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Tar Sands Pipeline Risks Too Great, Canadian Unions Say »

October 23, 2012 | Jenny Brown

The U.S. presidential election has held up a decision on the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, but in Canada, unions have joined environmentalists to battle another pipeline—this one headed for the pristine west coast of Canada.


REVIEW: Organized Money vs. Organized People »

October 22, 2012 | Mike Parker and Margaret Jordan

“HEIST”: Who Stole the American Dream?
Feature documentary by Frances Causey and Donald Goldmacher, 2012
76 min. Order DVD from heist-themovie.com


“It’s the Economy, Stupid” has been the mantra for election strategy since Bill Clinton. It’s the economy that sets the context of our lives...

Orchestras Face a Season of Lockouts »

October 22, 2012 | Bruce Ridge

Orchestras are resorting to lockouts to try to force big pay cuts, with four just this fall. From management's behavior, you’d never know that the arts are still good business.

Remembering Legendary Troublemaker Jerry Tucker »

October 19, 2012 | Mark Brenner

We learned with sadness that Jerry Tucker died this morning. We will be posting a fuller remembrance in the coming days, but wanted to share the following video from the 2012 Labor Notes conference. Jerry received a Troublemaker's Award for his lifetime of rabble-rousing, and below is what we...

Verizon Workers Face New Contract with Mix of Relief and Apprehension »

October 19, 2012 | Jenny Brown

Union leaders announced with relief a deal that preserves strong job security language, gives an 8 percent raise over four years, maintains existing pensions for current workers, and maintains job security protections. But it’s controversial among members because Verizon won big concessions....

How Chicago Teachers Got Organized to Strike »

October 19, 2012 | Norine Gutekanst

The seven-day Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) strike in September didn’t just beat back a mayor bent on imposing some very bad “education reforms.” Our win was possible because of several years of patient organizing, focused on getting members to step up.

Immigrants and Unions Work To Oust Notorious Arizona Sheriff »

October 19, 2012 | Jenny Brown

Latino workers in the Phoenix area are fighting back against the bullying sheriff of Maricopa County, Joe Arpaio. They’ve registered over 34,000 new voters for the November election.

California Governor Vetoes Low-Wage Worker Rights »

October 18, 2012 | Karl Kramer

Low-wage workers in California who had been organizing for expanded rights were stunned when Governor Jerry Brown vetoed pro-worker bills, citing the burden the protections would place on employers.

Canadian Auto Workers Deliver Acceptable Deal after Threat to Strike Detroit 3 »

October 16, 2012 | Jim Stanford

Early this month Labor Notes published a piece critical of the Canadian Auto Workers’ new contracts with the Detroit 3 auto makers. Here's the CAW’s account of the bargaining and contracts.

A Contract, Finally, for Airport Screeners »

October 11, 2012 | Jenny Brown
Republicans in Congress are gnashing their teeth, but TSA workers are voting on their first contract, which would establish important labor rights for the 45,000 workers who screen passengers and baggage at airports.

Just Cause: A Union Guide to Winning Discipline Cases »

October 10, 2012 | Charles Borchert

The newest guide from veteran labor lawyer Robert M. Schwartz teaches stewards how to be better defenders of their members. Its examples and tips are advice you will use every day.

Walmart Warehouse Strikers Return to Work with Full Back Pay »

October 9, 2012 | Alexandra Bradbury

Strikers have returned to work with full back pay at Walmart’s giant warehouse in Elwood, Illinois. They had struck for three weeks over their employer's illegal retaliation for on-the-job organizing.

In Politics, There’s Expensive, and Then There’s Effective »

October 8, 2012 | Mark Brenner

A lackluster debate performance is not the worst disappointment of union members' last four years. Better choices won't happen without a thorough shake-up of labor's approach to electoral politics.

Getting the Most Out Of Information Requests »

October 5, 2012 | Robert M. Schwartz

Union representatives can use their right to information not just to win grievances but to nudge the boss toward contract compliance.

‘Law and Justice’ on Strikers’ Side, Nursing Home CEO Finds »

October 3, 2012 | Jenny Brown

What’s a growth industry in the U.S.? Making decent jobs into bad ones. Daniel Straus, CEO of HealthBridge and CareOne nursing home chains, is a textbook case, imposing a contract that sent 600 outraged workers out on strike.

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