Workers Issues in the US
Uber cuts protested by New York City drivers
By Steve Light and Isaac Finn, 2 February 2016
With support from taxi drivers, Uber drivers in New York City protested rate cuts by the international company, which will reduce already meager incomes even further.
Steelworkers union begins counting ballots in sellout contract at US Steel
By Evan Winters, 30 January 2016
The contract being rammed through with no discussion by the USW reportedly includes a three-year wage freeze, no signing bonus and the elimination of retiree health care for new-hires.
Longshoremen walk out at New York/New Jersey Port
By Daniel de Vries, 30 January 2016
Hours after the job action began, the International Longshoremen’s Association moved to shut down the strike, telling workers on Friday evening to return to work.
”Democracy is being taken away in Michigan”
As Detroit teachers head to court, politicians plot further attacks
By Nancy Hanover, 25 January 2016
Teachers face a hearing Monday as the Detroit Public Schools seeks an injunction against sickouts and legislators ramp up efforts to ban opposition to the destruction of public education.
Misery compounds as mass layoffs continue in West Virginia
By Naomi Spencer, 23 January 2016
Each week brings announcements of hundreds of layoffs in coal, rail or other industries across the state.
Job cuts mount as global economy falters
By Gabriel Black, 22 January 2016
The cascade of job cuts comes as prominent figures attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland predict a grim future for the world economy.
Port of Oakland in California to close major terminal
By David Brown, 21 January 2016
The decision of the largest terminal operator to leave the Port of Oakland is a harbinger of a crisis in the shipping industry and worsening conditions for port workers.
“We are all in this together. This is class warfare”
Video: Detroit teachers speak out in protests during Obama visit
By Jerry White and Buster Haycook, 21 January 2016
Hundreds of teachers shut down the school system in a “sick out” protest Wednesday against decaying buildings, overcrowded classrooms and years of pay and benefit cuts.
Union officials work with Obama administration to crush Detroit teacher protests
By Jerry White, 19 January 2016
The Detroit Federation of Teachers sent out a letter to educators urging them to stop their protests and place their faith in city officials and President Obama.
Detroit teachers and the political struggle for public education
By Jerry White, 15 January 2016
Rank-and-file teachers have taken their own initiative and acted independently of every faction of the Detroit Federation of Teachers and political establishment in Detroit and Lansing.
The Detroit teachers’ fight to defend public education
By Jerry White, 13 January 2016
It is no accident that social opposition is taking the form of a rebellion against the trade unions, which have long served as industrial police for the corporations and government.
“For too long we looked to the union… now we have to do it ourselves”
Teacher sickouts shut two-thirds of Detroit schools
By Jerry White, 12 January 2016
The struggle has erupted outside of the control of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, which has a long and sordid history of collaborating with state and local officials.
Worker killed in Ohio Honda plant
By David Brown, 8 January 2016
The contract worker died as Honda draws large profits and continues to recall defective airbags responsible for nine deaths.
190 Muslim workers fired from Colorado meatpacking plant
By Tom Hall, 7 January 2016
The workers, mostly Somali refugees, walked off the job last month in protest after management at the Cargill plant refused to allow them prayer time at sundown.
Freightliner announces nearly 1,000 layoffs at North Carolina plant
By Jerry White, 6 January 2016
The layoff announcement follows similar job cuts and UAW-sanctioned attacks on workers at Volvo, Navistar and other truck manufacturers in the US.
UAW local publishes blacklist of workers who opt out of dues payment
By Eric London, 5 January 2016
The anti-democratic move by Local 412 in suburban Detroit is aimed at victimizing workers who criticize the UAW’s collusion with corporate management.
Analyst says US auto contracts will not increase labor costs
By Shannon Jones, 31 December 2015
Despite claims by the UAW that the agreements were among the richest in history, the overall labor costs at the Detroit automakers will remain essentially unchanged.
