News & Commentary September 18, 2023 a Brazilian labor court ordered Uber to pay $205 million in fi

[Omaha Steve]

https://onlabor.org/september-18-2023/

By Elyse Weissberger

In today’s News and Commentary, UAW enters its fourth day of striking with plans to meet Stellantis at the negotiating table, 13 of the 14 bargaining units representing Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will negotiate new contracts in the next six months, a Brazilian labor court ordered Uber to pay ~$205 million in fines for irregular working relations with app drivers, and unions across many sectors press lawmakers to curb potential threats from artificial intelligence.

The United Autoworkers begin their fourth day of striking. As Will reported, the union has “reasonably productive” conversations this past weekend with Ford and General Motors. It is scheduled to meet with Stellantis today. The union is attempting an ambitious coordinated strike, targeting all Big 3 automakers at once. In order to preserve strike funds, UAW is strategically staggering walk-offs. Just under 13,000 UAW workers are on strike, but UAW President Shawn Fain says the union is prepared to extend the strike to other plants this week if necessary.

SEPTA management prepares to negotiate 13 contracts over the next six months. Four contracts are set to expire on October 31, another three expire in November, and eight will expire in the first couple months of 2024. SEPTA is considered one of the most strike-prone large transit systems in the United States – since 1975, there have been at least 11 walk-offs. Management and the unions will be negotiating amidst a year of depressed ridership for the transit authority. The unions are seeking pay raises, better benefits, and increased public safety.

FULL story at link above.