Workers Struggles
Shrewsbury 24 flying picket Terry Renshaw: “Only the power of the working class, not the official courts, is going to provide any perspective for freeing Julian Assange.”
18 June 2019
The former building worker explains, “To defend class war prisoners like Julian Assange, the perspective has got to be to raise the awareness and mobilise the masses.”
Vote no to union sellout of New Zealand teachers! Mobilise the working class against the Ardern Labour government!
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 18 June 2019
Following last month’s historic strike, the primary and secondary teacher unions are seeking to impose a sellout deal and shut down the teachers’ struggle.
On eve of auto contract talks, VW workers in Tennessee reject UAW again
By Jerry White, 17 June 2019
Workers in Chattanooga were correct to reject, for the second time, “representation” by the United Auto Workers, a corrupt agent of corporate management.
Millions march in Hong Kong against extradition law
By Ben McGrath, 17 June 2019
The huge demonstration on Sunday is an indication of widespread anger in Hong Kong, not only over democratic rights, but the city’s worsening social crisis.
As UAW stonewalls about contract talks
Faurecia workers voice their anger and determination to fight
By George Kirby and Tim Rivers, 17 June 2019
Faurecia workers face near-poverty level wages that force many workers to work two full-time jobs, for a total of at least 80 hours a week, just to make ends meet.
Minnesota Nurses Association announces sellout tentative deal at Children’s Hospitals in Minneapolis-St. Paul
By Jonas Boquist, 17 June 2019
It has been many decades since the unions have launched a nationwide strike in any industry. In its place they have adopted the program of union-management collaboration."
Indian health workers demand fixed salaries; Bangladesh fishermen demonstrate; NZ disability care workers strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
15 June 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Nationwide protests by French emergency medical staff; First strike by German pencil workers; University of Lebanon strike continues
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
14 June 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Wildcat strike by Salinas, California food processing workers
By Rafael Azul, 13 June 2019
Salinas food industry workers are being driven into struggle against the unions, which enforce poverty wages and dangerous conditions.
Union halts New Jersey teachers’ strike after one day
By Erik Schreiber, 13 June 2019
Union officials in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey are negotiating behind the backs of educators to impose a sellout contracts.
Los Angeles schools superintendent warns of “reckoning” after failure of property tax measure
By Dan Conway, 13 June 2019
In an effort to justify its shutdown of the LA teacher strike in January, the unions told educators to look to the Democratic Party-backed tax measure to increase school funding.
Mexican teachers hold vigil over pay issues
Workers Struggles: The Americas
11 June 2019
Teachers in the state of Michoacán have begun a protest over millions of pesos in back pay, blockading streets around the Finance Secretariat in the capital Morelia.
Union sabotaging South Korean shipbuilding workers’ strike
By Ben McGrath, 10 June 2019
The Korean Metal Workers Union is incapable of defending workers whose positions are being slashed as part of a global assault on jobs.
Australia: Telstra to destroy 10,000 contract jobs over two years
By Oscar Grenfell, 10 June 2019
The announcement of new sackings targeting contractors coincided with reports that Telstra has already eliminated many of the 9,500 permanent jobs it is seeking to destroy by 2022.
Former ArcelorMittal steelworker speaks out on safety conditions and union repression
By Jessica Goldstein, 10 June 2019
ArcelorMittal and the USW union work together to prevent safety hazards from being addressed so as not to cut into profit margins.
Minnesota nurses seek united struggle as contracts for 13,000 Twin Cities hospital workers expire
By Jonas Boquist, 10 June 2019
Allina, which provoked a 37-day strike in 2016 that was betrayed by the union, is once again spearheading the attack on nurses.
Ford to close Bridgend engine plant in Wales, eliminating 1,700 jobs
By Robert Stevens, 8 June 2019
Workers at the plant were given no notice. They were sent home Thursday after receiving a letter saying they will lose their jobs in phases by September 25, 2020.
Strikes in Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras
Teachers struggles erupt across Latin America
By Andrea Lobo, 8 June 2019
The response by the ruling class to the resistance led by teachers has been the same everywhere: the claim that there is “no money” and police state repression.
UE union and Wabtec reach wage-cutting deal at Pennsylvania locomotive plant
By Nick Barrickman, 8 June 2019
The agreement will create a two-tier pay system, allowing the company to keep newer hires “in progression” at a fraction of standard pay.