Dictatorship conditions at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant: Part Two
With UAW complicity, Ford fires workers for voicing opposition
By Eric London, 30 December 2015
A local UAW official confirmed that at least a dozen workers have been fired from the Kansas City plant for comments posted on Facebook, and the union has done nothing.
Dictatorship conditions at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant: Part One
Autoworker crushed to death in conveyer belt catastrophe
By Eric London, 29 December 2015
The deceased worker leaves behind a wife and small children. Meanwhile, Ford keeps hush, the UAW blames workers and the government said it will not investigate the workplace tragedy.
Illinois coal miner killed on the job
By Naomi Spencer, 23 December 2015
The death of Tyler D. Rath is the third fatal accident at the Foresight Energy mine in Macedonia, Illinois in as many years.
Nexteer workers denounce UAW after ratification of sellout deal
By our reporters, 22 December 2015
Just days after the UAW pushed through a new five-year agreement, workers at the former GM steering complex spoke out against the union-management conspiracy to push through the deal.
Chicago area Coca-Cola workers enter fourth week of strike, face isolation by Teamsters
By George Gallanis, 22 December 2015
The Teamsters union, which represents 15,000 Coca-Cola workers, is isolating the 319 striking workers in order to block a wider fight.
United Steelworkers announces deal with US Steel
By Jerry White, 21 December 2015
The USW has reached a deal for a new three-year contract with US Steel that will accelerate the attack on 18,000 workers at the largest steel company in the United States.
After the Big Three contracts
Auto companies cheat retirees while posting record sales
By Eric London, 21 December 2015
As auto sales hit new records, an autoworker at GM’s Fort Wayne Assembly Plant in Indiana explained how workers are being cheated of their signing bonuses.
“They want this contract shoved down our throats”
UAW claims ratification of Nexteer sellout as lies exposed
By Shannon Jones, 19 December 2015
Broad sections of Nexteer workers remain opposed to the latest sellout in the face of UAW-company threats, lies and intimidation.
After isolating locked-out ATI workers
Steelworkers union prepares to push through concessions contract at US Steel
By Samuel Davidson, 19 December 2015
The United Steelworkers union is moving to impose a concessions contract on workers at US.
Montreal suspends 2,400 workers for participating in an “illegal” meeting
By Laurent Lafrance, 19 December 2015
Montreal’s mayor is accusing workers of “bullying” while his administration is attacking wages, pensions and benefits won through generations of struggle.
Widespread opposition as voting begins on second UAW-Nexteer deal
By Jerry White, 18 December 2015
Auto parts workers at the former GM complex in Saginaw, Michigan expressed their opposition to the UAW-backed sellout when they came to vote on Thursday.
UAW shuts down Kohler strike, rams through contract in snap vote
By Shannon Jones, 17 December 2015
Throughout the month-long strike, the United Auto Workers isolated the Kohler workers and strung them out on $200 a week in strike benefits.
Vote “No” on UAW-Nexteer sellout deal!
Build factory committees to mobilize all autoworkers in a common struggle
By Jerry White, 17 December 2015
The new deal is not a “contract” in any real sense but a slave’s charter, with the UAW imposing management’s demands for poverty wages and a dictatorship on the shop floor.
Nexteer workers challenge UAW officials at contract information meetings
By Jerry White, 16 December 2015
Workers grilled UAW officials with angry questions Tuesday, amidst widespread opposition to a second sellout deal at the former GM steering complex in Saginaw, Michigan.
Volvo truck plant lays off 734 workers ahead of contract deadline
By Ed Hightower, 16 December 2015
The layoffs are a familiar tactic designed to wear down workers so they will accept a sellout contract.
After the contract at Fiat Chrysler: UAW and company cheat workers of pay
By Eric London, 16 December 2015
The World Socialist Web Site recently spoke with workers at the Toledo North Assembly Plant in Ohio who said anger is widespread over the impact of the new contract.
Boston “ghost train” incident exposes decay of public infrastructure
By John Marion, 15 December 2015
While human error was responsible for the incident, the old and decrepit equipment of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority played a significant role.
