Luis Feliz Leon

Walkouts Hit Amazon’s Last-Mile Stations

Luis Feliz Leon
Crowd of excited owrkers stands outside warehouse in the dark holding up handmade signs. Most prominent ones read "Amazon burns workers," "Amazon exploits workers," "Amazonians unite! Without us they're nothing."

Around 60 workers at three Amazon delivery stations—the final stop in the company’s logistics chain—staged a work stoppage early this morning.

Amazonians United, a network of rank-and-file worker committees around the U.S. and Canada, coordinated the walkouts in New York City and Maryland in its latest show of shop floor strength.

Here's What's in the New Bill Jointly Backed by Uber and the Teamsters in Washington State

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A big crowd of workers in matching green T-shirts hold up printed signs reading "PRO(FESSIONAL) UNION DRIVER"
February 25, 2022

Uber’s lobbyists, after clinching an agreement with UFCW Canada to launch a charm offensive at the Ontario provincial government for employee-like benefits on behalf of an estimated 100,00 drivers, weren’t done hobnobbing with unions.

Next up, the Teamsters in Washington state are working on a deal with Uber and Lyft.

A New Union, At Last? Mexican Auto Parts Workers Get to Vote, Three Years After Strike Wave

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February 19, 2022

UPDATE, March 1: Workers at Mexico's Tridonex auto parts plant in the border city of Matamoros overwhelmingly voted for an independent union on February 28. Workers cast 1,126 votes for the National Independent Union of Industry and Service Workers, 20/32 Movement (SNITIS), while 176 voted for the incumbent Industrial Union of Workers in Maquiladora and Assembly Plants (SITPME), which is affiliated with the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM).

In a Landslide Victory, Mexican GM Workers Vote In an Independent Union

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A woman wearing a red blouse and jeans and a serious, determined expression holds up a handful of "VOTA SINTTIA" leaflets, fanned out. She is standing in a sunny outdoor location, in front of a red car that has a poster taped on the side.
February 04, 2022

Auto workers at a General Motors plant in central Mexico delivered a landslide victory to an independent union in a vote held February 1-2. It's a major breakthrough for workers and labor activists seeking to break the vice grip of the employer-friendly unions that have long dominated Mexico’s labor movement.

After Strike, Washington Carpenters Approve New Contract by Slim Margin

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Picketers in high-visibility garb file alongside a plastic barrier. Printed signs read "ON STRIKE FOR FAIR WAGES AGAINST GLY CONSTRUCTION"
October 19, 2021

Going into the vote on a controversial fifth tentative agreement, the mood among Washington carpenters who had organized for a “no” vote was uncertain.

“It was so close last time, it’s hard to say what will happen,” said Tom Nolan hours before the vote tally was announced.

“A toss-up,” said Nina Wurz.

“It’s going to be a ‘no.’ But, unfortunately, I could be surprised. Being out of work has hurt a lot of people,” said Alejandro Lucero.

Workers Have Leverage. It's Time to Use It.

Luis Feliz Leon
Dan DiMaggio
Help Wanted sign - background red, text white, in window of store

The capitalist vultures are wheeling low, but they’re finding slim pickings to choose from these days.

“No one wants to work!” The bosses whine about a worker shortage—though it’s one they brought about.

Eighteenth-century British economist Adam Smith noted how common it is to hear complaints about workers coming together to fight for their interests, and how rare it is to hear about all the scheming the bosses do to plunder workers’ labor.

Washington Carpenter Revolt Swells Picket Lines

Luis Feliz Leon

Two thousand Washington carpenters went on strike yesterday, out of 6,600 who currently work under the master agreement with the Association of General Contractors (AGC). Five jobs were picketed, including construction projects at Facebook’s Building X, the Microsoft’s Campus in Redmond, and Alphabet’s Google.

“I didn’t know what to expect. People can talk on Facebook, but you don’t know until it’s time for people to show up,” said Joe Rice, a general foreman at Local 30.

After Voting Down Four Tentative Agreements, Washington Carpenters Strike

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Big crowd of carpenters in high-vis neon orange and green shirts stands on a street corner. Some hold handmade signs reading "PAY UP AGC" and "VOTE NO."
September 15, 2021

After narrowly rejecting a contract offer, the union representing 11,600 working carpenters in Washington state is set to start a strike tomorrow.

It’s the fourth offer that members have nixed. A scrappy band of rank and filers known as the Peter J. McGuire Group organized the no vote over inadequate raises—despite pressure from union leaders, who were promoting the deal. They are also seeking reimbursements for high parking costs, increased employer contributions to health care and pension funds, and stronger sexual harassment protections.

While Many in New York Stayed Dry and Safe, Immigrant Gig Workers Braved a Deluge

Luis Feliz Leon

During a typical downpour, the rainwater also pours gobs of cash in tips into the pockets of immigrant gig workers as they zip around the city delivering takeout to New Yorkers hunkering down at home. Flash flooding warnings are not a case for worry; they are signs of a boon to come, as food delivery apps like GrubHub, DoorDash, and Relay offer bonuses to entice workers to traipse through snow and rain to feed homebound residents. On these days of extreme weather, upwardly mobile customers are apt to be less stingy.

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