California's governor signs bill to make farm union voting easier

Sep 30, 2022
The bill, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, allows voting by mail-- a victory for both organized labor and Democrats, including President Biden, who have supported the measure.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill following support from United Farmworkers and President Joe Biden.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Women's soccer equal pay deal highlights how unions can help level the playing field

Sep 7, 2022
According to federal data, union membership reduces the gender pay gap by nearly 40%.
Under the new contracts, the U.S. men's and women's soccer teams will be paid according to the same pay structure for appearances and tournament games.
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

What expanding the "joint employer" rule will mean for unions

Sep 7, 2022
The National Labor Relations Board has proposed a new rule that would make companies that use contract, temp and staffing-firm employees more responsible for their wages and working conditions.
The joint employer rule expansion would add some power to workers trying to unionize, such as warehouse workers.
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Musicians union challenges Spotify to raise royalties

Streaming accounts for the vast majority of recorded music income, but musicians and producers make fractions of a cent per stream.
The Union of Musicians and Allied Workers wants Spotify to increase the per-stream royalty for musicians and make its revenue data transparent. 
Sergi Alexander/Getty Images for Spotify

Labor movement adds union members store by store

Aug 26, 2022
A Chipotle in Michigan and an REI in California are the latest to continue a trend defined by Starbucks.
A rally supporting a Starbucks union in Seattle in April. Experts say the close relationships in small workplaces can facilitate union organizing.
Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images

Union petitions were up 56% in last 9 months, federal labor agency says

Jul 15, 2022
Young, college-educated workers at individual retail establishments like Starbucks stores are driving many organizing efforts.
More than 16% of the union election petitions submitted to the government came from Starbucks.
Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images

New Connecticut law limits "captive audience" meetings in the workplace

Jun 28, 2022
These meetings, where employers share their views on unionization with employees, can no longer be mandatory.
The Connecticut State Capitol. The state's new law limiting "captive audience" meetings is likely to face legal challenges.
SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images

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Port unions have long bargained over disruptive innovations

Jun 17, 2022
The introduction of shipping containers half a century ago revolutionized the industry, and union strategy.
The shipping container was invented in 1956, and ended up changing the landscape of the industry.
Stephen Chernin/Getty Images

Activision Blizzard employees vote to form a union

May 31, 2022
It's the first union at a major company in the $180 billion gaming industry, and could be a sign of things to come.
The union at Activision Blizzard is the first at a major gaming company.
Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Activision

Ever wanted to be a flight attendant? Here are the "bizarre requirements" applicants had to meet in the 1960s.

Apr 21, 2022
Nell McShane Wulfhart tells the story of how women organized to fight sexism in the cabin and turn the job into a lifelong career.
A Pan American (Pan Am) air hostess serves champagne in the first class cabin of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet.
Tim Graham/Getty Images