Here’s what workers in the US South and the American colonies were up to in the week ending on December 15:
NEW CAMPAIGNS
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1933 filed a petition for a union election to add 4 workers at Lee County Electric Cooperative in North Fort Myers, FL to the bargaining unit they already represent.
The employer filed for a union election after a majority of two different units of unrepresented workers at UPS in Louisville, and Campbellsville in KY showed support for unionization with the General Drivers, Warehousemen & Helpers (Teamsters) Local 89. The first unit was of 3 part-time hub associates, and the second was 6 part-time package center specialists. And they’re not done! 61 workers at UPS in Louisville, KY also filed for a union election with the same local. This Teamsters local has really been on a tear – organizing several new units of UPS workers after they got their new contract.
50 security guards at AKIMA in Donna, TX filed for a union election with the United Government Security Officers of America Local 385
4 workers at Red Label in Stillwater, OK filed for a union election with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1000
The employer filed for a union election after a majority of the 84 workers at Glancy Surface Mining in Wharton, WV showed support for unionization with the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Local 1503.
46 workers at Ozark Automotive Distributors, Inc. d/b/a O’Reilly Auto Parts in Forest Park, GA filed for a union election with the Teamsters Local 728.
Workers likely led or pushed by their employer filed a petition to decertify the United Steel Workers (USW) Local 13-227 as the union representing the 70 workers at Odfjell Terminals in Seabrook, TX.
CAMPAIGN UPDATES
Some updates on a union election at Ascension Hospital in Austin, TX: this unit of 200 nurses filed for an election after over 70% requested voluntary recognition, but the hospital wouldn’t grant it because they are “temporary workers.” They took this case so far as to have a hearing where the NLRB said that’s dumb, they’re having an election. It’s scheduled for January 3. National Nurses United wanted to include them in the original unit that had an election there in 2022, but the hospital has had this argument about their ineligibility since then, and rather than wait to get this resolved, NNU thought it’d be best to go ahead and have an election with the undisputed bargaining unit first. Looking forward to seeing their contract when they get it!
ELECTION RESULTS
17 security guards at Garda CL East in North Charleston, SC voted against unionization 6 to 10 with the Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA)
35 workers at ITT Engineered Valves in Amory, MS voted against unionization 5 to 38 with the USW
22 workers at Keurig Dr Pepper in Knoxville, TN voted 11 to 11 in their union election with the Teamsters Local 519. Ties mean the union loses the election.
The petition to decertify the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Locals 714 and 1493 as the union representing 12 workers at RATP-DEV USA in Greensboro, NC was withdrawn, meaning ATU will remain.
30 workers at Run for Something in Washington DC withdrew their petition for a union election with Workers United. Hopefully this is because they received voluntary recognition – this has happened with a few nonprofits lately.
14 workers at Frame Workers Institute withdrew their petition for a union election with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Local 1937
The petition to decertify the Teamsters Local 89 as the union representing 36 workers at Taylor CORECC in Campbellsville, KY was withdrawn, meaning the Teamsters remain.
15 security guards at Walden Security in Washington, DC withdrew their petition for a union election with the United States Court Security Officers
14 workers at L3 Harris Technologies in Greenville, TX voted in favor of unionization 13 to 1 with the United Automobile, Aerospace, & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Local 967
STRIKES & BARGAINING
The Teamsters are voting on a strike authorization at Anheiser-Busch. They’ve been putting on the pressure recently with rallies and public attacks. The current contract expires in February.
The Teamsters are taking their strike against DHL in northern Kentucky nationwide, with Teamsters setting up pickets at DHL facilities all over the country, including adding another southern picket in Miami.
Dozens rallied for Maximus Call Center workers to receive better pay and benefits, including congressfolks and the international president of the Communication Workers of America – Claud Cummings. These are the workers that operate the phone lines for Obamacare and Medicare, and yet many of them can’t even afford the services they offer. A startling 83% of the workers who have dependent children report needing to utilize some form of public assistance. President Cummings was arrested, as were several Maximus workers.
Workers at Sunergos Coffee in Louisville, KY voted to approve a new four year contract with the company after a 6 day strike.
INTERNAL UNION AFFAIRS
Machinists District Lodge 19 is rerunning their election after a DOL investigation found sufficient evidence to warrant a rerun. The new election is being held on May 3, 2024.
POLICY, POLITICS, AND LEGISLATION
National President of the American Federation of Government Employees called the proposed Social Security Fiscal Commission a wolf in sheeps clothing.
Tesla is being accused of fraud by the California Department of Motor Vehicles for advertisements claiming some of their cars are “full self driving” despite the fact that Tesla admits they are not full autonomous and require active driver supervision. Elon Musk says his allegedly fraudulent claims are free speech.
The Durham Workers Assembly is holding a rally on Monday night: From Durham to Palestine, Money for Workers and Community Needs, not Attacks on Black and Brown People. They are calling for $25/hr for city workers and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Florida Republicans just voted down an amendment to a Florida bill loosening child labor restrictions to require all employers of 16 and 17-year-olds to maintain record of sexual harassment and give copies to parents.
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