Across the United States, a surge in labor activism has been gaining momentum, with various unions taking a stand to demand better working conditions, higher wages, and greater job security. From dockworkers to actors, hotel housekeepers to aircraft assembly workers, organized labor is making its voice heard.
According to data from Cornell University’s IRL School, the number of work stoppages increased by 9% between 2022 and 2023, with a significant rise in the number of workers involved in these actions. This trend is expected to continue, with a database maintained by Cornell and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign recording over 250 strikes and labor actions in 2024 alone.
One of the most recent and high-profile disputes involves dockworkers at 36 ports across the country, who went on strike early this week over issues such as wages, automation, and job protection. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has rejected the latest proposal from the ports, citing inadequate offers on wages and automation limits.
Meanwhile, aircraft assembly workers at Boeing factories have been on strike since September, with negotiations ongoing over wage and pension demands. In the gaming industry, a month-long strike by video game performers ended recently with the signing of interim agreements that address issues such as artificial intelligence protections and wage improvements.
In Las Vegas, thousands of hospitality workers reached a tentative deal with the Venetian and Palazzo resorts, securing significant gains in pay, workload reductions, and job security. Similarly, hotel chains across the US saw over 10,000 workers stage a Labor Day weekend strike, demanding higher pay, fairer workloads, and the reversal of COVID-era cuts.
In the healthcare sector, unions representing 85,000 workers reached a tentative agreement with Kaiser Permanente, including minimum hourly wages of $25 in California and $23 in other states, as well as a 21% wage increase over four years.
The automotive industry also saw significant labor actions, with the United Auto Workers union ratifying new contracts with Ford, Stellantis, and General Motors that raise pay across the industry and address issues such as staffing levels and outsourcing.
Finally, UPS workers approved a tentative contract with the package delivery company, securing wage increases, improved benefits, and better working conditions. In Hollywood, actors voted to ratify a deal with studios, ending their nearly four-month-long strike and securing gains in pay, residuals, and control over the use of artificial intelligence.
As these examples demonstrate, organized labor is on the move, pushing for better working conditions, higher wages, and greater job security across a range of industries.
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