US labor unions show strength from UPS to Detroit Three automakers.

(Reuters)⁣ – A tight‌ U.S. labor market, expiration of cyclical contracts, ⁤and high living costs have ‍triggered tough negotiations for pay⁣ hikes and⁢ other benefits by workers, leading to strikes ​and protests across industries. ‍

According to ‍preliminary ‌U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data,⁢ approximately⁣ 295,500⁣ workers have ​been involved in stoppages through July this year, making 2023 ⁤on⁤ track to become the busiest year for strikes ⁤since 2019.

Some sectors and companies that faced tough‌ negotiations in 2023:

MEDIA

Hollywood ⁢writers ​have⁣ been on strike since May ⁣2 over‌ compensation, staffing, and residual payments among other issues. They were later joined by ⁤members⁣ of‍ the Screen Actors Guild.

PARCEL DELIVERY

Teamsters union workers at United Parcel Service ratified a new five-year contract in August, a deal that raises⁤ pay, ⁢eliminates a ‌two-tier wage‌ system for drivers, provides⁢ another paid ​holiday, and ends forced overtime.

FedEx pilots have‍ been involved in a‌ stand-off with the parcel delivery firm over wages ⁣and legacy ‌pensions. Pilots rejected a tentative deal in July, and negotiations are expected to restart.

AIRLINES & AEROSPACE FIRMS

Pilots ⁣at several airlines including American Airlines,​ Delta Airlines, United⁣ Airlines ‌Holdings, Spirit Airlines, Jetblue Airways negotiated new⁤ job contracts this​ year.

Members of ⁣some unions like the Southwest ⁣Airlines Pilots Association have voted to authorize a strike⁣ if a new⁣ contract⁣ is not reached.

Spirit AeroSystems negotiated a new contract to end a strike that ‌led to ⁤a week-long work stoppage at its ⁤plant in‍ Wichita, Kansas.

AUTOMOTIVE

United Auto Workers (UAW) union on ⁣Aug. 25 said members voted overwhelmingly ‍in favor of authorizing a ‍strike ​at the‌ Detroit‍ Three automakers if an⁤ agreement over wages and pension plans is not reached before the current four-year​ contract expires ​on Sept. 14.

MANUFACTURING

U.S. steel⁤ producer Cleveland-Cliffs Inc has reached‌ a tentative agreement with the​ United Steelworkers (USW) union on a new three-year labor ​agreement for its⁣ Northshore mining⁤ operations.

U.S. Steel, which is reviewing multiple⁣ proposals ‍ranging from partial⁢ acquisition to an entire buyout,​ is embroiled in ​a tussle with the United Steel Workers ⁢union. ​The company’s unionized workers say⁣ they essentially have the power to veto any transaction they ⁢do not approve of.

CONSUMER & RETAIL

More​ than ‌3,000 workers at more than 150‍ Starbucks stores in the‌ U.S. held ⁤strikes in June, following claims the company ⁤had banned ⁤Pride‌ Month decorations at some of‍ its cafes.

Thousands of⁣ Los ⁤Angeles-area hotel staffers went on a three-day​ strike in July over improved wages,⁢ benefits, and working ⁣conditions. Union leaders representing the workers⁤ have threatened further walkouts.

HEALTHCARE

More than 7,000 nurses‌ went on​ a ⁢three-day strike in New York City over staffing​ levels and‌ pay hikes in January.

CANNABIS

Unions representing cannabis workers have‍ also increased pressure on companies in ‌the sector this ‍year.

Workers at Green Thumb Industries’ Chicago-area RISE dispensaries went on a 13-day unfair⁢ labor practices (ULP) strike in⁢ April, which was the longest ‍ULP strike at a cannabis retailer in U.S. history.

Labor unions‍ secured new​ contract‍ agreements ⁣at multistate operator-owned⁢ cannabis⁢ dispensaries in Illinois and in New Jersey ​in July.

(Reporting ‍by Mrinalika Roy‌ in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

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