Latest news with #union
CBS News
7 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Negotiations ongoing between Philadelphia and city workers union, District Council 33
Here's what is impacted in the City of Philadelphia if District Council 33 goes on strike Here's what is impacted in the City of Philadelphia if District Council 33 goes on strike Here's what is impacted in the City of Philadelphia if District Council 33 goes on strike Philadelphia's largest blue-collar union is set to go on strike next week, which could impact services, including trash pickup for people in the city. District Council 33 represents some 9,000 workers in essential services. Both the union and the city were in negotiations inside the Sheraton hotel in Philadelphia on Friday, hoping to come to an agreement. "As mayor, I'm an eternal optimist and I believe that we will figure out a way to get to yes, to reach some much-needed compromise here," Mayor Cherelle Parker said. Parker spoke to the standoff between District Council 33 and the city after the union's membership voted to authorize a strike earlier this month. "I just think that they need to give us a fair contract," said Ron Price, a District Council 33 union member. "Let the guys make some money because we're the ones that keep the city running." Workers are demanding higher wages and health benefits for all members. If the union and city do not come to an agreement, the strike will start on Tuesday. Workers with the sanitation department, water department, police dispatch, street maintenance and airport operations are set to strike. "Personally, I have a large dog we walk in these streets all the time," said Mara Hughes, who lives in Philadelphia. "So as soon as the trash fills up the street, my dog and I are in like a danger zone every day. Do we have to go to the emergency vet? Are we going to encounter something that's dangerous for [the dog]? It becomes a very toxic environment for animals and children very quickly." The last time this union went on strike was in 1986, and the impact was felt citywide. These photos from that time show mountains of uncollected trash lining the streets – a powerful reminder of what's at stake if a deal isn't reached. "My hope is that the city comes to its senses and negotiates in good faith and provides these workers with what they need," Hughes said. If a deal is not reached, the strike is scheduled to begin at midnight on Monday, June 30.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ZeniMax and Microsoft ratify union agreement
Members of the ZeniMax Workers United-CWA union have ratified the contract agreement with parent company Microsoft. This agreement with the union representing the video game studio's quality assurance employees marks the first time Microsoft has entered into any union contract in the US. ZeniMax Studios is probably best known for its work on The Elder Scrolls Online. Stephen Totilo first reported on this news; we've reached out to Microsoft and the Communications Workers of America for additional comment. As with many organizing efforts, this step has been a long time coming. The group of employees voted to unionize in 2023, and Microsoft immediately recognized ZeniMax Workers United-CWA following the vote results. Microsoft also made its policy of neutrality toward union organizing at ZeniMax official in 2024. The QA workers from ZeniMax and Microsoft reached a tentative contract this May. The contract includes provisions for wage increases and minimum salaries, as well as industry-specific content such as a clearer crediting policy recognizing the role of QA and protections for the employees regarding use of AI. Update, June 20 2025, 12:18PM ET: Microsoft provided Engadget with the following statement, attributed to the company's Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Amy Pannoni: 'This agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to employee voice and collaborative labor relations. Reaching this milestone with the ZeniMax quality assurance team and CWA is another step toward helping everyone here do their best work.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DHL Express Canada Plans Temporary Shutdown on Stalled Labor Talks
DHL Express Canada will temporarily shutter operations nationwide on Friday if no new contract is reached between the logistics giant and its union employees. The company's contract talks with union workers have made no progress since a June 8 lockout. Unifor, the union representing the 2,100 locked out DHL employees, first unveiled that the company would shut down amid new federal 'anti-scab' legislation that would go into effect on Friday. More from Sourcing Journal NYS Quietly Adds Way for Employers to Disclose Layoffs Triggered by AI Canada Orders Postal Workers to Vote on 'Final' Contract Offers, Union Cries Foul DHL Express Canada Locks Out 2,100 Employees, Turns to Replacement Workers A DHL Express spokesperson confirmed the shutdown, but did not say how long it will take place. The rep said the company remains hopeful to resume Canadian operations 'at the earliest possible opportunity.' Ahead of the suspension, DHL Express will pause the collection of shipments to and from Canada starting 9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. The moves run counter to DHL's prior notice that the company did not expect significant service disruptions for its 50,000 customers, which include companies like Lululemon Athletica, Shein and Temu. 