Workers Struggles
Germany: Public transport strike paralyzes Berlin
By our reporters, 16 February 2019
For much of Friday, all subways and trams in the capital stood still and most buses remained in their depots.
Nationwide public sector strike hits Portugal
By Will Morrow, 16 February 2019
Leading union officials have issued warnings to the government that its actions could trigger “uncontrollable” struggles by workers that they cannot prevent.
Union thugs assault striking Matamoros workers
By Andrea Lobo, 16 February 2019
Threats by management, police and the unions are increasingly frequent across the city.
Bangladesh steel workers demand wage rise; Australian coal haulage workers continue strike action; New Zealand bus drivers hold wildcat strikes
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
16 February 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
OSHA fines XPO $10,347 for the deaths of two workers
By Steve Filips, 15 February 2019
OSHA reached a settlement with XPO Logistics imposing wrist-slap fines for the company’s negligence relating to the deaths of two workers in June 2018.
UK rail strike at South Western Railway, Sibanye gold and platinum miners’ strike continues
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
15 February 2019
Rail workers at South Western Railway voted by a near 90 percent majority to continue strikes in opposition to the extension of the use of driver only operated trains.
Tens of thousands strike in Berlin against poor working conditions
By our reporters, 14 February 2019
Tens of thousands of public sector workers took part in a one-day strike in Berlin on Wednesday. More than 10,000 people marched to the Brandenburg Gate.
One-day national strike paralyzes Belgium
By Will Morrow, 14 February 2019
Large parts of Belgium were brought to a standstill yesterday, as tens of thousands of workers took part in a national 24-hour strike to demand wage increases.
Union federation stages national strike in South Africa
By Eddie Haywood, 14 February 2019
Tens of thousands of workers participated in the walkout, bringing economic activity to a near standstill across the country.
Union rushing to end Denver teachers strike
By Nancy Hanover, 14 February 2019
Denver teachers should take a warning from the experience of Los Angeles teachers and resist any attempt to rush through a deal that abandons critical demands for substantial increases in pay and school funding and a reduction in class sizes.
Flight attendant paralyzed after Delta ordered flight through tropical storm
The workers’ compensation nightmare at Delta Airlines: Part three
By Tom Hall, 14 February 2019
Jane’s condition has been made significantly worse by lengthy delays in treatment caused by Delta’s workers’ compensation administrator, Sedgwick.
Sri Lanka: SEP and Abbotsleigh workers’ committee organise picket to oppose witch hunt in plantations
By our reporters, 14 February 2019
The fight against the witch hunt in the plantations is bound up with the defence of the democratic rights of the working class from the onslaught of the capitalist class.
Autoworkers must prepare fight as UAW plans new givebacks in 2019 contracts
By Shannon Jones, 14 February 2019
An op-ed piece in the Detroit Free Press by United Auto Workers President Gary Jones makes it clear that the union plans to use the threat to jobs to blackmail workers into accepting a new round of concessions in the 2019 contracts.
National 24-hour strike goes forward in Belgium
By Will Morrow, 13 February 2019
As strikes and protests grow across Europe, anger is mounting among Belgian workers at low wages enforced by state-run talks between business and the unions.
Democrats capitulate to Trump, agree to wall funding
By Eric London, 12 February 2019
As Trump was delivering another fascistic rant in the border city of El Paso, Texas, Democrats were agreeing to advance his anti-immigrant crackdown.
The international upsurge of working class struggle in 2019
By Niles Niemuth, 12 February 2019
This year is witnessing a resurgence of class struggle that expresses the objective unity of workers in every part of the world.
Series of regional strikes hit Argentina
Workers Struggles: The Americas
12 February 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Strike action in the US hits a 32-year high
By Patrick Martin, 9 February 2019
In 2018, the number of workers involved in large strikes, walkouts involving 1,000 or more workers, was the highest since 1986.
