Here’s what workers in the US South and the colonies were up to from December 20 to January 10
New Campaigns
618 workers at Blue Oval SK in Glendale, KY filed a petition to hold a union election with the United Auto Workers (UAW) (this is a big deal – Blue Oval is an EV joint venture with Ford)
4300 workers at Amazon warehouse RDU1 in Garner, NC filed a petition to hold a union election with Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE)
Workers likely pushed by their employer filed a petition to decertify the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 312 as the union representing 40 workers at APAC Alabama Birmingham in Birmingham, AL
350 workers at Unifi – an airline ground support, shuttle bus company, owned in part by Delta – in Atlanta, GA filed a petition to hold a union election with the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) (an SEIU affiliate)
The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) appears to be trying to raid a unit of 43 workers at Primeflight Aviation Services in Orlando, FL who are currently represented by the Union of Service Workers Local 74, which is an affiliate of the International Union of Journeymen and Allied Trades, which is kind of a sketchy organization as I recall, so the raid is probably fine
Workers likely pushed by their employer – and with help from the National Right to Work Foundation – filed a petition to decertify the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) as the union representing 14 workers at Neuro Tour Physical Therapy in Marietta, GA
1,624 workers for Volusia County Public Schools in Daytona Beach, FL filed a petition to hold a union election with Volusia United Educators, after AFSCME was decertified as the unit’s representative
97 workers of North Miami in FL filed a petition to hold a union election with the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA)
21 workers at Greenlight Dispensary in Harrisonville, MO filed a petition to hold a union election with the Teamsters Local 955
14 workers at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network in Washington, DC filed a petition to hold a union election with the Pacific Media Workers Guild (NewsGuild-CWA) Local 39521
29 workers at the Georgia Power Company in Atlanta, GA filed a petition to hold a union election with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Workers likely pushed by their employer filed a petition to decertify the United Steel Workers (USW) Local 00227 as the union representing 71 workers at Nouryon Chemicals in La Porte, TX
30 workers at Unity Health Care in Washington DC filed a petition to hold a union election with the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees Metropolitan District 1199 (an AFSCME affiliate)
Workers likely pushed by their employer filed a petition to decertify USW Local 617 as the union representing 21 workers at Cargill in Kansas City, MO
27 workers at Recreational Equipment in Greensboro, NC filed a petition to hold a union election with the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU)
6 workers at NCR Voyix Corporation in Memphis, TN filed a petition to hold a union election with IBEW Local 474
55 security guards at Defense Contracting Activity and Paragon Systems as joint employers in Durham, NC filed a petition to hold a union election with the Security Officers Association of RTP
The Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) is attempting to raid a unit of 70 security guards at Bradley Technologies in Columbia, SC from the United Federation of LEOs – Police Benevolent Association
40 security guards at Asset Protections and Security Services in Washington, DC filed a petition to hold a union election with the SPFPA
The North Carolina Staff Organization, which represents workers at the North Carolina Association of Educators (an NEA affiliate), filed a petition to clarify the unit, likely trying to expand it but I’m not sure
The Union Security Officers Federal Facilities looks to be attempting to raid a unit of 265 security guards at MaxSent in San Juan, PR from the Union de Profesionales de la Seguridad Privada de Puerto Rico (Union of Private Security Professionals of Puerto Rico)
Election Results
Workers at several Starbucks locations in the South voted to unionize with Starbucks Workers United over the last few weeks:
22 workers in Wilkesboro, NC (16 to 1)
18 workers in Apex, NC (unanimously)
20 workers in Denton, TX (14-3)
25 workers in Cross Roads, TX (17 to 2)
27 staff for the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) in Dallas, TX voted 21 to 1 in favor of unionization with the SWAPA Staff Association
135 workers at Hoeganaes Corporation in Gallatin, TN voted 38 to 89 against unionization with the USW
77 workers at Calcasieu Refining Co in Lake Charles, LA voted 21 to 53 against unionization with IUOE Local 407
90 workers at OQ Chemicals in Bay City, TX voted 43 to 41 in favor of unionization with IUOE Local 564
38 workers at IntellecTechs in Augusta, GA voted 15 to 4 in favor of unionization with the Communication Workers of America’s industrial division (IUE-CWA)
117 workers at CONCO in Louisville, KY voted 81 to 20 in favor of maintaining the USW Local 1693-06 as their union in a decertification election
149 workers at First Student in Zachary, LA voted 65 to 9 in favor of unionization with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) local 1546
The Florida Police Benevolent Association (FPBA) successfully raided a unit of 11 cops for the Clermont Police Department in FL, as they voted 10 to 0 in fvaor of the FPBA over the IUPA
8 fire lieutenants for Haines City Police Department in FL voted 8 to 0 in favor of unionization with the Haines City Fire Rescue Professionals, affiliated with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
143 workers at St. Johns River State College in Orange Park, FL voted 60 to 21 in favor of recertifying the United Faculty of Florida (UFF) as their union
1514 cops at the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Ft Lauderdale, FL rejected a raid attempt by the Broward County PBA, voting 465 to 305 to retain their affiliation with the IUPA
139 workers at Pasco-Hernando State College in New Port Richey, FL voted 87 to 10 in favor of recertifying UFF as their union
243 workers for the city of Naples, FL voted 168 to 5 in favor of recertifying the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 79 as their union
The Florida State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) successfully raided a unit of 36 cops at Bartow Police Department in FL from the FPBA, 28 to 0
67 workers for the city of Oakland Park, FL voted 24 to 0 in favor of recertifying the Federation of Public Employees as their union, out of 67 eligible voters.
