Workers Issues in the US
Form rank-and-file committees to advance the fight!
UAW attempts third sellout contract at northwest Indiana Lear auto parts plants
By Marcus Day, 15 December 2018
“The union and company think that by giving us signing bonuses that it’s going to make up for the lack of a pay raise.”
US Navistar workers to vote again on contract after 98 percent “no” vote
By Shannon Jones, 15 December 2018
Workers at the Springfield, Ohio truck plant and several smaller are being asked to vote again after a massive vote to reject a deal negotiated by the United Auto Workers.
Union isolates Cambria hotel workers in Chicago as British Columbia and Los Angeles hotel employees protest
By Michael Walters, 15 December 2018
Hotel workers have been on strike for three months at the Cambria Hotel in Chicago under conditions where the UNITE HERE union has systemically shut down hotel strikes nationally.
Nightmare odyssey of an American autoworker
A Chrysler worker’s 15-year fight to win her job back
By Shannon Jones, 14 December 2018
After speaking out against sexual harassment on the job, Cordella Minney faced retaliation from management and the United Auto Workers union for a period spanning more than a decade.
Over 4,000 Kaiser Permanente mental health workers on limited strike in California
By Kevin Martinez and Kim Saito, 14 December 2018
The National Union of Healthcare Workers is ending the five-day strike tomorrow without resolving workers’ demands for higher wages, more staffing and the restoration of pensions for new-hires.
Los Angeles teachers and the fight for social equality
By the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 14 December 2018
This statement will be distributed at a mass demonstration of teachers and their supporters in Los Angeles, California on Saturday.
Caterpillar to close plant in Joliet, Illinois
By George Marlowe and Marcus Day, 13 December 2018
Despite posting record third-quarter profits, heavy equipment manufacturing giant Caterpillar plans to close its plant in Joliet, Illinois, laying off hundreds.
“This meeting is a powerful expression of the growing opposition of the working class”
Report to Detroit meeting to fight GM plant closings
By Jerry White, 13 December 2018
Jerry White, labor editor of the WSWS, introduced the resolution to the December 9 meeting, outlining the strategy to unify workers in the US and internationally against the attacks on workers’ jobs and conditions.
General Motors could shut more plants in US, threatening more than 6,000 jobs
By Jerry White, 12 December 2018
According to a Detroit Free Press article, four assembly plants in Michigan, Kentucky and Kansas, currently employing 6,238 hourly workers, could be targeted for closure.
Chicago teacher union shuts down charter school strike, holds rally for Democratic candidates
By Kristina Betinis and Alexander Fangmann, 11 December 2018
Union officials showered Democrats with praise while offering no concrete details of the agreement to charter school teachers or when they could vote on the deal.
“Our action is part of a broader fight for education”
Teachers in Oakland, California speak out at wildcat demonstrations
By Kayla Costa, 11 December 2018
Teachers in Oakland, California participated in wildcat “sickouts” and demonstrations on Monday to demand pay raises, smaller class sizes, and better school conditions.
Autoworkers at Detroit public meeting: “Rank-and-file committees of the working class are the answer”
By our reporters, 11 December 2018
Workers expressed their support for a campaign to build new organizations of struggle, independent of the United Auto Workers, to lead a fight against all plant closures.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
Chilean public workers and airline workers strike
11 December 2018
Public workers in Chile held a nationwide walkout December 6 to protest layoffs at the same time that airport workers for LATAM airline in Chile walked off the job in a pay dispute.
“The fight against plant closures should be seen as a fight of all workers”
Students across the US declare their support for autoworkers
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (US), 8 December 2018
IYSSE members spoke with students around the United States about the struggle of autoworkers against the corporations and trade unions.
Lordstown, Ohio workers condemn GM’s planned factory closures
By our reporters, 7 December 2018
Workers report that the closure of the Lordstown assembly plant will have a devastating impact on an area that has already been hit hard by decades of deindustrialization.
Chicago charter teacher strike continues, as unions announce backing for Democratic machine politician
By Kristina Betinis, 7 December 2018
Acero teachers determined to improve conditions are being isolated from other schools even as the unions use their strike as the backdrop for their political maneuvers.
