From Detroit Three to healthcare, US labor unions flex muscle
(Corrects typo in Delta spelling in airlines paragraph)
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, triggering 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
Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) approved a new three-year contract with major studios on Oct. 9. Film and television writers had walked off the job in May over compensation, staffing and residual payments, among other issues. They returned to work on Sept. 27 after negotiators reached a tentative agreement.
In July, the SAG-AFTRA actors union joined the writers on picket lines. Negotiations between Hollywood studios and the union were suspended on Oct. 11 as the two sides clashed over streaming revenue. The union had resumed negotiations last week.
AUTOMOTIVE
United Auto Workers on Oct. 11 shut down Ford's biggest plant globally, in a sharp escalation of the union's four-week targeted strike against the Detroit Three automakers.
The coordinated strike against General Motors (NYSE:GM), Ford Motor (NYSE:F) and Chrysler parent Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which began after the earlier contracts expired on Sept. 15, initially targeted three assembly plants.
Union workers at Volvo (OTC:VLVLY) Group-owned Mack Trucks went on strike on Oct. 9 after overwhelmingly rejecting a proposed five-year contract.
PARCEL DELIVERY
Teamsters
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