Thousands of Bangladesh bidi cigarette workers demonstrate; Taiwanese flight attendants protest harsh conditions; New Zealand hospital workers strike at Waikato
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
8 June 2019
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New Zealand secondary teachers’ union cancels industrial action
By Tom Peters, 7 June 2019
There is growing anger over the Labour Party-led government’s refusal to adequately fund education, and the unions’ efforts to isolate teachers.
Stop the closure of Benton Harbor schools! Defend public education!
By the World Socialist Web Site Teacher Newsletter, 7 June 2019
The following statement was distributed to teachers, parents and students at a school board meeting Tuesday night in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
French Nutella workers strike, Tram and metro workers’ stoppage in Greek capital
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
7 June 2019
Workers at the Nutella factory in Normandy have been blockading the plant over demands for a wage increase while Greek tram workers stopped work Monday to protest the Syriza government’s attacks on public transportation.
The May 29 national strike and Argentina’s economic, political and social crisis
By Rafael Azul, 4 June 2019
National protest strikes have become cynical rituals, designed to keep workers under the control of the Argentine trade union apparatus and the ruling class.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
Mass demonstrations in defense of education in Brazil, Honduran educators and doctors strike
4 June 2019
Mass protests are continuing in Brazil against education cuts by the right-wing Bolsanaro administration while striking Honduran teachers and doctors held protests against privatization of healthcare and education.
South Korean shipbuilding workers oppose massive job cuts
By Ben McGrath, 3 June 2019
The Korean Metal Workers Union has deliberately limited industrial action and isolated the shipyard workers to prevent a broader struggle against capitalist exploitation.
Matamoros workers run for office: The political questions
By Alex González and Andrea Lobo, 1 June 2019
The “20/32” election campaign was deliberately orchestrated to channel workers’ collective anger into the safe and acceptable channels of electoral politics.
Ignoring workers overwhelming strike vote
UAW extends contract for Saline, Michigan Faurecia workers
By Tim Rivers, 1 June 2019
Without offering any explanation, the union announced it had decided, without consulting the membership, to grant the company a three-week extension.
UAW calls for contract vote by Mercy Health support and technical staff in a bid to isolate nurses
By Shannon Jones, 1 June 2019
If the contract is ratified, medical technicians could return to work after Monday, in what is effectively an attempt by the union to force workers to cross the picket line.
University of Chicago graduate student union plans three-day picket
By George Gallanis, 1 June 2019
Graduate students must take this struggle out of the hands of the American Federation of Teachers-backed Graduate Students United union and form rank-and-file committees.
American educators demand freedom for Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 1 June 2019
The WSWS Teacher Newsletter has received many statements from educators in support of Assange and Manning.
Democrat Tony Thurmond fails to shut down New Haven teachers strike in California
By Evan Blake, 1 June 2019
After facilitating the betrayal of the Oakland and Los Angeles teachers strikes, Thurmond has been brought in by the New Haven Teachers Association to end their strike.
“What we need to do is storm Sacramento”
New Haven teachers speak on conditions
By David Brown, 1 June 2019
Teachers across the New Haven School District spoke with the World Socialist Web Site about the strike and the difficult conditions they face as educators.
Thousands of childcare workers demonstrate in Karnataka; South Korean shipyard workers protest downsizing; NZ secondary teachers maintain industrial action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
1 June 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
31 May 2019
State train drivers conducted a nationwide strike on May 28 to oppose government plans to increase the pension age in increments over the next five years.
52,000 teachers strike in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 30 May 2019
The biggest teachers’ strike in the country’s history drew support from many parents and workers who are affected by the worsening social crisis.
Ford layoffs provoke widespread anger
By Tim Rivers, 30 May 2019
There is a growing anger among Ford workers in the US and around the world after the automaker’s announcement that it will cut the jobs of 7,000 salaried workers.
Honduran government cracks down on strike by teachers, doctors and nurses
By Andrea Lobo, 29 May 2019
The trade unions and opposition parties have done everything possible to keep workers from appealing for a common struggle of the international working class against imperialism.
University of Chicago graduate student union authorizes strike action
By George Gallanis, 29 May 2019
The vote is in response to the U of C administration’s anti-democratic attempt to block the recognition of the graduate student union for nearly two years.
Chilean professors call for strike, teachers in Honduras begin nationwide walkout
Workers Struggles: The Americas
28 May 2019
Members of Chile’s College of Professors have set a June 3 strike date, meanwhile Honduran teachers declared a nationwide walkout over threats to privatize education.