Ohio autoworkers back fight against plant closures
By a WSWS reporting team, 6 December 2018
Autoworkers throughout Ohio responded enthusiastically to the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter’s call for a united fight by US, Canadian and international autoworkers to stop GM’s planned closure of five plants.
“We stand with you because all of us are in the same fight”
US autoworkers express class solidarity with French workers
By Jerry White, 6 December 2018
The determination of the “yellow vest” protesters in the face of state repression by the French government has inspired workers in the United States and around the world.
Democrats, union tops seek to isolate Chicago charter teachers’ strike
By Kristina Betinis, 6 December 2018
Hours after staging a photo op at a Tuesday teachers’ rally, Chicago mayoral candidate Toni Preckwinkle announced her education platform.
GM, Ford, Bayer, Bombardier
Global investors demand escalation of class war on workers’ jobs and wages
By Jerry White, 5 December 2018
The plant closings and layoffs at GM are part of a broader assault on the working class throughout the world being directed by the most powerful corporate interests.
As industry analysts point to 25,000 Ford job cuts
Ford workers denounce GM plant closings and layoffs
By Jerry White, 4 December 2018
Ford workers expressed support for joint action with GM to fight plant closings and layoffs, and said they planned to attend this Sunday’s meeting in Detroit to organize a fight back.
In wake of GM closure announcement, UAW and Democrats stoke nationalism
By Shannon Jones, 4 December 2018
The spreading of nationalist poison by the unions is aimed at sabotaging and diverting a united fight by workers against the threat of plant closings.
Eighth New York City taxi driver suicide of 2018
By Leslie Murtagh, 4 December 2018
An 84 percent drop in medallion worth in only four years is a main factor contributing to the tragic string of taxi driver suicides.
Support grows for December 9 Detroit meeting
Autoworkers say fight necessary to stop GM plant closings, UAW betrayal
By Jerry White, 3 December 2018
Momentum is growing for this Sunday’s meeting to mobilize workers against the shutdown of five plants in the US and Canada and the elimination of more than 14,000 hourly and salaried jobs.
“The union and Lear must think we are stupid”
Indiana Lear auto parts workers vote down UAW sellout contract second time
By Marcus Day, 3 December 2018
The vote is a courageous act of defiance against the union’s attempts to ram through a pro-company deal and is an indication of the growing determination to fight in the working class.
United Steelworkers push through sellout contract at ArcelorMittal
By Jessica Goldstein, 3 December 2018
Two weeks after pushing through the same concessions contract at US Steel, the United Steelworkers forced through a sellout deal on steelworkers at ArcelorMittal USA.
“The union and Lear must think we are stupid”
Indiana Lear auto parts workers vote down UAW sellout contract second time
By Marcus Day, 2 December 2018
The vote is a courageous act of defiance against the union’s attempts to ram through a pro-company deal and is an indication of the growing determination to fight in the working class.
Canadian and US autoworkers call for a united struggle against GM’s assault on jobs
By Will Morrow, 1 December 2018
The broad support for a united struggle by workers contrasts with the efforts by the UAW and Unifor to fan the flames of nationalism.
Industry publication boasts: GM plant closures aimed at extorting more concessions from autoworkers
By Jerry White, 30 November 2018
In an article posted on the Automotive News web site Thursday, reporter Michael Wayland acknowledges GM is using plant closures to demand “untraditional employment practices” from workers, including more temporary and contracted labor.
“Everybody—Ford, Chrysler, GM—needs to strike right now”
Autoworkers’ outrage grows over GM plant closings
By Jerry White, 29 November 2018
GM workers at the threatened Lordstown, Ohio and Detroit-Hamtramck plants and other autoworkers spoke out against the shutdown of five plants in the US and Canada.
General Motors worker on job cuts: “This is all about corporate greed”
Detroit-Hamtramck autoworkers want to fight against plant closures
By our reporters, 28 November 2018
Workers expressed their contempt for the UAW, which did not even bother to turn up at the plant for the first shift since the announcement.
A call to action to fight the GM plant closings and mass layoffs
By Jerry White, 28 November 2018
Autoworkers and the working class as a whole cannot accept the “right” of the corporate and financial elite to shut these plants down.