“Everyone’s eyes are opening up now that they are reading the contract”
Nexteer workers express anger and opposition to new contract deal
By Shannon Jones, 15 December 2015
The United Auto Workers is holding so-called information meetings, starting today, with Saginaw, Michigan workers voting on the second deal Thursday and Friday.
Chicago teachers vote to authorize strike action
By Kristina Betinis, 15 December 2015
While teachers have repeatedly demonstrated their determination to fight, the Chicago Teachers Union is opposed to any struggle against the Democratic Party.
UAW official pushing Nexteer sellout lashes out at Autoworker Newsletter
By Jerry White, 15 December 2015
Facing a rebellion over efforts to push through another rotten contract, a UAW International executive took to Facebook to denounce autoworkers and the WSWS.
As details of new tentative agreement emerge
Workers oppose UAW-Nexteer divide-and-conquer tactics
By Eric London, 12 December 2015
The UAW is working with Nexteer to trick workers into voting for a sellout deal that will ensure high corporate profits at the workers’ expense.
Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts takes aim at guards’ jobs and working conditions
By Kate Randall, 12 December 2015
MFA management wants to implement a more “militarized” approach to museum security, utilizing ceiling-mounted cameras and video surveillance at the expense of personnel.
Nexteer victimizes dozens of workers as UAW prepares new sellout
By Eric London, 11 December 2015
Nexteer management has fired up to 30 workers at its Saginaw, Michigan complex in a move to break the resistance of the rank and file to a new UAW-backed concessions deal.
Celebrating the sellout: UAW sends negotiators on paid vacation at exclusive Miami resort
By Eric London, 11 December 2015
The day after ramming through the sellout contract at Ford, the UAW sent out an internal memo to the UAW-Ford negotiators announcing a celebratory trip to South Beach on the workers’ dime.
“If you don’t put a stop to it now, it will never stop”
Kohler strike in fourth week
By Shannon Jones, 11 December 2015
Contract talks are in progress as the UAW continues isolation of the strike.
“If we as workers were to stand up, what kind of a statement would that make worldwide?”
Nexteer workers’ anger grows as UAW prepares to ram through new sellout deal
By Eric London, 10 December 2015
Workers at Nexteer Automotive in Saginaw, Michigan denounced the UAW for calling off a 20-hour strike without telling workers anything about the alleged new tentative agreement.
Video: Nexteer workers speak on the picket line
By our reporters, 10 December 2015
The WSWS spoke to strikers in Saginaw before the UAW called off the 20-hour strike, ordering them back to work without a chance to vote on a new deal.
“Your resolve to stand up… is something to be admired”
Ford workers call for joint struggle with Nexteer workers
By our reporters, 10 December 2015
As Saginaw, Michigan auto parts workers face the combined forces of Nexteer and the UAW, workers at Ford pledged their support and called for a common fight.
After less than 24 hours, UAW shuts down Nexteer strike
By Jerry White, 9 December 2015
With consummate contempt for workers, the UAW ordered Nexteer strikers to return to their jobs less than a day after the walkout began and before they could see the new agreement.
Nexteer autoworkers on strike denounce UAW-Nexteer contract
By Thomas Gaist, 9 December 2015
The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter spoke to workers prior to an announcement late on Tuesday that the UAW was calling off the strike.
Mining giant Anglo American to cut 85,000 jobs
By Gabriel Black, 9 December 2015
The fifth largest mining corporation in the world, Anglo American, will reduce its workforce by 63 percent in response to low commodity prices and a stagnating global economy.
Over 3,300 auto parts workers strike in Saginaw, Michigan
The way forward for Nexteer workers
By Jerry White, 8 December 2015
The striking Nexteer workers deserve and need the support of all autoworkers and every section of the working class in the US and internationally.
