Labor News & Commentary February 28 UAW reaches a tentative agreement with Rolls-Royce & more

https://onlabor.org/february-28-2024/

By Esther Ritchin

Esther Ritchin is a student at Harvard Law School.

In today’s news and commentary, a Senate committee advances Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination and UAW reaches a tentative agreement with Rolls-Royce.

On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions voted to advance the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of Labor, 14-9. At the Senate hearing, Senator Bernie Sanders, the committee’s ranking member, commented on the nomination in light of the current state of federal government. “The next secretary of labor, the next secretary of education, the next secretary of housing, the next secretary of the Treasury is Elon Musk. Let us understand that reality and not play along with this charade,” he said. “Does anyone here really think that any secretary of labor, any secretary of education, is going to make decisions by himself or herself?”

On the eve of their contract expiring Wednesday night, UAW and Rolls-Royce reached a tentative agreement, staving off an increasingly credible strike threat. The agreement significantly raises wages and cost of living benefits for workers, improves profit sharing, increases vacation time, and improves retirement benefits. In his remarks, UAW president Shawn Fain credited the members with the contract improvements. “Winning strong agreements is only possible when our members are organized and united. It only happens when the company looks over the shoulder of our bargaining team and sees an army of fired up and fed up members who are ready to do what it takes to win what they deserve.”