Strikes around the US

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? Ford, UAW reach tentative deal

The United Auto Workers union and Ford reached a tentative contract agreement last night that would end almost six weeks of strike action against the automaker, Axios' Joann Muller and Rebecca Falconer report.

• The tentative agreement, announced by the union and Ford, still needs to be ratified by Ford's 57,000 UAW members.

Why it matters: The agreement could set a pattern for swift agreements at Stellantis and GM, where UAW members have also been on strike at select plants.

Details: "The agreement grants 25% in base wage increases through April 2028, and will cumulatively raise the top wage by over 30% to more than $40 an hour, and raise the starting wage by 68%, to over $28 an hour," a UAW statement says.

• "The lowest-paid workers at Ford will see a raise of more than 150% over the life of the agreement."

Reality check: There's no guarantee the UAW members at Ford will ratify the deal. Despite the huge raises, UAW president Shawn Fain has raised expectations about restoring benefits such as full pensions and implementing a 32-hour workweek.

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‘We won things nobody thought possible’: UAW reaches tentative deal with Ford

Biden and Whitmer praise possible agreement that could end the more than monthlong strike

https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/10/26/we-won-things-nobody-thought-possible-uaw-reaches-tentative-deal-with-ford/?

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? UAW's weekend deal

The United Auto Workers union announced a tentative contract agreement with Stellantis yesterday that would end a six-week strike against the maker of Jeep SUVs and Ram trucks.

• Why it matters: The agreement, which comes days after Ford reached a separate deal, brings the historic work stoppage against Detroit's Big Three closer to an end, Axios' Sareen Habeshian and Joann Muller write.

? Zoom in: The UAW saved 5,000 jobs that were to be eliminated, and got a commitment from Stellantis to add an additional 5,000 jobs by the end of the agreement in April 2028, union leaders said.

? What's next: The tentative agreements still need to be ratified by 57,000 UAW members at Ford and 43,000 at Stellantis.

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What autoworkers won

The United Auto Workers' tentative deal with GM today likely puts an end to six weeks of strikes that shut down large swathes of the auto industry.

• Why it matters: The proposed agreement — similar to deals struck in recent days with Ford and Stellantis — would provide big gains in wages and benefits, plus increased job security, Axios' Joann Muller writes.

The exact terms of each deal aren't fully known. But here's what UAW won from all three automakers, according to AP:

• 25% wage increases over the 4 1/2-year contract.
• An immediate 11% raise upon ratification.
• A restoration of cost of living adjustments that would bring pay increases to about 30% by 2028.

Ford's deal includes a $5,000 ratification bonus, increased 401(k) contributions and billions of dollars for plant renovations and new models.

• Under the Stellantis deal, the company would keep open factories in Trenton, Michigan, and Toledo, Ohio. A former plant in Belvidere, Illinois, would reopen.
• The deals must still be ratified by 146,000 UAW members across GM, Ford and Stellantis — the parent company of Jeep, Ram and Chrysler.

? Reality check: The union didn't get all of its initial demands, which were much steeper than the negotiated contract.

• UAW President Shawn Fain wanted 40% raises and a 32-hour work week for 40 hours of pay.

Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Above: President Biden gives a thumbs up in response to a question about the UAW-GM deal as he boards Air Force One in New Castle, Delaware, today.

• Keep reading.

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UAW reaches deal with General Motors that ends strikes against Detroit automakers pending votes

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers announced Monday that it reached a tentative deal with General Motors, capping a whirlwind few days in which GM, Ford and Stellantis agreed to generous terms that would end the union’s six weeks of targeted strikes, pending approval of the rank and file.

https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-ford-stellantis-uaw-strike-34f6f0d7ca32a671783594722b20fb24?

