Greetings from the Burgh, where Payday is excited that we have secured some funding to bring the newsletter back to three times a week (more on this later in the week).
Keep Payday’s Newsletter at 3x-a-Week
Fundraising has been picking up at Payday, and we are rebuilding our reserve fund. Help us to keep the momentum going and tell the stories that few other publications are telling.
Wikipedia Working w/ Trump NLRB to Union Bust
Yesterday, Wikimedia Foundation, the group that runs Wikipedia, announced that they would not agree to voluntarily recognize a union formed by their staffers.
Instead, WIkimedia insisted that they would require an NLRB election; an election in which union organizers fear that the Trump NLRB could severely eliminate the size of the bargaining unit.
“What a shameful decision to tie the process to the willingness of Trump-controlled NLRB. Everyone involved in denying the voluntary recognition should resign in disgrace or be driven out,” one editor told 404 Media.
For more, check out 404 Media.
10,000 Doctors Launch Union Drive
In California, over 10,000 resident physicians at the University of California hospital system have launched a campaign to unionize with SEIU. From public radio station KALW:
Earlier this month, SEIU claimed a first of its kind victory for early career doctors across the UC system. The agreement included an 18% salary increase and improved safety measures.
UCSF occupational health physician Max Blumberg was a part of that union four years ago, but as a senior doctor now, he’s no longer eligible.
“ We're being asked to do more with less across the system," said Dr. Blumberg. "It feels like often the priority of the administration is to build new fancy buildings or cut costs instead of supporting the staff who actually do the work.”
Martha’s Vineyard’s Bus Drivers Threaten to Strike
Finally, back in 2019, Payday Report covered a 28-day strike by bus drivers on Martha’s Vineyard. Now, bus drivers in Martha’s Vineyard are threatening to strike again.
Earlier this month, the bus drivers voted to strike against Transit Connections, the private for-profit company that runs buses on Martha’s Vineyard. Given the high cost of living on Martha’s Vineyard, drivers are insisting on starting wages of $29.68 in 2026 to $33.35 in 2028.
“It is extremely difficult to hire drivers on the Island when you’re only willing to pay them $33 an hour to start,” ATU local president Charles Ryan told the Vineyard Gazette.
For more, check out the Vineyard Gazette.
Alright folks, that’s all for today. Keep sending comments, complaints, and cooking recipes to melk@paydayreport.com