The CGT’s “national strike”: French unions seek to strangle the “yellow vest” protests
By our reporters, 9 February 2019
For the unions, the day of action was an opportunity for its base of officials and bureaucrats to meet with “yellow vest” protesters and seek to gain control of their movement.
Cascade of plant closings in New York state
Social costs mount
By Steve Filips, 9 February 2019
In recent months there have been a spate of plant closings throughout Upstate New York, including the Rochester and Buffalo areas.
Wright State University administration issues call for scabs in bid to intimidate striking faculty
By Alexander Fangmann, 9 February 2019
As the strike by full-time faculty at Wright State heads toward a fourth week, the university administration is attempting to threaten striking faculty with the specter of being replaced by “long-term” adjuncts.
“People are tired of not being able to pay their bills while the rich eat filet mignon”
As global jobs massacre continues, workers around the world voice support for fight against plant closures
By our reporter, 9 February 2019
Workers and students are continuing to write in to the World Socialist Web Site expressing strong support for the demonstration Saturday at General Motors headquarters in Detroit.
German workers support rally against mass layoffs in Detroit
By our reporters, 9 February 2019
The WSWS received these messages of support for the February 9 demonstration from bus drivers, auto workers, and a tram mechanic.
Committee for Public Education (Australia): Support the fight against GM layoffs!
By the Committee for Public Education (CFPE), 9 February 2019
The February 9 demonstration, organised independently of the unions, provides a lead for all workers internationally, including teachers.
Over 200,000 Uttar Pradesh government employees strike; Bangladesh garment workers occupy factory; New Caledonia miners still on strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
9 February 2019
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Opposition mounts to GM plant closings
By our reporter, 8 February 2019
The World Socialist Web Site has received many statements of support from autoworkers across North America for the February 9 demonstration against the planned closure of five plants by GM and the elimination of 14,000 jobs.
Over 7,000 Bangladesh garment workers sacked after wage protests
By Wimal Perera, 8 February 2019
While the garment trade unions publicly bewail the mass sackings and arrests, these organisations have created the political conditions for the crackdown.
New York City school-bus workers’ union ignores strike vote, accepts sellout deal
By Steve Light, 8 February 2019
New York City School-bus workers voted to strike, but ATU Local 1181 signed tentative contract that continues poverty pay and precarious employment.
Australia: Tigerair pilots locked in dispute over wages and conditions
By John Harris, 8 February 2019
Tigerair is seeking to set a new benchmark in the assault on the wages and conditions of pilots, a highly-skilled cohort of professionals with immense responsibilities.
UK Arriva North rail sell-out deal, Scottish lecturers’ strike, Sibanye miners’ stoppage continues in South Africa
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
8 February 2019
Strikes by rail guards working for Arriva North in northern England, who are opposing the introduction of driver only operated trains, have been called off by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union.
Wave of walkouts in Matamoros, Mexico builds toward general strike
By Alex González, 7 February 2019
An additional 15,000 workers have gone on strike across multiple industries, threatening to bring the city to a standstill.
The reality of capitalism: GM makes $11.8 billion in profits while closing plants, eliminating 14,000 jobs
By Jerry White, 7 February 2019
The huge profits, side-by-side with the destruction of entire communities, expose the real character of the capitalist system and why the working class must abolish it.
Lordstown GM plant closing: Another blow to northeastern Ohio
By Samuel Davidson, 7 February 2019
The impending closure of General Motors Lordstown assembly plant will be another blow to communities in the northeast region of Ohio that have been devastated by more than three decades of steel mill and factory closings.
Sri Lankan tea plantation workers committee supports call for February 9 demonstration in Detroit
By our reporters, 7 February 2019
“We consider the actions taken by the steering committee as a blow not only for the defense of the fundamental rights of the US auto workers but also on behalf of the international working class as a whole.”
Teachers at four Chicago charter school campuses walk out
By Kristina Betinis, 6 February 2019
In the second-ever strike to hit charter schools, 175 teachers and staff at four Chicago International Charter School campuses walked out Tuesday over pay and conditions.
