Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
UFCW Celebrates Passage of First Statewide Self-Checkout Legislation in Rhode Island: Thanks to the tireless advocacy of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Rhode Island has become the first state to pass legislation mandating staffing ratios for grocery store self-checkout stations. The bill, which would require one grocery worker for every three self-checkout stations, now heads to Gov. Dan McKee’s desk for his signature. “This bill means better service for customers and stronger support for grocery workers,” said UFCW Local 328 Secretary-Treasurer Domenic Pontarelli. “UFCW Local 328 members in the grocery industry are often overburdened, having to monitor too many self-checkouts while shoppers face delays. Staffing ratios fix this issue for all parties. We thank Senate President Lawson and Representative Cotter for their tremendous leadership standing up for both consumers and workers across Rhode Island.” “Staffing ratios are common sense for self-checkouts,” said UFCW International Vice President Ademola Oyefeso. “This technology has always been a raw deal for shoppers and workers, shifting the labor onto customers while taking hours away from workers. We applaud the Rhode Island legislature for passing this bill, making it easier and faster for families to put food on the table, and we look forward to Governor McKee’s signature.”
Catapult Workers Collective Staff Win Union Election: An overwhelming majority of workers at Catapult Book Group have voted to form a union with UAW Local 2110. Under the name Catapult Workers Collective, the bargaining unit covers editorial, design, marketing, publicity, production, operations and rights workers at the publishing company. Staff cited concerns around job security, wages and leadership transparency as core motivators for organizing. “The goal of our union is to protect the wages and benefits of our workplace, to affirm the dignity and value of our labor, and to advance just and sustainable practices in our industry,” Catapult Workers Collective said in a statement posted to social media. “We're immensely proud of what we do, but little is guaranteed for employees without a union. A fair contract will empower us to continue the meaningful work of supporting our beloved authors and engaging with the literary community for years to come.”
AFSCME Members at SIU School of Medicine Secure Strong Raises and Longevity System: Members of AFSCME Local 370 (Council 31) ratified a new contract that includes strong raises and a first-ever longevity system that rewards employees for their years of service. The new contract doubles the amount of money in members’ pockets compared to management’s initial proposal. Some members will see wage increases as high as 14%. “We needed to show them that what makes the [Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU-SOM)] work is not just the six-figure doctors—it’s all of us,” said Local 370 President Gina Darden. “It’s the nurses, the front desk workers, the call center workers. We had to make them understand that keeping this place running as well as it does takes all of us.” They also won their first-ever paid parental leave policy, plus paid time off to vote.
UAW Members Lock in $30 by 2030 with Tentative Agreement at American Axle: After 10 days on strike, UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle/Dauch Corp. reached a tentative agreement with the company that secures the workers’ topline demand of $30 per hour by 2030, among other historic gains, in a record contract at the Tier 1 parts supplier to General Motors. UAW members hired before May 31, 2012, will see an immediate $8 per hour increase upon ratification. Workers also secured more paid days off and no concessions on their current health care costs, something the company insisted could not be achieved during negotiations. “Tonight, after 10 days on strike, I am proud to announce that UAW Local 2093 has reached a tentative agreement at American Axle,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “And tonight, after 18 years of sacrifice, these workers are finally winning back a big chunk of what was taken from them.” Local 2093 members must still ratify the agreement.
Smart City Networks Workers at the San Diego Convention Center Vote to Join IATSE : Information technology technicians and event coordinators who work at the San Diego Convention Center have voted to join the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 122, creating a fully union strong convention center floor. These staff are employed by Smart City Networks, which provides internet and event technology to trade shows and exhibitions. In the lead-up to the vote, Smart City Networks retained the union-busting law firm Littler Mendelson, spending an estimated $58,000 to pressure workers to stop organizing. But staff held strong and secured a decisive union election victory. “At the end of the day, everyone deserves to have a union,” said Greg Sowizdrzal, president of IATSE Local 122. “We’re proud that the workers at Smart City took their first step in having a voice on the job and having representation.” “To us, having a union means having a voice,” crew members said in a statement. “It means being united and being able to stand on equal footing with the company. It has shown us the importance of solidarity, and we look forward to taking an active role in the decisions that will impact our future.”
