BossFeed Briefing for August 1, 2023. Barbie, Oppenheimer, Taylor Swift, and climate change all casually set records over the last two weeks (and guess which ones are getting the most attention). Despite a repeal effort, a new state law protecting trans kids seeking shelter and gender-affirming care went into effect last week. And with that reminder of the importance of local and state government, don’t forget to vote in today’s primary election. You have until 8pm tonight.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW THIS WEEK:
“We Did It Our Way:” The Washington State Labor Council convened this month and welcomed Chris Smalls and other worker leaders setting new labor standard precedents in their industries. The annual convention is a celebration of cross-industry solidarity, and a reminder that workers win meaningful change when united.
Turning it down to a simmer: UPS finally decided to bargain their way out of what could’ve been the largest single employer strike in U.S. history. The Teamsters reached a tentative agreement, winning air conditioning in the trucks, wage increases, and other workplace improvements for both full and part time employees. The cargo areas of UPS trucks have been recorded to be well in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit inside, though still not hot enough to melt a billionaire’s heart.
It’s giving, “You should smile more:” In & Out is banning its workers from wearing masks. Management insists it's better for the customer service experience if they can see workers' sweet smiles while taking their order. Even if you pass around a life-threatening illness, just think of all the burger eater’s days you’ve made by showing off that food service fake-smile — so worth it!
TWO THINGS TO ASK:
Would you like (extra) small fries with that? McDonalds has been busted, again, on child labor violations for children working as young as 10 years old, and not following rules for 14-15 year old employees. What year is it?
Alaska Airlines’ profits are how high? If you’ve seen Alaska Airlines flight attendants picketing at SeaTac recently, it’s because workers are fighting for better pay at the same time that the airline’s profits for this quarter ascended 73% higher than last year.
AND ONE THING THAT'S WORTH A CLOSER LOOK:
A seized piece of indigenous farmland in Eastern Washington was once used to produce nearly two-thirds of the plutonium for the nation’s nuclear weapons program from World War II through the Cold War. Now the Department of Energy is looking to use the site for clean energy projects, potentially creating those good clean energy jobs we keep hearing about. Developments could include solar, wind, nuclear energy, hydroelectric, geothermal, clean hydrogen, and fossil resources that meet clean energy requirements through carbon capture and storage, DOE said on Tuesday.
Read this far? Consider yourself briefed, boss.
Let us know what you think about this week's look at the world of work, wages, and inequality!