Police and military crack down on spontaneous taxi strike in Matamoros, Mexico
By Eric London, 25 May 2019
Hundreds of taxi drivers blocked the international border crossing and several major thoroughfares in response to government efforts to decommission cabs.
UAW continues to isolate workers
Mercy Health workers continue strike as management digs in
By Shannon Jones, 25 May 2019
Three days of talks this week produced no agreement as management refused to seriously address workers’ concerns over understaffing while continuing operations with strikebreakers.
Management demands cuts to healthcare and pensions
United Steelworkers forcing 6,100 Alcoa and Arconic workers to work without a contract
By Steve Filips, 25 May 2019
Over 6,100 United Steelworkers members at Alcoa and Arconic are being told to continue working without a contract while the company prepares to bring in scabs in the event of a strike.
Chowel India auto-parts workers arrested; Chinese teachers protest over pay; Fast food workers strike in New Zealand
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
25 May 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
24 May 2019
Dockworkers in Italy and France have refused to handle cargo they say was intended to aid Saudi Arabian war efforts in Yemen while strikes and protests by miners and teachers continue in South Africa.
British Steel collapse threatens 25,000 jobs
By Robert Stevens, 23 May 2019
British Steel’s insolvency threatens to be a virtual coup de grâce against a once powerful section of the working class that has been repeatedly betrayed by the trade unions.
Macron’s Labor Law in France: Unions organize 3,000 layoffs at Carrefour supermarket chain
By Anthony Torres, 23 May 2019
The unions and company are using a procedure for so-called voluntary redundancies introduced in the Labor Law initiated by the Socialist Party and imposed by Macron.
As secret negotiations resume between unions and school district
New Haven teachers strike enters fourth day
By Toby Reese and Evan Blake, 23 May 2019
To carry their struggle forward, New Haven teachers must break free from the pro-Democratic Party teachers’ unions, which are preparing to sell them out in the same manner as in Los Angeles, Oakland and Sacramento.
Over 240,000 people back Chinese tech worker protest
By Mike Ingram, 22 May 2019
Chinese tech workers protesting inhumane working conditions have received massive international support.
Three-day strike by Mexican teachers against “education reforms”
Workers Struggles: the Americas
21 May 2019
Last week teachers all across Mexico took part in strikes and protests to oppose continuing attacks on public education being overseen by the administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Amid declining real wages, strikes in US escalate
By Jerry White, 18 May 2019
Fueled by declining real wages, new strikes by teachers, health care workers and other sections of the working class are erupting.
Hundreds of Indian workers strike over unpaid wages; Bangladesh jute mill workers continue protests; Auckland rail workers locked out in New Zealand
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
18 May 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
With contract deadline approaching, Michigan auto parts workers vote by 97 percent to strike global parts maker
By James McDonald, 17 May 2019
Michigan auto parts workers, angry over deplorable conditions and years of UAW-backed concessions, face a contract expiration date of May 31.
Workers in France march against government labour laws; Sudan hit by strikes; unions betray South African Cell C strike
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
17 May 2019
Tens of thousands of French workers held a march against regressive changes in labour laws while major strikes continue in Sudan and South Africa
Workers Struggles: The Americas
Brazilian university workers, students to strike over cuts; series of strikes hit Argentina
14 May 2019
Public university professors and students will strike later this week over cuts by the government of Jair Bolsonaro while educators, petroleum workers and judicial workers in Argentina have set dates for stoppages.
Strikes by US workers outpacing rate in 2018
By Jerry White, 13 May 2019
There have been 17 major strikes in the US so far in 2019, involving nearly 230,000 public school and university employees, hospital staff, supermarket employees and other workers.
French public sector workers strike against Macron government attacks
By Anthony Torres, 11 May 2019
Over 150 demonstrations took place Thursday against Emmanuel Macron’s “modernization” reform that would overturn conditions for public sector workers established in 1946.
Thousands of powerloom workers strike in Tamil Nadu; Migrant workers strike and protest in Taiwan; New Zealand teachers voting on national walkout
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
11 May 2019
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“They depend on us for their wealth and power”
Uber and Lyft drivers in Chicago, New York and California speak out against exploitation of gig economy workers
By our reporters, 10 May 2019
Drivers across the United States spoke out against the classification of Uber drivers as independent contractors as Uber heads into an Initial Public Offering worth billions of dollars.
