North America
Fiat Chrysler layoffs hit workers in suburban Detroit
By Jerry White, 8 April 2016
The announcement that Fiat Chrysler is cutting 1,420 jobs at its Sterling Heights assembly plant foreshadows a new wave of downsizing in the auto industry.
“When the UAW folks play golf with the Fiat folks, what do you expect?”
Fiat Chrysler workers react to Sterling Heights Assembly job cuts
By Shannon Jones, 8 April 2016
Workers who spoke to the World Socialist Web Site at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant said the 2015 contract betrayal by the United Auto Workers helped set the stage for the latest layoffs
Canada’s pseudo-left rallies round discredited pro-war, pro-austerity NDP
By Roger Jordan, 8 April 2016
Pseudo-left groups like Fightback and the Socialist Caucus shamelessly distort, falsify and lie about the political record, social composition, and class orientation of the NDP.
Fiat Chrysler axing 1,400 jobs at Sterling Heights, Michigan plant
By Shannon Jones, 7 April 2016
The company is permanently eliminating one shift at the passenger car plant in suburban Detroit due to slumping sales.
Mobilize the working class to defend Caltrans workers!
By David Brown, 7 April 2016
The following statement will be distributed at tomorrow’s statewide rallies of Caltrans workers, who build and maintain highway, bridge, and rail transportation in the state of California.
As April 13 strike deadline approaches
Struggle at California State University endangered by faculty union’s alliance with Democrats
By Evan Blake and Genevieve Leigh, 6 April 2016
Despite the results of the fact-finding mission validating the CSU faculty union’s demand for a 5 percent pay raise, university administrators refuse to back down, setting the stage for a limited statewide strike.
Court issues restraining order after New Mexico school bus drivers vote to strike
By D. Lencho, 5 April 2016
The drivers will be forced to continue working for 10 days, after which they face the possibility of a permanent restraining order.
Following Machinists union betrayal
Boeing to slash 4,000-8,000 jobs
By Barry Grey, 31 March 2016
Both the IAM and the SPEEA reacted to the announcement of the job cuts with impotent appeals to the state legislature to bar the company from slashing jobs.
“What’s happening here is emblematic of what’s going on across the country”
Detroit newspaper workers protest contract takeaways
By Shannon Jones, 31 March 2016
Detroit Free Press and Detroit News journalists held a protest Wednesday over company concessions demands, including increases in health care costs and conversion of full-time to part-time work.
California Democrats, unions announce deal on $15 minimum wage
By Marc Wells, 30 March 2016
The deal, which has many loopholes, is aimed at containing deep opposition to poverty-level wages and bolstering support for the Democratic Party in the run-up to November’s elections.
Global oil industry job losses continue to mount
By Tom Hall, 28 March 2016
Around 100,000 jobs have been lost in the US alone since 2015, with tens of thousands more job losses expected this year.
University of California president proposes privatization of pension fund
By Kevin Martinez, 25 March 2016
The proposal is only the latest in the bipartisan attack on public-sector and private-sector pension plans throughout the United States.
Canada’s establishment “canonizes” former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford
By Carl Bronski, 25 March 2016
An arch-right winger, notorious for his ignorance and appeals to prejudice, Ford was used by the big business elite to push the city’s politics sharply to the right.
Coal giant Peabody Energy on verge of bankruptcy
By Clement Daly, 22 March 2016
In a string of bankruptcies, the courts are being used to attack the wages, pensions, health care and working conditions of miners—gains realized through decades of struggle.
US Steel layoffs hit another 770 workers
By Samuel Davidson, 21 March 2016
The latest cuts at US Steel come just months after the USW passed a contract granting the company millions of dollars in concessions and cuts to health and retiree benefits.
UAW seeks to ram through contract at Volvo
By Shelly Connor, 21 March 2016
The UAW reportedly reached a last-minute agreement with Volvo, but refused to provide workers with the full contract, following a pattern it has employed many times before.
UAW pushes local deals past opposition at GM Lordstown plant
By Jerry White, 18 March 2016
Union officials made it clear that they would force workers to vote again and again until they approved a local contract.
