Strikes

Urges Members to Communicate with Union Leaders

Nov. 3, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today said he was “extremely disappointed” that contract negotiations for SEPTA broke down early this morning, resulting in a strike that crippled mass transit in the Philadelphia region.

The Governor became directly involved in SEPTA talks on Oct. 30 and participated in 14 hours of negotiations on Nov. 2. He said union leaders walked away from what he felt was a “sensational” contract offer, especially in light of challenging economic conditions.    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - As the union strike at Vance Air Force Base entered its second day, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today made the following statement:

"If the negotiations do not reach a conclusion within the next seven days, the Air Force will be forced to send the current senior training class of pilots to another base that conducts training for pilots. If students begin to be shipped out to Texas or Mississippi, it could have dire consequences for the future of Vance.    » read more »

Seoul -- 17 June 2008 -- South Korea's biggest labor confederation says its members will go on strike, next month, to protest the policies of the country's president. The labor troubles heap new crisis on an administration facing mass street protests about trade with the United States.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions announced Tuesday it would conduct a nationwide general strike on July 2. And, KCTU president Lee Seok-haing says that is just the beginning.

Lee says after the strike, there will be several days of organized labor protests.

The KCTU is an umbrella union group for more than 600,000 members, working in nearly every sector of the country's economy.    » read more »

Job Action Affects About 1,250 Workers at 24 Terminals Across the Country

June 9, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Teamster carhaul members employed at Performance Transportation Services Inc. went on strike against the company at 9 a.m. EDT today to enforce the union’s bargaining table demands.

The nationwide strike affects 24 terminals and about 1,250 Teamster employees at the PTS’ companies: Leaseway Motorcar Transport Company, E. and L. Transport Company, Hadley Auto Transport and Transportation Releasing.

“We are on strike to enforce our bargaining table demands,” said Fred Zuckerman, Director of the Teamsters Carhaul Division.

PTS employees haul vehicles for Ford, General Motors, Toyota and other manufacturers.    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- Chicago, IL — Senator Obama today released the following statement in support of striking Bay Area janitors.

"As thousands of Bay Area janitors continue their courageous fight to win a higher standard of living for themselves and their families, I offer my support."

Barack Obama in Puerto Rico: Photo by Barack Obama campaign (CC)

"It's thanks to the bravery and sacrifice of these workers—and union men and women before them—that we've made progress in the fight to ensure that every American has rights on the job and the chance to improve their lives."    » read more »

March 12, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement on the breakdown in negotiations between the United Auto Workers and American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc.:

“I urge American Axle to work to reach a contract with the UAW. The men and women of the auto industry have made huge contributions to the American economy, and they deserve a contract that honors their hard work. American Axle should get back to the table immediately and bargain in good faith.”    » read more »

Los Angeles, 13 February 2008 (By Mike O'Sullivan) -- Hollywood writers have voted to end a three-month strike that crippled film and television production. As Mike O'Sullivan reports, Hollywood is breathing a sigh of relief after the worst labor dispute in decades.

The writers walked off the job November 5. Tuesday, Patric Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America West, said they will end the 100-day strike.

"The membership has voted. Writers can go back to work," Verrone said.    » read more »

February 12, 2008 -- LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK -- The membership of the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) today voted overwhelmingly in favor of lifting the restraining order and ending their 100-day strike that began on Nov. 5. 3,775 writers turned out in Los Angeles and New York to cast ballots or fax in proxies, with 92.5% voting in favor of ending the work stoppage.    » read more »

With contract talks at major turning point, hundreds of security officers could walk off the job in coming weeks

February 09, 2008 -- Minneapolis, MN – Joined by Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, security officers who protect the majority of commercial office buildings and other major properties in Minneapolis and Saint Paul voted today to authorize their bargaining committee to call a strike if necessary.    » read more »

Los Angeles, 11 February 2008 (By Mike O'Sullivan) -- Striking Hollywood writers could return to work this week to end a three-month strike that has crippled film and television production. The news raises hopes that the Academy Awards, or Oscars, may go ahead as planned February 24. Mike O'Sullivan reports, the first Oscars of the season have already been awarded for scientific and technical achievements.    » read more »

January 28, 2008 -- (Seattle, WA) – Members of the Teamsters walked off the job Sunday afternoon to protest workers’ rights violations at AmerisourceBergen ’s (ABC) Northwest distribution hub.    » read more »

January 28, 2008 - LOS ANGELES -- The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) issued the following statement today:

The Board of Directors of the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) has agreed to grant an interim agreement for this year's Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. This will allow for written material for the show to be covered under a Guild contract.    » read more »

January 23, 2008 -- PITTSBURGH--The 117 DuPont workers who held a hunger strike in Camaçari, Brazil last week gained the support of the United Steelworkers (USW), the largest industrial trade union in North America. The workers, members of the Union of Chemical and Petroleum Workers of Bahia/CNQ-CUT, held the strike to protest DuPont’s derisory profit sharing proposals.

"The USW stands prepared to offer immediate assistance,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. “We already have representation in Brazil fully committed to assisting our brothers and sisters there.”    » read more »

24 January 2008 -- Tens of thousands of French teachers, hospital staff and other public sector workers marched Thursday in cities across France, joining a one-day strike against government reform plans.

Turnout estimates for Thursday's protests varied widely. The French news agency quotes the country's largest union as saying 400,000 strikers participated nationwide. Police estimates put the number at about half that figure.    » read more »

Nov 21, 2007 -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, Senator John Edwards released the following statement:

“Elizabeth and I will honor the members of the Writers Guild of America who are on strike at ‘The View’ by canceling our appearance on the show next week. I call on all of my fellow candidates and their campaigns to do the same.    » read more »