Labor

NCPERS Names Illinois State Treasurer Policymaker of the Year

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

The National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems ( NCPERS ) presented The Honorable Michael Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer, with its 2023 Policymaker of the Year Award .

Key Points: 
  • The National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems ( NCPERS ) presented The Honorable Michael Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer, with its 2023 Policymaker of the Year Award .
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240124208827/en/
    The Honorable Michael Frerichs, Illinois State Treasurer, speaks to a room full of public pension trustees and staff during NCPERS Legislative Conference.
  • Frerichs—currently serving his third term as State Treasurer—launched Illinois Secure Choice in 2018 to serve the estimated 1.2 million private-sector workers in Illinois without access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
  • The ISBI has fiduciary responsibility for managing the pension assets of the State Employees’ Retirement System of Illinois, the General Assembly Retirement System, the Illinois Power Agency, the Judges’ Retirement System of Illinois, and the State of Illinois Deferred Compensation Plan.

United Steelworkers: Fraser Lake Sawmill to Close, 140 Workers Set to Lose Jobs

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd (West Fraser) has announced the permanent closure of its Fraser Lake Sawmill in British Columbia, affecting the employment of 140 members of the United Steelworkers union (USW).

Key Points: 
  • West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd (West Fraser) has announced the permanent closure of its Fraser Lake Sawmill in British Columbia, affecting the employment of 140 members of the United Steelworkers union (USW).
  • “The closure announcement by West Fraser is a terrible blow to the USW members, their families and the local community especially for a community struggling since their mine closed,” said Bromley.
  • Since 2015, 13 USW-represented operations have vanished, resulting in the loss of over 2,000 direct jobs.
  • In addition, two pulp mills and one sawmill in Mackenzie have closed, contributing to the decline of good-paying jobs that support communities.

Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants Approve Strike Authorization with 98% Yes Vote

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Southwest Airlines flight attendants have endured more than five years without a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with Southwest Airlines, and they have had enough.

Key Points: 
  • Southwest Airlines flight attendants have endured more than five years without a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with Southwest Airlines, and they have had enough.
  • Today, TWU Local 556, the union of Southwest Airlines flight attendants, announced results of members’ strike authorization vote.
  • This is the first time in the union’s history that flight attendants have taken a vote to authorize a strike against Southwest Airlines, and the results were resounding.
  • If TWU Local 556 and Southwest Airlines cannot reach an agreement in federal mediation, the union could request to be released into a thirty-day cooling-off period, after which 21,000+ Southwest Airlines flight attendants would be free to strike the largest domestic carrier.

Professional Soccer Referees Vote to Authorize Strike

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 22, 2024

Members of the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) are bargaining for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with their employer, the Professional Referee Organization (PRO), which has thus far refused to appropriately recognize the immense contributions of officials to Major League Soccer (MLS) and the sport in general.

Key Points: 
  • Members of the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) are bargaining for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with their employer, the Professional Referee Organization (PRO), which has thus far refused to appropriately recognize the immense contributions of officials to Major League Soccer (MLS) and the sport in general.
  • In a resounding display of solidarity, PSRA members voted to authorize their union to call a strike if necessary, with 100 percent of participating officials voting ‘yes’ to authorize a strike based on alleged unfair labor practices by certain PRO managers – a move that could have implications for the upcoming MLS season.
  • PSRA comprises approximately 250 members, who are employed by PRO, the organization responsible for servicing MLS and other professional soccer leagues in the United States.
  • This agreement expired on January 15, 2024, and was extended, by Member vote, to January 31, 2024.

“Shamebridge”: UNITE HERE Local 11 Launches Boycott of Aimbridge Hospitality

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 23, 2024

On the first day of the American Lodging and Investment Summit, UNITE HERE Local 11 members announced a boycott of Aimbridge Hospitality, the largest third-party hotel operator in the world, until the company agrees to sign a fair contract at its union properties in Southern California.

Key Points: 
  • On the first day of the American Lodging and Investment Summit, UNITE HERE Local 11 members announced a boycott of Aimbridge Hospitality, the largest third-party hotel operator in the world, until the company agrees to sign a fair contract at its union properties in Southern California.
  • The boycott announcement comes as 29 hotels across Los Angeles and Orange County have reached tentative labor agreements with their workers.
  • Aimbridge Hospitality has failed to meet the hotel contract standard, leading to what has become protracted labor disputes at the listed properties.
  • UNITE HERE Local 11 is a labor union representing more than 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona that work in hotels, restaurants, universities, convention centers and airports.

