Featured Stories
Transit Workers in Augusta, Georgia Ratify New Three-Year Contract with Major Raises and Improved Benefits
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- The Transport Workers Union of America issued the following news release:
* * *
Transit Workers in Augusta, Georgia Ratify New Three-Year Contract with Major Raises and Improved Benefits
*
Transport Workers Union of America Local 527 ratified a new three-year contract with MV-Transit in Augusta, Georgia, securing significant raises and quality-of-life improvements. TWU Local 527 represents Fixed Route & Paratransit Bus Operators, Rural Bus Operators, Mechanics, Utility Workers, Customer Service Clerks, and Parts Clerks working for MV-Transit at Augusta
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- The Transport Workers Union of America issued the following news release:
* * *
Transit Workers in Augusta, Georgia Ratify New Three-Year Contract with Major Raises and Improved Benefits
*
Transport Workers Union of America Local 527 ratified a new three-year contract with MV-Transit in Augusta, Georgia, securing significant raises and quality-of-life improvements. TWU Local 527 represents Fixed Route & Paratransit Bus Operators, Rural Bus Operators, Mechanics, Utility Workers, Customer Service Clerks, and Parts Clerks working for MV-Transit at AugustaTransit.
Starting wages increased from $17.48 to $20 per hour and wages this year will increase on average by 13.31% for all workers and job titles. Over the life of the agreement, the highest wage increase is 30% with an average of 20% among all workers. Everyone in the bargaining unit will also receive a $1,000 ratification bonus.
The agreement comes a month after the TWU raised the prospect of a strike after months of negotiations.
"The wage increases and quality-of-life improvements in this contract are a significant win for Augusta Transit workers," TWU International President John Samuelsen said. "Local 527 made clear to management that their substandard offers and months of slow-walking negotiations were unacceptable, and it led to a contract victory. This is another successful fightback campaign for the TWU."
Local 527 also decreased the amount members must pay for medical, dental, and vision insurance from 30% to 25% of costs, with MV Transit agreeing to increase their share from 70% to 75%. Management must also respond to leave requests within three business days or else the leave is automatically approved, and denials for leave must include a written reason.
"I'm proud that we were able to win a contract that is significantly better than management's initial proposals," Local 527 President Benyoel T. Morgan said. "We were able to work through issues and secure wins on wages, benefits, attendance policies, safety policies, vacation, and staffing concerns."
Other highlights of the agreement include:
- Language guaranteeing bargaining rights in response to changes in working conditions during the life of the agreement.
-Revised language removing provisions that limited Local 527's rights in what court it can file a lawsuit for violations of the contract.
-Protected a minimum 10 working day notice for layoffs, and modified current language increasing the number of days a laid off worker has to choose to return to work from seven to 14 days, starting from when the company offers a worker their job back.
-Sick leave is established at 12 days per year, with workers allowed to convert four days into personal days.\
-Workers who choose to work on holidays and receive holiday pay will also receive credit for time worked during holidays for the purposes of calculating overtime.
-Workers who serve as Behind the Wheel Trainers receive an extra $2 per hour for all hours worked in the training role.
-Pre-trip bus inspections increase from 10 minutes to 15 minutes for fixed routes, a win for safety.
-Management must notify workers two weeks in advance before making changes in hours or shift assignments.
-New language modifies the company attendance point policy to ensure just cause is applied when assigning points.
-New language codified that all new work be union work.
TWU Local 527 and MV Transit previously engaged in two dozen bargaining sessions beginning in November of 2025 for a contract that expired on January 31, 2026. MV Transit was awarded a contract for the operation and maintenance of Augusta's public transit system beginning in 2026, taking over from the previous operator.
***
Original text here: https://www.twu.org/transit-workers-in-augusta-georgia-ratify-new-three-year-contract-with-major-raises-and-improved-benefits/
Nurses from Kaiser and Sutter systems plan joint protest in Oakland
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
* * *
Nurses from Kaiser and Sutter systems plan joint protest in Oakland
*
Registered nurses from the Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health systems will hold an joint protest on Sept. 16 to rally for strong contracts to improve patient care at two of the Bay's biggest hospital systems. Combined at both systems, more than 35,000 nurses are represented by California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) in active contract negotiations.
