workers President Sol Stetin—have been presented annually since 1982, and honor outstanding individuals for their contributions to working people. Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) President Michael Goodwin, who also serves as museum president, said Prater has:
exemplified himself in the airline industry, representing commercial airline pilots, negotiating and servicing ALPA members and is recognized by his peers and colleagues for his great work.
