Strikes And Rallies In The Workplace: Essex County 2022 Year In Review

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It wasn’t long ago that experts and political pundits were predicting the downfall of the American labor movement.

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Janus v. AFSCME, declaring that public-sector unions and states that collect fees from non-consenting employees are violating the First Amendment. Many unions were expected to see a rocky financial future because of the ruling. Across the state, members of New Jersey’s largest labor unions denounced the decision, with one labor leader calling it “yet another example of how billionaires rig the system against working people.” Read More: Supreme Court Ruling Is 'Sad Day' For New Jersey Families, Unions Say

But despite their concerns, the percentage of workers in labor unions grew in New Jersey over the following year. New Jersey had about 600,000 union members in 2020, roughly 16.1 percent of all wage and salary workers in the state. The total was up from 15.7 percent in 2019 and 14.9 percent in 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Read More: NJ Union Membership Rate Grew Amid Pandemic – But With Fewer Jobs

In August, a Gallup poll suggested that unions are more popular than they have been in decades, with 71 percent of Americans now in their favor – the highest percentage that Gallup has recorded seen since 1965.

And in 2022, unions across New Jersey – including Essex County – were seen flexing their new muscles and putting the power of organized labor to work.

Catch up with a few examples of strikes, work stoppages and rallies that took place across Essex County this year (click the headlines to read the article).

NJ Temp Workers Say Tragic Car Crash Shows Urgent Need For Change

The battle lines have been drawn over the "Temporary Workers Bill of Rights" in New Jersey. Here's what you need to know.

Nurse Strike At Newark Hospital Ends With New Contract, Wage Hike

After 31 days, the nurse/tech strike at Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark is over. Here's what they won – and why they were striking.

Nurses At Belleville Hospital Unionize; Pay, Staffing Among Issues

Nurses at Clara Maass were hailed as "health care heroes" amid the pandemic. But afterwards, their concerns were ignored, their union says.

NJ Nurses Are Quitting In Droves, Union Says – Here's Why

Want to know why nearly 3 of 4 New Jersey nurses are thinking about quitting their jobs? It's pretty simple, this health care union says.

Montclair Starbucks Workers Unionize, Join 3 Other Stores In NJ

The Montclair baristas cited "understaffing, poorly working equipment and improper training" as reasons why they wanted to form a union.

Essential Workers Deserve Hazard Pay – And NJ Has The Cash: Advocates

It's nice when someone calls you a "hero." But that does not put food on the table for your family, these New Jersey workers say.

NJ Reporters Walk Off Job Amid Nationwide Gannett Newsroom Strike

These journalists want to know: Who reports the news when reporters go on strike?

DoorDash Drivers Demand 'Tip Transparency' From Company

Do you leave a good tip when ordering with DoorDash? You may be picking up the slack for bad tippers in your neighborhood, a petition says.

NJ Bill Would Boost Job Protection For Nannies, Gardeners, Other ‘Service Workers’

A proposed New Jersey law would ramp up job protections for "domestic workers" in private homes. But some critics say it goes too far.

Rutgers Teachers, Staff Rally For Contracts In Newark, Other Campuses

"Rutgers works because we do – and we have the power to make it stop working, too, if that's what it takes," a union leader said.

Maplewood Teachers' Union: We Need Open Windows, 'Social Justice'

The South Orange-Maplewood teachers' union says contract talks with the district have broken down again, and over "shocking" details.

Cargo Workers Strike At Newark Airport Over 'Unfair Labor Practices'

Workers walked off the job at Newark Airport. Swissport has denied their claims, and says it provides "competitive wages and benefits."

5 Tips For NJ Employers Who Want To Hire People With Disabilities

"This country is facing the worst labor shortage since the end of WWII," an advocate said. "Instead of complaining, let's take action."

Rep. Payne Blames Rail Industry As Nationwide Strike Threat Looms

"This would impact every American family and increase the cost of food at the grocery store, along with the costs of other essential goods."

NJ Union Pushes For 'Prevailing Wages' At Bears Stadium Site

A massive redevelopment project is expected to transform the neighborhood. But it should also include jobs with fair pay, union members say.

Here's How You're Most Likely To Die On The Job In New Jersey

What's the state's deadliest occupation? What types of injuries are you most likely to die from? Here's what federal statistics show.

NJ Bill Would Protect 'Service Employee' Jobs When Ownership Changes

The affected employees would include maintenance/security staff in apartment buildings, airport workers, school food workers and others.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.