Who: Kaiser and Sutter nurses
What:
... Show Full Article
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
* * *
Nurses from Kaiser and Sutter systems plan joint protest in Oakland
*
Registered nurses from the Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health systems will hold an joint protest on Sept. 16 to rally for strong contracts to improve patient care at two of the Bay's biggest hospital systems. Combined at both systems, more than 35,000 nurses are represented by California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) in active contract negotiations.
Who: Kaiser and Sutter nurses
What:Joint protest for strong contracts for California nurses and patients
When: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 3 p.m.
Where: CNA/NNU Headquarters, 155 Grand Ave., Oakland, Calif.; on south side of building
"It's clear to us as nurses that both Kaiser and Sutter are very worried about expanding their business empires throughout the country," said Deb Capistrano, RN in telemetry at Kaiser San Francisco. "We refuse to let that expansion come at the expense of our patients. We know our contracts have helped turn our hospitals into some of the best in the country, and we're fighting for safe staffing and A.I. protections to keep it that way."
Kaiser nurses recently held informational pickets at 22 facilities to demand safer staffing and protections for patients and health care workers when management attempts to implement artificial intelligence technologies. Kaiser's footprint is expanding not only within the Bay Area, but across the country through its subsidiary Risant Health, which recently acquired Cone Health, and through its joint venture with Renown Health.
"We've had to fight Sutter in the past to invest in our communities and provide vital services for our patients," said Jessica Fernandez, RN in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Sutter Delta Medical Center. "Which is why it's strange to us that they seem so worried about buying new facilities across the country. We want Sutter to work with us on taking care of our patients here in California."
CNA/NNU represents more than 25,000 registered nurses at 22 Kaiser facilities and more than 10,000 nurses at 18 Sutter facilities in bargaining in California.
California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation with more than 100,000 members in more than 200 facilities throughout California and more than 225,000 RNs nationwide.
***
Original text here: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/nurses-from-kaiser-and-sutter-systems-plan-joint-protest-in-oakland
NLRB blocks union election due to Prime Healthcare's illegal interference with nurses' right to unionize
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
* * *
NLRB blocks union election due to Prime Healthcare's illegal interference with nurses' right to unionize
*
Today the National Labor Relations Board's Region 13 Office in Chicago moved to block the originally scheduled Sept. 17 NLRB union election at Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, Ill., in light of credible allegations that a free and fair election is not possible at this time due to Prime Healthcare's substantial and flagrant violations of the National Labor Relations
... Show Full Article
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
* * *
NLRB blocks union election due to Prime Healthcare's illegal interference with nurses' right to unionize
*
Today the National Labor Relations Board's Region 13 Office in Chicago moved to block the originally scheduled Sept. 17 NLRB union election at Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, Ill., in light of credible allegations that a free and fair election is not possible at this time due to Prime Healthcare's substantial and flagrant violations of the National Labor RelationsAct, announced National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC), an affiliate of National Nurses United, the largest union of registered nurses in the nation. Saint Francis is one of the eight Prime hospitals in Illinois that Prime Healthcare acquired from Ascension in 2025.
After Saint Francis nurses petitioned the NLRB for their union election on Aug. 24, Prime management has unlawfully suspended and fired a nurse, conducted illegal surveillance of nurses who have spoken with union staff, and eliminated up to 45 per diem RNs' (PRN) positions while interrogating them about their support for the union. (Per diem nurses work on an as needed basis.) NNOC filed charges on Sept. 8 and is seeking injunctive relief, which the NLRB could include in its immediate remedy.
"After advocating for patients in my community, Prime Healthcare fired me," said Emma Isakson, RN. "It is clear that Prime is scared and desperate, because when we do hold our election, we will win our union and be able to put our patients before profits. Prime's bullying tactics will not work on me or other Saint Francis nurses. We will never stop advocating for our patients."
