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Half Wages? Bring Out the Rat, Say NY Movers »

August 6, 2010 | Jane Slaughter

The inflatable rat is back, as New York City Teamsters strike to say it’s not fair to pay some movers $16-$22 an hour and others—mostly Black and Latino—just $8.

Readying for Tough Bargaining, Members Stoke the Fires at Verizon »

August 6, 2010 | Pam Galpern

Hundreds of workers rallied in Boston, signaling the beginning of the one year countdown to expiration of the Verizon East contract, covering about 50,000 workers from Massachusetts to Virginia. The rally was only one piece of recent rank and file activity, which has been on the upswing lately...

In Florida, Slavery Still Haunts the Fields »

August 5, 2010 | Mischa Gaus

The trailer, 24 feet deep by 8 feet wide, is muggy this August afternoon in Manhattan. But eight of us mop our brows as we clamber inside for a look at one the most shameful secrets of the American system of food production—modern-day slavery among farmworkers.


Women at Houston Port Win a Round in Potty Wars »

August 4, 2010 | Andrea Gardner

The women at Houston's port have endured disgusting conditions in their bathrooms over three decades, constantly jousting with our ILA officials and management over them—until just this summer, an aggressive campaign was launched and women finally benefited from a little outside help, courtesy...

On the Bus for Solidarity, Los Angeles to Phoenix »

August 2, 2010 | Clare Martinet

Modern-day Freedom Riders took the bus from Los Angeles to Phoenix July 29 to show solidarity with those protesting the new anti-immigrant law. They were supporting thousands of Phoenix residents and their ongoing vigil now on day 103.

California Nurses a Royal Pain for Billionaire Candidate »

July 30, 2010 | Eileen Prendiville

When billionaire Meg Whitman, who has never held any political office and seldom even bothers to vote, decided to use her personal fortune to run for California’s highest office, the California Nurses Association challenged her with political satire.


Telecom Setbacks Debated at CWA Convention »

July 29, 2010 | Mischa Gaus

A pair of contentious resolutions marked the Communications Workers convention in the capital this week. One highlighted widespread discontent among local leaders and activists over fragmented bargaining and concessions in telecommunications bargaining last year, and the other shifted...

Settlement Reached in Two-Year Feud between SEIU and UNITE HERE »

July 28, 2010 | Mark Brenner

After nearly two years of warfare and legal wrangling, the hotel workers (UNITE HERE) and service workers (SEIU) announced on Monday an end to their bitter dispute. The deal promises to end hostilities that broke into the open when former UNITE HERE President Bruce Raynor organized a faction...

GM Seeks to Cut Wages in Half at Indianapolis Factory »

July 27, 2010 | Jane Slaughter

GM stamping plant workers in Indianapolis have told the company they won’t cut their wages in half, even when threatened with a shutdown. A prospective buyer of the 650-worker factory has indicated he wants United Auto Workers members to drop from $29 an hour to $14.65.

Wal-Mart Outmaneuvers Unions To Win Approval for Chicago Store »

July 26, 2010 | Mischa Gaus

Wal-Mart outmaneuvered its Chicago opponents, winning approval for a second store. Some unions claimed victory, saying a wage agreement was reached. The company denies it.

Civil Disobedience Raises Stakes in Nationwide Protests against Hyatt »

July 24, 2010 | by Catherine-Mercedes Judge

Hundreds of hotel and restaurant employees and supporters were arrested around the country Thursday in coordinated civil disobedience against the Hyatt Corporation.

Yawning Deficits Put Public Sector Workers in the Crosshairs »

July 22, 2010 | Paul Abowd, Mark Brenner

The stock market may be climbing, but city and state budgets across the country are stuck in a downward spiral. From California to Maine, double-digit deficits have left civil servants with a giant bull’s-eye on their backs

New York Musters to Fight as Layoffs Sweep Mass Transit »

July 22, 2010 | Steve Downs

The recession has hammered transit agencies across the country. Some 700 New York City transit workers—mostly bus operators and station agents—have been laid off since May and another 200–300 may be gone by the end of the summer.

“Undocumented and Unafraid” Students Sit-in for Their Dream at the Capitol »

July 21, 2010 | Tiffany Ten Eyck

Twenty-two undocumented students risked deportation at the nation’s Capitol yesterday, staging sit-ins in the offices of five senators. After leaving the offices the group unfurled a banner in the Senate building—considered a felony—and held a second sit-in in the atrium. All were arrested by...

A Second Disaster Coming to the Gulf? Hazards Abound for Cleanup Workers »

July 21, 2010 | Enku Ide

Some of the 27,000 workers in the Gulf cleanup are falling sick, but fear retaliation for speaking out. The long-term effects of chemical exposure on workers and residents are yet unknown.

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