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Women marching in the streets with red flags in Burma.

'If the Military Leaders Win, There Will Be No Unions': Myanmar Garment Workers on the Strikes Against the Coup »

March 11, 2021 | Ma Moe Sandar Myint, Ma Ei Ei Phyu, Ma Tin Tin Wai

Despite a vicious crackdown that has left scores of protesters dead, the worker-led movement against the military coup in Myanmar continues to rock the country.

OSHA Conducted Half as Many Inspections During Pandemic, Even as Complaints Increased »

March 11, 2021 | Brian Michael Doherty

According to a recent report, during the first nine months of the Covid-19 pandemic the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) received more complaints but performed far fewer inspections than usual.

Steward's Corner: Surviving Public Speaking—The Prepared Talk »

March 9, 2021 | Keith Brower Brown and Jane Slaughter

It can be scary to speak at a union meeting, a rally, or the meeting of an organization allied to your union. Luckily, it’s a proven fact that everyone can improve their speaking and become a strong advocate for the cause they’re promoting. Even a motion to adjourn!

Myanmar Union Federations Call for International Support Against Coup »

March 5, 2021 | Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar, Federation of Garment Workers Myanmar

As the Burmese military coup leaders escalated repression against the democracy uprising in the country this week, two Burmese union federations this week called for international pressure on their government.

Viewpoint: Who Invited Them? Employers Like Amazon Should Have No Say in How Workers Organize »

March 4, 2021 | Gabrielle (Gay) Semel

The ongoing union vote by 5,800 Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama, has opened a window into the challenges workers face in unionizing. As the public is learning, the boss gets a big role in the process. It shouldn’t be this way.

U.K. Educators' Safety Struggle Rekindles Collective Workplace Action »

March 3, 2021 | James Kerr

Former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson famously said that “a week is a long time in politics.” In early January, even a week was too long, as current Prime Minister Boris Johnson performed a dramatic 24-hour U-turn on the question of schools reopening after the Christmas break.

Hong Kong’s New Union Movement Faces Big Challenges from Covid, National Security Law »

March 2, 2021 | Anna Tsui and Chris Chan

Hong Kong workers formed dozens of new unions as part of the mass protest movement against attacks on the city’s autonomy in 2019.

Myanmar Workers and Unions on the Front Lines in Fight Against Coup »

February 26, 2021 | Kevin Lin

Update: Late Friday evening, February 26 (local time), the Myanmar military declared most of the country's labor organizations illegal on public television, with the threat of arrests if their activities continue, adding

After Seven-Year Battle, Massachusetts Comcast Techs Win First Contract »

February 25, 2021 | Rand Wilson

After voting to form a union seven and a half years ago, Comcast technicians at the Fairhaven, Massachusetts, garage finally have a first contract. Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2322’s new two-year contract was ratified by 79 percent of the eligible membership on February 3.

A Pandemic Nurse's Diary book cover

Book Review: A Pandemic Nurse’s Diary »

February 24, 2021 | Richard March

Reading the gripping A Pandemic Nurse’s Diary is like immersing yourself in a big-screen film.
Ed Kelly on the left and Mahlon Mitchell on the right

In Firefighters Election, Can a Veteran of the Wisconsin Uprising Come Out on Top? »

February 23, 2021 | Steve Early

A rare contested race for president of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has given its members a clear choice between a union traditionalist from Boston and a progressive activist who backed massive labor protests against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker a decade ago—and then...
People holding lit signs spelling out "UNDENIABLE" stand in front of a building. On the building are projected the words: "ICE IS DEPORTING AND TORTURING PEOPLE! ABOLISH ICE AND CBP!"

Viewpoint: A ‘Union’ That Pushes to Deport People Is the Labor Movement's Opponent »

February 18, 2021 | Alexandra Bradbury

What if I told you an employer had agreed that it could no longer make any change to policies affecting members without “prior affirmative consent” from the union?
Woman holds sign reading "VTA: Keep Us Safe! Rear Door Boarding Now! #RearBoardingNow #TransitEquityDay"

Silicon Valley Bus Drivers Restored Community Rides for Free—By Taking Matters into Their Own Hands »

February 17, 2021 | Richard Marcantonio

With Covid cases surging in their ranks, bus drivers in Santa Clara, California, demanded to resume rear-door boarding, which is proven to reduce the risk of infection.
A group of workers, some holding drums, gathers in a circle outside a port.

Leveraging Strategic Position, Argentine Vegetable Oil Workers Win Big Raises with Coordinated Strike »

February 16, 2021 | Julia Soul and Ernesto Torres

Argentina’s vegetable oil workers ended 2020 on a high note, with a triumphant 21-day national strike for higher wages. They were pushing to make the minimum wage a living wage, as the constitution mandates.
Crowd in coats and masks. One hand-drawn sign reads "Roses are red, educators are blue, if one of us dies, Kenney, what will you do?" Another shows a train and reads "Choo-choo-choose a safe plan." Another says "ventilate, vaccinate, educate." Another shows an image of a fan with a "no" line across it.

Despite Slow Vaccine Rollout, Teachers Are Being Pushed Back Inside »

February 15, 2021 | Barbara Madeloni

“This is not the agreement you deserve.”


So said Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey, announcing that members had voted to accept a plan to return to school buildings.

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