Nurses across the country are organizing and speaking up systemwide against Prime Healthcare because Prime endangers patients and nurses by putting profits above all else. RNs at two other Prime Healthcare facilities, Olympia Fields Hospital in Olympia Fields, Illinois and Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine, also filed union election petitions on Aug. 24 because they know that only through unionization can they force Prime to address their concerns about patient care and safe staffing.
On Sept. 3, nurses at four Prime hospitals across three states -West Anaheim Medical Center in Anaheim, California; Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and nurses and health care workers at Shasta Regional Medical Center in Redding, California -held one-day strikes to protest Prime's refusal to address deep concerns about patient care and safe staffing.
Prime's illegal retaliation against nurses for speaking up for patients -suspending six nurses at Olympia Fields Hospital and one nurse at Saint Francis, and firing six nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth -has spurred nurses at Olympia Fields to announce a strike on Sept. 15 and for nurses and health care workers at three Prime Healthcare hospitals in two states -Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada; West Anaheim Medical Center in Anaheim, California; and nurses and health care workers at Shasta Regional Medical Center in Redding, California - to announce a sympathy strike on Sept. 15 in solidarity with striking nurses at Olympia Fields. Nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital and at Central Maine Medical Center will hold informational pickets in solidarity with Olympia Fields RNs on the same day.
The RNs are part of a national union movement to fight for safe staffing and optimal patient care throughout the entire Prime Healthcare system. The suspensions and firing are just one aspect of Prime's mistreatment of patient advocates. Learn more about Prime's crimes at crimehealthcare.com.
Prime's Profiteering
The conditions driving Prime nurses to take unprecedented collective action at their hospitals are part of a broader pattern of Prime negligence and cutting services despite its profits.
Prime has a history of acquiring hospitals and then cutting services after it promised to maintain them.
* On Sept. 1, 2026, Prime announced that it would suspend obstetric services at Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora and Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago and consolidate them at Saint Mary of Nazareth in Chicago and Olympia Fields Hospital in Olympia Fields, Ill. U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood accused Prime of putting "profits over patients" and of having "no plans" to help patients travel miles to receive obstetrics care.
* Less than two months after it acquired St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee, Ill., in March 2025, Prime shut down the hospital's obstetrics, gynecology, childbirth and delivery services and voluntarily gave up the facility's Level II trauma designation, resulting in an injunction filed by the Kankakee County State's Attorney, claiming that Prime was dishonest about keeping all services open for 18-24 months after acquisition.
* Prime cut services in May 2025 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Ill. and in April 2025 at Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, Ill., soon after acquisition, leading to a letter to Prime CEO Prem Reddy from Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin accusing the company of violating its commitments to maintain services to meet community needs.
Prime greatly benefits financially from Prime Healthcare Foundation, its nonprofit hospital system.
* In 2024, Prime Healthcare Foundation gave more than $104 million in business to firms owned by the Reddy family-Prime Healthcare Services Inc., Prime Healthcare Management, and Bio-Med Services, Inc., according to its Form 990. CEO Prem Reddy is the founder of Prime Healthcare.
* Prime's nonprofit hospital system only provided $3.5 million in uncompensated charity care for patients in 2024, about 0.4 percent of the foundation's expenses.
* In 2024, Prime Healthcare Foundation claimed more than $78 million in debts they tried to collect from patients who qualified for charity care.
National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.
***
Original text here: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/nlrb-blocks-union-election-due-to-prime-healthcares-illegal-interference
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Indiana's J.D. Ford for Election to Congress
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
* * *
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Indiana's J.D. Ford for Election to Congress
*
AFGE says Ford has a proven track record of fighting for working families
INDIANAPOLIS -The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of J.D. Ford for election to the U.S. House representing Indiana's 5th Congressional District in the 2026 elections. The general election is Nov. 3.