GM workers denounce deals to “save” token jobs in Lordstown and Oshawa
By Shannon Jones, 10 May 2019
The moves, which will retain at most a few hundred jobs out of the thousands that are being permanently eliminated, are being denounced by workers.
Fiji authorities suppress May Day protests, arrest locked-out workers
By John Braddock, 10 May 2019
The sacking and persecution of the FWA workers and ban on the protests again underlines the dictatorial nature of the Fijian regime, which rests directly on the military.
South African municipal strikers defy unions; strike continues by South African workers at Cell C phones
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
10 May 2019
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“We need to fight capitalism and change the whole system”
Uber and Lyft drivers conduct international strike
By our reporters, 9 May 2019
Thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers in the US and several other countries struck and protested Wednesday in advance of Uber’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange Friday.
Workers at Airbus’ Montreal facility repudiate union-backed, concessionary contract
Workers Struggles: The Americas
7 May 2019
Some 1,000 workers at Bombardier voted by a 73 percent margin to vote a union-backed concessions deal and then voted overwhelmingly to grant strike authorization.
Polls show growing sentiment for teachers strike in Mississippi
By J. L’Heureau, 4 May 2019
Mississippi educators, seeking to join the international strike wave of teachers, are demanding action against poverty wages and abysmal working conditions.
San Diego Sweetwater Teachers Union begins bargaining as false financial situation reported by district
By Evelyn Rios, 4 May 2019
The union and district are negotiating an austerity contract based on what is most likely fraudulent accounting, amidst allegations of fraud and mismanagement investigations.
Fuel tanker drivers threaten new strike in Portugal
By Paul Mitchell, 4 May 2019
The fuel tankers dispute is the latest manifestation in Portugal of the eruption of the class struggle internationally.
Workers march and protest across Asia on May Day
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
4 May 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
UK rail union calls off strikes against driver-only-operated trains
By Michael Barnes, 3 May 2019
The Conservative government is behind the plot to impose a huge cost-cutting and de-staffing operation on the railways
Brazilian unions defend reactionary pension “reform” at May Day rally
By Miguel Andrade, 3 May 2019
With economic figures showing no sign of economic recovery, the PT and the unions are working to quell any working class movement against Bolsonaro.
May Day 2019 in Germany: Trade unions call for support for the European Union
By Ulrich Rippert, 2 May 2019
Instead of appealing for the international unity of workers, the German Trade Union Confederation calls for the unity of the government, big business and the European Union against workers.
Trump’s labor department moves to designate gig economy workers as “independent contractors”
By Aaron Murch, 2 May 2019
The Trump administration is backing so-called gig economy companies, which misclassify their employees as “independent contractors” in order to circumvent minimum wage, overtime and other federal labor laws.
One-day general strike in Colombia
Workers Struggles: The Americas
30 April 2019
Workers mobilized in opposition to the National Development plan being proposed by President Ivan Duque that would mean significant attacks on workers.
Strike by 1,400 pilots grounds hundreds of flights at Scandinavian Airlines
By Jordan Shilton, 29 April 2019
While pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff have suffered wage cuts since 2012, SAS chief executive Rickard Gustafson’s total compensation has shot up by 38 percent over the past three years.
Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel intervenes to end CSO musicians strike with concessions
By George Marlowe, 29 April 2019
While musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra fought courageously, their seven-week strike was deliberately isolated by the unions.
Indian rail workers protest; Bangladeshi food workers demand pay rise; New Zealand doctors to strike for five days
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
27 April 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Mayor Emanuel intervenes to shut down Chicago Symphony Orchestra strike
By George Marlowe, 26 April 2019
As part of his final act on behalf of the city’s financial elite, outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel has offered to intervene to end the nearly two-month strike by Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) musicians
GM continues tax avoidance schemes while it slashes thousands of jobs
By George Kirby, 26 April 2019
General Motors has received billions of dollars in government tax benefits over the past decade even as it continues to cut jobs and extract concessions from workers.
University of Illinois at Chicago faculty announces deal on eve of strike
By George Gallanis, 26 April 2019
More than 1,100 professors, lecturers, instructors and assistant professors are voting on a concessionary contract being pushed by the UIC United Faculty union, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers.
Ontario Tory government intensifies assault on workers’ rights
By Penny Smith, 26 April 2019
Ford’s thinly veiled threat to criminalize teachers’ strikes must be taken as a serious warning: emboldened by the unions’ complicity, the Tories are escalating their class-war assault.
