The next big labor battle ☀️

Happy September Surge! FYI: September is one of the best months for job hunting. With recruiters and executives 1) returning to work after summer vacation and 2) getting clarity on the remaining company budget for the rest of the year, there’s usually a flurry of hiring activity this month. If you’re in the job market, here are some STS resources to help you take advantage:

• Find out your market rate so you know how much you should get paid.

• Prepare to negotiate so you can snag the best offer possible.

• Learn which benefits to negotiate (salary isn’t the only one!)

 1   The next big labor battle? Extreme heat. 🌍

It’s been a sweltering summer. July was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth, with temperatures across the US reaching up to the triple digits and sometimes staying there for weeks at a time. But as temperatures escalate, so do heat hazards on the job.

Here are some facts that’ll help you get a better idea of what could be the next big labor battle:

It might have been the hottest summer in 120,000 years (yes, really), but it could also be the coolest one for years to come. 🫠 Global warming shows no signs of slowing down, meaning that establishing heat protection laws for workers (proper ventilation, air conditioning, etc.) isn’t just urgent—it’s a matter of life or death.

Fortunately, there are a few companies ahead of the curve. Granite Construction protects its workers from heat by providing portable canopy sun shades, cooling towels, and trainings to recognize and treat heat-related illnesses. Time for more of that!

 2   Percentage of working mothers soars to new heights 🤰🏼

The percentage of mothers in the workforce is at an all-time high, per a new report from the Hamilton Project. As of June, 70% of women with children under five also have jobs, thanks to the flexibility of remote work (yet another reason why we 💚 WFH).

This wave of working moms only means good things: It’ll give them (and their families) financial security, further their career trajectories, and help end the age-old career versus motherhood debate.

 3   Update on strikes happening across the US 🪧

It might be autumn, but… 🍂 hot strike summer is far from over. Here’s a quick recap of some of the biggest protests happening right now:

The Writers’ Strike: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) slashed its expected full-year earnings by $300 to $500 million because of the writers’ strike, which is now entering its fifth month. It might sound expensive, but it’s a drop in WBD’s bucket: The company still expects to net $10.5 billion this year.

United Auto Workers (UAW): Ford and GM offered a cumulative 10% pay raise over the course of four years. UAW’s president, Shawn Fain, called the offer “shameful and insulting” compared to the 46% raise the union originally asked for.

UPS: UPS and the Teamsters union ratified a five-year contract that provides UPS workers air-conditioned vehicles (+1 for heat safety protections 👏), $2.75 more per hour in wages in 2023, no forced overtime, and more.

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The STS team hit the streets of Seattle back in December to figure out how much Seattleites are earning—and if they feel fairly compensated considering Seattle’s sky-high prices (the city’s cost of living is 53% higher than the national average!).

But in this video, we don’t just chat about salaries. 💰 We pose some questions you probably wouldn’t hear at the dinner table, including…

→ Should couples split everything equally if there is a salary discrepancy?

→ How should parents approach conversations about money with their children?

→ Should you ask for more money in your next role if the previous one laid you off?

Give it a watch right here!

• Why job applications ask if you have a disability—even though employers can’t legally ask you that very question during an interview. 💭

• Why is the rate of union membership in the US so low?

• What to say if a coworker asks for a referral—and you don’t want to recommend them. 🙈

• The four types of boundaries to set at the workplace (don’t miss the third one!).

• Why this Gen Z worker has zero regrets about resigning from three jobs in under one year.

Thanks for reading! Before we part ways, a little PSA: AFL-CIO is hosting a free webinar on September 27 to teach you how to organize a union. Remember: YOU have the power to demand a better workplace environment.

See you next Tuesday!