40 workers at the city of North Lauderdale, FL voted 9 to 0 in favor of recertifying the Federation of Public Employees as their union
14 workers at Hospital General De Castaner in Lares, PR voted 7 to 1 in favor of unionization with the Union General de Trabajadores (General Workers Union) Local 1199, an SEIU affiliate
6 workers at ASJ-IT Services in Augusta, GA voted 4 to 0 in favor of unionization with IUE-CWA
3 workers at Wesco Distribution in Maryland Heights, MO voted unanimously in favor of unionization with IBEW Local 1
3 workers at Rental Supply District 1 in Ashland, MO voted unanimously in favor of unionization with IUOE Local 513
6 workers at Martin Marietta Materials in Institute, WV voted 1 to 5 in favor of decertifying IUOE Local 132 as their union
4 workers at Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma in Cherry Point, NC voted unanimously in favor of unionization with the Marine Aircrew Group Association
2 workers at EMCOR Government Services in Washington DC voted unanimously in favor of unionization with IUOE Local 99
14 workers at Petsmart in Florissant, MO withdrew their petition for a union election with the Teamsters Local 688
6 workers at United Pacific in Mehlville, MO filed a petition to hold a union election with the Teamsters Local 618 and withdrew the petition in the same week
The Union Security Officers Federal Facilities ended their attempt to raid a unit of 232 security guards at Triple Canopy in San Juan, PR from the Unión de Profesionales de la Seguridad Privada y Transporte de Valores (Union of Private Security and Securities Transportation Professionals)
All information on public sector organizing and election results comes from McKenna Schueler’s excellent newsletter: Caring Class Revolt. Subscribe at caringclassrevolt.substack.com for more information on the stories above, as well as other labor reporting from the sunshine state
Settlements, Grievances, & Unfair Labor Practices
Starbucks Workers United has filed 34 complaints against the company in the last week. Josh Eidelson reports for Bloomberg that this signals rising tensions between the company and the union after what appeared to be a warming relationship only a couple months ago
The NLRB found that the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailley, KY violated the National Labor Relations Act by granting benefits to employees in order to discourage them from voting for union representation. Because workers showed majority support for unionization prior to the company’s violations of the law, even though the election was not in favor of unionization, the NLRB set aside the election results and is ordering the company bargain with the union – the Teamsters Local 651. This is only the second Cemex bargaining order since the landmark decision was issued in 2023
Strikes & Bargaining
Loudoun County Transit workers, unionized with ATU Local 689, finally reached an agreement on a new contract with county contractor, Keolis. Yesterday, workers ratified the agreement with 92% voting to approve.
Over 430 drivers, warehouse workers, and mechanics represented by Teamsters Local 988 have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike after Sysco failed to present an acceptable contract offer
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) announced with the US Maritime Alliance (USMX) that they reached a full tentative agreement ahead of the January 15th contract expiration. The contract was extended until that date following a 3 day strike last year that was called off following a tentative agreement on wages to negotiate automation language. The union said they have maintained their automation protections over the 6 year period of the contract, along with a 62% pay increase. The union says Trump’s public support was crucial
Costco walked out of bargaining with the Teamsters over a new national agreement. The Teamsters say the company has rejected all of their economic proposals, even though the company had record breaking profits in 2024 ($7.4B). The contract expires on January 31. It is probably not a coincidence that Costco has been making a show about not cancelling its DEI programs, probably in a bid to save face in anticipation of a strike by the Teamsters
Teamsters Local 991 members at Republic Services in Brewton, AL unanimously ratified a new contract containing a $5.50/hr raise over the 5 year agreement, with an additional paid holiday and more vacation time
GM and Ford both post best annual US sales since 2019, making difficult Stellantis’ attempt to claim that “market conditions” are the cause for lack of investment and layoffs, and also putting a hole in the argument that strong union contracts make businesses unprofitable
IATSE has launched its second annual gameworkers survey – if you’re a gameworker, you can fill out their survey about rates and working conditions on gameworkers.org
CWA is attacking AT&T’s plans to discontinue DSL service in rural parts of the country while also announcing a $40B stock buyback and dividend plan to enrich shareholders. The union also points out that while the AT&T CEO is saying that if Trump gives the company tax cuts, they will invest more, the company said the same thing in 2017, but following Trump’s first set of tax cuts, the company reduced capital investments, cut tens of thousands of jobs, and announced plans to spend $30B on stock buybacks
There was an explosion at a RWDSU representing Tyson’s plant in Camilla, GA, over the break. One worker ended up dying. RWDSU said in a statement that they are working with local authorities and are demanding a full investigation
Political & Legislative
Last November, Eidelson reported that the Teamsters were working with Josh Hawley to develop a more GOP friendly version of the PRO Act. Hawley’s office has been circulating what appears to be the culmination of those efforts, titled “A Pro-Worker Framework for the 119th Congress,” which calls for holding employers like Amazon (specifically named) accountable for unsafe work speeds, expediting union elections, supporting first union contracts, and boosting penalties for breaking the NLRA. Not the PRO Act, but all unambiguously good things, which means this is almost certainly dead on arrival in the current Congress.
