Author(s):
Mischa Gaus

Excerpt:
In New Hampshire's biggest private sector organizing win in four decades, 588 AT&T call center workers who handle passport processing questions joined Communications Workers (CWA) Local 1298 in early January...

Available Online:
Yes

Author(s):
Chris Kutalik

Excerpt:
The noise, exhilaration, and sheer drama of horse races don’t lend themselves to sober reflection. As the political fortunes of the Bush administration have waned, many labor activists have been on their feet with excitement, watching the wide-open presidential primary contest unfold. But serious questions remain. . . .

Available Online:
Yes

Author(s):
Herman Rosenfeld

Excerpt:
For many labor activists around the world, the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), a union born in the refusal to accept the concessions agenda of the 1980s, has been an inspiring example. . . .

Available Online:
Yes

Author(s):
César Rosado Marzán

Excerpt:
Dennis Rivera, chair of the national SEIU Healthcare union, announced December 28 that an organization of teachers and school principals in Puerto Rico would affiliate with SEIU and seek to challenge the incumbent Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico (FMPR).

Available Online:
Yes

Author(s):
Mark Brenner

Available Online:
No

Author(s):
Tessel Pauli

Available Online:
No

Author(s):
Teófilo Reyes

Available Online:
No

Author(s):
Kent Wong

Available Online:
No

Author(s):
Mischa Gaus

Available Online:
No

Author(s):
Hetty Rosenstein

Excerpt:
More than two years ago, the Communications Workers, told New Jersey CWA locals that the union was beginning an organizing drive for the state’s 12,000 home childcare workers. The plan was to get assistance from ACORN community organizers and knock on 12,000 doors....

Body:
More than two years ago CWA Local 1037 began organizing thousands of home child care workers in New Jersey. The drive started much the way it has in other states—but ended in a victory for new kind of home care workers union that focuses on building active members. Photo: CWA Local 1037.

More than two years ago, the Communications Workers (CWA), told New Jersey CWA locals that the union was beginning an organizing drive for the state’s 12,000 home childcare workers. The plan was to get assistance from ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) community organizers and knock on 12,000 doors.

Available Online:
Yes

Body:
Coal miners have launched the largest underground strike in Polish history. Since early January 500 workers have occupied the Budryk mine, 3,000 feet underground. The original strike action began in mid-December but was escalated further when workers took over their workplace.

They seek equal pay with the employees of the Jastrzebska Coal Company, who have recently begun a similar mine occupation. Jastrzebska is looking to buy up the state-owned Budryk mine this year. Budryk workers say they labor under the lowest wages in all of Polish industry.

The two unions leading the action, August 80 and Kadr, are coming under attack from right-wing politicians and business — but also from the trade unions Solidarnosc and ZZG, which have joined bosses in calling for state intervention to break up the strike. Motivated by last year’s methane explosion in the Halemba mine, workers are demanding better safety standards and wages, along with control over their workplaces to prevent more privatization of mining sites.

Expiration Date:
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 10:59pm

Body:
Seventy-seven appliance repair technicians in metro Vancouver, British Columbia, have been locked out of work since October 1. Their employer, Sears Canada, has 3,800 retail stores and more than $50 billion in annual revenue in its North American operations.

More than three months after the initial lockout, the company refuses to allow the technicians to return to work without adhering to certain conditions. Their terms rule out wage increases for the next four years and eliminate some overtime premiums and paid holidays. The new terms, which technicians are challenging, would also let Sears schedule workweeks without two consecutive days off.

Expiration Date:
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 10:59pm