Factbox-From UPS to Detroit Three automakers, US labor unions flex muscle
(Reuters) — A tight U.S. labor market, expiration of cyclical contracts and high living costs have triggered tough negotiations for pay hikes and other benefits by workers and strikes and protests across industries.
Some 295,500 workers have been involved in stoppages through July this year, as per preliminary U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, putting 2023 on track to become the busiest year for strikes since 2019.
Some sectors and companies that faced tough negotiations in 2023:
MEDIA
Hollywood is experiencing its first dual work stoppage of writers and actors in 63 years, halting productions across the industry and costing the California economy billions of dollars. The strike is over compensation, staffing and residual payments among other issues.
PARCEL DELIVERY
Teamsters union workers at United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) ratified a new five-year contract in August, a deal that raises pay, eliminates a two-tier wage system for drivers, provides another paid holiday and ends forced overtime.
FedEx (NYSE:FDX) pilots have been involved in a stand-off with the parcel delivery firm over wages and legacy pensions. Pilots rejected a tentative deal in July and negotiations are expected to restart.
AIRLINES & AEROSPACE FIRMS
Pilots at several airlines including American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL), Delta Airlines (NYSE:DAL), United Airlines Holdings (NASDAQ:UAL), Spirit Airlines (NYSE:SAVE), Jetblue Airways negotiated new job contracts this year.
Members of some unions like the Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) Pilots Association have voted to authorize a strike if a new contract is not reached.
Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR) negotiated a new contract to end a strike that led to a week-long work stoppage at its plant in Wichita,
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