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11 Nov 2021

USA: 'Striketober' sees a surge of workers in the U.S. walk off jobs demanding better wages & working conditions in wake of the pandemic

An estimated 25,000 workers went on strike in the U.S. in October 2021 and tens of thousands more voted to authorize strikes. Many companies saw record profits during the pandemic, while workers have seen stagnant or minimal wage increases and weakening benefits and some experienced a heightened risk of COVID-19 because of their jobs. These trends led to workers mobilizing across different industries to demand better pay and working conditions.

1,400 Kellogg's workers from four U.S. plants went on strike after rejecting a two-tier wage system that would lower pay and reduce benefits for new employees.

More than 10,000 John Deere workers went on strike after rejecting a proposed contract that included cuts to post-retirement healthcare, inadequate wage increases and inadequate pension benefits.

More than 30,000 Kaiser Permanente workers across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington have voted to strike after opposing a proposed two-tier wage system that would pay new employees less and offer employees a 1% annual raise.

More than 60,000 members of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) voted for a strike to improve working conditions and wages. The strike was averted after the IATSE and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached a deal that offered improved wages, better working conditions, and increased funding for health and pension plans for the film and TV workers.

350 Piedmont Airlines flight attendants voted to authorize a strike over low wages that they claim can sometimes come out to below the federal minimum wage.

Company comments can be found in the articles below.

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