Greg Volynsky is a student at Harvard Law School.
In Today’s News & Commentary: President Biden addresses autoworkers, Kaiser Permanente workers ratify contract, California farmworkers unionize, NYC cleaners prepare for strike, and Cornell graduate students unionize.
President Biden took off his blazer and pulled a red UAW t-shirt over his button-down in Belvidere, Illinois. Speaking to the autoworkers, the President touted the UAW’s success in negotiating with auto companies. Biden told the crowd “I want this type of contract for all auto workers and I have a feeling the UAW has a plan for that.”
Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers have ratified a new four-year contract following a significant strike. The strike began October 4, as Linh reported, and involved over 75,000 healthcare employees—making it the largest strike in U.S. healthcare history. The union reached a tentative agreement with the company on October 13th (as I reported), and the deal has now been ratified, with almost all of the 85,000 union members voting in favor.
Farmworkers at a Stanislaus County tomato farm and packing company, DMB Packing, in California have successfully unionized under a new state law. The new law, effective as of May, allows workers to unionize using authorization cards. Just over half of the company’s 297 workers voted for union representation. DMB Packing is disputing the results.
As the real estate industry faces high vacancy rates and reduced property values, the New York Times reports that thousands of cleaning workers are prepared to fight against potential cuts to their healthcare benefits. On Thursday, the workers—part of 32BJ SEIU, a union that represents 20,000 commercial maintenance workers—gathered at demonstrations at several locations in New York City, appearing ready to strike for the first time in 27 years.
Cornell graduate students won their unionization election with a vote of 1,873 to 80, forming the Cornell Graduate Students United. This victory follows a failed attempt in 2017, when students voted 941 to 867 against unionizing. The shift marks the sharp trend towards unionization on college campuses.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
January 15
New investigation into the Secretary of Labor; New Jersey bill to protect child content creators; NIOSH reinstates hundreds of employees.
January 14
The Supreme Court will not review its opt-in test in ADEA cases in an age discrimination and federal wage law violation case; the Fifth Circuit rules that a jury will determine whether Enterprise Products unfairly terminated a Black truck driver; and an employee at Berry Global Inc. will receive a trial after being fired for requesting medical leave for a disability-related injury.
January 13
15,000 New York City nurses go on strike; First Circuit rules against ferry employees challenging a COVID-19 vaccine mandate; New York lawmakers propose amendments to Trapped at Work Act.
January 12
Changes to EEOC voting procedures; workers tell SCOTUS to pass on collective action cases; Mamdani's plans for NYC wages.
January 11
Colorado unions revive push for pro-organizing bill, December’s jobs report shows an economic slowdown, and the NLRB begins handing down new decisions
January 9
TPS cancellation litigation updates; NFL appeals Second Circuit decision to SCOTUS; EEOC wins retaliation claim; Mamdani taps seasoned worker advocates to join him.