J.D. Ford was raised in a working-class family as the
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
* * *
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Indiana's J.D. Ford for Election to Congress
*
AFGE says Ford has a proven track record of fighting for working families
INDIANAPOLIS -The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of J.D. Ford for election to the U.S. House representing Indiana's 5th Congressional District in the 2026 elections. The general election is Nov. 3.
J.D. Ford was raised in a working-class family as theson of a union truck driver and an assisted living administrator, with grandparents who served as local officials. Ford learned early on that public service is about people, not power. He served two terms in the Indiana State Senate, where he fought to lower the cost of lifesaving medication, strengthen public education, and ensure every Hoosier gets a fair shot. He's running to bring a working-class perspective to Washington and make life more affordable for every Indiana resident.
"J.D. Ford has a proven track record in the Indiana Senate for standing and fighting alongside working families. We need a member of Congress who is going to stand with federal workers, and with his track record we have no doubt J.D. will have our back," AFGE District 6 National Vice President Arnold Scott said. "In meeting with our members, we were impressed that he is already knowledgeable and very concerned about the attacks federal workers have faced, and that is why AFGE is proud to endorse J.D. Ford for Congress and looks forward to working with him once he's elected."
AFGE previously endorsed Reps. Frank Mrvan (CD-1) and Andre Carson (CD-7) for reelection to their seats representing Indiana in the U.S. House.
More than 48,300 federal employees live in Indiana - caring for veterans, supporting the military, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE represents nearly 46,000 federal employees in District 6, which includes Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.
***
Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/0fc00b866407450880e1f5408109d878.aspx
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 11 Michigan Candidates for U.S. House
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
* * *
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 11 Michigan Candidates for U.S. House
*
AFGE says endorsed candidates will fight for working people in Congress
WASHINGTON -The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of 11 Michigan candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 election.
Four of the endorsed candidates are incumbents seeing reelection: Reps. Hillary Scholten (CD-3), Debbie Dingell (CD-6),
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
* * *
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses 11 Michigan Candidates for U.S. House
*
AFGE says endorsed candidates will fight for working people in Congress
WASHINGTON -The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of 11 Michigan candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 election.
Four of the endorsed candidates are incumbents seeing reelection: Reps. Hillary Scholten (CD-3), Debbie Dingell (CD-6),Kristen McDonald Rivet (CD-8), and Rashida Tlaib (CD-12). The remaining seven are newcomers: Callie Barr (CD-1), Benjamin Ambrose (CD-2), Sean McCann (CD-4), Christian Vukasovich (CD-5), William Lawrence (CD-7), Christina Hines (CD-10), and Jeremy Moss (CD-11).
All of the candidates advanced in the statewide primary Aug. 4. The general election is Nov. 3.
"Michigan's working families deserve leaders who will fight for good union jobs, fair wages, and strong public services - not corporate interests. That's why AFGE is proud to endorse so many pro-labor candidates who will stand with working people and fight for the future we deserve," said AFGE District 7 National Vice President Jason Anderson.
All four incumbents have cosponsored the Protect America's Workforce Act (HR 2550), which would rescind President Trump's March 2025 executive order banning collective bargaining for most of the federal workforce.
The other endorsed candidates bring direct experience to their campaigns, either as former federal workers, as labor advocates, or through prior elected service.
Benjamin Ambrose, a 20-year military veteran and former federal employee, is challenging incumbent Rep. John Moolenaar in the 2nd District. Christian Vukasovich, a longtime teacher and union organizer with the American Association of University Professors, is running in the 5th District against incumbent Rep. Tim Walberg. William Lawrence, a co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, won a hard-fought primary in the open 7th District, while Sean McCann, Christina Hines, and Jeremy Moss bring years of public-sector experience in the Michigan state legislature to their campaigns. Callie Barr is a former teacher and veterans' advocate who is challenging incumbent Rep. Jack Bergman in the 1st District.
AFGE previously endorsed Abdul El-Sayed for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters.
