Beyond 100

NEWS AFFECTING OUR UNION AND OUR TRADE

SMART congratulates New York Amazon workers for organizing the first-ever unionized Amazon warehouse

An overwhelming majority of employees at the JFK8 Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, New York, recently voted to join the worker-led Amazon Labor Union — becoming the first unionized Amazon warehouse in the United States. In response, SMART released the following statement: “We at SMART enthusiastically congratulate the Amazon workers at JFK8, who have pulled off an inspiring victory by choosing to form a union. Over the course of the campaign, workers across the country witnessed as Amazon used countless bad-faith union-busting tactics to mislead its employees. What Amazon warehouse workers in Staten Island proved today is that captive audience meetings and multi-million-dollar anti-union campaigns are no match for the power of workers who stand together for a better future. Again, congratulations to the Amazon workers in Staten Island.”

FORTUNE Magazine features Northern Illinois SMART member in piece about the benefits of working in the trades

Tyler Zitzka, a 23-year-old member of SMART Local 265 in Illinois, told the financial magazine that he is on track to make six figures this year and is living proof that college isn’t necessary for everyone. While most of his friends decided to go to college after high school, Zitzka became an apprentice, serving as an HVAC technician. He knew it was the right career path ever since a vocational teacher at his high school — now one of Zitzka’s fellow union members — introduced his class to the trade. He calls the decision a no-brainer. “I knew I didn’t have the school-based smarts,” Zitzka told Fortune. “I wanted to use my hands, get dirty, and be outside. I’m happy to be where I’m at.” Zitzka took home $58,000 as an apprentice, and this year, once he finishes his apprenticeship, he’s set to make between $90,000 and $110,000. Better still, he has no student loans to repay and was able to buy a home last year.

SMART, other transit unions call on Washington labor leaders to fight ‘High-Viz’ railroad attendance policy

SMART and other labor unions are calling on the Biden administration, including Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttegieg, to strike down the so-called “High-Viz” attendance policy at major rail operators, which penalizes union members for taking time off work and incentivizes coming in sick through a point system. Under the new policy proposed by freight giant BNSF, rail employees must be ready at a moment’s notice, under threat of disciplinary action. The High-Viz policy enables BNSF to double up schedules and grind its workforce down, and uses supply chain issues and labor shortages as reasons for the controversial new point system.

President Biden calls for ARPA funds to be used to improve air quality in buildings

The White House has released new ventilation and air quality guidelines for schools, colleges, and other building owners and operators in an effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading indoors. The so-called Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, part of the Biden administration’s new strategy for handling this phase of the COVID fight, addresses how improving indoor ventilation can help keep people safe. The recommendations, published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, include creating an action plan to improve indoor air quality, optimizing fresh air ventilation, enhancing air filtration, and engaging people in the community. In each of those four categories, the plan includes detailed steps for building operators to consider. Some of the suggested measures are short-term improvements, such as using portable air cleaners in areas with poor airflow. Others require longer-term investments, including upgrading heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and installing extra ventilation. The White House says funds from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan can be used to help upgrade air quality in schools and public buildings.