Very early during the pandemic, competition for workers pushed companies to raise wages to attract workers, and that trend shows little sign of slowing. Verizon joined the crowd in pushing its own minimum wage up to the retail milestone of $20 per hour nationwide (both for new and existing workers) while also adding sign-on bonuses in some markets. (However, union organizers at Apple asked for $30 per hour, so expect turmoil there if that drive persists.)
Likewise, keep your eyes on the aviation industry, where staffing issues among flight crews attracted plenty of attention over the past year. Yet on the ground, the SEIU is reaching out to workers (at airports across the U.S.), who are now pushing for organizing rights and higher contractor pay for those with janitorial and security duties, along with baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants, and more.
