Press Release

Worker Wins Update: Collective Action Results in Collective Gains in a Big Month for Workers

WASHINGTON, DC– Workers across the country have stood up in the past month to fight for better wages and working conditions.

Walmart Workers Greet Wage Hike With A Smile: After years of collective actions calling for a raise in wages, Walmart workers won a huge victory as the largest private employer in the United States announced it will soon raise wages to $10 an hour for its lowest-level employees.

Brooklyn Cablevision Workers Get Clear Picture of Bright Future with New Contract: After three years of negotiations, Cablevision workers in Brooklyn, NY have signed a contract with the company, becoming the first workers in the company to earn a union contract.

Rocky Mountain Bus Drivers Deliver Workplace Protections Through Organizing: Colorado bus drivers have organized a vote on establishing a union for workers in an attempt to strengthen their regional transportation system. Drivers assert that raising wages would keep veteran drivers in the system and ensure quality service.

The Nutmeg State’s Spicy Good News: More Union Members: According to the US Department of Labor, 24,000 Connecticut workers joined unions last year. These gains include more than 1,500 University of Connecticut graduate students, and major worker wins in the health care and construction industries.

Workers See Green as Organizing Efforts Pay Off: Last week, workers at a major medical cannabis production facility in Minnesota have voted to organize, making it the first medical marijuana facility in the state to do so.

Columbia University Graduate Student Employees Make the Grade With Union Push: In mid-February, The Graduate Workers of Columbia filed a petition with the NLRB to reopen a case that denied graduate student employees the ability to become a recognized union. This filing comes after a majority of Columbia University graduate student employees signed cards to organize a union.

Nurses Show Organizing Is the Right Prescription for Better Pay, Rights: Northern California nurses are getting their voices heard through an organizing campaign that would create a new union for nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Workers have cited need for additional financial stability and workplace protections.

Today’s Lesson – Fighting for the Rights of Workers: More than 750 Boston University adjunct professors voted to form a union in a fight for better workplace rights and pay. February’s vote comes on the heels of a growing trend of universities to use lower-paid adjunct professors.

Low-Wage Workers in Oakland Raise Hopes After Raising Wages: The minimum wage in Oakland, CA was raised from $9.75 an hour to $12.25 an hour Monday, March 2nd, providing a huge boost for low-wage workers struggling to make ends meet. The increase will impact 48,000 people, a quarter of all workers in Oakland, while also providing paid sick leave to over 56,000 workers.

Philly Families Stay Fit with Paid Sick Leave Law: Workers in Philadelphia achieved a critical victory as the City Council passed legislation to establish mandatory paid sick leave for an estimated 200,000 residents. Philadelphia followed the lead of 16 cities and three states that have enacted similar laws.

Facebook Workers ‘Like’ Better Conditions, Pay Through Union: Facebook shuttle drivers voted to approve a new contract that will raise wages and improve workplace conditions. In addition to Facebook, drivers for major tech companies such Apple, eBay, and Yahoo have also voted to form a union, demonstrating a trend towards better pay and benefits for workers in Silicon Valley. 

Contact: Anthony DeAngelo (202) 637-5018