Union workers missed out on a frenzy of wage increases by employers desperate for workers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Low unemployment makes it easier for union workers to stand firm during negotiations.
Union workers also want more affordable healthcare, paid sick time and more-flexible scheduling for greater work-life balance.
Some workers said the base wage increase was insufficient and balked at higher out-of-pocket medical costs.
Late last year, U.S. freight railroad workers rejected a five-year contract that included a 24% wage increase, citing lack of paid sick leave.
Persons:
Diane Swonk, Erin McLaughlin, Willie Adams, Sam Johnson, Johnson, Joe Biden, Todd Vachon, Garth Thompson, Lisa Baertlein, Bianca Flowers, Rajesh Kumar Singh, David Gregorio Our
Organizations:
Workers, Spirit, Deere & Co, Reuters, KPMG, Conference Board, Conference, . West, International Association of Machinists, Aerospace Workers, Caterpillar, Congress, Unions, Union, CNH, Deere, Midwest, Rutgers, United Parcel Service, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Auto Workers, Detroit automakers, General Motors, Ford, FedEx, American Airlines, Pilots, United, United Airlines, Thomson
Locations:
U.S, . West Coast, Wichita , Kansas, Decatur , Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, West, Los Angeles, Chicago