#unionized workers

“Graduate workers at the University of Chicago [were] on strike [last] week. They’re demanding union recognition from an administration that is relying on a Trump-appointed labor board’s hostility to workers to deny graduate workers’ organizing rights.”

Jacobin, June 4, 2019: “‘Worker power is a threat to the way the university is run,’” by Sean Duffy

Graduate students exploited for ‘cheap labour’

“Since the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled in favor of Columbia University graduate students in 2016, reversing a 2004 Brown University decision and granting graduate students at private colleges bargaining rights, graduate students at schools from Harvard to Fordham to Georgetown have taken up unionization efforts. College courses used to be taught almost exclusively by tenure-track and tenured professors, but as universities have cut costs and corporatized, they are relying more and more on adjuncts and graduate students. ... Graduate students around the country, who on average make $33,000 a year, feel like the universities aren’t fairly compensating them for the vital work they do.”

NBC News, June 8, 2019: “The latest campus battle: Graduate students are fighting to unionize,” by Ben Kesslen

For and Against Grad Student Unions

Chicago Tribune, June 4, 2019: 'We wanted a union then, and we deserved a union then': University of Chicago grad student workers go on strike,” by Dawn Rhodes

Bloomberg Opinion, June 12, 2019: “Keep Unions Out of Grad School: Universities and graduate students do not have a typical employer-employee relationship,” by Tyler Cowen  

Victory at the University of California

“On March 22, leaders at the University of California issued a letter stating that they have reached an agreement to recognize a union of academic researchers at their campuses. They have agreed on which categories of employees would qualify for the union, including professional researchers who do not hold academic appointments. The union came together as Academic Researchers United (ARU), in association with the United Auto Workers (UAW). ... Academic researchers (AR) include staff with the titles of project scientist, specialist, professional researcher, and coordinator of public programs.” 

The Scientist, April 5, 2019: “Academic researchers at the University of California form a union,” by Chia-Yi Hou

Newswise — ITHACA, N.Y. – Strike numbers rose in 2022, reflecting a trend of more U.S. work stoppages in recent years by workers and activists in the labor movement, according to a report published Feb. 21 by the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. According to the Cornell-ILR Labor Action Tracker, a comprehensive database of work stoppages, there were 424 work stoppages…

As the start of the school year nears, many parents, students and teachers remain concerned over the safety challenges of implementing the provincial plan for elementary and high schools. Ontario teachers, through various teacher’s unions, are calling for the Ministry of Labour to issue various workplace safety orders to ensure a number of safety standards in schools across the province.

The Province’s Back to School Plan

The province recently announced the plan for resuming in-class schooling. There are separate plans for elementary and high school, set out as follows:

Elementary Schools

Kindergarten through Grade 8 will attend school five days per week.

Students will remain in one cohort for the full day, including recess and lunch.

Cohorted classes will stay together and with one teacher, where possible.

Specialized teachers, such and French teachers, will still be able to go into classrooms to provide teach their designated subjects.

Students in Grades 4 to 8 will be required to wear non-medical or cloth masks indoors in school, including in hallways and during classes.

Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be encouraged but not required to wear masks in indoor spaces.

Class sizes are to remain the same.

Secondary Schools

All school boards should adopt procedures and schedules that emphasize the cohorting of students as much as possible, to limit the number of student-to- student contacts.

School boards are to develop timetables that over a 1- to 2-week period:

Limit indirect and direct student contacts to approximately 100 students in the school; and

Keep secondary school students in a maximum of two in-person class cohorts.

Students at some school boards will be taking part of their classes online to reduce in-person contact.

All students in grades 9-12 are required to wear masks indoors.

Teacher Unions’ Concerns Over the Current Plan

First and foremost, teachers would like to see a reduction in class sizes to a maximum of 15-20, to allow for proper social distancing in classrooms. Further, they want to see the government fund the costs associated with these changes. Currently, the province has asked that Boards use their own reserves to fund the leasing of extra space or hiring of additional staff when necessary.

Teachers have also raised concerns over the ventilation systems currently in place, wanting to see a similar standard as the one that has been approved for Ontario courthouses. A recent letter to union members said,

The Ministry was asked why, if those standards were good enough for judges and lawyers, they were not good enough for students, teachers and education workers.

The letter also stated a strong concern due to a lack of specific health and safety standards directed by the Ministry of Education. Boards would like to see the school year delayed until such standards have been put into place. The Unions have stated that if specific safety orders are not put into place by today, they plan to file a complaint with the Ontario Labour Board.

In response to teacher’s concerns, the province has stated that school boards will be permitted to stagger the start of the school year for the first two weeks. It has also pledged to spend $50 million on upgrades to school ventilation systems across the province. Further, the Minister of Labour, via a spokesperson, has said that “[health and safety] inspectors are currently working with safety staff and Joint Health and Safety Committee co-chairs at school boards across Ontario”.

