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Solidarity Success: The Sun Comes Up on South African Negotiations »

January 22, 2010 | Labor Notes staff

The recent film “Invictus,” depicting Nelson Mandela’s first presidential term, might have you thinking about South Africa’s brutal recent history. While the present is undeniably better than apartheid, workers still have to hit the streets to win decent treatment—and they credit international...

Anger over Health Care Bill Creates Uncertain Future »

January 20, 2010 | by Jane Slaughter

A Massachusetts local union president called it early: “I’ve never seen this much anger at the Democrats from union people. It’s worse than NAFTA," said Jeff Crosby, from a General Electric factory near Boston.

One of Us: A Professor Who Knows Which Side He’s On »

January 20, 2010 | Joshua Devries

Book Review: In and Out of the Working Class by Michael D. Yates.


A memoir blending real and created stories, and one that never loses sight of where the author stands as he turns his back on fellow economists who believed “they were learning the secrets of God himself” and navigates...

Interview: In Iran, Labor Activists Face Repression »

January 19, 2010 | Bill Balderston

Interview by Bill Balderston, Oakland Education Association and U.S. Labor Against the War



Iran has seen incredible tumult in the last few months, with massive street protests challenging the government, even as the U.S. and allied nations continue to threaten the Iranian government...

Celebrate Martin Luther King Day in the Streets »

January 18, 2010 | Tiffany Ten Eyck

If you're one of the fortunate workers that gets Martin Luther King Jr. Day off, keep in mind that MLK probably didn't write his famous "Letter From a Birmingham Jail" in comfy pj's and bunny slippers. Join up with local events commemorating the civil rights movement, or support workers in your...

Haiti: Give Here »

January 15, 2010 | by Enku Ide

Haiti's earthquake has led to a humanitarian crisis, a tragedy compounded by longtime U.S. and European intervention. Some support now flows from corporations with interests in the status quo of poverty and pillage. Give instead to groups that meet direct needs and fight for justice.

Health Care Victory—or Pretzel? »

January 15, 2010 | Jane Slaughter

Yesterday Rich Trumka announced a deal with the White House: high-cost union health care plans won’t be subject to an excise tax till 2018—five years later than almost everyone else. Trumka made clear that the intent of the changes the unions brokered is to make so many groups exempt from the...

Sick of Worrying, Sick of Waiting, Backers of Immigration Reform Rally »

January 14, 2010 | Sally Kim

Chanting “Si se puede! Yes we can!,” a feet-stomping, fist-pumping crowd squeezed into St. Anne’s Church for a rally yesterday urging Congress not to waste any more time and reform the nation’s immigration laws.

Reform Teamster Leaders Out, Then In Again, in Chicago »

January 14, 2010 | Jane Slaughter

In 2007 Teamsters in scores of small Chicago shops, and a few big ones, capped years of organizing against corrupt leaders and stolen elections by electing a reform slate to head 11,000-member Local 743. Attendees at the 2008 Labor Notes Conference heard President Richard Berg tell the...

Labor Notes Conference: Home-based Workers Swelling Labor's Ranks, Still Struggling for Dignity and Power »

January 13, 2010 | Steve Early

One unique aspect of the Labor Notes Conference is the special meetings that allow far-flung activists to gather and share information on a rare cross-union basis. This year's April 23-25 conference in Detroit will feature a daylong meeting of those involved in organizing and representing home-...

Laborers Join with Worker Centers, Aiming To Organize Residential Construction »

January 13, 2010 | by Tiffany Ten Eyck

East Coast Laborers and worker centers are creating locals of mostly immigrant members, promising union presence in residential construction—at lower wages.

‘There Are No Tea-baggers in Soup Lines’ »

January 11, 2010 | Jane Slaughter

Auto workers outshone the tea-party types as dueling demonstrations took place in the snow outside the Detroit Auto Show today. Small numbers of auto workers gathered to say government should use its role in the auto bailout to direct the factories toward job-creating green products such as...

Put Tax on ‘Cadillac’ Health Plans Up on Blocks »

January 11, 2010 | Bill Salganik

The theory behind the so-called “Cadillac tax” on high-premium health plans is that people like Betty Diamond have too much health insurance, which causes them to get more medical care than they need. And if people like Diamond had thinner health care benefits, the theory continues, their...

Viewpoint: Pink Sheeting Debate Only a Pretext for Attack »

January 8, 2010 | Chuck Hendricks

I am not aware of any current UNITE HERE staff who think pink sheeting is a real issue—either important or widespread enough—for us to pursue. Nor have I seen abuses like those claimed. Most of us, however, are clear about how the allegations of pink sheeting have been used against UNITE HERE...

Viewpoint: Pink Sheeting and Harmful Organizing Methods at UNITE HERE »

January 8, 2010 | Arlen Jones, Greg Hoffman

UNITE HERE is known as a dynamic organizing union that mobilizes its members around effective comprehensive campaigns. But it suffers from a deeply undemocratic decision-making structure that uses abusive methods to recruit and retain low-level staff and members—and to quiet dissent.

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