Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
WGAE Members at Story Syndicate Unanimously Approve First Contract: Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members and management at Story Syndicate reached a deal on their first collective bargaining agreement that was approved unanimously by the members. The contract establishes compensation minimums across all titles; introduces the Entertainment Industry Benefit Plan (Flex Plan), which allows nonfiction workers to carry a health fund balance from gig to gig; includes fair minimum rates, especially for those at the lower end of the scale, and annual increases; rest period protections and overtime pay; paid holidays, paid vacation days, bereavement and sick time, two weeks paid paternal leave and enhanced family and medical leave; nondiscrimination and inclusion protections; union security; and no-strike, no-lockout provisions. Story Syndicate, founded in 2019, produces award-winning nonfiction features and series, including “Harry and Meghan” (Netflix), “Titan: The OceanGate Disaster” (Netflix), “Sally” (National Geographic) and “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark” (HBO). The Story Syndicate bargaining committee said, “We’re thrilled to celebrate securing our first collective bargaining agreement! We hope our contract will help set precedents throughout the nonfiction TV/film industry, and we stand in solidarity with our colleagues at Motion Picture Editors Guild IATSE Local 700 (MPEG)’s ongoing contract negotiations with Story Syndicate.”
Iowa Fire Fighters Secure One of the Country’s Strongest Presumptive Cancer Laws: Thanks to advocacy from Iowa members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), a bill to make all cancer diagnoses presumptive for firefighters enjoyed nearly unanimous support in the state legislature. The new law expands the state’s disability program to cover all firefighter cancers and is the culmination of years of advocacy from the Iowa Professional Fire Fighters Association (IPFF). After securing nearly unanimous support in both chambers of the Iowa legislature, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the bill during an event at the Des Moines IAFF Local 4 hall this month. “H.F. 969 will not only make a difference for our members, but it will give their families some peace of mind knowing that if their loved one receives a tragic diagnosis, they won’t be left behind,” said IPFF President Ryan Hanghian. “This was truly a team effort, and I couldn’t be prouder of our members.” “Thanks to the relentless advocacy and dedication of the Iowa Professional Fire Fighters, every fire fighter in Iowa will now have the support they need if they develop cancer because of their job,” said IAFF General President Edward Kelly. “President Hanghian and his members did incredible work getting this bill over the finish line.”
UFCW Members at Giant Eagle Overwhelmingly Approve New Contract, Securing Wage Increases: More than 5,000 members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776 at 34 Giant Eagle stores across Pennsylvania and West Virginia overwhelmingly approved a new four-year contract. The contract was approved by 94% of Local 1776 members in a vote. As part of the agreement, employees will receive annual pay raises ranging from 3% to 5% over the next four years. “I want to thank our bargaining committee for their hard work in negotiating a strong contract. This agreement provides wage increases, improved retirement plan funding, and maintains the excellent health and welfare benefits our members have,” said Local 1776 President Wendell Young IV.
AFM Members and Springfield Symphony Orchestra Reach New Agreement: Despite years of difficult negotiations, the members of American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 171 and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts have agreed to a new two-year contract. The new contract extends through the 2026–2027 season. The deal calls for a minimum of eight symphonic concerts and an education concert in the upcoming seasons. The contract for the 67-member orchestra includes pay increases over each of the two years. The union and management declined to specify the amount of the raises. Previous contracts were negotiated under more difficult circumstances. The orchestra and union reached a two-year deal in 2023, only after three years of negotiations and complaints to the National Labor Relations Board. Negotiations were much smoother this time. Local 171 President Beth Welty said the agreement is a positive step. “We look forward to continuing to work with [Orchestra president and CEO] Paul Lambert, the staff and the board toward the goal of expanding the orchestra’s outreach and service to all of Western Massachusetts.”
Hilton Workers in Orlando Secure New Contract: UNITE HERE Local 737 announced on Thursday that hospitality workers at Hilton’s Orlando Buena Vista Palace hotel in Florida have ratified a new contract after nearly a year of negotiations. The previous contract covering members expired Dec. 31, 2024, with management failing to offer fair provisions around pay rates, retirement benefits, ending the practice of hiring nonunion temporary staff and health care costs. A core point of contention was how wages at the Buena Vista Palace paled in comparison to other Disney-owned properties. Workers fought hard for a fair deal and took public actions like informational picketing to secure this new agreement. The contract includes multiple wins including wage increases, lower medical insurance costs, an automatic 20% gratuity on guest checks, lower workload for housekeepers and stronger protections for immigrant workers.
Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Nurses Ratify First Agreement: Members of California Nurses Association (CNA)—which is affiliated with National Nurses United (NNU)—at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial in California voted earlier this month to ratify their first four-year contract. Registered nurses at Lodi Memorial first began their organizing campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic and overwhelmingly won their election to join CNA in 2023. Members sought out a voice on the job so they could address issues around recruitment and retention of nurses and its impact on patient care. Their new contract contains a number of wins like workplace violence protections, wage increases, improved benefits, establishment of a grievance procedure and more. “This has been a wild journey,” said Allison Silva, a registered nurse in the emergency department. “Who would have thought, when we started the whispers of a union almost four years ago, that we would make it here? I am very proud of what we have accomplished in this contract. Nurses organized to demand that Lodi stop putting profits over the lives and safety of our patients and the community, and this contract is an important step toward that goal.”
Planned Parenthood Central Coast Clinical Workers Secure Tentative Agreement: SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) members who work at Planned Parenthood California Central Coast (PPCCC) clinics have reached a tentative agreement after issuing a powerful strike threat. Members of the PPCCC Union authorized a strike vote in May, citing concerns regarding low wages leading to high turnover rates, with experienced caregivers leaving for roles that were higher-paying and more stable. Doctors, medical assistants, physician assistants, health educators, clinicians and support staff will now vote on the tentative deal that contains wins around pay, job security, shift differentials and more. “The agreement still needs to be ratified by workers before it goes into effect, but while the ratification process is completed, the strikes have been called off,” SEIU-UHW spokesperson Maria Leal said. “Patients of PPCCC should expect no disruption in care provided at the clinics. Once this contract is in place, our hope is that good health care workers will stay on at PPCCC so they can continue to provide quality care to their patients. Our priority is to work together to protect our workforce and to address broader challenges, including potential cuts to Medicaid.”
San Diego IATSE Members Secure Powerful Contract: Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 122 members who work for Encore Global won a historic contract that includes wage increases of up to 28% in the first year. Workers secured this victory after several months of coordinated collective action. Encore is majority-owned by Blackstone—the world’s largest private equity firm. This contract serves as a reminder that when workers stand together, we have the power to take on the wealthiest bosses and win. The agreement covers almost 200 in-house audiovisual technicians and riggers across 24 venues in San Diego County. Some highlights of the new contract include an average wage increase of up to 28% in the first year, premiums for hazardous working conditions, a reduced evaluation period to allow more opportunities for merit increases, a ratification bonus, and a strengthened arbitration process to protect workers’ rights and fortify the agreement. “This agreement reflects the strength and unity of Local 122 and our commitment to raising standards across the industry,” said Robert Morales, IATSE Local 122 business representative.