Form rank-and-file committees
Reject the UAW-Lear sellout contract! Unite with GM and other autoworkers in a common fight!
By the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, 28 November 2018
The UAW, defying the will of its membership, is forcing a vote on virtually the same rotten deal Lear workers overwhelmingly rejected in October.
GM to close five plants in US and Canada, slash 14,700 jobs
For an industrial counteroffensive against job cuts!
By Jerry White, 27 November 2018
The plant closings have been facilitated by the unions and pose the need for autoworkers in the US and Canada to form independent organizations to prepare coordinated strike action.
“Workers in the US, Mexico and Korea should all stand up”
Lordstown GM autoworkers oppose shutdown and mass layoffs
By our reporters, 27 November 2018
Yesterday’s announcement by General Motors that it will slash 14,700 jobs has triggered shock and outrage among workers.
Chilean port workers strike over working conditions
Workers Struggles: The Americas
27 November 2018
Temporary port workers in Valparaíso, who are aptly called precarious, staged a November 22 walkout to press for better conditions including improvements in pay.
UAW negotiates secret deal with Columbia University to block strike action by graduate students
By Alexander Fangmann, 26 November 2018
The secret deal exposes the real role of the UAW—to keep wages low and divide workers in exchange for recognition and a stream of dues payments.
In run-up to contract vote
UAW intensifies campaign of intimidation against Indiana Lear workers
By Marcus Day, 26 November 2018
Facing growing anger and suspicion from workers at the information blackout, the union is desperate to smother opposition and block a unified struggle.
Arrest of Nissan chairman Ghosn roils global auto industry
By Shannon Jones, 22 November 2018
Many questions remain unanswered in the arrest of Carlos Ghosn, who headed a giant automotive alliance that includes Japanese-based Nissan and Mitsubishi, along with French-based Renault, which produces more than 10 million vehicles annually.
“Those of us who speak out are being blackballed”
UAW carries out campaign of intimidation against Lear auto parts workers
By our reporters, 22 November 2018
Workers have reported “backlash” and harassment by UAW 2335 officials for opposing the union’s efforts to push through another sellout and for speaking out in the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter.
Thousands of GM salaried workers to lose jobs in 2019
By Jerry White, 21 November 2018
The cuts are a prelude to a far broader assault on jobs and living standards amid an expected shake-out of the global auto industry.
USW pushes through US Steel sellout, prepares the same for ArcelorMittal workers
By Samuel Davidson, 20 November 2018
After suffering a three-year wage freeze in the last contract, steelworkers will get an average of a one percent raise in real wages over the next four years due to inflation.
Strike call in Dominican Republic over fuel price rise, crumbling infrastructure while nurses press demands
Workers Struggles: The Americas
20 November 2018
Social organizations in the Dominican Republic have called for a 24-hour strike November 27 over issues including fuel price increases and the decrepit state of infrastructure.
UAW hides details of new tentative agreement from Indiana Lear workers
By Marcus Day, 17 November 2018
Workers are increasingly angry over the information blackout being carried out by both the company and the union.
The government’s $4.6 billion handout to Amazon
Why Amazon should be expropriated
By Tom Carter, 17 November 2018
The billions in subsidies granted to Amazon for its new headquarters demonstrate the prostration of the entire political establishment before this massive conglomerate.
Amazon worker dies of heart attack at facility in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
By E.P. Milligan, 14 November 2018
Mike Gellasch, 61, allegedly died because no one could find a working communication device to call for help in time.
Amazon announces new headquarters in metropolitan New York City and Washington D.C.
By Trévon Austin, 14 November 2018
The culmination of Amazon’s year-long pageant is indicative of the immense power of giant transnational corporations and the oligarchs who head them.
“It’s honestly scary going to work because you’re not safe any more”
Kentucky Ford worker describes hazardous working conditions
By Keisha Gibbs and Marcus Day, 14 November 2018
The erosion of health and safety conditions throughout the auto industry has been imposed with the willing assistance of the UAW.
