February 2017 — Strike vote — 81 percent! For the first time ever AFSCME Council 31, representing 38,000 Illinois state workers, authorized a strike. Since their contract ran out in July 2015, the union has fought against Gov. Rauner’s demand for a four year pay freeze and doubling health insurance costs.
February 2017 — South African victory. A week-long strike by National Education, Health, and Allied Workers at learning institution Unisa won 5 to 8 percent wage increases. The union won graduated pay hikes that gave the most for those making the least. Workers also gained an increased housing allowance.
March 2017 — Big win in Florida. In a historic victory, Telemundo actors voted 91 to 21 to join SAG-AFTRA. Located in Florida, a right-to-work state since 1943, Telemundo is the first U.S. Spanish-language network to unionize. This triumph will help end double standards for Spanish-speaking actors.
Also see:
• Rise of the robots: Disappearing jobs
