IATSE has filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board accusing the Kennedy Center of illegally cutting union jobs. IATSE is in negotiations with the Center as it prepares to close for a two-year renovation. It claims that the Center is using the closure as cover to permanently fire staff rather than lay them off, in violation of its contract and of federal law.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed into law a bill that makes it even harder for unions to represent workers. Previous laws required unions to maintain 60 percent of bargaining unit employees as dues-paying members or face a recertification election. Previously, a recertification election required a majority of those voting to approve union representation. Under the new law, the union now needs 60 percent of all employees to vote in favor of union representation in order to be recertified. It is rare that a large percentage of employees vote in these elections, so the new bar is impossibly high. The law covers unions representing teachers and nursing and municipal workers but not police, firefighter, and corrections officer unions.
United Auto Workers at American Axle in Michigan have voted 98 percent in favor of authorizing a strike. Their wages have not recovered from the 2008 recession and they do not receive sick days. American Axle makes parts for GM, Ford, Stellantis, and other car companies.