Oakland, California teachers overwhelmingly vote to strike
By Jonathan Burleigh, 6 February 2019
Oakland teachers have voted by 95 percent to authorize a strike, showing the determination of educators to fight in defense of public education.
Mexican auto parts workers support February 9 demonstration in Detroit
By Andrea Lobo and Eric London, 6 February 2019
“I support the call for a general strike in Canada, the US and Mexico. We must be united. There are no borders. We stand firm here.”
GM to lay off 4,250 salaried workers in North America starting Monday
By Shannon Jones, 2 February 2019
As anger mounts over the GM’s plans to cut 15,000 jobs in the US and Canada, the United Auto Workers and Unifor are ramping up their anti-Mexican campaign to split autoworkers along national lines and block united action to fight the layoffs.
Matamoros strike grows as Mexican ruling class warns of national strike wave
By Eric London and Andrea Lobo, 2 February 2019
The leading financial paper wrote: “As easy as one two three, the labor stability which we have maintained for decades, with hundreds of thousands of successful contract negotiations, is broken. And it won’t stop there.”
The economics of the North American auto industry
How global auto parts corporations profit by exploiting Mexican workers
By Shannon Jones, 2 February 2019
With 345 Tier 1 auto parts suppliers operating in Mexico, the country is an enormous source of enrichment for transnational corporations.
“We are just another package that can be replaced”
FedEx, UPS workers outraged after Illinois truck driver dies on the job in extreme cold weather
By George Marlowe, 2 February 2019
William L. Murphy, a 69-year-old FedEx truck driver, is one of at least 23 people in the Midwest who have been killed by record cold temperatures this week.
Lawsuit alleges Amazon caused worker’s death
By Jeff Lusanne, 2 February 2019
The wife of a worker who died at a Joliet, Illinois Amazon warehouse in 2017 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Amazon for the extreme delay of medical treatment that led to his death.
Portugal’s strike wave intensifies
By Paul Mitchell, 2 February 2019
As the strike movement develops, the unions have sought to dissipate united opposition into regional and sectoral strikes directed at pleading with various ministers, parliament and the president to change course.
United Steelworkers announces concessions contract agreement with Shell Oil
By Jessica Goldstein, 2 February 2019
The deal, which includes paltry wage increases that barely keep pace with inflation, was announced after months of backroom negotiations and just prior to the contract expiration deadline.
Bangladesh garment workers demonstrate for unpaid wages; New Caledonia nickel miners’ strike enters second month
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
2 February 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Worker in Mexico fired, beaten, censored, and falsely charged for protesting corporate abuses
By Andrea Lobo and Alex González, 1 February 2019
Inspired by the courageous stand taken by Matamoros workers, Luis Daniel decided to share his story with the WSWS to encourage workers internationally.
India: Unions betray Tamil Nadu teachers’ and government workers’ strike
By Arun Kumar, 1 February 2019
The unions have cynically claimed that the shutdown of all industrial action is “temporary.”
Housekeeper trapped in billionaire’s New York townhouse elevator for days
By Erik Schreiber, 1 February 2019
This incident encapsulates the relationship between the thin layer of the super-rich—many of whom have second, third, and fourth homes—and the working class.
Sibanye gold miners’ strike joined by platinum miners; Public worker strikes spread in Kosovo
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
1 February 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Sacramento school district threatens bankruptcy to extort concessions from teachers
By Dan Conway, 31 January 2019
School district officials in California’s capital city announced they had to cut $16 million from spending by November 2019 to avoid state receivership, with another $16 million in cuts needed for next year.
Matamoros, Mexico maquiladora workers threatened with mass plant closures
By Alex González, 31 January 2019
The strike of auto parts and electrical workers in Matamoros, Mexico has powerfully demonstrated the international character of the class struggle.
