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Wealthy Defense Contractor Pushes Machinists to Strike »

May 17, 2012 | Matthew Cunningham-Cook

Lockheed Martin has seen fit to distribute nearly $20 million annually to politicians in Washington, and to pay its CEO nearly $150 million in the last five years. But executives can’t seem to find the money to pay for new hires' pensions or to maintain comprehensive health coverage at its F-35...

Nurses Defy Chicago Mayor, Rallying for Robin Hood Tax »

May 16, 2012 | Mischa Gaus

When Chicago’s “Mayor 1%” Rahm Emanuel threatened to derail the National Nurses United rally this Friday, NNU didn’t back down. Chicago nurse Martese Chism tells why.

How to Bargain Concessions (If You Must) »

May 15, 2012 | Richard de Vries

Can concessions save jobs? Almost always they cannot, and certainly not in the big picture. Concessions can’t fix a collapsed market or stop offshoring, nor the 1%’s relentless assault on the working class. But concessions may save jobs in the short term if the union bargains hard in areas not...

Oregon Activists Look to Grassroots Approach to Win Universal Health Care »

May 14, 2012 | Peter Shapiro

Oregon activists are responding to escalating health care costs by rejuvenating a grassroots campaign to win a system that covers everyone—and pays for it by cutting out the insurance companies.

The Troublemakers Union Gathers, Stronger than Ever »

May 10, 2012 | Labor Notes Staff

Even a group of a dozen had a hard time keeping up with everything 1,500 union activists and troublemakers of all stripes—from all over the world—were up to at the weekend's Labor Notes Conference.


Wisconsin Unions Will Push On without Champion in Walker Recall »

May 9, 2012 | Mischa Gaus

Wisconsin voters chose Tom Barrett yesterday as the Democrat to face Republican Scott Walker in the June 5 vote for governor. Barrett won the Democratic primary handily, defeating Kathleen Falk, the candidate endorsed by most major unions in the state, by 22 points.



Barrett, the...

Live from the Labor Notes Conference »

May 4, 2012 | Mischa Gaus

Records are being broken all over the place as 1,500 union activists, worker center members, and workplace troublemakers are gathering in Chicago for the biggest Labor Notes conference yet.

Bringing Up the Next Generation Right »

May 3, 2012 | Amy Sprengelmeyer

A new how-to handbook makes the case that women and people of color can benefit from formal mentoring programs that encourage their development as union leaders. The programs are most effective when paired with a broader education program, but they need to express a shared commitment to...

Celebrating May Day, in New and Old Ways »

May 2, 2012 | Andrew Sernatinger

Given the attack on the Occupy camps last fall, the assault on labor, and the spread of Arizona-style anti-immigrant laws, what would happen this May Day was an open question. Would it see the revival of the Occupy movement, allied with labor and immigrants?

Vermont Poised to Issue Driver’s Licenses to Farm Workers »

May 1, 2012 | Michael Feiner

Hundreds of Vermonters took to the streets of the capital Montpelier on May 1 to demonstrate, rally, and celebrate the victories of working people.



Advocates, organizers, and working people from across the state came together to show their solidarity with the struggles of all working...

Steelworkers at Oil Refiner Tesoro Ready for Strike »

April 30, 2012 | Patrick Young

The oil refiner Tesoro took a $40 million loss after an explosion last year that claimed seven lives. Management is trying to recoup the money by forcing workers to pay for its mistakes, leading Steelworkers to prepare for a strike.



The Vision Thing: Keeping Union Reform on Track »

April 27, 2012 | Jane Slaughter

When reformers take over at the union hall, they can make remarkable changes, transforming dormant locals into ones with proud members who put management on notice. But some stumble. What happens?

With Contracts Expired at AT&T, Communications Workers Strive for Unity »

April 26, 2012 | Charles Borchert

Communications Workers at AT&T are back in bargaining just 18 months after the last group of workers settled a contract. Once again the company is proving to be difficult to deal with, spurring the union to forge unity across regions and between AT&T and Verizon workers.

Tax-Dodging GE Takes Union Fire »

April 25, 2012 | Jim West

At least 2,000 people assembled in downtown Detroit this morning outside the General Electric shareholders meeting to demand that the giant multinational pay its fair share of taxes. Signs read, "We pay taxes, why don't you?"

Union, Riders Chase a Better Bus System »

April 24, 2012 | Matthew Cunningham-Cook

Despite the fact that 2011 saw the highest transit ridership in a half century, many regional and municipal transit authorities are facing huge budget cuts and steep service reductions. But several local coalitions are working to expand transit options.

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