Magazine

  • UAW Members Take Protest to the Auto Show

    Author(s):
    Dean Braid

    Excerpt:
    Meetings of the rank-and-file auto worker coalition called Soldiers of Solidarity (SOS) escalated January 8 with a protest at the North American Auto Show in Detroit. The purpose of the rally was to let nearly 7,000 media in attendance from around the world know that Delphi workers--along with Ford, Chrysler, GM and other union members--are going to stand in solidarity against corporate greed...

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    Soldiers of Solidarity

    Meetings of the rank-and-file auto worker coalition called Soldiers of Solidarity (SOS) escalated January 8 with a protest at the North American Auto Show in Detroit. The purpose of the rally was to let nearly 7,000 media in attendance from around the world know that Delphi workers--along with Ford, Chrysler, GM and other union members--are going to stand in solidarity against corporate greed.

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    Available Online:
    Yes

  • Facing Movement for Democracy, SEIU Gives Massachusetts Members to Teachers Union

    Author(s):
    Ferd Wulkan

    Excerpt:
    More than 2,000 SEIU members who work for the University of Massachusetts (UMass) left SEIU in late 2005, just as SEIU was leaving the AFL-CIO. What's most surprising is that SEIU preferred to lose these workers, rather than let them have a democratic local...

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    More than 2,000 SEIU members who work for the University of Massachusetts (UMass) left SEIU in late 2005, just as SEIU was leaving the AFL-CIO. What's most surprising is that SEIU preferred to lose these workers, rather than let them have a democratic local.
    Members on four UMass campuses, in 10 bargaining units, were represented by four different SEIU locals until 2003. Through a top-down reorganization of locals under SEIU's New Strength Unity Plan, all these units were placed in the newly created Local 888.
    While new and unknown, two discouraging things were known about the local: the bulk of its members would be spread over 200 small-sized municipal units, and the appointed interim president of Local 888 was to be Susana Segat, a long-time SEIU official, with no track record running a local.

    Available Online:
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  • Auto Workers Plan Public and In-Plant Resistance to Wage Cuts

    Author(s):
    Tiffany Ten Eyck

    Excerpt:
    Rank-and-file United Auto Workers members stepped up their organizing efforts in December, forming a group called Soldiers of Solidarity (SOS) and planning actions to confront concessions.

    Story Body:
    Rank-and-file United Auto Workers members stepped up their organizing efforts in December, forming a group called Soldiers of Solidarity (SOS) and planning actions to confront concessions.

    This is why we are fighting!

    Meanwhile, auto parts maker Delphi pushed back the deadline for its bankruptcy proceedings twice--leading observers to wonder whether the corporation was dragging its feet now that its workers do not seem ready to concede.

    Available Online:
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  • Union Leader's Victory Marks Beginning of Working Class Politics in Israel

    Author(s):
    Eric Lee

    Excerpt:
    When I interviewed Amir Peretz, the leader of the Histadrut, Israel's national trade union federation, back in June 2005, I mentioned to him that I thought it was pretty unusual for a trade unionist to announce his candidacy for the post of prime minister.

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    When I interviewed Amir Peretz, the leader of the Histadrut, Israel's national trade union federation, back in June 2005, I mentioned to him that I thought it was pretty unusual for a trade unionist to announce his candidacy for the post of prime minister. "I actually know of several additional examples of workers' leaders who became heads of government," he responded, "such as Bob Hawke in Australia, Lech Walesa in Poland, and Lula in Brazil."
    In other words, in normal countries, trade union leaders sometimes become leaders of political parties and even heads of government. But Israel, until now, has not been a normal country.

    Available Online:
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  • 'Airline Workers United' Forms to Fight Concessions Industry-Wide

    Author(s):
    Chris Kutalik and Jennifer Biddle

    Excerpt:
    Things seem to keep going from bad to worse for workers at Northwest Airlines (NWA). While striking mechanics and cleaners face a bitter winter after more than four months on the picket line, pilots, flight attendants, gate/ramp agents, baggage handlers, customer service reps, and other union workers face a fresh round of givebacks against the backdrop of a bankruptcy court.

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    Things seem to keep going from bad to worse for workers at Northwest Airlines (NWA). While striking mechanics and cleaners face a bitter winter after more than four months on the picket line, pilots, flight attendants, gate/ramp agents, baggage handlers, customer service reps, and other union workers face a fresh round of givebacks against the backdrop of a bankruptcy court.
    A New York City bankruptcy court ordered NWA's non-striking unions to accept interim concessions on November 16. Machinist union (IAM) members took 19 percent pay cuts (sending wages back to 1980s levels), hefty health care cuts (doubling deductibles up to $400 for some), layoffs, and wide-scale outsourcing.

    Available Online:
    Yes

  • Bus Rider and Transit Union Alliance Fights Transit Racism in Atlanta

    Author(s):
    Paul McLennan

    Excerpt:
    Fifty years after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, Atlanta's Transit Riders Union (TRU) is continuing the struggle. Formed this spring as a committee of Atlanta Jobs with Justice, TRU has already played a key role in stopping a $.25 fare increase proposed by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).

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    Fifty years after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, Atlanta's Transit Riders Union (TRU) is continuing the struggle. Formed this spring as a committee of Atlanta Jobs with Justice, TRU has already played a key role in stopping a $.25 fare increase proposed by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).
    As TRU builds on that success, Atlanta's transit riders, union members, and community supporters are heeding the call TRU co-chair Sheila Adams made at a December 5 community forum: "Get on board!"

    Available Online:
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  • Lessons from the TWU-Telus Dispute

    Author(s):
    Sid Shniad

    Excerpt:
    When the Telecommunications Workers Union (TWU) pulled its members at Telus (one Canada's largest telephone companies) off the job in late July, its members were euphoric. Picketing enabled them to strike back at the management that had been putting them through years of stress.

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    When the Telecommunications Workers Union (TWU) pulled its members at Telus (one Canada's largest telephone companies) off the job in late July, its members were euphoric. Picketing enabled them to strike back at the management that had been putting them through years of stress.
    The rest of the labour movement came forth with tremendous support. Members from other unions participated in rallies supporting the TWU across Alberta and British Columbia. Unions in both provinces, the rest of Canada and abroad offered financial help and use of their resources. The two provincial federations of labour provided generous financial support. TWU's issues were communicated to other unions' members, and they provided strong picket line support.

    Available Online:
    Yes