As students head back to school, a recent poll of teachers in Maryland found many are facing financial hardships. The poll conducted over the summer surveyed more than 2,800 members of the Maryland State Education Association and found in the last year, 44% reported working a second job. Cheryl Bost, president of the Maryland State Education Association, said with persistent reports of teacher shortages in the state, the poll illustrates why the state has difficulty keeping educators. .
Across the Mountain State today, unions are hosting Labor Day celebrations - in Baden City, Charleston, Mannington, Marmet, and Racine. Public support for labor unions continues to grow. According to a Gallup poll released this week, 67% of Americans approve of of them. .
As Labor Day approaches, health care workers at Kaiser Permanente are weighing authorizing a strike to demand better working conditions. The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions has been bargaining with the company, but has faced impasses on issues including staffing levels and higher wages. Keven Dardon, a patient access representative at Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas, normally works 36 hours a week but averaged 56 hours last year to help with the lack of staffing. .
About a thousand workers representing members of the Service Employees International Union filled streets in Center City to send a message to employers that they mean business in upcoming contract