Folks,
Greetings from the Burgh, where Payday just broke a big story about UAW Chief of Staff Chris Brooks being forced out amid a major corruption scandal.
Donate to Help a Sick Labor Reporter Take Holidays Off
For the past few weeks, I have been struggling with the effects of COVID, fatigue, and muscle aches. I am hoping to take two weeks off for winter break to rest up. However, as a self-employed labor reporter, I don’t have paid sick days, so I need your help to take a few days off.
Border Patrol Raids Picket Line in Chicago
Yesterday, in Chicago, Greg Bovino, who's been leading the Border Patrol’s effort to raid major cities, made a surprise visit to a picket line of Teamsters striking at the manufacturer Mauser Packaging Solutions. Bovino began interrogating picketing workers about their immigration status, likely in violation of federal labor law.
“It was very clearly protected concerted activity, and [agents] took it upon themselves to start asking [the workers] and interrogating them about their status,” Teamsters Local 705 attorney Nicolas Coronado told HuffPost.
For more, check out Dave Jamieson’s article at HuffPost.
Starbucks Workers Arrested Blocking Major Roasting Plant
In a sign of escalating action by 3,500 Starbucks workers, whose strike has entered its second month, workers have begun blocking truck deliveries into Starbucks roasting plants in York County. The plant serves most of the Northeastern United States and Canada.
Yesterday, 12 workers and 2 supporters were arrested while protesting at the plant in a sign of escalating tactics.
"We all deserve a fair living wage, and we're out here fighting against unfair labor practices," protester Renee Vargas told WPMT. "That's why it's important, and it's important to show solidarity with all of our friends."
For more, check out the Harrisburg Patriot-News.
Ford to Layoff 1,000 at Recently Unionized Kentucky Plant
In August, the UAW won a narrow union vote to represent nearly 2,000 at BlueOval SK Battery Park. This vote is still being contested, but UAW has repeatedly claimed that they feel confident that they will win.
However, the union took a major blow this week when Ford and SK One announced that they were dissolving the joint venture that ran the plant. Now, Ford will run it alone. They announced that they intend to convert from an electric car battery plant to a battery energy storage system plant. In the process, they will lay off 1,000 workers.
"This is a customer-driven shift to create a stronger, more resilient and more profitable Ford," Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said in a press release on Dec. 15. "The operating reality has changed, and we are redeploying capital into higher-return growth opportunities: Ford Pro, our market-leading trucks and vans, hybrids and high- margin opportunities like our new battery energy storage business."
For more, check out the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Telluride Ski Patrollers Likely to Strike
Over the past few years, nearly a dozen ski slopes in the Rocky Mountains have unionized. Now, ski patrol workers in Telluride, Colorado have signaled that they intend to strike over the holiday break.
“As much as we really still hold out a glimmer of hope, it is becoming more and more likely that we're going to strike,” Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association President Graham Hoffman told KPCW.
Ghiradelli Workers Move to Strike
Finally, as Christmas sales for Ghiradelli chocolates heat up, workers say that they are planning to strike if the company switches from contributing to UNITE-HERE’s union-run health insurance to a company-run plan. Workers are against it. From the San Francisco Gazetter:
Allowing Ghirardelli to take over health insurance would also mean that workers have less input over their coverage and benefits, Karabel said.
“For example, during the pandemic shutdown, the union was able to make the decision to spend funds and extend health insurance for workers,” she continued. “If a company like Ghirardelli had controlled health insurance, that would not have been an option.”
Diego Huerta, a 23-year-old cashier at Ghirardelli, said he is picketing today because he fears that he will not be able to treat his chronic illness if he loses union-managed insurance benefits. Huerta is considering more aggressive and expensive treatments for his ulcerative colitis; moving to a Ghirardelli-run plan could mean he has to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket for the care, he said.
The Ghirardelli job is the first time Huerta has been a union member, and he said that Local 2 has been important in giving workers a chance to speak up about grievances and workplace safety.
“It’s not just about me and my condition. I’ve noticed people in my workplace who have multiple health concerns. They’re elderly. Some people are going through mental health struggles. Therapy and treatment costs a lot of money,” Huerta said. “We’re putting pressure on companies to recognize the impact that we have as workers, and the fact that we need a more fair share of what we produce.”
For more, check out the San Francisco Gazetter.
News & Headlines
- Oregon advocates call for 'Day Without an Immigrant' statewide strike
- UPS invests $120 million in robots to unload trucks - Bloomberg
- ICE arrest in Twin Cities strikes close to home for key witness who filmed George Floyd’s murder
- A hurricane destroyed their homes in Jamaica. Now they fear losing the jobs they rely on in the US
- Prison health workers are among the best-paid public employees. Why are so many jobs vacant?
- Trademark Times: the use of logos to union bust
- ‘El Limones’ and the growing union disguise of Mexican organized crime
Alright folks, that’s all for today - keep sending tips, comments, and complaints to melk@paydayreport.com
See yinz tomorrow,
Melk