City Colleges of Chicago averts staff and faculty strike
By Alexander Fangmann, 31 January 2019
Just days after the setting of a February 4 strike date, the Cook County College Teachers Union and Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that a tentative agreement had been reached.
Students and youth must join the fight to oppose GM job cuts!
By International Youth and Students for Social Equality US, 31 January 2019
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) calls on young people to support autoworkers in their fight against General Motors’ plans to close five plants in the US and Canada.
As Friday contract deadline approaches, USW keeps 30,000 oil workers in the dark
By Jessica Goldstein, 31 January 2019
On the eve of contract deadlines for 30,000 oil and chemical workers in the US, the United Steelworkers union is colluding with oil corporations behind closed doors to prepare a sellout contract.
Indian state government fires hundreds of teachers as Tamil Nadu strike faces a crossroads
By Arun Kumar, 30 January 2019
By isolating striking teachers and government workers, the JACTTO-GEO, which has hundreds of thousands of members, has allowed the state government to intensify its anti-democratic attacks.
After sellout of Los Angeles teachers strike, new attacks on public schools coming
By Alan Gilman, 30 January 2019
The agreement failed to meet any of the teachers’ most critical demands to reduce class size, increase wages, stop the expansion of charter schools, and address chronically underfunded budgets.
Mexican government prepares “legal” pretext for end of Matamoros strike
By Alex González, 29 January 2019
Threats of a federal operation mean the government is preparing to both bully workers into protracted legal negotiations—which will inevitably end in a result beneficial to the companies—and carry out a violent police repression of the strike.
Brazil service workers on strike, Ford workers end job action
Workers Struggles: the Americas
29 January 2019
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Matamoros strike at a crossroads as Mexican government orders crackdown
By Andrea Lobo, 28 January 2019
The López Obrador administration sent orders Saturday through Morena Senator Ricardo Monreal Àvila demanding the Tamaulipas state police attack workers and re-open the gates of the factories.
Strikes by Hungarian Audi workers, Mexican auto parts workers
The global struggle of autoworkers
By Jerry White, 28 January 2019
Autoworkers are striving to unite their struggles against the attack on jobs and living standards by GM, Ford, VW and other global corporations.
As strike expands in the maquiladoras
Mexican auto parts workers explain how they formed strike committees
By Andrea Lobo, 26 January 2019
”I think that, indeed, the independent committees are much more useful than the union because we asked ourselves ‘this is the proposal, what do we do?’—something that the union never did.”
Unifor launches anti-Mexican boycott as diversion from fight over Oshawa closure
By Carl Bronski, 26 January 2019
Unifor President Dias has announced an anti-Mexican consumer boycott over the Oshawa closure as workers in Matamoros, Mexico, expand their struggle against sweatshop conditions.
The political questions facing US oil workers in the 2019 contract negotiations
By Jessica Goldstein, 26 January 2019
In preparing for the 2019 contract struggle, oil workers should draw the lessons of the miserable betrayal imposed by the United Steelworkers in 2015.
Oppose French unions’ attempts to strangle the “yellow vest” protests!
By Anthony Torres and Alex Lantier, 26 January 2019
The Pabloite New Anticapitalist Party’s calls for the unions to take over the “yellow vest” protests amounts to an attempt to strangle growing opposition among workers.
Two hundred thousand Indian midday meal workers still on strike; Tamil Nadu data entry workers protest: Tigerair pilots walkout in Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
26 January 2019
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Striking Tamil Nadu teachers denounce state and central governments
By Sasi Kumar and Nanda Kumar, 25 January 2019
Protesting teachers told WSWS that all the parliamentary parties have inflicted similar attacks on pay and conditions.
Platinum miners join South African Sibanye gold miners’ stoppage; South African plastics strike continues, Zimbabwe
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
25 January 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Matamoros strike set to expand as ruling class boosts unions
By Eric London and Andrea Lobo, 24 January 2019
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has intervened on behalf of the corporations to call on the unions take “control” of the situation.
