That Union Thing

AFSCME Wins Food Service Outsourcing Fight at University of California–Davis

After a four year fight, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has won their final battle to end outsourcing of food service work at the University of California system. The 200 subcontracted employees at UC-Davis will now become direct employees of the University system. 900-1000 workers at other UC campuses have already been reclassified as UC employees.

As at-will employees—meaning they can be laid off for nearly any reason the employer chooses—the subcontracted workers were subject to fear of retaliation and intimidation when standing up for basic rights such as a voice on the job, fair wages, affordable health care and justice in their workplaces. Much time was also wasted on training an ever-rotating workforce rather than providing services to students. It is expected that having status as employees of the University system, represented by AFSCME, will reduce turnover.

SAG and AFTRA Begin Negotiations

The Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have begun negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The current contract is set to expire on June 30. It is expected that the issues to be negotiated will be similar to those recently negotiated by the Writers Guild, including DVD residuals and compensation for digital distribution.

Actors Equity and Broadway League Begin Negotiations

Negotiations have begun for and agreement to succeed the current Broadway agreement, which expires on June 29. One of the subjects of negotiation will be the experimental tiered touring program introduced in 2004.