Manitoba aboriginal youth suicides exemplify systemic crisis
By Carl Bronski, 18 March 2016
Leaders of the Pimicikamak Cree First Nation in Northern Manitoba have declared a state of emergency after the sixth suicide of a young person in three months.
New Jersey Transit contract includes major concessions in health care costs
By Philip Guelpa, 17 March 2016
Unions representing 4,200 New Jersey Transit workers have agreed to sweeping concessions.
Slumping car sales lead to extended layoff of Fiat Chrysler Sterling Heights workers
By Shannon Jones, 15 March 2016
Last week Fiat Chrysler announced that what had originally been scheduled as a six-week layoff would be extended for another three weeks.
As April 8 fiscal deadline approaches
Judge Rhodes threatens shutdown of Detroit Public Schools
By Nancy Hanover, 14 March 2016
As Wall Street demands action on the reorganization of Detroit Public Schools, Judge Steven Rhodes threatened that schools could “go dark.”
Detroit teacher: “Children are made into dollar signs”
By our reporters, 14 March 2016
Detroit teachers spoke to the World Socialist Web Site at the DFT emergency meeting on Thursday, March 10.
California Faculty Association prepares to sell out CSU workers
By Evan Blake and Guillaume Garnier, 14 March 2016
With a limited strike looming, the CFA is rushing to push through another deal that will erode the living standards of 26,000 professors and other staff.
UAW sanctions mass layoffs by farm equipment giant John Deere
By George Gallanis, 14 March 2016
Since November, John Deere has laid off 445 workers with the full complicity of the United Auto Workers.
New Jersey Transit strike deadline approaches
By Sandy English, 12 March 2016
Some 4,200 rail workers at New Jersey Transit, the third-largest bus, rail and light rail transit system in the US, are set to strike on Sunday over wages and health care contributions.
Minnesota’s Iron Range hammered by steel industry layoffs
By a correspondent, 11 March 2016
The United Steelworkers and the Democratic Party have responded with nationalist demagogy, blaming China for “illegal dumping” of steel products on the US market.
US steel union hails Obama trade war measures
By Shannon Jones, 10 March 2016
Predictably, the USW showered praise on the Obama administration for measures targeting imported rolled steel.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
8 March 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature
TVA pension cuts: A new stage in the assault on American workers
By Niles Williamson, 5 March 2016
The attack on the pensions of federal employees is a warning that no section of the working class is exempt from the social counterrevolution being carried out in the interests of the financial aristocracy.
US employment report: Payrolls rise, wages fall
By Barry Grey, 5 March 2016
According to the Labor Department’s household survey, only 11.7 percent of new jobs created in February were full-time.
Autoworkers support challenge to UAW-Ford 2015 contract vote
By Shannon Jones, 1 March 2016
An internal UAW Local 600 hearing on the challenge to the ratification vote by a Ford skilled trade worker is set for Thursday.
United Steelworkers tries to ram sellout deal past ATI workers
By Evan Winters, 1 March 2016
After deliberately isolating locked out workers for over six months, the USW is forcing 2,200 Allegheny Technologies Inc. workers to vote on a sellout contract Tuesday.
Canada’s pseudo-left silent on trade unions’ support for Liberal government
By Roger Jordan, 26 February 2016
A Socialist Project article bemoans the Liberals’ success in donning a “progressive” guise, but is completely silent on the unions’ and NDP’s role in fashioning it.
Downsizing begins as Fiat Chrysler seeks merger partner
By Shannon Jones, 25 February 2016
The plans by CEO Sergio Marchionne to eliminate small car production as part of a potential merger call into question the future of thousands of jobs at the company’s US operations.
Air conditioner maker Carrier to close two Indiana plants, slash 2,100 jobs
By Steve Filips, 19 February 2016
Anger erupted on the shop floor of an Indianapolis factory last week after a spokesman told workers the plant closing was the “best way to stay competitive.”
