Workers across the country are creating better lives for themselves and their families by using the power of collective bargaining to improve their working conditions on many levels. Here are some highlights from recent worker wins:
American Postal Workers Union Wins New 40-Month Contract: About 200,000 postal workers won a hard-fought victory that includes protections against layoffs, strengthened job security by limiting subcontracting and a temporary moratorium on new plant closings and consolidations. The agreement also rejected management’s demand that employees pay a greater share of health insurance premiums.
AFGE Increases Membership Across The Country: AFGE added 1,900 dues paying members between April and June and also organized an additional 250 employees at six new federal worksites who may become members. The largest new unit organizing win was at the Durham Veteran Affairs Medical Center in North Carolina, where 112 physicians now have union representation. AFGE also successfully organized a new bargaining unit at the First U.S. Army in Rock Island, Illinois and 39 at the Defense Logistics Agency Installation Support at San Joaquin in California.
Maui Community Supports Contract Win By Lifeguards: Maui County’s 55 lifeguards won a hard-fought battle to earn a decent living. Along with their law enforcement brothers and sisters, they earned a fair contract that includes a 16 percent raise. Maui County was the last jurisdiction in Hawaii to approve the Hawaii Government Employees Association/AFSCME Local 152 contract, which covers nearly 350 lifeguards and about 400 state law enforcement officers throughout the islands.
Charter School Workers In Ohio Win First Contract: The first-ever contract for charter school teachers in Cleveland will set salary ranges, increase job security and guaranteed education planning time. The “I Can” charter school teachers are now part of the Cleveland Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff which is affiliated with the Ohio Federation of Teachers.
CWA Grows Nationwide: 9,400 AT&T Mobility workers in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas won a four-year contract recently. About 300 workers at OFS, a fiber optic cable manufacturer, also won a four-year contract. The deal provides for retroactive wage increases and maintains all levels of benefits for active and retired workers without cost increases. Over the past year, about 1,000 technicians and other workers who provide television sports services at ABC and NBC have joined NABET-CWA.
IAFF Wins Expedited Claims Process for Fire Fighters Who Died from 9/11-Related Illness: After years of struggle, the IAFF has helped secure expedited consideration of claims submitted for fire fighter deaths and disabilities linked to toxic exposures from work related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The new protocol recognizes that 9/11-related illnesses are job-related, and will allow for speedier claims processing. The new protocol will allow the Department of Justice to begin awarding benefits to survivors of fire fighters who died from a 9/11-related illness.
30,000 IAMAW Workers Ratify United Airlines Contract: Approximately 30,000 IAM-represented United Airlines workers have achieved wage and pension increases of more than 40 percent after overwhelmingly ratifying seven contracts. The five-year deals also provide industry-best wages, work protections and retirement security.
UFCW Local 400 Wins Fight to Save Grocery Stores: Union and community members recently came together to prevent six Giant stores in Fredericksburg, Virginia and two in Southern Maryland from being sold. Workers were able to demonstrate that the sale of the stores would threaten wages, benefits and the overall grocery store experience that the Giant stores provide to the local community.
ThinkProgress Employees Ratify Writers Guild of America, East Contract: Editorial employees at ThinkProgress unanimously approved a contract with Center for American Progress. The contract offers guaranteed minimum salaries, editorial independence, paid family leave and job security.
Contact: Carolyn Bobb (202) 637-5018