What do public school teachers, orchestra players, policemen, firefighters, autoworkers and players in the NFL and NBA have in common?

People in these industries are on strike or will be in the coming months.  Pending negotiations each of the prospective industries could be subject to strikes and lockouts.

DSO Lockout

When: Now

Where: Detroit

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has been in faltering negotiations for months after walking off the job October 4, 2010. February 19, 2011 the DSO announced it will cancel the rest of the season as a result of the members refusing the final contract by management.

Teacher Unions – Wisconsin, Michigan… West Bloomfield/Detroit

When: Now

Where: All across the country as states like Michigan, Wisconsin and others take a hard look at their budgets and make cuts to expenditures.

Who: Students will primarily be the ones affected by the outcome of budget cuts.

The school district of Providence is laying off its entire school district.

Union Fights

Public Sector Unions

Who: Any public sector union employee could be affected with looming budget cuts.

When: Now

Where: Nationwide

Unions are facing tough times in various sectors for instance in Allen Park Michigan the city voted to lay off its entire fire department of 25 people.  As a result of these measures unions have been visiting capitals in droves. Wisconsin is probably the most prolific but Indiana and others are not far behind, but it is nationwide.

NFL Lockout

When: March 3, 2011

Where: All cities that have NFL teams will be affected.

Who: Fans, local communities that surround NBA stadiums that depend on the economic boost from sporting events, players, networks like ESPN, general labor i.e concessions, parking attendants etc.

The NFL and the Players Union agreed to arbitration with The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and independent Federal agency.  Key issues in this debate come from how to divide up the $9 billion in annual revenue from the NFL between players and owners.  No agreement will likely result in the loss of the 2011-2012 season, and our already struggling economy will have $9 billion less of revenues.

NBA Lockout

When: June 30, 2011

Where: All cities that have NBA teams will be affected.

Who: Fans, local communities that surround NBA stadiums that depend on the economic boost from sporting events, players, networks like ESPN, general labor i.e concessions, parking attendants etc.

The NBA is trying to avoid a lockout of the 2011 -2012 season but so far negotiations have not been going well for either side.

UAW Contract Renewal

When: Now through September 2011

Where: The contract renewal will affect all UAW workers, it looks like Ford will be selected as the primary company to establish a contract with.  Others will get similar terms and conditions based upon this UAW – Ford contract.

What Does It All Mean?

There has not been a period of time of recent memory where so many different industries have concurrently been locked out or in danger of it due to union contract disputes. Given that the United States has such a rough economy with 20% underemployment, it is stunning so many people with jobs are risking their means to an end.  If the unions want to gain public approval they’ll need to find a way to convince those out of jobs, and working multiple part time jobs that they should care.  2011 and even 2012 will be a pivotal period for unions in the United States.