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? UAW's biggest win in decades

Illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios

The UAW's historic labor agreements with Detroit's Big Three automakers include big pay bumps and benefit increases, Axios' Emily Peck reports. Why it matters: The deals end a nearly seven-week strike — and mark a reversal of more than 40 years of waning power for auto unions in the U.S. ?️ The big picture: Coming on the heels of similarly hard-fought agreements for UPS workers and Hollywood writers, the UAW agreements will likely inspire further organizing efforts. "This is a shot in the arm," said Kate Bronfenbrenner, a professor at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. GM yesterday announced a tentative labor agreement with the UAW, following similar deals with Ford and Stellantis. With his clout rising on the national stage after weeks of labor action, UAW president Shawn Fain touted the agreements as a win for the union and workers across the U.S. ? Zoom in: The contracts include an immediate 11% raise, and restoration of the COLA, the cost-of-living adjustment the union bargained away in 2009. There are massive pay increases for the lowest-paid workers. Temps hired this year will see a 150% wage increase over the four-a-half years of the contract. Crucially, the union won the elimination of a loathed two-tier worker structure — where workers were paid differently for doing the same jobs. UPS workers also got their two-tier deal eliminated in their new contract. ? What's next: The unusually long contract term gives the UAW more time to organize U.S. auto workers outside the Big Three, at Tesla and the Japanese automakers.

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Toyota raises factory worker wages after UAW strike settlements

Toyota is raising the wages of its factory workers — all of them non-unionized — after the UAW strikes at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis culminated in pay hikes for unionized employees.

https://www.axios.com/2023/10/31/toyota-raises-uaw-strike-ford-gm?

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Tens of thousands of Las Vegas Strip hotel workers at 18 casinos could go on strike this month

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tens of thousands of Las Vegas hotel workers set a deadline Thursday for a sweeping strike, threatening major disruptions to the city’s economic backbone that could coincide with the Strip’s inaugural Formula 1 races later this month.

https://apnews.com/article/las-vegas-hotel-workers-strike-deadline-073754af77f9aef57891ed9a5e95367d?

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Studios Adjust AI Language in Push to End SAG-AFTRA Strike

UPDATED: Hollywood’s major studios have agreed to adjust language on artificial intelligence as they move closer to a contract agreement to end the 117-day SAG-AFTRA strike.

https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/sagaftra-strike-ai-amptp-contract-1235783065/

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Hollywood actors strike over as union reaches tentative deal with studios

LOS ANGELES — Hollywood’s actors union reached a tentative deal with studios Wednesday to end its strike, bringing an end to months of labor strife that ground the entertainment industry to a historic halt.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/11/08/hollywood-actors-strike-is-over-as-union-reaches-tentative-deal-with-studios/?

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Hollywood’s strikes are both now over as actors reach deal with studios, return to work with writers On Thursday at 12:01 a.m., for the first time in more than six months, neither Hollywood’s actors nor its writers will be on strike. The long-awaited clearing in the industry’s stormiest season in decades comes as a deal was reached late Wednesday to end what was, at nearly four months, the longest strike ever for film and television actors. Read more.

Why this matters: The union valued the deal at over a billion dollars. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s executive director and chief negotiator, said the deal includes boosts to minimum payments to actors, a greater share of streaming revenue going to performers, a bolstering of benefit plans, and protections against the unfettered use of artificial intelligence in recreating performances. Details of the terms will not be released until after a meeting on Friday where board members will review the contract.   Although the writers’ strike had immediate, visible effects for viewers, including the monthslong suspension of late-night talk shows and “Saturday Night Live,” the impact of the actors’ absence was not as immediately apparent. But its ripple effects — delayed release dates and waits for new show seasons — could be felt for months or even years.

Related coverage ➤ The actors strike is over. What’s next for your favorite stars, shows and Hollywood? Movies and TV shows affected by Hollywood actors and screenwriters’ strikes WATCH: Hollywood actors strike is over as union reaches tentative deal with studios

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? Hollywood scrambles to restart

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

The 118-day actors' strike ended last evening. But cameras won't be rolling again until January at the earliest, industry insiders tell Axios' Tim Baysinger. SAG-AFTRA, the union representing Hollywood actors, announced a tentative agreement with the major studios. The union said in a statement that the deal contains "unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI" as well as a "streaming participation bonus." ? What's next: Some projects that hadn't started filming yet are likely to get canceled. Some films will likely slide into 2025 to avoid an end-of-year traffic jam. ? HBO had slated the third season of Emmy-winning "The White Lotus" for 2024. HBO chief Casey Bloys said last week it will likely debut in 2025. Go deeper.