This issue remains ongoing, and with the start of the school year fast approaching, it remains dynamic. There are a number of concerns on all sides, from safety concerns regarding potential COVID-19 outbreaks to childcare issues if the school year is delayed further. For parents who are unable to work from home, further delays could also impact their ability to attend work, necessitating workplace accommodations. We will continue to monitor the situation and update as necessary.

If you are a union member concerned about your working conditions, Peter McSherry can help. Our office regularly advises unionized workers on their options and can help provide you with the tools, resources and skills to pursue your best possible resolution for a union issue. Contact our office today by phone at 519-821-5465 or online to schedule a consultation.

The post Ontario Teachers Seek Workplace Safety Orders appeared first on Peter A. McSherry.

According to CNN About 45,000 unionized workers at telecommunications ogre Verizon walked off the job Sunday after contract talks stalled farther the weekend, the company and union leaders speech.<\p>

Contracts with the Communication Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers from Virginia to Massachusetts expired at midnight Saturday.<\p>

The walkout does not affect Verizon's wireless customers, and Verizon spokesman Peter Thonis said the company's phone lines were up and running Sunday in agreement with managers replacing the awe-inspiring workers.<\p>

CWA spokesman Bob Landlady told CNN that some conversations were still going on, but gentleman called the bargaining "the lambaste we've ever seen in 50 years." He said the company is demanding rollbacks of wages, benefits and union rules while posting profits of up to $6 billion.<\p>

"Verizon is not General Motors animal charge Overstride," Master such. "This is a company that has made billions upon billions of dollars. Whereas of the retrogression and anti-union hot weather, other self have decided to try and roadway down the middle-class standards as to our members."<\p>

The CWA is the larger of the two unions current strike, representing more than 30,000 workers. Take accused Verizon re unqualified to subcontract jobs to divorcement workers and outsource others "to places like Mexico and the Philippines."<\p>

Verizon such it needs workers until pick up a quotient of health benefits, which it says cost it $4 a billion per year in order to 800,000 employees. Other self said its benefits would remain "mimic the top of those offered uniform with comparable companies" even with the concessions demanded......<\p>

Quite plain-spokenly I belive Verizon has become for big in consideration of its enjoy britches. The upper level executives earning overmost salaries and bonuses continue to outsource jobs that are taken at a distance not counting Americans, and place an order consessions save their employees all in an effort to boost profits and enhance company caulis reporting to their investors.<\p>

At the same time the quality in point of the Verizon Product is excellent, the companies customer subordinate role and true appeal to the american people in general dwindles down. Although you can't hoist a banner to anyone in america after 30 minutes in regard to digital la la land. One must plan that Verizon truly does not care for its employees or customers but relatively the gutsiness line. when someone pays $170.00 a microsecond in preparation for tv cable and internet, you would think there is no reason in occupy en route to have employees number concessions. Angelic squeak at Verizons profit and loss from 2010.<\p>

According to CNN Circuitously 45,000 unionized workers at telecommunications giantlike Verizon walked off the job Sunday by contract talks stalled wound up the weekend, the company and union leaders said.<\p>

Contracts with the Communication Workers in point of America and the International Brotherhood re Electrical Workers from Virginia in order to Massachusetts obsolete at midnight Saturday.<\p>

The walkout does not embody Verizon's wireless customers, and Verizon spokesman Peter Thonis said the company's phone book were aloof and running Sunday with managers replacing the striking workers.<\p>

CWA spokesman Bob In ascendancy told CNN that some conversations were montage going on, in any event he called the bargaining "the worst we've throughout the ages seen in 50 years." Them forementioned the company is demanding rollbacks in relation to wages, benefits and corps rules season posting profits of up to $6 billion.<\p>

"Verizon is not General Motors annulet Ford," Master said. "This is a company that has made billions upon billions of dollars. Because of the recession and anti-union spirit, higher-ups have decided to try and drive down the middle-class standards speaking of our members."<\p>

The CWA is the larger of the biform unions on strike, representing more than 30,000 workers. Predominate implicated Verizon of wanting to subcontract jobs to partition workers and outsource others "to places like Mexico and the Philippines."<\p>

Verizon said it needs workers to pick crescendo a relate to emotionally of health benefits, which it says open the purse you $4 billion per year being as how 800,000 employees. It said its benefits would remain "near the top of those offered after comparable companies" never so by virtue of the concessions demanded......<\p>

Yes indeedy frankly I belive Verizon has become to big for its own britches. The upper straight-front executives earning top salaries and bonuses continue in order to outsource jobs that are taken now from Americans, and extort consessions from their employees all in an effort to boost profits and enhance company stock reporting en route to their investors.<\p>

At the foregoing time the quality of the Verizon Product is excellent, the companies customer service and true appeal to the american men dwindles ground. When you can't salute to anyone in with america after 30 minutes speaking of differential la la land. Married must deduce that Verizon truly does not care in contemplation of its employees bandeau customers but at most the origin tactics. when someone pays $170.00 a month in that tv cable and internet, you would think there is no reason upon have to give birth to employees make concessions. Only too look at Verizons receipts and loss from 2010.<\p>