The Teamsters brought a “Fat Cat” inflatable to strikers’ July 2 rally in Pike County.
BILL KNIGHT
Weeks after Illinois AFL-CIO paused support for candidates, sending a warning to Democrats, it made endorsements for the general election. Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea said the labor federation had been frustrated with Democrats for not advancing measures prioritized by organized labor and Illinois’ 1.7 million union households.
“We sent a message that lawmakers must address labor’s unfinished priorities in the upcoming veto, lame-duck, and spring sessions,” Drea said. “The message has been received, and we can look forward to a more collaborative process in the months to come.”
In addition to endorsing incumbent Democrats in Congress such as Eric Sorensen in the 17th and Nikki Budzinski in the 13th, the Illinois AFL-CIO endorsed Democrat Paul Nolley, who’s working to unseat 16th District Congressman Darin LaHood
African-Americans, Labor protecting voting
Union and Civil Rights leaders have announced joint efforts to mobilize voters and protect workers’ rights.
“We are all that we have,” said NAACP Executive Director Derrick Johnson. “We are all that we need for this fight. In this moment where so many people have lost hope and the ability to fight back and push back, it is our job in the House of Labor and as civil rights communities to rebuild the hope that’s necessary.”
NAACP Board Chairman Leon Russell announced a $20 million campaign of joint organizing and grassroots outreach, targeting about 6 million non-voters.
Elsewhere, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists launched its own political roadmap with the understanding that labor rights and Civil Rights are one fight. “Workers today are facing some of the worst conditions imaginable,” said CBTU President
Rev. Terrence Melvin, “demolishing unions with the stroke of a pen and a deaf ear to the workers (and) the MAGA movement put a dagger right to the heart of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Now is not the time to bend.”
Also, partnering are the Ranbow Push Coalition and the Progressive National Baptist Convention, and the AFL-CIO is recruiting 50,000 election protection volunteers nationwide to staff polling places and emergency hotlines in the lead-up to and on Election Day to ensure that voters aren’t intimidated.
Biggest cannabis strike in U.S. history at Ascend
About 300 workers at Ascend Wellness facility in Barry ratified their first contract with Teamsters Local 916 on July 30, 224-54, ending a weeks-long Unfair Labor Practice strike.
“This victory belongs to the men and women at Ascend who stood together and refused to accept anything less than a fair contract,” said JP Fyans, President of Local 916. “Their solidarity compelled Ascend to deliver on pay, benefits and protection of union rights.”
Short Takes: The U.S. Attorney in Central California last month moved to dismiss charges against David Huerta, president of SEIU-United Service Workers West, who was arrested at an anti-ICE protest. … The Art Institute of Chicago wants to eliminate its 25 union custodians to outsource the work to a private, third-party vendor, GDI Integrated Facility Services. AFSCME Council 31 lawyers have filed a grievance and “demanded to bargain.” … Workers at the Geneva Public Library District are unionizing with AFSCME. The bargaining unit would represent 55 staffers. … John Deere has offered the United Auto Workers a two-year extension with 4% general wage increases and a $3,000 ratification bonus. … New Jersey has sued Amazon for breaking anti-trust laws.
— News briefs courtesy of The Labor Paper