Florida farm workers who harvest tomatoes for the Burger King system will see improved wages and working conditions following an historic agreement announced yesterday between the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and the fast food giant.
The agreement follows a more than year-long drive that mobilized union members, students, religious and community activists and lawmakers in marches, rallies, congressional hearings and petition drives demanding justice for the workers.
Some 400 union leaders, educators, environmentalists, economists, policymakers and others are set to gather June 11-13 in Los Angeles to explore ways to fight climate change, move to a green economy and promote economic security.
You still have time to register for the Adapting to Change conference, sponsored by the California Labor Federation’s Workforce and Economic Development (WED) program and its Building Workforce Partnerships initiative.
WIN Week In Review May 23-25, 2008
By Doug Cunningham
UAW workers at American Axle have approved a new contract on a 78 – 22 percent vote, ending a nearly three-month old strike. The workers are expected to go back to work next week. The UAW agreed to deep wage cuts and other concessions. Wages were cut by a third, pensions were frozenThe union negotiated lump sum payments of up to $105,000 over three years to workers to help offset the effects of the concessions. Early retirement cash incentives, and lump-sum “buyouts” were also offered to cut the number of workers at American Axle. UAW President Ron Gettlefinger said UAW members had to make some tough decisions. The strike shut off the flow of critical parts to GM factories and GM says the strike cost the automaker an estimated $1.8 billion.
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