Labor Unions

The Statesman is one of 18 newsrooms owned by Gannett that went on a one-day strike Monday.

AISD officials have proposed raising the minimum hourly wage for certified employees to $20 and giving a 7% pay increase to teachers, counselors and librarians. The plan could result in a $54 million budget deficit.

Officers will see the raise starting next month. If officers stay with the department, they could get a $5,000 bonus next year.

Austin's labor contract with the police union will likely expire at the end of March. The move Thursday aims to reduce officer attrition at the understaffed department.

The decision could push officers to retire at a time when the department is short-staffed.

City Manager Spencer Cronk had tried to push a four-year deal. He was let go ahead of Wednesday's vote.

The Austin Federation of Musicians has been active in Austin since 1907.

The measure will hold contractors working on district property to a higher standard. The resolution requires any entity awarded a bid for a bond project to provide safety training, living wages and independent on-site monitoring.

Nurses hope the union will mean more power in negotiating pay and lead to better working conditions amid pandemic-era turnover.

A strike could have cost the country billions per day and added to the already high costs of goods.