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Vote on tentative contract with General Motors too close to call as more tallies are reported

DETROIT (AP) — Voting on a tentative contract agreement between General Motors and the United Auto Workers union that ended a six-week strike against the company appears too close to call after the latest tallies at several GM factories were announced Wednesday.

https://apnews.com/article/uaw-ford-stellantis-general-motors-gm-union-6e2610aacf617a345a254179bf124a7a?

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☕ Starbucks union plans Red Cup Rebellion

Photo: Starbucks

Thousands of Starbucks workers from 200 unionized U.S. stores will go on strike today during the coffee giant's Red Cup Day, which last year was the chain's highest single sales day of all time. Starbucks Workers United, which represents 360+ unionized stores and 9,000+ Starbucks employees, is calling it the Red Cup Rebellion. On Red Cup Day, customers get a reusable holiday cup with certain fancy beverages. Starbucks told Axios' Kelly Tyko that it expects "customers interested in our reusable red cup will be able to participate in the giveaway, as planned," and that the union action is at a "small subset of our U.S. stores." Go deeper: Kelly's guide to Red Cup Day.

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Actors vote to approve deal that ended strike, bringing relief to union leaders and Hollywood

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood’s actors have voted to ratify the deal with studios that ended their strike after nearly four months, bringing an official finish to the labor strife that shook the entertainment industry for most of 2023.

https://apnews.com/article/actors-strike-contract-a7a529acaf6b5b38aac93722db54c193?

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California State University faculty reach tentative contract agreement and will end strike

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California State university faculty members reached a tentative contract agreement Monday, the same day that nearly 30,000 professors, librarians, coaches and other workers struck at the nation’s largest public university system, their union announced.

https://apnews.com/article/california-state-university-faculty-strike-4d123a00b900fb7007c81b39256bcded?

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Orlando Uber and Lyft drivers to join nationwide Valentine’s Day strike

About 100 drivers for Uber, Lyft and other app-based gig services are going on strike Wednesday in Orlando, joining numerous others in cities across the country protesting what they call “poverty wages,” fears of being unfairly deactivated from the app and unsafe working conditions.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/02/13/orlando-uber-and-lyft-drivers-to-join-nationwide-valentines-day-strike/?

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Uber, Lyft drivers strike across US, demanding fairer pay

Feb 14 (Reuters) - Drivers for Uber Technologies (UBER.N), opens new tab, Lyft (LYFT.O), opens new tab and delivery workers for DoorDash (DASH.O), opens new tab were staging a strike on Wednesday, seeking fair pay and better treatment.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/uber-lyft-drivers-strike-across-us-demanding-fairer-pay-2024-02-14/?

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Major strike activity increased by 280% in 2023

Last year saw a resurgence in collective action among workers. More than 16.2 million workers were represented by unions in 2023, an increase of 191,000 from 2022. Workers filed petitions for union elections in record numbers and captured significant wage gains through work stoppages and contract negotiations. Further, organizing efforts continued in a variety of sectors—including health care, nonprofits, higher education, museums, retail, and manufacturing (Shierholz et al. 2024).

https://www.epi.org/publication/major-strike-activity-in-2023/?

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Video game performers will go on strike over artificial intelligence concerns

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood’s video game performers announced they would go on strike Thursday, throwing part of the entertainment industry into another work stoppage after talks for a new contract with major game studios broke down over artificial intelligence protections.

https://apnews.com/article/sagaftra-video-game-performers-ai-strike-4f4c7d846040c24553dbc2604e5b6034?

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? New supply chain threat

Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios

Port workers along the East and Gulf coasts are threatening to strike in October — just weeks before Election Day, Axios' Emily Peck writes. Why it matters: Of all the workers critical to the smooth flow of goods around the planet, it's unionized dockworkers who find themselves with the most power and best pay. The drama is playing out on the East Coast with the International Longshoremen's Association, the largest maritime union in North America. More than half of the cargo shipped to the U.S. from around the world comes through those ports. Observers tell Axios that wages are the big sticking point. East Coast workers want a better deal than their peer union on the West Coast negotiated last year. The union says it won't work past the Sept. 30 expiration of its contract. "[W]e are very far apart, particularly on the economic issues. In fact, we are at an impasse," according to a statement from union president Harold Daggett. ? Reality check: At this point, a strike is still unlikely, says Moses Kopmar of Moody's Ratings. Even if a strike happens, disruptions won't come close to the crisis at the ports brought on by the pandemic.

