Workers in Kuwait's oil industry went on strike last month and won wage increases from the cabinet.
Public sector employees, as well as workers in the steel and chemical industries, have recently won wage increases.
A series of miners' strikes called by Lewis in the 1940s won wage increases and new benefits for miners but alienated large segments of the public.
It lasted nine weeks, after which the union won wage increases of 14.5percentt over two years, as well as improved fringe benefits.
Those in the Netherlands won wage increases of 3%—seemingly generous, but a pay cut of 1.4% in real terms.In this section ECONOMIC FORECASTS COMMODITY PRICE INDEX PRICES AND WAGES OUTPUT, DEMAND AND JOBS Reprints.
"We fought hard and won wage increases in a very tough economy, and maintained fully employer-paid family health care for thousands of hard-working people in one of the most expensive cities in the world," Mr. Fishman said.
However, its operating costs, not including fuel, remain higher than those of its competitors, particularly American Airlines, which won wage and benefit cuts from its unions last year by threatening to file for bankruptcy protection.
In the 1970 strike against General Motors, the union won wage increases and cost-of-living protection that Mr. Reuther had given up in 1967 as well as an improved retirement program.
"Both those who have won wage increases and those who haven't are going to bring their power to the ballot box this November to make sure candidates respond to their demand for $15 and union rights," said Henry, of SEIU.
Republicans won control of both houses of 25 state legislatures, up from 14. Now some of those newly powerful Republicans have decided to check the power of public sector unions, saying they have long used their political influence to win wages and benefits that the lawmakers believe are not affordable.
