Oregon Citizens Could Vote to End Union-Busting in Cannabis Industry

From The Valley Labor Report:

Canby: Community Rally to Demand Accountability from City Council After HR Investigation Finds Councilor Violated Sexual Harassment Policy

From Oregon AFSCME:

Community members and City of Canby staff gathered at the Canby City Council meeting, on Wednesday, June 5th at 7 pm to demand accountability from the City Council after an HR investigation found Councilor Sasse in violation of the City’s sexual harassment policy in April of this year. Despite the findings, no action has been taken by the City Council to address this serious breach of conduct.

"In order to lead, there must be trust. When one of you breaks that trust, it is up to the rest of you to hold them accountable. True leadership comes from doing the right thing, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable," stated Fred Yungbluth, President of Oregon AFSCME in prepared remarks. "We are asking that you find the same bravery that our member did, and stand up for the dignity of all workers by expelling Councilor Sasse for his inexcusable behavior. And then we ask that you find a way to restore the trust that this Council will do the right thing going forward because right now that trust is broken through your complacency and tacit acceptance of sexual harassment in the workplace."

All City of Canby staff deserve to work in an environment that is free of harassment. Allowing Councilor Sasse to remain on the Council without any sanctions or discipline sends a message that the City condones and excuses harassment. The City Council must take a stand against this behavior, demonstrating that it will not be tolerated and that all Council members will be held accountable to the same standards and policies they agreed to upon taking office.

Meanwhile, Oregon AFSCME has a petition calling for Councilor Sasse to step down orbe removed from office:

We need your help to remove Councilor Sasse from Canby's City Council.

Councilor Sasse's sexual harassment has created unsafe work conditions for our members, and the Canby City Council has done NOTHING about it! Everyone has the right to a work environment free of sexual harassment.

Sign the petition today to remove Councilor Sasse from office and to uphold accountability in Canby's city council.

https://actionnetwork.org/.../remove-councilor-sasse-from...

Every signature counts! Share this post and spread the word.

From the AFL-CIO: Biden Vetoes Bill Against NLRB Joint Employer Rule, Protecting Workers

 

Top Cut:
President Biden vetoed a Congressional Review Act measure late last week that sought to overturn the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule preventing corporations from hiding behind a subcontractor or staffing agency when workers want to collectively bargain.

Why It Matters:
The NLRB’s joint employer rule expands bargaining obligations and liability for labor violations for employers that have power over working conditions, even if workers are hired through a third party or by franchisees of a larger franchise. This regulation ensures that union members can bargain with each company that has the power to make changes in the workplace. A two-thirds majority in the House and Senate would be required to overturn the veto, an unlikely scenario as an overwhelming majority of congressional Democrats endorse the rule.

“Without the NLRB’s rule, companies could more easily avoid liability simply by manipulating their corporate structure, like hiding behind subcontractors or staffing agencies. By hampering the NLRB’s efforts to promote the practice and procedure of collective bargaining, Republicans are siding with union-busting corporations over the needs of workers and their unions,” Biden said in a statement.

Baltimore County Public Library workers win the legal right to organize (and a comment)

 From the AFL-CIO:

Top Cut:
The Machinists (IAM) union, which represents Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) workers, is celebrating the passage of the Library Workers Empowerment Act, a milestone piece of legislation initiated by the IAM last year that will grant library staff across Maryland the right to organize.

Why It Matters:
The legislation, cross-filed as H.B. 609 and S.B. 591, received bipartisan support in the Maryland General Assembly. Once the bill is signed by Gov. Wes Moore, it will empower public library workers to be able to form unions and collectively bargain for the wages, benefits and working conditions they deserve. Currently, library staff in only four counties and Baltimore City can organize, but this bill extends this critical right to libraries throughout the state.

“The IAM and its members extend their deepest gratitude to the legislators who supported this piece of legislation and to the library employees who have tirelessly advocated for their rights,” said IAM Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) Local 4538 President and Library Service Assistant Anita Bass. “This achievement is a testament to the power of solidarity and the importance of standing together for the betterment of all workers.”

Comment: Baltimore is on the other side of the country so readers of this blog may wonder what this post is doing here. We want to celebrate labor wins wherever and whenever they occur, but we also want to help people think through what it takes to organize a union. Not all workers have the legal right to organize, but all workers can organize. Where people do not have legal protections to organize it may make sense to start with winning changes in law and then, when the changes are won, fight for a strong union contract. But a union of one kind or another can be built under almost any conditions, and the earlier workers learn about building and exercising their power the better. Do you know any situations where workers want to organize but hit systemic barriers? There are many organizations that can help. Hit out blog and let's talk. Hats off to the IAM for this great win!