Philadelphia blue-collar union, city resume talks as trash piles up
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33 union last held talks with city officials Saturday over wages and benefits. The union's 9,000 members went on strike July 1 after negotiations broke down.
The union is seeking a 15% increase in pay for members over the next year, while the city has offered an 8.75% increase over the same period of time, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia reported.
An attorney representing the AFSCME District Council 33 said talks were set to resume Tuesday afternoon at the Community College of Philadelphia, WCAU-TV reported.
Union President Greg Boulware said he was optimistic about the direction of the talks.
"Today's another day. I'm hopeful that we can get in this room and make some progress and get this CBA resolved, and get our men and women back to work," he said.
Meanwhile, a local judge ordered eight dispatchers for Philadelphia International Airport to return to work to ensure the safety of the airport. A judge previously ordered workers at Philadelphia's 911 dispatch and the Medical Examiner's Office to also return to work.
Philadelphia residents have grown increasingly frustrated by trash piling up without sanitation workers on the job. The city arranged several drop-off sites across Philadelphia,
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UPI
7 hours ago
- UPI
Air Canada delays flight resumption after back-to-work order defied
Air Canada is facing a near-total shutdown as its flight attendants union went on strike after talks over pay and unpaid work broke down. Photo by Graham Hughes/EPA Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Air Canada on Sunday delayed plans to resume limited operations after flight attendants defied a government-mandated back-to-work order and binding arbitration. Limited service instead will resume on Monday night, the airline said in a news release Sunday. Flight attendants with Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge originally were ordered to return to shifts by 2 p.m. Sunday, CBC reported. The 10,000 flight attendants remain on strike, which began after midnight Saturday. "We invite Air Canada back to the table to negotiate a fair deal, rather than relying on the federal government to do their dirty work for them when bargaining gets a little bit tough," the Canadian Union of Public Employees said in a statement. "We have received overwhelming support from the public and Union workers everywhere," the union posted on Facebook. "This is an historic moment for labor and for workers across the country." CUPE National President Mark Hancock ripped up the order Sunday in front of a cheering crowd outside Toronto's Pearson International Airport. "We will continue to fight on the picket lines, on the streets, at the bargaining table, in the courts, and in Parliament, until the injustice of unpaid work is done for good," he said Saturday in a union news release. "Workers will win -- despite the best effort of the Liberal government and their corporate friends." On Saturday, 12 hours after the strike, Jobs Minister Patty Haju invoked Section 107 of the Canadian Labor Code, which directs the Canadian Relations Board to arbitrate the dispute and extended the terms of the existing agreement until a new one is determined by an arbiter. The contract expired on March 31. "We will be challenging this blatantly unconstitutional order that violates the Charter rights of 10,000 flight attendants, 70 percent of whom are women, and 100 percent of whom are forced to do hours of unpaid work by their employer every time they come to work," the union said in a statement. Air Canada said the union "illegally directed its flight attendants to defy a direction" from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to return to work. The carrier said it planned to resume approximately 240 of its normal 700 flights a day, though it would take seven to 10 days for the schedule to "stabilize." More than 130,000 travelers worldwide fly on the airline daily. Canada's largest airline includes 170 international ones, and from 50 Canadian airports. Between more than 50 U.S. airports and Canada, the company averages about 430 daily flights. Air Canada Express, with 300 regional flights, is operated by Jazz Aviation and PAl Airlines, is not affected. Customers will be notified about canceled flights and are strongly advised not to go the airport unless they have confirmed flights on other airlines. Those on canceled flights can obtain a full refund or receive a credit for future travel. Also, the carrier will offer to rebook customers on other carriers, although capacity is limited because of the peak summer travel season. Flight attendants went on strike at 12:58 a.m. EDT Saturday and the company locked them out at 1:30 a.m. The flight attendants and their supporters were on picket lines throughout Canada. The last negotiations were on Friday night, and no new talks were scheduled. "Air Canada and CUPE flight attendants are at an impasse and remain unable to resolve their dispute," she said in a statement released Saturday afternoon Eastern time. "Canadians are increasingly finding themselves in very difficult situations and the strike is rapidly impacting the Canadian economy." "This decision will help make sure that hundreds of thousands of Canadians and visitors to our country are not impacted because of cancelled flights. Further, the shipments of critical goods such as pharmaceuticals and organ tissue, over 40% of which are moved by Air Canada, should continue to reach their destinations," she said. On Wednesday, the airline served the union a statutory 72-hour lockout notice in response to the union's 72-hour strike notice. Air Canada was canceling flights ahead of the work stoppage. "I don't think anyone's in the mood to go back to work," Lillian Speedie, vice president of CUPE Local 4092, told CBC at a picket line outside Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga on Sunday. "To legislate us back to work 12 hours after we started? I'm sorry, snowstorms have shut down Air Canada for longer than we were allowed to strike." The Air Canada union asked the jobs minister to direct the parties to enter into binding arbitration. But on Saturday afternoon, the union blasted the order to end the strike and posted images and video strikers. More visuals were posted Sunday. "This sets a terrible precedent. Contrary to the Minister's remarks, this will not ensure labor peace at Air Canada," the union said Saturday. Air Canada has become dependent on the federal government to solve its labor-relations issues, Steven Tufts, associate professor and labour geographer at York University, told CBC. "Air Canada has to learn not to call mommy and daddy every time they reach an impasse at the bargaining table," Tufts said. "They have to actually sit down and get a deal done with their workers." In 2024, Air Canada asked for the government to be ready to step in but the two sides reached a tentative agreement. Flight attendants want to be compensated for work before the flights take off and after they land. Typically with most airlines, they get paid only for the hours they are in the air.