Australian construction workers facing massive fines for striking
By Terry Cook, 26 April 2019
The Australian Building and Construction Commission has launched legal action against workers involved in a short work-stoppage last year.
Miners’ union sells out five-month long strike at Sibanye Stillwater in South Africa
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
26 April 2019
The South African Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union agreed to a deal ending the five-month strike by gold miners on the same terms as the “slave labour” agreement signed with three other unions.
As union seeks to end walkout
Polish teachers speak out on why they are striking
By Will Morrow, 25 April 2019
The main teachers’ union has called for the suspension of the powerful strike to allow students to complete their exams.
Rutgers University faculty union blocks strike by professors and teaching assistants
By Owen Mullan, 25 April 2019
The American Federation of Teachers acted to prevent a coordinated fight by educators against the Democrats’ austerity measures.
Industry publication floats idea of UAW calling a “targeted” strike
By Shannon Jones, 24 April 2019
After expressing concerns over the rebelliousness of factory workers, Automotive News suggested that the United Auto Workers call an impotent partial strike if negotiations hit an impasse.
Unions scramble to contain Polish teachers’ strike as 40,000 social workers prepare to stop work
By Clara Weiss, 24 April 2019
The teachers’ strike, the first nationwide walkout since 1993, is one of the largest strikes since the restoration of capitalism in Poland in 1989.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
Argentine newspaper and casino workers strike
23 April 2019
Workers at Clarín and sports daily Olé walked off the job April 17 over the firing of 56 of their colleagues while workers struck all Buenos Aires-area casinos for 48 hours over threatened closures.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra strike
Socialism and the defense of culture
By Kristina Betinis, 22 April 2019
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians, now in the seventh week of their strike, require the active support of the entire working class, in the United States and internationally.
“Why did Boeing make it like that? Pure negligence and greed. There is simply no other answer.”
Aviation reporter Rytis Beresnevičius speaks to WSWS on Boeing 737 crashes
By Bryan Dyne, 20 April 2019
Rytis Beresnevičius has closely followed the two recent Boeing 737 Max 8 crashes and the engineering, executive and regulatory decisions that led to these disasters.
US education secretary to gut regulations, seek a “major shift” in higher education—Part 1
By Nancy Hanover, 20 April 2019
A crude assault on educational standards, which hardens the class divide in educational access and spurs the plundering of the “education market,” is being enacted under the cover of “rule-making” by the US Department of Education.
Conflict continues over Peruvian copper mine as peasant blockade is lifted
By Cesar Uco and Armando Cruz, 20 April 2019
The Peruvian government gave in to demands of 1,200 peasants of Fuerabamba who suspended the road blockade that for 66 days paralyzed export of copper concentrate to China
“We’re all in this together. That is how I see it.”
Detroit Fiat Chrysler autoworkers defend Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By a WSWS reporting team, 20 April 2019
A WSWS Autoworker Newsletter campaign team spoke to workers Thursday at the Warren Stamping plant outside of Detroit about the importance of the defense of whistleblowers Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning.
Jet Airways employees demonstrate in India; Pakistan doctors protest privatisation; Queensland bulk haulage train and maintenance workers to strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
20 April 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
South African platinum miners may join gold miners’ strike; German Amazon pay strikes
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
19 April 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Mexican teachers protest while DHL and Amazon pilots protest stalled talks
Workers Struggles: The Americas
16 April 2019
Workers in a number of towns in Chiapas are protesting education “reforms” under the administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador while air cargo pilots protested outside Amazon’s offices in Florence, Kentucky.
Chicago symphony musicians strike defies aristocratic principle
By Kristina Betinis, 13 April 2019
As CSO strike enters sixth week, a right-wing pressure campaign is being mounted to try to force the musicians to make concessions on their pensions.
070 UIC faculty vote to strike
13 April 2019
Police attack teachers in Kolkata; thousands of Bangladesh jute mill workers protest
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
13 April 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Sacramento, California teachers conduct one day strike
By Ben McGrath, 12 April 2019
As the teachers union works to reach a sellout deal with county officials, rank-and-file teachers are striving for a broader struggle in defense of public education.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
12 April 2019
Gold miners in South Africa voted to continue strike action against Sibanye Stillwater, while Greek teachers planned a 24-hour walkout and Israeli firefighters say they will strike over working conditions.
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