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Viewpoint: California Job Safety Weakened By ‘Friends of Labor’ Politicians »

August 8, 2014 | Garrett Brown

For their own protection, California workers and their unions had better start raising hell about the erosion of job safety protections since Democrat Jerry Brown became governor four years ago with strong labor backing.

Review: Private Equity Pillages the Economy »

August 6, 2014 | Eric Blair

According to the informative new book Private Equity at Work: When Wall Street Manages Main Street, private equity ownership of companies has led to fewer jobs, lower wages, weaker pensions, and rising inequality.

Don’t Leave Chants to Chance »

August 5, 2014 | Paul McKenna

Good chants matter. They’re sound bites, which is what the media seeks, so they can really get your message across. And when chants work, they express and embody collective power—so they help make your action work, too.

Illinois Workers Stop Moving »

August 4, 2014 | Jane Slaughter

Managers at Golan’s Moving & Storage in Skokie, Illinois, thought they had a surefire strategy to beat the Teamsters in negotiations for a first contract. But the plan backfired.

How to ‘Act Like a Union’ on a Labor-Management Committee »

August 1, 2014 | Charley Richardson

The union should approach every meeting of a Labor-Management Committee with the same mindset that it would bring to contract bargaining, never forgetting that management’s goals and the union’s are distinct.

Get a Degree at Starbucks »

July 31, 2014 | Samantha Winslow

When Starbucks announced it would help employees get four-year degrees, media praised the company’s altruism. Few looked at the fine print.

Much Improved But Unremarked, NYC Sick Leave Takes Effect »

July 30, 2014 | Jenny Brown

New York City workers can start using paid sick leave today, under a law passed in March with meager publicity. As a result, around 1.2 million workers are gaining the right to paid sick leave.

A Rank-and-File Appeal: ‘No More Tiers!’ »

July 29, 2014 | Sean Crawford

"As tier two workers we can scarcely afford to buy the vehicles we build!" wrote a GM worker to new UAW President Dennis Williams. "We are ready to stand up and be counted as the 2015 contract approaches." Co-workers signed a T-shirt to show they agree.

Taking a Bite Out Of Overtime Abuse »

July 28, 2014 | Jenny Brown

Overtime laws only get enforced if workers get organized to do so, and many workers are doing just that, beating back employer demands for longer days.

If the Post Office Wants Business, Try Postal Banking »

July 25, 2014 | Julia Kann

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe has put another 82 mail processing plants on the chopping block, claiming this will save $750 million a year. But you know what could bring in 12 times that much money?

Book Review: Hardhats, Hippies, and Hawks »

July 24, 2014 | Jane Slaughter

Investigating the myth of the pro-war hardhat, author Penny Lewis asks, "Who caused the greatest disruption to the US capacity to fight in Vietnam?” and makes the case that “working people were at the forefront.”

Minority Union at Volkswagen, For Now »

July 23, 2014 | Alexandra Bradbury

For Volkswagen workers organizing in Tennessee, it’s been a roller coaster of a year. The latest upbeat twist is a new United Auto Workers local in Chattanooga.

Labor Lessons from Mississippi Freedom Summer »

July 22, 2014 | Larry Rubin

It’s the 50th anniversary of Mississippi Freedom Summer. While that summer’s campaign focused on political rights, the organizing holds plenty of lessons for unionists. Some carried those lessons into the labor movement.

Generation Temp: Auto Workers March for Civil Rights Again »

July 22, 2014 | Alexandra Bradbury

“There’s a man inside that factory named Mr. Jerry,” explained Nissan worker Mock Morris before he began to sing. “Mr. Jerry! He’s head of security inside the factory. Ain’t gonna let Mr. Jerry—”

Climate Campaign Tipping Point? Unions Get on Board »

July 21, 2014 | Jenny Brown

A major climate change march in New York September 21 may be a tipping point for labor movement participation in global warming activism.

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