North Shore AFL-CIO Year in Review

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW

IN THE WORKPLACE

The highest priority of the North Shore AFL-CIO is standing with and supporting workers on the job as they work to secure better wages and benefits, working conditions, and a voice in the workplace.

WorkerActions OntheRise

In 2022, tens of thousands of workers across the United States took to the streets to demonstrate their collective power. Greater Cleveland saw a rise in worker actions that delivered results for working families. In March, the Federation brought local unions, non-profit organizations, and political allies together to break the lockout of IATSE Local 160 projectionists at the Cleveland International Film Festival at Playhouse Square.

SEIU District 1199 members were busy throughout the summer as essential workers picketed and won adequate wage increases at Frontline Services and Menorah Park Nursing Home. District 1199 protested service cuts at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center following the announcement in October, calling out management

for making the cuts despite receiving $11 million in Covid-Relief dollars.

SEIU Local 1 members continued their fight to hold private contractors accountable. In a rally outside Playhouse Square in August, they called on new management to use responsible security contractors and to respect workers' rights to organize a union. In September, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA picketed outside Cleveland Hopkins Airport

Building the Movement: Organizing Victories

in a nationwide day of action to demand that United Airlines fix their operational disruptions. Teamsters Local 507 and Laborers Local 860 held a protest outside Cleveland city hall in November, calling for equitable wage increases with other essential workers. At the Lake County Clerk of Court's office, CWA Local 4340 held a rally supporting the organizing drive of court staff.

During the peak of Starbucks coffee sales in December, Workers United members held multiple strikes throughout Greater Cleveland, bringing attention to the shameful conduct of management as workers fight to win their first contract. The Federation supported non-affiliates, too, including Ohio Education Association (OEA) teachers at Euclid and Garfield Heights schools who issued 10-day strike notices. Fortunately, both strikes were averted, and workers earned fair wages and workplace safety improvements.

According to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), petitions for union representation increased by 53% across the U.S. in 2022 over the prior year. Locally, we saw Workers United successfully organize over 100 workers at five area Starbucks stores, including W. 6th St., Clifton Blvd., Lee-Mayfield Rd., University Circle, and Crocker Park. The Ohio Federation of Teachers organized 50 teachers at Menlo Park Academy with a 94% vote despite the school using taxpayer money to fight the organizing drive. Teamsters Local 507 organized workers at Metrohealth Medical Center.

Several other unions are in the middle of organizing drives, including CWA Local 4340 at the Lake County Clerk of Courts.

Number of Affiliates Increases

The Federation welcomed several new affiliates in 2022, including:

• The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Council 63 at United Airlines

• CARE Local 1975 Paramedics and EMTs from Cleveland EMS.

• Teamsters Local 507 representing public employees.

• The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen Division 607

• Mayfield Heights Firefighters, IAFF Local 1500.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Improving the lives of working people and ensuring that they have a dignified retirement is not accomplished through collective bargaining alone. Along with political support and legislative advocacy, unions need public support.

Building Solidarity

To connect more rank-and-file union members with the AFLCIO, the Federation hosted three large events in 2022. First, in February, the Federation hosted Union Night with the Dropkick Murphys. Over 200 union members and allies took advantage of discounted tickets and access to a pre-show party. Attendees could also purchase an exclusive AFL-CIO/Dropkick Murphys t-shirt.

ALU’sChrisSmallsVisitsCleveland

More than a thousand union members and family attended Union Appreciation Day at Progressive Field. Union members had access to reduced ticket prices and food/merchandise vouchers. In addition, a private event space with complimentary snacks and drinks was available before the game. AFM Local 4 President Leonard DiCosimo sang the National Anthem.

The Federation hosted Blue Collar Worker night in December with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Attendees took advantage of discounted tickets and early entry for player warmups. Progressive Field and Rocket Mortgage are both unionized entertainment venues that were built and renovated by members of the Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council.

The Federation welcomed Amazon Labor Union (ALU) President and Organizer Chris Smalls to Cleveland in June, fresh off his history-making victory at the JFK8 Amazon Fulfilment Center on Staten Island. Smalls spent several days in Greater Cleveland in June, highlighted by a forum at UAW Local 1250 in Brook Park. Several hundred union members and allies attended the Forum on Organizing for the 21st Century and Beyond. Smalls shared his long-term vision with attendees, focusing on a workers-first approach and uniting

AFM Local 4 Performances

workers based on their shared interests regardless of political affiliation. In addition, Joey Desatnik, who had recently been discharged from the Cleveland 2 Amazon Fulfillment Center, shared his experiences. The following day, Smalls visited three area Starbucks stores, including stops at the University Circle and Clifton Blvd. stores where workers had recently filed to form a union. His final stop was at the W. 6th St. Starbucks store, where workers unanimously agreed to unionize two weeks earlier.

The Cleveland Federation of Musicians, AFM Local 4, continued its strong partnership with the Federation in 2022. Local 4 hosted and performed at the May 28 Workers Memorial Day ceremony at Garfield Church. When President Biden came to Cleveland on July 6 to tout his work on bolstering multiemployer pensions, Local 4 performed several patriotic songs, including “Hail to the Chief.” Local 4 members also performed at the Federation’s Labor Day Party at the Bop Stop at the Music Settlement on September 3.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

There is a direct link between the ballot box and the bread box. That is why we work hard to elect candidates who we know will put working families first and encourage union members to exercise their full rights and responsibilities as citizens and perform their rightful part in political life.

