However, it’s not just the manufacturing sector that’s seeing labor unrest. Michigan’s largest retail chain, Meijer, is also in the spotlight. Tens of thousands of Meijer workers, represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951, are gearing up for union contract negotiations. Their demands? Wage increases, more paid time off, and an enhanced medical plan. The sentiment is clear: after risking their lives during the pandemic, these workers feel they deserve better compensation and benefits.

John Cakmakci, the president of the UFCW Local 951, poignantly remarked, “When the pandemic hit, we were all going to work. We seem to have been forgotten now.” He emphasized that it’s time for Meijer to share its “healthy profits” with its workforce.

This sentiment is echoed across various sectors. High-profile contract negotiations are underway, including those between the SAG-AFTRA actors and artists and Hollywood studios. Along with wins from the SAG Writers Guild, UPS, and The UAW’s pressure tactics on Detroit’s Big Three, Organized Labor could be starting to have it’s moment and strengthening it’s appeal, especially as Gen-Z becomes the largest part of the workforce over the next few years.

Interestingly, the pendulum seems to be swinging rapidly towards labor. As Cakmakci noted, in his 40 years of experience, he’s never witnessed such a swift shift. This sentiment is backed by data from the Economic Policy Institute, which found that union membership in the US increased by more than 16 million workers from 2021 to 2022. However, a closer look reveals a nuanced picture: while more jobs were unionized, nonunion jobs were added at a faster rate, causing a slight decline in the share of workers represented by a union.

On October 4, 2023, over 75,000 unionized employees of Kaiser Permanente, a leading not-for-profit health provider in the US, initiated the largest healthcare worker strike in the country’s history. The workers, spread across states like California, Colorado, and Washington, are protesting for improved working conditions, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. Their demands include better staffing levels, citing current shortages that jeopardize patient care and push many to their limits. The strike, which began at 6 am, is expected to last until Saturday morning. If no agreement is reached, a more extended strike might occur in November.

Despite these challenges, unions are doubling down on their efforts. They’re leveraging public support, which is near an all-time high, and the growing outrage against skyrocketing executive compensations to negotiate better deals. The willingness to strike, as demonstrated by the UFCW’s demands for “significant wage increases” and better medical plans, underscores the changing dynamics.

The labor landscape in the US, especially in Michigan, is undergoing a transformation. From manufacturing to retail, workers are demanding their rightful share of the pie. As negotiations unfold and strikes loom, one thing is clear: the voice of the worker is louder and more potent than ever before.