Workers at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago will now be represented by AFSCME. AFSCME launched its Cultural Workers United organizing campaign in 2020 and now represents 50,000 workers at places such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Newberry Library. Workers at the Chicago Botanical Garden are also seeking union representation. Inflation and other economic challenges are driving these workers to seek help through a union in securing better pay and benefits.
Workers a Maple Leaf bacon plant in Winnipeg have voted 98 percent in favor of a strike. The 1,800 members of United Food and Commercial Workers have been working in a climate of fear and intimidation, with unsafe working conditions and supervisors bullying them and subjecting them to discrimination and racism. They are in contract negotiations and their employer has proposed minimal wage increases, eliminating their pension plan, and refused to grant paid sick leave.
Starbucks workers in West Palm Beach, Clearwater, and Oviedo have joined a nationwide strike. The workers, represented by Starbucks Workers United, began on November 13 and has now spread to over 180 locations in 34 cities. Workers are striking for better pay and guaranteed hours. Starbucks baristas average only 19 hours per week but need to work at least 20 hours a week to qualify for benefits.