Elon Musk is walking back claims that they could cut $2T from the federal budget, which is obvious to anyone who isn’t a complete baby brain
In other back tracking news, Donald Trump is floating the idea to buy ships from other countries instead of buying American because we can’t do it here, he says. Representative Donald Norcross released a statement calling on Trump to keep his Buy American pledge and support appropriations accordingly
An Alabama mom was among those injured in the New Orleans terrorist attack. When she asked her employer, Amazon, for time off to take care of the BULLET LODGED IN HER FOOT, Amazon declined. They only gave her leave after public backlash
Joe Biden put the final nail in the coffin of Nippon’s attempt to purchase US Steel, as expected. The USW and the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO applauded the move
Missouri’s minimum wage increased on January 1. The change will raise wages for nearly 440,000 Missouri workers, injecting over $365 million into the state’s economy. One in five Missouri children live in a household that will see an increase in earnings
Under Reagan, Congress passed amendments to Social Security to cut benefits for some public sector workers, like teachers and firefighters. Congress passed and last week Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act, which repealed these unfair punishments for public service, ensuring that teachers and other public workers are entitled to the same benefits as other workers. Despite the legislation being bipartisan, both of Alabama’s senators voted against
The Kroger Albertson’s merger was blocked, in a huge win for labor. To lick wounds for investors, Kroger announced $7.5B in stock buybacks. The United Food and Commerical Workers (UFCW), which represents workers at Kroger, said that for the same amount of money, the company could remodel literally every single store or build 280 new ones. The union is calling on the CEO to resign
Following Trump’s renewed interest in privatizing the postal service, and the Washington Post editorial board pointing to other “successes” with privatization, the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) strongly pushed back against the idea, saying these conversations are ignoring obvious fixes like postal banking, and ignoring the negatives that would undoubtedly come from privatization, like increased prices and decreased service
Data from the election is becoming clearer, and it seems like what happened was less that America swung rightward, but more people simply stayed home. Approximately 2.5M people who voted for Biden voted for Trump in 2024. Approximately 19M people who voted for Biden in 2020 stayed home in 2024
The Northern Virginia Labor Federation is supporting an entertainment district featuring a casino which, all told, will create some 5,000 union jobs. The Fairfax County NAACP held a forum on the issue last week that you can watch here
The US Department of Agriculture released two studies on the impact of line speeds on poultry and swine workers, causing RWDSU to release a statement calling on the USDA and OSHA to increase regulations on these employers to protect workers
AFGE’s National VA Council VP MJ Burke testified in front of Congress about the issues of ongoing privatization at the VA
Trump named former railroad executive David Fink as his nominee for administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration
A new jobs report showed 256,000 new jobs in the month of December, above market expectations. Unemployment decreased slightly to 4.1%. Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su also mentioned in her statement about the report that this is the first economic recovery since the 1970s that manufacturing jobs have fully recovered
Internal Union Affairs
The Teamsters convened a meeting in Atlanta last week to discuss technology at UPS
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which disaffiliated from the AFL-CIO in 2005, has finally rejoined the federation 20 years later, which they announced at the AFL-CIO’s annual MLK Civil and Human Rights Conference last week. In statements about the move, both the AFL-CIO and the SEIU are characterizing this move as preparation for an offensive organizing push, but the media reaction has been to characterize this as a defensive move in preparation of the new administration
Fires are ravaging Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Federation of Labor has a form you can fill out, along with a list of other resources, if you’re local and need support, and also a donation portal if you’d like to donate to support their mutual aid during this tragedy
The National Association of Letter Carriers ballots for the tentative agreement were originally due back on January 13th – the Ballot Committee announced over the break that they were extending the deadline to January 27