New Data Shows Nearly 90% of Michigan Jobs Require Digital Skills, One-Third of Workers Currently Have Low or No Digital Skills

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 22, 2024

The National Skills Coalition (NSC) released new data spotlighting the demand for digital skills in Michigan’s labor market.

Key Points: 
  • The National Skills Coalition (NSC) released new data spotlighting the demand for digital skills in Michigan’s labor market.
  • The NSC analysis found that 89% of jobs analyzed require digital skills, including those in Michigan’s priority sectors like manufacturing, healthcare and agriculture.
  • The most in-demand digital skills in Michigan include data entry, computer literacy, and Microsoft Excel.
  • Many sites also serve adults and can connect them to job searches, healthcare information and public assistance, and digital skills content.

Citizens Against Government Waste Names Gov. Glenn Youngkin January 2024 Porker of the Month

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 22, 2024

Today, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) named Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) its January 2024 Porker of the Month for agreeing to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on a new mega sports complex.

Key Points: 
  • Today, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) named Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) its January 2024 Porker of the Month for agreeing to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on a new mega sports complex.
  • Youngkin joined Washington Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis in a press conference to announce that both teams will be moving to Alexandria, Virginia.
  • This plan will force Virginia and Alexandria taxpayers to spend $300 million for the new arena and improvements surrounding the facility.
  • Youngkin was an easy choice for this month’s Porker.”
    Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.

Talkspace and the American Federation of Teachers Join Forces to Enhance Mental Health Support for Educators, Healthcare and Public Workers

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 22, 2024

Today, Talkspace (NASDAQ: TALK), a leading online behavioral health care company, announced a new partnership with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Key Points: 
  • Today, Talkspace (NASDAQ: TALK), a leading online behavioral health care company, announced a new partnership with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
  • The partnership will offer discounted access to high-quality therapy and evidenced-based mental health resources, including curated monthly content, to AFT’s more than 1.7 million members, including educators, paraprofessionals, nurses, health professionals, and retirees.
  • According to a recent survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, workplace stress has reached an alarming level, with 77% of workers having reported experiencing work-related stress in the past year.
  • “Talkspace is proud to join forces with the AFT to deliver high-quality mental health support for educators and school personnel who stand on the frontlines, playing essential roles in shaping positive futures for our youth,” said Natalie Cummins, Chief Business Officer of Talkspace.

The Arena Group Announces Workforce Reductions in Strategic Move to Transform the Business Model

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 18, 2024

Today, The Arena Group (NYSE American: AREN) has announced a significant reduction in its workforce of over 100 employees.

Key Points: 
  • Today, The Arena Group (NYSE American: AREN) has announced a significant reduction in its workforce of over 100 employees.
  • The Company, which has substantial debt and recently missed payments, is completing these cost-cutting measures to initiate a transformative shift towards a streamlined business model.
  • In parallel, the Company is actively engaged in negotiations with Bridge Media Networks, LLC, (“Bridge Media”) a wholly owned subsidiary of Simplify Inventions, LLC (“Simplify”).
  • The ongoing efforts aim to conclude the transaction in early 2024, including a substantial investment as part of the Bridge Media deal.

Takeda Named Global Top Employer for Seventh Consecutive Year

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 18, 2024

Takeda ( TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK ) today announced that for the seventh consecutive year, it has received global Top Employer® certification for 2024.

Key Points: 
  • Takeda ( TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK ) today announced that for the seventh consecutive year, it has received global Top Employer® certification for 2024.
  • Takeda is one of just 17 companies that received global recognition, and it was additionally certified as a Top Employer across 24 countries.
  • Amongst this community of outstanding organizations, Takeda, has proven their commitment to their employees on a global scale,” said David Plink, chief executive officer, Top Employers Institute.
  • The full list of countries where Takeda was named a Top Employer is below:
    To learn more about Top Employers Institute and the Top Employers certification, please visit: https://www.top-employers.com .