New York teachers union pushes through concessions contract
By Steve Light, 13 November 2018
The United Federation of Teachers rammed through a contract that includes below inflation rate wages in order to prevent a strike in the largest school district in America.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
13 November 2018
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature
After campaign of threats and intimidation, Teamsters announces “yes” vote on sellout UPS Freight contract
By Will Morrow, 12 November 2018
The vote is in effect a declaration of no confidence in the union by workers, who know it would not wage any struggle for their interests.
Workers killed in New York state helicopter crash and zinc mine accidents
By Steve Filips, 12 November 2018
One of the threads that connects these and other deaths at work is the gutting of safety measures and oversight to maximize profits.
Fort Wayne GM worker alleges UAW-management collusion in unjust termination
By Shannon Jones, 10 November 2018
After being fired, Ami Reveal, a veteran GM worker, went to the union, desperate for help. She told the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter, "What I got from the union was ‘do your job or else.’”
Break the isolation of UPS Freight workers! Form rank-and-file committees to unite workers against the company!
By the WSWS UPS Workers Newsletter, 10 November 2018
If approved, the contract would create a new tier of lower-paid drivers, maintain poverty-level wages of part-time warehouse dockworkers, and continue the undermining of full-time positions.
“The Teamsters union is with the company”
UPS workers oppose Teamsters isolation of freight division, call for united struggle
By Will Morrow, 9 November 2018
The union is seeking to reduce the voter turnout to below 50 percent in order to use a constitutional loophole to declare the contract ratified.
UPS Freight, Teamsters to workers: Vote “yes” or face lockout and lose your health care
By Will Morrow, 7 November 2018
The Teamsters union has already declared it will refuse to call out UPS small package workers in the event of a strike or lockout in the freight division.
School support workers vote to strike in rural district in Washington state
By Hector Cordon, 6 November 2018
This action comes roughly two months after a wave of walkouts and strike votes in the state were isolated and defeated by the unions.
Work stoppages by Argentine air cabin crew members lead to flight cancellations
Workers Struggles: The Americas
6 November 2018
A surprise walkout by workers at three airlines on November 2 over downsizing led to number of flight cancellations at Jorge Newbery terminal outside of Buenos Aires.
Two workers killed as wall collapses at Baltimore Amazon facility
By E.P. Milligan, 5 November 2018
Basic safety precautions are routinely ignored at Amazon facilities throughout the world.
Chicago charter school teachers vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike
By Kristina Betinis, 5 November 2018
Charter school teachers are determined to improve pay and classroom conditions, but they cannot advance their fight through the Chicago Teachers Union.
As workers’ opposition grows to Teamsters contract, UPS Freight prepares for strike
By Will Morrow, 3 November 2018
Workers voted by more than 62 percent to reject the UPS Freight contract on October 5.
“They are trying to outsource to cut costs and pit us against each other”
Allison Transmission workers speak out on UAW-management collaboration
By George Kirby and Shannon Jones, 3 November 2018
Allison Transmission workers in Indianapolis, Indiana are complaining about the outsourcing of jobs, speed-up and lack of representation by the United Auto Workers.
As US Steel and ArcelorMittal announce booming profits, the United Steelworkers pushes sellout deals
By our reporters, 3 November 2018
In the midst of a huge profit bonanza, unions like the USW, working on behalf of corporate management, are shamelessly telling workers it is they who must give back.
Chicago Teamsters local announces end to UPS contract extension
By George Marlowe, 2 November 2018
The union is seeking to reach a concessions contract with management while preventing a rebellion among rank-and-file workers.
Teamsters forces UPS Freight workers to vote again on rejected sellout contract
By Will Morrow, 30 October 2018
The union is threatening workers if they vote “no” again it will isolate them and refuse to conduct any struggle for a better contract.
“Conditions are worse today than they were 40 years ago”
Pittsburgh-area workers speak out on USW sellout deal with US Steel
By a WSWS reporting team, 30 October 2018
The WSWS Steelworker Newsletter spoke to workers at a shift change at the US Steel Edgar Thompson plant in Braddock, Pennsylvania.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
Public workers protest in Venezuela; Canada Post workers continue rotating strikes
30 October 2018
Thousands of public sector workers rallied in Venezuela last week to protest falling living standards, while the Canadian Union of Postal Workers is continuing its strategy of impotent rotating one-day strikes in order to dissipate worker anger without seriously impacting mail delivery.
