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Viewpoint: The Boeing Vote Was Not a Referendum on Organizing the South »

February 17, 2017 | Chris Brooks

The Machinists’ loss in the February 15 union vote at Boeing was devastating. Out of 3,000 workers eligible to cast ballots at the Charleston, South Carolina, plant, 2,097 voted against unionization, and only 731 in favor.

Viewpoints: Building Trades Activists Argue for a Different Approach to Trump »

February 15, 2017 | Len Shindel and Kevin Norton

After national leaders of the Building Trades unions met with President Donald Trump January 25 and heaped praise on him, two readers sent in their thoughts. One is a local assistant business manager, the other a retired communications staffer for the Electrical Workers (IBEW).

How We Got Our Lead Nurses Back »

February 14, 2017 | Deidre Lacey

Nurses sat stunned. We had been called to a meeting about a “new vision.” In one week, our chief nursing officer (CNO) announced, the charge nurse role would be eliminated.

Credit Mass Resistance, Not Anti-Union Judge, for Blocking Trump’s Travel Ban »

February 13, 2017 | Jonathan Rosenblum

When I first heard the good news on February 3 that U.S. District Court Judge James L. Robart had slapped a restraining order on Trump’s travel ban, I texted a labor attorney friend: “Goodness—Judge Robart! Am I obliged to like him now?”

Food Workers Puzzled over Andrew Puzder for Secretary of Labor »

February 10, 2017 | Jose Oliva

“They’re always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, there’s never a slip-and-fall, or an age, sex, or race discrimination case.” That’s Andrew Puzder, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Labor, praising the advantages of employing robots over human...

Iowa’s New Union-Busting Bill Is Worse Than Wisconsin »

February 10, 2017 | Peter Knowlton, Andrew Dinkelaker, and Gene Elk

Republicans in both houses of the Iowa state legislature have introduced a bill that is aimed at destroying public sector unions and the rights of public employees in that state.

Get Your Protest On: Tips for Taking It to the Streets »

February 9, 2017 | Rebecca Givan

On January 28 I woke up, heard the news about immigrants being detained because of the president’s executive order, and decided to head over to New York’s JFK Airport.

Viewpoint: Trump’s Trade Reforms Will Not Increase U.S. Wages »

February 9, 2017 | Adam Dean and Jamie McCallum

President Donald Trump claims he will use international trade policy to bolster the middle class and reduce income inequality.

Staples Removed: How Postal Workers Defeated a Privatization Scheme »

February 6, 2017 | Alexandra Bradbury

The Staples boycott is over, and the union won. The Postal Workers (APWU) announced January 5 that the Postal Service will terminate its deal with Staples, closing down the 540 “mini-post offices” inside stores by the end of February and nixing plans to expand them to all 1,600 locations.

Solidarity Outlasts 'Right to Work' in Indiana Shipyard »

February 2, 2017 | Alexandra Bradbury

Plenty of union officers are justifiably worried about how many members will quit their unions if Congress or the Supreme Court imposes “right to work” conditions on the whole country.

Five Steps to Maintain Unity and Membership under Right to Work »

February 1, 2017 | Leah Fried

How can unions operate under these hostile conditions? There are already 27 right-to-work states where we can look for lessons. Unions there take a big hit—but some manage to survive and even thrive, despite the extra challenges. Here’s what it takes.

New York Taxi Workers Strike Back Against Muslim Ban »

January 30, 2017 | Chris Brooks

In solidarity with a massive protest that erupted at New York’s JFK Airport January 28, the city’s Taxi Workers Alliance organized a one-hour strike at the international terminal.

Utility Locators Fight for First Contract »

January 30, 2017

Utility locators in New York City and Long Island are fighting for a first contract with United States Infrastructure Corporation. Members say the company has been stonewalling at the bargaining table, aiming to frustrate them into decertifying the union.

Book Review: Song of the Stubborn One Thousand »

January 26, 2017 | Don McIntosh

It’s said that those who go through a strike never forget it. Peter Shapiro took part in a mid-1980s cannery strike as a community supporter, and never forgot it. Thirty years later, retired from a career in the U.S.