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UFCW Convention Starts: Assets Up, Membership Down, Reformers in Motion »

April 24, 2023 | Chris Bohner

The United Food and Commercial Workers is one of the country’s largest unions, with 1.2 million members in the U.S. and Canada, two-thirds of whom work in grocery stores. Like other unions, it has lost membership over the last decade, but it has managed to double its assets.

Grocery Boss Crumbles Under Easter-Weekend Strike Threat »

April 20, 2023 | Paul Kirk-Davidoff

For the first time in their history, 3,000 grocery workers in the local chain Cub Foods across the Twin Cities metro area were set to strike. They were going to shut down 33 stores during the busy Easter weekend.
Two men in matching expressions and sunglasses stand elbow to elbow, facing the camera, holding souzaphones. One instrument has "SEIU" in purple cutout letters at the top of the horn, and "UTLA" in smaller red sticker letters below the opening; the other has the reverse. One man wears a purple shirt, the other a red hoodie. Behind them is a sunny sky and several other picketers approaching.

In L.A. Schools, Solidarity Strike Scores Big for Both Unions »

April 19, 2023 | Amanda Katz

When Los Angeles educators joined school support staff on the picket lines last month, our solidarity strike helped them clinch a contract with a 30 percent raise.
Workers produce the Dodge Dart on the assembly line at the Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant.

As Big 3 Negotiations Loom, Belvidere Closure Shows Automakers Still Using Same Playbook »

April 19, 2023 | Nick Livick

On March 1, Stellantis (formerly Chrysler) “idled” the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois—putting 1,350 people out of work indefinitely, with the threat hanging over them that the plant might stay closed forever.
People stand on grass with signs. A red banner says "Seven months without a contract, OMG!" with stylized images of Edward Munch's painting "The Scream." Another sign says "More sick leave" in English, Spanish, and Russian. Another says, in Spanish,"Provide money for the future of students." Another says "Woodburn teachers don't want to strike, but we will."

Starved of Funds, Famous Bilingual Program Is Failing—And Teachers May Strike »

April 13, 2023 | Tom Anderson

Twenty years ago, the small school district of Woodburn piloted Oregon’s first K-12 district-wide dual-language program. It became a model for schools nationwide.
A dozen people, mostly men, face the camera resolutely on a sunny cold day outside a post office. Several are holding printed signs that say "Fair contract now" or "First class service, first class pay" with the NALC Branch 9 logo.

Viewpoint: Minneapolis Letter Carriers Showed We're Ready to Fight—Time for a National Contract Strategy »

April 12, 2023 | Tyler Vasseur

Letter carriers got a glimpse of what a fighting strategy to win a strong contract could look like when 150 workers and supporters rallied in downtown Minneapolis April 2 under the banner “Staffing, Safety, and Service—Letter Carriers Need a Raise!”
Around 50 people stand outside in a warm, sunny spot, holding homemade signs that are either facing away from us or too far to read. Behind them is a cement wall and a tree against blue sky; the ground looks dusty. In the foreground is a white truck.

Honduran Melon Workers March on Transnational Boss »

April 11, 2023 | John Walsh

For years, workers in the Fyffes/Sol melon plantations of southern Honduras have persisted in organizing the independent Agro-industrial and Similar Workers Union (STAS, Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Agroindustria y Similares).
A large crowd of people with handmade signs sit on the steps of a public building. The most visible signs in the foreground say: "Get stuff done! Shame on you Mayor Adams, NY City Council." "The early years are the crucial years. Support our youngest children!" "Reinstate ICs/SWs immediately."

New York Pre-K Workers Fight for Their Jobs, In Spite of Their Union »

April 10, 2023 | Noelle Mapes

Just days before school started last fall, 400 early childhood education workers in New York City were told they were being “excessed,” leaving their students in limbo.
26 people (mostly men) in brown UPS uniforms pose outside Duke's coffee shop, smiling. Some hold a banner: "United for a strong contract" with the UPS Teamsters United logo.

‘Strike Force’: Building the UPS Contract Campaign, One Breakfast at a Time »

April 6, 2023 | Justin Alo

At Duke’s Hawaiian Coffee Shop and Deli in San Marcos, California, Friday mornings are abuzz with organizing talk—building unity among fellow Teamsters ahead of a potential strike at UPS.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting (To Win) »

April 5, 2023 | Jason Ide

You’ve done it. Your team of rank-and-file members has run for union office and won. In a few short weeks or months you will leave the truck, classroom, or hospital floor behind and join the staff of your local union. You’ve made promises to the members, and you don’t want to let them down.
A teacher reads to kindergarteners, one of whom has her chin on her hands and seems to be rapt by the story

Slingshot: Take the High Road »

April 3, 2023 | Barbara Madeloni

When I ran for president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association I ran headlong into attacks about my character, my competency, and the intentions of our reform caucus. We were accused of being divisive, of being controlled by outside forces, and of cheating.
Black-and-white line drawing of people on a picket line, holding signs. In the foreground is someone with a big furry hood; words on their sign are not visible. Signs in the background read "Be gay, do strike" and "The union is us!" Background behind the sketch is a purple watercolor oval with subtle pink splatters. Title in rounded black letters: Strike in style. Along the top is the edge of a spiral sketchbook.

VIDEOS: Mighty Gay Unions! Queer and Trans Labor Histories and Futures »

March 30, 2023

Queer and trans workers have long been at the frontlines of solidarity, bridging identities and social movements.
Workers with flags gather outside the glass-doored offices of Frontline in Cleveland

A Four-Day Workweek Trojan Horse »

March 30, 2023 | Adam Barrington

It’s never a bad idea to be suspicious of your boss, especially when they act like they’re doing you a favor. For workers at FrontLine Service, a Cleveland non-profit that serves the unsheltered, distrust of our employer is one of the critical sentiments that binds us.

Auto Workers Convention Lurches Towards Reversing Concessions »

March 30, 2023 | Keith Brower Brown and Jane Slaughter

The brand-new leaders of the United Auto Workers are making ambitious demands but face stiff organizing challenges as they seek to jump-start the union, ahead of a momentous contract expiration this September at Ford, Ge

Get Out the Popcorn, Starbucks’ Howard Schultz Called Before Senate »

March 28, 2023 | Jenny Brown

Starbucks projects the image of an employee-friendly company, but its workers have been exposing the contradiction between the company’s words and its actions.

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