“This union is taking food out of my kid’s mouth”
Lear Portage autoworker denounces UAW collusion with management
By Marcus Day, 29 October 2018
Workers at Lear have described a regime of harassment and intimidation carried out jointly by management and the UAW.
Funeral to be held today for UPS worker Andy Schanding, killed on the job in Lexington, Kentucky
By Will Morrow, 27 October 2018
Andy, 43, leaves behind a loving family, including his wife of 21 years, Sarah Dixon Schanding, a son Elliot and daughter Emilee.
AFSCME officials attempt to suppress WSWS reporting team
Union shuts down three-day strike by California health care and service workers
By Evelyn Rios, 27 October 2018
AFSCME has kept its 25,000 members on the job without a contract for over a year. Their current contract expired June 30, 2017.
“We should all be fighting together”
Teamsters union isolates 8,500 Chicago UPS workers
By George Marlowe, 26 October 2018
After defying the UPS workers’ “no” vote, the Teamsters is isolating thousands of Chicago-area workers.
Union, Democrats use “fact-finding” ploy to block Los Angeles teachers’ strike
By Dan Conway and Nancy Hanover, 26 October 2018
Despite more than 18 months of negotiations and three mediation sessions that have gone nowhere, the union continues to block strike action by teachers.
Ford worker dies of apparent workplace injury at Chicago Heights stamping plant
By Alexander Fangmann, 26 October 2018
The death adds to the growing toll exacted by dangerous working conditions related to the drive by Ford, abetted by the UAW, to increase production and profits.
After Teamsters overrule “no” vote on contract, UPS earnings up 20 percent
By Will Morrow, 25 October 2018
The continuous growth in profits is facilitated by the Teamsters union, which functions as an instrument of UPS management and cheap labor contractor.
Build rank and file strike committees
For a nationwide hotel walkout!
By Kevin Martinez, 25 October 2018
More than 8,000 hotel workers are currently on strike in nine cities, but the UNITE HERE union is isolating the struggle and preparing its defeat.
One year since the death of Jacoby Hennings
Woodhaven Stamping worker describes brutal atmosphere under UAW-Ford regime
“Temporary part-timers are treated like slaves”
By Jerry White, 24 October 2018
A veteran worker describes the oppressive conditions at Ford’s Woodhaven Stamping plant, which contributed to the tragic death of young autoworker Jacoby Hennings.
Lear auto parts workers speak out against UAW-backed sellout contract proposal
By Marcus Day, 23 October 2018
Details continue to emerge of the sellout deal the UAW attempted to push through at an October 14 ratification vote.
Chicago Lyric Opera musicians’ strike ends with concessions deal
By Brian Brown and Jeff Lusanne, 23 October 2018
Chicago’s Lyric Opera attempted to make drastic cuts to its orchestra, and managed to push through several of its demands despite a five-day strike by orchestra musicians.
Mexican professors strike, Argentine teachers to hold one-day national strike
Workers Struggles: The Americas
23 October 2018
Professors at the Autonomous University of Morelos State and Zacatecas are continuing strike action while teachers in Argentina will hold a one-day strike and mobilization October 24.
“The union rammed all these things down our throats”
UPS prepares to impose contract after Teamsters defy workers ‘no’ vote
By Will Morrow, 22 October 2018
Workers have reported that management has already begun to implement the terms of the illegitimate contract.
Vote “no” on the USW-US Steel concessions contract!
By the WSWS Steelworker Newsletter, 22 October 2018
Form rank-and-file committees to mobilize all steelworkers in a common fight!
UC healthcare and service workers to begin three-day strike
By Evelyn Rios, 20 October 2018
AFSCME and other unions at UC are working overtime to prevent any significant struggle by workers, and sabotage it if it erupts anyway.
Still no investigation into death of young autoworker
One year since the death of Jacoby Hennings
By Jerry White, 20 October 2018
A year after the tragic loss of this young Ford worker, family, friends and co-workers continue to demand the truth about his sudden and untimely death.