West Virginia passes “right-to-work” law
By Naomi Spencer and Jerry White, 19 February 2016
The dispute between Democrats and Republicans on right-to-work laws is over the most efficient means of funneling even more money into the hands of the corporate and financial elite.
After tiny tax hike
Canada’s Globe and Mail demands Trudeau “stop whacking the 1 percent”
By Roger Jordan, 19 February 2016
The Globe fears even the most limited and dishonest appeal to antiestablishment feeling could fuel social anger and inadvertently trigger social opposition.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
16 February 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
United Steelworkers offers ArcelorMittal millions in concessions
By Evan Winters, 13 February 2016
With these concessions, the USW hopes to keep ArcelorMittal competitive by passing the burden of the crisis in the global steel industry onto the backs of workers.
GM and UAW donate $3 million to Flint: Criminals covering their tracks
By Jerry White, 12 February 2016
Outside of the state and local authorities, there are few if any other entities so deeply implicated in the social catastrophe in Flint as GM and the UAW.
Video: Retirees speak on Teamsters pension cuts in Detroit
By Shannon Jones, 11 February 2016
In this video, retired truck drivers and delivery workers discuss the plans to slash their pensions by as much as 75 percent.
Who is Kenneth Feinberg?
Kenneth Feinberg and the victim compensation racket
By Shannon Jones, 11 February 2016
Once again Feinberg is offering his services as a “fixer,” this time for the US government and giant trucking corporations, to strip workers of hard-earned pensions.
Hundreds more US coal miners laid off
By Naomi Spencer, 10 February 2016
Mine employment continues to hemorrhage across Appalachia and the Illinois coal basin.
The looting of US workers’ pensions
By Andre Damon, 10 February 2016
The assault on the pension benefits of retirees is an escalation of the decades-long drive to reduce American workers to the conditions of life that existed in the 19th century.
“If the company gets away with this, they will do it with other workers”
Locked out Allegheny Technologies workers to lose jobless benefits
By Evan Winters, 9 February 2016
The more than 2,000 steelworkers at ATI who have been locked out for nearly six months, isolated by the union, have already lost health care benefits.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
9 February 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Detroit and Chicago teachers fight to defend public education
By Jerry White, 8 February 2016
The struggle to defend the right to education poses political questions that are critical for the entire working class.
Job losses mount in US steel and aluminum industries
Arcelormittal announces $8 billion loss
By Samuel Davidson, 8 February 2016
Manufacturers have posted record losses amid a massive fall in prices and continuing slump in domestic and world demand.
Politicians, unions use the “carrot and stick” to try to derail Detroit Public Schools struggle
By Nancy Hanover, 6 February 2016
As Emergency Manager Darnell Earley resigns, union officials and Michigan politicians are working overtime to try to derail the struggle of Detroit teachers.
GM skilled trades worker killed at Defiance, Ohio factory
By Shannon Jones, 4 February 2016
50-year-old Terry Bodenbender, father of two, was working on an overhead crane when he plunged to his death Tuesday afternoon.
On what program should workers oppose the sellout agreement in Quebec’s public sector?
By the Socialist Equality Party (Canada), 2 February 2016
Quebec public sector workers face a political struggle. In rejecting the sellout agreement touted by the inter-union Common Front, they will be challenging the austerity program of the entire ruling elite.
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.
Canada’s prime minister courts global financial elite
By Roger Jordan, 27 January 2016
Even as Trudeau enthused over Canada’s “financial stability,” the country’s economy was being roiled by plummeting oil prices and the rapid depreciation of the Canadian dollar.
”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.
Canada’s central bank expresses trepidation over economic downturn
By Roger Jordan, 29 December 2015
Canada’s central bank has announced that in the event of a major crisis it will consider adopting negative interest rates and other unconventional policies.
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.
Trudeau’s refugee “welcome” and the real agenda of Canada’s new government
By Roger Jordan, 15 December 2015
Trudeau is giving his government “progressive” and humanitarian hues to provide political cover for continuing the Canadian elite’s aggressive foreign policy agenda.
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.
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