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Blog Posts, and Of Interest
Why this Labor Day Is different
September 1, 2023
Economic Opportunities Program
Workers across a wide breadth of sectors are striking for increased wages — but also for dignity, equity, and a say in how new technologies are deployed.
Article / 9.01.2023
Historians are likely to label 2023 as the year of labor’s discontent in the United States. They will note that:
– Entertainers and writers were engaged inlong strikesto restructure how they were paid paid in the streaming media environment.
– At United Parcel Service, the Teamsters union used its buildup of a very credible strike threat to achieveone of the largest wage increases in yearsfor full- and part-time workers.
– Strikes erupted across the nation to the point that this season was labeled “Hot Labor Summer.”
– Rank-and-file union workers were sending clear messages that they expected to reclaim wages lost to inflation and were ready toreject tentative agreementsthat fell short of meeting their expectations.
– Employer violations of labor law also escalated to the point that the National Labor Relations Board issued a “new framework”for organizing to ensure that unions would be established if that was what the majority of workers wanted.
– Union and nonunion workerscontinued to engage in collective actions to gain a stronger voice on issues such as scheduling and time off, dignity and respect, use of AI and other advancing technologies, and social issues.
