14 California Unions Oppose Governor’s Attack on Wages—and More Bargaining News
Representing more than 230,000 California state workers, 14 unions are opposing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s move to slash wages, 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 1,200 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
WORK STOPPAGES AND ACTIONS
Multiple, State of California: Fourteen unions representing 230,000 state workers in California sent a joint letter to the State Senate and State Assembly, urging members to block a possible attempt by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to impose the federal minimum wage on state workers. The governor has threatened to cut state worker pay to the minimum wage should the Senate and Assembly not pass the state budget.
NFLPA, NFL: NFL players, including Kevin Mawae, president of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) on Wednesday lobbied Congress to help prevent a lockout by team owners in 2011 and limit the impact of a possible decision by the U.S. Supreme Court expanding the NFL’s antitrust immunity.
Florida Students Rally for Tobacco Workers
Students at the University of Florida (UF) and the University of Central Florida (UCF) spent last Saturday morning raising their voices for justice for tobacco workers. Chanting ”Justice now!” and holding signs that read “Hasta la Victoria” (“Onward to Victory”), dozens of students marched and rallied on UF’s Gainesville campus.
The students joined members of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), the Student/Farmworker Alliance and the National Farm Worker Ministry to demand justice for tobacco farm workers in North Carolina who suffer low wages and poor working conditions at the hands of Big Tobacco.
The rally followed a UF Student Senate resolution calling for a pay increase and better treatment of Immokalee farm workers, who pick the tomatoes used by Aramark, UF’s food provider. “Somebody’s got to fight for social justice,” said UF junior Justin Wooten.
