U.S. Labor Unions Mobilize with Significant Strikes

By Mrinalika Roy

(Reuters) – The first large-scale strike by dockworkers on the U.S. East and Gulf coast in nearly 50 years has spotlighted union mobilization across the country.

Key Union Actions Since Last Year

Ports

Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association walked out at major U.S. ports on Oct. 1 after contract talks failed. The combined 36 East and Gulf Coast ports handle 57% of U.S. container volume, causing analysts to warn of billions in economic losses daily.

Media

Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) approved a new three-year contract with major studios on Oct. 9, following a strike over compensation. Hollywood actors reached a tentative agreement on Nov. 8 to end two strikes over pay in the streaming era.

Automotive

In November, General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis ratified deals with United Auto Workers members. The UAW announced that 3,900 members at Mack Trucks ratified a new five-year contract, concluding a month-long strike at the Volvo Group-owned company.

Logistics

Teamsters Union workers at United Parcel Service (UPS) ratified a new five-year contract in August 2023. FedEx pilots have been in wage standoffs since last year.

Airlines & Aerospace Firms

More than 32,000 Boeing workers in Seattle and Oregon walked off the job on Sept. 13, seeking a 40% pay raise and pension restoration. Pilots at various airlines negotiated new job contracts this year.

Manufacturing

Cleveland-Cliffs, a U.S. steel producer, reached a tentative agreement with the United Steelworkers Union in September 2023.

Consumer & Retail

Thousands of workers in Las Vegas reached agreements with Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, and Wynn Resorts in November, preventing strikes. The Detroit Casino Council reached a tentative agreement for a contract covering 3,700 workers at MGM, Penn, and MotorCity Casino in November 2023 after its first-ever strike. Over 3,000 workers at more than 150 Starbucks stores went on strike in June 2023 over decor bans for Pride Month. Workers picketed during promotions in November over staffing issues.

Healthcare

Kaiser Permanente’s healthcare workers ratified a new contract on Nov. 9, 2023, after the largest recorded strike in the U.S. medical sector. Over 7,000 nurses in New York City struck over staffing and pay in January. Workers at CVS Health and Walgreens walked out for three days in October 2023 over working conditions.

Cannabis

Workers at Green Thumb Industries’ Chicago-area RISE dispensaries struck for 13 days over unfair labor practices in April 2023. Unions secured new contracts at cannabis dispensaries in Illinois and New Jersey in July 2023.

Energy

More than 200 Teamsters members at Marathon’s Detroit refinery walked off their jobs on Sept. 4 after stalled negotiations over pay and safety. Unionized workers at Phillips 66’s Illinois plant ratified a contract in late-stage negotiations.