In a surprising twist, the unemployment rate in the U.S. is on the decline, and many employers are increasing wages to keep their workforce intact since the pandemic began. Yet, a growing number of workers are choosing this moment to strike. According to TIME, in just the first five days of October, there were 10 strikes across the U.S. These included employees at Kellogg facilities in states like Nebraska, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee; school bus drivers in Annapolis, Maryland; and janitors at Denver International Airport. This list does not even consider the nearly 60,000 union members in film and television production who have overwhelmingly voted to give their union president the power to call a strike.
You might be asking why, with more job opportunities and seemingly better wages, workers are opting to walk out now. To put it simply, they are fed up with the status quo. Essential workers, who were hailed as heroes at the pandemic’s outset, are having a collective realization. They have been working in high-risk conditions for inadequate pay, and with employers scrambling to keep their current staff, these workers are recognizing that they have leverage in this situation.
Who’s striking (or planning to strike) during #Striketober?
Unions representing over 100,000 workers have either gone on strike or have plans to do so this month. Some notable strikes include:
- 10,000 workers from John Deere walking out due to pay and conditions
- Over 24,000 healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente
- Approximately 60,000 Hollywood workers, members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, who were ready to strike but have now reached an agreement
- 700 nurses in Massachusetts, 2,000 hospital workers in New York, and 1,400 Kellogg factory employees in several states have already gone on strike
Why are we seeing an uptick in strikes across the U.S. at this time?
After enduring more than a year and a half of balancing pandemic-related challenges with work, family, and health, many employees are feeling exhausted and believe they deserve better. Essential workers, who have continued to work under difficult circumstances, often without pay increases, are now reaching their breaking point. In the meantime, corporate profits have surged, and billionaires continue to accumulate wealth.
These essential workers, who have been overworked and underpaid long before the pandemic, are now voicing their dissatisfaction with poor working conditions. As noted in a TIME article, “From 1979 to 2019, wages for the lowest-paid decile of workers rose only 3.3% when adjusted for inflation, while wages for the top 5% surged by 63.2%,” according to the Economic Policy Institute.
These workers have been showing up throughout the pandemic, putting themselves at risk—and for what? It’s no surprise that they’re exhausted. Many of them are barely scraping by on wages that aren’t sustainable.
“Workers are fed up, wiped out, done-in, and run down. After facing so much hardship, illness, and death over the past year, they’re not going to tolerate it any longer,” said Richard Gray, a former U.S. Secretary of Labor, in an article for The Guardian. “What’s really happening is more accurately described as a shortage of living wages, hazard pay, childcare, paid sick leave, and healthcare. Unless these shortages are addressed, many Americans won’t be returning to work anytime soon.”
As someone who hasn’t gone back to work since leaving during the height of COVID, I can relate to the hesitation. Across the nation, people are being motivated to pursue what they rightfully deserve. Let’s hope these strikes inspire corporations to appreciate the employees who have remained loyal during these challenging times. We all have enough to worry about; we shouldn’t have to choose between our health, happiness, and making a livable wage.
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Summary
October has seen a significant increase in strikes across the U.S., with over 100,000 workers participating as they demand better wages and working conditions. Despite a declining unemployment rate and rising wages, many essential workers feel undervalued and overworked. The current labor movement reflects a broader desire for change in workplace standards.