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UNIONIZED WORKERS ARE TAKING ON BIG CORPORATIONS AND WINNING BETTER PAY AND BENEFITS
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OCTOBER 2023
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The summer of 2023 saw unionized workers making tremendous progress across industries and around the country—winning better pay, fairer benefits, and safety and security on the job. Here’s a brief look at some of the biggest news. You can always find links to full articles at our website, www.inunionusa.com.
HISTORIC PROGRESS FOR AMERICAN WORKERS AT UPS A new agreement between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and UPS represents historic progress for American workers. The deal also has major ramifications for workers exercising their right to bargain for fair wages and benefits with corporations like Amazon and others. As IBT General President Sean O’Brien said, “We’ve changed the game, battling it out day and night to make sure our members won an agreement that pays strong wages, rewards their labor, and doesn’t require a single concession. This contract sets a new standard in the labor movement and raises the bar for all workers.” Sources: AP News, 8/22/2023; IBT Press Release, 7/25/2023
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[Senator Sherrod Brown] joins UAW picket line WKBN, 9/18/2023 Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, joined striking UAW workers Friday in Toledo. “Today Ohioans stand in solidarity with autoworkers around our state as they demand the Big 3 automakers respect the work they do to make these companies successful. Any union family knows that a strike is always a last resort—autoworkers want to be on the job, not on the picket line. UAW workers made sacrifices to save the American auto industry,” Brown said. Brown said the Big 3 are making record profits and that workers should get their fair share. President Joe Biden said the same thing Friday when he dispatched aides to Detroit to help with the strike.
Real People. Real Stories about America’s Economic Recovery. The American economy has been on a rollercoaster ride these last few years. The pandemic really shook us up, but workers across the country are regaining their footing, in part thanks to policies from the Biden Administration and pro-worker members of Congress. Here’s a look at what we’re hearing from working people: Saria G., Journeywoman Ironworker and Member of Ironworkers Local 44 Thanks to infrastructure project investments from the Inflation Reduction Act, ironworkers like Saria and other Ohio union members will have greater opportunities for work. “It’s a boost for the workers and a boost for the region,” she said of the IRA’s funding for the Brent Spence Bridge project. “This brings jobs and brings money and that’s very well needed today in Cincinnati.”
Sources: WKU, 1/4/2023; Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/7/2023 Michael D., Automotive Services Technician Michael enrolled in an automotive system technology program at his local community college to get a job working on cars. Newly announced electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plants are bringing hundreds of thousands of job opportunities to students like Michael. “I have had a fire-burning passion for cars since I could remember. I’m really excited to see more EV manufacturers coming to [my area],” said Michael.
Source: CAP Action Marsha N., Chapter Founder of EmpowHER Workforce development and apprenticeship programs from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act helped Marsha enter the trades and make a stable, middle-class living through her union. Now, she works to help women enter the trades through the organization EmpowHER. “We currently have 42 first-year electrician apprentices, which is more than we’ve ever had. And by the time the training year starts, i o50.” I anticipate it’ll be closer u nto
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Source: CAP Action
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Progress for Ohioans Just over a year after Senator Sherrod Brown and other Senate leaders passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and President Biden signed it into law, many Ohioans are already experiencing the benefits. While there’s still much work to be done to decrease the impacts of inflation and boost wages, middle-class families throughout Ohio are seeing cost savings on everyday items, the creation of good-paying jobs, and record investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy.
Top 3 Ohio Benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act: 1. Job Creation In the last year alone, the Inflation Reduction Act has provided $8 billion in funding for renewable energy projects and created over 5,000 new jobs in Ohio. These projects include:
• A $4.4 billion investment in the joint EV battery plant project with Honda and LG Energy Solutions in Fayette County—the largest direct private investment in Ohio’s history • A $680 million investment with First Solar to expand solar manufacturing in Ohio, creating 850 new jobs • A $600 million investment with Invenergy to build one of the largest solar power manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and create 850 new jobs in Pataskala The IRA also provides tax credits for businesses to incentivize better pay for Ohio workers. Climate Power, 7/25/2023; ReImagine Appalachia Fact Sheet, accessed 9/13/2023
2. Lower Prescription Drug and Health Care Costs
Want to learn more about how to access these cost-saving programs? Visit rewiringamerica.org/app/ira-calculator to see how much you can save and what programs are available in your community. Some of these programs could help save your family thousands of dollars.
Ohioans, particularly seniors on a fixed income, have seen big savings on health care and prescription drugs from Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act:
• Created a $2,000 annual cap on what seniors have to pay for prescription drugs from their pharmacy • Capped the cost of insulin at $35 for a month’s supply for Medicare recipients Kaiser Family Foundation, 1/24/2023
3. Lower Energy Costs The IRA includes many cost-saving benefits for middle-class families:
• Tax credits covering 30% of the cost to install solar panels and battery systems so homeowners can save money by io u nsources storing and reusing energy from solar
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• Rebates that can cover 50-100% of the cost to install new electric appliances, including super-efficient heat pumps, water heaters, clothes dryers, stoves, and ovens EO
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• Tax credits covering 30% of the costs of community solar projects—owned by local businesses that sign up families to save on their electric bills ohio N
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D Axios, 8/11/2022; Consumer Reports, 8/12/2022; GreenN GBusiness Network, 2/16/2023; energy.gov, updated 3/2023 F OR
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Paid for by In Union USA (www.inunionusa.com) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. In Union is a project supported by a group of unions. We’ll provide you with research on issues that affect working people’s lives, examine the records of elected officials on those issues, and give you ways to hold your elected representatives accountable. In Union is not affiliated with, does not take contributions from, and does not make contributions to any candidates or political parties. For more information, please visit www.inunionusa.com.
STRETCHING YOUR DOLLAR AS INFLATION COOLS As the U.S. continues to get inflation under control, many Ohioans are looking for ways to save money and make smart decisions with their resources. Here are some tips from organizations allied with working families.
Get grocery items for half the price. Flashfood is a relatively new app that works with grocery stores to offer deals of up to 50% off items that are nearing their sell-by date. Pay for the items through the app and pick them up at a designated zone in stores including Giant, Stop & Shop, and Tops. Learn more at flashfood.com.
Flashfood
Save money on everyday needs. WMPerks is a totally free discount program for WorkMoney members—and membership is completely free. Through WMPerks you can find and download coupons for stores, gas stations, hotels, and more, all in your area. Save cash and get what you need at the same time—learn more at workmoney.org/wmperks.
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