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What I’ve Been Reading This Week


Striketober:  A month in which the predominant labor stories have centered on worker strikes.  I will admit, the Striketober name is catchy and noteworthy in so much that there have been a noticeable number of strikes over the past 29 days.  For instance, Kellogg’s, John Deere, McDonald’s, and Southwest Airlines (depending who you ask) have all experienced (or continue to experience) worker strikes this month.  While there are a host of articles worth talking about this week, Striketober is at the forefront of my mind and what I want to loop readers in on to close out the week.

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


President Biden Remains Conspicuously Absent From ‘Striketober’ Events

As noted above, with that the end of the month is Sunday, I think it is appropriate to lead things off with this article from Shannon Pettypiece over at NBC News that notes that although President Joe Biden has long been at the forefront of labor issues during his many decades in office, he has mostly kept out of the Striketober events this past month.  As the article points out, while there have been a noticeable number of strikes and walkouts this month, President Biden has done little more than voice his support for workers while staying away from picket lines or involving himself in negotiations.  Of course, his Administration (including Labor Secretary Marty Walsh) have taken steps to visit with striking workers and push for labor unions recently.  However, ongoing labor strikes threaten to further exacerbate the labor shortages, supply chain issues, and inflation concerns…something that President Biden cannot afford at this stage of his presidency.  For the time being, he is remaining above the fray and at arm’s length from Striketober.


West Hollywood, CA Considers Hiking Hourly Wage Rates to $17.64/Hour

Matthew Kang at Eater Los Angeles writes that the West Hollywood, CA City Council is considering an increase to the hourly wage rate for all workers to $17.64/hour by next year.  While this proposal has not yet passed and is still working its way through the City Council, the proposed wage hike would go into effect in January for hotel and hospitality workers and by July for everyone else.  If I were a betting man, I would expect to see this minimum wage proposal get approved sooner rather than later.


Labor Secretary Visits With Striking Kellogg’s Workers

On Wednesday, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh visited striking Kellogg’s workers in Lancaster County, PA and voiced his support for all parties reaching a resolution and agreeing upon a new contract.  Readers might recall that workers at Kellogg’s previously went on strike earlier this month after talks broke down over a new collective bargaining agreement.  It should not come as much of a surprise to readers that although Secretary Walsh visited with the Kellogg’s workers during his stop, there are not reports of him talking with (or doing a photo opp.) with the company itself.

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