After the “no” vote at Nexteer: A message from a Ford worker
By Eric London, 8 December 2015
The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter spoke to a Ford worker in Louisville, Kentucky on the struggle at Nexteer and the lessons of the contract fight at the Big Three auto companies.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
8 December 2015
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Massive “no” vote by Nexteer workers rejects UAW sellout
By our reporting team, 7 December 2015
An overwhelming 97 percent of workers at the former GM complex in Saginaw, Michigan defeated the deal, which maintains poverty level wages.
US: Lockout of 2,200 steelworkers nears end of fourth month
By Samuel Davidson, 7 December 2015
US steelmakers are using the slump in demand and falling prices to push for massive concessions and the destruction of many thousands of jobs.
Resistance grows as UAW seeks to ram through Nexteer sellout
By Jerry White, 4 December 2015
There is widespread opposition to the UAW’s effort to impose yet another concessions contract on 3,400 auto parts workers at the Nexteer complex in Saginaw, Michigan.
Behind the UAW-IG Metall transnational partnership
By Shannon Jones, 3 December 2015
The pact between the United Auto Workers and the German labor federation is an alliance of corrupt bureaucratic apparatuses for the suppression of the working class.
After four months, no contract for Verizon telecom workers
By Samuel Davidson and Maria Kovalenko, 3 December 2015
Unions representing 39,000 workers at the US telecommunications firm continue to isolate their members as the company pushes for concessions and job cuts while arbitrarily firing workers.
UAW reaches sellout deal with Nexteer Automotive
By Jerry White, 2 December 2015
The UAW reached an agreement with Nexteer Automotive in Saginaw, Michigan, two days after sanctioning the closure of the Mitsubishi plant in Illinois, wiping out 1,250 jobs.
US: 2,200 locked-out steelworkers lose health care
By Samuel Davidson, 2 December 2015
The steelworkers, who have been locked out of their jobs since August 14, had their health insurance eliminated on Tuesday by Allegheny Technologies Inc.
Entergy to shutter two nuclear plants in US, laying off 1,200
By Steve Filips, 2 December 2015
The upsurge in nuclear plant closures is being driven by lower energy prices due to the glut in the supply of oil and natural gas from the recent boom in fracturing.
“This is a great agreement for our company”
Ford execs, Wall Street investors gloat over new UAW contract
By Jerry White, 1 December 2015
Ford boss Mark Field told investors the new agreement with the United Auto Workers would cost the automaker less than 1.5 percent more per year, below the current rate of inflation.
US: More than 3,000 laid off in closure of Fresh & Easy grocery stores
By Jake Dean, 1 December 2015
All 97 of the chain’s locations in California, Arizona and Nevada were shut down last month.
Report: UAW auto contracts no threat to Big Three profits
By Shannon Jones, 30 November 2015
The business press is gloating over the fact that the new contracts imposed on autoworkers by the UAW are tailored to the needs of the auto bosses.
Walmart worker in New York fired for redeeming cans worth $2
By Josh Varlin, 30 November 2015
The firing of Thomas Smith, which reflects the precarious existence facing millions of workers in the US, has received attention after his story went viral on social media.
UAW moves to wrap up concessions contracts for Nexteer workers, component drivers
By Shannon Jones, 28 November 2015
After pushing through sellout agreements at the Big Three, the UAW is planning similar contracts for parts companies.
US steelmakers attack employee health care
By Evan Winters, 28 November 2015
Steelmakers ArcelorMittal and US Steel each took steps over the past month to shift health care costs onto the backs of workers or retirees.
“All our local union officials are ignoring us and hiding from us”
UAW, media silent on allegations of fraud in Ford contract vote
By Shannon Jones, 26 November 2015
It is nearly one week since the conclusion of the vote at Ford, and there has been no reaction by the corporate media or the United Auto Workers to widespread claims of vote rigging.
Thousands laid off as employment crisis deepens in Appalachia
Ashland, Kentucky steel furnace idled
By Naomi Spencer, 26 November 2015
In Ashland, Kentucky, 1,100 employees of AK Steel received notice that they would be laid off in mid-December, just before Christmas.
