Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
NNU Members at Oneida Health Hospital in New York: Nurses at Oneida Health Hospital, members of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU), voted to ratify a new three-year contract. The new deal includes yearly 3-percent wage increases and incentives to help recruit and retain nurses, no concessions on benefits, and a bonus on ratification. “I’m so proud of what we were able to achieve,” Donna Maccarone, a registered nurse, said. “We fought because we care for this community and believe that patients and nurses deserve better. These improvements will ensure that we have enough nurses to provide the absolute best care possible.”
SEIU Members at Butler Hospital Ratify New Contract, End Historic Strike: After three months walking the picket line, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) District 1199NE members reached a tentative agreement on Monday and voted overwhelmingly to ratify their new contract with Butler Hospital and its owner, Care New England. Staff at the Rhode Island psychiatric and substance abuse facility made history in their fight for a fair agreement, staging one of the longest walkouts in the state’s history. The previous contract, which covered nearly 800 front-line workers, expired in March. Throughout negotiations, the union’s core sticking point was securing higher wages to address the staffing shortages. The new agreement contains major victories, such as language that ensures no current employee will earn less than $20 an hour by the end of the contract, maintains health care benefits and includes improvements to workplace safety, retirement security and more. “This resolution is a sign of true unity that brings the hospital and its mission forward,” said Brooke Huminski, a clinical social worker. “We are incredibly thankful for the support of so many in our community as well as elected leaders, especially House Speaker [Joseph] Shekarchi who helped us find a pathway forward toward resolution.”
Howard Community College Faculty Reach Tentative Agreement: Members of the United Academics of Maryland-Howard Community College (UAMD-HCC)—an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT-Maryland and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP)—have secured a tentative agreement for their first union contract. The bargaining unit covers full-time faculty at HCC, who will vote on whether to ratify the deal later this month. In addition to a 4% cost-of-living adjustment and a $3,500 bonus for all full-time faculty, members also won a clear disciplinary process, greater job security, defined workload guardrails, increased shared governance with the college and more. “This agreement is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our faculty,” said United Academics of Maryland-HCC Chair and Associate Professor Nadene Vevea. “After tough negotiations, we have secured vital advancements that not only recognize the contributions of our educators but also lay a foundation for a stronger academic environment at Howard Community College.” “This tentative agreement is a monumental leap forward in improving faculty working conditions at Howard Community College and for the broader movement to strengthen higher education in Maryland,” said AFT-Maryland President Kenya Campbell. “Faculty at Howard Community College stood together to demand better, and this tentative agreement delivers not only for them but also builds momentum for the fight for all community college faculty statewide.”
Blizzard’s Story and Franchise Development Workers Join CWA: Blizzard’s Story and Franchise Development (SFD) team became the latest group of video game workers to organize after they voted to form a union with Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 9510 on Tuesday. After a majority of the video game company’s in-house cinematic, animation and narrative team endorsed union authorization, parent corporation Microsoft recognized CWA as the workers’ bargaining representative. Nearly 3,000 workers at Microsoft-owned studios have organized as part of the union’s Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) project to build better standards across the industry since 2023. “After more than a decade working at Blizzard, I’ve seen all the highs and lows. For years, Blizzard has been a place where people could build their careers and stay for decades, but that stability’s been fading,” said Bucky Fisk, a principal editor and member of the organizing committee. “With a union, we’re able to preserve what makes this place special, secure real transparency in how decisions are made, and make sure policies are applied fairly to everyone.” “These workers are setting the standard for animation, cinematics, and storytelling across the video game industry, creating the breathtaking cutscenes, trailers, and other narrative content that fans have come to love across all Blizzard franchises. We are excited to have them join our union family,” said Local 9510 President Jason Justice. “Their decision to organize is another powerful step toward ensuring that every worker at Blizzard and Microsoft has a seat at the table to shape the conditions under which their art is made.”