'As an essential service provider, DHL Express manages thousands of crucial international shipments daily, encompassing a diverse array of industries—from life-saving pharmaceutical deliveries to the products of small Canadian e-commerce enterprises,' the spokesperson said. 'Our international shipping services not only allow Canadians to actively participate in global trade and bolster the local economy, but also ensures that essential goods are delivered efficiently and reliably.' Currently, DHL Express is using replacement workers to fill in for the employees it has locked out. They would replace union employees who held down jobs including couriers, truck drivers and warehouse workers. The locked out employees represent a 'substantial' portion of the company's Canadian workforce, the spokesperson said. On Friday, a new law will go into effect across Canada that bans replacement workers from being used in labor disputes such as strikes or lockouts. As of that date, the Canada Industrial Relations Board can issue fines of up to $100,000 per day for any company that fails to comply with those rules. The union employees opted to go on strike in the wake of DHL's lockout, which occurred after the parties failed to conjure up a new contract despite eight months of negotiations. In the time since, the union workers have picketed 18 facilities nationwide where they have been locked out. Unifor is seeking a 22 percent salary increase for hourly employees, as well as a 42 percent salary increase for owner-operators of trucks, both demands DHL says 'do not reflect the current economic landscape and would jeopardize our operational viability.' DHL had proposed a 15 percent wage increase over five years for hourly workers. On the owner-operator front, Unifor has claimed DHL has previously reduced pay for owner operators, and shortened routes for employees. The union has panned changes made to the driver pay classification system that resulted in some workers driving 100 kilometers to pick up freight without getting any compensation. The current collective bargaining agreement expired on Dec. 31. 'We stand firm in our mission. Your bargaining committee is unwavering in its fight to secure a fair collective agreement,' said Unifor's DHL national bargaining committee in a Friday statement. 'Let us be absolutely clear: we will not be intimidated by the company's threats to disrupt service or shut down operations. DHL's aggressive tactics—designed to pressure and divide us—will not succeed. We remain united, and we will not back down.' All other DHL Group divisions in Canada are not affected by this service suspension nor are any DHL Express operations outside of Canada. The work stoppage at DHL isn't the only labor dispute that could constrict parcel delivery throughout Canada. National courier Canada Post has seen its own union delivery workers institute an overtime ban after failing to reach terms on a contract extension last month. Unlike the potential shuttering at DHL, Canada Post still operates under normal business hours. However, union drivers can refuse to work beyond the typical eight-hours-per-day schedule, and won't work more than 40 hours in a week, thus creating some delays. Last week, the federal government ordered the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to vote on the final contract offers provided by Canada Post. The union was not happy with the decision, and had sought to take the contract talks to a third-party arbitrator. That voting date has not been set yet.
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
DHL Express Canada reaches tentative agreement with union
Delivery company DHL Express Canada has reached a tentative agreement with its union, paving the way for the company to resume operations. The deal comes after almost a year of negotiations. Details of the agreement will not be disclosed until after a ratification vote is held, which is expected in the coming days. DHL Express Canada locked out workers on June 8 and as of last Friday, temporarily halted its operations. The company says it "expects to lift service suspension with immediate effect" once the deal is ratified. Unifor represents more than 2,100 truck drivers, couriers and warehouse and clerical workers at the company. The company and its union have sparred over the use of replacement workers as federal legislation banning the practice took effect during the work stoppage. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said she met with both sides last week after DHL asked her last week to intervene in the standoff by compelling work to resume.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Tentative deal reached to end DHL Express lockout
Video The union says a tentative agreement has been reached to end the DHL Express lockout. Workers have been off the job since June 8.