UAW faces growing opposition from Indiana Lear workers following contract rejection
By Marcus Day, 18 October 2018
Following the overwhelming “no” vote Sunday, UAW officials have sought to placate workers’ anger and denounced the WSWS’s widely-shared article as “lies.”
Teamsters for a Democratic Union to UPS workers: “Whatever you do, don’t fight!”
By Will Morrow, 18 October 2018
If the Teamsters leadership has so far been able to suppress opposition to its defiance of workers’ “no” vote, it is thanks only to its loyal opposition in the TDU.
Socialist Equality Party Congressional candidate Niles Niemuth visits Detroit hotel workers’ picket line
By our reporter, 18 October 2018
Workers on strike at the Westin Book Cadillac hotel in Detroit spoke with the SEP’s candidate for Michigan’s 12th congressional district Wednesday about their struggle and the broader issues facing working people.
DSA covers for unions and Democrats in new book on walkout by West Virginia teachers
55 Strong, Inside the West Virginia Teachers’ Strike
By Nancy Hanover, 18 October 2018
A new book promoted by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is centered on the lie that the West Virginia teachers’ strike, which set off the series of strikes nationally last spring, was a “victory” in which the unions played a heroic role.
Bay area hotel workers determined to fight as union, Democrats try to derail strike
By our reporters, 17 October 2018
“Nobody can afford rising health costs and still make ends meet on our pay.”
Striking hotel workers starved on meager or no strike pay
The multi-billion-dollar business of American trade unions
By Jerry White, 16 October 2018
Hotel workers currently on strike in the US are getting meager or no strike pay, meted out by “unions” that are in fact businesses—cheap labor contractors run by well-paid corporate managers.
Amazon whistleblower Shannon Allen: Celebrated $15 base pay represents pay cut for some workers
By Tom Carter, 16 October 2018
Amazon workers have reported to the International Amazon Workers Voice that the pay changes have been accompanied by a general “tightening up” of the tyrannical internal regime in the warehouses.
“We voted to go on strike, then they presented us with a BS contract”
Indiana Lear auto parts workers overwhelmingly reject UAW-backed contract proposal
By Marcus Day, 16 October 2018
The vote is a further demonstration of workers’ determination to fight back against decades of declining wages, benefits, and working conditions.
United Steelworkers announces tentative deal with US Steel
By Jessica Goldstein, 16 October 2018
Rank-and-file steelworkers must begin to mobilize now to demand time to study and discuss the full contract before any vote on this latest sellout deal.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
16 October 2018
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature
US hotel workers continue strikes in eight cities
By our reporters, 13 October 2018
The workers are rebelling against poverty level wages and inadequate benefits that have left many struggling to keep their heads above water.
As union ignores strike authorization votes
Tubing company locks out steelworkers in Trenton, Georgia
By Shelley Connor, 12 October 2018
The United Steelworkers continues to force US Steel and ArcelorMittal workers to stay on the job, despite unanimous strike votes.
As APWU keeps workers on the job
US Postal Service workers protest Trump’s privatization plans
By George Marlowe, 12 October 2018
Postal workers in more than 140 cities protested Trump’s privatization proposals while unions keep 200,000 workers on the job weeks after their contract expired on September 20.
Another train derailment in New York strands thousands
By Guillaume Garnier, 12 October 2018
The neglect of infrastructure maintenance for decades has allowed the conditions of the subway and interstate rail systems to physically collapse.
Musicians at Chicago’s Lyric Opera strike for the first time in 50 years
By our reporters, 11 October 2018
Musicians at Chicago’s Lyric Opera have gone on strike as funding to the arts is drastically cut in the United States.
Injured US Amazon workers face “workers compensation” regime rigged in favor of employers
By John Marion and Evan Cohen, 10 October 2018
Injured workers are denied medical treatment and bullied into getting back to work as quickly as possible.
Striking workers rally at Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit
By Kevin Martinez and Kathleen Martin, 10 October 2018
The determination of workers contrasted sharply with the efforts of UNITE HERE to promote local Democratic Party politicians.
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