With the Middle East war continuing, and with Israeli military entering Gaza to try to oust Hamas forces, union leaders from the AFL-CIO, the Service Employees and the Government Employees back Israeli’s response to Hamas’s attacks.

Meanwhile, more than 240 rank-and-file unionists from across the U.S. gathered via Zoom on Oct. 16 to build a coalition within organized labor to demand a ceasefire and opening Gaza to humanitarian aid.

“The labor movement condemns and stands resolute against all terrorism, and we are concerned about the emerging humanitarian crisis that is affecting Palestinians in Gaza and throughout the region,” the AFL-CIO says. “We call for a swift resolution to the current conflict to end the bloodshed of innocent civilians, and to promote a just and long-lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”

Service Employees President Mary Kay Henry said her union has members with both Palestinian and Israeli relatives “impacted by the recent violence” and called for a ceasefire and opening Gaza to food, water, power and humanitarian aid.

“SEIU believes all Israelis and Palestinians deserve safety, freedom from violence, and the opportunity to thrive,” she said. “We stand against antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and hate in all its forms.”

Meanwhile, the National Writers Union, UAW Region 9A, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 3000 and the United Electrical Workers drew more than 240 unionists to a “War Is Union Business” conference last month. Speakers discussed how to construct a united union push on U.S. officials to elevate a cease-fire and humanitarian aid to top priority.

Big Three all settle with autoworkers

The UAW’s new leadership and negotiators — the first popularly elected leaders — achieved a clean sweep of Ford, General Motors and Stellantis after each reached agreement with the union in a matter of days after a six-week “stand up” targeted strike.

With few differences between the companies’ terms, some 150,000 workers (who’ll vote on the pacts) will get a 25% wage increase over the life of the contracts, an 11% signing bonus and restoration of Cost Of Living adjustments. Combined, that’s more than 32%, close to what the workers sought.

In Illinois, Stellantis agreed to reopen its Belvidere plant, bringing back 1,200 workers there, and also building an EV manufacturing plant there employing 1,000 more workers.

Illinois Nurses Association agrees to four-year pact with state

The Illinois Nurses Association (INA) last month ratified a groundbreaking contract agreement with the State of Illinois covering about 1,000 nurses. The settlement includes pay increases totaling 22.95% over the four-year term, plus $2,200 in bonuses throughout the life of the agreement and improving hiring practices.

“We heard from nurses at every facility that staffing and safety were priorities, and that the state needed to invest in health care to make sure that the vulnerable populations we serve are well taken care of,” the union said.

Chicago’s Columbia College part-timers strike. Columbia College Chicago’s adjunct faculty members went on strike last month over plans to cancel about 1,000 classes, which would decrease adjunct faculty’s workload — and pay — or increase class sizes without a corresponding pay increase.

“It’s harming the students,” said Columbia College Faculty Union president Diana Vallera. “It’s harming those that are most marginalized without basic safety nets. It’s harming everyone.”

Illinois joins states outlawing ‘wage theft.’

Illinois lawmakers this fall joined the list of states that have outlawed “wage theft.” Passing 68-38 in the House and 35-20 in the Senate, the law takes effect July 1, when it requires employers of freelancers to sign written contracts prohibiting pay cuts and increases fines for violators. Plus, it states, “No hiring party shall threaten, intimidate, discipline, harass, deny a work opportunity to, or discriminate against a freelance worker.”

House Deputy Majority Leader Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) said, “All workers, regardless of their employment status, deserve to have common-sense basic protections. Theft is theft, no matter who is doing it. Whether it’s an individual or a multinational corporation.”

News briefs courtesy of The Labor Paper: “Like” us — www.facebook.com/The-Labor-Paper