public sector

  • Labor Notes Joins Public Sector Workers in Chicago

    Before the trick or treating began last Saturday in Chicago, 65 labor activists met at the United Electrical Workers hall to tackle the “zombie economics” of the free market, which has put the Illinois budget on its back.

  • Tens of Thousands March Against Puerto Rico Layoffs
    José A. Laguarta Ramírez
    Oct 23 2009 - 12:20pm

    Tens of thousands of workers were joined by supporters on October 15 in Puerto Rico, marching through San Juan to protest the layoffs of nearly 25,000 public employees.

  • Puerto Rico to Lay Off 17,000; Splintered Labor Movement Scrambles to Respond
    José A. Laguarta Ramírez
    Oct 6 2009 - 4:38pm

    Governor Luis Fortuño announced in late September that nearly 17,000 public employees in Puerto Rico will lose their jobs by November, in addition to the nearly 8,000 laid off over the summer.

  • State and City Pensions Drenched in Red
    Mark Brenner
    Sep 14 2009 - 9:35pm

    The economic crisis has left 47 states in the red, with a combined deficit of $350 billion over the next two years. Pension benefits have been a highly visible target, pitting taxpayers against public workers in state and local governments.

    These struggles will only intensify, as swooning stock prices have left nearly two-thirds of all state and local government pension funds at least 20 percent shy of what they need to cover retirees.

  • Multi-Union Coalition at UC Strikes Back at Devastating Cuts
    Jack Gerson, Tanya Smith
    Sep 24 2009 - 1:33pm

    A coalition of unions, faculty, and students gave a sharp rebuke to cuts and corporate giveaways at the renowned University of California system on September 24—the first day back for most UC campuses.

  • Trash Piles Up as City Workers Strike in Toronto and Windsor
    Carlo Fanelli
    Aug 17 2009 - 3:41pm
  • Public Sector Unions Fight Budget Woes in California

    Author(s):
    Mischa Gaus, Tanya Smith

    Excerpt:
    The strains on public budgets in California are emboldening officials to come after union workers, producing rumblings of dissent throughout the state. Teachers in Los Angeles voted for an illegal one-day walkout May 15 to protest thousands of threatened layoffs, but after a court issued an injunction they chose to picket instead. . . .

    Available Online:
    Yes

  • California Ballot Proposals Fail, Leaving Unions Wondering What's Next

    Author(s):
    Paul Abowd

    Excerpt:
    Five of six budget proposals failed to pass on California's May 19 statewide ballot. The state’s unions lined up on both sides of the vote, and spent millions of dollars while sending members to knock on doors ahead of the vote. The proposals were Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed solution to a budget shortfall, which is now projected to reach $21 billion. . . .

    Available Online:
    Yes

  • NJ State Workers: Pay Cuts Won’t Solve Budget Crisis

    Author(s):
    Mischa Gaus

    Excerpt:
    Bucking a nationwide trend that is forcing public workers to take unpaid time off, thousands of New Jersey state workers are dogging their governor's heels, resisting his plans to furlough them for nearly three weeks. . . .

    Available Online:
    Yes

  • 'Why Privatize? We Can Run It Better!'

    Author(s):
    Dave Cohen

    Excerpt:
    That’s the question United Electrical Workers Local 274 and the Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) asked when their wastewater treatment plant was threatened with privatization....

    Body:
    “Why privatize? We can run it better!” That’s the question United Electrical Workers Local 274 and the Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) asked when their wastewater treatment plant was threatened with privatization.
    The city council—called a Selectboard—in Montague, Massachusetts, a town of 8,500 in the western part of the state, was concerned about the treatment plant because it had lost a large industrial customer. But the Selectboard never thought to ask the people who worked there what to do.
    Instead, it solicited bids to privatize the plant in hopes of saving the town money. Soon four companies had handed in proposals, most of which promised big savings. Because of intense pressure from union members, none of the proposals called for layoffs or wage cuts (except, perhaps, cuts in management).

    Available Online:
    Yes