chicago labor news
Loretto Hospital Workers Secure Tentative Agreement, End Strike
After an 11-day long strike Loretto Hospital workers reached a tentative agreement with management on August 7th. Staff went on strike partially to address a staffing crisis at the hospital that was dangerous for both workers and patients. The new agreement promises wage increases that align with industry standards, which should help the hospital retain workers after several staff left due to subpar pay. Read more about it at Block Club Chicago.
Art Institute of Chicago Workers Ratify First Contract
A year and a half after their initial unionization effort and after over a year of bargaining, the Art Institute of Chicago Workers (AICW) have ratified their first contract. The four-year agreement includes wage increases for all staff, raising the wage floor so that new staff can also expect better pay, improvements to the hiring process that help current employees move up, and more. Read more about it at the Chicago Tribune and on Council 31’s website.
Labor Beyond Chicago
VFX Workers at Disney File to Unionize
Visual Effects (VFX) workers at Walt Disney Pictures have filed with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize and become part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), inspired partially by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike. Disney workers follow the VFX workers at Marvel, who filed to join IATSE earlier in August. Disney VFX workers hope to win health care and other benefits, fair pay, and the power to enforce protections and fair standards for workers. Read more at the VFX Union Website.
150,000 Auto Workers Could Strike in September
According to More Perfect Union, on August 23rd 97% of auto workers voted to authorize a strike. Workers at General Motors (GM), Ford Motor and Stellantis are in the midst of contract negotiations, seeking wage raises, more paid time off, health care for retirees and other improvements. In 2019, auto workers at GM conducted a 40 day strike. Read more about the possible strike at CNBC.
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