The Powell’s Bookstore union rejected a contract proposal from management, after the union’s bargaining committee tentatively accepted it on October 19. When the agreement was put to a vote by the union membership on November 9, 62 percent of participants voted no due to dissatisfaction with the starting wage and pay increases. “While the Local 5 bargaining team endorsed a ‘yes’ vote, we are a democratic organization and the membership has the final say,” the union stated on social media. “The ILWU Local 5 bargaining team has reached out to the Powell’s team to resume bargaining ASAP, and to continue working […]
Unions
Scholastic Union Holds Walk-Out on Nov. 1
Members of the Scholastic Union, which is represented by the NewsGuild of New York, participated in a one-day work stoppage on Wednesday. According to a press release, they are protesting “the company’s refusal to pay its workers fair wages, specifically its rejection of the Scholastic Union’s proposal for annual raises.” The union’s contract expired in May 2022, and the NewsGuild reports that employees have been bargaining since last October. The union, which represents 82 employees, held an afternoon rally outside of the company’s New York City headquarters.
The National Book Awards Rescinds Drew Barrymore’s Invitation To Host
The National Book Foundation announced that it has rescinded Drew Barrymore’s invitation to host this year’s National Book Awards ceremony, after Barrymore’s show broke the WGA strike by resuming production. They write in a post on Twitter, “The National Book Awards is an evening dedicated to celebrating the power of literature, and the incomparable contributions of writers to our culture. In light of the announcement that ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ will resume production, the National Book Foundation has rescinded Ms. Barrymore’s invitation to host the 74th National Book Awards Ceremony. Our Commitment is to ensure that the focus of the […]
National Book Awards Host Drew Barrymore Will Resume Taping Her Show Despite WGA Strike
On Instagram on Sunday, Drew Barrymore announced that she will resume production on her talk show despite the Writers Guild of America strike that began May 2. She wrote, “To be clear, our talk show actually wrapped on April 20th so we never had to shut down the show. However, I am also making the choice to come back for the first time in this strike for our show, that may have my name on it but this is bigger than just me.” WGA East members picketed her show Monday morning. Barrymore claimed, “I want to be there to provide […]
Powell’s Closed Monday as Workers Strike
All Powell’s Books locations were closed on Monday as workers stopped work in a one-day strike. The union authorized the strike in August as they work to negotiate a new contract–particularly with improved pay and affordable healthcare options–with management. The store announced the closure on social media in advance. “We deeply value our employees and respect their right to engage in protected union activity, which includes a strike. We understand it can be part of the bargaining process, and we will honor and respect it,” they wrote. According to Willamette Week, the union filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the […]
Union Workers Stage Walkout at Barnes & Noble In Hadley, MA
Union workers at Barnes & Noble in Hadley, MA walked out last Friday, to protest staffing issues. The union says the store is understaffed. The walkout lasted from 2 pm to 5 pm. Staffers voted to unionize last May, joining the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1459.