Seeking to reverse the declining fortunes of American unions, the presidents of five unions have initiated a plan for sweeping changes in the labor movement. This initiative, dubbed the New Unity Partnership (NUP), focuses on organizing strategies and centralizing the governing bodies inside the federation...
The United Auto Workers’ new contracts with the Big Three automakers and two top suppliers signal the union’s unabashed acceptance of a two-tier system, both within the auto industry itself and between new-hires and current workers...
In preparation for a one-day conference for Worker Centers immediately preceeding the September 12-14 Labor Notes Conference in Detroit, Labor Notes asked various worker centers to submit articles outlining their work. Labor Notes encourages written response to these articles in this series.
Over its eleven-year history, Korean Immigrant Workers Advocates has grown from a service and advocacy organization to being a key component of a union organizing campaign at a major Los Angeles market. KIWA’s story illustrates the difficulties and potential for cross-cultural immigrant organizing in the U.S. workplace. . . .
Labor Notes hosted a first-of-its kind Worker Center Conference on September 11, a day before the beginning of our Troublemaking in Troubled Times conference. Representatives from 25 worker centers-community-based groups organizing for labor rights-gathered to discuss their organizing vision, strategies, campaigns, funding issues, and challenges. . . .
Every internet-savvy labor activist I've talked to believes that there's no substitute for personal, one-on-one contact for effectively mobilizing and organizing union members and potential recruits...
Striking bartenders, maids, and other employees at the Congress Plaza Hotel in downtown Chicago are in it for the long haul. The workers-members of the rejuvenated Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees Local 1-celebrated Labor Day with civil disobedience, sitting down in the middle of Michigan Avenue traffic, right in front of the downtown hotel...
Activists and workers in Chicago will be doing their part to mobilize for the nationally-organized Immigrant Workers Freedom Rides set for the end of September...