Hey, did you hear about the World Series fans that were nearly stranded in South Philadelphia due to a transit shutdown? Probably. See any stories on striking drivers or mechanics, or their struggles to endure? Probably not. The pressure on the union during Philadelphia's transit strike is relentless.

Sometimes high-paid jobs provoke a lot of envy and resentment. But sometimes you feel a lot more comfortable when workers in certain positions are making more than a living wage. I met a pilot today who took home $26,000 last year as a First Officer (that’s the one who sits on the right). And he’s union.

Chicago saw an unusual meeting of the minds last week between two groups of workers who have taken extraordinary steps when faced with a plant closing.

When the Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators (CORE) endorsed two of our members as Teacher Trustees for the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund, we formulated a strategy that strayed far from the expected route. On October 30 our strategy yielded a big win for the rank-and-file movement within the 32,000-member Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). This was the first time that incumbents who were members of the ruling caucus in the CTU lost their seats to a reform group.

It may soon become much easier for workers in the airline and railroad industries to form unions, and the most immediate impact may come at Delta Air Lines.