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Viewpoint: As Big Three Negotiations Open, Which Way Forward for the Auto Workers? »

July 19, 2019 | Dianne Feeley

Why does the once-powerful United Auto Workers keep losing?


That question is on many lips after the union’s sad organizing defeat at Volkswagen in Tennessee; its unfolding corruption scandal; and its toothless response to the news that General Motors will close five plants.

Prime Day for Amazon Protests »

July 17, 2019 | Joe DeManuelle-Hall

Amazon’s biggest shopping days of 2019 so far—”Prime Days,” July 15-16—saw walkouts and protests by workers in the U.S. and Germany. The protests were semi-coordinated, targeting Amazon when its warehouses are running at full clip and the company is in the media spotlight.
A worker in an Amazon warehouse picks items from a yellow shelf mounted on a robot.

Amazon Warehouse Worker: Why I’m Taking Action »

July 16, 2019 | Terry Miller

Amazon warehouse and tech workers around the country took action, including a strike in Minnesota, during the company’s much-hyped annual “Prime Day” discount frenzy July 15-16.

Bus Drivers Strike Reveals Inequality on Martha’s Vineyard »

July 15, 2019 | Bianca Cunningham

Twenty-five Martha’s Vineyard bus drivers are striking for a first contract, exposing the inequality that exists for working people on an island known as the summer home of the rich and famous.

At an Autism Therapy Chain, Low-Wage Therapists Unionize »

July 12, 2019 | Don McIntosh

This story was first published by Northwest Labor Press.
Characters from the film hold up a banner.

Review: A Plant Closing War »

July 11, 2019 | Steve Early

Since last fall, protestors wearing yellow vests have commanded center stage in France. Their grassroots challenge to the neoliberal regime of President Emmanuel Macron draws on a long tradition of labor militancy, including factory closing fights.
Green New Deal banners at rally

Blue-Collar Workers: Let's All Support the Green New Deal »

July 8, 2019 | Steve Morse

A recent article in Politico ("Labor anger over Green New Deal greets 2020 contenders in California,” June 6) alleged that blue-collar work

Taiwan Flight Attendant Strikers Call for Solidarity »

July 5, 2019 | Carrie Liao and Kang Chao

UPDATE, July 8: EVA Air flight attendants reached an agreement over the weekend to end the strike. Flight attendants will head back to work on July 10.
Meeting of DASH drivers, most of them seated and wearing red.

How a Transit Union Triumphed in an Anti-Union Stronghold »

July 3, 2019 | John Ertl

Transit in the Washington, D.C., area is heavily unionized. But until recently there was one stubborn holdout—the DASH bus system in Alexandria, Virginia.

Letter to the Editor: Subminimum Wage for Disabled Workers Must Go! »

July 3, 2019 | Beth Blick

Note: The U.S. Department of Labor authorizes certain employers to pay people with disabilities a fraction of the minimum wage in what are called “sheltered workshops.” At last report there were 1,769 of these employers and 124,066 people getting the subminimum wage.
Workers in yellow vests sit around a lunch table at work.

Steward's Corner: Don't Complain, Organize! »

July 1, 2019 | Ellen David Friedman

Complaining isn’t the first step to organizing—it’s the graveyard of organizing. Just ask any union steward or rep who has listened to a member complain bitterly but refuse to take action.

Four smiling women wearing "UFCW Local ON STRIKE" signs stand in front of a Co-op gas station, arms around each other's shoulders

Six-Month Retail Strike in Freezing Saskatchewan Didn’t Beat Two-Tier »

June 28, 2019 | Bianca Cunningham

“Three years ago I was at a union meeting and a member stood up and asked why we got such good pay and benefits as Saskatoon Co-op employees,” said Jodi Smith, a member of Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1400.
UE protesters stand with a sign and a flag.

Erie Locomotive Workers Avert Strike with New Contract at Wabtec »

June 25, 2019 | Saurav Sarkar

Three months after the largest manufacturing strike of the Trump presidency so far, locomotive plant workers in Erie, Pennsylvania, have a deal. Electrical Workers (UE) Locals 506 and 618 ratified a four-year contract on June 12.

South Korean Labor Leader Arrested after Clashes over Working Hours »

June 24, 2019 | Kap Seol

UPDATE, June 27: Kim was released on 100 million won ($86,421) bail today, following a court ruling that his release would not constitute “a risk of evidence destruction.”—Eds.
Workers in pro and con shirts before the UAW election at VW's plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Beware of the 'Easy' Way »

June 21, 2019 | Samantha Winslow

The sad outcome of the United Auto Workers campaign at Volkswagen reminded me of when I entered the labor movement 15 years ago.

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