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Strikes start at top hotel chains as housekeepers seek higher wages and daily room cleaning work

With up to 17 rooms to clean each shift, Fatima Amahmoud’s job at the Moxy hotel in downtown Boston sometimes feels impossible.

https://apnews.com/article/hotel-workers-union-contracts-housekeeping-2bc35ed24dd424bc66d1afc9b036f92d?

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Labor Day hotel strikes reflect the frustrations of a workforce largely made up of women of color

More than 10,000 workers at 25 U.S. hotels were on strike Monday after choosing Labor Day weekend to amplify their demands for higher pay, fairer workloads and the reversal of COVID-era cuts.

https://apnews.com/article/hotel-workers-strikes-marriott-hilton-b778b1c7cc5434d0f57cb6c568644570?

 

Hotel strikes

 

More than 10,000 hotel workers are now on strike across 25 US cities. Unite Here, the union representing hotel employees, launched a nationwide strike against three major hotel chains over the Labor Day weekend. Workers say they want higher pay, better conditions and more staff. The union is asking for a restoration of many of the pandemic-era cuts that hotels made, including daily room cleaning. The union says the travel and hotel industries have recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic but worker salaries have not reflected the comeback. The hotel chains facing striking workers include Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott. The impacted hotels are reportedly still open but guests may deal with a skeleton staff unable to provide full services.

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33,000 Boeing factory workers go on strike after rejecting contract offer Aircraft assembly workers walked off the job early Friday at Boeing factories near Seattle after union members voted overwhelmingly to go on strike, another setback for the giant aircraft maker whose reputation and finances have been battered and now faces a shutdown in production of its best-selling planes. Read more.

Why this matters: As long as the strike lasts, it will deprive Boeing of much-needed cash that it gets from delivering new planes to airlines. That will be another challenge for new CEO Kelly Ortberg, who six weeks ago was given the job of turning around a company that has lost more than $25 billion in the last six years and fallen behind European rival Airbus.   The strike will stop production of the 737 Max, Boeing’s best-selling airliner, along with the 777 or “triple-seven” jet and the 767 cargo plane at factories in Renton and Everett, Washington. The strike will not affect commercial flights and likely will not affect Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are built by nonunion workers in South Carolina.   Very little has gone right for Boeing this year, from manufacturing problems like a panel blowing out and leaving a gaping hole in one of its passenger jets in January, to NASA leaving two astronauts in space rather than sending them home on a problem-plagued Boeing spacecraft, multiple federal investigations and a criminal trial over previous 737 Max crashes.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ NASA decision against using a Boeing capsule to bring astronauts back adds to company’s problems   UAW’s rift with Stellantis raises fear that some US auto jobs could vanish   Biden signs ‘common sense’ order prioritizing federal grants for projects with higher worker wages   Boeing strike   Union members at Boeing rejected a proposed four-year contract with the troubled aircraft manufacturer, authorizing the first strike at the company in 16 years. About 33,000 workers started walking off the job today, citing grievances with past contract terms. The strike will virtually stop commercial airplane production at one of America's biggest manufacturing giants and its largest exporter, dealing a potential blow to the US economy. It will not affect consumer travel but it will cause a delay in deliveries of jets promised to airlines, cutting off Boeing's primary source of cash. Boeing said it is eager to return to the negotiating table to reach a new deal and remains "committed to resetting our relationship with our employees."

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Boeing strike

 

Boeing is making some temporary cutbacks amid a massive strike that virtually halted work on its aircraft. Boeing's CFO Brian West on Monday announced the company is instituting a freeze on hiring and non-essential travel, and it will consider furloughs for employees, managers and executives. The plane maker is also planning to reduce spending with some of its 10,000 suppliers, West said in his memo. "(We) will stop issuing the majority of supplier purchase orders on the 737, 767 and 777 programs," he wrote. Boeing is on weak financial footing and has lost $33 billion since 2019. Negotiations between the union and the company are scheduled to resume this week with a federal mediator.