Latest news with #strikingworkers
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Striking Workers at Villa Colombo Get Support From the Society of United Professionals
TORONTO, July 04, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Striking workers from the Villa Colombo Supportive Housing Unit are thankful that their struggle isn't going unnoticed by the wider labour movement. These personal care workers are members of CUPE 5525 and have been on the picket line since May 28th outside the care residences, operated by Villa Colombo Home for the Aged and Villa Charities at Dufferin and Lawrence. The Society of United Professionals added their union to the growing list of supportive organizations, unions, and community members who want to see a fair deal for the members of CUPE 5525. In a letter addressed to the directors of Villa Colombo and Villa Charities, the Society of United Professionals calls on the employer to end their use of scab labour and return to the table with an offer that respects the skill and dedication these workers bring to their roles. At issue for the union members are fair pay, sick days, and a benefits package that will enable these workers to provide the best care possible for the residents of the buildings they service. The employer's proposal contained significant concessions to the working conditions of these workers. :pp/cope491 View source version on Contacts Bill ChalupiakCUPE Communications Representativewchalupiak@ 416-707-1401
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
LL Cool J refuses to perform at Philadelphia's 4th of July concert until workers' strike ends
LL Cool J is standing in solidarity with striking Philadelphia municipal workers, refusing to 'cross a picket line' to perform at the city's Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July Concert. The 57-year-old rapper was scheduled to headline the annual holiday event on Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Friday evening, but has pulled out due to the ongoing strike led by AFSCME District Council 33, the largest of four major unions representing city workers. 'Yo, so, I understand there's a lot going on in Philadelphia right now, and I never, ever, ever want to disappoint my fans, especially Philadelphia, y'all mean too much to me,' LL Cool J said in an Instagram video posted Thursday. 'But there's absolutely no way that I can perform, cross a picket line, and pick up money when I know that people are out there fighting for a living wage. I'm not doing that, you know what I'm saying? I've been coming to Philly my whole life, you know?' he added. 'I have respect for the city, you know what I'm saying? Of course, I hope, I hope, I hope that the mayor and the city can make a deal, I hope it works out.' The 'Mama Said Knock You Out' artist clarified that he's not completely ditching the event. 'I'm still going to come to Philly in case it works out,' he said. 'I'm going to be in town, y'all. I'm just letting you know, I'm not going to cross a picket line and perform for money when people are hurting. That's it, so I love y'all. I'm on my way to Philly. Peace and love.' Thousands of Philadelphia city workers are currently on strike to demand better pay. The strike, which began Tuesday, has stretched nearly a week after the latest talks between the city and leaders of District Council 33 ended late Wednesday without a deal. No new talks were scheduled for Thursday; however, both sides remain willing to continue negotiations. Leaders of District Council 33, which represents a majority of the city's blue-collar workers, including trash collectors, security guards, and street maintenance employees, have said that while economic matters remain the major issue, there are also 'a lot of work rule situations that we still have not worked through.' The union is also seeking some flexibility on the city residency requirement for workers. Friday's Fourth of July concert was originally supposed to open with performances from Grammy-nominated pop and R&B star JoJo and Latin trap sensation Alvaro Diaz. LL Cool J was then expected to close out the show alongside DJ Z-Trip and Philadelphia's own Grammy-winning R&B singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan before the start of the city's annual fireworks display.
