Subject: Labor Relations INK Links November 2021

Labor Relations Institute
November 11, 2021
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Changes are coming to INK over the next few months, based on feedback we received from you. Starting this week, the Links edition will move from a once-per-month list of news links to a weekly story of interest along with the list of news links. That way the news links are more current. On the third Thursday of each month you will receive the full edition of INK as usual.

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Striketober

“Striketober” (a catchier term than “Strikegust” or “Strikeuary” ever could have been) found itself on the lips of major news outlets throughout the month of October. As it turns out, too, the pandemic-fueled phenomenon continues into November with picket lines apparently showing no signs of slowing. Notably, however, these strikes actually haven’t achieved record-breaking volume in a historical sense. Some reports estimate that about 100,000 workers either went on strike or threatened to do so during the month of October, as compared to much larger numbers during the 1940s, ‘50s, and beyond. However, several prominent examples of internal strife continue to attract a great deal of media attention. 

The issue of whether this period deserves the Striketober label is something that will no doubt be interpreted for years to come. At this moment in time, the cable-and-internet news cycle keeps pushing this news to the forefront. Given that we also live in an “extremely online” reality, these stories end up being political in nature and, as such, get rehashed and amplified, all while the companies who are weathering these strikes take hits to their bottom line.

Here are several high-profile examples of companies who’ve recently felt the strain:
  • Nabisco: The snack maker’s striking workers received a high-profile boost from actor Danny DeVito, who raised public and media interest in this strike by tweeting his support for employees to his millions of social media followers.

  • Kaiser Permanente: The entire healthcare industry’s awash with striking nurses, and for 2018’s top healthcare employer, the conglomerate’s workers are increasingly marching. 32,000 more employees intend to step onto the picket line on Nov. 15.

  • Kellogg’s: The food manufacturer recently cited a dent in profits, one month after workers began to strike while protesting a two-tiered salary and benefits plan that placed new hires and long-time workers at odds, setting the stage for internal strife.

  • John Deere: The agriculture machinery manufacturer saw UAW members strike on Oct. 15 with no projected end in sight. Following worker rejection of Deere’s “final” offer for a new contract, the union’s said to be considering its next move.

  • McDonalds: In 10 cities across the U.S., these fast-food workers announced a Nov. 9 strike to urge unionization and to protest how they say the company handled allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace.

  • Sanitation: Across the country, trash pick-up schedules grew chaotic due to striking sanitation workers in Louisiana, New York City, and Florida through a combination of strikes and pandemic-related labor shortages.

  • Higher Education: UAW-represented graduate students at both Harvard University and Columbia University voted to strike in October after failing to reach satisfactory contracts.

  • Entertainment: An estimated 60,000 film and TV workers (members of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees) prepared to strike on Oct. 18, although a last-minute deal averted follow through. 

In addition to these accumulating strikes, organizing efforts at previously long-term union-free employers (Starbucks and Amazon) continue to churn up public interest. Likewise, the “Great Resignation” within many industries (including healthcare and education) continues to see workers retire or otherwise choose to end their employment. 

To further muddy the Striketober waters, President Biden - attempting to balance his pro-union position against economic recovery - declined to take a stand regarding specific disputes, so how this will all work out through a historic lens is anyone’s guess. As it stands, workers do appear to feel emboldened to strike (over pay and working conditions) amid COVID-related worker shortages. And the unions who represent these workers are more than happy to seize the opportunity to strike.

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Union Bailout Update

Build Back Better Reconciliation Bill includes heavy new penalties for employer violations of NLRA
https://lri.link/3EF4jZ8

Freaky Fast: NLRB continues to quicken case processing 
https://lri.link/3Eyzupd

Video hearing option for labor elections, cases eyed at NLRB
https://lri.link/3GY7Jbr

Biden NLRB Picks will advise on joint employer suit, chair says
https://lri.link/3ET3PPu

56 million reasons employers should watch the NLRB
https://lri.link/3EMofcK

NLRB cracks down on immigrant worker intimidation, Abruzzo says
https://lri.link/3BVgkrH

