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Myanmar Workers and Unions on the Front Lines in Fight Against Coup »

February 26, 2021 | Kevin Lin

Update: Late Friday evening, February 26 (local time), the Myanmar military declared most of the country's labor organizations illegal on public television, with the threat of arrests if their activities continue, adding

After Seven-Year Battle, Massachusetts Comcast Techs Win First Contract »

February 25, 2021 | Rand Wilson

After voting to form a union seven and a half years ago, Comcast technicians at the Fairhaven, Massachusetts, garage finally have a first contract. Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2322’s new two-year contract was ratified by 79 percent of the eligible membership on February 3.

A Pandemic Nurse's Diary book cover

Book Review: A Pandemic Nurse’s Diary »

February 24, 2021 | Richard March

Reading the gripping A Pandemic Nurse’s Diary is like immersing yourself in a big-screen film.
Ed Kelly on the left and Mahlon Mitchell on the right

In Firefighters Election, Can a Veteran of the Wisconsin Uprising Come Out on Top? »

February 23, 2021 | Steve Early

A rare contested race for president of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has given its members a clear choice between a union traditionalist from Boston and a progressive activist who backed massive labor protests against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker a decade ago—and then...
People holding lit signs spelling out "UNDENIABLE" stand in front of a building. On the building are projected the words: "ICE IS DEPORTING AND TORTURING PEOPLE! ABOLISH ICE AND CBP!"

Viewpoint: A ‘Union’ That Pushes to Deport People Is the Labor Movement's Opponent »

February 18, 2021 | Alexandra Bradbury

What if I told you an employer had agreed that it could no longer make any change to policies affecting members without “prior affirmative consent” from the union?
Woman holds sign reading "VTA: Keep Us Safe! Rear Door Boarding Now! #RearBoardingNow #TransitEquityDay"

Silicon Valley Bus Drivers Restored Community Rides for Free—By Taking Matters into Their Own Hands »

February 17, 2021 | Richard Marcantonio

With Covid cases surging in their ranks, bus drivers in Santa Clara, California, demanded to resume rear-door boarding, which is proven to reduce the risk of infection.
A group of workers, some holding drums, gathers in a circle outside a port.

Leveraging Strategic Position, Argentine Vegetable Oil Workers Win Big Raises with Coordinated Strike »

February 16, 2021 | Julia Soul and Ernesto Torres

Argentina’s vegetable oil workers ended 2020 on a high note, with a triumphant 21-day national strike for higher wages. They were pushing to make the minimum wage a living wage, as the constitution mandates.
Crowd in coats and masks. One hand-drawn sign reads "Roses are red, educators are blue, if one of us dies, Kenney, what will you do?" Another shows a train and reads "Choo-choo-choose a safe plan." Another says "ventilate, vaccinate, educate." Another shows an image of a fan with a "no" line across it.

Despite Slow Vaccine Rollout, Teachers Are Being Pushed Back Inside »

February 15, 2021 | Barbara Madeloni

“This is not the agreement you deserve.”


So said Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey, announcing that members had voted to accept a plan to return to school buildings.
Luis wears a red RWDSU T-shirt and black Teamsters hat. Sarah wears a shirt with no text.

Welcome, Sarah and Luis! »

February 11, 2021 | Labor Notes Staff

Labor Notes is excited to bring on two wonderful new staff organizers, Sarah Hughes and Luis Feliz Leon, at our New York office in February. Sarah and Luis are joining our training and events team, and they’ll also write for Labor Notes.
Karen Lewis at the podium in front of Labor Notes banner

Karen Lewis Lit the Spark »

February 10, 2021 | Labor Notes Staff

Karen Lewis, the Chicago Teachers Union president who led the landmark 2012 strike, died February 7. Her generosity, charisma, and indomitable strength of purpose were gifts to labor organizers across the country who watched, learned, listened, and stepped up themselves.

Surveillance, Stress, and No Bathrooms: Life as an Amazon Driver »

February 9, 2021 | Jake Alimahomed-Wilson

Part 2 of a series on Amazon's delivery drivers. Part 1, “Building Its Own Delivery Network, Amazon Puts the Squeeze On Drivers,” is here.
Left: Anne stands in back of a pickup truck holding a mic. Right: Anne stands at a mic, fist in the air, in front of Labor Notes banner.

Rest in Power, Anne Feeney (1951-2021) »

February 5, 2021 | Alexandra Bradbury

This week the U.S. labor movement lost its best-known and best-loved troubadour: the great folksinger-songwriter Anne Feeney. She died of Covid on February 3, at age 69, with her children at her side.

Viewpoint: New York’s New Law Covering 67,000 Fast Food Workers Is a Leap Forward for Just Cause for All »

February 5, 2021 | Rand Wilson

New York City fast food workers will now have legal protections against unjust firings, after the City Council passed a package of bills prohibiting fast food employers from terminating employees or cutting workers’ hours without “just cause.”

Activists draw chaik outlines on the ground in front of a hotel entrance; one outline is labeled "Vietnam." Others hold a banner: "TPP is corporate greed. AiDS drugs = life."

Viewpoint: Will Your Local Union Sign On to Ask the WTO to Waive Patents on Covid Vaccines? »

February 4, 2021 | Arthur Stamoulis

More than 100 nations are urging the World Trade Organization to waive its “intellectual property” rules so that countries can start producing generic Covid-19 vaccines and treatments to increase global supplies.

Steward's Corner: Drafting Good Contract Language »

February 2, 2021 | Richard de Vries

Your union contract isn’t expected to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. But it does matter if it’s well written.

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