Jenny Brown

Federal Workers Mobilize against Musk’s and Trump’s ‘Corporate Coup’

A line of men and women picketers with NTEU signs march on the right while a man with a bullhorn chants on the right
February 20, 2025

Federal employee union members have been speaking out, rallying, and suing, as agency after agency has been hit by Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE)—a private unaccountable entity which has been demanding access to all government records while spreading wild lies about waste and fraud.

Around 20,000 workers have been summarily fired so far.

Blocked Nippon Deal Is Lesson on Tariffs: Workers Need a Say

Two large white barn-shaped buildings with the U.S. Steel logo are shown.
February 18, 2025

The business press howled in January when outgoing President Joe Biden blocked Japanese steel giant Nippon from buying U.S. Steel.

The Steelworkers (USW) had strongly opposed the deal. But Nippon’s promises to invest, and U.S. Steel’s threats to close plants, led some members and local union officials to support it.

As a result, the press portrayed the disagreement as “union bosses” versus the rank and file. In fact, most workers were skeptical and the union had good reasons to oppose the takeover.

2024 in Review: Strikes and Organizing Score Gains, but Storm Clouds Loom

Several people raise their fists indoors, they look excited and happy.
December 18, 2024

Union workers broke open the cookie jar in 2024, after years of stagnant wages and rising prices. With strikes and the threat of strikes, workers did more than forestall concessions: They gained ground. Union workers in the private sector saw 6 percent real wage rises for the year.

Just the fear that workers would organize drove up wages at non-union employers like Delta Airlines, Amazon, and Mercedes.

Boeing Machinists End 53-Day Strike with 38 Percent Raise

Blue box displays with notation “Photo license expired”
November 05, 2024

Striking Boeing Machinists will start returning to work tomorrow after voting for a new contract with substantial wage increases. The 33,000 Seattle-area Machinists voted 59 percent to accept, just two weeks after two-thirds of them voted to reject a slightly worse contract.

Voting was more subdued this time, workers said. “The big difference in this contract is that we're getting a lot of intimidation from our CEO now,” said striker Mylo Lang. He voted no.

‘Not Good Enough’: Striking Machinists Reject New Boeing Offer

A blue box shows with the notation: “Photo license expired”
October 24, 2024

After 40 days on strike, 33,000 Machinists rejected an improved contract offer from Boeing by 64 percent on Wednesday. The offer included a 35 percent wage increase over 4 years.

Members of Machinists (IAM) District 751 and District W24 build passenger jets and freighters, including the 737, 767, and 777. Most work at Boeing’s huge factories at Everett and Renton, Washington.

“It’s a little bit better, but it still needs to go further,” said Ky Carlson, who was staffing a picket line at Everett on Tuesday, where she would normally be assembling the 777.

Port Strike Ends, Workers Win $24 Wage Increase

Small port vehicles are in the foreground, and harbor cranes are visible in the distance.
October 04, 2024

East Coast Longshore workers with the International Longshoremen’s Association are returning to work, after three raucous days on the picket lines. They received a promise of a $24-an-hour pay raise over six years, bringing top pay from $39 to $63.

The strike paralyzed shipping in huge port complexes like Newark, Houston, and Charleston, stopping loads of fruit, vehicles, and heavy equipment. It was the first coastwide strike for the ILA since 1977.

Ships Piled Up as Longshore Strike Hit East Coast Ports

Thirty workers with ILA flags line up for the camera, smiling and waving signs
October 01, 2024

Longshore workers walked off the job at midnight at Atlantic and Gulf ports from Boston to Houston. This is the first coastwide strike since 1977 for the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), and took many by surprise. The workforce loads, unloads, and tracks ship cargo, and maintains port machinery.

The 19,000-worker walkout shut down 14 port complexes, as ILA members drew the line at automation that threatens their jobs. Wages are also an issue; the last contract was negotiated in 2018 before shocks from the pandemic and inflation.

Strike Threat Wins Boarding and Retro Pay at American Airlines

A line of seven flight attendants in uniform, viewed from behind, stands at the White House gates holding up various printed signs. Messages say: "AA makes billions, we can't pay rent." "Robert, what's the delay? We need a contract today!" "American Airlines flight attendants: No retro pay, no way!" "Flight attendants save lives!" "Corporate greed doesn't fly." "Trying to get pAAid." It appears the group includes men and women, and most are people of color.
September 24, 2024

Flight attendants at American Airlines were celebrating September 12 after approving a new five-year agreement by 87 percent, with 95 percent turnout. They won a big retroactive pay package and an immediate wage increase of 20 percent.

They also became the first flight attendants to nail down boarding pay in a union contract. Flight attendants typically are not paid until the aircraft doors close. All that greeting, seating, sorting out problems, and assistance with bags is off the clock.

Can the Machinists Save Boeing from Its Management?

A blue box shows with the notation: “Photo license expired”
September 23, 2024

Boeing has increased its offer to striking Machinists, hoping to end a work stoppage that entered its eleventh day today. According to the Seattle Times, the new proposal would raise wages 30 percent over four years, as opposed to 25 percent in the offer that workers rejected by 94.6 percent.

Boeing Machinists Strike

A blue box shows with the notation: “Photo license expired”
September 13, 2024

Third-shift workers walked out of Boeing’s giant factories at Renton and Everett, Washington, as their contract expired early Friday morning, blasting music and airhorns, shooting off fireworks, and waving hand-made signs. They immediately formed picket lines and began setting up homemade burn barrels with “IAM” carved in the side.

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