Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
California UFCW Members Secure Tentative Agreement with Grocery Chains: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) members who work at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores across Central and Southern California have reached a tentative agreement after months of negotiations. UFCW locals 135, 324, 770, 1167, 1428 and 1442 collectively represent more than 45,000 front-line grocery store workers who have been rallying, marching and more for a fair contract. The deal includes wage increases, improved retirement plans, better staffing ratios and other major wins. “This victory wouldn’t have been possible without the power of our collective action," the Grocery Workers Rising negotiating committee said in a press statement. “We stood strong against the companies’ disrespect and made it clear that we were ready to fight for the contract we deserve. Our solidarity and victory here sends a message to workers everywhere—when we fight together, we win."
Rail Workers at Conrail Ratify New Contract: Transport Workers Union (TWU) members who work for Conrail have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. Rail workers in Detroit, Philadelphia and New Jersey perform critical duties like inspecting and repairing railcars. Their new contract includes wins like a 17.5% wage increase, improved insurance benefits and more paid time off. “This is a big win for TWU railroad workers,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “This new contract locks in real wage increases and ensures that hardworking TWU members will be able to better provide for their families with increased pay and benefits.” "This ratified contract ensures significant wage increases without needing to resort to an extremely long and politically fraught mediation process,” said TWU Rail Division Director John Feltz. “Our hardworking Conrail members in Detroit, Philadelphia, and New Jersey now have the security of a five-year deal along with better benefits.”
AGMA and Voices of Ascension Reach New Three-Year Agreement with Significant Wage Increases: The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Voices of Ascension announced the ratification of a new three-year collective bargaining agreement, which includes a 15% increase in wages over the three years. “This agreement is a testament to what’s possible when both labor and management approach the bargaining table in good faith, with mutual respect and a shared vision for the future,” said Charles Perry Sprawls, member of the AGMA Negotiating Committee. “This was among the most positive, collaborative, progressive bargaining conversations that we have ever been a part of. We are so excited to work with Voice of Ascension’s leadership, who share our focus and commitment to the future of the organization, and on supporting the artists who are such an integral part of it.” The agreement also includes a 15% increase in recording and media fees, more advanced notice of offers, strengthened anti-discrimination language, protections related to artificial intelligence and data privacy, a new advisory committee made up of artists, which will participate in board meetings and the decision-making process for leadership transitions, growth-oriented rates for large-scale projects and competitive subcontracting rates.
SPEEA Works to Bring Back 58 Laid-Off Employees at Boeing: The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace/IFPTE (SPEEA/IFPTE) reached an agreement that requires Boeing to return to employment 58 individuals who were laid off this year. The workers also will receive missed wages and benefits and have the layoff removed from their employment record. The layoffs were part of the cost-cutting measures Boeing announced last year. The result of these measures was the elimination of 2,600 jobs at Boeing in Washington state, including 600 represented by SPEEA. The agreement comes after SPEEA filed a grievance and requested arbitration for at least two violations of the union’s contracts. The first violation was related to the nondisclosure of the use of a particular kind of non-Boeing labor; the second violation covered the layoff of represented employees while retaining personnel performing the same work. Boeing initially denied the grievance and SPEEA informed Boeing of its intent to file an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board. After a series of meetings with Boeing leadership, Boeing agreed to resolve the matter in SPEEA’s favor and restore the formerly laid-off individuals.
Southern California Edison Workers Celebrate Historic Union Election Victory: More than 1,100 planners, designers and field technicians at Southern California Edison won their election for a union, with 83% of the unit participating in the vote. The bargaining unit is represented by Engineers and Scientists of California, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 20. The new unit consists of workers who ensure the delivery of utilities to millions across central, coastal and Southern California. Southern California Edison serves a customer base of about 5 million residential and business accounts across 430 cities and communities. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate our incredible win in the union election! This victory is a game-changer, giving over 1,100 Southern California Edison workers a powerful voice on the job. It’s an exciting milestone that guarantees we have a seat at the table as we work to deliver the best possible service to the communities we’re proud to serve. Together, we’re stronger and ready to make a real difference,” said Stephanie Sarmiento, a design and drafting specialist.
Rhode Island’s Working People Celebrate Very Successful Session of General Assembly: The Rhode Island AFL-CIO celebrated a series of legislative victories in the just-completed session of the General Assembly. The state federation either took the lead or provided support for numerous bills that passed. “To put it plainly, we had a very good year,” said Rhode Island AFL-CIO President Pat Crowley. Among the key pieces of legislation passed in the latest session are: the “Trump-proofing” of the state’s Labor Relations Act; an increase in the state minimum wage to $17 by Jan. 1, 2027; bans on captive audience meetings, smoking in casinos, assault weapons, cellphones in public school classrooms, book bans in public libraries and schools, and payments in lieu of pension contributions in prevailing wages; the requirement to use state-owned, union print shops for printing jobs; the inclusion of menopause in fair employment practices; protection for veterans who receive advice or assistance in filing for disability claims; protection of the right to organize for Department of Education employees; payday lending reform; and an increase in the Temporary Disability Insurance taxable wage base. Working people also had success In the state budget, securing the elimination of indirect cost recovery for the Workers’ Compensation Administrative Fund, improvement of nursing home safe staffing language, a $45 million increase in health care spending, a $15 million increase in public transportation spending, and $125,000 in funding for the Institute for Labor Studies and Research.