“I think we should take action like the L.A. teachers”
Federal workers and contractors demand action to end shutdown as second missed payday approaches
By our reporters, 24 January 2019
WSWS reporters spoke to workers Wednesday at a rally in Washington, D.C. and hiring event in Fairfax, Virginia.
“Rather than strike, the union sold us out”
UPS workers in Rockford continue to speak out against sellout contract
By George Marlowe, 24 January 2019
Workers in the economically depressed Midwestern city of Rockford, Illinois, are seething with anger at the sellout contract imposed upon them by the Teamsters.
“I want the working class, the class that drives society, to fight for a better life”
Matamoros, Mexico maquiladora worker speaks out
By Alex González and Andrea Lobo, 24 January 2019
Miguel described working conditions and social services that are common to workers all around the world.
Thousands of striking Matamoros, Mexico workers march to border to appeal to US workers
By Alex González, 22 January 2019
Workers gathered at the border crossing between Matamoros, Mexico and Brownsville, Texas to appeal for international support.
Vote “No” on UTLA-LAUSD deal! Extend the strike to Oakland and across California to defend public education!
By the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 22 January 2019
The UTLA and the school board are engaged in a conspiracy to shut down the strike by Los Angeles teachers and block a united movement of workers throughout the state and beyond.
Teachers protest in Venezuela, contract talks begin with US oil refiners
Workers Struggles: The Americas
22 January 2019
Teachers in Venezuela participated in strikes and protests last week over pay, which is being decimated by hyperinflation; some 30,000 US oil refinery workers face a February 1 contract deadline.
Matamoros strike threatens to shut down North American auto industry
By Eric London, 21 January 2019
The corporate media are blacking out coverage of the largest strike in North America in the last two decades.
“There’s only so much workers can take and now we’re rising up”
Mass demonstration as Los Angeles strike reaches fifth day
By our reporters, 19 January 2019
As anger among teachers builds to fight against the Democratic Party-led campaign to privatize public education, the United Teachers of Los Angeles is working with the school officials to carve up the district.
Oakland teachers hold second wildcat “sickout,” call for statewide strike with Los Angeles teachers
By Jonathan Burleigh, 19 January 2019
In defiance of the official, interminable, negotiations process, Oakland teachers have begun to organize themselves independently in preparation for a broader struggle in defense of public education.
Wright State University faculty in Dayton, Ohio to strike Tuesday
By Alexander Fangmann, 19 January 2019
Faculty at Wright State University are scheduled to begin striking on Tuesday against the imposition of an austerity contract featuring a pay freeze, furloughs, healthcare cuts and increases in workload.
Workers call for election of committees
Auto companies scared, parts run low across North America as strike grows in Matamoros, Mexico
By Andrea Lobo and Alex González, 19 January 2019
The struggle by Maquiladora workers has reached a crucial point in which workers must take the struggle away from the trade unions, and appeal to their class brothers and sisters across North America and beyond.
US shutdown pits unpaid workers vs. political establishment and unions
By Daniel de Vries, 19 January 2019
There are growing fears in the ruling class that the prolonged shutdown could trigger strike action
Auto jobs massacre widens
Tesla, Nissan announce mass layoffs, Fiat Chrysler jobs threatened
By Marcus Day, 19 January 2019
The auto giants are seeking to terrorize an increasingly insurgent workforce into submission, as the companies confront slumping sales, a looming economic crisis and significant financial pressures.
“Amazon is really cold-hearted to its workers”
Injured Amazon worker forced to work to avoid being fired
By Nick Barrickman, 19 January 2019
A mother of two employed at an Amazon facility in east Baltimore contacted the International Amazon Workers Voice to relay her experiences with the web technology giant after being injured on the job.
