News & Commentary April 17, 2023

[Omaha Steve]

https://onlabor.org/april-17-2023/

By Elyse Weissberger

In today’s News and Commentary, Ben & Jerry’s workers in Burlington, Vermont are filing for a union election, unionized workers at the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic voted to strike on Sunday, guild members of the Writers Guild of America will determine whether to authorize their union to call a strike if a contract cannot be reached by May 1st, and Los Angeles community college instructors win healthcare in new labor agreement.

Scoopers at Ben & Jerry’s flagship Burlington ice cream shop will file for a union election today. If the vote is successful, this will be the first Ben & Jerry’s location to unionize. The workers will join Workers United, an affiliate of Service Employees International United (SEIU). Discussion of unionization was prompted by management removing the tip jar on Ben & Jerry’s annual Free Cone Day – April 3rd. Though the tip jar was later returned, union organizers say that all 37 of the Burlington scoopers continue to pledge their support in the effort to unionize. Union leaders are looking to gain a seat at the table, as well as to address management’s response to multiple incidents of drug use in the store bathroom. Ben & Jerry’s has yet to comment on the union efforts.

Warehouse workers, drivers, and staff at Liberty Coca-Cola in Philadelphia voted to strike on Sunday. Local 830 represents 400 Liberty Coca-Cola workers. Members rejected a recent labor agreement, arguing that the company did not bargain in good faith. Liberty Coca-Cola responded to the strike announcement, saying that the proposed agreement included the highest wage increases in history, as well as generous health and welfare benefits. The company also pointed to recent investments in the plant’s facilities, including new trucks, warehouse technology and a gym. National union leaders along with the head of the local endorsed the agreement, before it was ultimately rejected by union membership. Among other demands, the union is looking to secure wages that better keep pace with inflation. Liberty Coca-Cola committed to working with the union to find a solution, but has begun implementation of a contingency plan to ensure continued service during the strike.

FULL story at link above.