The UAW’s illegitimate vote at Ford
Form rank-and-file factory committee to carry forward the fight!
By Jerry White, 24 November 2015
The resort to fraud by the UAW has taught thousands of workers that the United Auto Workers is nothing but a corporate syndicate of cheap labor contractors.
Lessons of the autoworkers’ battle
By Jerry White, 23 November 2015
The resort to gangster-like methods has further discredited the UAW and taught workers that the only way they can defend their interests is by casting off the dead weight of this corporate-labor syndicate.
“The workers will never forget what happened here”
Dearborn Assembly workers allege fraud in UAW-Ford contract vote
By Tim Rivers, 23 November 2015
Autoworkers reacted with disbelief, anger and profound skepticism to the United Auto Workers’ announcement Friday that its agreement with Ford had been ratified with 51 percent support.
The vote at Ford and the way forward for autoworkers
By Joseph Kishore, 20 November 2015
Whether or not the UAW succeeds in securing or manufacturing a “yes” vote, the developments at Ford have once again exposed the unbridgeable gulf between the UAW and the workers it claims to represent.
With contract facing defeat UAW bullies Michigan Ford workers to ratify deal
By Shannon Jones, 20 November 2015
Ford workers in Dearborn, Michigan are casting the deciding votes on the national contract as the UAW pursues a heavy-handed last minute ratification push.
Autoworkers denounce UAW attack on WSWS Autoworker Newsletter reporters
By our reporters, 20 November 2015
The forcible removal of WSWS Autoworker Newsletter reporters from a press conference exposes the UAW’s fear of and hostility to the workers that it claims to represent.
US: Lockout of 2,200 steelworkers enters fourth month
By Evan Winters, 20 November 2015
As the lockout of 2,200 Allegheny Technologies workers enters its fourth month, picketing workers denounced the USW for isolating and betraying their struggle.
With Ford pact in jeopardy, UAW intensifies economic blackmail
By Jerry White, 19 November 2015
After Ford workers at two Louisville factories overwhelmingly voted “no,” the United Auto Workers held a hastily called press conference to threaten workers with plant closings and layoffs.
Injunction issued against Kohler strikers in Wisconsin
By James Brewer, 19 November 2015
The restraining order was issued by a Sheboygan County circuit court judge after the company filed a complaint charging that pickets were causing a traffic jam.
Video shows UAW officials grabbing cell phone, forcibly ejecting WSWS reporters from press conference
By Shannon Jones, 19 November 2015
The UAW’s thuggish actions against the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter reflect its hostility to the working class and its fear of any exposure of its conspiracy with the auto companies.
“It’s pretty obvious that the UAW is a pro-company organization”
Chicago Ford workers reject UAW-corporate agreement
By our reporters, 19 November 2015
Workers who rejected the sellout agreement at the Chicago Assembly and Louisville Assembly plants spoke with the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter.
UAW contracts sanction moves to eliminate small car production in US
By Eric London, 17 November 2015
The United Auto Workers rejects any struggle to unify workers in Mexico, Canada and the US in a common fight against the transnational auto giants.
“It’s terrible, a slap in the face”
Kansas City autoworkers vote “no” on UAW-Ford contract
By our reporters, 17 November 2015
Opposition to the contract at Ford is widespread, with at least 45 percent of workers voting “no” thus far, including 54 percent at the Kansas City Assembly Plant.
Wisconsin Kohler workers strike against two-tier wage
By Shannon Jones, 17 November 2015
On Monday, a huge crowd of strikers and supporters blocked traffic outside the headquarters of the plumbing, kitchen and bathroom supply company.
Opposition grows as votes begin on UAW-Ford sellout
By Shannon Jones, 13 November 2015
Sterling Axle workers in suburban Detroit picketed a UAW information meeting to call for a “no” vote on the tentative agreement
Anger grows as Ford workers begin voting on UAW sellout
By Shannon Jones, 12 November 2015
The UAW is attempting to rush through a contract ratification vote without giving workers time to analyze the agreement and mobilize opposition.
