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At least 4 killed in Oklahoma tornado outbreak; 10 shot outside Florida bar; AZ receives millions of dollars for solar investments; Maine prepares young people for climate change-related jobs, activism; Feds: Grocery chain profits soared during and after a pandemic.

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Ukraine receives much-needed U.S. aid, though it's just getting started. Protesting college students are up in arms about pro-Israel stances. And, end-of-life care advocates stand up for minors' gender-affirming care in Montana.

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More rural working-age people are dying young compared to their urban counterparts, the internet was a lifesaver for rural students during the pandemic but the connection has been broken for many, and conservationists believe a new rule governing public lands will protect them for future generations.

Unionization Votes Don't Always Translate into Contracts

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Friday, August 11, 2023   

While unionization votes often make headlines, the path to a contract can be a long one.

Since the beginning of last year, seven Starbucks locations in Maryland have voted to unionize. The most recent location in Ellicott City saw its vote certified in late July, bringing the total nationwide to more than 330 Starbucks locations.

Despite the organizing activity in Maryland and across the U.S., the New York Times reported last month no unionized Starbucks locations have reached a collective bargaining agreement with the company.

Margaret Poydock, senior policy analyst for the Economic Policy Institute, said current labor law structure does not ensure a quick resolution.

"Our labor law currently makes it very hard, one for workers to form a union," Poydock pointed out. "Then they have to face a lot of opposition from their employer when they form a union. If they get to the point where they win their union election it could take years to get that first contract. "

According to Starbucks' negotiation website there are currently no locations in Maryland with bargaining sessions scheduled.

Nationally, the number of unionized workers increased by 200,000 in 2022. Maryland saw one of the larger increases in union membership last year adding 40,000.

The popularity of unions has increased dramatically in recent years and public approval for unions is now above 70%, the highest number since the mid 1960s.

Poydock noted recent economic calamities have brought unions back into focus.

"I definitely think instances like the Great Recession and of course, the Coronavirus pandemic has shown the utility of unions," Poydock observed. "Of collective action and how creating collective action can help improve things such as pay, working conditions and benefits for workers."

According to Economic Policy Institute, in 2022 more than 60 million workers wanted to join a union but couldn't.


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