UPI
a day ago
- UPI
Air Canada ordered to resume operations during binding arbitration
An Air Canada plane is pictured at a gate at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, in Montreal. On Saturday morning, all flights were cancelled after flight attendants went on strike. Photo Graham Hughes/EPA Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Hours after Air Canada flight attendants went on strike and the airline indefinitely paused all flights, the Canadian government intervenued Saturday and ordered operations to resume. Jobs Minister Patty Haju ordered the company's management and the union back to participate in binding arbitration to hash out their differences on wages and compensation. It wasn't known when flights will resume after opereations were paused early Saturday. "After eight months of negotiations by the parties, and after meeting with both parties last night and urging them to work hard to reach a deal, it is disappointing to have to conclude today that Air Canada and CUPE flight attendants are at an impasse and remain unable to resolve their dispute," she said in a statement released Saturday aftetnoon Eastern time. "The government firmly believes that the best deals are reached by the parties at the bargaining table. It has now become clear that this dispute won't be resolved at the table. Canadians are increasingly finding themselves in very difficult situations and the strike is rapidly impacting the Canadian economy." She invoked Section 107 of the Canadian Labor Code, which directs the Canadian Relations Board to arbitrate the dispute. "I am exercising this authority because it is critical to maintaining and securing industrial peace, protecting Canadians and promoting conditions to resolve the dispute," she said. "Despite the parties' resolution of several key differences, the CIRB is best positioned to help them find a solution on the outstanding items." Also, she extended the terms of the existing agreement until a new one is determined by an arbiter. "This decision will help make sure that hundreds of thousands of Canadians and visitors to our country are not impacted because of cancelled flights," she said. "Further, the shipments of critical goods such as pharmaceuticals and organ tissue, over 40% of which are moved by Air Canada, should continue to reach their destinations." The Air Canada union asked her to direct the parties to enter into binding arbitration. More than 130,000 travelers worldwide fly on the airline daily. Canada's largest airline has more than 1,000 flights, including 170 international ones, and from 50 Canadian airports. Between more than 50 U.S. airports and Canada, there are 430 daily flights. Locked out at 1:30 a.m. EDT were 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Air Canada Express, with regional 300 flights and operated by Jazz Aviation and PAl Airlines, is not affected. The flight attendants went on strike at 12:58 a.m. EDT. Picket lines had been set up at airports throughout Canada, the CBC reported. The last negotiations were on Friday night and no new talks were scheduled. On Wednesday, the airline served the union a statutory 72-hour lockout notice in response to the union's 72-hour strike notice. Air Canada was canceling flights ahead of the work stoppage. "The carriers have since been gradually reducing their schedules of about 700 daily flights to manage the labour disruption created by CUPE's strike notice," the airline said. "Some 130,000 customers will be impacted each day that the suspension continues. At this time, Air Canada remains engaged and committed to negotiate a renewal to its collective agreement with CUPE." The airline said it "deeply regrets the labor disruption is having on customers." Wesley Lesosky, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees' Air Canada component, told the CBC it is up to the airline when they would be back on flights. The airline hadn't responded to the media site. Air Canada Chief Operating Officer Mark Nasr earlier said after an agreement, it could take up to a week to fully restart operations. The carrier advised people not to go to the airport if they are booked on the airline. "Air Canada will notify customers with imminent travel of additional canceled flights and their options," the airline said. "For those customers due to travel soon whose flights are not yet cancelled, Air Canada has put in place a goodwill policy to allow them to rebook their travel or obtain a credit for future travel." Compensation differences Flight attendants want to be compensated for work before the flights take off and after they land. Typically with most airlines, they get paid only for the hours they are in the air. The airline, in its latest offer, proposes a 38% increase in total compensation that "would have made our flight attendants the best compensated in Canada." The union said a proposed 8% raise in the first year is offset by inflation. Hajdu told The Canadian Press on Friday that it is "critical" for the two sides to return to the negotiating table. "It's very important that we stay focused on the two parties," Hajdu said. "They have the primary responsibility to solve this. This is a corporation and a union who have all the tools they need, as well as tools from the federal mediation service, to get this deal done." On Friday, the minister said she wasn't ready to intervene in the dispute, and saw a path forward to a deal because most issues have been resolved. The union accused her of speaking "on