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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.

Detroiters March Against Water Shut-Offs »

July 18, 2014 | Jane Slaughter

A thousand Detroiters and supporters marched through downtown to say “Turn On the Water!” The city has been sending shut-off trucks to the houses of those behind on their water bills, turning off the taps at 3,000 houses a week.

Teachers Union Conventions Reflect Common (Core) Frustrations »

July 18, 2014 | Bill Balderston

At national conventions of the two major teacher unions this month, controversy flared over the Common Core, a standardized curriculum largely funded by the privatizers at the Gates Foundation.

Generational Warriors? Secure Your Wallet »

July 17, 2014 | Jenny Brown

Deficit hawks want the young to stop thinking like Occupy Wall Street, 99% vs. 1%, and start thinking like the Cato Institute, young vs. old.

Hoffa Threatens Teamster Democracy »

July 16, 2014 | Ken Paff

Facing a wave of anger over concessions—and with the 2016 election fast approaching—Teamster brass are taking aim at members' right to vote.

Pushed to the Wall, Nurses Refused Overtime »

July 15, 2014 | Dennis Tong

For years we'd petitioned in vain to improve staffing in the emergency department. To finally make management blink, it took a blank sheet of paper.

REVIEW: How Good Is Costco, Anyway? »

July 14, 2014 | Eric Blair

It’s not often that a business professor at an elite university argues in favor of investing in workers. So a new book on what Costco and Trader Joe's do right is useful... but also frustrating, for what it leaves out.

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