Staff at Illinois School District Win Powerful First Contract: Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73 who work at Downers Grove (Illinois) Community High School District 99 (CSD99) have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement. Staff in the Custodial, Maintenance and Grounds (CMG) department first organized with SEIU last year, motivated by concerns around outsourcing. Highlights of the deal include raises, a guaranteed uniform allotment, a guarantee of no outsourcing for the duration of the contract and more. “When we got the news about being outsourced, with a strong support from teachers and staff, a large group of CMG personnel from the three schools decided it was time to Unionize,” said custodian Steve Elmer. “SEIU Local 73 has lifted a great weight off our shoulders, being a union will make us stronger and better than ever for future CSD99 CMG employees.” “I never [thought] highly of unions before, but after going through our first bargaining contract with our union representative Shea Marshall, it has changed my mind about unions,” said maintenance worker Jesse Eliasson.
Mid-Continent Public Library Workers Vote to Form Union: Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL) workers have voted to form a union with Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6360. One of the largest public library systems in the United States, MCPL covers three counties across the Kansas City metropolitan area. The new bargaining unit includes nearly 700 part-time and full-time librarians, early literacy associates, information technology staff, delivery services staff and other critical workers. “From everyone that was there in the beginning four years ago to those that started supporting this week, we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of us,” said Kelli Mulligan Lindsey, an early literacy associate at MCPL Green Hills and MCPL Workers United-CWA Local 6360 member. “Together we can do anything, and together we can continue to make the library a place for everyone in our community.”
A+E Factual Studios Workers Organize with the Writers Guild of America East: Workers at A+E Factual Studios, the nonfiction television production arm of A+E Global Media, voted overwhelmingly to form a union with the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE). A+E Factual Studios, co-owned by Disney and Hearst, produces popular series such as “Dance Moms: A New Era,” “The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard,” “History's Greatest Mysteries” and “Cold Case Files.” “We’re thrilled to welcome workers at A+E Factual Studios to the Writers Guild of America East,” said Michael Rauch, WGAE vice president of film/television/streaming. “We look forward to bargaining a fair first contract that reflects the value of their work, and continues to build on the momentum we’ve grown across nonfiction television production.”
Denver Art Museum Workers Make State History with Contract Ratification: After two years of negotiations, members of Denver Art Museum Workers United (DAMWU)—who organized through AFSCME Colorado—have ratified their first contract, making them the first museum workers in state history to secure a collective bargaining agreement. As the first museum workers in Colorado to organize a union, DAMWU workers endured pushback from management, but they were undeterred. Their unity and solidarity allowed them to secure a deal with just cause rights, increased sick time, stronger parental leave policies and more. “Winning this contract feels like a huge celebration!,” said Rachel Brennan, a museum shop sales associate. “It took so much work to get to this point, and I’m so proud of us for fighting to have a voice in our workplace. I am beyond grateful to have such amazing coworkers who know their worth and show up for each other." “This has been a long time coming, and I think we are all feeling relieved to have finally ratified our first contract,” said Chase, a gallery host. “We're in a much better position as workers at the DAM than we were before and feel confident that we can achieve even more with our second contract. We are the ones who keep the museum running, and we must never forget that.”
Lambert Airport Security Officers Ratify First Union Contract: Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 members, who work as security officers at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport, have voted to ratify their first union contract. These members are directly employed by GardaWorld Security, which was awarded last year with a new three-year, $38 million contract at the airport. The deal includes seniority raises, improved paid time-off provisions and other wins that will help retain experienced workers. “This is a major step forward for Security Officers at Lambert Airport,” said John DeWeese, GardaWorld security officer. “My coworkers and I joined Local 1 because we wanted respect, stability, and a real voice on the job. This agreement proves that when workers stand together, we can win improvements that make a real difference.”