Kraft Heinz and Alcoa among companies cutting hundreds of jobs in upstate New York
By Steve Filips, 12 November 2015
Kraft has four plants with 1,279 workers scattered throughout upstate New York of which three were slated to be closed.
Vote “no” on UAW-Ford sellout contract!
12 November 2015
The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter urges Ford workers to distribute this statement to fellow workers at the plants and upcoming contract votes.
“The UAW is a shill for the company”
UAW-Ford deal creates new tier of low-paid workers
By Jerry White, 11 November 2015
While falsely claiming to have created a “path” to traditional wages for second-tier workers, the UAW-Ford contract creates a third tier of workers at three plants.
Steelworkers’ union may cut strike pay for 2,200 locked-out workers
By Evan Winters, 11 November 2015
Locked-out workers at Allegheny Technologies Inc. report that the USW is considering a plan to cut their grossly inadequate strike pay.
UAW Ford Council approves sellout deal
By Shannon Jones, 10 November 2015
The council rubber stamped the contract at a hastily convened meeting at the UAW-Ford National Program Center even before the final approval of the GM settlement.
UAW scabs do bidding of US auto companies
By Jerry White, 9 November 2015
The UAW is seeking to rush through a new contract on Ford workers, finalizing its campaign to impose the dictates of the auto executives and Wall Street.
Ford workers denounce UAW efforts to push through sellout contract
By our reporters, 9 November 2015
The UAW is moving quickly to force Ford workers to vote on a sellout deal, with the UAW Council meeting today and votes planned for as soon as this week.
UAW prepares to override skilled trades workers’ rejection of GM contract
By Joseph Kishore, 9 November 2015
According to the UAW’s bylaws, for a contract to pass it must be backed by both production and skilled trades workers, and the latter rejected the deal with GM by nearly 60 percent.
UAW seeks to ram through Ford deal as results at GM show split vote
By Shannon Jones and Joseph Kishore, 7 November 2015
The announcement of a deal at Ford came the same day that the UAW reported that skilled trades workers had voted against the agreement at GM.
Bus crash kills six migrant workers in Arkansas
By Tom Eley, 7 November 2015
The crash in Arkansas underscores the highly exploitative nature of farm labor in the US, which is heavily dependent on undocumented and itinerant immigrant workers.
Stiff opposition to UAW-GM deal as balloting concludes
By Jerry White, 6 November 2015
Despite the all-out effort of the UAW to ram through the sellout deal, which will expand the two-tier wage system, large numbers of autoworkers are voting “no.”
Skilled trades workers voting against UAW-GM agreement
By Shannon Jones, 6 November 2015
According to the UAW constitution, a contract must be supported by both production and skilled trades workers, though the union has simply overridden this requirement before.
Substantial opposition to UAW-GM sellout remains as voting continues
By Eric London, 5 November 2015
Messages to the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter give a glimpse of the deep hostility of workers toward the UAW’s effort to ram through the contract.
UAW officials spout company line
By Jerry White, 5 November 2015
Fearing that a struggle by autoworkers will disrupt their lucrative relations with management, UAW officials are saying a strike would lead to disaster.
Oxfam report exposes inhuman conditions of poultry workers
By Mike Stapleton, 5 November 2015
The report states that “the industry takes advantage of workers who live and work in a climate of fear.”
Close vote on UAW-GM contract reveals deep discontent
By Shannon Jones, 4 November 2015
Vote results show strong opposition to the GM sellout deal despite an all-out drive by the UAW to secure ratification.
UAW sanctions closure of GM assembly plant in Wisconsin
By George Gallanis, 4 November 2015
The Janesville, Wisconsin, Assembly Plant, idled since 2009, will be permanently closed under the terms of the proposed UAW-GM contract.
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