behalf" of the company. "Every party has expressed support for our effort to end unpaid work, except for the governing Liberal Party," Lesosky said during a news conference Thursday. Hajdu posted Friday on Facebook that she met with both sides. "It is unacceptable that such little progress has been made. Canadians are counting on both parties to put forward their best efforts." Travel options The carrier advised people not to go to the airport if they are booked on the airline. "Air Canada will notify customers with imminent travel of additional cancelled flights and their options. For those customers due to travel soon whose flights are not yet cancelled, Air Canada has put in place a goodwill policy to allow them to rebook their travel or obtain a credit for future travel," the airline posted. Air Canada is partnered with Star Alliance, which includes more than 20 airlines, including Lufthansa and United Airlines. Code-sharing flights might be affected. The New York Times listed ideas for travelers. Travelers can change flight dates and receive a one-time $50 credit per passenger or opt for an airline credit equal to the value of the ticket for one year. Travelers are eligible for a full refund requested through the app or website. The airline said it will attempt to rebook travelers on other airlines. Canada's second-biggest airline is WestJet Airlines, though it has many fewer international destinations. Because of peak summer travel, options may be limited. Keelin Pringnitz and her family were returning from a European vacation to Ottawa, but were left stranded at Heathrow Airport in London. "It was an end of my maternity leave kind of trip," Pringnitz told CBC. "We went to the Faroe Islands and Norway, travelling through Air Canada to London." She said they could fly to the United States, but no assistance once they land there. "It didn't go over well with the line," she said. "Nobody really seemed interested. Everybody seemed a little bit amused almost at the suggestion, or exasperated, because it is a bit ridiculous to offer to take stranded passengers to a different country to strand them there." For those with travel insurance, some plans include trip cancellations, including a strike. The U.S. Department of Transportation, which has jurisdiction over Air Canada flights that depart from the U.S., has a similar policy like the Canadian government. Refunds must be given within 30 days and rebooked if possible. There is no mandatory compensation for delays. "For U.S. travellers, the key now is to think strategically," Anton Radchenko, AirAdvisor's founder, said in a statement to USA Today. "Don't just look for the fastest alternative route; look for the most stable one. This may mean flying via smaller, less congested hubs like Detroit or Minneapolis, where rerouting is easier, or securing refundable one-stop connections through partner airlines before seats vanish. "Keep all receipts, track your communications with the airline, and, if possible, pay with a credit card that includes trip interruption coverage. Above all, treat this strike as a high-impact event that demands proactive planning, not reactive scrambling."
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Lake County Treasurer's office employees move to unionize, with support by outgoing head; ‘God bless America'
The Lake County Treasurer employees are forming a union with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, the second unit of Lake County employees to unionize this summer, receiving the blessing of outgoing Treasurer Holly Kim. 'The right of workers to organize and bargain collectively is an American right,' Kim said in a brief statement. 'God bless America.' According to a news release, earlier this week, the 13 employees filed a majority interest petition with the Illinois Labor Relations Board, which will certify the union. The employees are responsible for processing and accounting for county revenue and assisting the public in paying and assessing property tax bills. Back in June, about 600 employees of the Lake County Health Department joined AFSCME, which also represents employees of the Lake County chief judge, circuit clerk, and coroner. Anna Martinez, a collection specialist with the Treasurer's Office, said the move to unionize was driven in part by concerns over job security. With Kim deciding not to run for treasurer in the upcoming election and making a move to run for Illinois comptroller, they wanted to know they would not be replaced by the new treasurer. 'I know job security is super important with our current situation in the world,' Martinez said. 'I think this is a great opportunity for all of us. Having a voice really does matter to us.' In a statement, AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch praised the power of strong unions to protect and improve the jobs, wages, benefits, and services of public service workers. 'With the billionaires and anti-union extremists running amok in Washington, working people coming together has never been more important than it is right now,' Lynch said. Nadine Arssinous, also a collection specialist at the Treasurer's Office, said the union provides 'stability and security' in the press release. 'We also believe a union contract will help get us the pay increases and high-quality, affordable health and dental insurance we deserve,' Arssinous said. 'We make Lake County work, so we should be able to provide for our families with the same stability that everyone in Lake County deserves.'