Hyundai and Samsung workers protest in India; Cambodian garment workers strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
19 January 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Amid media blackout, workers expand strike
Matamoros, Mexico strike of over 70,000 workers enters sixth day
By Alex González and Andrea Lobo, 18 January 2019
The strike at Matamoros is being blacked out by the corporate media because the ruling class is terrified of the prospect of workers uniting internationally in the fight for social equality.
Los Angeles teachers battle privatization as union vies to be partner in LAUSD restructuring
By Jerry White, 18 January 2019
The five-day strike by Los Angeles teachers has thrust educators into a direct conflict with the Democratic Party, which has used the city and the state as a test case for school privatization.
General strike of 700,000 public sector workers shakes Tunisia
By Johannes Stern, 18 January 2019
Eight years after the ouster of Tunisian dictator Ben Ali in 2011, renewed mass struggles are erupting.
Public sector workers strike in defence of teachers in Greece, strikes across Zimbabwe, South African gold miners’ stoppage at Sibanye spreads
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
18 January 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Mexican strikers show working class answer to capitalist reaction at US-Mexico border
By Eric London, 17 January 2019
At the US-Mexico border, the two chief social classes under capitalism—the capitalist class and the working class—are demonstrating the two alternatives for the future of mankind.
Mass strike enters fifth day in Matamoros, Mexico
Thousands gather at mass meeting as maquiladora strike grows
By our reporters, 17 January 2019
Despite threats of mass firings and plant closures by the employers, over 70,000 striking workers are advancing their fight against social inequality.
The global class struggle in 2019
By Joseph Kishore, 16 January 2019
The year 2019 is beginning with a wave of strikes, demonstrations and other manifestations of class struggle around the world.
As support grows to extend Los Angeles teacher strike, unions colluding with Democrats to end walkout
By Jerry White, 16 January 2019
With Oakland teachers planning sickouts to join the fight, the United Teachers Los Angeles is working behind the scenes with the Democratic mayor and governor to prepare a sellout of the strike.
Los Angeles teachers speak out on political issues in strike
By our reporters, 16 January 2019
“They keep saying, ‘There’s no money, there’s no money.’ That’s a lie.”
Oakland, California teachers plan a one-day walkout Friday
By Jonathan Burleigh, 16 January 2019
Teachers in Oakland, facing the same crisis as those striking in Los Angeles, have called a second wildcat “sickout” to oppose the attacks on public education.
Mexican, US workers exchange statements of support as Matamoros strike grows
By our reporters, 16 January 2019
The massive citywide strike is expanding today in Matamoros, Mexico as the union and employers failed to meet the workers’ demands.
Quebec: Locked-out ABI workers begin second year on picket line
By Laurent Lafrance, 16 January 2019
The Steelworkers’ systematic isolation of the ABI workers’ struggle has emboldened the aluminum smelter’s majority shareholder, Alcoa, to escalate its demands.
Indian transit workers in Mumbai defy authorities, continue strike
By Kranti Kumara, 16 January 2019
As soon as the strike began, Maharashtra’s BJP state government invoked essential services legislation, threatening the strikers with mass incarceration, fines and dismissals.
Sri Lankan workers must oppose the witch-hunt of militant plantation workers
By M. Thevarajah, 16 January 2019
Plantation bosses, with the backing of the government, police and the unions, are attempting to intimidate estate workers and suppress their wage demands.
Rebellion in Matamoros, Mexico
70,000 workers strike at US-Mexico border sweatshops
By Alex González and Eric London, 15 January 2019
Workers are waging a struggle against the pro-company trade union and the brutal “maquiladora” sweatshops across the US-Mexico border.
India: Daikin air conditioning workers target of police assault, frame-up charges
By Kranti Kumara, 15 January 2019
In the midst of last week’s all-India strike, police launched a brutal attack on Daikin workers and are now conspiring with the company to frame up worker-militants on charges of attempted murder.
Six-hour strike by Honduran public health workers over wage demand
Workers Struggles: The Americas
15 January 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
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