By Mrinalika Roy
(Reuters) — A tight U.S. labor market, the expiry of union contracts and high living costs have led to tough negotiations for pay hikes and benefits from workers and triggered strikes and protests across industries.
Nearly 309,700 workers have been involved in work stoppages and strikes through August this year, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, putting 2023 on track to becoming the busiest year for strikes since 2019.
Here are some sectors and companies that faced tough negotiations in 2023:
MEDIA
Hollywood's writers union struck a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers in late September after five months of failed negotiations. Film and television writers had walked off the job in May over compensation, staffing and residual payments, among other issues.
The striking writers were later joined by the SAG-AFTRA actors union, which remains on strike. Negotiators for striking Hollywood actors resumed contract talks on Monday with representatives of major studios, television networks and streaming services
AUTOMOTIVE
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has expanded its ongoing strike against the Detroit Three automakers — General Motors (NYSE:GM), Ford Motor (NYSE:F) and Chrysler parent Stellantis (NYSE:STLA). The coordinated strike, which began after the earlier contracts expired on Sept. 15, initially targeted three assembly plants in Michigan, Ohio and Missouri.
About 4,000 workers represented by UAW reached an agreement with Volvo (OTC:VLVLY) Group-owned Mack Trucks late on Sunday to avoid a strike. About 98% of the truck company's workers had authorized a strike last month.
PARCEL DELIVERY
Teamsters union workers at United
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