TheLabor2022PoliticalProgram

The Labor 2022 Political program kicked off in May when the national AFL-CIO named Ohio as one of its eight battleground states. Through June and July, the Federation worked to establish a campaign infrastructure which included identifying local union points of contact and recruiting volunteers. By late-August we were knocking on the doors of fellow union members and writing postcards. At the same time, the Cleveland Teachers Union began running the statewide paid phone banking program.

By October, paid staff members were knocking on doors five days a week and volunteers were knocking doors on Saturdays. AFSCME Ohio Council 8, the Cleveland Teachers Union, CWA District 4, and AFGE played host at weekend canvasses across the County. In the final week of the campaign, crews worked around the clock to get out the vote. The program eventually grew to include nearly three-dozen locals and 280 paid and volunteer staff. In the end, we made more than 40,000 canvassing attempts and

mailed hand-written postcards to another 40,000 union households.

Exit polling indicates that our work was effective. Polling averages show that union household members played an outsized role in voting, representing 20% of the electorate despite representing around 13% of the general votingage population. Polling also showed that union members supported Tim Ryan by 14%, proving that organized labor did its part.

While turnout in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati was low and led to defeat in statewide races, unions helped guide candidates to victory in local races.

Political Program Delivered Worker Wins

The Federation saw more success at the ballot box in 2022, with 32 (91.4%) of our endorsed candidates winning their races. Rep. Shontel Brown will return to the U.S. Congress to represent District 11. Kent Smith is headed to the Ohio Senate to represent District 21, replacing Kenny Yuko who was term-limited. Bride Sweeney won re-election to the Ohio House in the newly drawn District 16, and in a significant victory for public education, Tom Jackson won the Ohio Board of Education race in District 10.

In major victories for working people in Cuyahoga County, Chris Ronayne cruised to a resounding victory to become County Executive, and the Port Authority Levy was renewed, supporting 200,000 good-paying jobs.

Path to Power Highlights

North Shore AFL-CIO Delegate Jennifer O’Donnell Headed to Court of Common Pleas

One of our most significant election victories came from one of our own. Jennifer O’Donnell won her race for Judge on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. Before her election, she served as an attorney with the Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s Office, where she was a member of AFSCME Local 3631 and an active North Shore AFL-CIO delegate. AFSCME Council 8 worked hard for her and Chris Ronayne and began campaigning for Jennifer during the summer and eventually knocked on 7,500 member doors.

Jenn is the daughter of the late Dave Mitchell, who served as business manager with Pipefitters Local 42.

The Federation saw four union members elected to public office in 2022. Retired Sheet Metal Local 33 member Dan Troy will return to Columbus, representing the newly drawn District 23. IATSE Local 756 President Tom Patton won re-election to represent House District 17. Parma City Council President Sean Brennan, an OEA member, won election to the Ohio House to represent District 14. Jennifer O’Donnell, a member of AFSCME Local 3631 will join the Court of Common Pleas.

IN THE HALLS OF POWER

Elected officials have tremendous influence on the lives of working people. What is won at the bargaining table can be taken away in the legislative halls. That is why we focus on electing candidates who will put workers first.

ButchLewisProvisionofARPAct SavingMultiemployer Pensions

After years of advocacy by workers and retirees, about 1.5 million Americans belonging to endangered multiemployer pension plans will have their retirement benefits secured for 30 years – with no cuts to benefitsthanks to the Butch Lewis Act. Senator Sherrod Brown sponsored the historic piece of legislation, which was passed as part of the American Rescue Plan in 2021.

Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh announced last May that the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation would fully restore the retirement benefits of 2,000

members of Iron Workers 17, who had seen their pensions cut by as much as 60% in 2017. The following month, members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 4 celebrated pension relief while 25 to 35% cuts loomed for their 450 members. Last fall, the Department of Labor (DOL) delivered again, announcing that 800 members from Teamsters Local 52 would have their benefits restored. A month later, the DOL announced that they would direct $36 billion to the Central States Pension Fund to reform the pension of 350,000 Teamsters.

Cleveland City Council Passes Wage Theft Ordinance

In a significant victory at the final council session of 2022, Cleveland City Council passed Ordinance 892-2022, an emergency ordinance to address wage theft and payroll fraud. The legislation prohibits the City of Cleveland from entering contracts or providing financial assistance to companies that commit wage theft. According to Policy Matters, wage theft affects 213,000 Ohioans annually, most of whom work in the leisure & hospitality, construction, agriculture, and financial activities fields.

The legislation is a massive victory for the Guardians for Fair Work campaign. The Guardians coalition includes the Northeast Ohio Worker Center, Cleveland Jobs with Justice, Policy Matters, and several labor organizations, including the North Shore AFL-CIO.

Key Legislative Victories

Working families will benefit from a number of key legislative victories, including:

• Postal Reform Act which will provide needed financial and operational changes to the USPS, putting it on the path toward financial stability.

• CHIPS & Science Act which provides federal aid to encourage the construction of microprocessor manufacturing facilities in the U.S.

• Inflation Reduction Act, which will lower the cost of clean energy and make key reforms to Medicare and the Affordable Care Act

• 2023 Appropriations Bill includes a $25 million budget increase for the NLRB to protect workers’ fundamental right to form a union.