On the picket line

Latest in NWA mechanics’ strike

The union representing the mechanics (AMFA)—on strike at Northwest Airlines since Aug. 20—is sending out a letter to the thousands of unions around the country. In addition to asking for monetary contributions and help handing out flyers explaining the strike, the letter asks all unions to pledge to boycott Northwest Airlines.

In a related development, a hearing is scheduled Jan. 17 where it’s highly likely that Northwest will request that a bankruptcy judge tear up all existing labor contracts and impose new ones. In a Jan. 6 story by WCCO-TV in Minnesota, it was reported that three other unions representing NWA ramp workers, flight attendants and pilots are all prepared to strike if the judge voids their contracts.

Child care providers sign contract

Family child care providers in Illinois made headlines in April 2005 when they voted to join the Service Employees (SEIU). They did it again on Dec. 13 when they negotiated a contract that will set new standards for quality in-home child care services throughout the country.

The Local 880 contract includes significant improvements in three areas. Rates—now as low as $9.48 per child per day—will increase an average of 35 percent over the three-year contract. This will be the providers’ first rate increase in six years. It is designed to encourage providers to enter and stay in child care.

Providers will receive up to 20 percent extra pay if they enroll in additional training for early education. That too will encourage providers to enhance their skills in helping children achieve school readiness.

Thousands of providers will soon have access to affordable health care for the first time. The state has committed to a $27 million investment in funding by the third year of the contact, and will work with the union to draw up the plan and set eligibility requirements.

The providers care for about 200,000
children in Illinois whose parents are eligible for child care assistance so they can work. A 2004 study of children whose mothers were in welfare-to-work programs concluded that the quality of care for young children had a “strong and consistent positive impact on child outcomes,” including cognitive development and school readiness.

SEIU also reported that 10,000 family child care providers in Washington state voted to join the union in December.

Calif. nurses win contact

Standing up to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bullying tactics throughout 2005, the California Nurses Association finally negotiated a two-year contract for hundreds of nurses in the University of California system. The deal, approved by the nurses in mid-December, includes a wage increase, pension protections and a ban on mandatory overtime.

The nurses also won the right to form “life teams” or use lift devices to move heavy patients. But the issue of staffing ratios—one of the most contentious issues in the year-long struggle—was left unresolved. It will be settled by a so-called independent arbitrator who will make a binding, final decision. Such arbitrators usually find in favor of management.

But the nurses’ struggle isn’t over. The CNA and the university will soon have to reopen the contract to resolve retirement and health
benefits issues.

Even though Schwarzenegger lost his battle against public employees in last November’s special election, don’t expect him to change his anti-labor tune in 2006. Eighteen of 21 bargaining units representing California’s public employees will be in contract negotiations.