The Valley Labor Report

Last Week in Southern Labor: 3/22 - 3/29

Updated On: Apr 30, 2024

By JACOB MORRISON | April 3, 2024

Here’s what workers in the US South and the colonies were up to from March 22nd to March 29th:

NEW CAMPAIGNS

1 worker at All Points Logistics in North Merritt Island, FL filed a petition to hold a union election with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2088
120 workers at Martin-Brower Company in Roanoke, TX filed a petition to hold a union election with the Teamsters Local 767
75 workers at AMR in Temple, TX filed a petition to hold a union election with the Communication Workers of America (CWA)
Workers likely pushed by their employer filed a petition to decertify the National Nurses Organizing Committee as the union representing 200 workers at Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, TX
16 workers at Arrow’s Edge in Cherry Point, NC filed a petition to hold a union election with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW)
7 workers at Wayne Sanderson Farms in Enterprise, AL filed a petition to hold a union election with IAMAW
7 workers at ESG in Ft Benning, GA filed a petition to hold a union election with the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 926
31 workers at Christie Lites Nashville in Nashville, TN filed a petition to hold a union election with the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 46
2 workers at Prime Communications in Montgomery, AL filed a petition to hold a union election with CWA
8 workers at Liberty Mobile Puerto Rico in Guaynabo, PR filed a petition to hold a union election with CWA
103 workers at Georgetown University in Washington, DC filed a petition to hold a union election with the Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153

CAMPAIGN UPDATES

After successfully organizing ramp and tug workers at the Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky global hub for DHL, Teamsters are now organizing the sort workers. The company is obviously breaking the law, and last week the workers marched on the boss to demand an end to the illegal union busting behavior
Mercedes workers in Alabama filed board charges against their company over allegations that they have been illegally retaliated against for their union support, specifically, not being given reasonable medical accommodations among other things.

ELECTION RESULTS

13 workers at Atlanta Symphony Orchestra voted in a tie (5 to 5) in their union election with IATSE Local 927, meaning a loss for the union but was it a desert? Not sure
149 workers at Kraft Heinz Foods Company in Jacksonville, FL voted 107 to 24 in favor of maintaining unionization with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1996 in a decertification election
18 workers at ProSolar Systems in Christiansted, VI voted 8 to 9 against unionization with the United Steel Workers (USW) Local 8526
4 workers at Union Oil & Gas in Winfield, WV voted unanimously against unionization with USW Local 628-04
6 workers at everOn in Knoxville, TN voted in a tie in a decertification election, meaning the workers lose IBEW 760 as their union
64 workers at SP Plus Corporation in St Rose, LA voted 39 to 12 in favor of unionization with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1535
94 workers at Cargill in Reserve, LA voted 38 to 56 against unionization with the Teamsters Local 270
100 workers at UNFI United Natural Foods in Atlanta, GA voted 82 to 5 in favor of unionization with the Teamsters Local 728
34 security guards for Chenega Global Protection in Washington, DC voted unanimously in favor of unionization with the Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA)
137 workers at Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care in Washington, DC voted 93 to 22 in favor of unionization with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
77 workers at Sysco Knoxville in Knoxville, TN voted 29 to 46 against unionization with the Teamsters Local 519

SETTLEMENTS, GRIEVANCES, & UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades secured over $100,000 in stolen wages for 60 Nashville painters
The Teamsters won a major victory against Yellow Corporation with the dismissal of the company’s frivolous $137 million-dollar lawsuit by U.S. District Court Judge Julie A. Robinson

STRIKES & BARGAINING

The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) announced that it has reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement with Crimson Oak Grove Resources, LLC for its mine in Adger, Alabama. Members will be reviewing the contract and voting on it next week.
A majority of BLET members ratified a new contract with the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad (M&NA) by a vote of 42-10. The five-year deal runs through January 1, 2028, and provides general wage increases of 25% (27.5% compounded) over the life of the contract (7% at signing in 2024; 5% in 2025, 5% in 2026, 4% in 2027, and 4% in 2028).
The UMWA and AFL-CIO are launching a campaign aimed at Warrior Met Stockholders, urging them to support a package of governance reforms.
Workers at Waffle House in Atlanta, GA automatically have a $3 meal deduction per day that they work - whether they eat or not. This despite being a $4B company and the owner being worth $1.7B. Workers went on strike over the policy last week.
As the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) begins contract negotiations with Boeing - they are saying they want a board seat to help save the company from itself
Teamsters have won a strong new agreement to end their strike against Graybar. Local 688 members ratified a new four-year contract and achieved significant improvements across the board.
As are Teamsters at Molson Coors, and they’re calling for a boycott of the brand

POLITICS & LEGISLATION

The US Department of Labor announced a final rule clarifying that employees have a right to select an employee or nonemployee representative to accompany an OSHA compliance officer during an inspection of their workplace, even in a nonunion setting, and the US Council of Bosses is mad about it
As previously reported, an Alabama state senator filed legislation that would put one more unnecessary barrier to unionization in front of working Alabamians. The North Alabama Area Labor Council, who we may have some connections with, came out in opposition to the bill last week. That opposition was covered in multiple outlets in the state.
In a stunning election, Democrat Marilyn Lands won by 30 points in a Trump+1 Alabama state house district that’s been held by a Republican for decades. You can listen to her interview with us to see how she will represent us in Montgomery.

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