CHICAGO LABOR NEWS
Chicago Teachers Union proposes contract updates, urges public negotiations
CTU has released a new contract proposal as its current one is set to expire in June. According to WBEZ, the proposal addresses primary concerns like affordable housing for families of unhoused students and second language instruction. It also prioritizes community schools and bilingual education to attend to known social needs and educational disparities. CTU stands firm on fair compensation, underscoring the importance of retaining teachers in Chicago. Stacy Davis Gates, CTU’s president, is advocating for public involvement in negotiations and for bargaining to be made transparent, potentially through live-streamed talks.
Howard Brown Health workers UNITED prepareS to vote on first contract
Union workers at Howard Brown Health, the largest LGBTQ+ healthcare provider in the Midwest, have reached a tentative deal on their very first contract. This follows 18 months of negotiations, two strikes, layoffs, and intervention from the National Labor Relations Board. Among other key issues, the agreement addresses pay increases and insurance for part-time staff. It also provides paid leave for gender-affirming care. Voting to ratify the three-year contract will take place between April 29th and May 1st.
Shedd Aquarium workers unionize with AFSCME Council 31
The newly established Shedd Workers United represents about 300 Shedd Aquarium staff members including aquarists and trainers, among other departments. Their initiative aligns with the pattern of unionization seen across Chicago cultural institutions, most recently at the Museum of Contemporary Art in February. According to the open letter shared by Shedd employees, they seek necessary improvements in working conditions and urge management to recognize their union without anti-union tactics. To gain certification, the union must secure support from at least 30% of employees or be voluntarily recognized by the employer. To share your support for Shedd workers, add your name to the petition.
LABOR BEYOND CHICAGO
Top U.S. corporations advance efforts to impede National Labor Relations Board
In the last few weeks, SpaceX, Amazon, Starbucks, and Trader Joe’s have submitted legal documents presenting new arguments aimed at undermining the NLRB. If successful, this action could weaken workers’ rights, prompting concerns of a return to a more chaotic era of labor law. These efforts come in response to NLRB accusations against Amazon, Trader Joe’s, and Starbucks for union busting, and SpaceX for unlawful termination after firing employees for denouncing management. The NLRB’s General Counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, has stated that the agency will not yield to these legal challenges.
Cartoonist Cooperative calls for collective action in support of comics workers
The Cartoonist Cooperative has released the results of an inaugural survey conducted back in June 2023, which gathers data from 100+ comics industry respondents in mainstream and self-publishing within the U.S. The findings highlight the economic challenges experienced by comics workers and emphasize the significance of income transparency when it comes to reducing pay gaps and setting fair expectations for workers and employers. In publishing this survey, the Cartoonist Cooperative stresses the need for unionized action toward livable pay standards, improved working conditions, and sustainable careers for comics workers.
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