Holden Hopkins is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s news and commentary, Boston University Graduate Workers are striking today, Michigan House staffers are organizing their own union drive, and new data reveals the economic benefits of unionization.
On March 12th, the Boston University Graduate Students Union (BUGWU) voted overwhelmingly to authorize today’s strike. Negotiations had been ongoing with Boston University, though the union says the latest offers from management have not come close to meeting the demands of graduate workers. In addition to raises which BUGWU claims are necessary to meet the cost of living in Boston, workers are seeking job security provisions, childcare, and better health and dental benefits. Today’s strike is beginning with a noon “Launch Rally” at BU’s Marsh Plaza, and is set to continue with pickets every weekday.
The Michigan Legislature has been the source of key legislative victories for labor recently, most notably including their repeal of the State’s “right-to-work” law last year. Now, legislative staffers in the Michigan House are pushing for union representation. At issue for the staffers include pay disparities, long hours, and high turnover rates.
Bloomberg Law’s Quarterly Union Wage Data report shows that new contracts signed in 2023 by a number of unions have resulted in the highest average first-year wage increase since 1988, when tracking began. On average, union workers will earn 6.6% more this year as a result of those contracts, and 7.3% more when lump-sum payments like signing bonuses are included.
This report comes on the heels of another recent analysis of 2022 Federal Reserve and BLS data conducted by the Center for American Progress which found a “wealth gap” between union and non-union households. That study found that unionized workers make about 10%-20% more than their non-union peers. The benefits are not solely being felt by union members, however. As Sunah and Will reported last year, several non-union automakers granted their workers raises in the wake of the UAW’s contract with the “Big Three” automakers.
The AFL-CIO summed up the recent data findings in a tweet, stating, “When we fight together, it pays off—literally.”
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April 26
Screenwriters in the Writers Guild of America vote to ratify a four-year agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, and teachers in Los Angeles vote to ratify a two-year agreement with the Los Angeles Unified School District.
April 24
NYC unions urge Mamdani to veto anti-protest “buffer zones” bill; 40,000 unionized Samsung workers rally for higher pay; and Labubu Dolls found to contain cotton made by forced labor.
April 23
Trump administration wins in 11th Circuit defending a Biden-era project labor agreement rule; NABTU convenes its annual legislative conference; Meta reported to cut over 10% of its workforce this year.
April 22
Congress introduces a labor rights notification bill; New York's ban on credit checks in hiring takes effect; Harvard's graduate student workers go on strike.
April 21
Trump's labor secretary resigns; NYC doormen avoid a strike; UNITE HERE files complaint over ICE concerns at FIFA World Cup
April 20
Immigrant truckers file federal lawsuit; NLRB rejects UFCW request to preserve victory; NTEU asks federal judge to review CFPB plan to slash staff.