Labor News & Commentary September 16, 2024 Cambodian union leader, Chhim Sithar, was released from prison & more

https://onlabor.org/september-16-2024/

By Elyse Weissberger

In today’s news and commentary, AT&T and CWA reached a tentative agreement ending a month-long strike across the Southeast, Cambodian union leader, Chhim Sithar, was released from prison and vows to continue her strike until justice is done, and Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Teamsters President Sean O’Brien today for an endorsement interview.

AT&T workers, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), end their one-month strike after reaching a “strong tentative agreement” with the company. The new contract, which will cover nearly 17,000 workers across the Southeast, includes wage increases of over 19% and a new healthcare agreement that will decrease premiums in the second and third years of the contract before adding modest monthly increases in its final two years. Workers at AT&T West authorized a strike last week, but reached a four-year tentative agreement before walking out. The one-month strike in the Southeast is the longest telecommunications strike in the south’s history.

A Cambodian union leader, Chhim Sithar, was freed from prison Monday after serving a two-year sentence for leading a strike against Cambodia’s largest casino. Sithar was imprisoned for incitement to commit a felony for organizing a strike of hundreds of workers against the NagaWorld casino. The strike, the largest in the country’s history, protested mass layoffs and union busting during the Covid-19 pandemic. The U.S. State Department honored Sithar as one of ten recipients of the annual Human Rights Defender Award. During her imprisonment, other casino workers and labor leaders continued her efforts, but were met with strike suppression including sexual harassment, physical assaults, and judicial harassment. The movement has reiterated its commitment to achieving just resolution for the laid-off casino workers.

Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien later today to make her case for receiving the Union’s endorsement. O’Brien implemented an unprecedented roundtable interview process for the 2024 endorsement and invited candidates to make their pitch directly to the Union. He spoke at the Republican National Convention but was not invited to speak at the Democratic National Convention. Most labor unions have already announced their endorsement and the Teamsters’ delay could impact the efficacy of an endorsement. The Union has less time to promote the endorsement and mobilize membership to show up to the ballot box.