More than 54,300 federal employees live in Michigan - caring for veterans, supporting the military, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE represents nearly 43,000 federal employees in District 7, which includes Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
***
Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/3ff78e8eb3b247f9a561629a4efc6ae9.aspx
California Waste Solutions Teamsters Ratify Contract
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
* * *
California Waste Solutions Teamsters Ratify Contract
*
(SAN JOSE, Calif.) - Over 60 California Waste Solutions drivers and mechanics in San Jose, Calif., represented by Teamsters Local 350, have overwhelmingly ratified a new five-year contract, locking in substantial raises, protections for relief employees, improved work rules, and additional vacation time.
"With today's economic challenges, our members now more than ever are rising up to demand respect and dignity
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
* * *
California Waste Solutions Teamsters Ratify Contract
*
(SAN JOSE, Calif.) - Over 60 California Waste Solutions drivers and mechanics in San Jose, Calif., represented by Teamsters Local 350, have overwhelmingly ratified a new five-year contract, locking in substantial raises, protections for relief employees, improved work rules, and additional vacation time.
"With today's economic challenges, our members now more than ever are rising up to demand respect and dignityin their workplaces. With this strong contract, they have shown their commitment to raising the bar for workers across the entire waste industry," said Sergio Arranaga, a business agent for Local 350 and chief negotiator for the bargaining unit. "We carried the unit's energy into negotiations and collectively delivered strong results."
California Waste Solutions workers provide vital residential recycling services to over 170,000 households throughout the San Jose area.
"Every time we sit down at the bargaining table, we know the expectation of the members is to raise the bar. This contract does exactly that with strong economic improvements, new work protections, and an industry-leading ninth week of vacation time," said Robert Sandoval, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 350. "A big thank you and congratulations to our bargaining committee members who stood strong and united during negotiations to ensure the contract delivered what their co-workers demanded."
Teamsters Local 350 represents members in the public sector and solid waste, recycling, and linen industries, across San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Benito Counties. For more information, visit teamsters350.com.
***
Original text here: https://teamster.org/2026/09/california-waste-solutions-teamsters/
AAUP and AFT Call on Linda McMahon to Halt Unlawful Political Interference and Protect Academic Freedom
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
* * *
AAUP and AFT Call on Linda McMahon to Halt Unlawful Political Interference and Protect Academic Freedom
*
WASHINGTON-Today, in a direct response to Education Secretary Linda McMahon's "A National Call to Action to University Presidents and Governing Boards" (often known as "Compact 2.0"), American Association of University Professors President Todd Wolfson and AFT President Randi Weingarten issued a letter demanding that the Trump administration immediately cease weaponizing
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release:
* * *
AAUP and AFT Call on Linda McMahon to Halt Unlawful Political Interference and Protect Academic Freedom
*
WASHINGTON-Today, in a direct response to Education Secretary Linda McMahon's "A National Call to Action to University Presidents and Governing Boards" (often known as "Compact 2.0"), American Association of University Professors President Todd Wolfson and AFT President Randi Weingarten issued a letter demanding that the Trump administration immediately cease weaponizingtaxpayer funds and civil rights enforcement to politically coerce colleges and universities to adopt their authoritarian agenda.
Wolfson and Weingarten's letter, "A National Call to Action to the Secretary of Education," demands an end to arbitrary grant cancellations and funding threats; explicit protections for academic freedom and freedom of speech for students, staff and faculty; a rejection of government-mandated ideological censorship; guardrails for artificial intelligence; and protection for all students and scholars regardless of whether their research and opinions align with the current presidential administration.
The AAUP and the AFT have given McMahon a 30-day deadline to provide written assurance that no college or university will face federal retaliation or receive favorable treatment based on how they respond to McMahon's Compact 2.0 letter.
The full "A National Call to Action to the Secretary of Education" can be found here.
***
Original text here: https://www.aft.org/press-release/aaup-and-aft-call-linda-mcmahon-halt-unlawful-political-interference-and-protect
