Every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics collects knowledge about unions on strike — and final yr there have been greater than common.
Twenty-three main work stoppages started within the yr whereas others continued from earlier than 2022. Previously 20 years, there are normally solely 16 such stoppages per yr. A significant work stoppage entails 1,000 or extra staff and lasts at the least one shift throughout the work week.
Right here’s a have a look at the most important strikes of 2022 — based on the full variety of idle workdays from everybody collaborating — together with why staff took a stand and what occurred after.
1. IBEW at Constitution Communications
Cumulative days idle: 2,284,200
Strike period: March 28, 2017 — April 18, 2022
Staff concerned: 1,800 members of the Worldwide Brotherhood of Electrical Staff (IBEW) Native 3 situated in New York and New Jersey
The biggest strike of 2022 was one which lasted greater than 5 years, although the feud between IBEW and cable firm Constitution started earlier than then.
“Native 3 and Constitution Communications have ended the battle that has gone on for almost 10 years,” the union wrote final summer season. “Regardless of our relentless efforts, Constitution was in a position to function all through the strike.”
Finally, the union gave up on the strikers, lots of whom struggled in lower-paying jobs or drove for Uber all through the pandemic, based on a report in Forbes.
Describing “the unlucky actuality” that it had failed to realize what strikers wished — preservation of their union pension and well being care plans following a merger — IBEW mentioned in its summer season assertion that it now not represented Constitution’s workers within the New York Metropolis space and that it couldn’t focus on the small print of the settlement.
Final November, a bunch of former strikers sued IBEW for $100 million, claiming it had operated in unhealthy religion.
2. UAW at College of California
Cumulative days idle: 1,272,000
Strike period: Nov. 14 – Dec. 23, 2022
Staff concerned: 36,000 to 48,000 members of United Auto Staff (UAW) Native 2865 and Native 5810 situated throughout California
The biggest strike to happen solely in 2022 resulted in an settlement between the College of California and graduate scholar staff. After six weeks, the college provided them near-immediate raises starting from 5% to 9%, with additional raises in October of 16% to just about 33%, the school says.
Further concessions embrace childcare reimbursement every semester, expanded paid depart, higher charge waivers and parking equitable with different college workers.
3. UAW at CNH Industrial
Cumulative days idle: 180,000
Strike period: Could 2, 2022 – Jan. 21, 2023
Staff concerned: 1,000 members of United Auto Staff (UAW) in Burlington, Iowa, and Racine, Wisconsin
A strike by staff for CNH Industrial, which makes building gear, ended in early 2023.
Particulars of the ensuing settlement have been saved quiet, though the corporate mentioned staff had rejected an earlier provide of raises between 28% and 38% over 4 years. Well being care and paid time without work have been additionally a part of the negotiations, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
4. NUHW at Kaiser Permanente Northern California amenities
Cumulative days idle: 90,000
Strike period: Aug. 15 – Oct. 18, 2022
Staff concerned: 2,000 members of the Nationwide Union of Healthcare Staff in Northern California
Psychological well being therapists in Northern California went on strike in opposition to well being care supplier Kaiser Permanente for higher pay and extra time between sufferers that could possibly be used for getting ready documentation and planning, based on an area ABC affiliate.
Kaiser reached a four-year settlement with the employees, which it mentioned would profit sufferers “and drive collaborative efforts aimed toward enhancing entry to psychological well being care, whereas on the identical time recognizing and higher supporting psychological well being therapists of their essential work.”
5. UFCW at Kroger/King Soopers
Cumulative days idle: 72,000
Strike period: Jan. 12-25, 2022
Staff concerned: 8,000 members of the United Meals and Industrial Staff Union Native 7 in Denver
Grocery staff in search of raises of at least $6 per hour held a two-week strike in opposition to Kroger-owned King Soopers within the Denver metro early final yr.
They succeeded in securing these raises, plus protections for pension advantages and higher cost-sharing of well being care.
6. MFT and ESP at Minneapolis Public Colleges
Cumulative days idle: 67,500
Strike period: March 8-28, 2022
Staff concerned: 4,500 members of Minneapolis Federation of Academics (MFT) Native 59 and Schooling Help Professionals (ESP) in Minneapolis, Minnesota
A strike that saved more than 30,000 students out of courses for nearly three weeks resulted in wage will increase, caps on class dimension and protections for minority academics. It was the primary strike carried out by Minneapolis academics since 1970.
7. MNA at Twin Cities Hospitals Group and others
Cumulative days idle: 45,000
Strike period: Sept. 12-14, 2022
Staff concerned: 15,000 members of the Minnesota Nurses Affiliation (MNA) in a number of areas of Minnesota
Nurses in Minnesota carried out a strike in opposition to a number of well being care amenities, together with hospitals run by Essentia Well being and St. Luke’s, final fall over unfair labor practices related to safety and being short on staff.
Though nurses returned to work after three days believing enhancements have been coming, the union proposed a second strike in December over the identical points. That strike was known as off after negotiations resulted in 17% and 18% pay raises.
8. CNA at Sutter Well being Hospitals
Cumulative days idle: 40,000
Strike period: April 18-22, 2022
Staff concerned: 8,000 members of California Nurses Affiliation (CNA)/Nationwide Nurses United (NNU) in Berkeley, California
Nurses held a strike in opposition to Sutter Well being over worsening hospital situations at California medical amenities. Though the April strike was comparatively brief, it was solely a small a part of a longer dispute between the corporate and well being care staff.
Subsequent strikes have been held in October and December as nurses raised considerations about workplace violence and high turnover. Negotiations continued till March 2023, when nurses secured a brand new settlement that included plans for recruitment and retention of employees and higher security protocols.
9. IAM at Weyerhaeuser Firm
Cumulative days idle: 39,600
Strike period: Sept. 13 – Oct. 28, 2022
Staff concerned: 1,200 members of the Worldwide Affiliation of Machinists and Aerospace Staff (IAM) Native Lodge W246 in a number of areas of Oregon and Washington
Workers conducted a strike in opposition to lumber firm Weyerhaeuser after failed negotiations over pay will increase and medical health insurance premiums. Though few particulars have been made public, the union ended the strike after Weyerhaeuser made new concessions, local radio station KXRO reported.
