Jenny Brown

Strike Threat Wins Boarding and Retro Pay at American Airlines

Main Image: 
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?

Main Image: 
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

Main Image: 
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.

‘Hard No’: Boeing Workers React to Tentative Agreement

Main Image: 
Hundreds march though an industrial plant, one sign reads: Historic Slap in Our Faces
September 10, 2024

With their contract expiring at midnight on Thursday, the Machinists union at the aircraft giant Boeing announced a tentative contract agreement September 8. It was a shock to many union members.

“Insulting,” “Joke of a contract,” and “Hard no” were some of the more polite reactions registered on X in response to the proposal, which would raise wages 25 percent over the four-year life of the deal, but eliminate an annual bonus of 3 to 6 percent of wages.

Striking Is in the Air at Boeing

Main Image: 
A blue box says “photo license expired”
August 22, 2024

Mondays and Wednesdays are loud at the vast Boeing factory in Everett, Washington. As the Machinists’ contract campaign heats up, the workforce has been serenading management at lunch with air horns, train horns, and vuvuzelas—plus chants of “Out the Door in ’24.”

‘Elections Have Consequences’: NYC Teacher Retirees Save Their Medicare

Main Image: 
Three older people in a crowd hold signs saying “Our lives are not for Profit” and “Retirees want Medicare, Not Corporate Greed”
July 22, 2024

The dissident Retiree Advocate caucus in the giant New York City teachers union won a decisive victory over the incumbents in the retiree chapter election June 14, winning 63 percent of the 27,000 votes cast. Turnout jumped compared to previous elections.

In addition to running the 70,000-member Retired Teachers Chapter, they will send 300 delegates to the union’s delegate assembly.

Project 2025: Eliminate Unions

Jenny Brown
Workers in red UNITE HERE shirts pose at a huge rally. One handlettered sign says "Fair contract for Trump workers" and another printed sign says "Love Trumps Hate."

Corporate backers of the Trump campaign have tipped their hand. In “Project 2025: Presidential Transition Project,” the Heritage Foundation unveiled its 900-page wish list for a new Trump presidency and a compliant Supreme Court.

Trump’s victory last time was a surprise, and many corporate types view his chaotic term as a missed opportunity. This time Heritage, which is a mouthpiece for big employers, has compiled a long list of people they want Trump to hire and appoint, and a scorched-earth plan for his first 180 days.

Retired New York City Teachers Rise and Run

Main Image: 
A group of retirees protest with signs saying Medicare Advantage is a Danger to Us All
May 20, 2024

They’ve really stepped in it. The incumbent Unity Caucus that runs the huge teachers union in New York City is facing a challenge from the Retiree Advocate slate who hope to take leadership of the powerful 70,000-person retiree chapter within the union. Ballots were mailed May 10 and will be counted June 14.

Starbucks Workers Win Breakthrough Promise of Real Negotiations

Main Image: 
February 29, 2024

The piñata finally burst. Starbucks corporate heads agreed Tuesday to negotiate for real with the union and allow workers to organize.

“I was in shock initially, and definitely some disbelief,” said Michelle Eisen, who works at the first Buffalo store that unionized with Starbucks Workers United in 2021. As she learned more, she said, she came to believe the victory is real.

2023 In Review: Big Strikes, Bigger Gains

Main Image: 
People from various picket lines are shown in three photos next to each other
December 15, 2023

Strikes and threats of strikes extracted contracts ranging from good to excellent from employers across the country this year. Half a million U.S. workers walked out—machinists, teachers, baristas, nurses, hotel housekeepers, and auto workers—with much of the motion coming from unions led by reformers.

Pages