Al Arabiya
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Oregon Bill Providing Unemployment Pay for Striking Workers Signed Into Law by Governor
Democratic Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek on Tuesday signed into law a bill that provides unemployment benefits to striking workers, following neighboring Washington state in adopting measures spurred by recent walkouts by Boeing factory workers, hospital nurses, and teachers in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon's measure makes it the first state to provide pay for picketing public employees–who aren't allowed to strike in most states, let alone receive benefits for it. It makes striking workers eligible to collect unemployment benefits after two weeks, with benefits capped at 10 weeks. Only three other states–New York, New Jersey, and most recently, Washington state–give striking workers unemployment benefits. Washington's bill, which passed in April, pays striking private-sector workers for up to six weeks, starting after at least two weeks on the line. Democratic Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Monday vetoed a bill that would provide financial help for striking workers, after vetoing a similar measure last year. The final passage for Oregon's bill proved tumultuous. It first passed the state Senate in March and then passed the state House earlier this month. But a majority of senators did not concur with amendments added by the House, which sent the measure to a conference committee to resolve the differences between the two bills. It ultimately received final approval following a compromise on the 10-week benefits cap. The bill sparked debate among lawmakers as well as constituents, with over 1,000 letters of written testimony submitted. Supporters said it would level the playing field between workers and wealthy corporations that can wait until union strike funds run out to pressure employees under financial distress to accept deals. Opponents said it could incentivize strikes and hurt employers, particularly public employers such as school districts. Private employers pay into the state's unemployment insurance trust fund through a payroll tax, but many public employers do not, meaning they would have to reimburse the fund for any payments made to their workers. In response to those concerns, the bill requires school districts to deduct the benefits received by an employee from their future wages. Some argued it wouldn't cost public employers more than what they have already budgeted for salaries, as workers aren't paid when they are on strike. Also, those receiving unemployment benefits get at most sixty-five percent of their weekly pay, and benefit amounts are capped, according to documents presented to lawmakers by employment department officials. Oregon has seen two large strikes in recent years: Thousands of nurses and dozens of doctors at Providence's eight Oregon hospitals were on strike for six weeks earlier this year, while a 2023 walkout of Portland Public Schools teachers shuttered schools for over three weeks in the state's largest district.
Washington Post
24-06-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Oregon bill providing unemployment pay for striking workers signed into law by governor
SALEM, Ore. — Democratic Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek on Tuesday signed into law a bill that provides unemployment benefits to striking workers, following neighboring Washington state in adopting measures spurred by recent walkouts by Boeing factory workers , hospital nurses and teachers in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon's measure makes it the first state to provide pay for picketing public employees — who aren't allowed to strike in most states, let alone receive benefits for it. It makes striking workers eligible to collect unemployment benefits after two weeks, with benefits capped at 10 weeks.
Associated Press
24-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Oregon bill providing unemployment pay for striking workers signed into law by governor
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Democratic Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek on Tuesday signed into law a bill that provides unemployment benefits to striking workers, following neighboring Washington state in adopting measures spurred by recent walkouts by Boeing factory workers, hospital nurses and teachers in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon's measure makes it the first state to provide pay for picketing public employees — who aren't allowed to strike in most states, let alone receive benefits for it. It makes striking workers eligible to collect unemployment benefits after two weeks, with benefits capped at 10 weeks. Only three other states — New York, New Jersey and most recently Washington state — give striking workers unemployment benefits. Washington's bill, which passed in April, pays striking private sector workers for up to six weeks, starting after at least two weeks on the line. Democratic Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Monday vetoed a bill that would provide financial help for striking workers, after vetoing a similar measure last year. The final passage for Oregon's bill proved tumultuous. It first passed the state Senate in March and then passed the state House earlier this month. But a majority of senators did not concur with amendments added by the House, which sent the measure to a conference committee to resolve the differences between the two bills. It ultimately received final approval following a compromise on the 10-week benefits cap. The bill sparked debate among lawmakers as well as constituents, with over 1,000 letters of written testimony submitted. Supporters said it would level the playing field between workers and wealthy corporations that can wait until union strike funds run out to pressure employees under financial distress to accept deals. Opponents said it could incentivize strikes and hurt employers, particularly public employers such as school districts. Private employers pay into the state's unemployment insurance trust fund through a payroll tax, but many public employers do not, meaning they would have to reimburse the fund for any payments made to their workers. In response to those concerns, the bill requires school districts to deduct the benefits received by an employee from their future wages. Some argued it wouldn't cost public employers more than what they have already budgeted for salaries, as workers aren't paid when they are on strike. Also, those receiving unemployment benefits get at most 65% of their weekly pay, and benefit amounts are capped, according to documents presented to lawmakers by employment department officials. Oregon has seen two large strikes in recent years: Thousands of nurses and dozens of doctors at Providence's eight Oregon hospitals were on strike for six weeks earlier this year, while a 2023 walkout of Portland Public Schools teachers shuttered schools for over three weeks in the state's largest district.