Republican lawmakers say appointment snag hurts NLRB's integrity 
https://lri.link/3w6vbyl

NLRB seeks to revisit case over former member’s alleged conflict 
https://lri.link/3weRBxp

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NLRB General Counsel's memorandum foreshadows additional changes to NCAA athletics
https://lri.link/3pVee92

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Covid-19

Biden sets COVID-19 vaccine rules for businesses
https://lri.link/3klc9zJ

Appeals court temporarily halts Biden vaccine mandate for larger businesses
https://lri.link/3EWX0wh

Part of OSHA vaccine rule would be ‘unprecedented’
https://lri.link/3w8bVk2

Unions sue Port of Seattle over vaccine mandate, citing lack of authority and collective bargaining efforts
https://lri.link/3mChmEJ

N.Y.C. reaches an agreement with labor unions on vaccine mandates
https://lri.link/3BQbmwA

Labor board looking into complaints at Sean Penn vaccination site 
https://lri.link/3nSv9X0

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Organizing

Teamsters seek Dollar General in latest test of union clout
https://lri.link/3D07eLN

Starbucks workers win store-by-store union vote as investors bail, seeing slower growth ahead
https://lri.link/31c359p

Starbucks to raise average pay up to $17 an hour as it faces a labor shortage
https://lri.link/3BDd6Ja

Labor board to hear Amazon workers' bid for NY union vote on Nov. 15
https://lri.link/2ZJ3y2M

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Union Corruption

Jury to start deliberations in bribery and corruption trial of John Dougherty, Bobby Henon
https://lri.link/3BZOWsN

Retired Akron Teamsters wait for full funding of troubled pension plan
https://lri.link/3o6PAzz

The Connecticut Department of Labor is not collecting union financial reports as required by law (opinion)
https://lri.link/3pVZwyr

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Hospitality

Labor Dept. revives '80/20 rule' for paying tipped workers
https://lri.link/3jYEdbH

Louisiana sanitation workers strike over unfair conditions
https://lri.link/30au9Fq

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Tech/Media Unions

Three Gannett newsrooms successfully unionize as Politico staff announce union drive
https://lri.link/3EAFhud

Image Comics workers announce they've formed a union
https://lri.link/2ZL6US9

Former Apple employee who claims she was fired for #AppleToo organizing files NLRB complaint
https://lri.link/3mSejbD

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Manufacturing

Exxon Texas refinery workers to vote on removing union 
https://lri.link/2ZmsOLk

United Auto Workers union backs Biden fuel economy proposal
https://lri.link/2YcTgak

UAW mulling next steps after striking members reject John Deere's 'final' offer
https://lri.link/3on0ce7

John Deere to reach out directly to workers as UAW strike drags on
https://lri.link/3bLvpl4

Two judges. Two different rulings on UAW picketing activities at Iowa Deere sites
https://lri.link/3bxTagl   

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Healthcare  

Kaiser mental health care providers authorize strike, allege staff shortages
https://lri.link/3bNWKTX

Nearly 32,000 Kaiser Permanente workers will strike on Nov. 15
https://lri.link/3bPJY76    D.C. hospital accuses NLRB of ‘shocking abuse’ with remand bid
https://lri.link/300RqJT

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Gig Economy

Gig-economy rise prompts FTC chief’s call to alter antitrust law
https://lri.link/3ofaXPu

Portugal's gig-economy workers set to become staff
https://lri.link/3BeWuHA

Gig-working in England and Wales more than doubles in five years
https://lri.link/3mYZsMv

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Minimum Rising  (No union-related stories here, mostly employers stocking up for Christmas rush)

Macy's to lift minimum wage to $15 per hour as labor market tightens
https://lri.link/3n00act

Ikea raises minimum wage to $16 an hour as retailers fight for workers
https://lri.link/3H3wseB

Costco raised its minimum wage to $17
https://lri.link/3D0tuoX

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Labor Around the World

The supply chain crisis and U.S. ports: ‘Disruption on top of disruption’
https://lri.link/3c0zl1i
About Labor Relations INK
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Contributing editors for this issue: Phillip Wilson, Greg Kittinger, and Kimberly Ricci 

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