Michelle Berger is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s News and Commentary: UAW and Ford near a deal, SAG-AFTRA negotiations with the studios resume, and the AFL-CIO rates new Speaker Johnson poorly.
The UAW and Ford reached a tentative contract agreement last night. The tentative contract include a 25s percent wage increase over the life of the contract, with additional cost-of living adjustments that are said to ultimately increase total wages about 30 percent over the life of the contract. The UAW initially demand a 40 percent wage increase over four years. UAW President Shawn Fain announced that the contract also eliminates lower-pay tiers for workers in parts of Ford’s operations. Lowest-paid temporary workers are receiving a 150% raise. It remains to be seen whether Ford agreed to allow unionization at its EV battery factories (GM has been said to have agreed to a similar term). With striking Ford workers instructed to go back to work, the tentative agreement is expected to pressure GM and Stellantis to conform to similar terms. If the UAW and the Big Three can reach agreements, it will end the UAW’s first-ever simultaneously strike against all three automakers. Earlier this week, the UAW expanded its strike against GM with 5,000 workers walking out of one of its most profitable plants. The strike has lasted for 41 days. UAW’s membership must vote to ratify or reject the tentative agreement.
In Hollywood, the actors’ strike against the studios has lasted for 103 days. There, too, some signs point toward progress. SAG-AFTRA and the studios are set to resume negotiations today. However, the largest point of contention remains how to split revenue from streaming. SAG-AFTRA initially requested 2% of all streaming revenue for its actors. Other key demands have been related to the proliferation of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry.
As of yesterday, Congress has a new Speaker of the House. Representative Mike Johnson of Louisiana had a perfect track record of voting against working people in 2022, according to the AFL-CIO’s tracker. The continuing resolution that is currently funding the United States government runs out on November 17th, at which point the government will shut down unless Congress can pass spending legislation by then to avert that outcome.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
July 3
Unions seek a preliminary injunction to prevent USDA downsizing; the D.C. District Court issues a preliminary injunction against new student loan regulations; Matt Bruenig releases an analysis of Starbucks’ ongoing legal battle against Starbucks Workers United.
July 2
First Circuit denies federal worker unions’ mandamus petition; federal court denies preliminary injunction against new union reporting rule; House introduces the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act.
July 1
Trump nominates Keith Sonderling as Labor Secretary; DOL eliminates disparate-impact liability from Title VI regulations; OPM finalizes rule allowing suitability-based removal of federal employees for post-appointment conduct.
June 30
SCOTUS ends removal protections for agencies; staff at NYC cocktail bar vote to unionize.
June 29
In today’s News and Commentary, student-athletes file a class action suit challenging the NCAA’s new Age-Based Rule, a federal judge declines to issue a preliminary injunction against FEMA’s reduction in force but expedites proceedings, and Gavin Newsom opposes California’s proposed billionaire tax in favor of a federal approach. On Thursday, DeJuan Campbell, at basketball player […]
June 28
Philadelphia utility workers announce July 4 strike; national parks workers vote to unionize; Michigan considers “right to disconnect” bill.